County set up an away trip to Everton in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, as the young Hatters beat Leighton Town 1-0 on Thursday evening.
The first chance of the game fell to County as Ashton Mee was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge inside of the area, but the referee waved the appeals away from the young midfielder.
In a cagey first half, Leighton had their first chance just before the interval. A threaded pass saw Rueben Williams drive into the County box, but his shot at the near post hit the side netting.
Mee had the chance to try his luck with a central free-kick from close range, where his strike went under the wall, but was easy for the goalkeeper to collect.
County had the ball in the net, but it was flagged for offside. Freddie Redshaw cut in on his left foot and unleashed a curling effort which hit the bar, before Lee Williams tapped the follow-up home, but the striker was ruled offside.
HALF-TIME: Leighton Town 0-0 County
Looking to start the second period as they finished the first, County had a chance to take the lead. Rhys Watson headed a James Barry corner back across goal, where Kylan Depeiaza couldn’t get a clean connection, and the ball sailed wide.
Leighton had a fantastic chance to win it at the death. A floated free-kick into the box saw Elliot Hefford climb highest, but his powerful header was well over the bar.
FULL-TIME: Leighton Town 0-0 County
Heading into extra-time, the game began to open up. Depeiaza received the ball on the edge of the box and did well to work space for a shot, but his strike was claimed by the goalkeeper.
Seconds later, Finn Jaggard raced through on goal with only Kane Bove to beat, but the striker lost composure and fired his effort comfortably over the bar.
EXTRA-TIME HALF-TIME: Leighton Town 0-0 County
The game started to stretch and more chances began to flow, and County took full advantage of this. Raphael Pijus Otegbayo did brilliantly to beat the full-back and drive into the box, where he cut the ball across for Gardner, who was waiting inside the six-yard box to thump the ball into the net and give County a late, late lead.
EXTRA-TIME FULL-TIME: Leighton Town 0-1 County
County XI: Bove; Partington (Fowles 112), Scruton, Watson; Redshaw (Gardner 71), Johnson (Otegbayo 90), Barry, Mee (capt.), Hillary (Davis 78); Williams, Depeiaza
