FA CUP: Cup holders held by excellent Exeter

Congratulations to Exeter City, who ensured there will be a Nationwide Conference representative in the fourth round of the FA Cup after their heroic performance to earn a replay against Manchester United with a goalless draw at Old Trafford.

The Premiership giants rested the majority of their first-choice stars but were still expected to prove too strong for the Grecians, fourth in the Conference before kick-off. However, Alex Inglethorpe's side more than held their own at the Theatre of Dreams, even when Sir Alex Ferguson threw on the likes of Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Smith in an attempt to make the breakthrough.

Former Manchester United trainee Andy Taylor came close to scoring for the visitors on several occasions, as did United supporter Dean Moxey who twice fired narrowly wide.

United's only real effort on goal in the first half was a David Bellion free-kick, which was well saved by Exeter goalkeeper Paul Jones, but the home side turned up the pressure after the break and assistant manager Scott Hiley had to clear off the line from United youngster David Jones.

The Grecians goalie was tested again as he turned over a Wes Brown header before United's big guns entered the fray, and Jones saved well once more as Ronaldo teamed up with Alan Smith to fire a powerful drive goalwards.

The draw was no more than Exeter deserved and having enjoyed a huge pay-day as a result of their glamour tie at Old Trafford, The Grecians will now host the cup holders in a replay in which they will be hopeful, and perhaps now even confident, of springing another surprise.

Exeter boss Alex Inglethorpe said after the match: "I am incredibly proud of the way we played and the way the players conducted themselves - and Sir Alex Ferguson said well done at the end.

"We always believed that if we got off to a good start and didn't concede an early goal we might grow in confidence and we did. As the game went on, United became more frustrated.

"Some people are saying United played a weakened team, but they still had Wes Brown, Phil Neville, Tim Howard and David Bellion, who have all played in the first team. We are a Conference side and, although those players might not be regulars, they are still stars to us."

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Exeter had played very well, but he was extremely disappointed by his own team's performance, and insisted he would be taking no chances in the replay.

"That is the worst FA Cup performance we have produced since I came here 18 years ago and I must apologise to the fans for it," he stated.

"We worked hard, but the quality was poor, although this has got to go down as Exeter's day, and the only positive thing we can take is that we're still in the competition.

"I know we played some young players but that is not an excuse, we expect more of them than that.

"Maybe I should have brought on Paul Scholes and Alan Smith at half-time," he mused.

"It is hard to get your head around it. We are all very disappointed. If someone had told me before the game it would be 0-0 I would probably have hit them. But I will play a much stronger team in the replay and we will not make this mistake again."

Ferguson did reserve some praise for one or two of his players however, admitting: "There were some good things on display; David Jones was our best player. He is only 20 and has the desire to win, while it was important to get Wes Brown back after a month out and Phil Neville was terrific."