Luke Garbutt scored a sublime free-kick as Salford beat Swindon 3-2 in the FA Cup third round to set up a glamour tie with seven-time winners Manchester City.
The home side took an 11th-minute lead when January signing Ryan Graydon met Kevin Berkoe’s clipped cross with a looping header to open his account for the club.
The Irishman had a header from a corner blocked before Swindon attacker Michael Olakigbe lifted an effort over the bar as both sides exchanged chances in a breathless opening 20 minutes.
Darren Oldaker forced Salford goalkeeper Matthew Young into a smart save with a fierce drive from the edge of the box as Ian Holloway’s men went into half-time on the front foot.
After Swindon had a penalty appeal for handball waved away, Graydon finished off a lightning-fast counter-attack to double Salford’s lead on 52 minutes.
But Swindon hit back three minutes later when Ollie Palmer headed in from close range and drew level on the hour mark after Olakigbe’s teasing cross was flicked home by substitute James Ball.
This topsy-turvy game took another dramatic twist when Garbutt curled home a 68th-minute free-kick to put Salford back ahead.
Swindon defender Ryan Tafazolli had a late goal ruled out after Palmer fouled Matt Butcher as Salford saw off a late away onslaught to reach the fourth round for the first time in their history.
