The 1988 FA Cup Final was contested between unfashionable Wimbledon and one of the giants of the game Liverpool, who had had dominated the First Division during the 80s.  They were League champions again this year but Wimbledon would deny them their second League and Cup double by beating them 1-0 at Wembley.

Lawrie Sanchez was the unlikely goal hero for the ‘Dons when he scored a headed goal from a Denis Wise free kick in the 37th minute.  Liverpool created several good chances through John Barnes and Peter Beardsley but couldn’t peg back their opponents before the break.

Alan Hansen and Ray Houghton had chances saved by Wimbledon keeper Dave Beasant but when John Aldridge was fouled in the penalty area by Clive Goodyear the Reds thought they had finally got what they deserved when the referee pointed to the spot.  Aldridge himself took the spot-kick but Beasant dived low to his left and saved the shot  – the first time a Wembley Cup Final penalty had been saved.

Wimbledon closed up defensively and succeeded in keeping Liverpool out for the remainder of the match and Dave Beasant collected Wimbledon’s only FA Cup trophy.