One-time York City loanee Lance Key was at the centre of the FA Cup's cruellest twist so far.
The goalkeeper, who had a brief spell at Bootham Crescent from Sheffield Wednesday as cover for injured Chris Marples in the early 1990s, had been in outstanding form for Conference club Northwich Victoria, who had taken hosts Leyton Orient into extra time of their second round replay last night.
The tie was knife-edge balanced at 2-2 after the Third Division outfit had cancelled out an early two-goal lead from the Vics when the game turned on its head with Key at the hub of the drama.
As he tried to clear a weakly-hit back-pass his kick cannoned off the backside of onrushing Scott Houghton for the ball to loop over the stranded custodian into the net.
The Londoners held on for a third round plum at home to Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur leaving the Vics, and Key in particular, distraught.
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