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Leeds Live

Sport

Oliver Jones

The three best and worst Leeds United FA Cup third round ties ever

Leeds United FA Cup Whites Cup Billy Bingham Kiko Casilla Luton Crawley Town Oxford United Scunthorpe (Geopolitical Entity)

Leeds United face the long trip to face Cardiff City in the FA Cup third round on Sunday - although Jesse Marsch's side won't complain about having a decent chance to progress into the fourth round, something they haven't done since 2017.

Historically the FA Cup has been a competition in which Leeds have struggled - only in the late '60s and early '70s did they find consistent success. Since finishing as runners-up in 1972/73, the Whites have made the quarter final stage or better just six times.

But while deep cup runs aren't often seen at Elland Road, there have been some classic matches from earlier in the competition. Here are the three best and three worst Leeds United FA Cup third round ties in the club's history...

Manchester United 0-1 Leeds United - Third Round, 2010/11

Probably the most famous Leeds United cup win in recent memory, a trip to Old Trafford was on the cards for League One Leeds after victories over Oldham Athletic and Kettering Town in the first and second rounds respectively.

Simon Grayson's side were heavy underdogs but Jermaine Beckford's historic goal after 19 minutes gave the visitors an incredible win over their fierce rivals.

It marked the first time Man United had lost in the third round of the Cup - or been knocked out of it by a lower-division side - during Sir Alex Ferguson's 23-year reign as manager.

Crawley Town 3-0 Leeds United - Third Round, 2020/21

In one of the biggest cup upsets in third round history, a 3-0 loss to Crawley Town stunned Marcelo Bielsa's side and confirmed what was at the time a fourth consecutive third round exit.

Three second-half goals from John Yems' League Two side condemned the Whites to a shock early exit after Nick Tsaroulla fired home a fantastic solo strike while playing only his seventh game in senior football. Kiko Casilla's error meant Ashley Nadesan doubled Crawley's lead before Jordan Tunnicliffe added a third.

Leeds United 4-0 Oxford United - Third Round, 1997/98

It was a dazzling display of skill from Leeds as they dispatched Oxford United just three days into the new year back in 1998 with Lucas Radebe finding the opener after 17 minutes.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink converted a spot kick on the stroke of halftime before a Harry Kewell double in the space of just a single minute killed any hope of a comeback.

Scunthorpe United 4-2 Leeds United - Third Round Replay, 1983/84

After a 1-1 draw, a replay was held just six days later at Scunthorpe again and this time the hosts trounced the Whites in a six-goal thriller.

What was supposed to be a cross from a Scunthorpe winger looped over the head of Whites goalkeeper David Harvey before Tommy Wright equalised for the Whites.

Steve Cammack put Scunthorpe back ahead before halftime and Mark Leicester fired a header home seconds after the second half kicked off for 3-1.

Tommy Graham ended the game for Scunthorpe with a fantastic volley from inside the box into the top right-hand corner, before a consolation goal from Andy Ritchie made it 4-2.

Leeds United 5-2 Walsall United - Third Round Replay, 1994/95

Another 1-1 draw away from home saw Leeds bring Walsall back to Elland Road and Brian Deane didn't take long to break the deadlock with a goal in the 8th minute.

Walsall tied the game up though after a penalty was converted just 11 minutes later through Martin O'Connor before David Wetherall found the net just before halftime.

Wetherall would find the net again - this time his own one after 67 minutes with Phil Masanga then scoring a seven-minute hattrick in extra time to send Leeds through to the fourth round.

Luton Town 5-1 Leeds United - Third Round, 1958/59

An opening strike from Luton midfielder Billy Bingham after just 16 minutes foreshadowed what would be a terrible showing from Leeds in their third round match in the 1958/59 FA Cup.

However, it'd take until the 55th minute for another to be scored - this time Tony Gregory from the penalty spot before Bob Morton fired the third home for Luton six minutes later.

Another from Bingham and a second for Gregory late on meant a 5-0 win for Luton was on the cards before a consolation goal from Whites forward Alan Shackleton was netted just five minutes from the end of the match.