Carter carries the day as Heskey pulls the strings

Birmingham City 3 - Leeds United

Emile Heskey, the forgotten England forward, took just one hour to inspire Birmingham City to a comfortable and well-deserved win that condemned Leeds United to the latest in a long line of Cup disappointments. Heskey played with a bustling commitment so often missing from his England performances of yesteryear, and combined with strike-partner Clinton Morrison to devastating effect as Leeds's hopes of a money-spinning FA Cup run were dashed.

Although replaced after 61 minutes by recent signing Robbie Blake, Heskey put in a performance, in which he netted the opening goal, that provided a stark reminder of the big man's undeniable ability, and even overshadowed Darren Carter's two-goal showing.

The home side's day started well with news of the lunchtime 3-1 defeat of rivals Aston Villa by Sheffield United, and got even better after 11 minutes when Heskey struck the opener. Neil Sullivan had already saved well from Julian Gray before Darren Anderton threaded an excellent ball to Heskey on the right. He took the ball in his stride before chipping delicately over the onrushing Sullivan and in off the far post.

The telepathic understanding between Heskey and Morrison kept a nervy Leeds defence pinned back and, not for the first time this season, the pair combined beautifully to set up Birmingham's second on 20 minutes.

Heskey held up a Neil Clemence long ball with a delicate touch and shuffle before picking out Morrison's run on the right wing. He squared the ball for midfielder Carter to hit home from 10 yards at the end of a lung-bursting box-to-box sprint.

Leeds's problems worsened as Nathan Blake and Michael Duberry went off with hamstring strains, but the away side did mount a creditable fightback. With Birmingham seemingly content to try to cruise to victory, Leeds nearly took advantage, and only a superb double-save by Maik Taylor denied Frazer Richardson and then Julian Joachim at the start of the second half.

The Leeds manager, Kevin Blackwell, threw his side forward but, after Morrison had fired inches over after another neat move, his break on the right and subsequent cross provided Carter with an easy chance which he rolled home from 12 yards out. It was effectively game over, and although Leeds fought to the end, Joachim and David Healy could never provide the cutting edge provided by Heskey and Morrison.

A serious tilt at the Cup beckons for Birmingham, whose performance, for a day at least, put the Robbie Savage saga into the shade. It is now 18 years since Leeds have beaten a higher-ranked team in the Cup and, though only a fight for financial stability and survival in the Championship awaits a young and inexperienced side, they should take heart from a brave performance.

"I thought the two teams were very close overall and I'm proud of the lads. They gave everything they've got," said Blackwell. "We created a lot of chances, and I think their keeper was probably more busy than ours.

"We've got a young team and they are doing well, but the wins aren't there. They'll come."