Huddersfield Town 2 Cambridge United 1: Roberts snatches late Cup triumph for Town

Two goals in stoppage time at the end of a pulsating replay were enough to break the hearts of Cambridge United.

The non-League side, who sit 59 places below Town in the football pyramid, had led for most of the second half only for Lee Peltier's first goal in almost two years to bring the scores level.

Then, as the 3,766 crowd prepared themselves for extra-time in sub-zero conditions, Gary Roberts netted a stunning winner four minutes into stoppage time to clinch the win.

It was a remarkable end to what had, until then, been a hugely frustrating night for the home fans who saluted the valour of the Cambridge players at the final whistle by waiting behind to clap the visiting players off the field.

Town's efforts had, in fact, been neatly summed up during the interval by the home supporter taking part in the on-pitch penalty shoot-out against mascot, Terry the Terrier.

When asked by the PA announcer what his verdict on what he had just seen, he had simply replied: "Crap."

It brought not only a few chuckles from the sparse crowd but also a host of knowing nods.

The initial portents for the hardy band of home loyalists who had braved the cold had not been good with Town twice attempting outrageous shots from long distance in the opening few minutes.

Often, when a team resorts to such ambitious efforts against non-League opposition – Peter Clarke's on seven minutes was from a full 35 yards out – it can often betray a complacent attitude.

Whether that was the case last night is something only the Huddersfield players can answer.

But there could be little doubt that the best chances of the opening 45 minutes were created by Cambridge.

First, Wayne Gray showed a tremendous burst of pace to leave Liam Ridehalgh trailing before crossing for what should have been a routine finish for the unmarked Daniel Wright.

Instead, the U's striker somehow managed to balloon his shot over from eight yards out.

Huddersfield goalkeeper Ian Bennett then had to save smartly from Rory McAuley before David Partridge's flicked header bounced just a yard wide of the post.

Just before the break, the Town goalkeeper was again on hand to rescue his side when keeping out Simon Russell's shot after the midfielder had been played through by Wright.

Perhaps the luckiest let-off of the first half for the Terriers, however, came on 18 minutes when Bennett was fortunate to escape a red card after racing from his line to close down the on-rushing Robbie Willmott.

In the Town goalkeeper's defence, he did appear to make clean contact with the ball before crashing into Willmott.

However, from the moment the linesman flagged and referee Graham Salisbury signalled a foul there could only be one decision.

Instead, the official fudged the issue by branding a yellow card at Bennett – much to the fury of Cambridge manager Martin Ling.

That anger turned to joy eight minutes into the second half when Ling's side took the lead courtesy of a bullet header from McAuley that powered James Jennings's corner into the net.

Finally, Town were stung into action as, first, Scott Arfield powered a header goalwards that seemed destined for the net until Kevin Roberts cleared from under his own crossbar.

Joey Gudjonsson then had a shot that flashed across the face of goal without a team-mate being able to apply the final touch.

Benik Afobe was next to go close with a shot that Nasibitt did well to push clear of danger.

The late onslaught then saw goalkeeper Naisbitt called into action once again to keep out a drilled shot from substitute Jordan Rhodes.

Still, Huddersfield refused to give up and Peltier brought the tie level on 91 minutes when the full-back fired through a crowd of players.

Then, almost unbelievably, Roberts swooped three minutes later to net the winner and ensure a day that the nation will remember for Prince William finally pulling his finger out and proposing will not, in Huddersfield, be forever associated with an almighty Cup

shock.

Huddersfield Town: Bennett; Peltier, P Clarke, Kay (McCombe 57), Ridehalgh; Roberts, Johnson, Arfield, Carey (Gudjonsson 68); Lee (Rhodes 57), Afobe. Unused substitutes: Smithies, N Clarke, Atkinson, Chippendale.

Cambridge United: Naisbitt, Roberts, Partridge, Carden, W Gray; Russell, Wright, Coulsen, Willmott; Wright, McAuley. Unused substitutes: Ives, Coakley, Marriott, Patrick, Eades, Hughes, Brown.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).