TAKING AIM: York City striker Paul Aimson soars above Southampton centre half John McGrath to head in the last gasp equaliser which earned the Minstermen a replay at The dell

HEAVENS above! York City fans were on cloud nine when the Saints went marching into Bootham Crescent.

Southampton were the visitors when City took them on in an FA Cup fourth round tie in 1971 and many believe it is the most exciting game ever seen on York's home ground.

Trevor Brotherton, of Mallard Close, Stratford-on-Avon, had little hesitation in chosing it as his Millennium Match.

"My vote for one of the matches to remember was the FA Cup third round in the 1970/71 season against Southampton at home.

"What made it so special? Southampton -a First Division side - were 3-1 up with only minutes to go, before two quick goals levelled the scores and put the home supporters into heaven".

The Evening Press City writer of the day, Malcolm Huntington, described it as "the greatest cup tie it has been my privilege to report. No words of mine can adequately describe a game which was a credit of the game of football. Like a fairytale it will be talked about many times."

All six goals came in the last 24 minutes and had a 14,000-plus Bootham Crescent in a frenzy.

All seemed lost for City as goals in quick succession by Jimmy Gabriel and Mike Channon, seemingly offside, put the Saints in control with just 12 minutes remaining on the clock.

It was a sickening scoreline as City had dominated their illustrious opponents for most of the match and the Southampton goals had come against the run of play.

Home fans were anxiously looking at their watches when Kevin McMahon gave City hope with a header past goalkeeper Eric Martin.

But City's joy evaporated when Ron Davies rose above Ron Hillyard to head home and restore Southampton's two-goal lead with only six minutes remaining.

But the City faithful got right behind their team and when Dick Hewitt span inside the area and knocked the ball in from close range Tom Johnston's men had given themselves a glimmer of hope.

Never-say-die City poured forward in droves desperate for the equaliser their play had deserved.

Referee Christopher Fallon had already taken a glance of his watch when City won a free-kick on the left. Phil Burrows knocked the ball to John Mackin, who curled in a dangerous cross from the right into the Southampton box.

The crowd momentarily held its breath as Paul Aimson leapt high above Southampton centre half John McGrath to head past Martin for the equaliser with just seconds remaining.

City fans went wild with delight and the following Monday there was more joy when the draw meant the winners of the replay would go to Liverpool in the fifth round.

Sadly, City didn't make it, but made a massive contribution to another thriller at the Dell before going down 3-2.

Today's Bolton v Aston Villa semi-final has a long way to go to match City's thriller with the Saints visit to Bootham Crescent in 1971

This is the last in our occasional Millennium Match series looking back on memorable games featuring York City.