HISTON chairman Gareth Baldwin last night described it as the best day of his Histon life, as the little village side from Cambridgeshire toppled Leeds United in the FA Cup second round.

Mike Bacon

By Mike Bacon

HISTON chairman Gareth Baldwin last night described it as the best day of his Histon life, as the little village side from Cambridgeshire toppled Leeds United in the FA Cup second round.

Histon's victory at a wet and wild Glassworld Stadium came courtesy of Matthew Langston, who headed in Gareth Gwillim's cross in the 39th minute.

Histon dominated the first half and could have gone into the break further ahead, but they had to withstand a barrage of pressure in the second half.

Lubomir Michalik twice came within a whisker of equalising for Leeds, first seeing his shot cannon back off a post then a fierce drive headed off the line by Jack Midson late on.

But there was no equaliser forthcoming and for Baldwin, who has guided the club from the depths of the non-league pyramid to the Blue Square Premier, it was a day to remember.

“I thought we played superbly well and had a great hunger,” he said.

“There is absolutely nothing negative whatsoever to come out of the day. Certainly it is the best day of my Histon life. We have enjoyed national attention, hopefully our fan base will increase and we might even get another crack on television with our home draw with Swansea in round four.”

And although it was early into Sunday evening, Baldwin had not yet enjoyed too much of a chance to wind down.

“All I've had to drink so far is a cup of coffee and a Red Bull,” he joked.

“It's been too manic. I've got a pile of newspapers, text messages galore and well wishers to plough thorough when I get home. And I look forward to doing that.”

Certainly plenty of Histon players caught the eye in yesterday's clash against Leeds, but Baldwin put the mockers on anyone coming in hoping to swoop cheaply for any of his stars.

“We won't be mugged by anyone,” Baldwin added.

“We have a plan here and that is to get into the Football League. We won't do that by giving away our best players, so have no fear about that.”

Histon now meet Championship Swansea City at the Glass World Stadium in round three.

Stutes boss Steve Fallon looked on the draw as a chance to get to the fourth round.

"It's a good draw for us," he said.

"Obviously, we wanted to be at home; that's all you want. You could have the big boys but Swansea are a big side in their own right.

"It's a good little tie for us and I'm sure we'll have a full house again and maybe a chance of getting to the fourth round.'

Talking about the performance against Leeds, Fallon added: "It was a magnificent rearguard action in the second half. We had a bit of luck when we needed it but we were magnificent.

"We deserved that victory. This will do this club the world of good.'

(N) HOPING to come back to Ipswich - Darren Currie, back page 56.