Histon humble mighty Leeds

LEEDS UNITED have endured many low points in their recent history but none, perhaps, as humiliating as yesterday, when they were bundled out of the FA Cup second round by non-league Histon, a team that was playing in front of double-figure crowds just 10 years ago.

Matthew Langston scored the only goal of the game for the Blue Square Premier side in the 39th minute at a wet and wild Glassworld Stadium when he headed in Gareth Gwillim’s cross.

Histon, who hail from a tiny village just outside Cambridge, dominated the first half and could have gone into the break further ahead, but they had to withstand a barrage of pressure in the second half.

Lubomir Michalik twice came within a whisker of equalising for Leeds, first seeing his shot cannon back off a post then a fierce drive headed off the line by Jack Midson late on.

“It was a magnificent rearguard action in the second half,” Steve Fallon, the Histon manager, said in the delirious aftermath. “We had a bit of luck when we needed it but we were magnificent.

“We deserved that victory. This will do this club the world of good.”

Kettering Town also did their bit for the minnows yesterday by holding League Two side Notts County to a draw at Meadow Lane.

On Saturday, tiny Eastwood pulled off a surprise as they beat League Two high-fliers Wycombe 2-0 at Coronation Park.

A superb curling effort from Lindon Meikle gave the Northern Premier League minnows the lead in the 34th-minute after some good work by Anton Foster down the right flank.

Wycombe, who boast an impressive unbeaten league record, piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but they struggled to beat Shane Redmond who had an excellent match in the Eastwood goal.

The underdogs then put their name into the hat for the third round draw when Peter Knox finished a superb counter-attacking move in the 89th-minute.

Non-league side Forest Green booked their passage into the third round with a 2-0 win over League Two side Rochdale at the New Lawn Stadium.

The Blue Square Premier side took the lead after 27 minutes when Jonathan Smith struck to the delight of the home fans.

Josh Low then doubled the lead 11 minutes into the second period when he scored from just inside the area after a break from a Rochdale corner.

Hartlepool survived a second-half scare to see off Blue Square North side Fleetwood 3-2 at the Highbury Stadium.

Droylsden were leading 1-0 at Chesterfield thanks to a Carl Lamb goal before referee Steven Cook abandoned the match due to fog. Morecambe’s match with Cheltenham at Christie Park also fell victim to the weather.