Spurs were bidding for a record eight FA Cup triumph and had never lost an FA Cup final; Coventry were appearing in their first final after 104 years of trying.

There could, surely, only be one winner. When footballer of the year Clive Allen headed home his 49th goal of a magnificent season as early as the second minute, Wembley prepared for an avalanche.

But Coventry had other ideas. Dave Bennett, a cup final loser at the hands of Spurs with Manchester City six years earlier, equalised. Though Gary Mabbutt put Spurs back in front, defiant Coventry hit back again with a superb diving header from Keith Houchen.

The scene was set for a dramatic extra time dogfight, but the winning goal was cruel luck on loyal Spurs servant Mabbutt. As Lloyd McGrath centred, the Tottenham captain stuck out a knee and only succeeded in steering the ball up and over his own goalkeeper, Ray Clemence.

It was an inglorious winner in a glorious final - and Coventry did not care one bit.