Classic match
West Ham United 2-1 Luton Town
FA Cup third round
15 January 1972
West Ham United progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Luton Town in this tense encounter.
32,099 were in the Boleyn Ground as Trevor Brooking set up Geoff Hurst to put the Hammers in front after just 91 seconds. Clyde Best made it two 23 minutes later as the home side looked as thought they would cruise to victory.
However, Don Givens got one back for the Hatters eight minutes after the break to set up a gripping finale. Geoff Hurst had a penalty saved while Bobby Ferguson had to be at his best to deny the visitors late on as United held on to go through.
West Ham United would go on to knock Hereford United out in the next round with Geoff Hurst getting a hat-trick in a 3-1 replay win, before coming unstuck at Huddersfield Town in the fifth round.