Dave Beasant promoted and stayed loyal to the club even when they were relegated again in 1982, being a key player in the side that won the Fourth Division title in 1983, won promotion from the Third Division a year later, and completed a four-season rise to the First Division in 1986 when they gained promotion from the Second Division in only their ninth season as a Football League team. He became the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in an FA Cup final when he blocked John Aldridge's spot-kick for Liverpool in 1988, and in doing so helped Wimbledon secure a
1989 Football League Cup Final 2–0 West Ham United (M Harford, R Wegerle) Semi-final 2nd Leg 1989 Football League Cup Final The 1989 Football League Cup Final was a football match played on 9 April 1989 between Nottingham Forest and the 1988 League Cup winners, Luton Town at Wembley Stadium. Nottingham Forest claimed victory in the 29th League Cup final with a 3–1 victory. Luton opened the scoring in the first half with a header from Mick Harford, while Forest's Lee Chapman had a goal disallowed at the other end. In the second half Forest took control and equalised with a penalty by Nigel Clough.