Jon Stevenson’s last grasp strike sent City soaring into the Second Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history as his dramatic injury-time winner settled a pulsating clash at Milton Road.

The Lilywhites were boosted by the return of fit-again striker Dave Sadler who took the place of Michael Gash. Lee Chaffey, rested for the visit of Cinderford on Tuesday evening, came back into the starting line-up at the expense of Lee Summerscales. Jon Stevenson, who it was thought would still be out of contention for some weeks was amongst the substitutes.

Mascot, Jonathan Stevens lines up before the kick-off

Visiting boss Phil Starbuck made two changes from the team which held a two goal lead over Tamworth last Saturday before losing out 3-2. Skipper Gareth Stoker and Andy Roscoe coming in for Chris Robertson and Steve Burton.

City soon settled into their preferred passing style and with only three minutes on the clock a flowing move involving Craig Pope and Dave Sadler created space for Richard Scott who laid the ball wide for Dale Binns whose return pass allowed Scott to fire in a low drive that was narrowly wide of the target.

Robbie Simpson then intercepted a loose cross-field pass in midfield and immediately freed Binns who raced down the left before firing across Paul Crichton who was down well to his left to palm the ball away at full stretch.

Having weathered the early storm Leigh hit back. In their first meaningful effort on goal they grabbed a vital fifteenth minute lead. Carl Williams was penalised for a push wide on the City right. Andy Roscoe swung the ball into the box and player-boss Phil Starbuck cushioned a header into the feet of Chris Simm. With the Lilywhites’ defenders statuesque the former Congleton striker hit a crisp shot on the turn which nestled in the bottom corner of Duncan Roberts’ net.

With their game plan disrupted City struggled for some minutes to gain a foothold, set plays offering the only real opportunities.

Chris Drummond and Peter Lowe (Chairmen of the respective Supporters Clubs) exchange plaques prior to the game

After being fouled himself Richard Scott got up to strike a low free kick through the defensive wall but Crichton was well positioned to gather. The same player then flighted in a well directed right wing corner which found the head of Matt Langston but the skipper’s effort was cleared off the line by Chris Lane.

With Scott becoming increasingly influential his neat ball through the inside right channel released Robbie Simpson whose whipped cross was headed narrowly over by Dave Sadler, getting to the centre first under aerial challenge.

Whilst City shaded possession and territorial advantage Leigh broke to good effect, the physical presence of their strikers clearly unsettling the Lilywhites back line. Just after the half hour mark an uncharacteristic Matt Langston error saw the ball roll under his boot and into the path of Barry Miller whose first time rising drive was athletically tipped over by Roberts.

Moments later a well-worked free kick routine saw Craig Gaunt’s left wing centre find an unmarked Karl Rose, but the former Scarborough striker, who made a name for himself in this competition last season, headed over when well placed to work Roberts.

As City countered Carl Williams fired wide from Richard Scott’s partially cleared free kick and as the hosts made a concerted effort to level before the break another Scott centre caused an almighty goalmouth scramble before Robbie Simpson’s shot was deflected behind for a corner. Another pin-point Scott delivery found Langston at the near post, the former Stevenage central defender powered a header goalwards but Crichton was on hand to tip over and preserve the Railwaymen’s interval lead.

Dave Sadler gets involved with the Leigh defence

Gary Roberts half-time team talk obviously focussed on City upping the tempo and taking the game to the visitors. A concerted period of pressure saw yet another Scott corner fall to Langston who blazed high and wide from the edge of the six yard box.

A poor challenge on Simpson by Gaunt provided Richard Scott with a further chance to flight a free kick into the area. On this occasion Langston rose highest to make a good contact and guided a deft header into the path of Williams who had stolen in behind the Leigh rearguard but with only Crichton to beat the former Hitchin midfielder pulled his shot across the face of goal.

Just when it seemed City’s profligacy in front of goal would signal their Cup exit they snatched a vital equaliser on the hour mark. As Robbie Simpson rose well to flick on Scott’s through ball Craig Gaunt looked favourite to clear but the former Hucknall central defender lost his footing leaving Dave Sadler clear on goal. Keeping his cool the returning striker drew Crichton before firing low to the ‘keeper’s right.

In the wild celebrations that followed Sadler was cautioned for removing his shirt. Bizarrely, referee Ray Lee then sent Sadler from the field, mistakenly thinking he had previously been carded (Langston, Fiddes and Scott the City players who had in fact been booked). In farcical scenes that followed a streaker then appeared on the pitch from behind the goal where the Leigh supporters were gathered, distracting most people in the ground from the chaos being caused by Mr Lee. Eventually Lilywhites players and officials persuaded the referee to consult with his assistant and Sadler was allowed to stay on the pitch. The minutes wasted by this barely believable incident were to prove vital to the outcome of the game.

Man of the Match, Matt Langston, places a header on target

The goal, and the aftermath had clearly fired up the City players as they went looking for a second. A quality piece of wing play by Binns saw him scamper down the left before cutting back a dangerous low centre forcing Crichton to make a vital intervention.

Gary Roberts looked to capitalise on the momentum by introducing Rob Miller into the midfield at the expense of Alex Fiddes.

As the game started to open up City were grateful to Craig Pope who was well placed on the goal line to head clear as Gary Williams rose to meet a right wing corner.

With Leigh sensing that they too had a chance to snatch victory Lee Connell was replaced by Lee Shillito with twenty minutes remaining.

Binns then drifted right and freed Miller with a neat reverse pass. The former Bedford midfielder raced clear of the trailing defenders, but showing all the experience that comes from winning promotion to Division One as an ever-present with Burnley as recently as four years ago, Crichton stood his ground forcing Miller to fire across goal before completing the save.

Chris Simm then charged down Craig Pope’s clearance and sped through the inside right channel but Matt Langston recovered superbly, holding up the Leigh goal scorer before forcing him to drag his shot wide of goal.

Crichton then came to Leigh’s rescue yet again blocking Sadler’s effort from point blank range after the former Hinckley hit-man had benefited from Robbie Simpson’s lay off.

Craig Pope gives former City player Phil Starbuck a push in the right direction

Gary Roberts was forced into a second change as a crucial blocking tackle by Lee Chaffey saw the left back go down heavily before being helped from the field with what looked like a painful injury, Lee Summerscales taking his place.

In a last throw of the dice City introduced Jon Stevenson for the dying minutes. The former Leicester City striker not having featured since a hamstring injury forced him out of the 4-2 victory at Tooting four weeks ago. Goal scorer Dave Sadler taking a well earned breather.

With time as good as up Williams cleverly diverted Scott’s centre into the path of Simpson but the teenage striker made a poor connection with a far post header when clear on goal six yards out. At which point all around Milton Road resigned themselves to an inhospitable trip to Leigh a week on Tuesday.

There was still time for the Railwaymen to surge back and come within a whisker of snatching victory. Goalscorer Simm turned provided as he set up substitute Shillito on the right, who, in turn fired a rising drive through Langston forcing Roberts to finger-tip the ball over the bar.

Then, the final twist in the tale. With in excess of four minutes injury time on the clock Richard Scott played a perfectly weighted pass through the inside left channel which the tireless Simpson chased down. His first touch was too heavy and his attempted cross was diverted skywards, falling fortuitously at the feet of Stevenson who fired goalwards from the edge of the box, Crichton, who had thwarted City on numerous occasions, dived to his right but the shot took an outrageous deflection as the Leigh back line attempted to block, changing the direction of the ball and sending it to the left of the stranded ‘keeper as three sides of the ground erupted.

There was barely time to restart before Mr Lee brought proceedings to a close amidst scenes of wild celebration as the history books were re-written. It was hard not to feel for Leigh, who had played their part in a thoroughly entertaining game, to concede the winner in such cruel circumstances, but on one of the finest days in the history of the club it’s City who march on.