**“The difference between the makeup of the two sides was huge really.**” Paul Power
“And we had a young goalkeeper in Eric Nixon too. So, all in all, bearing in mind that we'd gone 2-0 down, we didn't collapse because of the youth.
“It could have been a mentally tough game for them, especially it being a derby. So, full marks to them for holding it together and coming through in the end with a couple of goals.”
For boyhood Blue Mark Lillis, the chance to mix it with United on their own turf was the stuff of dreams – even if fate meant he had to be redeployed in an unfamiliar position.
“I started off the game at centre forward but then Kenny Clements got injured so I was moved to centre half and had to shadow Mark Hughes who was obviously a hell of a player,” Mark recalls.
“But I’d come across Mark a couple of times in football, and I knew he was about to get a big move to Barcelona that summer from United as I think it was about to be announced.
“So, I just said to him: ‘Look, don’t be running around doing some stupid things as I might have to tackle you a bit harder than you’ve had before and you might not get your move!’
“He just looked round at me and smirked but at the end of the game I wished him the best of luck on his move.”
It was a date and occasion that also meant the world to goalkeeper Eric Nixon, another true Blue and boyhood Manc.
One of the great characters of that side, and the only player to feature in all four divisions of English football in the same season, Nixon’s own footballing story is truly the stuff of legend – not least the fact that Eric’s City career was initiated when he had the gumption and confidence to stop outside Maine Road and ask for a trial!
“You've got to remember who I am and where I came from,” Eric points out today. “I came from starting on Hough End playing fields! So, for me to be playing for Manchester City at any time, in any game, on any date was an absolute privilege.
“But the fact that obviously I was playing for City's first team in the Manchester derby with half my family supporting United, half my family backing City and the fact that they could actually come and watch me, and the lads play in the derby was fantastic for them.”
The City comeback that day was initiated by Clive Wilson’s astute 71st minute diving header – at the Stretford End no less - as he stooped to guide home Andy May’s inviting cross for what, astonishingly, was City’s first goal in five games!
“It was a massive thrill. Particularly to score one at the enemy’s base so to speak,” Clive says today.
“There was a lot of rivalry, so to score at Old Trafford was a really pleasing thing, particularly as we fought back from two down.
“I think most people would've thought we’d have been dead and buried by then, but it was a great comeback and one of the moments I cherish.” Clive Wilson
For Paul Simpson, another of City’s swashbuckling and emerging tyros, it was an equally satisfying outcome, especially as having being ushered on as a sub for the injured Clements, he was also deployed in an unfamiliar role.
And he was at the heart of our equaliser, pressuring Arthur Albiston into a hasty and ill-advised swipe as he diverted an attempted clearance from Wilson’s cross past Chris Turner and into the United net.
“I just remember being subbed on at half-time – then we were 2-0 down – and thinking: ‘Cheers, thanks for that,’” Paul chuckles today.
“I actually went on as a centre forward as well, but for our equalising goal, Arthur Albiston got me out of a hole really because I was just about to swing my right foot to try and strike the ball from the edge of the box.
“Albiston nicked in and scored an own goal from it, whereas mine could have ended over the top of the Stretford End if I had struck it with my right foot!
“In the derby fixtures, we very rarely got a result against United in my days and I'm sure at 2-0 down at half-time, the City fans were fearing the worst. But we had a second half rally and managed to get ourselves back in it. So, it always meant a lot, especially because they were going for titles, to try and put a bit of a dent in them.
“Even though we weren't going for the title, it certainly was good to go and get a result there.”
For captain Power, there was enormous pride and professional satisfaction in City’s performance.
“It was a fantastic result for us. It was almost like a win to go there and get a draw from 2-0 down at Old Trafford,” Power asserts.
“Coming out at the end, I remember Ron Atkinson walking off after the game and he obviously felt that it was as good as a loss.”
For Andy May, another of City’s young bucks who had progressed through the youth ranks at Maine Road, the derby was a full-blooded occasion to savour – and also demonstrated the character of McNeill’s players.
“We were well aware we were playing United on the Saturday and Chelsea on the Sunday but for me I think we were more phased about going to Old Trafford than playing back-to-back games,” Andy says reflecting back.
“Being a local boy, it was a great game to be involved in and it was a fantastic day.
“United had a decent side but it was a game that inspired our boys. We were under the cosh a bit in the first half but got back in the game.
“Clive’s header was probably one of the furthest distance diving headers, I think. It was quite a way out.
“There was also no thought of not trying to get injured and so missing Wembley. It was a full-blooded derby and, fortunately for us, we were able to get back and force the draw.”
UNITED: Turner, Duxbury, Albiston, Higgins, McGrath, Gibson, Whiteside, Strachan, Hughes, Davenport, Barnes (Stapleton 60).
Scorers: Gibson (2), Strachan (60 pen)
**CITY:**Nixon, Reid, Redmond, Clements (Simpson 48), Power, Phillips, Wilson, McNab, May, Lillis, Kinsey.
Scorers: Wilson (71), Albiston (77 og)
Att: 51, 274