With league football still suspended, the FA Cup restarted in 1945/46 and it saw Derby enjoy their finest moment since formation in the previous century.

Ties were played over two legs that year and the Rams, now managed by Stuart McMillan, scored plenty of goals along the way as they saw off Luton Town, West Bromwich Albion, Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa to earn themselves a tie against Birmingham City in the semi-final.

The first game, played at Hillsborough, finished 1-1, setting up the Maine Road second leg nicely.

The players pose for their team photo before the 1946 FA Cup semi-final

Two goals each for Peter Doherty and Jack Stamps, coupled with a clean sheet at the other end, sent Derby through to their first FA Cup final since 1903 and their debut at Wembley.

Charlton Athletic stood in the way of Vic Woodley, Jack Nicholas, Jack Howe, Jimmy Bullions, Leon Leuty, Walter 'Chick' Musson, Reg Harrison, Raich Carter, Jack Stamps, Peter Doherty and Dally Duncan.

Almost 100,000 people witnessed a tight affair that looked destined for extra-time, before an own-goal by Charlton's Bert Turner put Derby in front with just minutes remaining.

Turner, however, made immediate amends as his free-kick deflected in off Doherty to level the scores once more.

Then came one of the most dramatic moments in FA Cup final history.

Stamps found himself presented with a great chance to win the Cup for Derby and he looked to have done so with a shot that beat Charlton keeper Sam Bartram.

Amazingly, the ball burst on its way to the goal, the first time it had ever happened in a cup final.

Amazingly, it happened again in the following year's final, with Charlton once again involved.

Extra-time came and Derby were in the ascendancy once more.

Doherty added the second goal, and two strikes from Stamps gave the scoreline an emphatic look and it was left to skipper Nicholas to become the first - and so far only - Rams captain to get his hands on the FA Cup.

Skipper Jack Nicholas receives the FA Cup

The Wembley parade

The Rams line up with the FA Cup

Reg Harrison (second left, front row above) and Jimmy Bullions (back row, furthest left) are the only survivors from the team on duty that famous April day.