Leeds United dramatically avoided an FA Cup third-round defeat at Cardiff City as Sonny Perkins stepped up to score an extra-time equaliser.
Cardiff, 20th in the Championship and the league’s lowest scorers, struck twice in the opening seven minutes of the first half with goals from Jaden Falujin and Sheyi Ojo.
Bowed out at half-time, Leeds responded well and substitute Rodrigo took the lead.
Cardiff’s Joel Baughan was sent off for handball but Rodrigo had his result saved by Jack Alnock.
Then, just as the home side looked set to hold on for another famous victory against Leeds – 21 years later at the same stage against the then Premier League leaders – Perkins broke Cardiff’s late resistance. scored from a close range.
Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley await Cardiff or Leeds in the fourth round after a brutal end to the game for the Bluebirds, who looked set for a first victory in eight games, which would give them a reprieve from their league struggles. .
As for Leeds, Perkins is a lifeline for late-level manager Jesse Marsh, whose side have now gone six games without a win in all competitions. Defeat here would have greatly increased American pressure.
The fixture brought back memories of then third-tier Cardiff’s 2002 FA Cup victory over an expensively assembled Leeds side who were top of the Premier League at the time.
Since that historic result, Cardiff have won 14 of the 22 subsequent meetings between the sides but, given their struggles in the Championship this season, there was a lack of confidence in the Welsh capital.
Leeds were on a winless run of their own – five matches in all competitions – and a concern for Marsh’s men was their poor recent FA Cup record, with a third-round exit in each of the last five seasons. I also lost to Newport County and Crawley Town.
Marsh said he had discussed the subject with chief executive Angus Kinnear, and Leeds fans clearly envisioned a cup run, selling out their allocation of 6,000 and creating a crowd that That drowned out the home crowd for a long time.
Leeds looked similarly motivated as they controlled the opening exchanges, with Darko Ghibi impressing in midfield and an early shot going just wide and a weaving run culminating in a Jack Simpson effort. .
But despite the visitors’ early control, it was Cardiff who took the lead against the run of play. Tom Song released Mark Harris with a fine through ball and, after his shot was saved by Joel Robles, Harris teed up Isaac Davies. His shot was also blocked but the ball fell to Philogen, who fired from close range.
After scoring just 20 goals in 26 league games this season, the Championship’s lowest scorers made it two goals in seven minutes against their Premier League opponents.
The second was a classic affair, Andy Renomota’s delightful high pass glancing over the head of Leeds centre-back Diego Llorente before reaching Ojo, who chested the ball before finishing smartly on the turn.
Leeds were held at half-time and their fans’ fury had the desired effect after the restart as their side kept Cardiff under constant pressure with a flurry of chances.
First, Pascal Struic headed inches wide of top scorer Rodrigo before, as a recent substitute, rose to meet Sam Greenwood’s cross and into the net despite Alnock’s touch.
Rodrigo scored another shot over before playing a crucial role in one of the game’s decisive moments.
The penalty was as clear-cut as they come – Baghan diving like a goalkeeper to push Junior Firpo’s shot into goal with his hand – but Rodrigo’s weak spot-kick was saved by Alnock.
The Cardiff fans celebrated the save with renewed belief that their side were about to claim another FA Cup scalp but it was a raucous Leeds squad that had the last laugh as Perkins fired wildly behind the goal. Helped Firpo’s flick into the net to spark the celebration and force one. Run again.
