Patrick Bamford says Leeds United's run in the FA Cup has been 'a welcome distraction' to battling relegation in the Premier League. The Whites progressed to the fifth round courtesy of a 3-1 victory over League One side Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium.
Jack Harrison broke the deadlock inside 23 minutes with a stunning strike into the corner of the net from range. Junior Firpo doubled the Whites' advantage just after the hour-mark, before Luis Sinisterra scored a third two minutes later.
18-year-old substitute Leslie Adekoya scored a consolation during the final 10 minutes, but Leeds comfortably avoided an FA Cup upset to progress to the next round.
Bamford recorded two assists on his first start since October, and has been directly involved in five goals in his last four games. Although the 29-year-old admitted that Leeds made a slow start, he believes that their form in the FA Cup has generated more belief amongst the group.
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"I think as a team we started a little bit slow," Bamford told BBC Sport. "They actually made it really difficult. Their style, it took us a while to adapt to. After we got the first goal, we started to grow into the game and in the second half we were much better.
"It's been a welcome distraction [the FA Cup run] in terms of there was a little bit of pressure coming onto us. Having a cup run has kind of taken that a way a little bit and given us the confidence that we can win games.
"We have been growing with each performance, it's just turning the one-point or zero points into three points."
Bamford has been plagued by injuries over the last 18 months, and has started just five times for the Whites in the Premier League this term. The forward has rediscovered his goal scoring form since his return in the New Year, and is delighted by the progress he's made in recent weeks.
"I'm feeling a lot better. Today I was just missing a goal. It's nice to get back, I've just been building the minutes up slowly, which is good. Gradual progress, and I'm feeling better with each game," Bamford said.
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