Leicester City eased past a potential FA Cup banana skin with a 2-0 victory over second division Bristol City - but were made to scrap all the way by their lower league opponents.
A goal in each half from Matt Elliott and Paul Dickov ensured the Foxes would be in the fourth round draw for a club record seventh consecutive season.
But manager Micky Adams will be a relieved man after seeing his side outplayed for long periods of the match.
Leicester went into the game missing the suspended Muzzy Izzet and they looked largely devoid of attacking ideas in his absence.
Replacement Junior Lewis was outfought early on in midfield by the impressive Tom Doherty and winger Scott Murray was a constant threat down the left.
Twice in the opening 30 minutes Murray cut in from the flank to test Ian Walker with low shots, but was unable to force a breakthrough.
Despite dominating possession Danny Wilson's outfit found themselves a goal behind at the interval.
Moments after a lucky bounce presented Dickov witha chance which he smacked against an upright - Leicester took the lead and the visitors only had themselves to blame after some nightmare defending.
Nicky Summerbee's free kick from the left picked out an unmarked Lewis at the back post and he nodded the ball back towards goal for skipper Elliott to sidefoot home from eight yards.
Bristol City's Lee Peacock was booked for protesting he had been fouled as Elliott stabbed the ball into the net but the goal was allowed to stand.
The visitors again pressed after the break but Leicester held firm.
Tony Butler headed the Robins' best chance over the bar and Doherty saw a driven 20-yard shot turned wide by Walker at full stretch.
As the Robins were forced to push men forward to chase the tie gaps inevitably appeared in their defence and Dickov scored a killer second in the 73rd minute.
The Scottish international played Summerbee through on the right and then raced into the box to convert the winger's low cross at the far post.
Substitute Trevor Benjamin and Elliott squandered further chances late on but a bigger winning margin would have been rough justice on the visitors.