Attendances at the FA Cup third round over the weekend were the highest for 25 years.

The average crowd for the 30 games was 17,664, the highest since 1981, and the number of goals per game was 3.23, the highest since 1966.

The average crowd figure was boosted by Manchester United managing a mammoth 74,924 for their 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

That was over 31,000 more than the second highest attendance, the 43, 619 who watched Liverpool lose at home to Arsenal.

Not every club benefited from the attendances however - only 16,444 turned up for Birmingham v Newcastle, fewer than any Championship match this season, and 4,000 Magpies fans made the trip.

Torquay could only muster 5,396 for Saints' visit - and that included at least 1,500 visiting supporters.

That was the third lowest FA Cup crowd of the weekend.

The smallest was Tamworth's 3,165 for their home game with Norwich, while Chester could only manage 4,330 for their game with Ipswich.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick welcomed the statistics.

He said: ''I think every football fan up and down the country looks forward to this weekend as it's that unique time when the smaller clubs have the chance to take on the biggest.

''It's a competition with a great history and tradition and long may that continue.

''Goals and attacking football are undoubtedly what people want to see and I don't think many fans were left disappointed over the weekend.

''While you always want to see your club do well and make it into the next round, you certainly appreciate being treated to so many goals."