One emphatic shot determined what is, one panicstricken miss what might have been. It was typical Wimbledon, goalless in four of their last six league games, prevailing in an undistinguished tie against unexpected odds and through to the last 16, leaving the Terriers to rue, yap a bit and get back to First Division survival.

The way to Wembley is paved with banana skins, like the corridors of Whitehall. A fortnight ago Tony Blair, speaking on Ireland but not Wimbledon's attempt to settle there, said, "We have moved from symbolism to substance," following with "people and politicians have summoned up the courage to walk away from darkness and take the first steps into light" - symbolism in spades.

So Joe Kinnear was tempting fate when he promised champions of the underdog: "We will be no pushovers." After six minutes, without even a nudge, they had lost two men: Robbie Earle in 10 seconds with a knee injury, possibly cruciate; Ceri Hughes with a hamstring. In their search for a home Wimbledon would give right arms for a stadium like the McAlpine. Two midfield legs stretched their price and by halftime a third was dead or dying.

But Neal Ardley stayed on, rifling home the goal from 20 yards beyond the hour. "It was the only time we held the ball up and laid it off," said Kinnear, for once barely exaggerating.

Huddersfield, beaten by Wimbledon in a replay two years ago, felt they should have had a penalty in the next minute, when Andy Morrison's shot hit Dean Blackwell's hand protecting his face.

But they knew their real chance had gone 10 minutes before the interval when David Phillips's diagonal ball pierced the defence to Wayne Allison, eight yards out at the far post and 10 yards clear. Glory beckoned but the body language yelled "Help". The ball, from an airy first-time slice, was enthusiastically received by Wimbledon's fans.

Allison, born in Huddersfield, returned home at 29 this season, one of seven signings by the new management of Peter Jackson and Terry Yorath. They have also brought in the class and experience of two Welsh internationals, Phillips and Barry Horne, former Cup winners with Coventry and Everton. The proof of the pudding is in the rising.

When Brian Horton was sacked, Huddersfield had four points from nine games. After 14 they had five and confidence was still on the turn. Now they have won seven of their last 13 league games and are playing with verve and imagination, but not quite enough to unsettle a defence that is the one thing Kinnear can count on.

With Phillips following Michael Hughes, they controlled the midfield until the goal, working well in triangles down the flanks without producing the telling final ball for Marcus Stewart, a shrimpish foil to Allison's blubber.

At the heart of a solid central back three Morrison, an old-fashioned barrel of a defender went for his headers with all but the roar of a discus-thrower striving for extra inches of distance.

Behind them all Stephen Harper, cool throughout, was sharply agile to Marcus Gayle's header and Carl Cort's close-range shot. He is on loan for the season from Newcastle, where he is fourth choice. If Kenny Dalglish has got things upside down, Jackson surely has turned Town round from the symbolism of a new stadium to the substance of a decent side.

Huddersfield Town: Harper, Jenkins, Phillips, Dyson, Morrison (Edmondson 78), Gray, Dalton (Edwards 70), Horne, Stewart, Allison, Johnson (Richardson 70). Subs Not Used: Francis, Makel. Booked: Jenkins, Dyson.

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Perry, Blackwell, M. Hughes, C. Hughes (Solbakken 9), Earle (Castledine 3), Ardley, Cort, Gayle (Clarke 87). Subs Not Used: Heald, Francis. Booked: Cort. Goals: Ardley 62.

Referee: D R Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).