Sean Dyche smashed home a penalty to put Chesterfield 2-0 up.Sean Dyche smashed home a penalty to put Chesterfield 2-0 up.
Sean Dyche smashed home a penalty to put Chesterfield 2-0 up. | Getty Images

Remembering Chesterfield's dramatic FA Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough 23 years on

On April 13, 1997, Chesterfield came agonisingly close to reaching the FA Cup final.

The Division Two Spireites led 2-0 against 10-man Premier League Middlesbrough after an hour thanks to goals from Andy Morris and a penalty from Sean Dyche at Old Trafford. But Boro, a man down after Vladimir Kinder was sent off for two first half yellow cards, pulled one back through Fabrizio Ravanelli on 64 minutes Then came the moment that Blues fans will never forget. Jonathan Howard’s 68th minute shot hit the underside of the crossbar and appeared to have crossed the line but referee David Elleray did not give it. He later admitted that it had crossed the line. To rub salt into the wounds, Craig Hignett equalised two minutes later from the penalty spot to make it 2-2. In extra-time, Middlesbrough thought they had won it through Gianluca Festa, but with just one minute remaining in the game, Chestefield-born Jamie Hewitt, headed a dramatic equaliser to secure a replay at Hillsborough, which they would go on to lose 3-0. Here are some pictures from that memorable day...

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