Burnley 1976/77

Burnley had only just dropped out of the First Division the summer prior to this game, whereas the Imps had just stormed to the Fourth Division title. The second-round game promised a lot, and a trip to Turf Moor felt lucrative. It was reward for us hammering Nuneaton 6-0, and we gave a top showing.

Burnley were third from bottom in the Second Division, and City took an early lead through John Ward. The home side rallied, scoring not long after and adding a second after halftime, but the Imps, described as playing ‘great football,’ bagged a late leveller through Alan Harding to bring the illustrious opposition to Sincil Bank. 11,500 watched on at Turf Moor, and 11,400 were in Lincoln a few days later to see the Imps almost pull off a giant killing.

Instead, more wasted chances cost us a place in the next round against Port Vale. Freeman and Man of the Match from the first fixture, Dave Smith, both had opportunities to score but could not break the deadlock. Instead, Paul Fletcher bagged the only goal of the game, just moments after Smith had beat Stevenson in the Clarets’ goal, only to see the post deny him.