Ashley Chambers fired Cambridge United into the last eight of The FA Carlsberg Trophy coming through what boss Richard Money described as a "tough night" against Luton Town.
The two clubs sit first and second in the Conference Premier and met in the Trophy on Saturday at the Abbey Stadium but couldn't be separated.
When they came together in the replay on Tuesday night, U's newboy Chambers netted the only goal of the game to send Money's men marching on.
Luton Town 0-1 Cambridge United
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Third Round replay
Tuesday 14 Janaury 2014
Kenilworth Road
Winners receive £6,000 from FA Prize Fund
“I thought they were excellent," said Money. "In terms of teamsheets you’ve got to say John [Still, Luton manager] will be very pleased with what his team gave. They pushed us all the way."
The home side started brightly, but Cambridge soon came into the game before opening the scoring six minutes ahead of half-time.
Chambers, who won The Trophy with York City in 2012, sent in a 20-yard strike that looked to be heading straight at Hatters' keeper Elliot Justham, but a deflection off Ryan Inniss saw the ball roll into the back of the net.
Luton went in search of an equaliser in the second half and were unlcuky not to take the game to extra-time.
A header from Jon Shaw and a curler from Mark Cullen both tested U's stopper John Sullivan, while Zane Banton saw his six-yard strike ruled out for offside.
Ashley Chambers celebrates with The FA Trophy in 2012
Cambridge held firm, though, to book their trip to Eastleigh in the Fourth Round on Saturday 1 February.
“It was a tough night and a very heavy pitch," added Money.
"We’ve only got a small group to pick from at the minute. A lot of them played Saturday and Tuesday, so it was tough but we’ve won, we’ve gone through.
“We’re pleased to have gone through and we’ll just see where it takes us.”
In Tuesday;'s other replay, Tamworth edged past Chorley 6-5 on penalties.
Nick Chadwick gave Tamworth a tenth-minute lead before Jake Cotterill levelled for the home side midway through the first half.
Wayne Thomas put the Lambs back in front on the hour and it looked to have been enough to send Dale Belford's side through.
However, Andy Teague still had something to say and netted in the last minute for Chorley to take the game into extra-time.
With no further goals, it was down to penalties to decide the outcome and Jordan Keane notched the 16th and decisive spot kick to set up a Fourth Round tie at Grimsby Town.
