Jermaine Beckford grabbed a late equaliser to spare Leeds' blushes against Kettering in a 1-1 FA Cup draw.
Beckford equaliser cancels out Roper opener
Jermaine Beckford grabbed a late equaliser to spare Leeds' blushes against non-league Kettering in a 1-1 FA Cup draw.
Skipper Ian Roper's 63rd-minute header had put the Poppies on course for a famous FA Cup giant killing but Beckford pounced from close range in the 77th minute to earn the runaway League One leaders a replay.
Kettering started brightly and debutant Richie Partridge fired straight at goalkeeper Casper Ankergren from the edge of the box before curling another effort just wide from 15 yards but Leeds soon settled into their stride and the influential Robert Snodgrass saw his header cleared off the line by John Dempster from Beckford's deep cross.
The Poppies then had an almighty double let off when Beckford fired against the bar from 12 yards and Snodgrass blasted the follow up against the post from the edge of the box.
Roper put Kettering ahead against the run of play with a towering header from Partridge's free kick that went in off the underside of the bar. But Beckford netted his 14th goal of the season to equalise for Leeds when he poked in Snodgrass' fierce cross shot 13 minutes from the end.
Michael Doyle and Jonathan Howson both missed good chances to win it for United late on, while Simon Heslop was denied by Ankergren at the other end.
A trip to Premier League champions Manchester United awaits the winner of the replay in the next round.
