Beckford ends United's FA Cup hopes

FT: Manchester United 0 Leeds 1

Jermaine Beckford’s first-half goal sent Leeds into FA Cup dreamland at Old Trafford.

The in-form striker’s 20th goal of the season was enough to dump Manchester United out of the competition.

On their first visit for nearly six years, the League One side clinched their first win at the home of their bitter rivals since 1981 and it was greeted with unbridled joy by a 9,000-strong travelling army.

Michael Owen was the next man on, for Anderson, and both he and Berbatov had a chance to finish off Valencia’s cut-back before Rooney blazed over.

Ankergren saved low from Rooney, who then fired over when well placed to do much better after Valencia had again created space.

Leeds were not totally reliant on defence, though, and Beckford came agonisingly close to sealing their place in the fourth round 12 minutes from time.

Robert Snodgrass came even closer shortly afterwards when his free-kick shook the angle of bar and post with Kuszczak beaten.

The pace was unrelenting and Owen thought he should have had a penalty when he went down under Hughes’ challenge but Foy was unmoved.

Five additional minutes must have shredded a few nerves among the Leeds supporters. But after so many dark days, this was to be one of glory. Rooney wasted the last chance as he drove his shot wide.