Manchester City went into their FA Cup clash at Notts County in 2011 on the back of some indifferent form in the Premier League, with a defeat to Aston Villa hitting their confidence ahead of the trip to Meadow Lane.
Notts County, managed by Paul Ince, had enjoyed a fine start to the calendar year, but three games without a win had them fearing the worst when the Premier League big spenders made the journey to Nottinghamshire to compete for a place in the last 16.
City boss Roberto Mancini named a strong starting lineup for the fourth-round clash, but the likes of Vincent Kompany and David Silva were left on the substitutes' bench, while Ince included former Chelsea left-back Jon Harley.
City were greeted with a playing surface rarely seen in the top flight for over a decade, but despite nearly falling behind to a free kick from Alan Gow, they soon found their stride at Meadow Lane as they looked to dampen the spirits of the enthusiastic home fans.
Edin Dzeko played an inviting pass down the right for the forward-thinking Micah Richards, who delivered the ideal cross for the advancing Yaya Toure, but his shot was diverted over the crossbar by the feet of goalkeeper Stuart Nelson.
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Dzeko had recently completed a £27m move to City for Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg, and the Notts County contingent were quick to let him know that City hadn't got value for money after the Bosnian sent a speculative effort high into the stands.
City continued to have the better of the action but they couldn't make the breakthrough before half time, with Krystian Pearce having to make a last-ditch challenge to stop Dzeko netting his second goal for his new club.
As the minutes ticked by without City making an impact on the scoreline, County grew in confidence, and they stunned their more illustrious opponents by taking the lead shortly before the hour to send Meadow Lane into a mixture of bewilderment and delight.
Gow, who had signed for the club from Motherwell two weeks before the match, curled a corner to the near post for Neal Bishop to head in his first goal of the campaign in his 29th appearance.
Notts County's goal sprung City into action, with Dzeko heading narrowly over from a cross from Pablo Zabaleta, while Gareth Barry tested Nelson with a powerful effort from 25 yards.
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However, City finally broke County's resistance with 10 minutes remaining. Silva, who had been introduced as a second-half substitute, released Richards down the right, and the England international's cross was met by Dzeko, who sent a left-foot strike flashing past Nelson.
It was harsh on the League One side, but City deserved their equaliser, and they were unlucky not to breach County's backline for a second time as the match neared a conclusion.
However, it was the home side who nearly stole it just before the full-time whistle with Lee Hughes heading wide of the post, but it wasn't to be for Ince's men as they secured a second match with Mancini's team at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Two goals from Patrick Vieira helped Manchester City take control of the replay, before three strikes in the final six minutes condemned County to a heavy defeat to leave them to concentrate on trying to survive in League One.
As for City, they progressed through the remainder of the competition without conceding a goal to lift their first FA Cup for 42 years when a Yaya Toure goal 16 minutes from time helped Mancini's side overcome Stoke City at Wembley.
Darren Plant
