Salford's FA Cup win over Notts County puts spring in Paul Scholes' steps

Paul Scholes was singing and dancing to the sounds of Rick Astley in the Salford City changing rooms after they dumped Notts County out of the FA Cup on a historic and euphoric night at Moor Lane.

Rather than freeze, Salford embraced the opportunity to shine on their maiden appearance in the first round of the FA Cup.

Danny Webber and Richie Allen handed the part-time non-league outfit a thrilling 2-0 win over their League Two opponents in front of the TV cameras.

Scholes, who part-owns the club along with Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Gary Neville, ignored pleas to stay off the grass and stormed on to the pitch after the final whistle along with many of the rest of the 1,400 Salford fans inside the ground.

And the former Manchester United midfielder, who bought the club along with his four friends last year, continued to celebrate well after the end of the game.

"When the final whistle went, you had Gary Neville and Nicky Butt part of the pitch invasion like normal fans and Scholesy is dancing and singing in the changing room - I'm sure it was Rick Astley he was singing in there," said Anthony Johnson, who manages the first team along with Bernard Morley.

"It matters to them like it does to normal fans. We're under no illusions that we've got to win games but we're enjoying it and working for five of the best players this country has ever produced.

"But I thought for 90 per cent of the game we dominated it.

"I don't want that to sound arrogant or brash but we felt we were the better side."

Johnson was right - Salford deserved their victory, as County manager Ricardo Moniz conceded.

"I will never forget this. It has been a disaster for Notts County," Moniz said.

"They deserved to win, they were better. They wanted it more."

Unlike his brother Phil, who could not attend due to his work commitments with Valencia, where he is a coach, Gary Neville was there to experience the shock first hand.

The former United captain won 20 trophies during his long and illustrious career at Old Trafford, but on Friday night he experienced his biggest high as a co-owner of a football club.

"It is an absolutely unbelievable night," the England coach said.

"You never get too excited at football any more because you're working in a professional capacity but when we come down here it's an escape for us and it makes us love football more.

"Sometimes in the last 18 months you think there's a lot to do here but this just makes it all worthwhile.

"Tonight was for all those people who work there. I've not felt like that for a long time in football and that's not over egging it. I felt like a kid again in a football ground. I've never seen Scholesy jump so high in celebration in my life."

Webber came through the same United youth system as Neville, but only made three appearances before leaving in 2003.

Spells at Port Vale, Watford, Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Leeds, Doncaster, Accrington Stanley and Walsall followed before Salford signed him last year.

The 33-year-old scuffed home the opening goal from close range in the first minute of the second half.

Allen added a brilliant second, turning away from three defenders after being shepherded away from the area and then playing a neat one-two before curling a low shot into the corner.

Describing his goal, Allen said: ''In the corner I've still got hold of the ball and I'm running away with it and I'm thinking, I'm going to lose control of the ball here', but I keep my composure.''

Webber added: ''The whole community's come out tonight and supported us and we're grateful for that.''