A FOOTBALLER who starred in his team's thrilling FA Cup run has been sentenced to two years in a young offender's institute.

Russell Claydon

A FOOTBALLER who starred in his team's thrilling FA Cup run has been sentenced to two years in a young offender's institute.

Leiston star Danny Cunningham was handed the sentence at Ipswich Crown Court after pleading guilty to possessing drugs with a street value of more than £15,000.

The 20-year-old, who scored the goal which took Leiston to a replay against Lewes in their FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie, was arrested in Sussex less than two hours before the replay kicked off.

Officers had found quantities of crack cocaine, diamorphine (heroin) and cannabis at his house in Brooks Hall Road, Ipswich that had a street value of £15,400.

Cunningham pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs with intent to supply at a previous hearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in October.

Ian Duckworth, representing Cunningham, had said his client's family had been left “totally devastated” by the events.

Cunningham, a former pupil at West Suffolk College, played a starring role in Leiston's 1-1 draw with Lewes at Victory Road and spectators were surprised when he was left out of the team for the replay, which Leiston won 3-1.

The thrilling success sent the Ridgeons League side through to the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

The Suffolk side were knocked out of the competition by Fleetwood Town after the tie went to a replay.