Memories of one of Wrexham’s magical giant-killing acts will come flooding back when the Reds take on The Tractor Boys in Friday’s fourth round Racecourse clash.
Those rewinds from January 7 1995 will also be tinged with a touch of sadness as Durkan – the scorer of a stunning volley which put the Reds ahead – tragically took his own life aged only 44 eight years ago.
Bennett, who scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 2-1 third round victory, won’t ever forget the cracker from Kizza, as he was nicknamed at The Racecourse.
“I was watching highlights of the game and I’m sure they will be replayed again ahead of Friday’s match,” said Bennett.
“Kizza’s goal was unbelievable. What a volley!”
So good was Durkan’s venomous volley that Bennett, who was the first player to congratulate him on the pitch, forgave him for not carrying out pre-match celebration orders.
“We were in training in the build-up to the game and I said to the lads that we had to come up with a decent goal celebration,” added Bennett.
“I said why don’t we take our shirts off when we score and that was agreed.
“Kizza only forgot to take his shirt off but after how good that goal of his was, I think we all got caught up in the occasion.”
Bennett was waving his shirt around four minutes before the final whistle after tucking a match-winning penalty into the bottom corner.
“I took mine off and we got a letter from the FA a week later saying that any player who takes off his shirt again would be booked. So I think I started a trend and maybe was the first player in English football to do it,” said Bennett, whose penalty was one of 114 goals he scored in 176 Wrexham appearances.
Remarkably, though, that penalty was one of only three FA Cup goals for the striker who became a cult hero on the Kop.
One was in the round before – a 5-2 win at home to Rotherham United – while the other was a consolation goal in a 6-1 thrashing at Crewe in 1992.
“Mickey Thomas was sent off at Crewe,” recalled Bennett. “It was his last game for Wrexham and his last kick for Wrexham wasn’t the ball, it was an opponent!”
Thomas’ fabulous free-kick against Arsenal 14 months earlier was one of a long list of Wrexham’s famous FA Cup giant-killings.
And the club’s proud history didn’t go un-missed by current Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson, whose build-up to last month’s win over Nottingham Forest included showing players highlights of the Reds’ previous FA Cup exploits.
Bennett believes the atmosphere at The Racecourse on Friday night will be electric – just as it was 31 years ago against Ipswich.
“When all cup ties kicked off at 3pm, the games were great,” said Bennett.
“The first half would be in daylight and when you’d come out for the second half, it was dark, the floodlights were on and the atmosphere was magical.
“And it all happened in the second half that day.
“Kizza’s goal was amazing but I remember Andy Marriott making a brilliant save, tipping a header onto the bar. It was the best save I’ve ever seen – it was just like Gordon Banks!
“Ipswich were in the Premiership then but it’s gone full circle and we’re on a par with them.
“Under Flynnie, we fancied ourselves against everyone and we always knew we were going to score.
“We even went to Manchester United in the next round thinking we’d score and we did with Kizza again putting us ahead.
“They say it’s in United’s DNA to attack and you could say that about Wrexham too.”
Wrexham were certainly on the front foot in the last round, drawing 3-3 with Premier League Forest before going through on penalties, thanks to Arthur Okonkwo saving Omari Hutchinson’s spot-kick.
“It’s the fourth round of the FA Cup and you’ve got a home tie. It’s all you can ask for,” added Bennett.
“The FA Cup is such a great competition – the best in my eyes and Wrexham have a great chance of going through.
“I just hope Wrexham go for it and I’m sure they will.
“I was at the Cardiff tie in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and Wrexham didn’t put out a full strength side and I was disappointed that night.
“But Phil Parkinson has done a brilliant job and with a place in the fifth round up for grabs, Wrexham will definitely be at their best.”