Largie Ramazani’s second-half header sealed Leeds a 1-0 win and ensured they avoided an FA Cup upset against Yorkshire rivals Harrogate.

Ramazani’s solitary effort settled the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides and was all Leeds had to show for their dominance against the League Two side at Elland Road.

Leeds struck the woodwork once in each half through Mateo Joseph and Manor Solomon but struggled to carve out clear chances against their resilient visitors, who are 69 places below them in the Football League standings.

Sky Bet promotion-chasers Leeds have been famously dumped out of the Cup by Crawley, Newport, Sutton, Rochdale and Histon since 2008, but despite the narrow scoreline against Harrogate, they comfortably avoided another embarrassment.

The hosts made eight changes after last week’s 3-3 draw at Hull – only captain Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rothwell and Solomon retained their places – while Harrogate stuck with the same side which won last week at Barrow.

Simon Weaver’s team, in their fifth season in the Football League, halted a seven-game winless run in that match, which had left them in a relegation battle.

They came under heavy pressure in a goalless first half but were organised and resilient as they soaked up all Leeds had to offer before the break.

Harrogate striker Josh March’s penalty appeal, after he had gone to ground under Josuha Guilavogui’s challenge, did not move referee James Bell before the visitors dropped deeper and deeper into their own half.

Leeds created their first real chance in the 25th minute when Harrogate skipper Warren Burrell blocked Solomon’s goalbound effort and Joseph’s low shot struck a post after his marauding run had carried him to the edge of the area.

Harrogate’s first corner, in the 52nd minute, was met with huge cheers from their 4,000 travelling fans, while at the other end Solomon’s curling effort skimmed the crossbar.

The visitors threatened to take a shock lead when March fired straight at Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow after James Daly had charged down Ampadu’s clearance.

But Leeds made the breakthrough just before the hour-mark. Solomon skipped down the left and his inch-perfect cross was neatly headed home by the unmarked Ramazani.

Darlow came to Leeds’ rescue by thwarting March following Jack Muldoon’s flick-on in a rare Harrogate attack, while Joseph flashed a shot over the bar and Belshaw saved well from substitute Dan James to prevent Leeds adding to the score.