Histon 1-0 Leeds United: Leeds humbled by postman Matt Langston

Postman Matt Langston delivered Histon into the fourth round yesterday at the expense of thirdclass Leeds United.

Leeds, the former FA Cup winners and three times League Champions, are no longer the great force they were.

But try telling that to the Histon fans who celebrated this famous victory with a good, oldfashioned pitch invasion after a classic Cup upset.

Ken Bates will not have to search for this village three miles north of Cambridge on Google any more after Leeds were humbled in the rain.

The Stutes were playing in the Eastern Counties League just a couple of years before Leeds were reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2001.

But on this evidence, it will not be long before the team lying second in the Blue Square Premier Division - and whose players earn an average of £300 a week - have overtaken the League One side in the Football League as well. They are separated by only 42 places now.

For as well as the Stutes played, Leeds were simply awful.

Histon captain Mat Mitchel-King also works as a model and has been a body double for Rio Ferdinand.

But it was the hard-working midfielder and his team comprising an estate agent, a tube worker and a househusband who gave the best impression of top-class footballers yesterday.

"We got what we deserved because we worked really hard," said boss Steve Fallon.

"I always had the feeling that we could do something. We had a bit of luck but then teams that get this far in the FA Cup need luck."

Yet there was nothing lucky about this victory. The Stutes dominated the first half and took the lead in the 39th minute when Langston, a St Albans post office worker, brushed past Lubomir Michalik to head home Gareth Gwillin's corner.

Langston, a former Watford trainee, is back at work at 6am today and sums up the honest attitude of his club. "You have to make sacrifices," he said. "My employers are very good to me because not many postmen have every Saturday off. It is hard work but today is a dream for everyone."

But it was a nightmare for Leeds. Michalik hit a post and had a late volley headed away by sub Antonio Murray but they did not get a shot on target until the 78th minute.

Histon showed more determination against a team who played like big-time Charlies. Histon chairman Gareth Baldwin, who has overseen five promotions in 11 seasons, said: "The conditions helped - it stopped Leeds playing a passing game.

What won us the game was that we won every 50- 50 challenge."

And Langston added: "They are not the European Cup side of seven years ago. They are only a few places above Swindon and we beat them in the last round."

The Leeds fans who remained to the final whistle made clear their anger, but boss Gary McAllister insisted: "I feel I am the guy who can get this club into the Championship."

Histon soon reaching the Football League is a much better bet.

Histon : Naisbitt 7, Oyebanjo 7, Langston 8, Ada 7, Gwillin 8, Barker 6 (Murray 50, 6) Simpson 7, Mitchell-King 8, Knight-Percival 7, Wright 8d, Midson 8. Goal: Langston 39

Leeds : Lucas 6, Richardson 5, Michalik 5, Marques 4, Sheehan 5; Hughes 5 (Howson 59, 4), Douglas 6, Delph 6, Robinson 5 (Showunmi 59, 7) Becchio 5, Snodgrass 5.

Referee : Neil Swarbrick.
Attendance : 4,500

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