Leeds reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in three years with an uncomfortable 3-2 victory over first division Birmingham at Elland Road.

Goals from Rod Wallace after five minutes and Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink after 28 gave the home side a two-goal cushion at the break.

But Birmingham stormed back to level the game with goals from Gary Ablett in the 63rd minute and former Coventry striker Peter Ndlovu nine minutes from time.

But Hasselbaink crashed home a last-gasp winner to send Trevor Francis's side crashing out despite a spirited and committed performance.

Leeds were without David Hopkin through a family bereavement and defender David Robertson who twisted a knee in training yesterday. Youngsters Lee Bowyer and Alan Maybury deputised.

The Blues also made two alterations to the team which drew with Middlesbrough last weekend. Martin Grainger and Ndlovu returned for the side to replace suspended pair Paul Furlong and Chris Marsden.

Birmingham created the first chance of the game when McCarthy whipped in a vicious in-swinging corner. Nigel Martyn fumbled the set piece and the ball fell for Steve Bruce.

But the former Manchester United defender could only watch as his strike was frantically cleared by the panicking Leeds defence.

Just a minute later the Yorkshire side were ahead. A Harry Kewell pass was taken in his stride by Rod Wallace. The 28-year-old forced his way past Gary Ablett and drove his 12th goal of the season beyond goalkeeper Ian Bennett.

Martyn was again foxed by a McCarthy corner in the 11th minute and only palmed the danger to Grainger at the far post. But the midfielder was unable to guide his shot on target.

Birmingham came forward again and Ndlovu headed Grainger's cross goalwards and Martyn to be quick to scramble low at his left post.

In the 25th minute Wallace should have added his and Leeds' second when he gratefully accepted Ablett's poor headed clearance. But the forward's deflected shot was saved by the legs of Bennett. But three minutes later Hasselbaink did grab the second when he combined neatly with his fellow striker before crashing home Leeds' second from the edge of the penalty area.

Sadly in the 35th minute Ndlovu marred an excellent display with a blatant dive in the Leeds area as he eased past Wetherall who was at least a yard away from the Zimbabwean. Referee Dermot Gallagher had no hesitation in branding a yellow card at the errant forward.

But as the personal dual between Wetherall and Ndlovu threatened to boil over a late challenge by the Leeds defender on the former Coventry striker resulted in him entering the book.

The second half began slowly and only Martin O'Connor managed a shot on goal.

Three minutes later Bennett had to be quickly off his line to beat Wallace to Haaland's quality through ball.

Then in the 58th minute Wallace almost grabbed Leeds' third. Wetherall headed goalwards and Wallace tried to add the final touch but goalkeeper Bennett pushed his chance against the bar and Hughes cleared from his own goal line.

Sadly play was interrupted on the hour by a supporter on the pitch but Haaland wasted in no time in flooring the intruder for stewards to take away.

Then Birmingham got their rewards for their excellent performance. McCarthy - as accurate as ever from corners - crossed to Ablett at the near post and the former Everton man's flick on flew over the Leeds defence despite the desperate clearance attempt by Haaland on the line.

Blues boss Trevor Francis added urgency to his attack when he swapped the out-of-sorts Nicky Forster for substitute Paul Devlin. In the 77th minute Wallace should have sealed Leeds' passage into the last eight. Hasselbaink found Haaland on the right but Wallace could only volley the Norwegian's cross wide with Bennett stranded.

Nine minutes from time Ndlovu took O'Connor's pass in his stride and rushed at the back-pedalling Leeds defence before crashing home a deserved equaliser for the first division club.

But it was a scoreline which was only to last five minutes. Lee Bowyer was fouled on the edge of the area. Bruno Ribeiro floated in the free kick to the far side of the area and former Boavista striker Hasselbaink headed home to give Leeds victory.

Teams

Leeds: Martyn, Maybury (Harte 68), Kelly, Wetherall, Halle, Bowyer, Haaland, Ribeiro, Kewell, Wallace, Hasselbaink.

Subs Not Used: Shepherd, Matthews, McPhail, Beeney.

Booked: Haaland.

Goals: Wallace 5, Hasselbaink 28, 87.

Birmingham: Bennett, Bass, Charlton, Bruce, Ablett, Grainger (Johnson 88), McCarthy, O'Connor, Forster (Devlin 72), Hughes, Ndlovu.

Subs Not Used: Forinton, Holland, Poole.

Booked: Ndlovu, McCarthy, O'Connor.

Goals: Ablett 63, Ndlovu 81.

Att: 35,463

Ref: D J Gallagher (Banbury).