Cheltenham 1-3 Manchester City: Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus rescue City

Match report as Alfie May put Cheltenham on the brink of one of the biggest FA Cups in recent history; Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus rescue the visitors in the final 10 minutes

Manchester City were nine minutes away from being dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two Cheltenham but late goals saved their bacon as they rallied to earn a 3-1 win.

Longshots are regularly seen in this part of the world with Cheltenham racecourse just a mile away from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium and Michael Duff’s team almost created another one when Alfie May prodded them ahead (59) against a team 72 places above them in the league pyramid.

It looked to be one of those nights in the famous competition as City squandered chances but with just nine minutes to go Phil Foden drew City level (81) before Gabriel Jesus ended the possibility of extra-time with another close-range finish (84).

Ferran Torres added an unfair gloss to the scoreline in added time (90+3) as this was a night all about the work-rate, quality and defensive brilliance from the League Two side.

City now face Swansea in the fifth round.

How Cheltenham came close to a giant-killing…

Despite grabbing huge plaudits, it could have been a very different narrative for Cheltenham had Jesus found the net inside 30 seconds after being found by Riyad Mahrez.

The visitors were then denied an opener after 12 minutes as Tommy Doyle’s cross was half cleared to Benjamin Mendy and the defender’s strike was brilliantly cleared off the line by a diving Ben Tozer.

Goalkeeper Josh Griffiths then came to the fore, making a low save from Torres after some impressive work by Foden.

Jesus headed over soon after but the Robins conjured their own opening after 23 minutes.

May was a pest for the City defence all evening and he latched on to George Lloyd’s header but Zack Steffen turned his low effort behind.

The Robins remained confident on the ball and resolute in defence, forcing Pep Guardiola’s side to shoot from distance and got to half-time level.

Cheltenham needed Jesus to miss a glorious chance after 53 minutes to keep the scores level. Foden’s cute through ball sent the striker clear but with just Griffiths to beat he hit the outside of a post from 15 yards.

City had dealt with Cheltenham’s aerial threat until Tozer sent a long throw into the box on 59 minutes. This time the visitors failed to deal with it as they allowed May to run in unchecked and he poked home from close range after Cheltenham had won the first ball.

A classic FA Cup shock was now on the cards and Guardiola sent on Ruben Dias, Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo in search of a way back into the match.

It forced City to up the tempo and Griffiths saved from Mahrez after Foden slipped the forward in.

An equaliser did not look likely but City finally overcame their hosts in the final 10 minutes.

Foden had been their best player and he levelled with nine minutes left, volleying in Cancelo’s cross.

Jesus then completed the turnaround three minutes later as Cheltenham tired before Torres added an undeserved third for the Premier League title favourites.