Leeds United defied their league standing once again with a stunning injury-time equaliser to deny Premier League Spurs in the FA Cup fourth round tie at White Hart Lane.

Leeds spent the best part of the first half on the back foot and had inspired keeper Casper Ankergren to thank for keeping them in the game. After going in behind at half-time, Leeds came out fighting and took the game to Spurs – equalising first through Jermaine Beckford’s swivel and finish and then through his dramatic penalty six minutes into injury-time.

I couldn’t be prouder this Monday morning. What an incredible effort from the players, a performance full of pride and belief – we finally have a team to be proud of again. My heart ruled my head and I was delighted to come away with a draw and to take them back to Elland Road.

Thinking about it today and it is a game we could well do without, but I don’t think anyone can honestly say they were willing Beckford to miss. In a lot of ways it was even better than Old Trafford. We came across a very good Spurs team and the atmosphere was as good as it gets. We were heavily under the cosh for the first 20 minutes or so but once we settled down we played some good stuff and gave as good as we got.

We seem to have gone from a team everyone hates to one neutrals are suddenly cheering for in these cup ties. We have won back the respect of a lot of people and I couldn’t thank Simon Grayson enough for what he has brought to the side. It is nice to be in the public eye for the right reasons and long may it continue.

Snoddy in the hole

Grayson surprised a lot of people with his line-up but he got it spot on again. He played Beckford up top on his own with Robert Snodgrass roaming behind him in a free role. Snodgrass hasn’t had the best of seasons but had a great game, he always looked a threat. Like Casper, Snoddy is a big game player. He needs to work on his crossing though. He fails to beat the first man too often for a player of his quality.

The defence looked ragged at the start of the game but slowly got to grips with the different threats provided by Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe. Paddy Kisnorbo is a real fighter and a leader and he kept them going all game.

The midfield, which has been dominated in a lot of games this season, was outstanding and got well on top of their Spurs counterparts. Six bookings would suggest we were struggling at times to get to grips with them but I like to think of it as full blooded commitment. Some of our passing was brilliant and we counter-attacked fluidly when we had the chance.

Beckford has once again received most of the plaudits. He did have a very good game and no doubt changed a couple of digits on his transfer fee/new contract. I said to my mates after he missed his third chance that he would grab the next one and sure enough he did. He does miss a lot but the law of averages tell you he will take one sooner or later. His work rate is impressing me at the moment, epitomised by one of his challenges in the second half.

Back to Elland Road then in front of a packed house and it should be another pulsating encounter. Make no bones about it, getting out of this league is our sole priority this season, but this cup run has put us back on the map and earned us some much needed revenue.

Swindon tomorrow is a huge game, I hope there is no cup hangover because we badly need these three points.

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