They were only ten minutes of the tie remaining and they were 5-0 down when Chesterfield mustered a rare foray forward at Stamford Bridge.
The National League side had never stopped trying, never stopped striving, and their fans had never stopped singing, even as Chelsea banged in goal after goal. Now, as their team attacked the end where they stood, they sensed their moment.
Kabongo Tshimanga ran at the retreating Chelsea defence and evaded a tackle. His shot was low and true and when Marcus Bettinelli spread himself to save it, it hit his trailing leg and trickled across the goalmouth.