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In the AXA Sponsored FA Cup 2nd Qualfying Round United entertained Horsham, and it was the visitors who took a shock lead on 8 minutes when Hackett chipped over Richard Wilmot.

In every game to that point of the season United had played the ball around with intricate passing, yet not always getting the reward at the end of it. Steve Butler headed a Kieran Gallagher free kick just wide, and Gallagher himself cut inside but shot straight at their keeper.

Eventually the pressure paid off on 43 minutes, Gary Crawshaw crossed and Ian King headed past Preston. In the first half Horsham had risen to the occasion, but conceding a goal at such a crucial time clearly dented their spirits. In less than eight second half minutes the tie was over.

Cliff Hercules hit a post from a Gallagher corner, then on 50 minutes another Gallagher corner was headed on by Butler for Crawshaw to swivel and smash home. From the restart Hackett forced Wilmot into a fine diving save, but at the other end three minutes later, it was Corey Browne who turned provider. He crossed for Crawshaw to headed in at the nearpost, Crawshaw's 9th goal in 12 games for the club.

At 3-1 United took their foot off the pedal. Horsham, to their credit, never gave up, and on 65 minutes Hackett went close with a low drive. In the closing quarter Preston tipped over a long range King effort, Jermaine Darlington shot just over the bar from the edge of the box and Jason Court had a goal disallowed for offside.