CUP'S ALIVE AND SPOT KICKING

Longstaff has last laugh in shoot-out as extra spécial tie does competition proud

- BY JOHN CROSS

THIS was an absolute FA Cup classic for the ages. It was blood and thunder, great drama and a cracking atmosphere at St Andrew's. And proof that English football’s famous old knockout competition is very much alive and well.

Eventually it took a penalty shootout to send Leeds into the fifth round after an epic tie which was a real throwback to days gone by.

By the end, Leeds were so knackered they could barely muster the energy to go over to their fans to celebrate Sean Longstaff’s winning spot-kick.

They had given absolutely everything and some of the Leeds players were down with cramp as others took it in turns to milk the applause and roars from the away end. You had to feel sorry for brave Birmingham, who gave everything and probably deserved more, but they also only had themselves to blame for missing a hatful of chances.

Substitute Patrick Roberts’ deflected 89th-minute shot took the tie into extra time and no neutral wanted it to end.