Swindon boss demands plaque after historic win over Wigan

Swindon provided the biggest upset of the FA Cup third round with their 2-1 defeat of Premier League side Wigan. Currently, fourth in League Two, Swindon came from behind with goals from Alan Connell and Paul Benson after Callum McManaman had given the visitors an early lead.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez fielded a weakened team for the trip to Swindon and was gracious in defeat to a side 53 places below his in the league. “Today is all about Swindon Town and they deserve to be in the next round and they have to enjoy that,” he said.

Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio, the former Lazio and West Ham striker, hailed the victory as the best result of his managerial career and said: “My lads today deserve to have their names put on this stadium. I know you normally do this when you win something important and I don't want a big statue but maybe a plaque.”

It’s the first time Swindon have reached the fourth round of the FA Cup since 1996. Asked who he wanted to face in the next round, the Italian replied: “I would take us playing a big club from the top league. I hope we will play Manchester United, Chelsea or someone like that because this club deserves it.”

On a day of few giant-killings, the only other Premier League side to exit the competition were Blackburn Rovers, defeated 2-1 by Newcastle with Jonas Gutierrez scoring the winner in overtime.

Queens Park Rangers were seconds away from being dumped out of the Cup away to MK Dons before Heidar Helguson scored to take the tie to a replay. It’s 11 years since Rangers last won an FA Cup match and they appeared destined to suffer further ignominy against the Dons after Dean Bowditch had put the League One side ahead on 65 minutes.

Helguson denied the Dons their day in the sun, but boss Karl Robinson was still in ebullient mood. “What a class act,” he said. “That's how football should be played. Not hoofing it and kicking it and playing off throw-ins. I respect Neil Warnock and QPR immensely for playing a strong side.”

Bolton also face the inconvenience of a replay after the Premier League outfit were held to a 2-2 draw away at Macclesfield. The League Two side, 64 places below Bolton in the league, looked to be in for a torrid afternoon after Ivan Klasnic put the visitors ahead on seven minutes.

But Colin Daniel levelled nine minutes later and Macclesfield then took the lead midway through the second half thanks to Arnaud Mendy's brilliant strike. Bolton needed David Wheater's late header to save their blushes and provide Macclesfield with a lucrative reward when the two teams meet again at the Reebok Stadium.

In other notable results, Everton beat Blue Square Premier side Tamworth 2-0 at Goodison Park and Tottenham had little difficulty in seeing off Cheltenham 3-0 at White Hart Lane. Other Premier League clubs to enjoy a winning start to their FA Cup campaigns were Swansea, Norwich, Aston Villa, Fulham and Stoke.Wolves were held 0-0 by Birmingham in a tie as grey as the weather, while another derby ended in a similar scoreline between Dagenham & Redbridge and Millwall.

Finally, the team from the lower leagues that all Premier League clubs will want to avoid when the fourth round draw is made on Sunday afternoon is Stevenage of League One. Last season the Hertfordshire outfit stunned Newcastle 3-1 and they caused another upset yesterday by winning 1-0 away at Championship side Reading. Darius Charles scored the only goal of the game and manager Graham Westley said later: “People talk about the FA Cup falling back in the pecking order but it still has magic for me.” ·