Leeds United will learn the lessons of last year's Cup trials

ALEX BRUCE insists there will be no repeat of last season when Leeds United's FA Cup heroics came close to de-railing the club's promotion challenge.

The Elland Road outfit again proved their liking for the world's oldest knockout competition by coming within a minute of causing a major upset at Arsenal.

Only a last-minute penalty by Cesc Fabregas rescued the Premier League giants from defeat after Robert Snodgrass had given United the lead early in the second half.

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In a stirring display, Leeds's efforts evoked memories of a year ago when they knocked Manchester United out of the Cup and then took Tottenham Hotspur to a replay with a thrilling draw at White Hart Lane.

The flipside to doing well in the Cup last term, however, was that their league form collapsed to such an extent that Simon Grayson's side almost blew what, at the turn of the year, had seemed an unassailable eight-point lead at the top of League One.

With Leeds firmly in the hunt for promotion again this season, Bruce is adamant any fears that the Cup could again prove a distraction are wide of the mark.

The United defender, who was outstanding in the 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium, said: "A result like this can only help us in the league, it can only give us confidence.

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"To put in a performance like that at the Emirates shows what we are capable of doing. If we can do it there, why can't we do it anywhere and go on to get promotion?

"I believe promotion is there for the taking and, hopefully, we can do that."

And awaiting Leeds in the next round should they beat the Gunners is a tie with West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town, who themselves will no doubt be delighted with either a derby fixture or a trip to the Emirates.

Leeds, one of six Yorkshire clubs to take on Premier League opponents in Saturday's third round, were joined in yesterday's draw for the next stage by Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday.

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Both the Terriers and Owls are definitely through to the fourth round after beating Dover Athletic and Bristol City respectively, while Doncaster Rovers aped Leeds by holding top-flight opposition as Sean O'Driscoll's men drew 2-2 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Only a Stephen Hunt penalty denying them a famous win.

Doncaster will play either Stoke or Cardiff if they win their replay while Sheffield Wednesday will entertain either Wycombe or Hereford in their fourth round game.

The replay between Leeds and Arsenal will take place on either Tuesday or Wednesday next week in front of what is likely to be a capacity crowd at Elland Road and another live television audience.

Bruce said: "The replay is going to be a fantastic occasion. The supporters want nights like that and deserve them after what they have gone through.

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"It is what the Cup is all about, after all. Everyone knew beforehand that Arsenal would be a tough game so to get them back to Elland Road is a great achievement."

On coming within a minute of inflicting what would only have been Arsenal's second FA Cup defeat on home soil during Arsene Wenger's 15 years as manager, Bruce added: "We were so close but, if we had been offered a draw before the game then we would have taken it.

"I think we can be very proud of how we played and how we approached the game. Manchester City came here a few days earlier and were more defensive than us (when drawing 0-0).

"We tried to attack and take the game to them. I thought we were successful in that respect.

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"I thought we were going to do it, even after Fabregas and (Theo) Walcott came on. That is not a bad bench, though, is it?"

Bruce's display in the centre of defence was one of several high- quality efforts by the visitors with his reading of the game and positioning ensuring the Arsenal attack was kept largely in check.

The home fans in the 59,520 crowd did, however, vent their anger at the United defender during the first half for two robust challenges.

Bruce added: "You have got to leave your mark on them – as the old fashioned saying goes. I may have caught a couple of them but it is what FA Cup ties are all about."

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Fabregas's late equaliser capped a dramatic finale to Saturday's tie with the Gunners having had an appeal for a penalty turned down just 60 seconds earlier despite referee Phil Dowd initially pointing to the spot.

The intervention of the linesman's flag was the reason for the change of heart by Dowd, who adjudged Bruce to have fouled Theo Walcott. Just how the officials could give offside was a mystery as the only person standing beyond the last defender was Nicklas Bendtner and the Gunners striker didn't touch the ball until after the alleged foul had been committed.

It was a messy incident, and one made even more messier after the game when Walcott issued an apology for diving.

He said: "I thought (Dowd) did give the penalty, to be honest. I just want to apologise to the managers. I actually dived trying to win the penalty.

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"I said to one of their players, 'Would you have done it if it was the last few minutes?' He said, 'I probably would have done it'.

"I am not the sort of player to do it. I own up to that and I apologise for that.

"It is one of those things that I don't like to see in my game. I have heard some people say if you feel just a slight touch you should go down so it can work both ways. I am not happy with myself for doing that but I'm happy that we got the draw in the end. (Alex Bruce) was fine about it.

"Whether he knew if it was a penalty I don't know but I said, 'Sorry, I am trying to win the game'.

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"I had a little bit of a laugh and a joke with the referee afterwards saying, 'That is the first dive I have ever done can you tell?'"

Draw for FA Cup Fourth Round

Ties to be played over the weekend of 29th and 30th January:

Torquay v Crawley Town/Derby.

Watford v Brighton.

Bolton v Wigan.

Arsenal/Leeds v Huddersfield Town.

Fulham v Tottenham.

Everton v Chelsea.

Southampton v Man Utd.

Swansea v Leyton Orient.

Burnley v Burton Albion.

Birmingham v Coventry.

Doncaster/Wolves v Stoke/Cardiff.

Notts County v Leicester/Man City.

Stevenage v Reading.

Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham v Nottm Forest.

Sheff Wed v Wycombe/Hereford.