In a tremendous advert for the FA Cup, Blue Square Premier side Kettering Town held once mighty, now Coca-Cola League One outfit Leeds United to a 1-1 draw at the Elgood Brewery Stadium on Sunday.
It must have thrilled ITV because to date their live games involving sides from the non-League game have mostly disappointed. However, this had the excitement and passion expected in the game`s most famous knockout competition.
And just to add to the day, the draw for the Third Round made a few minutes after the end of the game paired the sides with the dream tie of all dream ties – an away visit to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United!
In the end Jermaine Beckford's late goal spared Leeds from going out of the cup to non-league opposition for the second successive season after being beaten by the Poppies` league rivals Histon last year.
Beckford diverted Robert Snodgrass's low cross past Kettering keeper and player boss Lee Harper to earn a replay.
Kettering took the lead through the bulky Ian Roper, who headed on-loan winger Richie Partridge's free kick into the net via the bar.
Roper had been a rock all afternoon at the other end and was rightly named man of the match.
Earlier, Harper tipped Jason Crowe's header over the bar and saved well from Jonny Howson, while Simon Heslop had his shot saved by Casper Ankergren.
But the draw was a fair reflection, not on the play perhaps, but on the effort and spirit showed by all in red shirts on the day.
