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The familiar London Stadium rush for the exit has never been so misjudged. A lot of West Ham fans decided they had seen enough when Dominic Calvert-Lewin put Leeds within touching distance of a first FA Cup semi-final since 1987, but how wrong they were.

The non-believers reckoned without their side forcing extra time with a wild fightback from 2-0 down and were not allowed back in to see a ridiculous game go the distance.

It ended with Finlay Herrick – a 20-year-old goalkeeper whose experience of senior football extended no further than 10 games during a loan spell with the National League side Boreham Wood this season – coming on for his West Ham debut after Alphonse Areola went down injured. Talk about a baptism of fire. Soon West Ham’s No 4 goalkeeper was in a penalty shootout. To add to the mix, it took place at the West Ham end amid unconfirmed suggestions that those in charge of stadium security did not want the kicks taken in front of the 9,000 travelling Leeds fans.

There was, of course, the usual coin toss before the shootout. It did not matter in the end. Herrick looked set to become one of the unlikeliest cup heroes when he saved Joël Piroe’s penalty. West Ham, though, could not see it through as they chased a first semi-final appearance since 2006. Lucas Perri responded by denying Jarrod Bowen and when the goalkeeper saved from Pablo Felipe it was left to Pascal Struijk to send Leeds through.

Daniel Farke’s side had made a meal of it. They will sense they have landed a psychological blow in the battle to stay in the Premier League. Leeds are four points above 18th‑placed West Ham and will hope safety has been secured before they return to east London on the final day of the season.

For Nuno Espírito Santo, attention turns to West Ham’s crucial home game against Wolves on Friday. His players fought here but Nuno will be worried that it takes only one or two absentees to leave his side looking ripe for the drop. West Ham need Crysencio Summerville back in attack and they are not as strong in defence with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean‑Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos missing.

Despite both sides making changes, they did not treat this tie as an inconvenience. Leeds were quick to settle. Noah Okafor went close in the second minute but West Ham responded. Unable to gain a foothold in midfield, they played on the break and found Perri in inspired form when Bowen and Taty Castellanos threatened.

It was a sign of things to come.

Leeds played through the lines and controlled midfield. Ethan Ampadu pulled the strings and West Ham struggled to get close to Ao Tanaka, who started and finished off the move that led to the visitors taking a deserved lead in the 26th minute.

The Japan midfielder was allowed to turn and spread play to the left. West Ham were slow in mind and body. Adama Traoré and Kyle Walker‑Peters did little to stop James Justin combining with Okafor, who slid a ball into the middle for Tanaka to turn past Soungoutou Magassa and spoon a shot over Areola thanks to a deflection off Axel Disasi.

The goal exposed West Ham’s physical shortcomings in midfield. The youthful duo of Freddie Potts and Magassa struggled and were replaced at half-time. Leeds could have been further ahead. Areola denied Anton Stach, who was caught by Maximilian Kilman after shooting.

With Stach forced off by Kilman’s tackle, Leeds were unfortunate not to have a penalty. However they had one after meeting West Ham’s improvement after half-time with a triple substitution. Wilfried Gnonto released Brenden Aaronson and a review confirmed that the hapless centre-back had fouled the Leeds attacker.

Calvert-Lewin, who had just replaced Lukas Nmecha in attack, made up for missing a penalty against Crystal Palace last month by stepping up to beat Areola. Yet there was renewed hope when 11 minutes were added on. West Ham pushed. Bowen struck a shot against a post from 20 yards and Mateus Fernandes bundled the rebound in from close range.

Leeds were panicking. They could not manage the situation and were punished when Traoré lifted a cross into the six-yard box, where a leaping Disasi got in front of Struijk and karate-kicked a volley into the corner. Leeds appealed for a foul, claiming a high boot from Disasi prevented Struijk from clearing, but the goal stood and the mayhem spilled into extra time.

Castellanos had a goal ruled out for offside after a horrible mistake from Perri. A goalmouth scramble at the other end featured a vital clearance from Tomas Soucek and Gnonto blazing over. Meanwhile hoards of West Ham fans were trying to regain entry to the ground. The doors, however, remained shut.

On it went. Fernandes burst down the right and found Castellanos, who shot against Perri’s face. Bowen again rattled the woodwork and Pablo was offside when he turned the loose ball into the net. Yet it was not to be for West Ham.