York City's intermediates pulled off an FA Youth Cup giant-killing act when they defeated Huddersfield Town 1-0 in a third round replay at the McAlpine Stadium last night.

Hot-shot Scott Emmerson proved the City match-winner and showed the poacher's instinct that has earned him a call-up to the first-team squad in recent weeks.

Emmerson pounced after about 30 minutes when the Huddersfield goalkeeper was unable to hold Marc Salvati's stinging 25-yard drive with the striker following in.

The goal was just reward for the City youngsters who, as in the first encounter with the Terriers at Bootham Crescent last week, dominated the early proceedings, Emmerson also hitting a post just minutes before his decisive strike.

But in what proved another topsy-turvy tussle, Huddersfield came out fighting after the break and had the City youngsters on the rack for long periods.

However, unlike last week, when Town grabbed a late and fortunate equaliser to force a replay, the City teenagers refused to buckle.

A delighted Paul Stancliffe, City's head of youth development, heaped praise on his young guns.

He enthused: "All credit to the lads for hanging on in there and I am very pleased for them and proud of everyone.

"They got very nervous towards the end when they could see victory coming and we made it difficult because we didn't keep the ball as much as we could have done."

Particularly pleasing for Stancliffe and his assistant, Brian Neaves, was that City fielded defenders Chris Hogg and Graeme Law, who are both members of the club's Under-16s' set-up played well.

England Under-15 international Hogg started the game alongside skipper Peter Vasey at the heart of defence with Chris Gowen and Stuart Wise at full-back.

Hogg was later replaced by Law due to cramp, but Stancliffe lavishly praised his defenders.

"To have two under-16s involved is another major plus for us and all the back four were very strong," admitted Stancliffe.

In round four, to be played in the New Year, the City youngsters will face the winners of the Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers third round replay, which will be staged on Tuesday.

Tomorrow's home Youth Alliance game against Doncaster has been called off.