The FA Cup second-round replay between Leeds United and Kettering Town at Elland Road on Tuesday Dec 8, 2009.
Non-league Kettering gave Leeds an almighty scare, taking the fallen giants to extra-time before a late rush of goals set up a third-round FA Cup tie away to Manchester United.
Luciano Becchio headed the League One side ahead as the hosts dominated the first hour. Becchio also hit a post and Lee Harper made several saves.
Anthony Elding, a former Leeds player, headed Kettering level after the break, but Leeds took charge in the second half of extra-time.
Mike Grella struck twice, Tresor Kandol heading home in between, and then Jermaine Beckford's strike completed a scoreline was harsh on the non-league team.
Elding, currently on loan from Crewe, made a fairy-tale return to Elland Road by cancelling out Becchio's first half-goal to send this nerve-jangling second-round replay into extra-time.
Leeds chairman Ken Bates, who values a trip to Old Trafford at £750,000, urged supporters to "show the world what they are missing when Leeds are not in the Premier League' in front of the television cameras.
His players attempted to make a point as well as they began brightly, giving the Conference underdogs the run-around in lop-sided opening exchanges thanks to the width provided by Robert Snodgrass and Jonathan Howson.
Neil Kilkenny almost gave Simon Grayson's side an early lead when he linked up with Beckford but curled a shot wide of Kettering player-manager Lee Harper's goal.
The Poppies' resistance was finally ended after 20 minutes of one-way traffic when Snodgrass deftly curled in a cross and Becchio nipped ahead of his marker to nod the ball beyond Harper and into the far corner.
Harper kept the League One leaders within touching distance by expertly denying Beckford and then Snodgrass wasted a decent opportunity by shooting wildly off target.
When Kettering finally escaped Leeds clutches striker Anthony Elding should have levelled but lacked composure following a kindly ricochet and shot high and wide with just Casper Ankergren to beat.
Back came Leeds and Kilkenny struck a post before Beckford shot at Harper who then foiled Jonathan Howson.
Harper had a lucky escape after delivering his half-time team talk when Howson crossed and Becchio nodded against the post before the ball rebounded off the goalkeeper to safety.
Beckford was presented with another chance to end Kettering's Cup hopes but Harper fell on his tame low shot.
That let-off prompted a surged in confidence Kettering to raise their game and Ankergren was finally put under pressure and Leeds collapsed in the 62nd minute when former Liverpool winger Richie Partridge's cross was nodded in by Elding.
Few will remember the solitary goal Elding, 27, scored in his nine Leeds appearances last year but no one will forget this strike from a player who has nine clubs on his CV.
The same applies to Harper's performance. His goal led a charmed life as he pulled off a string of saves to keep Leeds at bay with outstanding efforts to deny Beckford and Kilkenny as the Premier League champions were wait to discover the identity of their third-round opponents.
Match details
Leeds United (4-4-2): Ankergren; Hughes, Michalik, Bromby, White (Capaldi 55); Howson, Doyle, Kilkenny, Snodgrass; Beckford, Becchio (Kandol 76).
Subs: Martin (g), Crowe, Marques, Prutton, Grella.
Booked: Snodgrass
Kettering (4-4-2): Harper; Taylor, Roper, Dempster, Davis; Noubissie, Heslop, Boucaud, Partridge; Elding, Bain (Thomas h-t). Subs: Bussey (g), Wrack, Fowler, Cooper, Cherry.
Booked: Dempster
Referee: P Crossley (Kent)
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