Manchester United 0 Leeds United 1: Leeds pull of major FA Cup shock

Jermaine Beckford, the striker whose future at Elland Road continues to be shrouded in doubt, yesterday ended 29 years of pain and frustration at Old Trafford for fans of the visitors by netting the sweetest goal of his career.

Click here to read Simon Grayson's thoughts on a memorable Cup win >>

Click here to read Sir Alex Ferguson's view >>

Click here to read Richard Naylor's thoughts on the victory >>

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The Leeds top scorer's 19th-minute strike meant the Yorkshire club became the first from what in old money is the Third Division to knock the Red Devils out of the FA Cup since Bournemouth in 1984.

But more importantly for the near 9,000 travelling army which followed Simon Grayson's side across the snow-topped Pennines, Beckford's 20th goal of the season brought to an end a long wait for victory at Old Trafford.

Not since Flynn, who was in the directors' box yesterday, netted a last-minute winner in February, 1981, had Leeds savoured the sweet taste of success at the home of their bitter rivals. The win was by no means a fluke either with Beckford missing a great chance to make the tie safe 10 minutes from time and Robert Snodgrass hitting a post with a 20-yard free-kick.

Beckford is, as a result of netting the winner, likely to be a man in demand with sources in the North East suggesting Newcastle United plan to return this week with an improved bid after having a 1.25m offer rejected before Christmas.

But, no matter what happens from hereon in, the 26-year-old is likely to be assured hero status at Elland Road for years to come after settling the 'War of the Roses' clash in Leeds's favour.

Old Trafford was, as expected, no place for niceties as one of football's enduring rivalries resumed after a near six-year gap.

It was a point illustrated half-an-hour before kick-off when the home side's mascot Fred the Red was greeted with a volley of abuse after wandering over to greet the away fans.

The ill-will continued once on-field hostilities had resumed with tempers boiling over so often that even the normally lackadaisical Dimitar Berbatov found himself dragged into a spat with Johnny Howson to underline that absence does not necessarily make the heart grow fonder.

Sir Alex Ferguson had paid the rivalry a huge compliment by selecting a side containing eight full internationals with another six on the bench.

In the end, however, it did him and the Premier League champions little good as Leeds pulled off the shock of the third round courtesy of a goal whose beauty was in its simplicity.

The decisive move was begun in the 19th minute with a typically well-timed tackle by Richard Naylor deep inside his own half that allowed the Elland Road captain to quickly off-load possession to Howson.

The Leeds-born midfielder's first reaction was to look up and, on spotting Beckford peeling away from Wes Brown, hit a sublime 60-yard pass into the striker's path. For a split second, the chance then appeared to have been lost as the striker initially mis-controlled only for Tomasz Kuszczak to hesitate in coming off his line.

It proved a fatal mistake as Beckford stuck out a toe to poke the ball between both the goalkeeper and Brown to send the travelling supporters into raptures.

The afternoon, already going better than even the most optimistic Leeds fan could have imagined, nearly reached greater heights as the Reds' defence twice failed to deal with probing crosses from the right flank.

First, Neil Kilkenny picked out Luciano Becchio only for the Argentine to head over despite being unmarked.

Then, as the home defence again responded slowly to danger, Bradley Johnson did the same after Jason Crowe had picked the midfielder out with another impressive ball.

In contrast to the visitors' tireless running, Ferguson's men were unusually leaden-footed with only Wayne Rooney providing an attacking threat of any note.

Unsurprisingly, therefore, it was the England striker who had the home side's best chance of the first half when he scampered clear to latch on to an exquisitely timed pass from Berbatov.

Casper Ankergren immediately rushed from his line and got a vital touch on the shot, the partial block allowing Jason Crowe to race back and clear off his own line.

Going in at half-time trailing to a League One team left Ferguson visibly seething as he walked down the touchline towards the tunnel. His mood did not improve much after the break, either, with only the introduction of Antonio Valencia shortly before the hour injecting any urgency into their play.

Belatedly, the champions started to exert some pressure but, with Ankergren and his defence in no mood to surrender, not even five-and-a-half minutes of stoppage time could deny Leeds the victory they have craved more than any other since Flynn wrote himself into Elland Road folklore 29 long years ago.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Jermaine Beckford

There may have been better Leeds performances, with Patrick Kisnorbo being outstanding. But, when this game is reminisced about in years to come, only the scorer's name will be remembered

Villain: Wayne Rooney

Showed he still lacks maturity when things are going against him with a frustrated kick out at Jason Crowe near the end. Rooney was fortunate Crowe chose not to make a big fuss or he could have been in trouble.

Key moment: 94th minute

With Leeds fans chanting 'Fergie time' after the officials found five minutes of stoppage time to add, Casper Ankergren bravely blocked Wayne Rooney before the ball was scrambled clear and the game was up for the home side.

Ref watch: Chris Foy

Plenty of leniency shown to home players with Wes Brown, in particular, fortunate to remain on the field for a shocking challenge on Michael Doyle that deserved a second yellow card .

Verdict

Priced at 12-1 to win, Leeds pulled off one of the all-time shock results as the 11-times winners were humbled on home soil. A truly outstanding result and one Leeds fully deserved.

Quote of the day

'1-0 in your Cup final'.

The response of the celebrating Leeds fans at the final whistle after their team had become the first outside the top flight to knock out Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson's 23 years at the club.

Next game

Leeds United v Wycombe Wanderers; Saturday, January 9, 3pm; League One.

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