The match is notable for being one of the few occasions in the history of the FA Cup where a non-league club has defeated a team in the top tier of English football.
[9][10] Sunderland made two changes to the side that defeated Derby County in the league the week before,[11] with captain Fred Hall returning to the lineup at the expense of Ken Oliver, while Barney Ramsden filled in for the injured Arthur Hudgell in defence.
Sunderland began to create a few chances of their own, but a string of fine saves from backup goalkeeper Dickie Dyke maintained Yeovil's 1–0 lead as the first half came to a close.
A long ball into the penalty area was misjudged by Dyke – his one mistake in the match – allowing Jackie Robinson to score a simple tap in.
Under normal circumstances, the game would then have been re-played at Sunderland's home ground Roker Park, but during the immediate post war era, extra time was used to determine a result due to travel restrictions caused by fuel shortages.
Towards the end of the first period of extra time, a mishit pass from Len Shackleton fell to Ray Wright, playing Eric Bryant through on goal, who found the net to put Yeovil back into the lead.
With 15 minutes remaining to hold onto their lead, Yeovil were now on the back foot, with the superior fitness of Sunderland's professional players beginning to tell.