Question and Answer: Platform for your sporting queries

Q. What is the least popular sport, in terms of viewing figures, when it is shown on ordinary - rather than satellite - television?

A. Synchronised swimming. The radio figures are also abysmal.

Kevin Maguire, Batley

Q. In a football match when a team wins 1-0 the goal is, obviously, the winning goal. But in a 3-0 victory, which goal is the winning goal?

A. I'm surprised previous answers have not considered two-legged ties and goal difference. For instance, Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the final game of the 1988-89 season to win the Championship would have been rendered meaningless if Michael Thomas had not scored the second "winning" goal in injury time. Had he missed, Alan Smith's earlier strike would have been the winner, all be it an irrelevant one. In overcoming a two-goal deficit from the first leg of a cup tie, then the third goal in a 3-0 victory is undoubtedly the winning goal. If a home leg was won 1-0, however, then the away goal in a 2-1 defeat is the 'winner'.

Peter Morgan, Billingham

Q. In terms of size of population, which is the smallest place with a team ever to reach the FA Cup first round proper?

A. Bashley, a tiny village in the New Forest in Hampshire with a population of only a few hundred, played Swansea City in the second round of the FA Cup in 1995, having beaten Chesham United in the first round. "Bash", of the Dr Martens Southern League, lost only 1-0.

Colin Dribbing, Lymington

ANSWERS PLEASE

Q. Considering the publicity it now gets, why does the Football Conference have no sponsor?

Tim Mickleburgh, Grimsby

Q. Why are "Tests" so called?

Norman Morrell, Bude

Q. Every city used to have a Saturday evening sports paper, usually coloured green or pink. Which still do?

Stephen Magill, Huddersfield

If you know an answer to this, or have a sporting question of your own, write to Question and Answer, Sports Desk, Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada Square London E14 5DL. Fax: 0171-293 2894.