FA Cup replay: Leeds United 3, Rushden & Diamonds 1; by Richard Sutcliffe.

Elland Road's very own diamond Alan Smith prevented Leeds United from slipping to the most embarrassing defeat in their history with a double strike to sink plucky non-leaguers Rushden & Diamonds.

The teenager was making only his third start for David O'Leary's side, but that did not prevent him from grabbing a double to rescue United just when they needed inspiration the most.

A goal from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink rounded off what was eventually a comfortable victory to book a fourth round tie at Portsmouth on January 23, but there can be no doubting the value of Smith's strikes, which brought United back into a game which they looked in grave danger of losing.

And it was fitting that Smith received a standing ovation from his adoring Elland Road fans when substituted with just five minutes remaining.

Leeds had gone behind to a tenth- minute strike from Rushden's Carl Heggs after an almighty scramble which saw two shots cleared off the line and another hit the post before the ball finally beat Nigel Martyn.

That left Leeds facing the distinct possibility of becoming the first top-flight side to crash out of the FA Cup at the hands of non-league opposition since Sutton United beat Coventry ten years ago.

Heggs' strike also left thousands of supporters at Elland Road planning just how they could avoid going to the office today to face their jeering workmates.

However, that agony lasted just 11 minutes until wonderkid Smith struck with an accomplished finish any veteran striker would have been proud of.

The move started with Lucas Radebe threading a ball forward to Hasselbaink who, in turn, put Smith away, although the 18-year-old looked offside.

Smith did not let that worry him though as he ran on before expertly drawing Rushden goalkeeper Ian Feuer and rolling the ball into the net to the relief of the Leeds fans in a bumper crowd of 39,159.

That signalled a long period of play where Leeds, helped by Rushden's tendency to defend far too deep, laid seige to the visitors' goal.

Despite this almost constant pressure, it needed another clinical finish from Smith five minutes after the break to put Leeds ahead when he drilled a first-time shot into the net following a lay-off from Hasselbaink.

The Dutch striker then got in on the act after 67 minutes when he swept a Harry Kewell shot into the net to ensure a nerve-free finale for Leeds.

O'Leary's men could easily have stretched their lead with Lee Bowyer, Ian Harte, Hasselbaink and Smith all going close before the home crowd gave former Leeds defender Chris Whyte a standing ovation when he came on as an 88th-minute substitution.

It was a nice gesture by Diamonds boss Brian Talbot on a night which Leeds will never forget as they nearly became the first top flight side to lose at home to non-league opposition since Birming-ham crashed to Altrincham at St Andrews in 1986.

Leeds boss O'Leary said: "Everyone was here for a cup shock. They got a dream start, but I am just pleased that we didn't panic and start lumping it forward. We passed it round and created lots of chances. I thought we could have got a lot more than three goals."

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