It wasn't until the 55th minute that Frank Stapleton equalised for the Red's when he forced Mike Duxbury's cross in at the far post. Then on 72 minutes United went into the driving seat, taking the lead 2-1 with a superb Ray Wilkins curling shot from the edge of the box. Unfortunately, Brighton refused to give up and managed to scramble level through Gary Stevens with only 3 minutes to go and force extra- time.

The next half hour was tight and largely uneventful until right at the death when Brighton could have won the game in the very last minute. Gordon Smith found himself clean through with only United keeper Gary Bailey to beat but Bailey pulled off a great save to smother Smith's shot. That save got United off the hook meaning the match would have to be decided in a replay the following Thursday night.

Brighton's influential skipper Steve Foster returned to his side's defence after being suspended for the first match. However, Brighton seemed to lack the determination and self-confidence that they had in the first match and were always on the back-foot.

After dominating the opening play United struck with two goals in four minutes during a first half in which it was obvious that United were much the better side. The opening goal on 25 minutes was scored by Bryan Robson, set up by Arthur Albiston and Alan Davies, Robbo hit a low driving shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards that left keeper Mossley no chance.

Five minutes later Alan Davies (a stand-in for injured Steve Coppell) was also involved in the second goal after he touched on a corner taken by Muhren setting up Whiteside to place the ball past Mossley with a fine headrer. This goal at 18 years old made Whiteside the youngest player to score in an FA Cup Final as well as the first to score in both the FA Cup and League Cup Finals in the same season.

Minutes before half time it was over as a contest. A second goal from Robson came as he tapped in from close range a looping Frank Stapleton header that may have been going in anyway. In the second half United secured the biggest lead in an FA Cup Final since 1900 when Bury beat Southampton 4-0. United equalled this record with the fourth goal as disheartened Brighton gave away a penalty, cooly netted by Dutch midfielder Arnold Muhren from the spot.

It was the perfect birthday present for Sir Matt Busby, 74 on the day and it was the biggest winning margin in a Wembley FA Cup Final until United themselves equalled it with a 4-0 win over Chelsea in 1994.