Just when we thought this was going to be yet another in a long line of embarrassments in the FA Cup, late substitute Sonny Perkins scored the goal that snatched a draw from the jaws of a defeat, and we can now look forward to a replay against Cardiff City.

For all his talk about wanting to have a good run in this competition and knowing what it meant, Jesse Marsch still made seven changes for this game, though he claimed that a number of players were struggling with injuries, so the side wouldn’t have been that different if this had been a league game.

Llorente and Firpo came in, which must have given their many critics on social media severe palpitations, while Gyabi got another cup tie start. I thought Harrison should have been in, as he hasn’t played much recently and helped to turn the West Ham game when he came on in midweek. At least Cardiff were sporting enough to make several changes of their own.

For the first 25 minutes I wasn’t too worried, as Leeds were enjoying most of the possession. Summerville shot over from a good position, though he did have to reach back for the shot after the cross was deflected slightly behind him. There was an early shirt tug in the box which would have been a penalty if VAR had been in operation, and a fierce shot from Gyabi that went just wide, though the keeper might have had it covered.

Then Gnonto was also booked for diving, though there seemed to have been a slight touch from the defender as he went past. And just as I was starting to think that we needed to score from one of these chances, it was inevitable that Cardiff would go down the other end and grab a goal with their first decent attack.

As they broke downfield Struijk seemed to misjudge the bounce of the ball and Harris sprinted past him to shoot from a narrow angle. Robles did well in coming out to block the first effort, but was out of position when the rebound came back to Harris for the cross. Once Aaronson missed the chance to clear, Philogene was left with the simple task of whacking the ball into the net from close range to put the home side one up.

The goal completely changed the momentum of the game, and suddenly Cardiff were coming forward with confidence and we began to flounder. Our central defenders were caught out by a ball over the top to Ojo, who did very well to control the ball off his chest, before volleying into the roof of the net to put Cardiff two up.

Gnonto’s clever movement at a corner earned him a great chance to pull one back, but he didn’t have the height to get above the ball and could only send his header over the bar. Apart from that our inexperienced attacking unit was now finding it hard to make headway against a buoyant Cardiff, and the team was booed off at half time by the large Leeds contingent in the crowd.

It was a bit of a surprise that Marsch didn’t make any changes during the break, nor was there much evidence that he’d given them a tongue-lashing to wake them up. During the early stages of the second half we were still going forward without looking like troubling their defence, with Gnonto on of the few who was still showing the determination we needed to get back into the match.

So just before the hour Marsch made his first three changes to bring a couple of big guns off the bench. Rodrigo and new signing Wöber coming on for Summerville and Gyabi, though it was more surprising that Drameh replaced Kristensen, even if it did give him a run out in familiar surroundings after his loan spell there last season.

This left Wöber having to play in midfield, but he adapted to the role well and immediately sent in a fierce shot from the box, though it was blocked as Cardiff started to fling their bodies in the way of everything. The changes had given Leeds some much-needed impetus, but we really need Struijk to score from the great chance he had from a corner, instead of putting his header just wide.

By now the 6,000 fans behind the goal Leeds were attacking were roaring the team on, and we finally had something to cheer as we pulled a goal back in the 65th minute. After a good move on the left involving Gnonto and Greenwood, the defence failed to track Rodrigo’s run into the box, and the Spaniard scored with a powerful header even though Alnwick got a hand to it.

There was a huge sigh of relief, but we still needed another goal to level the tie. And it should have come after Firpo’s shot on target was deliberately handled by the diving Bagan, leading to an inevitable penalty and red card. But Rodrigo’ spot-kick seemed a little rushed, and although he hit it well it was far too central, and Alnwick was always going to save it if he went the right way.

Every truly agonising defeat needs a missed penalty as well as a host of other missed chances, but at least we would only be facing ten men for the rest of the game. As we desperately needed a goal Marsch put his faith in his prolific young strikers from our youth team, with Joseph and Perkins coming on for Gelhardt and Aaronson.

Cardiff’s Mark Hudson made the opposite move to protect what he had, bringing on some of his experienced first team players, which looked as if it was going to work for him as the minutes ticked away. Joseph sent a good chance over the bar from close range, though to be fair he had to turn for a cross that was played slightly behind him.

As we moved into five minutes injury time I began to mentally compose this match report about yet another FA Cup disappointment. I was going to mention the number of time we’ve lost 2-1 to Cardiff in the FA Cup (at least four) as well as having a prolonged moan about Marsch using such inexperienced subs at the end instead of Harrison. Never have I been more delighted to have to change my plans about what to write!

With a minute left Sonny Perkins’ striker’s instinct took him into the right spot to score from Firpo’s flick-on in the six-yard box and save the tie. I always said that Marsch knew what he was doing by bringing him on. It’s always hilarious when the opposing fans greet a substitute with a chant of “who the ****ing **** are you?” and he goes and scores against them. I think the Cardiff fans know who he is now!

The remaining time was played out without any further drama, and we had managed to salvage a replay, which will be at Elland Road during the week after next. On today’s evidence that certainly won’t be a formality our reward will be a chance to embarrass ourselves properly away to Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley.

There will be plenty to be said about those games when the time comes, but right now I’m still worn out by the drama and nervous energy of watching the team today. So I'm off for a much needed lie down.

Reuters

Leeds United Polls