Howadrian Sprott goal silenced thousands

Rangers ................ 0 Hamilton .............. 1

Ibrox Stadium, January 31, 1987 Hamilton Accies stunned a 35,462 Ibrox crowd as they knocked favourites Rangers out of the Scottish Cup third round on January 31, 1987.

At the time, 33 league points separated second-placed Rangers from Accies in 12th.

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.

HAMILTON: 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).