VIDEO: On this day in 1997 Spireites draw 3-3 with Middlesbrough

NDET 95946
Chesterfield FC v Middlesborough at Old Trafford from 1997 draw in the FA cup semi final. — NDET 95946 Chesterfield FC v Middlesborough at Old Trafford from 1997 draw in the FA cup semi final.

It's 19 years to the day that Chesterfield were involved in one of the most dramatic and controversial FA Cup semi-finals of all time.

The Spireites took on Middlesbrough at Old Trafford and had it not been for a decision to wrongly disallow a goal, would probably have reached the final to play Chelsea at Wembley.

Jonathan Howard’s shot appeared to cross the line after hitting the bar, and would have put Chesterfield 3-1 up against the 10 men from the Premier League club.

Vladimir Kinder was sent off for two first half yellow cards, handing Division Two Chesterfield a man advantage.

Andy Morris scored the game’s first goal on 54 minutes, and then won a penalty on the hour mark that Sean Dyche put away with aplomb.

But Fabrizio Ravanelli pulled one back four minutes later, and on 70 minutes, shortly after Chesterfield had a good goal ruled out, Craig Hignett equalised from the spot.

In extra-time Middlesbrough thought they had won it through Gianluca Festa, but with just one minute remaining in the game, Jamie Hewitt, the only Chesterfield- born player in the Spireites line-up, scored to secure a replay at Hillsborough.

Chesterfield would go on to lose that game 3-0.