John Beresford holds his hands up to 1995 FA Cup 'fluke' goal

Since then Magpie fans have had little to shout about in the FA Cup. Yes, there were two further quarter-final appearances – a 2-0 home defeat to Sunderland in 1955-56 and a 3-1 home defeat to Sheffield United in 1960-61 – plus another final appearance at Wembley in 1974 against Liverpool where, even with the outstanding Malcolm McDonald, they were always second best, and lost 3-0.

There was one more quarter-final appearance in 1975-76, a 4-2 defeat at Derby, but after 1976 it was a barren run, with some embarrassing defeats against clubs from the lower divisions: they lost 1-0 at home in the 3rd Round to Third Division Chester City in 1979-80; they lost 4-0 to 3rd Division Exeter City in a 5th Round replay in 1980-81; they lost 1-0 at home to Third Division Watford in 3rd Round in 1988-89, and they lost in a penalty shoot-out to Third Division Bournemouth in the 3rd Round in 1991-92.

Where once they roared like lions, they were going out like lambs.

Kevin Keegan breezed in to St James's in 1992, and suddenly there was hope.

On Sunday, February 19, 1995, the Magpies were looking to reach the quarter-finals once more when they met Manchester City at home in the 5th Round.

Magpies full back John Beresford recalls: "I was hoping to have a decent game, and for us to do well, because I was released by City when I was a youngster."

John scored Newcastle's second goal that day, which, having joined the Magpies in July 1992, was his first in open play for the club.

He says: "My first goal for Newcastle was from the penalty spot, and my goal against City was in all honesty, a bit of a fluke.

"I had the ball on the left wing, near their box, and looked up to see Paul Kitson at the far post. I intended to chip the ball on to Paul's head but watched with surprise as it floated over the head of City goalkeeper Andy Dibble and into the top corner of the net.

"Funnily enough, a month later, I met Andy in the Lake District and he told me he got some terrible stick in their dressing room after the game."

Keith Gillespie, part of the deal that took Andy Cole to Old Trafford, was just a babe of 13 months, when Newcastle were humbled 4-2 in their last quarter-final appearance in 1976, but that day against City he also celebrated his first goals for the club. His first in the 19th minute was hotly disputed by City as a linesman raised his flag to indicate that Kitson was standing in an offside position when Robert Lee played the ball through to Gillespie, who did what most smart footballers do and played to the whistle.

Gillespie was beaten to the ball by City right back David Brightwell, but the City man lost the ball before keeper Andy Dibble kicked the ball against Gillespie and the ball rebounded over Dibble's head leaving Gillespie with the simple task of slipping the ball into the net to put Newcastle 1-0 ahead. The fans were bemused while the City contingent were more than annoyed.

The goal seemed to galvanise City and they equalised 10 minutes later when Uwe Rosler swept the ball into the net after Pavel Srnicek had collided with Niall Quinn.

John Beresford's goal on 34 minutes put Newcastle 2-1 ahead and a 3-1 win was sealed with a second goal from Gillespie on 64 minutes. Peter Beardsley eluded his marker, swung the ball to the far post where Gillespie was again second favourite to win the ball. Brightwell, not as speedy as his medal-winning parents Ann Packer and Robbie Brightwell, hesitated while Gillespie raised his studs more in hope than expectation to make a connection with the ball which dropped over the goalline to make the final score 3-1.

Newcastle: Srnicek, Hottiger, Peacock, Howey, Beresford, Gillespie, Venison, Lee, Fox, Beardsley, Kitson. Subs not used: Bracewell, Watson, Hooper (goal).

Man City: Dibble, I Brightwell, Kernaghan, Curle, D Brightwell (Foster 75 mins), Summerbee, Gaudino, Flitcroft, Beagrie, Quinn (Mike 84 mins), Rosler. Subs not used Burridge (goal).

Thanks to Mark Hannen at Newcastle Football Club and John Beresford for their help this week.