For Hamilton Accies fans of a certain vintage, this day 35 years ago will forver hold a special place in their hearts.
January 31, 1987: the day John Lambie's Accies defied the odds to send the mighty Rangers packing in the third round of the Scottish Cup - and in their own back yard, no less.
Graeme Souness' star-studded Rangers were knocked out by Adrian Sprott's now legendary winner in a 1-0 triumph in Govan, as a side including Ally McCoist, Davie Cooper and Terry Butcher was humbled.
Hamilton Accies stunned a 35,462 Ibrox crowd as they knocked the favourites out of the Scottish Cup third round.
At the time, 33 league points separated second-placed Rangers from Accies in 12th.
But the game would come down to one key moment in the second half.
Midway through the second period, almost relentless pressure on the Accies goal was relieved when John Lambie’s side were awarded a free-kick. Gerry Collins sent the ball deep into Rangers territory and as Davie MacPherson moved across to clear, there appeared to be little danger.
However, MacPherson somehow allowed the ball to squirm away from him and full-back Adrian Sprott, who had gone up to support the forwards, raced through before slamming a shot past England international Chris Woods in the 70th minute.
The goal sent the small band of Accies supporters into raptures and ended Woods’s record of 1196 minutes of football without conceding a goal.
Accies hit Rangers on the break again in 80 minutes when John Brogan was sent through on goal but with only Woods to beat, the defender mis-kicked and the chance was lost.
That was a highlight of Accies’ history up until that point – but it was a rare good point from that season.
Manager John Lambie won the Scottish Brewers’ Personality Manager of the Month for league wins over Motherwell and St Mirren in January as well as that famous Ibrox victory. But Accies lost their next game 1-0 at home to Hibs.
They were also knocked out of the Scottish Cup quarter-finals 2-1 by derby rivals Motherwell – then Accies were relegated from the Premier Division.
The Accies team that day was: Dave McKellar, Kevin McKee, Adrian Sprott, Ally Brazil, Mark Fulton, Gerry Collins, John Pelosi, Stevie Clarke, John Brogan, Albert Craig, John Mailer. Subs: Alex Taylor (used), Gerry McCabe (unused).
Rangers: Woods, Roberts, Munro, Souness, McPherson, Butcher, Nicholl, Fleck, McCoist, Durrant, Cooper. Subs: West (used).
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