Former Saints goalkeeper Dave Beasant almost made a dramatic return to action at the age of 55 after being picked as a substitute for Stevenage at Carlisle yesterday.

Beasant, who saved a John Aldridge penalty in Wimbledon's famous 1988 FA Cup final win over Liverpool, was chosen by Stevenage manager Graham Westley to provide cover for Chris Day.

The club's goalkeeping coach would have become the oldest player to ever appear in the Football League had he come on, beating a record set by Neil McBain who appeared as a 51-year-old for New Brighton against Hartlepool in 1947.

Beasant, who also includes Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Portsmouth among his former clubs, had not played a senior match since appearing for Brighton against Grimsby in May 2003.

He was not used, however, in Stevenage's 3-0 defeat in League Two at Brunton Park.

Westley said: “He's been absolutely brilliant on the training ground. He's fit and in good shape and at 55 the whole squad feel that as back-up he is someone they can trust and an option on the bench.

“Had he been used I have no doubt he would have done exceptionally well.”

Beasant played 88 games for Saints in a four-year stint at The Dell after being signed by Ian Branfoot in 1993.