Fleetwood Town vs Leicester City. The FA Cup Third Round.
Highbury StadiumAttendance5,001.
Saturday 6 January 2018 17:20, UK
League One Fleetwood held Leicester to a goalless draw in the FA Cup third round at Highbury on Saturday.
Fleetwood, playing their first game against top-flight opposition, went closest in the first half as Aleksandar Dragovic's backpass had to be tipped away by goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.
The hosts nearly won it in stoppage time as Ashley Hunter's deflected effort bounced off the post and into Jakupovic's hands, but ultimately both defences were firmly on top in a game lacking in opportunities.
The replay will be played week commencing January 15 at the King Power Stadium, while the fourth-round draw will take place on Monday night.
Jamie Vardy could not play against his former side due to a groin injury, and Leicester missed his attacking prowess during a dull cup tie.
Dragovic nearly scored a disastrous own goal, seeing his backpass heading for the net only for Jakupovic's diving save, but despite the pass being intentional, no indirect free-kick was given inside the area.
Andy King and Islam Slimani both missed half chances from Demarai Gray crosses in the first half, before Cian Bolger put an unmarked header from a corner over the bar after the break for Fleetwood.
Leicester failed to register a shot on target in the game, as Bolger headed wide unmarked on two occasions in the Foxes penalty area from corners.
Fleetwood nearly grabbed a dream winner in the 91st minute through Hunter, whose low effort deflected off Yohan Benalouane and hit the post, before deflecting off Jakupovic and again hitting foot of the post.
Uwe Rosler: "It would have been nice to win the game, but I'm definitely not disappointed. Our football club is very young. It was a massive ask and our players get only better. I see it as a great learning curve."
Claude Puel: "I pick a team to win the game (after considering) the fitness level of my players after four games in 10 days. We had a good team on the pitch but it was not enough. Congratulations to this team (Fleetwood)."
Next up for Leicester is a Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday, while Fleetwood go to Bury in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night and then Southend in League One on Saturday.
