FRANCIS Benali recalls the moment he "choked up" when team-mate Danny Higginbotham offered him his FA Cup 2003 runners-up medal.

Saints had just lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the final at the Millennium Stadium, in which Benali wasn't picked in the matchday squad by boss Gordon Strachan and therefore didn't qualify for a medal, writes Peter Howard.

In an act of recognition of long-serving defender Benali's achievements at Saints, Higginbotham, who was an unused substitute on the day, planned a kind gesture.

Benali, who was in the twilight of his career, was in his last season at St Mary's and barely played with Wayne Bridge first choice left-back.

"I was part of the squad but not in the 16," he said. "I had played in the fourth round win against Millwall, but wasn't picked for the final.

"On the day the squad all got medals, obviously the runners-up ones.

"In the changing rooms I was sat next to Danny Higginbotham and afterwards he turned to me and said 'you've been here your entire career, you deserve my medal, I've only been here a short amount of time'.

"It really choked me up at the time, although I didn't accept it.

"I'm not sure if it was a winners' medal the same would have happened though!"

Bridge was injured for the fourth round home win over Millwall, meaning Benali came in at left-back for one appearance in the run to the Cardiff final.

And despite refusing Higginbotham's offer, Benali eventually did get a medal, receiving one of three spares sent by the FA.