Leeds United came agonisingly close to a big FA Cup pay-day before crashing out of the competition on penalties after a pulsating replay against Wigan Athletic.
Three times Paul Jewell's side led but Leeds hit back on every occasion to force a 3-3 draw and take the game to spot-kicks.
Wigan held their nerve, with Jimmy Bullard, Gary Teale, Jason Roberts and Graham Kavanagh all perfect, while David Healy and Rob Hulse blazed over the bar for Leeds.
Wigan's 4-2 shoot-out victory earned them a money-spinning fourth round trip to Manchester City.
This year's third round has produced a litany of thrills and last night's toe-to-toe encounter at Elland Road was added to the list.
It may have been short on quality at times but produced plenty of drama as gutsy Championship side Leeds pushed Wigan all the way.
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell said: "It was a terrific cup tie. We should take great credit for coming back three times as we did, although we were obviously disappointed to go behind each time.
"When we did go behind, I was never concerned, because I believe this set of players know they can come back.
"When it goes to penalties, anything can happen. It's just unfortunate that our regular penalty taker (Healy) failed to get us off to a good start."
Wigan were the better side in the early stages with winger Teale hitting the bar before Andreas Johansson scored only his third goal for Wigan since his move from Swedish club Djurgaardens a year ago.
Teale was giving Stephen Crainey a hard time at left-back, but with Matthew Kilgallon defending bravely, Leeds kept in the hunt and Healy levelled from close range just before the break.
Roberts restored Wigan's advantage when he was given too much room to turn and shoot crisply past Neil Sullivan. Leeds came roaring back and Eddie Lewis blasted an angled drive against the woodwork before Healy levelled from the penalty spot after Matt Jackson handled.
Leeds, with Hulse causing all sorts of problems, almost snatched the winner but Liam Miller's 25-yard shot came back off the junction of post and bar and the game went into extra time.
Roberts grabbed his second with a header to put Wigan 3-2 up after 103 minutes.
At that stage Leeds looked dead and buried, but Wigan failed to go for the jugular and Leeds were able to summon enough energy for a late charge.
They were rewarded when Gary Kelly scored with a wonder-strike in the 115th minute for his first home goal in a 14-year career with the Whites.
But Leeds could not capitalise on the Irishman's brilliant goal, leaving Blackwell to pick his team up in pursuit of promotion.
That starts with Sheffield Wednesday at home on Saturday, but he may have to do without Kilgallon who limped away from Elland Road on crutches, unsure if he will be fit to face the Owls.
Leeds match facts
FA Cup third round replay
Leeds United 3, Wigan Athletic 3
(after extra time, Wigan win 4-2 on penalties)
(at Elland Road)
Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Kilgallon, Butler, Crainey, Douglas, Walton (Blake 103), Miller (Einarsson 86), Lewis (Cresswell 88), Healy, Hulse. Subs (not used): Bennett, Pugh. Caution: Walton. Goals: Healy 41, 64 pen, Kelly 115.
Wigan: Filan, Chimbonda, De Zeeuw, Jackson, Baines, Teale, Kavanagh, Skoko (Joyce 100), Johansson, Francis (Bullard 77), Roberts. Subs (not used): Pollitt, Lee. Goals: Johansson 24, Roberts 50, 103.
Penalty shootout: Healy misses 0-0, Bullard scores 0-1, Cresswell scores 1-1, Teale scores 1-2, Blake scores 2-2, Roberts scores 2-3, Hulse misses 2-3, Kavanagh scores 4-2.
Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire).
Attendance: 15,243.
Updated: 10:09 Wednesday, January 18, 2006
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