Cardiff City will face Reading in Round Four of the Emirates FA Cup after defeating Carlisle United, 4-3, at Brunton Park in the Third Round replay on Wednesday, January 15th, 2020.
Neil Harris named a strong side for the FA Cup replay - with Callum Paterson & Danny Ward leading the line in attack.
City started the game quickly - with Gavin Whyte, Sol Bamba and Ward going close inside the first four minutes. It was the home side that took the lead though after seven minutes, with Nathan Thomas firing home from 18-yards.
The Bluebirds levelled up on 18 minutes - Aden Flint's back header from Will Vaulks' long throw evaded the defence and Adam Collin in the Carlisle goal to equalise.
The towering defender was a threat in the box all match - and he was denied twice in quick succession just after the half hour mark. Collin made a smart save with his legs to deny Flint's low, powerful effort before defender Jon Mellish cleared off the goal line as the 30-year old headed towards the target.
Josh Murphy had a goal disallowed in the original fixture - but he was on the scoresheet at Brunton Park, firing City ahead before the break. The winger met a cleared free kick perfectly on the volley, striking beyond Collin.
City increased their lead three minutes into the second half - with Flint diverting home at close range, scoring his second of the game.
The home side showed real determination in their performance - and reduced City's advantage three minutes later through danger man Harry McKirdy. Goal-scorer Thomas' cross was expertly volleyed home at the back post by McKirdy.
The end-to-end cup tie took a further turn on 57 minutes when Danny Ward added a fourth for the Bluebirds. Alex Smithies' long kick was flicked on by Callum Paterson. Ward dropped his shoulder inside the box, before beating his marker and firing across goal and into the far corner of the net.
Chris Beech's side weren't sitting back against their higher league opposition and netted a third goal through McKirdy. The 22-year old unleashed an unstoppable curling effort from 20-yards into the top right corner of the net.
It was either sides match to dominate for the final 25 minutes - but neither team could find an eighth goal of a quite incredible game. City stayed strong in defence against their valiant opponents to secure their place in the Fourth Round.
FINAL SCORE: CARLISLE UNITED 3-4 CARDIFF CITY
Carlisle United: Collin, Iredale, Mellish (Olomola 81’), Thomas, M. Jones (Charters 87’), Hope, Scougall (Loft 67’), McKirdy, Watt, G. Jones, Webster. Subs Not Used: Gray, Bridge, Knight-Percival, Sagaf.
Cardiff City: Smithies, Coxe (Bennett 70’), Bamba, Flint, Richards, Vaulks, Ralls, Murphy, Whyte (Pack 83’), Ward, Paterson. Subs Not Used: Day, Nelson, Hoilett, Glatzel, Bogle.