Upsets, late goals in dramatic cup day

On a dramatic day of late goals and upsets in the FA Cup, Lincoln became the first non-league team to reach the quarterfinals in more than a century and beleaguered English champion Leicester were eliminated by third-tier opposition yesterday.

Lincoln, who play in the fifth tier of English football, beat Premier League team Burnley 1-0 away thanks to an 89th-minute goal from Sean Raggett. Goal-line technology was needed to confirm his closerange header at the far post crossed the line.

The last non-league team to reach the last eight of the FA Cup was Queens Park Rangers in 1914.

Lincoln were playing in the last 16 for the first time in 130 years, with 81 places separating them and Burnley in English football’s pyramid.

‘‘It’s unheard of in modern-day football,’’ Raggett said. ‘‘It shows just what an achievement this is.’’

Hours later, Millwall provided the second shock of the day by beating Leicester 1-0 thanks to an even later goal. Shaun Cummings, a defender like Raggett, struck in the 90th minute on another day to forget for Leicester, who are fighting a relegation battle in the Premier League the season after winning it at odds of 5000-1.

Millwall’s win was even more stunning considering they were reduced to 10 men in the 52nd minute following Jake Cooper’s sending off. Millwall have also beaten premier league Bournemouth and Watford on their run to the quarterfinals.

‘‘This sums up the FA Cup as a whole,’’ Millwall manager Neil Harris said. ‘‘These are special days.’’

The match was marred by a pitch invasion which saw fans stream onto the field at fulltime. Police were called in to separate both sets of supporters.

There have been more shocks than normal in the FA Cup, with most Premier League teams – and even sides from the second-tier League Championship – fielding weakened lineups to focus on European competition or league play.

The only Premier League teams in the quarterfinals so far are Chelsea and Middlesbrough.

Second-half goals by Pedro Rodriguez and Diego Costa kept Chelsea on course for the leagueand-cup double after their 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, who beat Liverpool in the previous round. Chelsea lead the Premier League by eight points with 13 games to play.

Middlesbrough looked like they could be the victims of another major upset when Oxford United recovered from 2-0 down to score two goals within a minute and pull level.

The home side squeezed through, though, courtesy of an 86th-minute goal by substitute Cristhian Stuani.

Grant Leadbitter’s penalty and recent signing Rudy Gestede’s first goal for the club gave Boro a commanding lead after 34 minutes. Oxford responded with goals in the 64th and 65th minutes.

Manchester City were planning a warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi following its Champions League last-16 match against Monaco on Wednesday.

But those plans might have to be revised now Pep Guardiola’s side have an FA Cup replay to fit into its schedule after a 0-0 draw against Huddersfield, a team chasing promotion to the Premier League.