Leeds avoid upset by beating Harrogate as Exeter reach fourth round for first time in 44 years – FA Cup preview | Football news
Largie Ramazani’s second-half header sealed a 1-0 win for Leeds and ensured they avoided defeat in the FA Cup against Yorkshire rivals Harrogate.
Ramazani’s solitary effort settled the two sides’ first competitive meeting and was all Leeds had to show for their dominance against League Two at Elland Road.
Leeds hit the frame once in each half through Mateo Joseph and Manor Solomon but struggled to create clear-cut chances against their resilient visitors, who are 69 places below them in the Football League table.
Sky Bet promotion chasers Leeds have famously been knocked out of the cup by Crawley, Newport, Sutton, Rochdale and Histon since 2008, but despite a narrow result against Harrogate, they comfortably avoided another embarrassment.
Leeds made a breakthrough just before the hour mark. Solomon skipped down the left side, and his inch-perfect cross was neatly headed home by an unmarked Ramazani.
Meanwhile, winger Ayumu Yokoyama scored a League 1-leading goal in Birmingham the fastest goal scored in the FA Cup Lincoln 2-1, Lyndon Dykes doubles their advantage before Jovon Makama converts a penalty in stoppage time.
Two goals from Demetrius Mitchell and a third from Vincent Harper saw them to League One Exeter reach the fourth round for the first time in 44 years after a 3-1 win over the Championship Oxford. The visitors took the lead through Matt Phillips but ended with 10 men after Tyler Goodrham was sent off nine minutes from time.
Zian Flemming scored twice in extra time as Championship promotion contenders Burnley finally overcame League One Reading with a 3-1 victory.
Lyle Foster put the Clarets ahead but Lewis Wing’s equalizer left Scott Parker’s much-changed side needing Flemming’s late intervention.
Niall Ennis came off the bench and fired Stock to a 2-1 extra-time win in their All-Championship clash Sunderlandwho equalized through Milan Aleksic after Tom Cannon opened the scoring from the penalty spot at the Stadium of Light.
