1986-87 Season - October

Travelling supporters hurled abuse at the United directors after a second half capitulation at The Dell saw United hit rock bottom.

With captain Roeder injured David McCreery led the team out as McFaul tried a new formation of Allon and Whitehurst up front with Beardsley and Thomas behind. United started like a "house on fire" with Andy Thomas in fine form and it was he who gave us the lead in the 13th minute despite Shilton's efforts to scoop the ball away.

But four minutes later Colin Clarke shot into an empty net after Anderson and Thomas had collided and it was level at the break.

It stayed that way until the 70th minute when The Magpies were caught wide open and conceded three awful goals; the last from Mark Dennis coming after he had run all the way from his left-back position.

Two goals down from the First Leg United knew what they had to do against Bradford but they were simply not up to the task.

A single Roeder goal was not enough.

Whitehurst was subbed after his 10th blank of the season and reacted to the fans' abuse by giving them the old two fingered salute. He was immediately placed on the transfer list and had soon moved on to Oxford

Tony Cunningham and Ian Stewart were recalled for the home game against a Manchester City side who were also struggling having won only one of their last 22 games. United recorded only their second win of the season but McFaul was honest enough to admit that it was his "luckiest win as a manager".

Man City had deservedly gone ahead through Simpson in the 30th minute and struck woodwork on no less than three occasions.

But United were grateful for anything going and a handball gave Neil McDonald a chance to equalise from the spot five minutes before half time.

Two goals at the start of the second period from Gascoigne (47) and Cunningam (48) turned the game around and allowed United to move up to 21st.

United slumped to their fourth home defeat in six games when they were comprehensively outclassed on a greasy surface

The Gunners were well on top during the first period but poor finishing let them down. Keeper Lukic almost got on the score sheet when his long punt up field bounced over keeper Kelly's head but thankfully passed wide of the goal.

After Niall Quinn had hit the bar a vintage Beardsley dribble created a chance for Stewart who crashed home from twelve yards. Could United repeat their smash and grab raid of the City game?

No they couldn't and goals from Viv Anderson and Steve Williams via John Anderson created a more reflective scoreline.

McFaul went to Bradford to sign Peter Jackson who had impressed during the League Cup matches and he replaced Kenny Wharton. McCreery's return saw Gascoigne once again reverting to the sub's bench..

A sub 15,000 crowd saw previous United target Steve Hodge score twice in the First Half to put Villa in command.

The Second Half saw United virtually encamped in The Valiants half with Beardsley trying every trick in his book to create some chances. He did on numerous occasions but there was nobody capable of finishing off the openings he made.