Sonny Perkins struck from close range in the 93rd minute to salvage a 2-2 draw in the third round of the FA Cup at Cardiff City this afternoon.
Leeds dominated the early possession and were unlucky to not go ahead when Darko Gyabi struck a strong effort just wide of the post from the edge of the box. The visitors continued to press and Crysencio Summerville put an effort over the top from 12 yards but the winger was backpedalling to retrieve the pass.
The deadlock was broken, but against the run of play when Jaden Philogene struck for the home side. Sloppy defending allowed Cardiff to break and after a good save from Joel Robles on the angle, the ball was cut back to Philogene to place an easy effort into an open goal. Just moments later is was 2-0. Andy Rinomhota floated a ball over the top and despite Diego Llorente’s best efforts the ball landed for Sheyi Ojo to chest down and rifle a shot past Robles into the roof of the net.
Willy Gnonto again looked lively, jinxing into the box and what appeared to be contact from the defender was given as a dive from the referee and the 19-year-old was booked for simulation. Leeds’ best chance of the half fell to Gnonto, rising highest to nod a header over from a Sam Greenwood corner. The half came to a close, 2-0.
The second half started with neither side making any changes and in the same fashion as the first. Leeds looking to turn the screw and get back into the game. Cardiff were being forced further back, as the visitors had all the possession. Just before the hour mark Jesse Marsch made a triple change with new signing Max Wober, Cody Drameh and Rodrigo all entering the field. Pascal Struijk went close with a header in which he really should have scored.
Leeds made their pressure pay in the 65th minute when they halved the deficit through Rodrigo. The Spaniard heading from close range past Jak Alnwick following a Greenwood cross, 2-1.
Leeds then were awarded a penalty. A pinball game in the box and the ball fell to Junior Firpo who side-footed into the corner but Joel Bagan stretched out an arm to push the effort around the post. A certain penalty and the left-back sent for an early bath. Rodrigo stepped up to level but a poor penalty was easily saved by Alnwick.
Marsch made more late substitutions sending on Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins and it was the latter who saved the day, sweeping home from close range as the game was deep in added-on time. The game ended 2-2 and the visitors forced a replay at Elland Road.
Whoever wins the tie will travel to either Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley in the fourth round.