Fourth-tier Cheltenham Town came within minutes of one of the great FA Cup shocks before Manchester City scored three late goals to win an absorbing fourth-round tie 3-1 on Saturday (Jan 23).
Alfie May looked poised to write his name into the competition's folklore when he pounced to put his side ahead in the 59th minute at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
Cheltenham, 72 places lower than City in the standings, were holding on and edging towards a fairytale win but reality returned when Phil Foden equalised in the 81st minute.
Three minutes later Gabriel Jesus put City in front and Ferran Torres added a cruel third with the last kick.
Some say the romance of the world's oldest knockout competition has been diluted in recent times.
But this tie had everything apart from, sadly, a baying crowd because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
There were incredible goalline clearances, near misses, throw-ins launched like grenades and even a five-minute delay in the first half as fireworks exploded above the stadium.
In the end it was a relieved Pep Guardiola whose side's 10th successive win in all competitions set up a last-16 tie away to Championship high-flyers Swansea City.
