Leeds edge past League two side Harrogate Town
Leeds United edged past League Two underdogs Harrogate Town to reach the FA Cup fourth round in the first competitive meeting between the two Yorkshire sides.
After a goalless first half, the home side's frustrations were finally quelled when Largie Ramazani's header met the net in the 59th minute.
Harrogate defended valiantly to stay in the tie but could not get past Whites keeper Karl Darlow, one of Leeds eight changes, to find an equaliser.
Leeds held out to avoid another FA Cup upset to a lower league team, having previously been shocked by Crawley Town, Histon, Sutton United, Rochdale and Newport County this century.
Both teams started with great intent as Ramazani and Harrogate's Josh March both tested the opposing keeper in the opening seven minutes.
Leeds soon settled into a rhythm but had a lucky escape when defender Josuha Guilavogui appeared to clip the heels of March in the penalty area but saw the referee's decision fall in his favour.
The visitors also had a let-off when they overcommitted players forward and had to scramble back to block Mateo Joseph's strike inside the box after a quick counter.
Joseph then fired a shot through the Sulphurites keeper's legs but it ricocheted off the woodwork as the Whites failed to break the deadlock in the first half despite dominating.
The visitors started the second half brightly, with Pascal Struijk forced into making a timely challenge to prevent March from driving further into the box to set up an opener.
A quiet Elland Road then found their voice after Manor Solomon watched his left-footed shot strike the crossbar.
The breakthrough finally fell to Leeds in the 59th minute when Ramazani nodded in Solomon's chipped cross.
Harrogate had several chances to equalise, but Darlow, making just his second start of the season, came off his line to block a March shot and James Daly's follow-up went well wide.
But Ramazani's goal was enough for Leeds to progress to the fourth round and prevent Harrogate from making club history, having lost 4-0 to Luton Town in their only other third-round tie in 2022.
Largie Ramazani has scored four goals for Leeds since joining from Spanish side Almeria in the summer
'If we can grow from this, it's a brilliant night'
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke speaking to BBC Radio Leeds:
"It's never easy. For them, it's the game of the season or - for some of them - perhaps even the game of their lives.
"For us, it was important to use this game to rotate a bit, rest a few players, to give some minutes away.
"You also have to respect the quality of the opponents. They defended really well and deep, with a knife between their teeth.
"Well done to Harrogate. I think they played an excellent game today in terms of defending but I'm also pleased we progressed through."
Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver speaking to BBC Radio York:
"I'm immensely proud of the performance tonight.
"Everybody went into tonight with a mixture of excitement but apprehension too - Leeds are top of the Championship on merit.
"It was sink or swim but everyone on our team swam.
"If we can grow from this as a team and a club, then it will prove to be a brilliant night."
Farke relieved to avoid FA Cup upset
