Leeds struggle past Barnsley

Leeds' players celebrate Viduka's early goal

Leeds United 1-0 Barnsley

Mark Viduka's 14th goal of the season decided this battle between south and west Yorkshire.

Leeds have not fallen in the third round of the FA Cup since 1992 and withstood a determined late push by managerless Barnsley to go through.

  Key moments

8 mins: Bakke put through by Mills down right - crosses for Vidua to sidefoot home

41 mins: Robbie Keane drives over from 25 yards after link-up with Alan Smith

60 mins: Bruce Dyer goes close with fierce cross-shot

89 mins: Mike Sheron long-range shot gathered by anxious Robinson

But with Eirik Bakke running the show from the right side of midfield and Robbie Keane having his best game yet for the home side, Leeds were able to repeat their Cup win over the same opponents a decade ago.

David O'Leary will be a happier man than on most Saturday nights in recent weeks.

With their Premiership form patchier than a grandmother's quilt and a place in Europe the absolute minimum return from their expensive transfer outlay, the FA Cup represents Leeds' best chance of a trophy this season.

Rio Ferdinand enjoyed a more comfortable afternoon against an initially powder-puff Barnsley attack, while keeper Paul Robinson did not have a save to make until the second half.

They didn't look anything we weren't - I thought we were well in charge

  Barnsley caretaker manager Eric Winstanley

It took the introduction of substitute Bruce Dyer to disturb the torpor that settled in after Viduka's early goal.

A mistake in the Barnsley defence on eight minutes had allowed Bakke to run onto Danny Mills' though-ball.

He drew goalkeeper Kevin Miller before squaring for the barrel-chested Australian to score the easiest goal of his Leeds career.

But the Premiership team were unable to press home their advantage despite a stream of first-half chances.

Bakke ran from his own half to drive in a swerving shot that Miller palmed back past the on-rushing Viduka.

I thought we played very well in the first half and could have scored three or four, but in the second half we were hanging on

  David O'Leary

Keane went close on two occasions as the visitors struggled to match Leeds' pace and bite in the tackle.

After the break it was a different story.

With all those fresh legs, Barnsley were able to match the combative Leeds midfield every step of the way.

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Leeds United
Robinson, Mills, Radebe, Ferdinand, Matteo, Bakke, Dacourt, Batty, Viduka, Smith, Keane.
Subs: Martyn, Harte, Woodgate, Wilcox, Burns

Barnsley
Miller, Morgan, Barker, Chettle, O'Callaghan, Salli, Ward, Neil, Appleby, Shipperley, Sheron.
Subs: Jones, Dyer, Bullock, McClare, Corbo.

Referee: G Poll (Tring).