FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying Replay - 29/10/96 - Whaddon Road
Following wins over Gosport, Salisbury and Weymouth, Cheltenham Town were drawn away at Conference side Bath City in the 1996/97 FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round.
The Robins, managed by Chris Robinson battled to earn a goalless draw at Twerton Park to bring the Romans back to Whaddon Road for what was to be an epic replay.
Cheltenham had numerous early chances, but Mike Davis put Bath ahead after 35 minutes. Bath who included former Robin Richard Crowley, defended stoutly and despite long periods of pressure, Cheltenham could not find a breakthrough.
Many home fans had already given up hope and left the ground when Kevin Maloy launched an injury time free-kick long into the Bath half. Martin Boyle stooped to head home a dramatic equaliser against his former club and it was then that the magic began.
Bath were visibly deflated by the last-gasp leveller and Cheltenham capitalised with two goals in the first three minutes of a memorable extra-time period for the Whaddon Road faithful.
With a tie against Barry Fry's Division Two outfit Peterborough at stake in the 1st Round Proper, Cheltenham ran riot. Jason Eaton, who hit a hat-trick in the 4-3 2nd Qualifying Round win over Salisbury, received the ball with his back to goal on the penalty spot, turned sharply and drilled home Cheltenham's second.
Barely two minutes later, Jimmy Smith scored a breathtaking third, lobbing the ball over Bath keeper Mark Hervin from 25 yards out the left side of the pitch.
The tie settled down after Smith's wonder goal and there was just enough time for Lee Howells to crash a shot into the roof of the net in the second period of extra-time to make the scoreline even more impressive.
Cheltenham's FA Cup record before Steve Cotterill arrived was average to say the least, but this was a rare Cup night when it was great to be a Cheltenham Town supporter.
Robinson's side went to Peterborough's London Road ground and held out for a 0-0 draw. The Posh dominated, but Jamie Victory headed against a post in the dying minutes.
The replay saw a Peterborough side in dire financial trouble win 3-1 after extra-time.
Cheltenham Town (0) 4 (Boyle 90, Eaton 91, Smith 93, Howells 110) Bath City (1) 1 (Davis)
Cheltenham: Maloy, Wotton, Wring, Banks, Freeman (Boyle 67), Victory, Howells, Wright, Eaton, Smith, Clarke (Bloomer 100).
Bath: Hervin, Murray, Dicks, Cross, Crowley (Harrington 100), Honor, Brooks, James (Tovey 60), Davis (Withey 76), Adock, Wyatt.
Referee: S. Dunn (Bristol)
Attendance: 1,018.