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One of the most poignant images of Burton Albion’s magnificent draw against Manchester United was provided when from time to time the television cameras picked out manager Nigel Clough sitting on the bench in animated conversation with his young son. It brought back memories of a bygone age, when the young Nigel and his brother sat next to their famous father, the irrepressible and utterly irreplaceable Brian.

And for a moment, when the normally placid Nigel leapt angrily to his feet to protest referee Howard Webb’s reluctance to acknowledge that Manchester United’s young Spanish centre back Gerard Pique had handled in the box, it might have been his father standing there.

How proud Brian would have been. His son’s side outplayed their illustrious opponents throughout much of the first half and but for two goal line clearances from Bardsley might have taken the lead. And when United’s long ball tactics and the appearance of both Rooney and Ronaldo after the interval forced them into long periods of dogged defence, they never wavered.

Their reward is a lucrative replay at Old Trafford. And it is richly deserved.