Best had been suspended for four weeks for kicking the ball out of the referee’s hands and was very eager to return to action. Northampton keeper Kim Book had his work cut out as Best was in an unforgiving mood. The six goals included fantastic headers, delightful finesse and trademark runs from Best that eluded the Northampton defenders before he put the ball in the back of the net. The Northern Irish international single-handedly destroyed a hapless Northampton defence.
United went on to play the semi-finals against Leeds United but were narrowly beaten 1-0 after two scoreless replays.