FA Cup holders Arsenal survived a tense finish to beat Championship visitors Cardiff 2-1 in the third round. Robert Pires struck first on six minutes after Cameron Jerome had wasted an early half-chance for the visitors, before doubling Arsenal's lead 12 minutes later. Cardiff pulled a goal back with four minutes left through Jerome to lead to a frantic finale but Arsenal, who were watched by Thierry Henry from the stands, held on for victory. Gareth Barry's deflected 61st-minute strike saw off unlucky Hull and sent Aston Villa into the fourth round at the KC Stadium. Barry's long-range effort caught defender Leon Cort's thigh and looped up and over the helpless Boaz Myhill into the back of the City net. Five minutes earlier Lee Hendrie had been forced to boot off the line to deny Cort at the other end while substitute Stuart Elliott flashed a chance to equalise just wide. Rob Hulse kept Leeds' FA Cup hopes alive with a late equaliser to continue Wigan's woeful run in the competition. David Connolly looked to have fired the Latics into the fourth round for the first time in 19 years with his third goal of the season two minutes into the second half. But with Paul Jewell's side down to 10 men, Ryan Taylor having come off injured and all three substitutes used, Hulse pounced in the 88th minute with a close-range drive for his 10th this term.