United defeat galvanises Foxes Premier dreams

The Bonfire Night party at Old Trafford turned into a damp squib for James Scowcroft – but the Leicester striker is promising Foxes fans they will be back next year. Two goals in the final 10 minutes cost the cash-strapped Midlands outfit their chance of a money-spinning Worthington Cup run, putting an unnecessary gloss on another unconvincing Manchester United display.

Leicester now return to their league campaign but if his team-mates enjoyed the occasion as much as the former Ipswich striker Scowcroft, the determination to secure a place back in the top flight will only have been increased.

"Coming to places like Old Trafford is what playing football is all about," he said. "Now we have to make sure we get back here again next year in the league."

Scowcroft felt the decision of the United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, to abandon his usual policy of playing reserves and juniors in the Worthington Cup was a tribute to Leicester's performances so far this season. And, after escaping from a legitimate first-minute penalty claim, the visitors were more than holding their own as the tie entered its latter stages.

Ferguson even called Paul Scholes and Juan Veron off the bench, although it was Leicester who went closest when Roy Carroll charged out to block a close-range Paul Dickov effort.

However, help was at hand for the home side, who were awarded their fourth home spot-kick of the campaign when referee Chris Foy ruled Andy Impey had felled Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the box late on, gifting David Beckham the chance to put his team in front.

"I'm not interested in the politics of whether the bigger clubs get more penalties but that decision could have gone either way and it went against us," said Scowcroft.

"At the time we were playing quite well and we had missed a couple of opportunities, so we were feeling quite confident. But it affected us because we had to change our game plan and we couldn't get back into it."

Scowcroft admitted he was surprised at the strength of the United side, which included just one debutant in striker Daniel Nardiello, although it was a member of Ferguson's youth brigade which finished the visitors off.

Big things have already been predicted for midfielder Kieran Richardson and his first starting appearance against Maccabi Haifa last week brought rave reviews.

The 18-year-old Londoner produced another cameo performance on Tuesday, firing in an ambitious long-range effort soon after his arrival as a substitute, then diving in to meet Solskjaer's last-minute cross with a firm header to seal a place in the last 16.

"Manchester United have always had an excellent youth policy," added Scowcroft. "It's good to see the kids being given a chance. Overall though, it was quite a strong line-up and we would like to think that is a sign of Manchester United showing us some respect."