Football Round-Up: Muccioli makes a point for minnows

THEY were dancing in the street of San Marino last night. One of the more wildly received stalemates of the modern game occurred at the tiny Serravalle stadium where the hosts held Turkey in a World Cup Group Two qualifying tie, writes Henry Winter.

After recording their first point in competitive football the Sammarinese players threw their shirts into the 2,000-strong crowd. Stefano Muccioli was the hero of the zero hour, San Marino's stand- in keeper coming off the bench to replace Pier-Luigi Benedettini, who will not be driving coaches for a while after injuring his arm early in the match. Muccioli promptly made a series of fine saves.

Another shock was unfolding 150 miles away in a slightly grander setting, Roma's Stadio Olimpico, where Milan lost their first competitive match for 11 months. Roberto Muzzi's diving header put Roma ahead in the first leg of their Italian Cup semi- final with Milan, Claudio Caniggia's delightful chip completing the scoring.

In the Premier League, Norwich City kept the leaders within sight with a brave 1-0 success at Sheffield United, Ruel Fox finishing impressively to bring the Canaries only their fourth three- point haul in 14 games.

Garry Flitcroft confirmed his growing reputation with an instinctive first-half strike to give Manchester City a 1-0 win over Coventry City at Maine Road. More importantly, the home fans' behaviour was impeccable; the stewards' main duty involved collecting information from supporters about Sunday's offenders, who will all banned from the ground for life.

David Hirst, the injury-troubled England striker, scored on his return to action, his firm right-foot shot in the 55th minute bringing Sheffield Wednesday the points at Ipswich Town. Hirst then limped off with a groin strain.