Leeds United staged a second-half comeback to book their place in round four of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.
The U's took a deserved lead 25 minutes into the match through the lively Uche Ikpeazu, who beat opposition keeper Marco Silvestri at his near post.
Leeds performed much better after the restart and picked up the victory thanks to two goals in the space of eight minutes, with Stuart Dallas and Alex Mowatt claiming the plaudits for the Championship side.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the FA Cup third-round tie between Cambridge United and Leeds United at the Abbey Stadium. These two teams head into this fixture in the midst of an impressive run of form; Cambridge accruing 19 points from the last 21 on offer in League Two and Leeds winning four and drawing one of their last five Championship outings.
The third round of the FA Cup - so often seen as the standout weekend of any football season - has not been too kind to us in terms of major shocks so far. Lincoln City's 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon, which for a while looked like being an away win at Portman Road, was arguably the pick of the bunch, while Millwall also thrashed a much-changed - albeit still strong - Bournemouth side.
Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers played their part, too, beating West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City respectively to fly the flag high for the Championship. It has not been the best of starts for Premier League teams, meanwhile, as five have already fallen at the first hurdle and one of Burnley or Sunderland will join then after playing out a replay next week. Fingers crossed that one turns out better than the 90 minutes we witnessed on Saturday!
TEAM NEWS!
CAMBRIDGE UNITED XI: Norris, Taylor, Legge, Roberts, Adams, Mingola, Dunne, Clark, Newton, Berry, Ikpeazu
LEEDS UNITED XI: Silvestri, Jansson, Berardi, Denton, Cooper, Vieira, Grimes, Phillips, Mowatt, Antonsson, Doukara
Starting with a look at the visitors and boss Garry Monk has made eight changes to the side that faces Rotherham United last time out. Jansson, Berardi and Doukara are the only men to survive from that 3-0 victory at Elland Road a week ago, as the Whites opt to bring in some of their fringe players. It is still a group that you would fancy to get the job done this evening, but I'm sure Messrs Klopp and Howe felt the same way over the weekend.
One of the three survivors, Pontus Jansson, is now just one game away from activating a clause in his contract to sign for the Whites permanently. Souleymane Doukara has some proven pedigree in this competition, meanwhile, having scored two in his last three outings; United going on to win both of those - 2-0 vs. Rotherham United and 2-1 in the meeting with Bolton Wanderers.
Eunan O'Kane has missed United's last seven outings through injury and misses out on the starting lineup for this one, too, though he is fit enough for a place on the bench at the Abbey Stadium. Charlie Taylor is still absent with an Achilles injury, though, with Gaetano Beradi the third of those aforementioned players to retain his place in the side in that vacant left-back role.
A string of changes made by Monk, then, but opposite number Shaun Derry - a former Leeds player himself, of course - has made just the one alteration to his Cambridge side from the 4-0 win over Notts County last time out. Conor Newton comes into the starting XI in place of Dylan Williams, though that piece of tinkering aside it is as you were from that League Two match exactly one week ago.
Luke Berry has netted four goals so far in this competition, placing him at the top of the scoring charts heading into the third-round fixtures, and he again starts in midfield behind 21-year-old striker Uche Ikpeazu. Brad Halliday and George Maris had both being carrying knocks in the build-up to this final tie of the round, and both have seemingly failed to recover as they miss out on selection in the starting lineup. Barry Corr and Medy Elito are also still absent.
BENCH WATCH!
CAMBRIDGE UNITED SUBS: Gregory, Darling, Davies, Dunk, Maris, Williamson, Pigott
LEEDS UNITED SUBS: Green, Bartley, Coyle, Vieira, O'Kane, Roofe, Wood
Maris makes the bench for Cambridge despite carrying that knock, but Elito and Halliday are nowhere to be seen. In terms of the visitors, Monk has some established options to call upon should they be needed; defender Kyle Bartley, returning midfielder O'Kane and strikers Kemar Roofe and Chris Wood among them. The latter is the Whites' top scorer this term, but Monk will be hoping that he is not required at any stage tonight.
Souleymane Doukara, Pontus Jansson and Gaetano Beradi are the only three Leeds United survivors from the 3-0 win over Rotherham United a week ago. Boss Garry Monk has opted to ring the changes but still has some experienced options in his side, as well as proven quality in the bench. Cambridge United make just the one alteration from their last match, meanwhile - Conor Newton coming in for Dylan Williams.
Just a reminder that the FA Cup draw is just about to take place for the fourth round - updates from that once it is all complete. Cambridge will certainly fancy their chances of making it to that stage of the competition if their recent form is anything to go by, as they currently sit ninth in League Two - not that great on the face of it, granted - but sit just one point off the playoff zone with a game in hand to play.
To add some context to this, the U's started the season incredibly slow and took nine attempts to get off the mark with victory over Newport County. Since then they have not really looked back, particularly since towards the end of November as they have collected 19 points from the last 21 on offer since then. Leyton Orient are the only team to have stopped them in their track during that near-perfect run, meanwhile - a 94th minute goal seeing them temporarily halt United.
Cambridge returned to winning ways in their last outing, though - a comprehensive 4-0 victory for Derry's side over his former club Notts County. The stellar run of form has left United right on the brink of the playoff zone, sitting one point and two places off the top seven with that game in hand - a result of their weekend fixture being postponed (bloody cup run!) - while the automatic promotion spots are also within sight.
Eight points is currently the margin on third-place - again with a game in hand - so if the past couple of months are anything to go by then you would put your money on the U's booking a playoff spot at the very least. Long way to go yet, of course, but there is a huge game coming up for them later this month as they travel to face Luton Town - the team they are locked on points with in the hunt for that final top-seven berth. Prior to that, Derry must gear his side up for matches against Blackpool and Mansfield over the next fortnight.
Taking all competitions into consideration, it is just the two defeats in 12 games for an in-form Cambridge. Only Wycombe Wanderers have stopped them from tasting victory on home soil since the start of October, in fact, while the U's also boast proven pedigree here in this competition in recent times thanks to that memorable goalless draw with Manchester United a couple of years back. The replay did not go quite so well, losing 3-0 at Old Trafford but still creating memories for a lifetime no doubt.
DID YOU KNOW? Cambridge United saw off Dover over two games to reach the second round, requiring extra time in the second leg to get the job done, before thrashing Coventry City of League One to reach this stage. Their nine-goal tally across those first two rounds was bettered only by Wimbledon (11), but it is worth pointing out that the U's have failed to beat two teams from a higher tier in the same FA Cup campaign since 1990-91 when beating three.
Shaun Derry is currently enjoying his second stint in management following his maiden spell in charge of Notts County. The former no-nonsense midfielder represented 11 clubs as a player - including County at the start and end of his career - with Leeds United among those. Derry speaks fondly of his three years at Elland Road, during which he came close to guiding the Whites to the Premier League.
FA CUP FOURTH-ROUND DRAW! A full look at the fourth-round draw a little later, but I can tell you that the winners of this tie will take on either Wimbledon or Sutton United for a place in the last 16. That is a tie that both will surely take, knowing that progression into the latter stages is certainly a realistic target. Holders Manchester United have been paired with Wigan Athletic, meanwhile, who themselves won the cup in 2013.
Leeds themselves head into this game on the back of a hugely impressive run of form, having also started the season slowly - the comparisons with today's opponents are clear to see. The Whites are currently fifth in the Championship table and looking good value to finish in the playoff zone - their best campaign in a number of years, largely thanks to the work of Monk who has now impressed at the two clubs he has managed.
Monk, tipped with the England manager's job not so long ago, has recovered from that slow start to his tenure at Elland Road when taking just four points from the first 18 on offer. If that run of form saw fans question his appointment, and Massimo Cellino inevitably prepare to swing the axe, the transformation since then has been pretty remarkable. Leeds remained unbeaten over the extended Christmas and New Year programme, winning four and drawing one of their five games to ensure that hope has once more been restored among their huge fanbase.
United are currently five points clear of seventh-in-the-table Derby County, who they face at Elland Road in a truly massive game on Friday evening. Monk's decision to rest eight starters from last time out quite clearly makes sense when you factor in the scheduling, with the Yorkshire outfit's priority this term on finally securing a playoff spot following so many years of mediocrity. Should he achieve that, and indeed take his side into the Premier League, Monk may very well earn his place in Leeds folklore.
Monk, a former centre-back himself, has turned Leeds into one of the best defensive sides in the second tier. United have shipped just 24 goals across their 25 games so far at a rate of - to bring out my inner Carol Vorderman here - a little under one-goal-per-game. That is a record that only three other teams in the Championship can match - Newcastle United, Derby County and current leaders Brighton & Hove Albion the only sides to have fared better at the back so far.
Leeds last faced off against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup in the 2013-14 season, when losing to Rochdale at this same third-round stage - a result that they will be looking to avoid a repeat of this evening. The Championship may well take priority for Leeds, as reflected in their starting lineup, but this certainly provides them with a great chance to progress into round four where one of Wimbledon or Sutton await - another tie that they will be strong favourites to win.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! This will be just the fifth competitive meeting between these two sides, with Cambridge United yet to pick up a victory in any of those - losing two and drawing two. The last encounter was in April 1984 when Leeds United left this ground with a 2-2 draw. A new one for many of those travelling supporters to tick off, then, with those who previously made the trip to Abbey Road perhaps wondering when the glory days will return to their famous, old club.
With kickoff at the Abbey Stadium now around eight minutes or so away, let us check out some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Shaun Derry: "I look back on my time at Leeds United only with fond memories. It was a majestic football club, it really was. If you were to ask me for one defining moment in my career that disappoints me the most it would be losing 3-0 in the play-off final. That was a real low point for me personally and for the football club as well."
Garry Monk: "The key for us is our desire and our football. For me it's the most famous domestic cup competition in the world. It's something all players look forward to playing in and we've used the League Cup already this season to give us momentum and a winning mentality. We need to do that again."
Derry talking fondly of his time at Elland Road, then, and more specifically his regret at not being able to help the club back into the top flight. Since then the Whites have dropped down another tier and returned, but they have been unable to truly threaten in terms of the end-of-season mix-up at the top end of the division. That could all be about to change under Monk, who values the history of this competition but still puts league priorities first.
As promised a little earlier, here is a look at the FA Cup round four draw in a little more depth.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Wycombe Wanderers
Derby County vs. Leicester City
Oxford United vs. Newcastle United or Birmingham City
AFC Wimbledon or Sutton United vs. Cambridge United or Leeds United
Plymouth Argyle or Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Southampton or Norwich City vs. Arsenal
Lincoln City or Ipswich Town vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea vs. Brentford
Manchester United vs. Wigan Athletic
Millwall vs. Watford
Rochdale vs. Huddersfield Town
Burnley or Sunderland vs. Fleetwood Town or Bristol City
Blackburn Rovers vs. Barnsley or Blackpool
Fulham vs. Hull City
Middlesbrough vs. Accrington Stanley
Crystal Palace or Bolton vs. Manchester City
Those fixtures will be played at the end of this month, but before then we have another tie - as well as a number of replays - to play. Leeds United are the favourites to progress through despite making eight changes with one eye on that meeting with Derby County on Friday, while Cambridge United make just the one alteration. Fifty-one places separate these sides in the English pyramid, but will we see another famous upset?
KICKOFF! Leeds get proceedings under way at the Abbey Stadium, sporting their traditional white strip. Conditions not great, in truth, as the pitch is rather muddy following some heavy rain. Nothing like an FA Cup third-round leveller, though!
Berry, the scorer of all four goals against Coventry in the last round, is looking very bright early on. His harrying helps earn Leeds a corner kick, which is well worked but skewed wide of goal by full-back Taylor near the back post.
OFF THE BAR! A very assured start to the match by Cambridge, but it is Leeds who have just inadvertently come closest to opening the scoring as what appeared to be a cross from Marcus Antonsson dropped on to the crossbar. Will Norris did not have it covered and looked rather pleased to see it end above the bar rather than under it.
SAVE! A big chance for Uche Ikpeazu to open the scoring in the first opening of the match. Piero Mingoia played the ball through for his teammate, but Ikpeazu's first touch was not the best and in the end his rather weak shot was kept out by Marco Silvestri.
Cambridge looking so bright in attack at the moment, again really getting at the Leeds backline and winning themselves a corner. Uche Ikpeazu will be kicking himself after squandering that earlier chance, but at this rate he will have a few more like that.
Derry will be more than happy by the way his side have started this match, creating one good opening already and asking some real questions of that makeshift Leeds defence. Still goalless but it does not seem likely to finish that way.
Antonsson almost through on goal but he could not quite reach the ball at full stretch and Norris was there to collect. Not seen a great deal of the Whites in attack thus far, though they did hit the bar early on - not that Antonsson meant it!
Berry is quite clearly a player full on confidence and there was never really any doubt that he was going to take on this free kick. Fifteen goals this season, including nine in his last eight, Berry could not quite add to his tally as he sent the ball wide.
A short stoppage in play now as Jansson receives some treatment. Leeds not truly been given a chance to settle into the match so far, with the best chance of the match so far falling the hosts' way; Ikpeazu failing to get the beating of Silvestri.
A very fast-tempo feel to the match over the past five minutes or so, as both teams take it in turns to put together some attacks. Mass changes for the White this evening, of course, so they are just looking to find their groove at this point.
YELLOW CARD! We did not see a booking in three of yesterday's cup games, but the referee is more forthcoming today as Kalvin Philips is shown a yellow. It could well have been more, though, because Phillips's challenge was rather poor.
YELLOW CARD! A second yellow card in quick succession for Leeds, but this one is going to be far more costly. A booking for Jansson will rule him out of United's huge clash with Derby County on Friday, as well as the trip to Barnsley.
GOAL! CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1-0 LEEDS UNITED (UCHE IKPEAZU)
Ikpeazu gives Cambridge the lead, and you have to say that is pretty much deserved for their confident showing in the opening quarter of the match. It was a classic centre-forward's goal in many ways, as he used his strength to work some space before blasting the ball into the net at the near post past a wrong-footed Silvestri.
YELLOW CARD! I mentioned a little earlier that yellow cards were few and far between across yesterday's FA Cup games, but Beradi has just entered referee Craig Pawson's book - the third Leeds caution already with less than half-hour played.
Denton lunges in after Cambridge yet again win the second ball in midfield, but he avoids seeing a caution. Been a busy half for the referee, who has booked three Leeds players and perhaps could have made that four just a few moments ago.
Leeds just not up for the fight at the moment, which is not massively surprising with so many of these players being given limited time this season. Goalscorer Ikpeazu is showing just why he is such a threat, again powering to the line and winning a corner.
So much confidence in this Cambridge side, who have stormed into League Two playoff contention over the past couple of months. Think Leeds boss Monk will actually be hoping for that half-time whistle about now, as his side are still second best.
Cambridge win another corner which somehow goes right through the box following the slightest of touches at the front post. Leeds finally put some passes together but they get nowhere fast and a sloppily give possession away under little pressure.
Get the impression that Monk will be tempted to make a change at the break, whether it is someone like the returning O'Keefe in the middle of the park or Roofe/ Wood higher up the field. Not been good enough from the visitors in this first half.
SAVE! A really good effort from Alex Mowatt from the edge of the opposition box, with his shot dipping in the air and heading for the underside of the crossbar if not for a big Will Norris stop - his first of the match so far.
SAVE! He has had nothing to do all half, then two big saves are required in the space of a minute or so. Moments after keeping out Mowwatt's long-range drive, Norris did well to block Liam Cooper's header from the corner with his legs.
Cambridge were the side on top for 40 minutes of this third-round tie, but the past few minutes have seen Leeds finally step things up. Two attempts on target and all of a sudden it is they who don't want to hear that half-time whistle.
Two minutes of added time will be played at the end of this entertaining first half, of which we have already played one. Derry will be delighted with his side's performance in this first half; Monk less so, bar the last five minutes.
HALF TIME: CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1-0 LEEDS UNITED
Referee Craig Pawson brings the first half to a close at the Abbey Stadium. It has been a superb opening 45 minutes for Cambridge United who, despite being 51 places below their opponents in the English pyramid, have been superb so far. Leeds United did improve late on, but far more is required from them in the second half if they are to avoid an upset.
Cambridge produced an assured first-half performance that belied the 51 places separating the two teams in the English pyramid, but it was Leeds who so nearly opened the scoring three minutes in when a Marcus Antonsson cross caught Will Norris off guard and dropped on to his crossbar. Undeterred by that, Cambridge soon found their rhythm and produced a big chance two minutes later - Uche Ikpeazu being picked out by Piero Mingoia but failing to get the beating of Marco Silvestri.
Leeds made eight changes to their starting lineup for this game, with manager Garry Monk clearly prioritising Friday night's huge league game with fellow promotion chasers Derby County, though the Whites will be without key man Pontus Jansson for that one as he was shown a 10th booking of the season 23 minutes in. Garry Monk has bigger issues on his mind, however, as Ikpeazu gave the U's a deserved lead when using his power to work space and beating a wrong-footed Silvestri at his near post.
Cambridge were really beginning to enjoy themselves, looking confident on the ball through the likes of goalscorer Ikpeazu and midfielder Luke Berry, who scored all four goals in the 4-0 rout of Coventry City in the last round. The League Two side very much have another scalp in their mind, yet Leeds did end the first half on top with two attempts on target late on - Alex Mowatt being denied by a fine Norris stop before the U's keeper blocked Liam Cooper's header with his legs from the resulting corner.
Plenty for Leeds United boss Garry Monk to ponder at this midway point, then, and he may well turn to one of Kemar Roof or Chris Wood at the break. Eunan O'Kane is also in contention after a seven-game absence through injury, as is centre-back Kyle Bartley who can provide some steel.
CAMBRIDGE UNITED SUBS: Gregory, Darling, Davies, Dunk, Maris, Williamson, Pigott
LEEDS UNITED SUBS: Green, Bartley, Coyle, Vieira, O'Kane, Roofe, Wood
RESTART! We are back up and running at the Abbey Stadium, where there is news of a half-time change to brink you up to speed with. Lewie Coyle has been brought on for Beradi, who may well have picked up a knock.
Ikpeazu has been so impressive so far this evening, showing a bit of pace, a bit of strength and the ability to finish. Not sure if there are any Championship managers watching this match but they may well be tempted to make a bid if they are!
Almost a second goal for Cambridge, as Mingoia's shot is blocked behind off Denton from a corner. Silvestri flaps at the ball and James Dunne hooked it back in towards goal, only for the Leeds stopper to back-pedal and tip over the bar.
A poor back-pass to Silvestri does the keeper now favours following his shaky start to this second half, and he was happy to just blast it straight out of play for a throw. United started this half just like the first - very sloppy on the ball and very much second best.
Leeds enjoying a spell in possession now as they chase down a leveller in the remaining 35 minutes or so. No word yet on whether than Beradi injury was enforced, but Monk does still have Wood and Roofe to choose from in attack.
GOAL! CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1-1 LEEDS UNITED (STUART DALLAS)
A first goal of the season for Northern Ireland international Stuart Dallas draws Leeds back on level terms. Mowatt created it by getting to the byline and sending the ball into a dangerous area, where his teammate brilliantly sent the ball back across goal with his head into the bottom corner.
LEEDS UNITED SUB! A second change of the evening for the visitors, who turn to Kemar Roofe for the final half-hour. Souleymane Doukara is the man to make way having so far done little to impact the game in attack at the Abbey Stadium.
SAVE! The Whites now the side on top in this game since drawing level, with Antonsson forcing Norris into a smart stop down to his left. The ball was creeping in if not for the intervention at this pivotal moment in this match.
GOAL! CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1-2 LEEDS UNITED (ALEX MOWATT)
Leeds have themselves a quick-fire second through their best player on the night. Jansson's powerful header from a corner looked to be heading in, but Mowatt flicked it on regardless to put Leeds on the brink of a place in round four.
CAMBRIDGE UNITED SUB! A first change of the match from the home side, as Conor Newton is replaced by Harrison Dunk. The U's not at the same levels they were in the first half, so a change of personnel was needed.
Ikpeazu is sent tumbling by Cooper when looking to chase down a ball over the top, but it is he who is penalised for the coming together. A harsh one, that, which referee Craig Pawson got wrong on initial viewing of the incident.
Cooper damaged his calf in that coming together with Ikpeazu and has now stayed down on the pitch to receive some treatment. Monk readying Bartley to come on, but that is another player who will now surely miss the Derby clash.
LEEDS UNITED SUB! Kyle Bartley is indeed the man to come on in place of the injured Cooper. Mowatt close to a killer third for Leeds as he blasts the ball through the legs of Norris and across the face of goal.
Ikpeazu welcomes Bartley to the fray by catching him with a stray elbow. Certainly wasn't intentional, and the Cambridge forward actually won a free kick for his side which was swung into the box but comes to very little.
Just a case of Cambridge simply giving too much in that first half if anything, as they have noticeably dropped their levels over the past 25 minutes. The home fans are still backing their side, though, and there remains just the one goal in it.
Half a chance for Antonsson towards the back post, but he could not quite direct his header on goal. Cambridge now playing with two strikers for the conclusion of this match; Mingoia seemingly joining the hitherto impressive Ikpeazu up top.
Into the final 10 minutes of this entertaining third-round tie now, with plenty still to play for. Cambridge have offered very little in attack, in truth, but all it takes is one long ball forward towards Ikpeazu and we could be heading for a replay.
CLOSE! Cambridge win a free kick which they again fail to make the most of, but Denton runs the ball out needlessly and the U's have a chance to swing in a corner. Who got on the end of it? That man Ikpeazu, who glanced agonisingly wide.
Home fans have dropped their levels in the second half, reflected events on the field as far as their side's concerned, but that near miss a few minutes ago has seen the volume levels rise again. Around six minutes of the tie left to play.
SAVE! Real panic at the back for Leeds, as Taylor's shot is parried by Silvestri right back into a dangerous position. Neither sub Williamson or Dunk could capitalise, however, and the chance passed the hosts by - possibly their last of the match.
Cambridge throwing all they have at their opponents now, putting together a string of attacks. A couple of crosses into the box are heading clear, however, as we enter the final two minutes or normal time at the Abbey Stadium.
Hearts in mouths time for Leeds at the moment as they drop deeper and deeper into their own box, but Ikpeazu skies his attempt from the edge of the box to end this latest spell of pressure. Four minutes of added time to come.
It has been a really difficult night for Leeds on the whole but they are now just a couple of minutes away from that fourth-round tie with either Wimbledon or Sutton. Cambridge win a late free kick which the keeper comes up for, though it was well headed away.
FULL TIME: CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1-2 LEEDS UNITED
The full-time whistle sounds at the Abbey Stadium, where Leeds United have held on to beat Cambridge United 2-1. It was a classic third-round tie in many ways; the minnows giving all they had and pushing their opponents - 51 placed above them in the league system - all the way to the end. Credit to the Whites, though, because they did improve in the second half and did just about enough to progress through.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events from this final third-round tie. A full on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while a reminder of those fourth-round ties - to be played at the end of this month - can be found here. Thanks for joining!
