Credit Graham Burrell
One of the more memorable wins of the last 25 years in the FA Cup First Round came against Brighton & Hove Albion.
We’re not talking about 2016/17 – instead, on a cold afternoon in November 2003, as Keith Alexander’s confident Imps side brushed aside high-flying League One outfit Brighton to book their place in the second round.
At that time, the cup often provided moments to savour for City supporters under Alexander’s leadership. His sides regularly rose to the occasion, whether it was the 5–1 demolition of Crewe Alexandra or the unforgettable 5–4 defeat at Fulham.
Yet this tie against Brighton remains one of the most overlooked cup triumphs of the early 2000s — a day when belief and momentum met a Championship-bound opponent head-on.
Credit Graham Burrell " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-042.jpg?fit=300%2C201&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-042.jpg?fit=678%2C454&ssl=1" class="size-large wp-image-42770" alt width="678" height="454" data-sizes="(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-042.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-042.jpg?resize=300%2C201&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-042.jpg?resize=768%2C514&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-042.jpg?resize=1536%2C1027&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-042.jpg?resize=2048%2C1370&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-042.jpg?resize=600%2C401&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-042.jpg?w=1356&ssl=1 1356w">
Credit Graham Burrell
Confidence and momentum under Keith Alexander
City went into the tie in fine form, unbeaten in fifteen matches aside from one defeat to eventual promotion-winners Hull City. Five straight home victories had rebuilt confidence after a shaky start to the campaign, and there was a real sense of optimism around Sincil Bank.
The opposition were formidable. Brighton sat top of Division Two (now League One) and would later earn promotion through the play-offs by defeating Bristol City at the Millennium Stadium. Despite that pedigree, a crowd of 4,425 turned out in hope and defiance, singing Keith Alexander’s name amid reports linking him with the Peterborough United job.
Credit Graham Burrell " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-004.jpg?fit=300%2C201&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-004.jpg?fit=678%2C454&ssl=1" class="size-large wp-image-42769" alt width="678" height="454" data-sizes="(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-004.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-004.jpg?resize=300%2C201&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-004.jpg?resize=768%2C514&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-004.jpg?resize=1536%2C1027&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-004.jpg?resize=2048%2C1370&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-004.jpg?resize=600%2C401&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-004.jpg?w=1356&ssl=1 1356w">
Credit Graham Burrell
Clinical City strike early
The opening exchanges were cagey until the thirteenth minute, when Ben Futcher was bundled over in the area and referee Rob Shoebridge pointed to the spot. It was a soft decision, but Paul Mayo made no mistake, blasting home his penalty to continue a faultless record from twelve yards that would last until 2006.
Lincoln took control and soon doubled their advantage. Francis Green burst down the left flank before crossing for Matt Bloomer, who lashed home first-time from a tight angle to make it 2–0 — his first competitive goal for City since a pre-season friendly with Manchester City.
Credit LCFC " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/av-081103\_002.jpg?fit=300%2C197&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/av-081103\_002.jpg?fit=678%2C445&ssl=1" class="size-large wp-image-42768" alt width="678" height="445" data-sizes="(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/av-081103\_002.jpg?resize=1024%2C672&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/av-081103\_002.jpg?resize=300%2C197&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/av-081103\_002.jpg?resize=768%2C504&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/av-081103\_002.jpg?resize=600%2C394&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/av-081103\_002.jpg?w=1476&ssl=1 1476w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/av-081103\_002.jpg?w=1356&ssl=1 1356w">
Credit LCFC
Yeo finishes the job
After the break, the Imps showed no sign of easing up. Another lively run from Green earned a corner, which Mayo swung in towards goalkeeper Michel Kuipers. The Dutchman spilled the delivery straight to Simon Yeo, who gleefully tucked away his first and only FA Cup goal for Lincoln to put the tie beyond doubt.
With the job done, Alexander handed rare cameos to Rory May and Niall McNamara before Brighton grabbed a late consolation, Chris McPhee heading home from a Piercy cross. It mattered little — Lincoln had comfortably dispatched a side sitting two divisions above them.
Credit Graham Burrell " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-077.jpg?fit=300%2C201&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-077.jpg?fit=678%2C454&ssl=1" class="size-large wp-image-42772" alt width="678" height="454" data-sizes="auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-077.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-077.jpg?resize=300%2C201&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-077.jpg?resize=768%2C514&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-077.jpg?resize=1536%2C1027&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-077.jpg?resize=2048%2C1370&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-077.jpg?resize=600%2C401&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/staceywest.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/V-Brighton-8.11.03-077.jpg?w=1356&ssl=1 1356w">
Credit Graham Burrell
A final victory before tragedy
The 3–1 result would prove poignant. It was the final match before Keith Alexander’s cerebral aneurysm later that month, a reminder of how fragile the highs of football can be.
Lincoln’s reward was a second-round trip to Southend United, where their FA Cup run ended with a 3–0 defeat. The Shrimpers then played Scarborough of the non-league, lost, and were handed a home tie against Chelsea.
Lincoln City: Marriott, Weaver, Morgan, Futcher, Bloomer, Butcher, Gain, Mayo, Fletcher, Yeo, Green.
Subs: Sedgemore, May, Willis, McNamara, Martin.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Kuipers, Hinshelwood, Cullip, Butters, Mayo, Hart, Pethick, Carpenter, Jones, Knight, McPhee.
Subs: Keeley, Watson, Wilkinson, Piercy, El-Abd.