1986-87 Season - September

Ten thousand fans that had turned up for the opening match failed to appear for the match against QPR who had made a decent start to the season. But the most important missing person was Peter Beardsley who had aggravated his achilles tendon injury on the grassless Kenilwoth Road pitch

Joe Allon - once again a prolific scorer in the reserves - was drafted in in his stead.

United played badly creating very few chances of their own and gifting The Rangers two second half goals. United were now one off the bottom.

United's injury problems were starting to mount as captain Glenn Roeder was ruled out for the visit of The Owls. Kevin Scott made his debut as a replacement.

A 3-2 defeat meant that United were winless in the first five games for the first time in 34 years and had also lost all three home games. The winner came a sickening 13 seconds from time, but in reality The Magpies had been comprehensively outplayed for most of the match.

Although United showed plenty of spirit Wednesday were well on top during the first period and two goals in the last three minutes by Shutt and Sterland were no more than they deserved

The second half fizzled out somewhat until the last eleven minutes. First Joe Allon grabbed one back and then debutant Scott scored an unlikely equaliser [82]. Sadly the creaking door that seemed to be slowly opening was soon Shutt again.

The result left United one off the bottom.

Despite the goalscoring exploits of his youngsters McFaul decided to turn to experience in attempt to get the club "out of the mire". Jeff Clarke returned from injury and Tony Cunningham got his first start of the season.

The plan failed miserably as United "gift wrapped" all three goals for the Sky Blues. Kilcline scored in the first half after Stewart lost possession resulting in a free-kick.

Three minutes into the second period Whitehurst set up Bennett and on the hour the United defence failed to deal with a huge clearance by Oggy allowing Adams to sneak in with a third.

United slumped to bottom place with McFaul struggling to make a transfer breakthrough. He had enquired about Steve Hodge but was quoted £1m, a figure well out of our reach.

Things didn't get much easier with Dave Bassett's newly promoted Dons in town; the Wombles direct style had already won them a decent haul of points. Roeder was back from injury but on the morning of the match keeper Thomas dropped out. He was having muscle spasms in his back; not surprising really considering the start we had made.

As a result twenty year old Republic of Ireland youth international Gary Kelly made his debut. Another first starter was Andy Thomas; a £100,000 capture from Oxford.

The Wombles bombarded United early on but despite being under the cosh for most of the first half The Magpies made and missed three presentable chances towards the break.

United started the second half much better and were rewarded with a goal on 54 minutes; a perfectly judged chip from Gazza. Wimbledon bounced back but United hung on grimly for their first win of the season.

The League Cup Second Round saw us take on Second Division Bradford City. Clarke was out again but Beardsley was welcomed back in front of a dismal crowd at Valley Parade.

It was a typical United performance in the competition and two second half strikes put the Yorkshiremen in control of the tie.

A furious McFaul axed Stewart, Gascoigne and Whitehurst for the trip to Carrow Road with youngsters Joe Allon and Paul Stephenson both being recalled.

United made a disastrous start when Drinkell put The Canaries ahead after only three minutes with United defenders all pointing at each other. But they didn't buckle and Allon inspired the team to their best performance of the season. Unfortunately Allon's shooting was off kilter and despite playing the more progressive football there was nothing on the board.

And when Norwich scored against the run of play [67] the game was effectively over. "We deserved more, our luck was rock bottom" bemoaned the under pressure McFaul.

The month ended with the club in 20th position having scored only five goals in nine games.