LEEDS UNITED are into the hat for the FA Cup fifth round after leaving Birmingham City heartbroken on penalties.
Lucas Perri was the hero after saving from Tommy Doyle while Patrick Roberts smashed his effort high over the woodwork.
Leeds defeat Birmingham City on penalties to advance in the FA CupCredit: Alamy
Sean Longstaff stepped up to net the decisive penalty for Daniel Farke’s side as they won 4-2 from the spot after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
It means the Premier League side progressed and avoided a Cup upset.
It was a pulsating encounter and it was Lukas Nmecha who opened the scoring for the visitors early in the second half and it looked like it would prove the deciding moment.
However, an 89th minute cracker from Roberts – with the aid of a deflection – sent St Andrew’s wild.
The Blues then nearly stole it in the final seconds and were just a lick of paint away from turning the game around in what would have been a stunning comeback – only to see an effort crash off the post, before some heroic defending from the Premier League side.
It wasn’t to be and the game entered an additional 30 minutes of action with both sides pushing for the all important winner.
But they couldn’t be separated with the match going to the lottery of penalties.
And it was the Premier League side who kept their dream of glory alive.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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