Salford City have advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup, eliminating Championship side Leeds United in a tense penalty shootout.
Salford entered the tie looking to bounce back from their defeat against Accrington Stanley on the weekend, whilst Leeds travelled over the Pennines having won their first league game of the season against Ipswich Town.
The Whites started on the front foot, but the Ammies looked dangerous whilst on the counter attack.
A goal from former Leeds player Matt Smith put Salford into a shock lead ten minutes before half-time.
His outstanding play kept Salford in possession, before playing it out wide, Luke Garbutt whipping in a cross which he headed past Karl Darlow.
🗣️ “Well, well, well.”
Former Leeds man Matt Smith gives Salford the lead! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/mxTiMqbk5z
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 29, 2023
Luke Bolton was close to putting a second in, a miscontrol allowing Pascal Struijk to come and perform a superb tackle before the winger could pull the trigger.
It was a fine game for the Salford backline, shutting down Leeds’ star players such as Willy Gnonto and Joe Gelhardt.
The Ammies looked to hold on against the Yorkshire side, who put Alex Cairns’ net under siege for most of the match, but to no avail as Struijk equalised with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Leeds pushed for a decisive winner, in a game where they took 33 shots, with only 9 on target and 71% of the posession.
But the game would end level after 90 minutes, with the contest going straight to penalties.
In front of the Salford fans, Alex Cairns saved a poor effort from Georginio Rutter and gave Connor McLennan the chance to put the Ammies into the third round.
But the hero of the Preston match’s strike rattled the crossbar, putting the tie into sudden death.
the score reached 8-8 before Jamie Shackleton stepped up, his effort coming off the woodwork and out.
Ossama Ashley would decide the game, his first penalty saved, before being retaken for Darlow being off his line.
The midfielder would make no mistake a second time, sending the Peninsula into delirium, with a small pitch invasion after the match.
SALFORD CITY ARE THROUGH TO THE THIRD ROUND OF THE CARABAO CUP FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER 🤩 pic.twitter.com/l0Ri9bD3EK
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 29, 2023
Salford will be in the third round of the Carabao Cup, where Premier League teams playing in european competitions will enter the fold, including Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.
The third round draw takes place tonight, during the Sky Sports coverage of Doncaster Rovers v Everton.
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