Exeter City v Manchester United
The FA Cup, Third Round Replay
St. James' Park, Exeter
Wednesday 19 January 2005, 7.45pm



Sean Devine hopes tonight's clash with Manchester United will help him complete a fascinating fairytale.

The Exeter striker thought he had missed out on the chance of a lifetime four years ago when his Wycombe side took on Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park.

Devine missed the 2-1 defeat with a knee injury, which kept him out of the game for 22 months, and he thought his dream of taking on one of the country's big guns had gone with it.

But the beauty of the FA Cup means the 32-year-old has been handed one more chance to produce the magical giantkilling that would ensure he is never forgotten.

And Devine is desperate to ensure it is an evening he will never forget.

He said: "My biggest game before now was that FA Cup semi-final while I was at Wycombe - but at the time I was out injured and it was a nightmare.

"I can't even explain how disappointed I was to miss that game. I just remember thinking at the time that I would never get that sort of opportunity again, I was so gutted.

"I tried to get involved and I was around the team in the build up and on the day of the game, but in a way that just made it worse because I was so desperate to be out there.

"So this clash with Manchester United has provided me with a chance I never thought would come again."

Devine was one one of Alex Inglethorpe's heroes up at Old Trafford eleven days ago as the non-league minnows held Sir Alex Ferguson's millionaires to a goalless draw.

The Exeter striker admits it was an occasion he will never forget - but now he wants to go one better and score the goal which will make him an FA Cup legend.

Devine added: "To play up there was very surreal and it was a dream to be involved. And of course to come away with a draw was fantastic.

"But now we have another chance to beat them and although we know it will be tough, we won't have any fear.

"If I was to score the winner then I think I would have to pinch myself, it would be unbelievable.

"But if you don't dream about these things they will never happen."

Sir Alex Ferguson rested most of his stars for the first meeting between the two sides, but is expected to bring back more of his top players this evening.

The Manchester United manager is desperate to avoid a shock Cup defeat and set up a fourth round tie at home to Middlesbrough.

But Exeter will be looking to write themselves into the history books.