DOWN AMONG THE DEADMEN

Part 1: Kevin Blackwell - So near and yet so far 2004-06

Part 2: Dennis Wise - An Unwise move 2006-07

Part 3: Gary McAllister - Return of the Mac 2007-08

Part 4: Simon Grayson - A new Dawn? 2008-2012

Part 5: Neil Warnock - Another new Dawn? 2012-2013

Part 6: Brian McDermott - Yet another new Dawn? 2013-2014

Part 7: David Hockaday - A false Dawn: The Italian Connection 2014-2014

Part 8: Darko Milanic - Another false Dawn: The Italian Connection (Part 2) 2014-2014

Part 9: Neil Redfearn - Yet another new Dawn? The Italian Connection (Part 3) 2014-2015

Part 10: Uwe Rosler - Yet another new Dawn? The Italian Connection (Part 4) 2015-2015

Part 11: Steve Evans - Yet another new Dawn? The Italian Connection (Part 5) 2015-2016

Part 1: Kevin Blackwell - So near and yet so far 2004-06

2004-2005:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

Kevin Blackwell: Born 21-12-58 at Luton, had a journeyman career as a goalkeeper with several clubs but never rose to any great heights, in fact he was, in reality, a failure to put it nicely. His career was as follows: 1986-89: Scarborough, where he played forty-four games. 1989-93: Notts County, where he never played a game. 1993-93: Torquay United, where he had eighteen games. 1993-95: Huddersfield Town five appearances. 1995-97: Plymouth Argyle where he played twenty-four games before retiring.

Blackwell worked hard to gain the UEFA 'A' coaching badge and successfully complete the UEFA 'A' goalkeeping course. He was thought to be the first to gain two UEFA 'A' badges in England. He took advantage of what the FA had to offer and gained invaluable experience and it cemented his ideas and helped him structure his sessions better.

He became Sheffield United Coach under Neil Warnock and was accredited with making them a fitter and more mobile squad and brought on several young players. Leeds boss Peter Reid gave Blackwell his big chance after being impressed with the way he helped Sheffield United reach the First Division play-off final and the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Worthington Cup. The approach from Reid came as a big surprise to Blackwell, as he didn't know Peter Reid and had no connection with him or Leeds United in any way shape or form. He was thought to have been head-hunted, and Reid spoke to quite a few managers and players and who all endorsed Blackwell's ability. He was coach to Reid and then Eddie Gray, before taking over for the last game in the EPL at Chelsea. With a possible takeover of the club, he was embarrassingly made to wait before being appointed Manager on the same day as Alan Smith left for Manchester United!

Considering the clubs financial situation and the consequences of relegation, it came as no surprise that wholesale changes were made to the Elland Road Playing Staff and other football related positions. Gone were the Loan Players: Pennant, Caldwell, Domi, Camara, Sakho, Roque Junior, Olembe, and Chapuis. David Batty retired. Michael Bridges went to Bolton Wanderers, Jason Wilcox to Leicester City, Stephen McPhail to Barnsley, Nick Barmby to Hull City, Dominic Matteo to Blackburn Rovers, Ian Harte to Levante, and Danny Mills to Manchester City, all departing on Free Transfers and Paul Robinson went to Tottenham Hotspur for £1.5 million, Alan Smith crossed the Pennines to Manchester United for £6 million, James Milner went to Newcastle United for £3.5 million, and Mark Viduka departed to Middlesbrough for £4.5million, but in several cases there were hefty settlements to players,who were paid over a period of time.

It could be said that, Juniors apart, Gary Kelly, Michael Duberry, the injured Eirik Bakke, Seth Johnson and Lucas Radebe, and fringe players Matthew Kilgallon, Aaron Lennon, Frazer Richardson, Jamie McMaster, Harpal Singh, Andy Keogh, Simon Johnson, Simon Walton and Martin Woods were at Kevin Blackwell's disposal as the new season commenced.

In came Danny Pugh from Manchester United, Michael Ricketts from Middlesbrough, Jermaine Wright from Ipswich Town, Julian Joachim from Coventry City, Danny Cadamarteri from Bradford City, Paul Butler from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Clarke Carlisle from Queens Park Rangers, Matthew Spring from Luton Town, Neil Sullivan from Chelsea, all arriving on Free Transfers, while Brian Deane, Craig Hignett, Steve Guppy and others came as unattached players. Stephen Crainey came initially on loan from Southampton before United paid a fee of £200,000 for his services. There was a regular stream of players, coming on trial, such as Mark Kinsella, Chris Bart-Williams and Keith Gillespie, but all were ultimately not offered a contract. This would be a regular feature of life at Elland Road in the Coca Cola Championship League and there was also a long succession of players coming in and out on loan.

It therefore, came as no surprise when United fielded seven debutants for the first game in the CCCL against Derby County and this would balloon to twenty-six before the end of the season. This did not include Brian Deane who had already debuted in 1993! So it was that United lined up as Sullivan; Kelly, Duberry, Butler, Kilgallon; Richardson, Wright, Walton, Pugh; Ricketts, Joachim. Radebe came on for Walton, and Deane for Ricketts, while Carson, Crainey and Guppy remained unused on the bench.

Danny Pugh became an instant hit with the fans with a great effort on debut and there were strong games from Walton, Joachim, Sullivan and Richardson, who got the only goal of the game on seventy-two minutes in a hard won victory. Considering that the team had been stitched together in a very short period of time it was an excellent performance against reasonably strong opposition and, apart from rustiness, United played as a unit and looked well drilled, well organized and worked hard for a deserved win.

Butler and Duberry were solid in central defence. Kelly was back to his form of a few years back, while Matthew Kilgallon impressed with his ability to adapt to being played out of position at left back. Behind the defence Sullivan showed that he was probably the best keeper outside of the EPL and Scott Carson must have wondered how long he would have to wait before next featuring in the first eleven. Ricketts caused Derby problems and had several good touches but looked a little out of practice, and it was he who released the impressive Joachim, who set up Frazer Richardson for the winner.

However, it was in midfield where United were strongest, Danny Pugh covered more ground than anyone on the park and was a constant menace down the left flank, while Frazer Richardson did the same on the right and it was fitting that he should be rewarded for his efforts with a superb strike. Wright prodded and probed, while Walton put his height to good effect and generally put his foot in where others did not dare. Considering he was a central defender, he linked up play well and was not frightened to get forward. He tired a little in the closing stages and the evergreen Lucas Radebe substituted on 65 minutes.

Pugh was unlucky twice, Joachim was denied by the keeper but Duberry headed over a fine cross from Wright and Butler volley over from close range. Sullivan had done his job quietly and efficiently even if semi-redundant, but he had to earn his wages in the last minute with a blinding save, as Derby made a last effort to salvage a point. It was early days, but a new chapter had started and it appeared that United could make their presence felt in their new surroundings.

United were unchanged for their first away fixture in the CCCL at Gillingham and again it was Danny Pugh who won the accolades with good support from Sullivan, Kelly and Richardson, but United were given a rude awakening to life on the road in the CCCL with a visit to the Priestfield Stadium which was packed to capacity, albeit with less than 11,000 fans. Gillingham were strong and were willing to fight for everything and what they lacked in skill they made up in effort and honest endeavour. Leeds did show a willingness to match the home team at their own game and enjoyed plenty of possession but after conceding two sloppy early goals they could never recover.

United were rocked by a fortunate strike after only four minutes, when a twenty yard shot from Byfield hit Wright and was deflected out of Sullivan's reach. This was the cue for some sustained Gillingham pressure and the United defence came under attack, not to mention some off the ball niggles. Kilgallon was left clutching his face after Roberts appeared to stick out an arm and Walton was wound up by the experienced Hassenthaler, who came on half way through the first half.

Kilgallon went close for United and forced the keeper to a spectacular save as United assumed the ascendancy. While they were still in with a chance at 1-0 they had too big a mountain to climb after they conceded a silly goal just before half time. There was a lapse of concentration as a throw in was helped on by a chip and the unmarked Agymang pulled the ball back to Roberts, whose shot hit Butler before going in off the post.

After seeming unsettled at the start of the second half, it was to United's credit that they carried on the fight. They were rewarded with Pugh's eightieth minute strike, after substitute Steve Guppy's cross drive could only be parried by the keeper and Pugh was on hand to steer home the rebound. This saw United pressing for an equalizer but they had left it too late. They finished the game in thirteenth place.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were the next opponents at Molineux and were expected to provide United with stiff opposition, as one of the likely promotion candidates. There was a debut for Stephen Crainey at left back in place of Matthew Kilgallon, while evergreen stalwart Lucas Radebe replaced the young Simon Walton in midfield and Brian Deane was given a first start since his return, in place of Julian Joachim as striker. Walton and Joachim dropped to the bench. United were struck a double blow to their already paper thin squad when Duberry was sent off and faced a three match suspension and Lucas Radebe was stretchered off and out for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles.

While Radebe's absence was pure bad luck, Duberry's was self inflicted as, after previously being yellow carded for an off the ball infringement with Miller, on the report of a linesman, he was also guilty of leaving a trailing leg, after Miller had got the wrong side of him, and thereferee quickly produce the red card and pointed immediately to the penalty spot with just five minutes to go. This gave Wolves the chance to take full points, but Sullivan crowned a fine individual performance by saving the ensuing kick with a superb save to keep honours even. Sullivan had performed well throughout and although rarely troubled by a strangely tame Wolverhampton attack he was called upon to make two valuable blocks before the penalty save.

Leeds were not much more adventuresome but their defensive efforts, with Butler outstanding against his former club, merited at least a point. United went to Wolverhampton with a team devised to frustrate the home team and this was accomplished with their second clean sheet in three games. Apart from the penalty, United had finished strongly and had three chances to settle the game. Frazer Richardson sent a shot wide after some good approach play and then blazed over as he cut in from the right, before finally right on time Deane sent in a looping header which was goal-bound until cleared off the line by a defender. A draw was a fair result and United remained in thirteenth spot.

There was talk of a Casino being built at Elland Road. With pending changes in the gaming laws. United were one of several clubs who were looking into the possibilities of a new revenue stream. Talks of an American based casino giant taking over the club for £29 million were immediately dismissed by the club.

There was news of the signing of Cameroon international Serge Branco from Stuttgart as United hosted Nottingham Forest. Steve Guppy was given his run on debut in place of the injured Radebe, with Clarke Carlisle also debuting in place of the suspended Duberry, while up front Joachim replaced Ricketts as Deane's strike partner.

United were robbed of a deserved victory as the inexperienced referee awarded Forest a penalty for an obstruction by Guppy on Evans, which the Forest midfielder milked as a penalty, with an exaggerated dive. For much of the contest United had outplayed Forest and created enough chances to have won this game convincingly. United had seventeen shots on goal. Deane, who won everything in the air and had a tremendous game, was unlucky when his downward header bounced over the bar. Joachim's pace worried Forest but, while once unlucky, he should have scored on another occasion but he continued to work hard and would have deserved to open his account on this showing.

Kelly, who kept Forest danger man Andy Reid on a short leash and Crainey who had a fine game at left back stood out for United. Clarke Carlisle had a fine debut and he and Butler were solid in central defence. Guppy's arrival gave Wright a chance to enjoy more freedom in midfield and with Pugh as busy as ever. United dominated the midfield, while Richardson again worked hard Guppy and Crainey linked up well. Crainey did well on the attack and twice scraped the woodwork firstly with a header and then with one of his fine free-kicks.

Pugh missed out with a good header, as did Frazer Richardson with a left-foot curler. Steve Guppy, who was desperate to win a permanent contract, did his chances no harm with a good display, capped off with an excellent header to out-jump the Forest defence at the far post, and convert Frazer Richardson's cross after twenty-five minutes. United didn't sit back but continued to take the game to Forest and were denied on many occasions, while at the other end Sullivan made a couple of stops as Forest made a late rally. United always looked like winners but Evans ran into Guppy in the area and Andy Reid converted despite a valiant attempt from Sullivan, who dived the right way. From that point on Forest retreated into defence and spent the last twelve minutes defending desperately to keep out the all out attack coming from United. The sides remained locked at 1-1 and it was two points lost rather than one gained from United's point of view and they eased up to twelfth place.

Neighbours Huddersfield Town provided the opposition for the First Round League Cup tie at Elland Road and Ricketts was given a chance up front in place of Deane. There was a quality display in central defence from Clarke Carlisle as Huddersfield's Terriers gallantly gave their all in an entertaining and fiercely contested local derby. The defence was the foundation for United's narrow victory with Carlisle and Butler dominant in central defence as were Kelly and Crainey at fullback.

Huddersfield battled hard and enthusiastically but they never looked like breaching the brick wall Leeds defence, as United kept their third clean sheet in five games. Town were much livelier than United but the home team seemed happy to dig in and protect their lead. It would have been nice to see United as more of an attacking unit and neither Ricketts nor Joachim had yet opened his account. Ricketts had a strong tussle with the Town defence and emerged on top and it was he who headed against the Town crossbar before Danny Pugh pounced to force the ball home for the winner after twenty-three minutes. Joachim did not have the same opportunities to shine but his effort deserved more reward than he was presently getting.

Huddersfield had arrived with a defensive plan aimed at frustrating the home side and, apart from an early header, it was half an hour before they emerged as an attacking force. Pugh had already put United ahead and Frazer Richardson had gone close to doubling the lead.

Huddersfield did have some chances, as a header hit the woodwork and Brandon twice found himself in space but wasted the chances and it wasn't until the seventy-first minute that Sullivan was called into serious action, when he reacted quickly to deny Brandon after a defensive error. This brought on Jamie McMaster for Guppy and he made a big impression with a lively display for the last twenty minutes. He almost scored with his first touch, when he forced the keeper to save at full stretch with a pile driver from twenty yards. He continued to taunt and torment and gave Blackwell food for thought but United never really looked like conceding a goal despite four minutes injury time and United progressed safely into the Second Round.

Duberry replaced Carlisle and Ricketts dropped back to midfield to replace Guppy with Deane taking his place as striker alongside Joachim, as United visited Blackwell's former team, Sheffield United, at Bramall Lane. There was no happy return for him as his team was out-thought and out-manoeuvred by Neil Warnock's Sheffield United.

It was a clear indication that Leeds are desperately short of quality players in their squad, with Danny Pugh, Frazer Richardson and Jermaine Wright playing in the midfield engine room and all trying to adapt to playing in an unfamiliar position. On the flanks Ricketts was asked to play wide right and Joachim wide left with Deane left to plough a lone furrow up front. Wright was not accustomed to, or suited to, the holding role in midfield and was much better in his usual role of feeding the strikers and if a good holding player was found it would allow Pugh and Richardson more freedom to express themselves. It would also allow Blackwell to rotate his other young talent such as Aaron Lennon, Simon Walton and Jamie McMaster and give them more opportunities to gain the necessary experience.

Leeds created absolutely nothing at all but for a long time it looked as though Butler and his defence were going to keep another clean sheet and secure a valuable point. It would be unwise to assume that Sullivan and the defence could work miracles every game and when they dipped in this game the Blades were handed the game on a platter.

Duberry was singled out by a section of the travelling fans early in the game and his confidence wilted noticeably. His early booking did not help either and he had a tough afternoon. It turned out to be another Bramall Lane horror show reminiscent of the double Cup exit of just over a season previous and this defeat was just as disappointing.

Sheffield had the better of the first half but only created a handful of decent chances which Leeds dealt with quite comfortably and Sullivan was not seriously extended. Ricketts failed to pick a superbly timed run from Pugh and selfishly opted to shoot instead, while Richardson worked an opening but fired narrowly over the bar. Sheffield finally got the goal they needed just five minutes into the second half. Leeds lost possession and Tonge fed a lovely ball to Ward for the striker to score. It was the end for Leeds as they only came to defend and after Sullivan had made a fingertip save, he was beaten for a second time as Harley curled a free-kick over the wall and past the keeper.

United's only further chance fell to the hapless Duberry who managed to hit the woodwork from just three yards out with twelve minutes to go. The final whistle was sweet relief to Leeds and a dejected team trooped off after suffering their second loss of the season. It was a poor disappointing performance and unless a spark was added it would be mid-table mediocrity or worse rather than being in the chasing pack, as they slumped further to be in sixteenth position.

There had been talk that Blackwell was hot on the trail of Sean Gregan, the West Bromwich Albion holding midfielder, but Leeds were only interested in a loan or free-transfer, whereas the vendors were looking for a substantial fee.

Former Manager Peter Reid brought his new charges, Coventry City, to play his former deputy's Leeds United and it was the apprentice who triumphed over the master and the new boss over the old boss. To be truthful United cruised past Coventry with alarming ease. Clarke Carlisle was back for the out of sorts Duberry and Simon Walton took over from Ricketts in a reshuffled midfield. Blackwell reverted to 4-4-2 and the result was there for all to see. Granted Coventry were not in the same class as Sheffield United but Blackwell's tactics were good enough to beat his former boss this game, if not in the previous one.

Clarke Carlisle stood out for United and each member of the defence was in top form and easily snuffed out the much vaunted Coventry attack. The midfield also played well with Wright, who had a hand in all three goals, and Pugh particularly outstanding. There was plenty of effort up front and it was good to see Joachim finally getting on the score sheet. United won the battle by working hard for each other, biding their time and finishing with a flourish with Coventry running up the white flag long before the final whistle. It wasn't a pretty game to watch but United stuck to their task and, with a renewed steadiness in front of goal, showed that in this form they were more than a match for the supposed better teams in the division.

The cornerstone for the victory was a strong uncompromising defence, a hard working midfield and a good display of natural instincts in front of goal. Leeds were guilty of a couple of early misses but their domination and determination paid dividends just before the break, when a free-kick by Jermaine Wright was met at the far post by Clarke Carlisle who scored with a looping header. His defensive prowess and a well taken goal fully vindicated his recall and could be contrasted to the fortunes of the hapless Duberry who was again the target of the boo-boys as he warmed up on the touchline.

Even Peter Reid was given a standing ovation by the fans as he emerged from the tunnel to take his place in the dugout. It was the only solace he got all afternoon except when he saw his team hit the woodwork and then just after half-time force a diving save from the dependable Neil Sullivan. United and Joachim were rewarded for their endeavours twenty minutes from time, when he was on hand to score from close range after the keeper couldn't hold Wright's strong header. Coventry full back Carey got his marching orders for a second yellow card for a foul on Pugh, who had tormented him all afternoon. The scoring was rounded off just on time when Wright's shot could not be held by the keeper and the impressive Pugh was on hand to tap home the rebound to complete the 3-0 score-line which saw United remain sixteenth in the table.

There were rumours of impending incoming players and an Iraqi takeover offer. Chairman Krasner said no bid had been made but the board would listen to any bids which were in the interests of the club and he further stated the talks for the sale and lease back of Elland Road were well advanced.

It was an unchanged United that made the long journey to Home Park where Plymouth Argyle were the hosts. It was another disciplined performance from every United player, with Jermaine Wright in superb form once again in midfield.

It looked as though all the pieces in the jigsaw were finally being put in place as they made the classic away performance to get their season up and running. The value of the win can be measured by the fact that Plymouth came into the game having only lost once at Home Park in the previous eighteen months. United weathered an early storm and quickly won the battle for the middle of the park and followed that up by playing some of the best football seen from a Leeds side in recent seasons. They passed the ball quickly; their movement was sharp and they created chances in abundance against a side that prided its self on its miserly home record. The foundation was built on a solid back four with Sullivan marshalling it superbly and it never looked like conceding. It had now gone 180 minutes since last conceding, and Plymouth must have though they were running into a brick wall. However, it was the midfield that shone brightest and none more so than Jermaine Wright, who was the driving force behind the victory and now freed from the holding role he showed his attacking prowess and was the moving force in pushing Leeds forward. He was well supported by the lively Simon Walton and busy wide men Richardson and Pugh, who were supplemented by Kelly and Crainey adding their weight with some telling crosses into the box which often caused problems. Big Brian Deane made his presence felt particularly in the air, while Joachim showed quick feet in creating a couple of useful openings.

The attendance of over 20,000 was Plymouth's largest crowd in years and contained almost 1,400 who had made the long trek from Leeds, which meant a twelve hour round trip and they would have been pleased with the Leeds performance; the chances created and would have forgiven them for not winning by a bigger margin.

United recovered from a shaky opening to take control of the game, the onslaught started when Jermaine Wright broke from midfield and embarked on a sixty yard run on goal, which culminated in a shot-come-cross which both Walton and Joachim desperately tried to make contact with on the line. It was the cue for twenty minutes of sustained pressure which culminated in the match winning goal, two minutes before the break. Walton had a shot saved, Deane had an effort blocked by the keeper's legs and Pugh headed wide from the rebound. Wright was the next to go close when he shot over after good build up play.

It looked like more frustration as a Walton pile-driver was blocked but in the ensuing melee Butler rose high to head goalwards as the Argyle defence failed to clear their lines and Marion Keith could only help it into the net, with the United skipper claiming it should have been his goal, and not an own goal. This was immediately followed by Plymouth's only effort of the night as Keith sought to make amends and capitalize on a rare Carlisle miss-header, but Sullivan was equal to the task and pulled off a fine save. United continued to create chances. Joachim twice went close while Matthew Spring came off the bench to make his debut and had a fine dipping effort tipped over the bar by the keeper and Wright and Richardson both had near misses. Just as the game seemed won the referee added five minutes injury time and United had to endure ninety-eight minutes of play before they final could take home the points. The win move United up into the top half of the league to ninth spot and with a game in hand on most teams their chances of improvement looked good.

There was news that Sean Gregan had been signed from West Bromwich Albion for £500,000 rising to a possible £1 million with add-ons, subject to his passing a fitness test.

There was a debut for Sean Gregan in midfield in place of Simon Walton as United travelled to struggling Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road, looking to add another three points to the recent run of good results. Jermaine Wright was again the fulcrum for United while Sullivan in goal, Butler in central defence and Pugh with both goals also shone in the 2-2 draw. Was it a case of one point gained or two points lost? If you say that Pugh's leveller with only two minutes to go suggests it was a priceless draw you may have a point, but it was also fair to say United should have had them dead and buried long before that! Leeds dominated in terms of possession and created enough chances to win two games but that would hide the fact that they twice had to come from behind to equalize. It was a game that United knew they should have won.

Crewe played pretty football and had two good strikers in Steve Jones and Dean Ashton but United tried to be equally pretty, when they should have opted for a more physical approach. Butler was well known for his physical approach and Sean Gregan was bought to beef up the midfield but, while showing some classy touches, he looked well short on match fitness. His presence allowed Jermaine Wright to play his more natural attacking game and his prompting and probing made him a constant threat and he was unlucky not to open hisgoal-scoring account for United. There was the feeling that Gregan and Wright could become the best midfield pair in the CCCL once they had gelled, but even at its embryo stage the partnership was too much for Crewe and they stroked the ball around at will.

To Crewe's credit they didn't give in. They took the lead shortly after half-time and were resilient enough to bounce back to take the lead again after United had equalized. It was an example of their character in front of a nigh capacity crowd of just over 9,000, which was swelled by 1,588 travelling United fans. Crewe served an early warning of their attacking capabilities to force Sullivan to tip over a Jones header, but United dominated the half and there were chances aplenty. Joachim hit a post and Richardson followed up but had his shot blocked on the line. Richardson also went for power and not precision just on the break and another chance went begging.

Two minutes after the break Carlisle inexplicably handled in the box and although Sullivan guessed the direction of the kick, Ashton's power and precision were too much and it went into the corner of the net. This jolted United into action and they were level six minutes later, after Pugh had shown good anticipation to forced home the rebound after Joachim had hit the underside of the bar, and they still continued to dominate.

With Wright leading the charge and Deane causing the defence all kinds of problems it seemed inevitable that United would go on to win, but after Jones had had one effort disallowed he made no mistake soon afterwards, with only seven minutes left on the clock. The goal clearly rattled United and only a great twenty-five yard shot from Danny Pugh enabled them to again draw level with just two minutes to go.

The draw kept the unbeaten record going but saw United drop to tenth. There was news of the loan of Southampton striker Brett Omerod in time for the next clash with high-flyers Sunderland.

United rang the changes for the Second Round League Cup Tie with Swindon Town, and they lined up: Sullivan; Kelly, Carlisle, Butler, Kilgallon; Joachim, Spring, Gregan, Pugh; McMaster, Ricketts. With Walton replacing McMaster (sixty-one minutes), Cadamarteri for Joachim (seventy minutes), Deane for Ricketts (eighty minutes) with Carson and Duberry unused. United made it four games unbeaten with an unglamourous steamroller victory over plucky Swindon Town.

The visitors could count themselves unlucky as they played some neat football but lacked the killer instinct to get a stranglehold on the game. Matthew Spring made his run on debut for United while Danny Cadamarteri made his debut from the bench. After just nine minutes, it was Kelly's beautifully weighted forward ball that found Ricketts and he in turn advanced forward before delivering a neat finish to give United the lead. The keeper beat away a powerful strike from Julian Joachim and a Kelly cross caused havoc as a Swindon defender headed it on to the bar. Jamie McMaster was unlucky not to get his first goal for the club when, after great work from Pugh, his goal-bound shot hit Ricketts and was hacked to safety. It was a first half which showed United's inefficiency at killing off inferior opposition. There were fine performances by Kelly and Kilgallon, with Spring also impressive, while Gregan moved one match closer to match fitness.

After being cannon fodder in the first half, Swindon came out for the second half meaning business. Parkin fluffed a good chance before Sullivan got down well to a low drive from O'Hanlan. However, although Swindon pressed hard, they did not have the class to penetrate the United rearguard and there were no dramas like the previous season as United eased through 1-0 for their third win in four games and their sixth clean sheet in ten games.

For the Friday night Elland Road encounter with high flying Sunderland there was a debut for loan signing Brett Ormerod, who partnered Brian Deane up front in place of McMaster and Ricketts. Crainey returned at left back in place of Kilgallon, while Richardson and Wright returned in place of Joachim and Spring in midfield. There was a minutes silence prior to the kick-off to mark the passing of former United Manager and Sunderland player Brian Clough.

Captain Paul Butler led by example with good assistance from Clarke Carlisle and Sean Gregan. A disallowed goal and a missed penalty proved costly as United were beaten for the first time in the season at Elland Road. Brian Deane had what looked a perfectly good goal disallowed and Brett Ormerod should have done better with the penalty, but on balance Sunderland were the better team and deserved their victory with the first goal conceded by United in open play this season.

In the eleventh minute Danny Pugh had swung over a corner from the right and Deane rose majestically the head in unchallenged. There looked to be nothing wrong with it, but the referee blew for an infringement by Ormerod on the keeper, but on inspection of the replay it seemed that he had ruled incorrectly. Sunderland had the better of play and Sullivan and Butler denied Elliott while Robinson screwed a shot wide. Carter also went close as Sullivan pushed his powerful shot round the post which the referee inexplicably gave as a goal-kick. The winner came in the sixty-fifth minute when the Leeds defence was caughtnapping at a free kick. Robinson quickly took it to Elliott who held it up for Robinson to drive under the diving Sullivan with the defence in disarray.

With sixteen minutes to go, Ormerod wasted a great chance to draw United level, after ex-United loanee Stephen Caldwell slipped at a corner and by using Carlisle to break his fall he performed a perfect Rugby tackle and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. It was expected that Wright would take the resultant kick but Ormerod, keen to get off the mark, grabbed the ball and his weak kick was easily saved by Poom.

The miss was the final nail in the coffin as Sunderland easily coped with a Leeds Route One tactic of up and under. United were so frustrated at Poom's ability to handle the high ball that Butler showed his exasperation by felling the Sunderland keeper. United had struggled in the middle of the park and in marked contrast to the previous three outings where there had been chances aplenty, it was telling that no real chances had been created. Jermaine Wright had been quiet by his standards and the wide men Richardson and Pugh had little chance to shine and consequently were unable to feed the strikers. Gregan showed signs of gaining match fitness and settling in with a determined effort in which he broke up play well, but in the end there was nothing to show and United slipped to twelfth and would need to improve for their match up with Stoke City if they were not to lose touch with the leading bunch.

United were unchanged for the visit of the highly rated Stoke City, who were safely ensconced in one of the play-off positions in fourth spot. United had Gregan in command of the midfield ably backed up by Wright and Pugh who stood out, while Carlisle was strong in defence and Ormerod always caused problems for Stoke in attack. As a unit they were streets ahead of Stoke and dominated proceedings from go to woe, while Stoke seemed content to sit back and soak up the constant United pressure while hardly venturing into the Leeds half.

The shots on goal told the story, Leeds United eighteen, Stoke City two, with corners ten to one, and it was fair to say that Leeds would have spent seventy of the ninety minutes peppering the Stoke goal but the knock out punch was never delivered. The referee appeared to turn down a cast-iron penalty appeal from Brian Deane late in the game after a clash with Gerry Taggart, but otherwise the referee was quite happy to blow his whistle at regular intervals for petty infringements by Stoke, who used it as a ploy to slowdown the onslaught. Stoke sat so deep that United were able to show they are capable of some neat play on the deck when the opportunity arises. Unfortunately United's quality in the last third was not quite what it should have been and they were unableto find their way past what can only be described as a remarkable rearguard action.

Ormerod was very impressive up front and at times it was a nine man attack that United threw at Stoke, but it was still not enough to gain them the three points that their domination merited. As early as the eighth minute Ormerod was denied by a superb tackle from Taggart and the battering continued incessantly up to the ninety-fifth minute when Deane headed narrowly wide after a pinpoint cross from Ormerod. In between Leeds had shots blocked, knocked the ball wide, sent a couple of shots over the bar and saw at least two kicked off the line with the keeper beaten. Wright was probably the unluckiest in front of goal and was the victim of a double block in the sixtieth minute after De Goey flapped hopelessly at an Ormerod cross. Ormerod showed no fear of running at defenders and was subject to rough house treatment throughout. With Kelly and Crainey prepared to shoot from distance, Carlisle forcing corners and a downward header from Butler was scrambled to safety as the United defence showed that they were trying to get in on the scoring act also. Even with five minutes injury time United still couldn't penetrate the Stoke defence and the game ended 0-0 and United dropped to fifteenth but, goals apart, their confidence was sky high.

Danny Cadamartei was sold to Sheffield United for £50,000 and once again United were unchanged for their visit to Cardiff City in their Ninian Park bear-pit. United emerged with a second 0-0 draw in two games but this time the boot was on the other foot as Cardiff missed a penalty and then hit the bar three times in the second half, as United held on to complete their eighth clean sheet of the season. Played in front of a sell-out 17,000 crowd, 5,000 above their average, Cardiff rose to the occasion and played well above their relegation zone status. The pressure-cooker atmosphere also got to the referee and he handed Cardiff a generous penalty, when McAnuff tumbled under pressure from Crainey. Fortunately Sullivan was equal to the task and was able to save the tame kick with his legs.

While Cardiff employed the big kick at every opportunity, United were content to play controlled football even though there was very little spark. United's wide men struggled against two uncompromising full backs and Ormerod and Deane were well held by the Cardiff central defenders, even though their tactics and tackles were not always legal. A Jermaine Wright corner was flicked on by Brian Deane and Clarke Carlisle's bullet header was somehow cleared off the line, in the best opportunity of the first half. There were few excuses three minutesinto the second half for United failing to take the lead. Danny Pugh found Jermaine Wright with a delightful pass down the left but Ormerod could not apply the finishing touch to his pinpoint cross from close range. This spurred Cardiff to greater efforts and with Carlisle outstanding at the back, with solid assistance from Butler, United did manage to weather the storm but only just, as they were forced to defend deeper and deeper. Parry and McAnuff both went close before Cardiff upped the pace and hit Leeds with the final onslaught. Campbell turned a Perry shot against the woodwork before substitute Jerome repeated the feat, when he smashed a shot against the bar, before McAnuff was the next to rattle the Leeds crossbar. The goalless draw saw United slip to sixteenth position but with only one defeat in seven games the record looked good, if you disregarded that they had managed only seven goals in nine games, and they have failed to score in 270 minutes of football. It was hardly promotion form and a quality striker was clearly a priority.

Kilgallon and Walton replaced the injured Crainey and Wright, while Ricketts was in for Deane up front, for the Elland Road clash with Preston North End. United had already made two bids for David Healy the Preston striker and although they had been turned down there were strong rumours that he was bound for United and that he had made his last appearance for the Lancastrians.

It was surprising that he played, as his appearance in the game was not expected, as it would be his 150th for the club and triggered a £100,000 payment to his former club Manchester United. Not surprisingly he was the centre of attention and after being substituted after seventy-five minutes the Leeds fans chanted his name and bizarrely he responded with a cheeky wave from the dug-out. While he was on the pitch, the diminutive Northern Ireland International striker showed enough quality touches to underline why Leeds are so keen to prise him away from Deepdale.

He was not, however, the star of the show. That accolade rested firmly on the shoulders of Danny Pugh, who is fast becoming a firm favourite with the crowd. Having arrived as a left back, he had adapted well to the wide left midfield role and in the game was once again very impressive and was at the very core of everything that was good about United. He was the danger man with a tremendous individual display, and his probing and intelligent runs were rewarded by scoring the winner after seventy-nine minutes. United had gone fully seven hours since they had last scored and when Pugh rifled home from close range it ended a barren run which had spanned a full 430 minutes.

Ormerod impressed also, being involved in the lead up to the goal,but helimped out of the action after colliding with the goalpost. Ricketts was adisappointment and was replaced by Deane on the hour mark and it was no co-incidence that the new twin spearhead was the impetus for the breaking of the barren run. The squad featured four teenagers, as Aaron Lennon came off the bench and three other players were under the age of 22. Jermaine Wright was sorely missed. Sean Gregan was the only experienced midfielder United had on show, but Pugh and Walton were willing workers and United's biggestthreat. It was they who carved out United's best chance of the first half when Walton broke up play and knocked the ball wide to Pugh but as he sent across a pinpoint cross Walton was unable to direct his header goalwards.

With Gregan being an ex-Preston player there seemed to be some angry verbal exchanges with the Preston bench which resulted in their Assistant Manager being given his marching orders, while on the pitch there were several personal battles and on one occasion two or three players were pushing and shoving even though the ball was not anywhere near. It added an extra edge and both teams had their chances in the second half with Etuhu missing a free header before Ormerod dispossessed a Preston defender and made good ground before laying it on for the impressive Pugh. Even though it wasn't the performance that the fans had hoped for it was three points which took United into tenth positionand extended the defensive non-conceding to 285 minutes, almost five hours since Neil Sullivan was last beaten.

There was further news on the proposed Casino at Elland Road. Stanley Leisure, UK's biggest casino operator, had acquired an option to purchase 2.8 hectares (7 acres) of land next to the Elland Road ground. Should planning permission and government deregulation of the gaming industry follow, it is thought a Las Vegas style Casino would be built by the end of 2007. It would create around 1,000 jobs and cost approximately £125 million to build. United were paid £5 million for the option and their association with the casino ceases with the sale of the land and there is no future profit sharing agreement or any further income to Leeds United once the sale is completed. "We have now received £5m from Stanley Leisure, which means we have managed to reduce Leeds United's debt burden from £103m the day the current board took over, to just over £30m." Mr Krasner said.

For the trip to second placed Reading, United started off unchanged and were off to a flyer as Simon Walton scored in the first minute. Facing a team who were sure to be in with a shout in the final reckoning at the end of the season, a defiant Leeds stood firm to collect a well deserved point from their trip to Madejski Stadium.

Kilgallon stood out in a strong defence in which Sullivan and Carlisle also gave excellent performances. Reading were a lively outfit but United started and finished the stronger of the two teams and could easily have come away with all three points after a spirited performance. The hosts played some very good football and showed all the hallmarks of a team who would be challenging for promotion, but United were able to soak up the pressure and but for a stunning last minute save by the Reading keeper would have won the contest. Ormerod and Ricketts both deserved praise for their work-rate and all out effort. It was Ormerod who created the goal for Walton with a delightful cross after he had made space for himself on the right and Walton could not believe the amount of space he was allowed as he made no mistake with a close range header to give United a shock lead.

It wasn't until just on half-time that Reading were able to level matters and United showed great character by fighting back in the second half. The Reading midfield duo had played together since they were juniors at Arsenal and their understanding showed, while they also had two players on the flanks whoshowed plenty of quality and United spent much of the opening period on the back foot as a result. Kilgallon did extremely well considering he was up against one of Reading's better players and kept him neatly in check, while Kelly made some timely blocks and Carlisle was outstanding as he and Butler stood firm against Reading's strong front pairing. Sullivan was busy throughout and was his usual tidy self. It was not all one-way traffic and Ormerod had a low shot saved, while Ricketts showed great quality in controlling a looping ball from Gregan before firing narrowly wide. It looked like United were going to go into the break in front but luck was in Reading's favour. After Sullivan had done well to parry a close range header onto the post, unfortunately the rebound went straight to Owusu, who grabbed the equalizer. Reading came out firing on all cylinders for the second half and wasted three very good chances before United were able to claw their way back into the game.

Gregan, Richardson and substitute Spring all shot over as Leeds finished strongly, while at the other end Kitson failed to connect with the goal at his mercy. Leeds could have stolen it in stoppage time when Brian Deane met a Danny Pugh corner with a powerful header but somehow Hahnemann, the Reading keeper, reacted quickly to spread himself to beat the ball away. It was a quality save which gained his side a point. The crowd of over 22,000 contained 3,000 of the travelling faithful and they would have been pleased with the point but at the same time disappointed that it was not three as United dropped to thirteenth place, but maintained their run of only one defeat in the last eight games and hoping that the funds can be found to bring in the extra quality that is required for United to mount a serious challenge for promotion.

United were again unchanged as they moved to the south coast to the miniscule Withdean Stadium home of Brighton and they trotted out to the cheers of 600 of their supporters, severely restricted by the less than 7,000 capacity of the ground. Woeful could describe many things about this fixture. The ground, the referee and United's display!

Two controversial dismissals, an own goal and horrendous weather conditions all helped towards Unite's downfall at the worst stadium they will ever have to visit for a League game. The ground could not be blamed for the disastrous defeat nor could it be blamed for the indiscipline showed by certain Leeds players. It was a woefully abject performance by both teams and the normally reliable United defence gift wrapped the three points and contrived to provide Brighton with enough chances to win the game. By the time Clarke Carlisle had headed beyond Neil Sullivan in the fifty-ninth minute United had already made many misplaced passes and hashed clearances to give Brighton chances their play did not deserve. Indeed if Clarke Carlisle had not got the unfortunate touch it is hard to believe that either side would ever have scored.

Late substitute Aaron Lennon did add some life but it was one of those games where the result was inevitable. The referee seemed intent on booking as many Leeds players as he could. Kelly was the first, after Carlisle took a swipe at a Brighton player right under the referee's nose. Sullivan got booked for telling him that he had made a stunning save as the referee pointed for a goal kick. Kilgallon was twice carded and sent off for two fifty-fifty challenges, while Butler managed to earn a yellow and a straight red within a space of sixty seconds apparently for swearing at the lineswoman. It earned him a two match ban and he would be missed, as he was United's best defender by a country mile. Sullivan earned his pay with a couple of fine saves, Walton, Gregan and Ormerod seemed to try, Carlisle, Kilgallon, Richardson, and Pugh were below their usual form and Kelly and Ricketts must have been ashamed to pick up their pay packet! United slipped to seventeenth position and appeared to be well out of contention, but after such a display they must have been watching over their shoulders at the teams below.

United were severely hit by suspensions and injuries and Ormerod was not allowed to play. So a much changed team lined up for the trip along the south coast to Portsmouth. Sullivan; Kelly, Carlisle, Walton, Pugh; Richardson, Gregan, Spring, Simon Johnson; Deane, Joachim. Lennon came on for Joachim on 72 minutes, Keogh made his debut as replacement for Gregan, four minutes from time while Ricketts took Johnson's place a minute later.

The threadbare United restored some pride after the abysmal efforts at Brighton a couple of days before, and tore into a complacent EPL outfit as if they were out to avenge memories of a 6-1 thrashing sustained on their last visit to Fratton Park. When Portsmouth roared into a two goal lead on the half hour the travelling faithful could have been forgiven for thinking that they were in for a repeat. Thankfully they were wrong and Kelly made up for his prevous inept performance by pulling on the captain's armband and giving a fine inspirational performance, to lead by example. He linked up well with Richardson, crossed well and was a constant source of encouragement to the younger players. His only disappointing moment was when he was adjudged to have brought down the Portsmouth player for their match-winning penalty. It could have gone either way but on this night it went against him. Brian Deane was also inspirational and revelled in the stream of crosses and was always a threat, while Gregan provided a calming influence in midfield. Pugh and Walton both playing in their normal positions for the first time and were happy and comfortable after voluntarily playing out of position so long.

Maybe United started too cautiously and paid Portsmouth too much respect as the weakened eleven was subjected to incessant pressure for the first twenty minutes. Sullivan had already pulled off two blinding saves before he was left exposed and Kamara scored from a narrow angle after fourteen minutes. United reorganized themselves and battled their way back into the contest. Deane had a header saved and another went narrowly over the bar as he revelled in a stream of fine crosses from Kelly, while Richardson hammered a low ball across the goal but there was no one to supply the finishing touch. Leeds were playing some nice football with Simon Johnson, Spring and Gregan featuring strongly, but it was the home side that went ahead 2-0 on the half hour with the debatable penalty. But United finished the half strongly and reduced the arrears five minutes before the break. It came from the source they had revelled in all night, as Kelly found space on the right, and Deane met the cross to head home his first goal since returning to Elland Road, to bring United back into the game. The tall striker also had the ball in the net again early in the second half only to be ruled out by the linesman's flag. Leeds continued to press and Richardson was incheswide, Simon Johnson forced the keeper to a desperate save and Taylor seemed to handle in the box when pressured by Richardson. Ricketts and Keogh were thrown on as United employed four strikers in an effort to improve the score-line but it was to no avail and United went down 2-1 but could not have fought harder.

There was a fine debut for David Healy, who made his debut after being finally signed from Preston North End for a reported £650,000. He replaced Julian Joachim to partner Brian Deane in the strike force, while Kilgallon returned to central defence after suspension with Walton moving back into midfield at the expense of Spring. The League leaders Wigan Athletic proved to be a class act with Bullard and Mahon running the show from midfield. The quality that oozed through the Wigan team as they eased to victory showed exactly what it takes to mount an effort at CCCL level and was a lesson for all those connected with Leeds United and gap between the haves and have nots was glaringly apparent.They showed all the hallmarks of a team destined to lift silverware and take the quantum leap into the EPL.

Leeds were far from disgraced, but were just simply outclassed by their ruthless opponents. United more than matched them in the first half but twoquick-fire goals early in the second half settled the match as a competition.The United weaknesses were clearly exposed. But, the Wigan midfield was much more expensively assembled and clearly had far more experience than their United counterparts. Only Gregan was able to match them in the experience stakes, while Richardson and Walton are playing out of position and still learning their trade, and Simon Johnson had never played left midfield before.

Healy and Deane linked up well, with Healy quite happy to act as provider when needed. Kilgallon, playing for the first time this season in his preferred central defensive position, was outstanding in defence, with good support from Clarke Carlisle, and they snuffed out the dual threat of Ellington and Roberts, who were the league's most prolific scorers, so they can take great heart from their efforts. Although out of position, Simon Johnson was the pick of the midfield and combined well with Healy to give the Irish striker the chance to test the keeper. Gregan was fairly ineffective after coming off second best in a challenge from McCulloch on the half hour and was nursing a hip injury for the rest of the match. The incident caused a flair up with Carlisle getting booked and he was fortunate to stay on the pitch minutes later when he hauled back Roberts. Wigan seemed to be content to shoot from distance and this proved no problem to a goalkeeper of Sullivan's calibre.

Wigan took the lead almost immediately as the second half started, when Alan Mahon pounced with a lethal left foot strike after some neat build up which saw Leeds caught short. United replied with Healy being denied by a superb save by Filan, but the visitors showed their strength on the counter attack and hit Leeds with a sucker punch. Roberts fed the impressive Bullard and with Pugh and Kelly chasing shadows, Bullard took it on before delivering a lethal finish past a helpless Sullivan. A quality finish and a signal of their clinically execution of the difference in class, as United now occupied sixteenth spot, and bizarre as it may seem in terms of where the two teams were two years ago they were now far behind the likes of Wigan in terms of financial muscle.

Off the field there was movement in the financial field as a USA based consortium of Nova Financial Partners and Sebastien Sainsbury were reported to have made a bid to take over the club, while present incumbents headed by Chairman Gerald Krasner say they have yet to see the colour of their money, while there was talk of yet another consortium waiting in the wings. Should the US bid prevail it was mooted that they would be making money available to Kevin Blackwell to bolster his team.

The apparent shambles that is fast becoming Leeds United transferred itself on to the pitch as United turned on an unacceptably bad performance against Burnley at Elland Road, who had started the evening in a lower position than them.

Watched by the would-be new Chairman Sebastien Sainsbury they could hardly have inspired his confidence in them. Even anyone not having football knowledge would have known that the product would be hard to market and in a store would probably rot on the shelf. The incumbent board appeared to have little confidence in him, and his US backing team, putting their money where their mouths were, and were presently negotiating with a local consortium led by Norman Stubbs.

Butler returned to central defence with Kilgallon moving to left back and Pugh up to left midfield, with Simon Johnson being omitted. Joachim replaced Richardson at right midfield while Jermaine Wright was fit again and replaced Walton. It was worrying that the result was achieved with what was, on paper, possibly United's strongest team. The team looked a shadow of the side that had ground out a series of good results at the start of the season and it was hard to imagine that a much weaker team had fought so hard to give the League's best team a real run for their money only a couple of days previously.

Only Jermaine Wright, Julian Joachim and David Healy showed any fight and came out of the game with any credit. It all should have been so different, when United got off to the best possible start as Jermaine Wright celebrated his return by scoring after only 12 seconds, with Kilgallon's long pass being knocked on by Healy, for Wright to lash the ball out of the reach of the Burnley keeper. Unfortunately the rest of the United team were just not at the races and the performance was undoubtedly the worst of the season.

There was barely ten minutes on the clock when Clarke Carlisle had an aberration and sold Neil Sullivan short with a back pass. Sullivan did his best to rescue the situation but to no avail. United seemed to go to pieces and constantly gave the ball away cheaply with misplaced passes and aimless balls forward and it came as no surprise that Burnley took the lead on the half hour. Burnley whipped the ball into the box and after Sullivan could only parry a header, Richard Duffy slotted the ball in from the narrowest of angles. The second goal did spark Leeds momentarily into life and Deane had a couple of headers saved, Joachim hit the woodwork and Wright had an angled drive saved by the keeper. Blackwell tried to change things around by going to three at the back, but Leeds could never get back into the contest and were lucky that Burnley did not increase their lead as they contrived to miss three excellent second half chances. The final whistle was greeted by boos and jeers from some supporters who had come to expect better than being humiliated by the likes of Burnley on their own pitch and found United in eighteenth place and struggling.

John Oster had been signed on loan from Sunderland and he went straight into the team in place of Kilgallon, playing on the right flank, with Healy on the left flank and Pugh dropping to left back for the visit to Deepdale and David Healy's quick return to play against his former employers, Preston North End.

United completed the double over their Lancastrian foes and, unrecognizable from embarrassing defeats to struggling Brighton and Burnley, turned on a power performance and give their most comprehensive display of the season to overwhelm the home team.

They produced a scintillating first half performance and were deservedly 3-0 to the good at the break. Two goals came from David Healy, less than two weeks after leaving Preston, and his contribution was outstanding as Leeds played the ball on the deck and moved it quickly. But it was not just the David Healy show, as there were outstanding displays all across the park. The back four were solid and formed the foundation which saw the midfield and forward line run riot. Gregan, a former Preston favourite, was given a standing ovation by the crowd as he took the field and was at the hub of a stronger, more experienced, United midfield, which allowed Wright and Walton to be more adventurous and it had been no coincidence that Jermaine Wright played far better when Gregan was behind him and it was he who ran the show in midfield. His passing and vision was excellent and it was he who created two of the four United goals.

Deane's height was used to good effect with Oster and Healy working the flanks to give United width. Two of the goals were from set pieces and straight from the training ground. The first came after just twelve minutes when Deane stooped at the far post to head home a Wright corner. Three minutes later it was 2-0, Pugh delivered a free-kick deep into the Preston box and, with Carlisle unsettling the Preston defence, Healy pounced to shoot the loose ball past the keeper. Leeds were playing superb football and went close as Deane headed a pinpoint Wright cross inches over. It got even better as, with Wright again thearchitect; he played a long ball forward to Healy who showed great composure to hold off a defender before delivering another lethal strike, just prior to the break.

Preston came out fired up for the second half and Cresswell reduced the arrears after fifty-four minutes but United weathered the storm and came back to grab a fourth after seventy-two minutes, when Oster's deep cross was beautifully laid back by Deane for Walton who scored from close range. Leeds United fan Cresswell did get a second for Preston seven minutes from time but it was too little too late and United cruised to a well deserved victory which saw United move up to fifteenth place.

After the game there was an embarrassing Radio spat between a present Director, Melvin Helme, and the would be future chairman Sebastien Sainsbury the gist of which was put up or shut up as the protracted talks were inconclusive.

It was reported on Friday 12th November that the club had announced that negotiations for the takeover by the American-backed consortium had ended after a 1pm deadline had passed and that Elland Road was to be sold under a sale and lease back deal. Mr Krasner also revealed that the club's board was in "advanced discussions" with a local consortium. United called a press conference at Elland Road that afternoon to clarify the latest developments in the Sainsbury takeover saga. A joint announcement by the club and Nova Financial Partners earlier in the week had stated that proof of funding had been established. Leeds's urgency for completion was prompted by the need to pay back the latest instalment of the loan owed by the current board to Jack Petchey, or trigger a £2 million penalty clause.

Mr Krasner said: "Leeds United can confirm that current negotiations for a takeover of the club have ceased with Nova Financial Partners. We can also confirm that today we are in the final stages of completing the sale and lease back of Elland Road." Mr Krasner, who said the sale of Elland Road should be finalised later that day, would not say how much the deal was worth but confirmed that it meant the loan owed by the board to Jack Petchey would be paid off in full. The Leeds board, fearing that the Nova deal might not go through, had also been in talks with a local consortium believed to be headed by local businessman Norman Stubbs. Mr Krasner said: "We are in advanced discussions with a local consortium which we hope to finish over the coming weeks."

United unsurprisingly were unchanged for the visit to Portman Road, home of second placed Ipswich Town.United could have won and should have drawn but lost 1-0, as a single scrappy goal settled an encounter which Leeds dominated for long periods and turned in a performance which made a mockery of the huge difference between the two teams in the league table. At the end of the game Ipswich shared top spot with Wigan and were undefeated in ten games, while Leeds sank to nineteenth and had won just one game of the last five. It would have been hard for a neutral to decide which was the side riding high in the League and which was on its knees at the bottom, but Leeds, apart from a twenty minutes spell in the second half either side of the decisive goal dominated the contest. They created plenty of opportunities, particularly in the first half and their display could have been said to be better than their display in the same stanza at Preston given the relative positions of Preston and Ipswich. The vital difference was that they hit the net three times at Preston but in this case could not register a legal score. A couple of marginal offside decisions proved decisive, while the Ipswich keeper made several good saves to thwart them.

Gregan was in fine form and was United's outstanding player but there was a subdued and substandard display from Jermaine Wright on his first return to his former club, which was marked by a rough ride from his former fans who turned on their former favourite. It clearly affected his play and while keeping Ipswich danger-man Horlock relatively quiet for long periods he made a rash challenge on Wilnis, as his frustrations got the better of him, and he was replaced by Joachim after seventy-four minutes. Gregan broke up play well and his distribution was first class. He was the platform on which Leeds built attack after attack. David Healy and John Oster were again key figures on the flanks, causing trouble throughout, while Walton provided good support down the middle for Brian Deane. It was the positive approach shown by United and if it could be repeated they would collect more points than they would drop. Indeed it took only fifty-five seconds before they had the ball in the net, but the effort was ruled offside. Gregan started the move which Deane knocked on and Healy showedgreat natural instinct to rattle the ball wide of the keeper. The dreaded flag was up in the air again moments later when Walton and Oster combined to send Healy en route for goal. Oster had an effort beaten away by the keeper, who was again on hand to stop a looping header from Gregan from finding the net. Ipswich offered little in reply and it was 35 minutes before Sullivan was called into action as Bent headed straight into his hands.

Ipswich switched tactics in the second half to match those of Leeds and with three up front they had their best spell, which featured the only goal of the game. There was a bad misunderstanding between Kelly and Carlisle, and Bent took advantage to score the only goal of the game, six minutes into the second half. Sullivan made a valiant attempt to stop it and it was debatable whether he had control of the ball when Bent kicked the ball out of his hands. The goal rattled Leeds and it took them a while to regain their composure but could have stolen the game as substitute Joachim headed down a Pugh corner, but after a neat turn, Deane was unable to apply the finishing touch from close range and the keeper spread himself well to save.

United were again unchanged, despite rumours that they were in the market for Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry, for the visit of Queens Park Rangers to Elland Road. The hapless visitors went away on the receiving end of a 6-1 drubbing. It was a result that has been long coming after some fine performances for little reward against classy opposition. Brian Deane, who had spent much of the season ploughing a lone furrow up front for scant reward, was finally rewarded for his perseverance, while his team-mates also rose to the occasion by turning in their most complete display to date. It was a surreal afternoon, Deane even had a further goal disallowed and had picked up the match ball by half-time with his first hat-trick in a Leeds shirt, but it should not have been surprising given the United recent performances.

United now had quality in abundance and though consistency would be the key, they had now strung together three consecutive displays where they had looked lively, inventive and creative. Quite rightly, Deane would take the plaudits for his goal-scoring feat, but the other scorers Healy and Wright also turned in high-quality performances. Healy’s finish for the first goal on nine minutes was pure class. Wright got the third goal after twenty-three minutes and it was fitting reward for his tenacity after a substandard performance at Ipswich and he revelled in the open spaces of Elland Road and with his neat touches and quick-thinking he was back to his best. Oster had really impressed in the three games since arriving on loan and had provided the width required for United to play with a three pronged attack. He had the rare ability to beat his man for pace and skill and if he progressed at present rate he would no doubt be signed permanently. Walton and Gregan were also key players as United pummeled high flying Rangers into submission.

Complete team performances are rare, but this was just about as good as it gets. After conceding a goal in less than two minutes Leeds went on the rampage and rattled five past their bewildered opponents before half time. When Healy produced an exquisite finish after good work by Kelly and Deane to level the scores no one would have suspected the massacre that was to follow. United went ahead on thirteen minutes when Walton back-heeled to Wright and Deane was on hand to convert the cross from close range. Ten minutes later Deane headed towards the box and a Rangers defender could only help it towards goal and Wright reacted quickly to poke the ball home at the second attempt. Rangers were in disarray and United were on the warpath and wrapped up the game with two goals in a minute just before half-time. The first came when Deane finished off a move involving Oster and Wright and then the big striker completed his hat-trick by converting a Kelly cross.

The second half was always going to be an anti-climax and when Healy missed a penalty following a foul on Walton it seemed the crowd's cries of "We want six" were going to be ignored. But Deane answered their call when he was on hand to capitalize on a defensive error. The result could have been wider but 6-1 was good enough as United edged up into seventeenth position.

Once again United were able to field an unchanged team for the visit of Watford to Elland Road. The expected deal for Shaun Derry fell through, embarrassingly after United had paid for his medical, and there was talk of boardroom unrest but potential investor Norman Stubbs is due to return from a Caribbean holiday and things could be resolved. After the run of good form culminating in the 6-1 thrashing of Queens Park Ranger expectations were high and it was once again the case of "after the Lord Mayor's Show" as United were lucky to scramble a 2-2 draw. United twice came from behind but it was a game that neither teams deserved to lose. United played some good football at times but paid a heavy price for their generosity after twice handing Watford the lead.

After nine minutes no one picked up Dyer as he headed in at the far post and in the seventy-first minute the visitors second was right out of the "how not to defend" manual. Pugh sold Gregan short with a bad pass which left him in difficulties, he compounded the problem by trying to play a shocking back pass to the keeper which hit Butler and was cannoned straight into the path of Dyer, who did not look a gift horse in the mouth. In Gregan's defence it was his only mistake in an otherwise good personal performance as he patrolled in front of the back four, in a game where the forwards took the eye and defences looked anything but stable. United were very generous in the firsttwenty minutes and allowed Watford to create several good chances, and before the goal Sullivan had already pulled off a fine save to deny Chambers and after the goal made a fine stop from close range to thwart Dyer. Midway through the half United came to life and equalized on twenty-one minutes as Deane held up a long ball from Butler and Wright was on hand to thump the ball home. Deane was again the key figure but unlike in the previous fixture he was unable to get his nameon the score-sheet. Oster was the chief provider with a stream of crosses and Wright turned in his usual impressive, hard working performance to be the pick of the Leeds team.

In the first half Gregan went close as the keeper pushed his effort over the bar but the second half was not so impressive with Healy having a header brilliantly saved by the keeper before Dyer was handed the gift wrapped goal with less than twenty minutes to go. It looked as if Watford would take the full points but three minutes before the final whistle the industrious Wright sent a pinpoint cross for Clarke Carlisle to head in at the far post to give United a deserved draw. It moved them up to fifteenth on the ladder.

There were two team changes for the visit to Millmoor and bottom of the table Rotherham United, who were still looking for their first win after twenty games. Kilgallon replaced Pugh at left back and Ricketts came in for Deane up front.

The turmoil off the field continued with Sebastien Sainsbury returning to make a bid of his own, but like his bid with the American Consortium the Directors thought it was "A Mickey Mouse" bid and placed no faith in it, they seemed more interested in the Norman Stubbs bid. A tirade from Gerald Krasner was seen live on Sky prior to the kick off when he was interviewed on the matter. He was very scathing in his appraisal of the bid and said they were wasting his time as they could not be relied on. Not the sort of thing to fill the fans with expectation of future stability. So not only did they become the victims of the first side to lose to Rotherham but became the unwanted victims of yet another smear campaign after Sebastien Sainsbury reappeared with rank bad timing to make yet another of his offers to "buy" the club. The off field uncertainty, created by a man who had already broken promise after promise, was bad enough,but the result was just plain embarrassing.

It was made worse as Leeds totally outplayed Rotherham for the majority of the game and yet failed to beat a team that was within four games of gaining the unwanted mantel of the Football League's all time record for consecutive games without a victory. Rotherham showed why they had such a bad record and really didn't look capable of stopping the run and in truth United should have won by an avalanche of goals. They battered Rotherham from the off and could have been 3-0 up before the crowd had time to sit down. Clarke Carlisle hit the woodwork three times in the first six minutes and such was United's speed of the early passing and movement that it looked like there could only be one outcome. Carlisle limped off in the fifteenth minute he was replaced by Richardson who took the left back spot with Matthew Kilgallon taking the vacant spot in central defence, but still United attacked incessantly and it was men against boys.

David Healy was the standout and never stopped, while Simon Walton was always a problem bursting forward from midfield. Kelly and Oster linked up well and Rotherham simply could not handle the constant surge forward. However United couldn't maintain that pace and after not being able to score before the hour mark anxiety set in. The speed and intensity waned although Healy was still threatening. Ricketts slowly drifted out of the clash and as the clock wound down Leeds became increasingly sloppy in possession and started to give the ball away and the amount of pressure on the Rotherham goal subsided. Ricketts should have converted a Healy centre and there was no one on hand to put in an Oster cross. The longer it went the more worried United and their fans became.

After seventy-seven minutes the inevitable happened. The Leeds defence allowed Barker to back heel across goal in a rare Rotherham attack and McIntosh was on hand to rifle the ball home from close range. United then responded by throwing men forward. Joachim came on for Walton and Butler pushed up as they became increasingly desperate as Rotherham got every player back in defence. The final whistle came and a broken and despondent United trooped off with heads bowed and totally demoralized. They slipped to sixteenth.

Deane returned in place of Ricketts as United faced Leicester City at Elland Road and once again there was another match where they promised much but achieved little. The off field problems and uncertainty, the talk of takeovers, cash flow and potential administration seemed to not only affect the players but also the fans mindsets as the fans, albeit a minority, turned on the players and vented their anger at another show of how to lose a football match without really trying.

They had plenty of possession, plenty of effort, domination in patches against a very average side but ended up once again with nothing to show for their efforts. Two soft goals gifted victory to Leicester and they tumbled to their fourth home defeat of the season. Leicester took the lead two minutes into the second half when United had several chances to clear their lines and failed to do so and paid the price. There appeared to be a blatant hand ball by a Leicester player, which was missed by the referee, but that could not be offered as an excuse for bad defending. The second goal was even more calamitous. An innocuous cross from Gillespie was met by Kelly, who, instead of clearing, headed it past his surprised keeper to score a goal that most strikers would have been proud of. That was in the seventy-seventh minute and it killed off the game for United and the fans voiced their disapproval of the woeful defending. Just as at Rotherham they had played some neat football early on, carved out good openings, failed to take any of them, then lost their grip and became anxious and finally conceded goals from defensive failures and became more desperate and wilder in their attempts to retrieve the game. As they chased the game Healy and Oster had to drop deeper and deeper in search of the ball and Deane, who missed one gilt-edged chance in the second half, was left to plough a lone furrow upfront. The more the game wore on the more the midfield struggled and as Gregan started to struggle so did his collegues as most moves had started with him. Healy had gone close in the first half but the Leicester defence marshalled by Dion Dublin held the United forwards in check. Healy was also unlucky to have the ball in the net after nineteen minutes but it was ruled out for offside. The keeper also made a blinding save to deny Oster. United also had two penalty appeals turned down. Several headers went narrowly wide and Carlisle had a header blocked on the line and Butler also went close. It mattered little as the scoreboard said 0-2 and United slipped to nineteenth on the ladder.

With takeover and investment talks moving at a slow pace D-Day was looming ever closer for the Elland Road club. The next crucial date was 15th December 2004 when £ 1 million was due to the Inland Revenue. If United failed to meet the payment the Inland Revenue could be able to consider their options and could take the first steps of putting the club into administration. This would have entailed issuing a statutory notice of non-payment followed by a formal winding up petition against the club. The whole procedure could take up to eight weeks and there would have to be proof to the courts that the club could not pay its debts. Leeds still owed the Inland Revenue £4 million in staggered payments and administration could lead to the restructuring of that and other debts. Creditors usually favour a period of administration as they usually feel they have more chance of getting their money back.

Elland Road had been sold to Jacob Adler and was subject to a twenty-five year leaseback agreement, under the terms of the agreement the club had to pay the first three months rent upfront. Unless an investment deal was struck soon the spectre of administration was an issue that would not leave Leeds United alone, and, while ever it remained a possibility the uncertainty would remain with the club.

Bricks and Mortar had been sold, training pitches had been disposed of on a sale/leaseback basis, staffing had been reduced, costs had been slashed and many players had been offloaded. Most of the money raised had gone in servicing debt, particularly after the long-term season ticket did not find popularity. Since then United had been at a virtual standstill. They were currentlyin talks with one group of investors in the hope of avoiding administration. The Norman Stubbs Consortium, the group closest to completing a deal, were determined to come up with a rescue passage. They were in the throes of questioning the club's financial position before formalizing the offer. The Accountants were expected to play a key role as it would not make sense to "throw good money after bad" from the investors' point of view. It could cost £10 million to safeguard the long-term future of the club, which had no tangible assets. United insisted that the deal was making progress and remained confident about their chances of securing the investment.

The American Consortium of Nova initially offered a way out, until they failed to offer firm proof that they had the £25 million available to pump into the cash deficient club. London-based Sebastien Sainsbury was still hovering in the background amid claims that he was about to launch a rescue bid, but the entrepreneur might have found that, even if he conjured up the funds, £25 million may not have been enough to achieve his aims of buying back Elland Road and Thorpe Arch and still have had left enough disposable cash to lift the business.

Chairman Krasner was defiant that Leeds wouldn't fall into administration but unless a substantial investment was secured in the near future the consequences were dire. Should administration happen the scenario was that Leeds would lose ten points, in accordance with the new Football League Rules, and the club would be immediately plunged into a relegation battle. The administrators would assume control of the club, the first step being a creditors' meeting to discuss the proposals under which the club have been placed in administration. The ultimate aim of the administrators would be to sell the club as a going concern, providing the majority of the creditors approve the proposals. The administratorwould be responsible for the day-to-day running of the club, coupled with the search for investment to safeguard the longer term future of the business. Administration would continue for as long as the courts believed it was necessary.

Kilgallon moved across to replace Carlisle in central defence with Richardson coming in at left back while Pugh replaced young Walton in midfield for United's visit to the Boleyn Grounds at Upton Park, home of West Ham United. There was a late, late penalty from David Healy to secure United a point with almost the last kick of the game. It was only justice as United had previously seen two blatant penalties waved away. Equally West Ham could have felt aggrieved once and for once luck shone on United. The goal was just reward for United who had been more than a match for a team who occupy the upper echelon of the league and were being strongly tipped for promotion. It was vital that after winning only two from ten and losing two on the trot that United restored their fortunes before the Christmas games. United stuck to the system that had won against Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End and served them well against Ipswich, Watford and Rotherham and here again they looked strong and took the initiative.

Danny Pugh had a cross deflected to safety and Healy saw a shot parried by the keeper before being thwarted again by the keeper as he tried a chip. Brian Deane also had a good opportunity when he took advantage of a poor back-pass but his curling chip shot hit the top of the bar before bouncing to safety. Danny Pugh was hauled down by Anton Ferdinand just on half-time but the first blatant penalty was not acknowledged by the referee. At the other end Harewood miscued a header which cannoned off Kilgallon for Chadwick to score from close range after fifty minutes. Leeds played good football and made good build-ups on the floor rather than looking to the aerial presence of Deane. However as the game progressed the familiar anxiety set in, as Deane fired wide from close range after good work by Healy. They were denied a penalty when McMaster's cross was clearly handled by Powell in the box. Again the referee didn't see the incident. The Leeds players were about to complain to the referee when Healy took a tumble under pressure from Lomas and the referee pointed to the spot. It was just reward as Kilgallon stood out in defence ably assisted by Butler while Gregan, Pugh and Healy were the pick of the rest. United's position improved slightly to eighteenth as a result.

United were unchanged for the visit of Millwall to Elland Road and let a valuable win slip from their grasp. Jody Morris, who had failed to score in an eight month stint with United, wrecked United's hopes when he stepped up to convert a penalty with three minutes to go. To make matters worse he went on a long celebratory run taunting the home crowd with his hand cupped to his ear, in clear reference to the hostile reception he had received on his Elland Road return. It created a volatile atmosphere and later there were clashes in the streets between rival fans and police, as sounds of hatred filled the streets around the ground. It was an ill-deserved goal, as Leeds had been by far the better team, but as usual had failed to deliver the knock out blow. It was once again the old familiar scenario of Leeds dominating and then throwing the game away late in the game after they became frustrated by their inability to convert their many chances.

John Oster, who was by far United's best player, had given them the lead two minutes before the break with his first goal for the club. David Healy, Brian Deane and Frazer Richardson all went near to getting the crucial second goal but either could not hit the target or were thwarted by the keeper. Millwall were a physical side, who passed the ball well but they were totally unable to exert either of those skills on a game in which they were clearly second best. Butler and Kilgallon were buttresses in defence while Gregan had a good game in front of the back four. Kelly and Richardson often pressed forward and caused problems while Danny Pugh was his usual busy self in midfield, but Wright looked tired and jaded and was United's weak link. Oster caused mayhem all game and he was the main danger to Millwall while Healy posed problems on the left and Deane was his usual aerial presence while Sullivan had little to worry about in goal.

In the second half Oster had a low drive saved, Healy had a shot on the turn which flew narrowly wide while Richardson hit a curling shot from 25 yards which was diverted for a corner. The penalty was the killer as Ifill took a tumble in the box under pressure from Kelly. After United profiting from a fifty-fifty decision at West Ham this week it was their turn to accept the referees fine line decision that had dire consequences.

The goal was greeted by groans from the frustrated home crowd and United had now won only two of the last thirteen League matches and with Gregan and Walton picking up their fifth bookings the side was likely to be depleted in the near future, but they were six points above the drop zone and ten off the play-off spots in nineteenth position, but anything could happen, in a Division where each team could defeat the others on a given day. Nothing could be taken for granted.

United travelled to the Stadium of Light for their encounter with high-flying Sunderland, without the services of the suspended Gregan and Walton and on loan Oster unable to play against his present employers, with Lennon and Spring deputizing. After weeks of playing well and not getting the results United were finally rewarded with a 3-2 victory. Although threadbare and young United showed more enterprise and ability than their hosts and for the first time in weeks they got the result their endeavours deserved. They also won against the odds and again suffered on the wrong end of a dubious penalty.

Aaron Lennon gave United the lead on the half hour when he scored his first senior goal converting coolly after good work from Deane and Healy. The penalty came just two minutes before half time when Spring was adjudged to have pushed Whitehead. Spring certainly raised his hand but Whitehead seemed to go to ground far too easily. So it was all square at the break, but United had been by far the better team. It came as no surprise when Deane rose majestically to head home a Healy cross just on the hour mark. It was a fitting reward as he was a constant cause of panic for Sunderland with ex-Leeds player Caldwell and Breen just unable to cope with his presence. Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon were dominant at the back and it was fifty-three minutes before Sunderland threatened the Leeds goal from open play. Kelly and Richardson were strong at the back and Jermaine Wright adapted well to Gregan’s position just in front of the back four and Pugh and Spring were industrious in the box-to-box midfield work. Out wide Lennon and Healy had far too much pace for the sluggish Sunderland backs and were always dangerous but Deane was the star and a nightmare for the Sunderland rearguard.

All in all it would be unfair to single out any players as it was United's most complete performance of the season. Joachim came on as substitute for Lennon after seventy-eight minutes and was soon in the action and put the icing on the cake when he hammered home after good work by Wright. Ricketts replaced Deane with four minutes to go and there was also a debut for Martin Woods who replaced Healy almost on full time. Arca converted a curling free-kick deep into injury time but the score flattered Sunderland who were by far the inferior team. So at last United had achieved an outstanding victory, which only served to emphasise the relative closeness of the Division where form changed on a week to week basis, but for now it edged United up to sixteenth place.

Gregan was back in place of Spring in his usual position in front of the back four with Wright pushing further up in midfield as United completed a double over Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road.It was their first home win since November and gave them the maximum six points from the Christmas fixtures.

The 34,500 crowd was swelled by 1,500 Plymouth fans that, incredibly, had made the long journey from Devon and they urged their favourites on but while some might argue they deserved something for their gutsy performance it was fitting that United should get the points as they had not profited from several recent good performances. Having said that, the United performance was nowhere near the class which they had shown in those previous encounters and they had to scrap and slug their way and it was a reward for them and their fans that the emerged victorious.

There were times when the midfield struggled and lost possession in vital areas, but they stuck at it and in the end prevailed as they showed character and will to win in abundance. Plymouth flooded the midfield with five men and this made it difficult for United to get their 'Sunderland aces' wing combination of Lennon and Healy and aerial threat Deane into the game. It did not make for pretty viewing and the first half ranked with the worst for the season.

United's hopes sank as the injured Deane did not reappear after the break and was replaced by the diminutive Joachim. It was one of those games where you wonder if a goal will ever come. It did in the first minute of the second half as Richardson fed Healy and his low cross was bundled into the net by hapless defender Gilbert and served to ease the tension. Danny Pugh, who had crawled out of his sickbed to turn in another hard-working performance, played in Healy, who in turn played an inch perfect pass for the arriving Jermaine Wright, who had timed his run to perfection to beat the off side but watched in amazement as his shot hit the inside of the post and bounced to safety. The near miss seemed to stir Plymouth and it was United's turn to defend as Argyle surged forward in search of an equaliser. United, with Wright and Pugh dropping back to supplement the defence ensured that Argyle found the route to goal securely locked. With memories of conceding a late goal against Millwall still fresh in their memories United did not panic and were rewarded with an excellent goal from Healy, who latched on to a long through ball and being played onside by an injured prostrateArgyle defender he scored with a sublime chip from 30 yards just before full time. Six minutes into injury time Plymouth reduced the arrears but it came too late and United moved up to fourteenth place nine points off the play off spot and nine above the drop zone. Butler was a rock in defence but all the defence had good games in another all round team performance.

So ended a year, that United would sooner forget, whether it be on or off the field, unfortunately the instability off the field had also been reflected by inconsistent performances on it. Truly it was a year to forget.

There was a debut for loan signing from Leicester City, striker Nathan Blake, in place of the injured Brian Deane and a place on the substitute bench and an half hour run for Icelandic international signing Gylfi Einarsson, who has had to wait since October for his clearance from Norwegian club Lillestrom, against Crewe Alexandra at Elland Road. Any hope of stringing together a reasonable run was spoilt as the visitors went away 2-0 victors leaving United to ponder why once again they had lost a match which they had dominated.

Crewe packed their midfield and frustrated United but it was the home team that dominated and had the bulk of the chances. Aaron Lennon seemed to carry all United’s attacking hopes on his young shoulders, as Healy and Blake were largely subdued. There were several scouts at the game and it could not have done his future playing prospects any harm, but it does raise the spectrum of losing young stars like himself, Simon Walton, Frazer Richardson, Danny Pugh, Matthew Kilgallon and even Scott Carson who may be sold to ease the financial burden. Lennon was the only danger Crewe faced and he time and again breezed past Crewe defenders only to see no takers for his crosses or the keeper equal to his shots on goal. In fact Crewe were deeply indebted to their keeper, Clayton Ince, who was their star performer and saved them on countless occasions.

Crewe opened the scoring in the sixteenth minute when Lunt, who had a fine game in midfield, sent a corner right on to the head of the unmarked Dean Ashton who had the space to convert at the near post. It was a bad goal to give away but Leeds rallied. Healy had a shot deflected to safety, Pugh volleyed wide and Lennon had a shot saved by the keeper as Crewe pulled nine and ten players back to defend their lead with disciplined defence. Lennon again went close after the interval and Pugh almost got on the end of one of the youngsters crosses, but it was Crewe who scored next and it just about killed off the game as a contest. The home defence failed to deal with an Ashton flick-on from a Lunt free-kick and Rivers made no mistake as he rammed the ball into the net.

Lennon, Kilgallon and Richardson attempted to inject some life to the later proceedings but even the introduction of Einarrson had no effect on the Crewe defence or the score-sheet. Einarsson replaced the ineffective Pugh on sixty-two minutes and Wright, who also had had a shocker, was finally replaced by Walton after seventy-two minutes. To make matters worse Paul Butler received his second yellow card of the day when he hauled down Varney and the consequent red meant that he would miss the next two games. Simon Walton rattled the bar in the dying moments and Healy forced Ince to a last-minute save to keep his goal intact as United stayedfourteenth but had again lowered their flag to inferior opposition.

United fielded their youngest side yet, as some changes were forced and others were positional, as they visited Highfield Road, home of Coventry City. Gary Kelly was replaced by Simon Walton, with Richardson switching to right back and Pugh going to left-back and Walton into his place in midfield. Clarke Carlisle came into central defence for the suspended Paul Butler. They finished the festive season on a high note with another fine victory, as United completed another double at their expense.

After their poor showing against Crewe the strikers and midfield had plenty to prove, and this they did with a much enhanced performance. Blake and Healy buzzed with renewed vigour and each was rewarded with fine strikes. The only downside was the dismissal of Clarke Carlisle after being twice debatably shown a yellow card. His dismissal sparked a desperate rearguard action in the last few minutes as Coventry searched for an equalizer. United dictated play for three-quarters of the game and were far more convincing winners than the 2-1 score-line suggested.

Sullivan was almost redundant; the central defensive partnership of Carlisle and Kilgallon was tremendous while Richardson and Pugh were neat and tidy and snuffed out any threat down the flanks. Gregan was commanding in front of the back-four. Walton worked tirelessly, and he and Wright showed neat touches. Lennon was very tricky on the right and seemed to cause all teams trouble with his pace and crosses. Blake was a strong presence and became a firm fan favourite when, in the twenty-eighth minute, he hit a real net-buster to open the scoring with his first goal for the club. He was so pleased with the strike that he wanted to hug everyone in the ground but the referee booked him before he had completed the first few rows. The referee had a penchant for flashing the yellow cards at any remote opportunity, and this was to be Carlisle's problem later in the game, as he booked players with little provocation, but gay abandon. United doubled their lead after the hour mark as Healy struck. Blake and Richardson were involved in some lovely build-up play before Wright intelligently fed Healy who cut inside a back-pedalling defender and bent a left-footed shot beyond the reach of the diving keeper.

This raised chants from the home crowd for the dismissal of their former Leeds boss Peter Reid. Not content with that they greeted the introduction of former Coventry favourite Julian Joachim for Blake in the seventy-eighth minute by vicious booing, which he answered in the best possible way, with two superb runs just to show what he is capable of. The home fans did respond when in the late flurry they had a glimmer of hope when they scored eight minutes from time after a corner was not cleared. The glimmer became larger as Carlisle was sent off two minutes later and United hung on grimly for the remaining six minutes and the inevitable injury time and Sullivan finally had to earn his wages with a fine save in the dying minutes.

It was United's third double of the season, a rare occurrence in recent seasons, but they stayed in fourteenth position and were happy to get three wins out of the last four.

In the FA Cup there was a visit to St Andrews to play EPL Club Birmingham City in the Third Round Tie. With the absence from suspension of both Butler and Carlisle, there was a return to the team for Michael Duberry, and Gary Kelly also returned with Richardson switching to left back and Pugh dropping to the bench. United slipped quietly out of the competition at the first hurdle for the third time in four years after failing to recover from a string of early set backs. They gifted two early goals and were never in the race after that, and try as they may, it was men against boys. The youngsters gave all they had and substitute Danny Pugh, Richardson and Kilgallon all had fine games against far more experienced opponents. The damage was done early in the game and by the time Duberry had limped out of the game after twenty-two minutes they were already 2-0 down and had to make their second reshuffle as Blake had already ruptured a hamstring and been replaced by Joachim minutes earlier, and now Pugh took Duberry's place as Gregan was pulled back into central defence with Pugh in midfield. United had hardly settled down before they found themselves chasing the game. Heskey tookadvantage of the Leeds defence being all at sea to chip Sullivan in the eleventh minute.

The second soon followed when Duberry, who had been recalled from a loan spell at Stoke City, was dispossessed in the middle of the field and Birmingham had a clear path to goal. It was to be Duberry's final game for Leeds and on his woeful presence in this game and his previous effort at Sheffield United he would not be missed. Although United battled well and often tested the Birmingham keeper there was always the impression that the hosts always had something in reserve and in the end, while Leeds possessed the hardest workers,Birmingham had the extra class that decided the tie. It was a different Leeds after the departure of Duberry as his replacement Danny Pugh totally revitalized United and maybe he was out to prove that he should have been in the starting eleven.

Healy, Kilgallon and Walton all had chances in the first half while the Birmingham Keeper Taylor pulled off a stunning double save to deny Richardson and Joachim early in the second half. He also stood tall to block a Lennon volley on the hour mark, but United were made to pay for their profligacy when Morrison provided Carter with the chance to score his second five minutes later. Later Wright and Lennon both went close but it was always going to be a bridge too far and Birmingham ran out 3-0 winners but the score flattered them.

Butler returned from suspension in place of Duberry, Joachim took the place of the injured Blake and Pugh regained his midfield spot as Gregan was ill and Wright slipped back into Gregan's place in front of the back four as United entertained Cardiff City at Elland Road. There was also a place on the bench for loan signing Leandre Griffit from Southampton, but he did not get a run.

It should have been a routine victory against a team sitting in the bottom four but it ended with United clinging on to secure a point. United ripped Cardiff apart for almost half an hour with some very entertaining football but then slowly lost their way as the game progressed and another controversial penalty handed Cardiff the opportunity to score a deserved equalizer. Simon Walton scored his first ever League goal at Elland Road after just fourteen minutes when he finished off a lovely move involving both Lennon and Healy and Leeds were in early control. That was as good as it got and, after threatening a rout and playing some great football, United slowly found themselves pegged back in a game they should have gone on to dominated. Wright, Pugh and Walton gradually lost the midfield and faded badly, while Lennon too was clearly not up to it and was replaced by Carlisle after 57 minutes. Six minutes earlier, Cardiff had drawn level from the penalty spot. It came in controversial fashion as Langley nudged the ball too far past Sullivan and then took a tumble over the keeper's body and hit the deck. Thorne gratefully accepted the gift and scored from the spot. It changed the complexion of the game and United really lost the plot from there on and it was only the visitors who looked capable of claiming the three points. Thorne had a couple of attempts to test Sullivan, Collins went close from a set piece and Inamoto brought out the best in Sullivan with an audacious chip from distance. United were solid in defence throughout and they formed a wall which never looked like being breached and the fans were left to ponder whether it had been a valuable point gained or two precious points dropped as United maintained fourteenth spot.

There was talk of administration and the possible deduction of ten points which, if implemented, would put United right in the relegation dogfight. On the financial front there was talk of Alan Leighton emerging as a key figure in the Leeds United rescue bid. While some might view this akin to putting Dracula in charge of the Blood Bank there was talk of him being part of the Norman Stubbs consortium according to some sources. Leighton supposedly tabled a bid for the club eleven months previous and this would be his second time of stepping out of the shadows to mount a rescue package for United. He had been Deputy Chairman under previous regimes and was seen to be just as deeply implicated in the financial mismanagement as Ridsdale and others even more so when taking into account his fiduciary duty to maintain a watch over his co-directors. Leighton was involved during the clubs heady days of just three years ago but stepped down the previous December supposedly to mount a rescue bid. It never eventuated and some thought that it was mainly a cover to backslide away from the crisis in the same way as his former Co-Directors. The Stubbs consortium met to decide if they would press ahead with their investment package. The group had completed the due diligence procedure but were concerned about the club's precarious financial position and whether £11 million would be enough to secure the long term future. Leighton was one of four investors in the group, who would be putting their own money in and the meeting was expected to prove crucial in deciding the club's future. Experts in the field were reported to have warned the group against investing and if they proceeded they could need the assistance of the main creditors to ease the burden. The current debt stood at around £25 million but would rise again should there be any default on any further payments. Payments due to the Inland Revenue for PAYE and VAT were overdue. Indeed the Inland Revenue could have put a winding-up order on the club after it defaulted on a £1.2 million payment during the previous month. The American Bondholders were thought to be due for a payment in the next month. Leeds had appealed to former managers and players, who were owed money to come to a revised agreement in order to help the investment procedure. It was believed that United still owed £8 million in football debts. The Stubbs consortium could also have sought the backing of leading figures in the city in the hope of securing further investment to bridge the gap between their ready cash and the amount required. Failure to come to an agreement within the next forty-eight hours would have left the club on the brink of administration. Chairman Gerald Krasner had admitted that the prospect of calling in the administrators was a real threat if an investment deal could not be secured, but it was also thought that they could still have kept the wolves from the door. The current board signed a "whitewash agreement" when they took control of the club undertaking that the club would remain solvent for a minimum of twelve months. Some financial experts believed that, without further investment, administration was inevitable. Administration would have seen the club docked ten league points under the new League rules and this would have put United deep in the relegation battle as they would have slipped into the bottom three should the deduction have become fact.

One week previous, Sainsbury, who was believed to have investors ready to back a £25 million takeover of the Championship club, had said: "I can confirm a meeting took place last Thursday with Ken Bates during which a potential investment was discussed". Bates had added: "I have been linked with so many clubs and if they were all true it would take it up to thirty-eight. I cannot help what these people say. It is utter rubbish."

So maybe Mr Sainsbury was more than a little surprised when Bates swiftly moved in to make a bid which the Leeds Board accepted while disregarding the other bids from himself and other consortiums. Ken Bates, the former owner of Chelsea, made a remarkable return to football as chairman of Leeds United, insisting that he wanted to lead the club back to their former glories and relished "one more challenge".

Bates, 73, bought a fifty per cent stake in the club for £10 million. He headed a four-strong board which also included Peter Lorimer, the Leeds legend, who continued in his role as director and point of contact for the fans. The takeover should have eliminated the threat of administration for Leeds, who were top of the Premiership as recently as three years previous. Bates ended a ten-month exile from football after leaving Chelsea, which he had sold to Roman Abramovich for £17 million. Bates said "I'm delighted to be stepping up to the mantel at such a fantastic club. I recognise Leeds United are a great club that have fallen on hard times.We have a lot of hard work ahead of us to get the club back to where it belongs in the Premiership and with the help of the fans, who have stuck by the club through thick and thin, we're going to do everything in our power to ensure that happens. Our first task will be to put short, medium and long-term plans in place to secure the financial future of the club and thesewill include buying back, in due course, Elland Road and Thorp Arch. Fans could then ensure that no would-be property developer will be able to end the playing of football at Elland Road."

Former chairman Gerald Krasner was forced to sell Elland Road and the Thorp Arch training ground last year to Manchester-based property developer Jacob Adler to ease the club's debts. Leeds were eight points off the play-offs but Bates did not want promotion in the current season. "I'm not sure whether getting to the play-offs is realistic or not but I wouldn't like us to get promoted this season" he said. "If you go up too soon you only come down again. Maybe if we can win promotion in the next couple of seasons, establish ourselves in the Premiership, get a top six place and go back into Europe." Bates also reassured Manager Kevin Blackwell about his future; saying "He has got a contract until the end of next season, so I'll tell him to go out and prove himself. He has had a difficult job to do. I'm not looking to bring anyone in and I will help him however I can."

Bates also paid tribute to Krasner and his fellow directors who had assumed control in March 2004. "Gerald Krasner and his team have performed miracles by reducing the club's debts from £103 million a year ago to a present figure of £21 million. Obviously, everything has had to be sold," Bates added. "Though the old Board have done eighty per cent of the work they needed someone else to finish off the job. We have bought the shares in the club for a nominalconsideration and now it's a question of working capital. It's no exaggeration to say Leeds are very hard up. It's going to be a tough job and the first task is to stabilise the cash flow and sort out the remaining creditors. But there is light at the end of a very long tunnel. For the past year it has been a matter of fire-fighting - now we can start running the club again. Among the existing debts are £8 million owed to former managers and players.

"This is a good day for Leeds United which dispels all the rumours," said Blackwell, who was appointed last May. "What I will say is that I've just started building something here and I hope I get a chance to finish it." So hopefully there had now been a return to stable financial responsibility and the Manager, Coaching Staff, and players could concentrate on football.

Ken Bates ushered in a new Elland Road era by declaring: "Today is the first day of a new Leeds United." The former Chelsea Chairman staved off the threat of administration when his United rescue package was finalised in the early hours of today. Bates becomes United Chairman with immediate effect and former Chelsea Finance Director Yvonne Todd, his lawyer Mark Taylor and Elland Road legend Peter Lorimer are all on the new-look Board. Bates said: "Today is the first day of a new Leeds United. I'd ask people not to expect miracles. I'm promising nothing, but will work hard to achieve. There's a lot of hard work to be done and I'm looking forward to it. I am delighted to be stepping up to the mantle at such a fantastic club. I recognise that Leeds United is a great club that has fallen on hard times. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us to get the club back to where it belongs in the Premiership and with the help of the fans, who have stuck by the club through thick and thin, we are going to do everything in our power to ensure that happens. Our first task will be to put plans in place to secure the financial future of the club and these will include buying back, in due course, Elland Road and Thorp Arch. We will also be looking at ways in which the fans can control the football pitch itself. Fans could then ensure that no would-be property developer will be able to end the playing of football at Elland Road. The previous directors, including Chairman Gerald Krasner, have all stepped down, but have pledged their assistance during the handover." The departing board members were understood to have left around £4.5m in loans in the club to ease the process. Krasner said: "This deal was done for the benefit of the football club. We sat down with Mr Bates and he never wavered. He behaved like a true football man. I'm sure when the fans learn of his long-term plans they will see this was done for Leeds United."

Bates's takeover was believed to have taken less than seventy-two hours. Krasner and fellow director Melvyn Levi met him in London on the Monday afternoon when the outline of a deal was thrashed out. The remainder of the board threw their weight behind the bid at a series of meetings yesterday. They also considered two other offers, one of which was a revised bid by Leeds-based businessman Norman Stubbs. Although his consortium had been in discussions with the club's major creditors, they were pipped to the post when Bates firmed up his bid. Bates, whose first chairmanship was at Oldham in 1965, inherited a club with debts of around £20m and he was quick to pay tribute to the work of the outgoing board. His arrival will put an end to speculation that United are about to slip into administration.

The new era was marked by a rare piece of good fortune as Leeds faced Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

A shocking own goal by Wayne Thomas completed a day of celebration for United as the rejuvenated club continued their climb up the Coca Cola Championship League table. The single goal victory came less than thirty-six hours after Ken Bates had stepped in to secure the club's longer term future. Bates was not on hand to see the win but it is just as well as he would not have been impressed with the first forty-five minutes, which was about as bad as any half can get. It was far different in the second half when United showed character and determination as they took their game to a higher level by taking a positive approach.

4,000 fans had made the trip and they were extremely vocal and played no small part in inspiring their favourites to victory. Only forty-eight hours before, the players had been told the club did not have the finance to pay their wages, yet a new owner emerged from the shadows and in a whirlwind couple of days the whole outlook had changed again.

There was a return for the influential Sean Gregan, restored to his position in front of the back four, as Wright was pushed up from Gregan’s position to replace Walton. Carlisle took over from Kilgallon in central defence and Deane replaced Joachim up front. There was a place on the bench for Paul Harrison, on loan from Liverpool as part of the deal which took Scott Carson to them for £1 million.

The first half was no spectacle in terms of entertainment and the number of United attacks could be counted on one hand. In contrast Stoke created three excellent opportunities and tested Neil Sullivan a few times from close range. Stoke were physical and direct and tested the Leeds defence early on, but once Butler and Carlisle had gained their composure there was never any chance of them scoring. Kelly and Richardson shutdown any trouble down the flanks, while Neil Sullivan was in top form in goal and starred as he kept a clean sheet. Lennon struggled throughout and seemed to be unfit and was replaced by Joachim at half time, and he showed a greater willingness to run at the Stoke defence. Danny Pugh got himself embroiled in an ugly incident, where punches were thrown and several players were involved in scuffles. Leeds were rewarded for their dogged fight twenty minutes from time when Lady Luck at last shone on United. David Healy whipped in a cross from the right, Thomas, who was under no pressure, took a swipe at it and somehow the ball swung goal-wards and left a scrambling keeper with no chance as it spun into the net. United pulled down the shutters and held on to take a vital victory. The win took Leeds up to eleventh in the table.

Joachim and Ricketts replaced Lennon and Deane as United visited the resurgent Derby County at Pride Park. Statistically Derby County had not beaten United in any game for eighteen years but two second half goals left United wondering of what could have been as the record came to an end. After battling for 60 minutes United were beaten at their own game as Derby twice scored on the breakaway to win 2-0, but there could be little to complain about by United. They had battled hard for a good hour but were under heavy pressure and something had to give, but they were certainly second best and Derby look like a good bet for at least a play-off position. They had improved a lot since being defeated at Elland Road in the opening fixture and were well organized, hard working and played good football.

United found them hard to handle and could not impose themselves on the game, despite a strong spell early in the second half. At times possession was squandered too easily and this meant that Derby resumed their siege of the Leeds goal. The United defence had looked uncharacteristically suspect particularly with an offside trap that was out of sync. With the defence under pressure it meant that both Gregan and Wright were back to supplement it and the midfield suffered accordingly. Sullivan, who played with a suspected broken thumb, pulled off two stunning early saves while Butler was resolute in central defence and managed several crucial challenges. Derby, who looked good going forward, looked vulnerable at the back but although United had some periods of possession they were unable to profit. Ricketts clattered the Derby keeper after twenty seconds and it set the tone for the match, and Pugh and Gregan were not taking prisoners in midfield.

Healy tested the keeper in the opening period, Gregan had a shot deflected over the bar and Pugh put a header wide after great work by Wright and Joachim. Derby were content to pepper Sullivan from distance, which caused him little discomfort and half-time came goalless. United finally threw off the shackles and had a purple patch for fifteen minutes after the interval. They nearly had a repeat fluke own goal when Johnson sliced a Healy cross inches wide of his own goal. Carlisle had an appeal for a penalty for handball turned down, while Healy saw a shot saved at the second attempt by the keeper. Unfortunately United failed to capitalize on their superiority and were caught on the break and Smith held off the challenge of Richardson and Sullivan coolly slot it home. Once behind Leeds relied more on graft than craft and while creating a couple of half chances they were ineffective and the introduction of Leandre Griffit for his debut in place of Joachim after 65 minutes, the replacing of Ricketts by Deane four minutes later, or Walton replacing Wright after 75 minutes, were not able to produce the required result. It came as no surprise that once again Derby scored when a shot was deflected off Richardson and beyond the reach of the stranded keeper and, despite four minutes injury time, Derby ran out worthy winners but United remained in eleventh spot.

Bates met the fans. His intention from the outset was not to please everyone, and he may have entered the bear pit of last night's fans forum expecting to please no-one. But as he rose to a standing ovation "the likes of which are no longer distributed freely at Elland Road" at the end of an enthusiastic but constructive verbal joust, he may have felt that an early battle in his long war had already been won. The brash and thorough control he exerted on the Press hours earlier was evident again, mixed in with a sense of humour which wasappreciated by most. Criticism of him would be acceptable, he told a busy if not full banqueting suite, provided those firing shots could accept a volley in return, and the crowd was happy to play by his rules. Alongside but largely in the shadows sat out-going Chairman Gerald Krasner and Bates' wife Suzannah, whose shy reluctance could not have differed more from her husband's brimming confidence. They were hungry, Bates joked, "and I noticed there's a chip shop over the road", but in truth he was happy to be feasting once more at the table of top-level football. In his own words, it is what he does best.

Bates spoke at length about his immediate plans, indulged in complete silence broken only by the occasional laugh. "All mobile phones off, thank you," he immediately ordered, and a shaven-headed fan whose ringtone later broke his chain of thought was asked: "Are you going to give us a cabaret? Oh, and get your hair cut." The mood was barely dampened by his occasional slip of the tongue which saw the mouth say Chelsea when the brain was thinking Leeds, an indication of how much his work and achievements at Stamford Bridge still dominate his thinking. The rows of supporters in front of Bates were more concerned with the substance of his takeover than his quality of public speaking. "You've had so many false starts over the years and you're sick of it," he said, summing up in one sentence the mood of the forum. "But there will be changes and some will affect the fans. Any change pleases A, and upsets B. All I ask of you is to put Leeds United first and be part of the team that's going to put Leeds United back where it should be." His authority over the floor was unyielding and carefully-constructed points were repeatedly met with a demand to "just ask the question". Those questions ranged from the sceptical to the quietly optimistic: Bates was asked directly whether Krasner had "backed the right team" on this occasion after involving Geoffrey Richmond during his own takeover last year, to which he replied: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating; wait until you've had a few mouthfuls." He also resisted attempts to discover the identity of United's other shareholders, and immediately dismissed the increasingly fashionable option of adding asupporter to the board. But as often as he could, Bates was happy to reassure his new followers. Manager Kevin Blackwell's job was safe, he repeated, and no players would be sold without his agreement. The supporters have heard that several times before and Bates wisely added: "Unless we're being offered silly money, in which case make sure we get as stupid a deal as possible." The issue of selling the Elland Road pitch and the name of Leeds United Football Club to supporters was also raised briefly, although most were happy to accept that Bates needed more than six days in charge to finalise the scheme. And, as is United's way, there was bad news as well. Bates admitted that the club were heading for a £6 million loss next year, a shortfall of around £120,000 a week, and warned that season ticket prices were unlikely to remain static. Discussions over the buy-back of the Thorp Arch complex revealed that the club would not be able to repurchase the first-team training pitch, although Krasner claimed it would "have no detrimental effect" on the academy. As he rose to dismiss hiscongregation, Bates was met with a spontaneous round of applause which developed into a standing ovation from many. He seemed genuinely touched and said: "Let's look forward, have some fun and enjoy ourselves. That's what football's all about." It was the perfect antidote to the poison of finance, which the supporters are so weary of listening to. Above all they flocked to Elland Road in search ofhonesty, and Bates could hardly have been more frank when he said: "We won't tell you what we want to do; we'll do it and then tell you what we've done." In the afternoon Bates was Cilla Black, and by night he took the form of Frank Sinatra. He'll do it his way.

Ken Bates did not get the result he had hoped for at his first game he was able to view his new club. Walton, Einarsson, on debut, Lennon and Deane were in for Wright, Pugh, Joachim and Ricketts as United took on Brighton at Elland Road.

Lennon gave a superb display while Kelly and Carlisle stood out in defence but Butler was not his normal self and Gregan was strangely off beam while Deane seemed lost up front. It was the usual familiar script as United started off like a house on fire, were the better team, then could not provide the killer punch, lost control and finished up hanging on desperately to save the game. It took a defender to show the forwards how it was done when two minutes before half time Clarke Carlisle was given a second bite at the cherry by the Brighton defence and he accepted it with a clinical finish into the roof of the net. Either side of the interval Gylfi Einarsson and Paul Butler wasted heading chances by directing them into the arms of the keeper when it seemed easier to score. Walton wanted one too many touches after a good run earned him a chance. Brian Deane screwed horribly wide from a good position. Healy was thwarted by a last ditch-tackle. Gary Kelly had an acrobatic lob brilliantly scooped away by the keeper.

Aaron Lennon led the Brighton left side defenders a merry dance with his pace and trickery and turned on a one man show of outstanding brilliance, particularly in the first half. Not for the first time he was watched by EPL scouts and it seemed just a matter of time before he made the inevitable advance up the ladder of fame. He left to a standing ovation on seventy-eight minutes to be replaced by Matthew Spring, while Eirik Bakke came on for Simon Walton with two minutes to go, for his first game after long-term injury and he took the field also to a standing ovation. He quickly made his mark on the game with a thundering challenge on Carpenter which got him a yellow card and he must have had visions of getting the red card, which saw the end of Oatway's participation in the game only moments previous, for kicking out at Walton. The arrival of Spring saw United go 4-4-2 with Healy the additional central striker and he conjured up a great chance to put the match beyond doubt but Brighton raced to the other end and got the equalizer as Butters scored with a towering header with nine minutes left on the clock. The 1-1 draw kept United in eleventh spot.

There was a debut for loan signing Michael Gray from Blackburn Rovers, who had been taken on board for the rest of the season, at left-back in place of Frazer Richardson, while Jermaine Wright returned in place of Simon Walton, as United took 4,000 fans with them to Turf Moor to meet Burnley.

Gray had a fine debut and looked a class act, subduing former Leeds loanee John Oster and making telling runs down the left flank. Gregan bossed the midfield and Healy was always a threat up front. There was a first United goal for Icelandic International Gylfi Einarsson, who scored the winner when he powered in a bullet header from an excellent Lennon cross after sixty-six minutes. The goal secured the three points to keep United on the fringe of the promotion race, and was a fine finish to a neat move but it was more significantly a just reward for United's overall supremacy against a team undefeated at home for three months and had not even conceded a goal since the first week in November. United had several good chances to take the lead before they scored and were full value for their win. For eighty minutes they showed all the hallmarks of a good side but had their usual failure of not being able to score.

They were safe as houses in defence, worked like terriers in midfield and created enough chances to have won the game easily. Yet they spent the last ten minutes defending desperately after the all too familiar nerves crept into play. The late onslaught started when Clarke Carlisle needlessly conceded a penalty, by bundling over Ian Moore, to hand Burnley their first chance of the game. Neil Sullivan pulled off his third penalty save of the season. It finished when he again denied the taker Ian Moore, as he pulled off a brilliant one handed save. It was United's fourth away win in five outings.

In the first half Healy had fashioned a couple of half-chances and had the ball in the net in the fortieth minute when he met a Lennon cross but was ruled off-side. He really ran the Burnley defenders ragged and Sinclair succumbed to his frustrations and got himself sent off after seventy-eight minutes for kicking Einarsson with the ball twenty yards away, while Healy also caused Cahill nightmares and the youngster was lucky not to see red when he wrestled Healy to the ground after thirty-eight minutes and, being the last defender, was lucky the referee showed amazing leniency and only produced a yellow. Deane went close as the keeper tipped a header over the bar, while Gregan was wide with another attempt. In the second half there was desperate defending from the hosts and Deane was wayward with an effort, before Lennon tied the Burnley full back in knots to deliver the cross for Einarsson to power home. Even after the missed penalty United still pressed and Lennon was only denied by a last ditch tackle and substitute Danny Pugh was foiled by the keeper from close range. There was three minutes of stoppage time but United won through to rise to tenth spot on the ladder within striking distance of the play off spots and there was talk of a three month loan deal for Rob Hulse the West Bromwich Albion striker, who watched from the stands and would have been impressed by what he saw.

The loan acquisition of Rob Hulse was duly completed and he took his place in the line up as striker in place of Brian Deane, in an otherwise unchanged line-up for the visit of fourth placed Reading to Elland Road.

There was a two goal debut for him and he looked the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle as for the first time since defeating Queens Park Rangers 6-1, United had the game wrapped up long before the customary late-game palpitations were due. On this form United were good contenders for a play-off spot and Reading were dead and buried with still 30 minutes to go. Hulse can rightly take the plaudits for his strikes but it was as good a team performance as you are likely to see. Healy had a superb game on the left and he and Hulse were given licence to press forward on the back of the efforts of the midfield three who took a firm grip and snuffed out anything that Reading had to offer. Gregan was a towering presence in the middle of the park and Wright and Einarsson cover plenty of ground as they overcame the Reading midfield, which is widely regarded as the best in the League. Reading arrived in fourth spot and are not there by fluke, but in this game they were clearly second best and were overran by a United team desperate to put on a good performance in front of their own fans and restore some pride at Elland Road. They had won only one of the last seven games at home and only five victories all season.

There were a couple of early scares, as Reading showed their quality with two good moves, but United gradually gained the upper hand. Healy and Lennon both went close before Hulse forced a stunning save from the Reading keeper after a good cross from Kelly. The keeper again had to be alert to deny Lennon as United began to stamp their authority on the game. The opening goal came after thirty-six minutes when Healy latched on to a through ball and showed good body strength to hold off three challengers to slip the ball under the keeper. Hulse could have made it 2-0 soon after the break but failed to hit the target and Reading almost equalized as Sullivan, who had not had much to do, was deceived by a cross from the right leaving Les Ferdinand a clear cut chance right in front of goal, but fortunately for United he volleyed over the bar and that was the last trouble Reading caused the United defence. United replied almost immediately with Hulse getting his first on fifty-six minutes after good lead up from Gregan and Healy for Wright to tee him up to lash the ball home from the edge of the box. It was a quality goal and a quality build up. It was a memorable goal but his second, seven minutes later, was even better. Healy knocked the ball forward and Hulse escaped the clutches of his marker and the Reading offside trap to rifle the ball in from thirty yards. It was the strike of a confident striker and belied the fact that he had played little competitive football for nearly nine months, and showed he had an eye for goal and made him an instant hero with the fans. It was threatening to become a rout but the traditional late lapse gave the visitors a goal. Sullivan twice made blocking saves and then kept out a header towards his own goal by Gary Kelly, but there was little he could do as a low cross was back-heeled in by Owusu but as it came in the eighty-ninth minute, it was little other than a consolation, as United maintained tenth spot.

Shaun Derry was finally signed on a free transfer from Crystal Palace and replaced Einarsson in an otherwise unchanged team for the visit to second placed Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium. To say that United were totally and utterly outplayed and outclassed would be an understatement such was the one-sided nature of the contest. From the first moment to the last Wigan ran the game and the only positive that United could extract from the game, apart from Sullivan's heroics between the posts, was that the hosts didn't take all their chances or it would have been a cricket score. United were very relieved to leave the JJB Stadium with just a three goal defeat because it could easily have been 8-0.

In front of their best crowd of the season, boosted by 5,000 travelling Leeds fans, Wigan were simply supreme in every department as their Manager later observed it was their best display of the season. United could not cope with their pace and movement. Their prolific strike duo of Jason Roberts and Nathan Ellington gave the Leeds defence a physical nightmare, while their midfielders were allowed to roam free in support of their front runners as United failed to pick up the runners from midfield and the end product created a very one-sided contest. It was men against boys. Having won four of the previous five games United arrived full of confidence and feeling that they were more than a match for anyone, but for the first time this season they were seriously outclassed by a side which showed more fight and quality on the ball. Defensively Leeds were a bag of nerves and in midfield only Gregan emerged with any credit.

They were opened up for the first time after only ten minutes when Teale was allowed to cross for Ellington to tap in from close range. It set the tone and Leeds were constantly chasing shadows. Roberts scuffed a shot at Sullivan, then shot over, had another effort superbly blocked by Sullivan and then had a goal disallowed for offside. He also twice teed up McCulloch but he was equally wasteful in his finishing. Bullard should also have scored in the early period, but Sullivan recovered well to make yet another super save.

Feelings within the United team were running high and Gregan and Kelly were seen in an angry exchange and it was said that others were confronting each other during the interval break. It must have had some effect as United started the second half better and Hulse appeared to have been brought down in the penalty area but the referee waved play on and so Leeds' last chance of equality passed and Wigan soon resumed their ascendancy. An unmarked McCulloch headed in a Bullard corner for them to go 2-0 up after fifty-six minutes. United went to 4-4-2 but to no effect, apart from Richardson and Healy combining to create a chance but then it was back to Wigan dominance. Roberts held off Kelly and Richardson to hit the inside of the post and then, moments later, he was denied once again by Sullivan. Mahon eventually wrapped up the game in the seventy-fifth minute with a repeat solo effort similar to the one he scored at Elland Road in the reverse fixture. It was the first time that Leeds had conceded three in the CCCL but it could have been eight, as United came crashing down to earth but they still maintained tenth spot.

Kilgallon came in for Carlisle and Walton replaced Wright as United entertained sixth placed West Ham United at Elland Road. New boy Shaun Derry stole in four minutes from time on his home debut to score the goal which gave United a deserved win. The intervention of the classy midfielder came just as it looked like being the too familiar story for Leeds, after surrendering the lead on home turf for the fourth time in seven games.

As usual United had looked the better team until they they scored, then came the wobble, the customary equalizer and the tense finale when the opposition look to cash in on their brief spell of domination. Cardiff, Brighton and Millwall have all profited similarly but this time Derry popped up to finish off a lovely move to secure a merited victory.

Putting things in perspective, West Ham did not have a look in until the hour mark as United showed no hangover from their Wigan drubbing. The game was won in midfield with Gregan, Walton and Derry outstanding. Kelly had a good game at right back and linked up well with the outstanding Aaron Lennon, who shone brightest of all on the right flank. Gray and Healy also worked well together down the left and it was from the flanks that United's supply line came. Gregan was again boss of the midfield and the United midfield stamped their authority on the contest. The West Ham central defender MacKay was a stumbling block and their keeper Bywater was kept busy with a stream of crosses and it was surprising that the teams went to the break on level terms.

It only took six minutes of the second half before United took a deserved lead. Lennon was the provider when he skated round his full back to deliver a pinpoint centre for Hulse to hammer home from close range, as he got hid third goal in his third appearance. It was a fitting reward for United's enterprise and should have been the cue for them to go on and put the game beyond West Ham's reach. Apart from a long range speculator from Williams, West Ham had not had a shot at goal and had virtually not had a look in.

However, as usually happens when United score at home, it was the away team that raised their game and started a period of domination. Williams served notice by rattling the crossbar, but the warning wasn't heeded and he got West Ham back in the game on sixty-eight minutes with a delightful looping shot.United started to sit deeper as the Hammers continued to press and after Sullivan had denied Etherington, Sheringham fired wide with the goal gaping. Lennon responded for Leeds but the keeper was equal to the task, while at the other end Etherington hit the post for a second time. It was Derry, though, that had the last word as he s howed remarkable coolness to round of a lovely move involving Danny Pugh and David Healy as United remained in tenth spot, but only six points away from fourth spot. The game was watched by United's second biggest homecrowd, 34,115, bettered only by the Christmas fixture with Plymouth Argyle. Best of all was at Sunderland's Stadium of Light for the Boxing Day fixture which pulled 43,253.

They played before one of the smallest crowds, when they visited The New Den home of Millwall when there were only 11,510 patrons, including 2,005 of the travelling faithful. Kevin Pressman had arrived on a free from Leicester City and Marlon King on loan from Nottingham Forest and both took their place on the bench, while the run on side remained unchanged. The two teams started the game level on points, with Millwall just ahead on goal difference in nineth spot. Rob Hulse scored the equalizer to make his tally four in four games and a draw was acceptable to both teams as they edged to within three points of the play-off positions. The 1-1 draw was probably a fair result from a game which promised so much but delivered so little. Millwall had the better of the first half, while Leeds shaded the second. Both teams failed to create enough chances and when Hulse levelled the scores with twelve minutes to go both teams seemed more than happy to settle for a draw.

Millwall were strong, direct and physical, while Leeds played the neater football but failed to make their possession count. Shaun Derry was United's most creative influence and Aaron Lennon was impressive and tricky but did not see enough of the ball to make a telling influence. Hulse was United's other key man and he was rewarded with a excellent goal when, after a good knock down by Butler, he swivelled to produce a fine shot on the turn to give the keeper no chance. United would have been disappointed not to get on level terms much sooner as they were by far the better team in the second half, conversely Millwall would argue that they let a lead slip and dropped two points on home soil. They had taken the lead after seventeen minutes after Leeds had threatened to dominate the early exchanges. Marshall, the Millwall keeper had to be smart to save from his own fullback who headed a Lennon cross goal-ward. Michael Gray curled a free-kick just wide and Lennon had another cross deflected into the arms of the keeper as United temporarily bossed the proceedings.

It was the home side that took the lead in lucky circumstances. Quigley returned a corner back across the six yard box and the ball was diverted after it hit Robinson leaving Sullivan stranded. The goal gave Millwall confidence and they pressed forward, often with four strikers. Dichio had a strong presence and tested Butler and Kilgallon to the fullest while livewire winger Simpson brought out the best in Michael Gray. There were few chances but both teams had shouts for a penalty waved away. In the second half Kelly had a terrific effort saved by the keeper, while Hulse tried his luck from distance. Millwall had a couple of good efforts with Quigley heading wide from close range and Sullivan saving well from Sweeney. United switched to 4-4-2 when they introduced Marlon King for Simon Walton on the hour. King ran well and made a promising start in a Leeds shirt, but with Millwall defending with ten men behind the ball United could not find a way through, until Hulse produced his natural goal scoring instincts to finally beat the Millwall defence. Seth Johnson entered the fray in the eighty-fourth minute when he replaced Healy and straight away produced a crunching tackle to signal his arrival and dispel fears of his fitness. The game droned on and very little peace was disturbed as the security operation was mounted to keep both sets of fans out of harms way and the game and the operation finished quietly, as United slipped into nineth spot.

Jermaine Wright stood in for Shaun Derry as United's only changed for the visit of Gillingham to Elland Road. Gillingham were third from bottom and deep in relegation worries fourteen points worst off than United, who must have been expecting easy pickings. However, just like in the second fixture of the season, United were knocked out of their stride by Gillingham's robust approach. It was a game to forget in more ways than one.

United were once again indebted to Rod Hulse for his fifth strike in as many games to salvage some pride from the torrid encounter. When all else had failed he showed good old fashioned striking instinct to capitalize on an error to ensure United had something to show for their efforts against gutsy opponents. It took a fifty-eighth minute melee to wake United into life and prior to that Gillingham had had it all their own way and were good value for their lead. They were physical, defended stoutly, were well organized at the back and hit United on the break. United played at a slow tempo, their midfield never got to grips and, with the exception of the odd Lennon sortie, offered little attacking threat. Hulse was lively when given the chance but Healy was starved of service and given little chance to shine against a defence which his pace and guile should have ripped apart. United]s predictable approach was food and drink to the solid Gillingham rearguard. Gillingham didn't show much threat either until the fortieth minute when Flynn found himself unmarked in the box with all the time in theworld but shot straight at Neil Sullivan. It should have been a warning, but Gary Kelly, who had a nightmare game, hauled down Henderson on the edge of the box moments later and from the resulting free-kick Flynn rolled the ball to Hope and his shot took a wicked deflection off the wall to beat Sullivan. Gillingham would have gone to the break 2-0 up had not Sullivan denied Mamady Sidibe from closerange. After the break they again wasted another clear cut chance when Jonathan Douglas headed straight at Sullivan when he had the time to pick his spot.

Tempers had been simmering and Gregan had been on the end of an horrendous tackle from Jonathan Douglas in the first half and just before the flare-up United had been denied a clear cut penalty after Simon Walton had been fouled by Nyron Nosworthy and the decision simply poured fuel on to the fire that was always threatening to rage.

Henderson and Gray clashed in a push and shove in front of the dugout and before long players from each side traded punches before almost every player, several substitutes and members of both management teams were involved in the melee. After the dust settled the two original protagonists were sent off and the game recommenced. Kelly had been replaced by Richardson. He was a vast improvement over the woeful Kelly and Marlon King replaced the equally ineffective Wright and Leeds began to look more cohesive.

Hulse and Healy failed to connect with a Lennon cross and Kilgallon had a header kicked off the line. Predictably Gillingham packed their defence but were still quick on the counter attack and Flynn showed great anticipation but failed to connect with a cross from Southall. United were well in the ascendancy and Hulse finally levelled the scores with nine minutes remaining. Substitute Marlon King again looked lively and supplied the cross and Hulse profited from a mix up between the keeper and a defender to score.

United dominated the remainder of the game and Healy went close to claiming the winner, but Gillingham stood firm to take a well deserved point in their battle against relegation. United once again left it too late and slipped down to tenth but more importantly almost out of contention for a play off spot, although there is still a mathematical possibility.

Richardson came in for the suspended Michael Gray and Danny Pugh replaced Sean Gregan in midfield with Jermaine Wright taking on the anchor role for the visit to second bottom Nottingham Forest's City Ground in another fixture United were expected to win.

In the end United had to thank the safe hands of Neil Sullivan for their collecting of the single point. He saved his fourth penalty of the season and his ability, and the inability of the forwards to score, contrived to produce the goal-less draw. The dour scoreless draw realistically consigned United to another season of CCCL football while virtually condemning Forest to the lower divisions.

It was a very poor performance by United and only the 1-0 defeat at Brighton had been worse. The penalty United conceded was their tenth of the season and although Sullivan had saved four of them it made poor reading as a statistic. Sullivan was one of the few United players who could hold their head high in a poor team performance. Danny Pugh, who returned on the left of midfield, contributed strongly and was head and shoulders above any other Leeds outfield player. Lennon could have contributed but once again he received poor or no service. Hulse and Healy too received scant service, but that cannot excuse the fact that there was no shot on goal other than a deflection which the Forest keeper saved with ease.

An injury to Frazer Richardson in the eighth minute and saw the arrival of Clarke Carlisle and a reshuffle in the United defence with Kilgallon going to left-back. Butler led his defence well and they were solid. The midfield was poor, although Pugh shone and Walton got stronger as the game wore on, but United failed to get on top of a team that had been decimated by injuries and even at full strength were one of the worst in the league.

Leeds had the bulk of possession but they were as wasteful as they have been all season. It was Leeds' inability to keep possession of the ball that led to Forest having several first half chances. Curtis tested Sullivan after he ran through the midfield unchallenged, and Perch tried his luck from distance after a poor clearance. He also put an effort wide after Thompson had been allowed to run through the open spaces of the United midfield while Taylor headed wide. Carlisle had a couple of headed half chances for Leeds. The second half soon saw Taylor almost give Forest the lead when his shot cannoned off the post with Sullivan beaten.

United went on to dominate the second half but the Forest keeper was hardly tested. Seth Johnson was introduced for the ineffective Wright in the sixty-sixth minute but it was the Forest substitution that almost changed the game. Commons, who did not start as he was not fully fit with flu, soon tested Sullivan with a pile-driver of a free-kick and almost immediately he was brought down by Kelly for a blatant penalty. He dusted himself down and stepped up to take the penalty but Sullivan made the vital save. The game droned on and not even seven minutes of injury time could change the outcome. They remained in tenth position, but were left wondering why they have been unable to beat any of the bottom eight clubs apart from Coventry.

There was a break in fixtures and United played a friendly against Gary Kelly's home town team Drogheda United. Julian Joachim scored in a 1-1 draw.

United had signed Ian Moore from Burnley for £50,000 and Keeper Sasa Ilic on a free from Aberdeen and while Moore made his run on debut Ilic was on the bench for the home clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The team was hardly recognizable from the Nottingham Forest fiasco and lined up as follows: Sullivan; Walton, Butler, Kilgallon, Pugh; Derry, Johnson, Moore, King; Lennon, Hulse. Einarsson replaced Johnson after seventy-three minutes, Healy replaced Hulse after seventy-four minutes and Spring came on for King after eighty-five minutes leaving Ilic and Carlisle unused on the bench. With Richardson injured, Kellyunavailable with flu and Gray suspended, United had to play Simon Walton at right back and Danny Pugh at left back which in turn further depleted the midfield and it was lucky that Derry and Johnson were available after injury and Moore was purchased from Burnley, came in on the right flank to become the twenty-seventh player to make his debut for Leeds in the season and Marlon King lined up on the left side of midfield with Lennon pushed up just behind Hulse in attack. Waltonadapted well to his new role, as he had done to the various positions he had beenasked to play. King also excelled and was a key man, Johnson showed good form, although a little rusty after his long lay off, but it was Derry who took the honours for Leeds with a tremendous performance in midfield.

Although the team and system was unrecognizable from Nottingham Forest, again only one point accrued and for the fourth successive match United dropped two points. Derry stood head and shoulders above the rest and totally bossed the midfield and Paul Ince, but sadly no one else could raise their game to the same heights and neither goalkeeper was truly tested.

Both sides had enough possession to produce something meaningful, but all too often the attacks broke down and clear cut chances were few and far between. King had an opportunity in the first half after the keeper made a hash of clearing and Wolves tried shooting from distance with Ince putting one over the bar.

The opening goal, which came after forty minutes was the first real effort on target. Naylor whipped in Wolves' first corner of the game and Carl Cort eluded the Leeds defence to stoop and head past Sullivan. On balance it was an undeserved lead and Hulse twice had a couple of half chances to restore parity before the break. In the fiftieth minute a Wolves defender's backchat saw the referee march a free-kick a further ten yards forward and up stepped Shaun Derry to place a delightful curling shot over the wall and though Oakes seemed to have it covered he must have lost its flight as he flapped helplessly as it nestled into the net.

It should have been the cue for Leeds to go on and win but they didn't and Wolves almost grabbed the full points late on when Miller had a shot blocked, a Seol cross deceived everyone and missed, Miller hit a post and Naylor went close from a free-kick. So the points were shared and both teams looked forward to life in the CCCL for another season as United dropped to twelfth spot.

On the day of the game with Sheffield United Ken Bates outlined his thoughts on the future of Leeds United and in particular his attitude to Season-ticket holders.

Bates: You'll get what you pay for: A twenty-five per cent increase in the cost of Leeds United season tickets has caused uproar. But here, in an exclusive interview with YEP Sports Editor Phil Rostron, Chairman Ken Bates defends the steepness of the rises and expands upon his plans to restore Premiership football to Elland Road.

Ken Bates was unrepentant about a season ticket price hike that had stunned Leeds United fans, save the manner in which it was presented. The United faithful were reeling from a twenty-five per cent increase in the cost of watching their team and the chairman conceded: "It may have been delivered in a more appropriate way, but those shortcomings are something to learn from next time. We have inherited an old system."

Taking stock of the outpouring of grief since last week's announcement, Bates says: "The fact is that it's four price rises in one. Previous regimes made a mess of their price-fixing strategies and now, really, it's pay-up time." And despite the furore season ticket renewals are simply pouring in and exceed £100,000 in just two days.

"To those who have complained, where possible we are contacting them to talk through the situation. The current financial state of play at the club is that £6m is owed to former players, agents and managers. Outstanding PAYE/VAT is £3m. Former directors' loans, due in 2009, total £4m. There are currently four players still at the club who take over fifty per cent of the total salary bill, which is still nearly £12m a year. Due to the sale and leaseback of Thorp Arch and Elland Road we now pay £1.7m a year in rent. That is the burden that the club has to carry before even starting to spend money on players, refurbish the shabby stadium and start to move forward. By the way, I don't take anything in salaries or fees as a consultant, so none of your money is going into my pocket. My question is simple: how would you solve the problem. It is not acceptable to say there must be some other way. Tell us what it is."

"All constructive suggestions will be welcome and given serious consideration, although I suspect they will be few and far between. I have been encouraged by the response of our corporate members and sponsors. Many who, for whatever reason, were reluctant to support the previous regime are coming back in droves. To clear up some misunderastanding on the family section, this has not been abolished but reduced and moved to the wings of the East Stand. Season ticket holders in blocks L30, 31 and 32 are being relocated to blocks L28, 29, 33, 34 and 35 at family prices. It seems to me that it is only reasonable that fans paying full price should have the better seats. Due to the decrease in capacity we are asking those single adults who have held a season ticket in the family section to relocate. Displaced season ticket holders in the East Upper will be given first choice of a relocated seat from May 16 and when the refurbishment is completed will have first refusal of their former seat.

Bates says of the previous board: "They were great at fire-fighting, but they spent too much time at that and did not identify the underlying problems, which were the losses. We have stabilised the losses, improved the organisation, tackled the season ticket issue, rationalised the staff with an awful lot of people gone or going, improved inter-departmental relations from a situation where the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing and still found time to strengthen the team with the likes of Michael Gray, Rob Hulse and Shaun Derry. But we have a cost base that we can't get away from. The Inland Revenue, who were going to bust the club on January 24, have agreed to be paid in instalments.Maybe fans should look at the fact that there have been no price rises for a considerable time, but that hasn't stopped costs from going up. Electricity, Gas, Water, Diesel, Fuel, Telephones, Council Tax and National Insurance have all gone skywards, then there are the players' wages under contractual obligations. People going on holiday have to pay more for the pleasure yet despite all these things they think their football club can just stand the burden. It can't."

"I've phoned sixty or seventy people personally over the past three days and we haven't had one knock-back yet. I've been talking them through it. One old lady said that her first reaction had been disgust, outrage and a determination never to set foot inside Elland Road again but that she'd sat down with her family, had a cup of tea, talked about it and concluded that she would, after all, be coming back." "You know, if you want a club, you've got to pay for it. And you get what you pay for. The first of the benefits for fans in return for their increased season ticket prices is the knowledge that their club will survive. Secondly, we are spending money on improving facilities. As we speak there are architects and quantity surveyors going round looking at the possibilities." "The real problem is change. And if you make a change somebody is going to moan because their nose has been put out of joint. You know...the 'I've always sat here' type. There have been people sitting in the family section who have no right to be there. Thirty-five year-old divorced men with no kids. The fact is that there is now some structure to it. The best seats in the house will go to those who are paying the highest prices." Bates is targeting the Premiership but is making no promises. "Never make promises, just deliver is my motto," he says. "A referee's offside decision in the last game of the season can cost you. But that's football. Look at West Brom against Everton on Sunday. Everton were denied two clear penalties and those decisions could cost the club £20m if they prevent them from making Europe. What I can tell you is that next season's squad will bear more of a resemblance to this season's squad than this season's does to last season's. I think Kevin Blackwell has done a marvellous job. In July he started with one player, Gary Kelly, and has built a team. I don't believe that. We were in the relegation places at Christmas and since then have risen to the dizzy heights of ninth. Obviously it took Kevin time to put together a squad. Now we're a comfortable twelfth having lost three matches in twenty. We've drawn too many. Of course I want Premiership football, but I want to get up there and stay up there. I was terrified when people started talking about the play-offs and being the third team to gain promotion this season. We'd go up and come straight back down again. We would be humiliated. We haven't got the money to buy a Premiership team and the team we have here would struggle to win a game in the Premiership.I don't want to build a dream and wake up to find it's a bloody nightmare. We don't want overpaid, under-performing, lazy, overweight prima donnas. We want players who are skilful, have a lot of guts, are fit and want to win. I'm not going to say people who want to kiss the badge, because that has been devalued. We've identified our shopping list, but can we afford them? I've been in the game for forty years now and I've never named player targets for the simple reason that it alerts the opposition, who might have more money than you." Modern-day Chelsea may provide the glamour in English football but it was a different story when Bates took over. "The average gate was 12,000 and the similarity with Leeds was that five per cent of the tickets were complimentaries. The ground was apalling, they had a poor team and there were no training facilities. Middlesbrough got 350 acres for £800,000 and you wouldn't get a house for that money in London. So you can imagine how difficult it was to find a training ground. The piece of land that I identified out near Heathrow airport is the one that Roman Abramovich is now working on, so I did all the work and he's getting the glory. Never mind. Such is life. I had John Prescott turning down one potential site because he ruled that the referee's whistle might disturb the mourners at the adjoining cemetery. We wasted two years on that project." "When Abramovich does build his training ground I hope it's as good as the one we have here at Leeds. It's superb. But we had a hooligan problem, poor supporter facilities, low prices and plenty of fiddles going on. It took time to sort it out. But I was 51 then, I'm 73 now. I haven't got time to mess about. New Stadium? No. It would cost a bomb and the fact is that Leeds United's name stinks in the financial world. They were doing alright until Peter Ridsdale bought his goldfish. That was at a time when I was doing £120m in securitisations and was 80 per cent there when Leeds screwed it up. The attitude in the finance world now is, 'Football? You must be joking. Leeds told us it was a safe bet and we lost £60m.' It will be a long time before the American institutions get involved again." So Bates has a clear message for United fans who want a return to the Premiership and it's this: Put up and shut up.

Those words must have been cold comfort to the many thousands of United fans contemplating how they would be able to afford their Season Tickets and after the game with Sheffield United at Elland Road they would have being seriously questioning the capability of this team to go within a bull’s roar of ever seriously laying claim to EPL status, as once again they were given a football lesson by a far superior outfit.

Healy replaced Moore with Lennon reverting to his accustomed role on the right flank. The final result was an acute embarrassment for any Leeds United fan and to the team and Management staff if they had any feelings apart from numbness after being humiliated by their biggest defeat in the CCCL and more unforgivable it was at home to their nearest and most bitter CCCL rivals. Elland Road had not witnessed such an emphatic defeat since Liverpool triumphed by the same score in the days of David O'Leary in February 2002.

Embarrassment and humiliation seems to go hand in hand with this fixture in recent times and for the fourth time in three years United collapsed against the Blades in a dramatic and humbling fashion. Leeds were outplayed, out-thought and out-fought by their local rivals with too many players having off days and apart from a twenty minute spell in the second half when the game was already lost beyond recall, Leeds came a distant second to Sheffield. Leeds plotted their own downfall and handed the visitors three goals on a silver platter and it could have been a larger margin had they taken all of their chances. The last of the goals came after Paul Butler had suffered a sickening injury when he collided with keeper Neil Sullivan, and was out cold for fully two minutes and was taken to hospital for observation. Poor Simon Walton had a torrid time playing out of position at right back and was at fault for both Sheffield first half goals and was substituted six minutes before the break by Sean Gregan, who quickly collected his twelfth booking of the season for chopping down Tonge within a minute of his arrival and then pushing Harley. He at least showed fight but the game was lost before his arrival and only Aaron Lennon seemed to be interested in restoring some pride but he fought a lone battle as his collegues went missing in action. Healy looked uneasy in his role behind lone striker Hulse who in turn was not involved enough. The midfield was simply non-existant as Sheffield played neat football with pace and movement which was too much for Leeds to cope with.

Webber got the first in the second minute when he left Walton and Butler standing to score with a neat finish inside Sullivan's near post. It was a goal that rocked Elland Road and Webber passed up two more good chances before Leeds-born Nick Montgomery made it 2-0 as he scored from close range after a corner was not cleared. Hulse rattled the woodwork in response just before half-time but seventy-five seconds after the break ex-Leeds player Andy Gray marked his first return since leaving Elland Road by scoring with a superb strike from the edge of the box. This was the cue for a Lennon led Leeds revival and incredibly they created seven chances in twenty minutes but were unable to improve the score-line. Lennon could have won a penalty, Moore headed across goal, Johnson was denied by the keeper and then flicked the rebound wide, Healy had a low shot blocked, and Pugh went close with a fine effort. After seventy-three minutes Butler and Sullivan were involved in an horrendous mix-up and Gray scored at the second attempt. Unites remained in twelfth spot but their supporters aired their displeasure at the increased season ticket prices and the woeful performance.

Kelly returned at right back for Walton, Carlisle deputized for the injured Butler in central defence, while Gray returned after suspension to replace Pugh at left-back and Gregan replaced King in a reshuffled midfield as United visited Watford at Vicarage Road, and came away with full points after a vastly improved performance.

The 2-1 scoreline did not do justice to United's superiority and if they had taken all their chances it would have been a much wider margin. Watford could equally claim that only abbrilliant performance from Neil Sullivan denied them victory. Leeds again started slowly and looked nervous in central defence and it took them a long time before they imposed themselves on a side low in confidence and self-belief. It was only the second time that Kilgallon and Carlislehad played together and an early lack of understanding showed before they both settled down. Sean Gregan was also below par for much of the first half but he supplied the cross for Rod Hulse to open the scoring and looked stronger after that. Goalkeeper Neil Sullivan again took the plaudits, fully illustrating why he had been elected player of the year, with three tremendous reaction saves late in the game, but there were several others who deserved recognition fora good performance. Gary Kelly took the captain's armband and led byexample from the back with a strong and effective display on the right with Michael Gray also in good form on the left. Johnson and Derry did well in midfield as did Gregan after a slow start. Up front Rod Hulse took a terrible buffeting from the Watford defence but came back for more and never took a backward step. Demrits dismissal was for two needless fouls on the striker but his defensive partner Cullip could consider himself fortunate that he remained on the field, as on balance on accumulated attempts to maim Hulse he was the bigger offender. It was disappointing that David Healy had to leave the fray so early in the game with ankle ligament damage. His departure did pave the way for Ian Moore to play for over an hour and he linked up well with Hulse and was unfortunate not to score. Marlon King who replaced Lennon for the last twentyminutes and more also showed plenty of quality in his play. King, Moore, Johnson and Hulse all went close in the closing stages and created several openings. King was inches wide, Hulse put one over the top from close range, Johnson had a couple of shots blocked and Moore twice came within inches.

The pressure came after Watford had been reduced to ten men in the fiftieth minute, but prior to that it had been a close competition. Watford had started well profiting from some early mistakes and tested Sullivan early on, but Leeds created some good openings and took the lead after twenty-six minutes. Gregan played a lovely ball through the middle and Hulse's stooping header went over the keeper and into the net. Gray went close as he tested the keeper from distance, while Johnson had a go from a free-kick. Watford were handed an easy route back into the game four minutes before the break, they were given thefreedom of the penalty area and they scored after Sullivan had parried the first attempt. Leeds responded and, after the dismissal of DeMerit, took control. Moore and Johnson went close to getting the winner before it came from the unlikeliest of sources. Kilgallon sent in a long high ball from the left of the box and picked out Carlisle at the far post and he made no mistake with his far post header on sixty-seven minutes. Hulse and King went close later but it was Watford who carved out the best chances in the late exchanges, but it was Sullivan who earned his wages with three good saves to deny them. The win was their first inseven matches and took them back to tenth spot.

Gregan dropped back into defence to replace Kilgallon, with Einarsson taking his place in midfield, while Marlon King started upfront in place of the injured Healy, as United visited Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in search of another double.

United had been cruising with Sullivan not having been called on to make a save of note and seemingly on course for the double before the referee showed Shaun Derry a red card and completely changed the game. Rangers had had plenty of possession but had rarely troubled United. The dismissal was a stupid, senseless incident and all those involved should be kicking themselves. Derry should not have raised his hand, Gallen should have kept his mouth shut and the referee should have exercised better judgment rather than being influenced by the crowd and other players. It all arose over Gallens complaint that Derry hadn’t put the ball out of play quick enough as a Rangers player lay injured and escalated from there. It changed the course of the game as it gave Rangers the impetus they needed to go on and snatch a draw. They made the most of their superior numbers and put pressure on United and eventually went on to equalize with four minutes to go, as Gallen forced Sullivan to make his first save after gliding through the Leeds defence but, after beating the ball away the Leeds keeper could do nothing as he tucked away the rebound. Normally it would have been just reward for a Rangers side that showed more ambition in the second half but, up to the dismissal United had weathered the storm and appeared to be heading for a hard-fought away success. The numbers were actually evened up in stoppage time when Adam Miller was sent off for the second yellow card for a foul on Hulse, but the game was over by then.

Rangers also claimed a penalty in the first half after Gary Kelly had hauled down hauled down Marc Bircham but the referee did not agree. Kelly and Gray were effective on the either side while Gregan was his usual solid self and Carlisle made some vital clearances in central defence and Leeds never had to rely on Sullivan to bail them out.

In midfield Seth Johnson had his best game since his return and it was fitting that he opened the scoring in the twenty-fourth minute with his first goal for eighteen months, as Rangers failed to clear a corner and he volleyed home from the edge of the box and Leeds were good value for their lead at half time. Hulse should have increased the lead on the hour but shot straight at the keeper. After the dismissal and Gallen's equalizer, Gallen almost won the game for Rangers, but Sullivan pulled off a world class save to tip the ball on the post and safety. The draw kept United in tenth spot ahead of Rangers and Stoke City on goal difference.

Kilgallon returned to central defence and Gregan returned to midfield in place of the suspended Derry, while Richardson and Spring replaced Lennon and Johnson in midfield. While Moore was preferred to King upfront as United took on third placed Ipswich at Elland Road. The draw was not the result Ipswich had been looking for and results elsewhere meant that Sunderland were champions and Wigan and Ipswich were locked in a struggle for second spot and automatic promotion.

United were more than worthy of a point against the team that had led the League throughout January and February and given the possession they enjoyed were unlucky not to take the maximum points. United were better in all departments and were far more positive than their highly credentialed opponents and on the rare occasions Ipswich threatened the United defence was magnificent. Kelly and Gray were towers of strength in the full back spots and Kilgallon oozed class in central defence with Carlisle, and they handle the twin threat of Bent and Kuqi with ease. Sean Gregan had an excellent game in the middle of the park and Matthew Spring marked his Elland Road debut with a goal and Frazer Richardson adapted to the right flank well. Hulse was superb up front, had a fair and clean battle with the Ipswich central defenders and was unlucky not to get his name on the score-sheet.

Ipswich stuck to their pretty passing principles throughout but even when they stepped up a gear they were unable to get the winner their position required. Their best chance fell to Tony Currie's nephew Darren who side-footed wide in the last minute from what could only be described as "a sitter". Ipswich had taken the lead after eleven minutes in United's only defensive lapse, when Horlock found Kuqi in space and his miss-hit shot deceived Kelly and Sullivan. Not to be outdone, United came straight back and equalized through Matthew Spring, when he powered a header home from a pinpoint Richardson centre.Many thought two goals in a minute was the cue for a goal-feast but they were disappointed, but both sides had their chances in an evenly fought contest. Horlock volleyed over from distance and Magilton found Kuqi unmarked but he was unable to control it.

United were more ambitious and some fine build up play saw Richardson find Einarsson but he was foiled by the off-side flag. Gray was knocked to the floor in the Ipswich box but the referee ruled in the negative, while Naylor had to be alert to react quickly to a Moore cross with Hulse poised at the far post. There was disappointment for Leeds when Walton, who had just come on for Einarsson, fell with no one near him and had to be stretchered off with a hamstring injury.

His departure allowed Jermaine Wright a twenty minute run against his former team and his introduction almost had an immediate impact. With the boos of the away fans ringing in his ears Wright broke from midfield and fed Moore, who played a neat ball through to the onrushing Hulse, but his powerful finish was rule out by the offside flag. Ipswich did press after that but it did not alter the scoreline and the 1-1 draw saw United drop to twelfth.

United were unchanged for their final away fixture against Leicester City at the Walker Stadium in what turned out to be a typical end of the season game with United showing little interest in the outcome as there was nothing but pride to play for. Unfortunately Leicester were not of like mind and showed plenty of pride and should have been more than 2-0 up at the break such was their dominance. It was a poor way to finish what had been a fine away campaign for United and had there been anything at stake it would have ranked with their worst of the season.

Leicester scored twice in the opening half to put the game beyond United's reach and it was as well that United upped their involvement in the second half or a much larger defeat would have ensued. In fact United were the better team in the second half but they were unable to find a finishing touch. Rod Hulse uncharacteristically missed two half-chances and Marlon King missed a penalty but if United had got back in the game and any share of the points it would have been unfair to the hosts.

Apart from Neil Sullivan who pulled off a couple of vital reaction saves no one stood out in what was a very much below-par performance. Lennon, who had been left on the bench because of tiredness, did inject some life into proceedings after his introduction on the hour mark. But that aside, the travelling 2,400 had little to cheer and would have left the Walker Stadium feeling short changed, as the one time encouraging campaign has disintegrated from a position of play-off possibilities to one of a succession poor results and the end of any interest in the promotion outcome and the best they could now hope for was eleventh.

Dion Dublin headed in from a corner in the sixth minute and only Sullivan's reflexes stopped it from being 2-0 inside ten minutes. Williams spurned a great opportunity and Connelly headed against the crossbar from two yards and Carlisle threw his body in the way to deny Dublin a certain goal from the rebound. It was after thirty-nine minutes that Leicester finally doubled their tally when Hughes gifted Connelly an easy goal and that effectively was game over. In the second half Walker denied Kilgallon, Hulse couldn't find a finishing touch after good work by Lennon, who also played in King, but he was crowded out. Walker denied King again after good work from Kelly, but even after Spring had gained a dubious penalty, King could not beat Walker from twelve yards. United did have another penalty appeal turned down but were unable to make their possession count and the away campaign ended on a disappointing note and United dropped to fourteenth position.

Sean Gregan moved back into defence in place of Clarke Carlisle and Danny Pugh was given the left back spot in place of Michael Gray. There was a return for Aaron Lennon for Richardson; Wright took Gregan's spot in midfield, while Marlon King took Einarsson's midfield spot as United entertained Rotherham United at Elland Road in the season's final fixture.

Rotherham had long been relegated from the CCCL but United had pummelled them for 180 minutes without being able to find the net. United bettered their Millmoor tally of hitting the woodwork, when they managed to achieve the feat on four separate occasions but they were again left cursing the Miller's luck and failed to sign off on a winning note. The only difference from the Millmoor encounter was that Sullivan was forced to make two good saves and only a dreadful finish from Proctor ensured the visitors three chances counted for nothing. There was little doubt of who were the better team but even so Leeds were unable to finish the season on a high note.

United had the better of a scrappy opening and chances galore went begging. Pollitt saved from Hulse after thirty-two seconds and that set the tone for the contest. Hulse put another over the top, Pollitt denied Lennon, and Spring hit the outside of the post when clean through. Hulse hit the post at the start of the second half, Pollitt pushed a Spring shot on to the woodwork, and Marlon King, in his last loan period game, rattled the upright after more good approach play. United were far more creative and Ian Moore impressed with his workrate and effort in the dual striker role. He was unselfish, industrious and playing alongside a natural striker had his best game to date. Lennon stood out with his creativity and ran the Rotherham defence ragged. As at Millmoor, it took Rotherham over an hour to muster anything of note but when they did it tested United. YEP player of the year Neil Sullivan, showed his quality by denying McLaren and Proctor with two superb saves. Proctor was guilty of heading wide with the goal at his mercy and when he did get the ball in the net four minutes from time his effort was ruled out for offside. Gavin Rothery did not get a run from the bench but there was a rousing reception as Danny Pugh made way for Lucas Radebe, who strode on to the pitch one last time for United and was handed the Captain's armband by Gary Kelly. Due to a pitch invasion on the final whistle there was no customary lap of honour from the team and the 0-0 draw was United's eighteenth draw of the season which highlights the difference between promotion and a midtable fourteenth which was United's final position. United announced the signing on a permanent basis of Rod Hulse from West Bromwich Albion for £800,000.

In the season United finished fourteenth and used thirty-seven different players on the pitch in all competitive games. Healy led the League scorers with seven, followed by Hulse and Deane with six and Danny Pugh with five. Deane and Pugh also scored in the League Cup. Neil Sullivan was ever-present with 46 appearances, followed by Gary Kelly 43, Paul Butler 39, Sean Gregan 34(1), Danny Pugh 33(5), Jermaine Wright 33(2),Clarke Carlisle 29(6),Frazer Richardson 28(10), David Healy 27(1), Matthew Kilgallon 26, Brian Deane 23(8) and Simon Walton 23(7).

2005-2006:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

For United’s second season in the second tier, albeit grandiosely referred to as the Coca-Cola Football League Championship, it looked like another season of consolidation rather than an all-out assault to regain Premiership status. After plummeting the depths in the past few seasons fans in general seemed to accept that there would be no miracles on the horizon and the close season saw the disappearance of another jewel, in the form of Aaron Lennon, being snapped up by Tottenham Hotspur for a giveaway £800,000. He was later to impress in the Premiership and gain selection for the England World Cup squad.

Others taking the exit door were Simon Johnson to Darlington, Julian Joachim to Boston United, Martin Woods to Sunderland and Paul Keegan to Drogheda United, all on free transfers. Seth Johnson was offered a settlement on his excessive wages and was declared a free agent and rejoined Derby County. Aidan Boothroyd, newly appointed as Watford Manager, returned to Elland Road to take Clarke Carlisle, for £100,000, Matthew Spring, for £150,000 and out of time loanee, Marlon King. All players had shown reasonable form but could not find a regular place at Elland Road.

Gary Kelly apart, United off loaded their last overpaid relic of a bye-gone “Dream-time” when Eirik Bakke was loaned to Aston Villa for the season. There were loans too for the seemingly out of favour Michael Ricketts, who was loaned to Cardiff City and then Burnley, and Jermaine Wright who went firstly to Millwall and then Southampton.

Incoming loan players were Jonathan Douglas from Blackburn Rovers for the full season and Liam Miller from Manchester United from the end of October and eventually for the rest of the season, while late in the season Danny Graham came in from Middlesbrough.

Coming in permanently were Goalkeeper Ian Bennett from Birmingham City, USA International Left Winger Eddie Lewis from Preston North End and ex-England midfielder Steve Stone from Portsmouth, all on free transfers. England under-21 left back Dan Harding came in from Brighton at a fee decided by tribunal. Robbie Blake joined from Birmingham City for £800,000.

Early into the season Richard Cresswell cost £1,150,000 from Preston North End. Angolan International defender Rui Marques joined on a free from CS Maritimo, but could not secure a place and was loaned out to Hull City. Australian International midfielder Joel Griffiths was the subject of a long drawn out transfer procedure with Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax, but finally joined late in the season for £150,000, while the promising young striker Jermaine Beckford was also a late signing, from non-League Wealdstone for £50,000.

There were several pre-season friendlies against what can be best described as mediocre opposition, with the glaring exception of Glasgow Celtic, all were against clubs not expected to tax United too much.

It came as some surprise, therefore, when Norwegian Second Division outfit FK Haugesund emerged 1-0 victors in the first game of their two match Norwegian tour. Kevin Blackwell was able to pick from strength with only Sullivan, Stone, Blake, Moore and Walton unavailable. He opted for almost two complete teams in each half. The first half featured Bennett; Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey; Wright, Bakke, Johnson, Pugh; Hulse (Sandos sub 37 mins), Healy. While the second stanza featured Bennett; Richardson Carlisle, Gregan, Harding; Spring, Derry, Einarsson, Lewis; Ricketts, Sandos.

There were impressive debuts for Eddie Lewis and Daniel Harding, who forged a strong left flank in the second half, but Stephen Crainey and Danny Pugh were also almost as impressive in the first half. Eirik Bakke and Seth Johnson, too, impressed after long layoffs.

The first half was marred by an injury to Rob Hulse, who was forced out of the game after a reckless challenge. Angolan international Freddy Sandos replaced him for the rest of the game, but enthusiasm apart failed to impress. United went behind to a sloppy goal fifteen minutes into the second half and from then on there was lots of niggling and Shaun Derry and Michael Ricketts were involved in spats with their opponents. Matthew Spring went close for Leeds and Shaun Derry twice created chances which were spurned by his collegues.

In the second game of the tour there was a deserved victory over Stavanger IF 2-0. Blackwell gave all fit players, except Gylfi Einarsson a run, Ian Moore replacing Rob Hulse in the starting XI, which was Bennett; Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Harding; Wright, Derry,Bakke, Lewis; Moore, Healey. At half time Kelly, Gregan, Bakke and Moore were replaced by Richardson, Kilgallon, Johnson and Sandos, while on sixty-two minutes Butler, Harding, Derry and Lewis were replaced by Carlisle, Crainey, Walton, and Pugh. Finally after seventy minutes Wright and Healy made way for Spring and Ricketts.

Gary Kelly’s pinpoint cross enabled Eirik Bakke to open the scoring early in the first half and Matt Spring scored with aplomb in the final minute, after being set up by the energetic Freddy Sandos, who apart from forcing the keeper to a great save also provided Michael Ricketts with a golden opportunity to score but he still contrived to miss from close range with the goal at his mercy. Former United favourite Alf Inge-Haaland made a twenty minute guest appearance for the hosts.

For the trip to Darlington, who included ex-Leeds players Clyde Winjhard and Simon Johnson, Manager Kevin Blackwell gave a start to Robbie Blake and a first run on for Gylfi Einarsson. The starting line up was Bennett; Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Crainey; Wright, Derry, Bakke, Johnson; Healy, Blake. It took Robbie Blake just six minutes to open his account, taking a pass from David Healy, he held up the ball well before creating space for himself and shooting low past the diving keeper. Richardson and Einarsson replaced Kelly and Blake after fifty-five minutes, followed by Walton for Wright seven minutes later, Kilgallon for Butler on seventy minutes, Pugh for Bakke twelve minutes later and Ricketts replaced Healy for a token last three minutes. Harding, Carlisle and Wilberforce remained unused on the bench.

United travelled to Parkhead for the most testing of their pre-season friendlies to face Glasgow Celtic and emerged with a creditable 0-0 draw. Paul Butler was instrumental in marshalling the back four, which enabled Ian Bennett to keep his third consecutive clean sheet. Gary Kelly and Daniel Harding looked the part as the full backs and Sean Gregan played well alongside his skipper in central defence, while Matthew Kilgallon showed he was equally reliable when given his chance. Shaun Derry again ran the midfield with good support from wingers Jermaine Wright and Eddie Lewis and Eirik Bakke did his chances no harm, while up front Robbie Blake and David Healy, who took a knock on the ankle, combined well in the absence of Rob Hulse.

Frazer Richardson and Matthew Kilgallon replaced Gary Kelly and Sean Gregan after sixty-seven minutes, before Michael Ricketts was given a run in place of Robbie Blake five minutes later. On the seventy-seven minute mark there was a triple substitution with Matt Spring, Stephen Crainey and Gylfi Einarsson replacing Daniel Harding, Eirik Bakke and David Healy. Clarke Carlisle and Danny Pugh replaced Paul Butler and Eddie Lewis six minutes later, while Simon Walton came on for Jermaine Wright for the final five minutes. Seth Johnson remained unused on the bench.

Blundell Park Cleethorpes was the next venue, as Grimsby Town hosted United in their penultimate pre-season friendly. After a defensive mix-up, featuring Clarke Carlisle and Matthew Kilgallon, had allowed the home team to take a thirteenth minute, a left foot rocket from Frazer Richardson nine minutes later earned United a 1-1 draw. The run on side was Bennett; Richardson, Carlisle, Kilgallon, Crainey; Wright, Derry, Einarsson, Lewis; Blake, Ricketts, with Wright, Lewis and Blake leaving proceedings after sixty-five minutes in favour of Spring, Walton, Pugh and the livewire teenager Ian Morris.

Grimsby almost won the game but ex-United left back Tom Newey was thwarted by the diving Ian Bennett from the penalty spot in the second half, but it would have been rough justice as United squandered several chances and were the better side on the night.

United’s final pre-season game took them to Oakwell to play neighbours Barnsley and another workmanlike performance saw them emerge 2-1 winners, although two seemingly perfectly good goals were disallowed and many other chances were created. Sullivan returned for the second half and seemed to be hard pushed to displace Ian Bennett, who started the game as first choice keeper. Paul Butler and Sean Gregan again forming the central defensive pairing, while Gary Kelly and Daniel Harding appeared to have cemented their hold on the full back slots, it seemed as if the defence had picked its self, as Fraser Richardson and Matthew Kilgallon remained unused on the bench. Jermaine Wright and Eddie Lewis appeared to have made the wing positions their own, while midfield anchorman Shaun Derry was a certainty with Eirik Bakke getting the nod to complete the midfield. In the absence of the injured Rob Hulse, David Healy and Robbie Blake had staked their claim to the striker roles. Indeed they combined well to score the goals which gave United victory.

David Healy opened the scoring just after the half hour mark, soon after having an even better effort disallowed. Robbie Blake added the second in the second half after an hour and was unlucky to receive an offside flag for an equally impressive goal moments later, while Eddie Lewis also hit the bar and shot narrowly wide. There was a standing ovation for Eirik Bakke when he was replaced after seventy minutes as a precaution after receiving a knock. He was soon followed by Daniel Harding, as during the later stages the United defence seemed to be too clever and were caught out as Barnsley got a consolation goal.

United were off to their usual winning start to the new campaign, having not lost an opening day fixture since their St James’s defeat by Newcastle United in their promotion year, which commenced in August 1989!

It was a fine all-round display by United who showed no sign of nerves and put together a convincing comprehensive performance where there were no weak links, indeed, apart from a twenty minute spell after half-time, United totally dominated proceedings.

A major disappointment was the crowd of only 20,440, United’s lowest opening day attendance for forty-four years and the lowest first game attendance since 1986. The line up was as expected: Sullivan; Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Harding; Wright, Derry, Bakke, Lewis; Blake, Healy. Michael Ricketts came on for Robbie Blake after seventy-six minutes and Frazer Richardson replaced Jermaine Wright for the last ten minutes. Bennett, Einarsson and Kilgallon remained unused on the bench.

Shaun Derry bossed the midfield and was the United star, with Gary Kelly, Eirik Bakke, Eddie Lewis and David Healy also outstanding. United played neat football, were solid in defence and were rarely troubled by a Millwall side, which showed plenty of fight in the second half. They resisted the chance of sitting back and inviting pressure after taking the lead on twenty-eight minutes. Millwall failed to clear an Eddie Lewis corner and David Healy pounced to volley home before keeper Marshall could react. United won the game in the middle of the park with Eirik Bakke playing his first game in eighteen months. He was here, there and everywhere winning tackles and making his presence felt as he pushed forward. Meanwhile, the immaculate Shaun Derry won everything that came his way, was neat and tidy in his distribution, and never put a foot wrong. Up front, Robbie Blake and David Healy combined well and worked their socks off. Indeed, the two diminutive forwards only lacked the height but never the determination, as they would not let themselves be out-muscled by the Millwall central defence.

Millwall came at United after the interval and, after Dan Harding had been dispossessed as he hesitated in clearing, Don Hutchinson rifled an unstoppable equaliser from twenty-five yards, just on the hour. The goal triggered United into action and seventeen minutes from time Eirik Bakke was hauled down by Elliott and David Healy scored from the resulting penalty. Michael Ricketts replaced Robbie Blake with fourteen minutes to go. Probably in an effort to provide more weight and directness in attack, and aimed at getting a third to put the match beyond doubt, but it proved unnecessary. Overall Manager Blackwell must have been pleased with the result and the performance, even though David Healy and Sean Gregan picked up yellow cards for foul play.

United were unchanged for the visit to Cardiff City’s Ninian Park for their first away trip of the season. They took the lead after twenty-two minutes when Gary Kelly and finally David Healy combined well to provide Robbie Blake with the opportunity to score his first League goal for Leeds. For a long time it looked to be good enough to provide United with only their second league victory at Ninian Park in 84 years, as they dictated play for the first hour. However the curse of Ninian Park struck again as Jason Koumas marked his home debut with an exquisite thunderbolt to produce a wonder-strike from distance, as the Leeds defence back-pedalled and held off him. Worse was to follow when in the sixty-seventh minute Matthew Kilgallon was adjudged to have deliberately handled in the box and Purse converted the resulting penalty to become the third person to open his club account on the night.

United could count themselves unlucky in having two goal disallowed for off-side, while David Healy shot over after being put through by Eddie Lewis and Jermaine Wright similarly failed to hit the target, all before Cardiff had equalised. Sean Gregan had looked as solid as a rock alongside the impressive Paul Butler and neither had been troubled before Cardiff’s first goal. Few would have realised that the skipper was playing with a pain-killing injection, but he had to give it second best at half time as the pain took over. Matthew Kilgallon took his place, and though he was an extremely competent performer, the nous and experience of the skipper was sorely missed as Leeds started to crumble.

While the spine of the United team had looked good in the first half, with Eirik Bakke and Shaun Derry again combining well in the middle of the park, and Gary Kelly again excelling at right back with Eddie Lewis again posing a major threat down the left flank, it began to creak in the second half as Cardiff slowly got back into the game, as United squandered several easy chances to increase their lead. When Cardiff equalised, the lively David Healy, who had formed a very potent attack with Robbie Blake, was replaced by Michael Ricketts but it mattered little. Cardiff soon took the lead from the spot after a hand ball, which hardly seemed justified, especially as United had an even more blatant hand ball in the Cardiff box, when Bakke’s shot was clearly stopped from crossing the goal-line by a defender’s hand. There were also a few ugly incidents. Derry and Harding were exchanging words in the last few minutes as the game went from United’s grasp, much to the delight of the home crowd, who plumbed the depths with several unpalatable chants. Paul Butler and Shaun Derry picked up yellow cards. A game United should have won but didn’t enforce their advantage and paid the price.

Ian Bennett made his debut in goal, while Michael Ricketts was preferred to David Healy, who dropped to the bench, where he joined Frazer Richardson, Gylfi Einarsson, Matthew Spring and Matthew Kilgallon for the visit to Kenilworth Road home of newly promoted Luton Town, who had got off to a flyer by winning both games against former EPL duo, Southampton and Crystal Palace. Luton played a neat brand of football moving the ball quickly and were obviously riding on the crest of a wave. They created a couple of chances but thecentral defence of Paul Butler and Sean Gregan were in top form andkept them scoreless. United also had their chances but the two defenceswere generally in command. Former United Junior Warren Feeney linkedwell with his striking partner but could not break the United rearguardwith Ian Bennett commanding his area well. It was just as well theywere in commanding form as Gary Kelly and Dan Harding struggled to copewith Luton’s fast raiding wingers. Eddie Lewis had a good second halfwhen his crosses were a cause of danger to the Luton defence. WhileRobbie Blake worked hard up front, it was a mystery why Michael Ricketts was preferred ahead of regular scorer David Healy. There was a marked improvement after Healy came on for Robbie Blake in the sixty-seventh minute, quickly followed three minutes later by Frazer Richardson replacing the ineffective Jermaine Wright in midfield while Gylfi Einarsson came on for the equally ineffective Michael Ricketts on seventy-four minutes.

United lacked potency in midfield and although Eirik Bakke did have a couple of half chances and Shaun Derry just failed with a header early on, generally there was little creativity particularly in the first half. Bakke did manage to put Ricketts in the clear but the chance went begging as the striker side footed wide with only the keeper to beat. Luton were happy to hang on for the point to maintain pole position in the Division, as Leeds finished the stronger of the two teams, and United too were happy to gain a point at the expense of the leaders.

United made several changes for the visit of expected high flyers Wolverhampton Wanderers, Frazer Richardson was preferred to Jermaine Wright and Gylfi Einarsson took over from Eirik Bakke in midfield, while there was a welcome return of Rob Hulse in place of Michael Ricketts as striker. The bench was Neil Sullivan, Matthew Kilgallon, loan signing Jonathan Douglas, David Healy and Michael Ricketts. Another poor attendance, 21,229 (including 2,000 Wolves fans), were treated to a fine performance from United against a side which had only suffered one defeat since Glenn Hoddle had taken over in December of the previous year. United took their chances well and defended superbly in the first half when put under pressure by the lively visitors, who proved to be best team United had encountered since Wigan gave them a lesson several months previously. Indeed they were always a threat until United put the game beyond doubt on the hour mark.

United were off to a flyer as Eddie Lewis opened his goal-scoring account after only eight minutes, but it was hard going from there on as Wolves threw everything at them. It was more about the superb performance of Paul Butler, who repelled his former team-mates as the defensive lynchpin, and the outstanding goalkeeping skills of Ian Bennett. Gary Kelly was composed at right back and Frazer Richardson covered acres of ground defensively and in trying to get forward, while Sean Gregan and Daniel Harding both had fine games in defence. In midfield Shaun Derry had to do the work of two as Gylfi Einarsson struggled to cope in the first half, but improved as the game progressed. Miller rattled the United bar and Ricketts put an easy chance over the bar as Wolves took the ascendency and tested the United defence to the full and were lucky to make it to half time still clinging on to their slender lead.

Manager Kevin Blackwell bolstered the midfield and on fifty-seven minutes he gave a debut to Jonathan Douglas in place of Robbie Blake. Rob Hulse popped up to grab the second after sixty minutes and Wolves, having thrown everything bar the kitchen sink at United, visibly wilted and seemed to concede that they would not get one goal never mind the two then required to put them on level terms. Rob Hulse had battled hard and it was fitting that he was on hand to finish off a Gary Kelly free-kick, which had been nodded on by Gylfi Einarsson, for him to slide the ball past the keeper. He left to a standing ovation as he was replaced by Ricketts after seventy-five minutes and David Healy was given ten minutes in place of Einarsson as United sought to press home their superiority.

United entertained Oldham Athletic in the Carling Cup First Round and gave chances to a few non-regulars. Hulse, Lewis, Derry, Kelly and Butler were rested and there was a debut for Rui Marques and chances for Richardson, Kilgallon, Crainey, Pugh and Ricketts. The line-up was Sullivan; Marques, Gregan, Kilgallon, Crainey; Richardson, Douglas, Einarsson, Pugh; Healy, Ricketts. Robbie Blake replaced David Healy for the last nine minutes while Bennett, Harding, Wright and Moore were unused on the bench. It gave Danny Pugh a chance to show his talents, as he and Sean Gregan stood out for United. There were eight changes from the team that beat Wolverhampton Wanderers and first half goals from Michael Ricketts and Frazer Richardson were enough to give United an easy victory against mediocre opposition, who never looked like seriously challenging the hosts.

Stephen Crainey and Danny Pugh formed a formidable left side partnership while Matthew Kilgallon and David Healy showed their worth with good performances. Michael Ricketts had his best game for the club to date, while Jonathan Douglas and Gylfi Einarsson bossed the midfield. Rui Marques had a nervous start and Neil Sullivan had little to do. United’s opener came after twenty minutes when Sean Gregan’s powerful header fell for Michael Ricketts, who held off a challenge to score. Four minutes later it was all over as David Healy showed good touch to tee-up Frazer Richardson, who rifled the ball home, as United kept their third consecutive clean sheet and the 14,970 crowd went home happy.

For the visit to Norwich City’s Carrow Road, United reverted to their regular XI of Bennett; Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Harding; Richardson, Derry, Einarsson, Lewis; Healy, Hulse. New signing Richard Cresswell debuted from the bench, replacing David Healy after seventy-four minutes, while Jonathan Douglas came on for Rob Hulse for the final ten minutes. Neil Sullivan, Robbie Blake and Matthew Kilgallon were unused substitutes.

The victory eased United into equal second on the ladder and showed that they were going to be a force to be reckoned with in the season’s fight for promotion, as Rod Hulse scored his eighth goal in fifteen appearances to give United full points with a typical striker’s effort and one that any predatory goal-poacher would have been proud of. From an Eddie Lewis corner, Frazer Richardson returned a far post cross which was met by Paul Butler, who headed down for Rob Hulse who hammered the ball home from point blank range. It was no more than he deserved as he had hit the bar with a header in the first half, narrowly failed to latch on to a fine Gylfi Einarsson knock down, and seconds before his goal had almost succeeded in breaking through a crowd of defenders. Partnering the hard working David Healy for the first in the season, he showed that his physical presence would trouble many future opponents. The introduction of £1 million signing Richard Cresswell, showed that United with have plenty of physical presence whenever either is around. While Rob Hulse starred and David Healy was not far behind, it was a total team performance as they played as a unit and showed a strong work ethic. Eddie Lewis and Dan Harding linked well down the left, with Lewis showing great touch and Harding had his best game to date, subduing thealways dangerous ex-United speedster Darren Huckerby. Shaun Derry was again magnificent in midfield, while Gylfi Einarsson worked hard to provide the link to the front-line and was particularly strong in the air. Frazer Richardson covered acres of ground down the right flank both in attack and helping Gary Kelly, who continued his fine seam of good form and again caused trouble from set pieces. Paul Butler and Sean Gregan once more were immense in defence and Matthew Kilgallon must have been wondering if he would ever get a start, such had been their combined contributions in the season to date. Ian Bennett was commanding in goal and kept his third clean sheet for the season as United were in charge except for ten minutes either side of half-time.

Due to international commitments of both teams the next fixture, the home clash with Crystal Palace, was postponed and it created a match in hand, which was not played ultimately until late March, which meant that United and Palace were always a game in hand against their rivals throughout that six month period.

United were unchanged, as fresh from leading Northern Ireland to a famous victory over England by scoring a spectacular winner, David Healy almost single-handedly pulled United back from the brink of defeat in their home fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion. He scored twice and then figured strongly in a third, when United made a dramatic late comeback after conceding for a third time. Healy could have had a hat-trick in the first fifteen minutes, but scored twice in the second half and it was his shot that led to Jonathan Douglas scoring a late equaliser. It was a breathtaking contest which Leeds should have on, could have lost, but ultimately achieved an honourable draw. United conceded three goals at home for only the second time since relegation from the EPL. While they stretched their unbeaten run to five games, it was incredible that a normally shot-shy team like Brighton were the ones to break the run of clean sheets by United and it must be said that the game would have been approached as a home banker on recent form. While Leeds were stretched on occasions by the speedy visitors, they created enough chances to have won the game at a canter.

The goalkeeping heroics of Henderson, the on loan Republic of Ireland under 21 International from Aston Villa, and the woodwork, thwarted United many times, as David Healy, on three occasions, Rob Hulse twice, Eddie Lewis, and Einarsson had to cut short their goal celebrations, all in the first twelve minutes! Brighton absorbed the onslaught and on twenty-eight minutes broke at pace with Seb Carole leaving the Leeds defence floundering and his cross was knocked in by Leon Knight. It could have been worse as Hammond headed over just before half time when it seemed easier to score. The pace of Seb Carole and Leon Knight was causing the United defence all kinds of problems and shocked silence greeted their second goal seven minutes into the second half. Knight made the running for Carole to shoot through the legs of Daniel Harding and past the unsighted keeper and it seemed as though United might crumble. That could have been the case in previous seasons but not in the current one.

United brought on Jonathan Douglas for Frazer Richardson and Richard Cresswell for Rob Hulse after fifty-seven minutes. David Healy led the revival as he scored twice in five minutes, starting in the sixty-fifth minute, when Jonathan Douglas showed good vision to get the ball beyond the defence and provide David Healy with the sort of ball he thrives on for him to make no mistake. Douglas again figured in the second as he found Paul Butler who nodded down for Healy to hammer home. The game had been turned on its head and United seemed firm favourites to win and with Robbie Blake coming on for Eddie Lewis with ten minutes to go it seemed only a matter of time. But just three minutes later Brighton again broke and the hapless Sean Gregan deflected Knight’s cross past his bewildered keeper. Ian Bennett had stood no chance with any of the three strikes and yet had not had to make another save. Right on time justice was done as Robbie Blake got the ball into the danger area and David Healy’s blocked shot fell for Jonathan Douglas who delightedly drilled the ball home. Shaun Derry, Eddie Lewis, and Rob Hulse, all shone for Leeds as did substitutes Jonathan Douglas and Richard Cresswell but the stand out was David Healy and at the end of the day United found themselves in seventh spot.

For their visit to Hillsborough to meet near rivals Sheffield Wednesday, United shuffled the pack with Stephen Crainey replacing Dan Harding, while Ian Bennett, Frazer Richardson and Rob Hulse took the places of the promoted Neil Sullivan, Jonathan Douglas and Richard Cresswell, on the bench, as United once more showed poor derby form and allowed the home team to record their first victory of the season. Wednesday fully deserved their victory and Kevin Blackwell must have wondered what had gone wrong with his team who had previously looked the part of promotion candidates. United were never in the game until the final twenty minutes when they threw caution to the wind in a vain effort to compensate for the sloppy goal, which had been conceded after only eight minutes. Fortunately Wednesday failed to take advantage of a succession of gifts that could have put the game far beyond United’s reach and it was seventy-six minutes before the Owls’ keeper was called upon to make a save. The equaliser never came as United put on Frazer Richardson after sixty-seven minutes for Gylfi Einarsson, who had a nightmare and was totally ineffective, followed by Robbie Blake for David Healy four minutes later and after a further four minutes Rob Hulse came on for Richard Cresswell. Frazer Richardson started to make inroads down the right flank, while Jonathan Douglas moved into the middle and United had some modicum of success in gaining control of the midfield.

After Shaun Derry had failed to clear, United had conceded a free-kick which Eagles drifted over the watching wall and past a stunned Neil Sullivan and things didn’t improve as they should have gone two down after fifteen minutes but somehow the Wednesday skipper managed to put the ball wide from close range. United did get the ball in the net as Eddie Lewis played David Healy in, only for the flag to go up for offside. David Graham also missed a golden opportunity when he elected to pass to an offside colleague when he had a clear pass to goal. Neil Sullivan kept United in the game with two stunning saves. David Healy slashed one effort wide before substitute Robbie Blake had a shot deflected to safety, and then Shaun Derry played in Frazer Richardson for him to allow Gary Kelly to cross for the lively substitute Rob Hulse to force the Wednesday keeper to a terrific save. It wasn’t all one-way traffic as Brunt forced Sullivan to pull off another super save as he shot from distance. United tried their hardest in the final minutes but Wednesday deservedly held on to take the points and United dropped to tenth in the standings.

A visit to Loftus Road to meet Queens Park Rangers was next on the agenda and Rod Hulse replaced Richard Cresswell, who took his place on the bench, where Danny Pugh and Ian Moore sat instead of Frazer Richardson and Robbie Blake. Shaun Derry was Man of the Match with Eddie Lewis also outstanding, but there were no poor players for Leeds, only a poor referee who did his utmost to be the centre of attraction and the game suffered accordingly. His persistent whistling for petty fouls, particularly in the first half hour ruined the game as a spectacle. The sending off of David Healy on sixty-five minutes was a travesty and by then he had already dished out five yellows without much valid reason in four cases, in what had been a quiet game, but it exploded after Healy’s dismissal and strangely only resulted in a further one yellow, to Shaun Derry.

United were well on top but the stop start of the first half hour only served to stop them from asserting this superiority. Early in the game Jonathan Douglas was played in by the impressive Eddie Lewis, but somehow managed to put his low cross over the bar from close range. Lewis was always a threat and Healy and Douglas combined well while Rob Hulse was always a menace in the box. Shaun Derry again proved that he was no only a fine protector of the back four but his vision and distribution were vital to United’s attacking build up. In general it was a total turn around from their inept display at Hillsborough and the team closed down well and fought for everything, and, when in possession, played neat football to created some decent chances. On forty minutes Gary Kelly sent over a free-kick from the left and Rob Hulse was left enough space to hammer the ball home from close range and he could thank poor marking by the Rangers defence for this goal which couldn’t have come easier. It was no more than United deserved and they set out to try for a second. Gylfi Einarsson had one header blocked on the line, while David Healy and Rob Hulse caused havoc as Shaun Derry sprayed the ball around.

Healy was dismissed for a spat in back-play with Bircham, who had spent most of the game winding up the United players and had been very lucky not to be shown a card for an horrendous challenge on Einarsson moments earlier, and seemed the oppressor in the spat as he appeared to elbow Healy. The sending off prompted a melee between the two teams and not only reduced United to ten men but allowed Rangers back into the game and forced them to defend for the rest of the game. Richard Cresswell replaced Rob Hulse for the last twenty minutes. However, United were strong in defence and hung on for a deserved win.

United were still on the road, this time to Millmoor to face Rotherham United in the second round of the Carling Cup, which prompted a few changes to the team. Frazer Richardson for Gary Kelly, Matthew Kilgallon for Paul Butler, Ian Moore for Shaun Derry, Danny Pugh for Eddie Lewis and Richard Cresswell for the suspended David Healy. Shaun Derry was rested to the bench, where he was joined by Ian Bennett, Eddie Lewis, Daniel Harding and Rui Marques. It proved to be a comfortable 2-0 victory, with Richard Cresswell crowning a fine performance with both goals and forming a dangerous twin spearhead with Rod Hulse. Millmoor was a desolate place with building still going on and parts of the ground unavailable for spectators resulting in a sell-out 5,445 crowd which included 1,000 from Leeds. Matthew Kilgallon had a good game alongside Sean Gregan in the back four, while Ian Moore and Danny Pugh both gave good accounts of themselves on the flanks with Richard Cresswell deservedly getting both goals and Frazer Richardson did his regular first team aspirations no harm. United were well in control at the back and Neil Sullivan was virtually redundant, while Jonathan Douglas and Gylfi Einarsson got through a lot of work and bossed the midfield. Richard Cresswell opened the scoring in the nineteenth minute when he took advantage of poor defending to ram the ball home. Eight minutes later, after Rod Hulse had pressured the keeper, Cresswell was again on hand to double his tally and put the tie out of Rotherham’s reach. United completed their sixth clean sheet in ten games and easily progressed to the next round.

It was back to the League for the home fixture with Ipswich Town and back to the now usual team of Sullivan; Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Crainey; Douglas, Derry, Einarsson, Lewis; Hulse, Cresswell. Richardson, Blake, Moore, Bennett and Kilgallon occupied the bench. Shaun Derry was again United’s best performer as he battled alone in midfield with scant support from the rest and yet United dominated possession, created enough chances to have won two games, missed a penalty and could feel aggrieved that they had shown enough killer instinct to have won the game easily. It was Ipswich that scored twice from far fewer opportunities and took full points for their 2-0 victory as United slumped to their first home defeat of the season.

Ipswich had not won in weeks and looked likely to continue their poor run until Parkin put them ahead after almost half an hour. United were unable to benefit from their domination of possession and compounded this by giving away two easy goals. As against Brighton a fortnight previous they were caught on the break twice as fast breaking forwards took advantage of United’s vulnerability against swift breaks, and their inability to kill off the challenge from inferior teams has already lost them vital points. Inconsistency seemed to be the problem and a defence which boasted six clean sheets in eleven games was again caught napping, with both goals very preventable and the chance of joining the top flight of promotion contenders was lost. The first goal conceded came after almost half an hour’s sustained pressure from United, when a long ball over the top found Bowditch in acres of space on the right wing with plenty of time to pick out Parkin on the near post and he bundled the ball home. The second twenty minutes from time came when Garvan lobbed the ball over the back four and found Parkin who again took advantage of the static defending. It was the sign of surrender as heads noticeably went down and there was never any question of the repeat of the recovery from a two goal deficit as was the case against Brighton.

There were few bright spots for United, as only Shaun Derry could have held his head high, although Eddie Lewis had a good first half and Richard Cresswell and Rob Hulse gave it their all. There was little creativity from midfield with Gylfi Einarsson and Jonathan Douglas sadly out of touch and lacking the quality to open up the Ipswich rearguard. Rob Hulse forced the keeper to a fine save and Eddie Lewis hit a post, but when Richard Cresswell failed to score from the spot it was clearly not going to be United’s day. Manager Kevin Blackwell sought to change things with the introduction of Frazer Richardson for Gylfi Einarsson on the hour and then Robbie Blake for Gary Kelly thirteen minutes later, before giving Ian Moore his chance in place of Rob Hulse with nine minutes to go. It was all to no avail.

There was a slight shake-up for the visit of Derby County in the following midweek as Frazer Richardson took Jonathan Douglas’s place on the right of midfield as he was switched to central midfield in place of Gylfi Einarsson, who took Richardson’s place on the bench, in an otherwise unchanged team. Rob Hulse completed his first hat-trick as a United player when he hit the net three times in twelve minutes in the first half to ensure that finally United turned their dominance into three points. All three goals were typical goal-poachers strikes and Eddie Lewis and substitute Robbie Blake were prominent in the victory and the three strikes. The American winger followed up his fine game against Ipswich with a stream of crosses and was again the supplier in chief to the United strike force. He made the opening for the first goal, after thirty-two minutes, as he made the running before Robbie Blake supplied the pass for Rob Hulse to open up his account from close range. Five minutes later Lewis got behind the defence and squared for Hulse to rise and nod the ball home. Just before half-time it was again Lewis who was the provider when his pot shot was not held by the keeper and Hulse was on hand to force the ball home.

Things had not look good for United as Richard Cresswell was forced to leave the field after only twenty-seven minutes with a shin injury, but the advent of Robbie Blake as his replacement saw the opening up of the Derby defence and their keeper becoming nervous to the extent that he could be faulted for all three goals. Derby played neat football but Seth Johnson was totally outplayed in midfield as Shaun Derry and Jonathan Douglas took a firm grip with Frazer Richardson and particularly Eddie Lewis always a threat, as both ploughed up and down the wings to good effect. The defence was solid even though Sean Gregan conceded his second own goal in three home matches and Stephen Crainey looked to be lacking in confidence and made way for Matthew Kilgallon with five minutes to go, while Ian Moore was given a run for the last quarter of an hour giving hat-trick hero and man of the match Rob Hulse a welcome rest. The win took United up to sixth spot and only four points adrift of third place.

For the visit to fellow promotion hopefuls Watford at Vicarage Road there was a place for midweek substitutes Matthew Kilgallon, who replaced out of form Stephen Crainey and Robbie Blake, who replaced the injured Richard Cresswell, leaving a place on the bench for David Healy and Danny Pugh. Eddie Lewis was clearly feeling the injury which had caused him to be in doubt right up to kick-off time and was but a shadow of his normal self and had to be substituted after sixty-six minutes by Danny Pugh. Another of United’s better players in their midweek win Robbie Blake also struggled and was replaced by David Healy less than ten minutes into the second half. Midweek hero Rob Hulse had a torrid time and was locked in a dire struggle with Doyley with no quarter asked or given. It was never going to be pretty as Watford’s route one tactics and dour defending meant it would never be a game for the purists as defences dominated, with Gary Kelly and Paul Butler outstanding for United.

The two midfields cancelled each other out, but it was United who had the better chances and the least luck, as Rob Hulse’s shot hit both posts without crossing the line, which was as close as either side got to breaking the impasse, although United had two claims for a penalty turned down as first Spring was given the benefit of the doubt after four minutes and then MacKay twenty minutes later. Watford enjoyed a minor spell of pressure in the first half but the United defence stood firm. Neil Sullivan was tested on a couple of occasions but generally it was a dour boring affair and both teams were glad to see the final whistle with their goals rarely threatened. Both teams were seemingly happy to have gained a point rather than having conceded full points to their fellow rival for promotion. The pitch was not a good advertisement for the grounds man’s prowess and it reduced even good players to the ranks of honest toilers in a very forgettable game with a predictable outcome.

A Visit to Turf Moor for the first Roses battle of the season with Burnley saw a recall for Dan Harding at left back with Matthew Kilgallon taking a place on the bench instead of Danny Pugh. In a spiteful match that culminated in Shaun Derry being attacked in the tunnel by a Burnley player after the final whistle, United took the points with a fine 2-1 triumph. The game was won in the midfield with Shaun Derry, as usual, showing the way with Jonathan Douglas and Eddie Lewis both outstanding, and Frazer Richardson also playing his part. Gary Kelly and Paul Butler shone in defence but Sean Gregan was not at his best, while Dan Harding seemed quite comfortable as he eased himself back into the first team. Up front Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake toiled manfully.

United were the better team throughout and always looked the likely winners, but when Sean Gregan conceded a penalty, on the hour, in the second half, Burnley took the lead against the run of play. Akinbiyi had beaten Gregan in an aerial challenge and on escaping his clutches was unceremoniously upended by the defender on the bye-line for an undeniable penalty. Chances to that point had been few and far between but Robbie Blake should have done better as he side-footed wide after being put through by Rob Hulse but at half time the smart money would have been on a single goal away win.

On the half hour Shaun Derry had been booked for a late challenge on Branch, who took no further part in the game. Sinclair clattered Robbie Blake from behind and was lucky not to see red as was Harley for hauling down David Healy. Sean Gregan and Rob Hulse also saw yellow, as did Hyde for Burnley.

Kevin Blackwell responded to going behind by throwing on David Healy, in the sixty-ninth minute, in place of the hard-working Frazer Richardson and two minutes later he was involved in rounding Harley and being unceremoniously hauled to the ground. Eddie Lewis stepped up to send a beautiful curling free-kick past the Burnley keeper. The celebrations had hardly ceased when four minutes later Lewisskipped past two defenders on the left to send over a perfect cross for Rob Hulse to rise and head home the winner.

With three minutes to go Ian Moore came on for Rob Hulse and a minute later Gylfi Einarsson was on for Robbie Blake. Shaun Derry went close to making it three but was denied by the keeper and Ian Moore was clearly impeded in the box in the last minute but the referee, who had a poor game and contributed to the atmosphere by his ineptitude, failed to give the penalty. The travelling faithful gave the team and Kevin Blackwell a rousing reception at the end of the game.

There was an unchanged team for Southampton’s visit to Elland Road and they were able to cement fourth spot with another 2-1 victory. It was not an easy victory and United spent a lot of time on the receiving end, as Southampton’s pace and adventure pegged them back for long periods and it was to the teams credit that they were able to secure the win, even though it was due to Southampton’s inability to finish rather than United’s dominance or even any semblance of being the better team, but on balance it could have been more as United hit a post and Niemi made a brilliant save early on. It was a fine game of football which kept the crowd on the edge of their seats and fully entertained.

Leeds set the tone with two superb early goals. They set off like a house on fire and could have scored very early when Frazer Richardson sent across a perfect ball for Rob Hulse to force Niemi into a brilliant save from a point-blank header, and it was after only eleven minutes that Gary Kelly similarly got down the right wing and crossed for Rob Hulse to rise and place his header to perfection and give Niemi no chance of saving. Soon afterwards Eddie Lewis rattled the post with a curling free-kick but on nineteen minutes the second goal arrived and it was one from the picture book. Shaun Derry and Rob Hulse were both involved in the build up and Robbie Blake opened his Elland Road account with a superb curling shot. It was a wonderful piece of magic and must surely have boosted Blake’s confidence. At this point it looked as if it would be a run away victory, but Southampton soon came into the game and the sixteen year old Theo Walcott, who had already been wasteful when given a great chance to give his side the lead, left Paul Butler struggling in his wake and despite a valiant attempt by Neil Sullivan, his point blank save was only good enough to push it on to the post and it crept into the net in the twenty-fifth minute. Comparisons were being made of his pace and stature being similar to Aaron Lennon and others were likening his striking ability to Wayne Rooney, but there was little doubt that he was an outstanding talent and heading for the big time. He was quite wasteful, however and put another effort over the bar and Leeds went into the half-time break marginally in front on the judge’s scorecard.

In the second half and particularly the last half hour it was all Southampton as they dominated the midfield and cut the United defence to ribbons. Kevin Blackwell saw the way the United defence was struggling with Paul Butler and Sean Gregan all at sea against the pace of the Southampton attackers and Dan Harding was also finding it hard to cope. He withdrew Sean Gregan and introduced Matthew Kilgallon after fifty-six minutes and United, while still struggling against the Southampton attack’s pace and movement, held firm. David Healy replaced Robbie Blake after sixty-five minutes and Gylfi Einarsson replaced Frazer Richardson ten minutes later, but the changes were only cosmetic and replacing tired legs. In the outfield only Eddie Lewis and Robbie Blake and to a lesser extent Rob Hulse, Shaun Derry, Jonathan Douglas and Gary Kelly could have been happy with their performances and if not for a superb display in goal by Neil Sullivan the game would have been easily lost, as he proved himself to be Mr. Reliable with a string of fine saves to make him United’s man of the match.

Not unpredictably United kept the improving Matthew Kilgallon in their run on eleven with Sean Gregan taking his place on the bench against run-away leaders Sheffield United in the next game at Elland Road. United secured a share of the points and held the League leaders to their first draw of the season. United further cemented fourth spot on the ladder when a wonderful Frazer Richardson goal was cancelled out by a strike from Kabba as the two White Rose rivals put on a great display of football and a draw was a fair result although Warnock would have been the happier of the two managers by preserving the status quo, with Sheffield maintaining their twelve point advantage, having lost only two of their fourteen games to date. Paul Butler led by example and never gave the Sheffield striker Shipperley a kick and when substituted after sixty-five minutes he had made no contribution to the game whatsoever. He was ably supported by Matthew Kilgallon who totally justified his selection with an impeccable display while Shaun Derry was in charge in midfield. In fact, Jonathan Douglas apart, the whole United team were on song. Robbie Blake and Rob Hulse both gave their all and, in the only real chance for Leeds in the first half, Rob Hulse headed wide of the post, with an effort that he would usually have converted after a Robbie Blake cross had been deflected into his path. Although at the other end the superb Neil Sullivan did make one fine save from Kabba.

Leeds deservedly took the lead after fifty-three minutes when Robbie Blake did well to jink his way free and set up Frazer Richardson on the edge of the box for the midfielder to rifle in a pile-driver of a shot, which gave the keeper no chance. It looked as though it would be the winner, but sixteen minutes later with United uncertain whether to go for an emphatic victory or defend their slender lead, Kabba caught the defence in a moment of hesitancy and grabbed the equalizer. Robbie Blake always looked capable of winning it for Leeds and it was a surprise to see him replaced after sixty-five minutes, even though David Healy was always capable of achieving the same effect. Gylfi Einarsson replaced Frazer Richardson two minutes later and Ian Moore replaced Jonathan Douglas with seven minutes to go, but although Leeds finished the stronger of the two teams they were unable to produce the second goal and honours finally finished even with little to choose between the two sides. Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Derby County and Southampton had all given United more trouble than the run away leaders.

For the Carling Cup Third Round tie with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park United rested a few tired players and lined up as follows: Sullivan; Richardson, Butler, Kilgallon, Harding; Moore, Einarsson, Gregan, Pugh, Healy; Blake; with Douglas, Lewis, Hulse, Bennett and Walton on the bench. The team said that key players were rested and that progress was not anticipated and the weekend game with Reading was of more importance, and so it proved.

United showed little ambition with a makeshift midfield of five and a lone striker. They paid the price for their lack of ambition, because despite plenty of hard work they never looked like causing an upset. Blackburn should have had the tie wrapped up by half time but poor finishing kept Leeds in the game. It was very one-sided with United defending for almost the entire game with Robbie Blake unable to get control of the ball and the two Blackburn centre backs were able to push the ball forward with monotonous regularity and Ian Moore and David Healy looked exactly what they were, two strikers playing on the wings of midfield and were rarely in the game either. Sean Gregan and Danny Pugh tried hard enough but just could not cope and consequently the back four were under constant pressure and despite dogged resistance the result was inevitable.

Sullivan watched Kuqu shoot wide, pushed an in-swinging Pederson corner over the bar and saved two from Pederson and Dickov all before the end of thirty minutes. He then pushed a Savage free-kick over the bar while Todd contrived to head over from close range with the goal at his mercy. Blackburn were short of spark and ideas but the advent of Bellamy at half-time changed matters, as he created all the three goals in the final thirty minutes. On the hour he played in Emerton who lashed the ball past Sullivan. The goal prompted Leeds to go 4-4-2, Jonathan Douglas replaced Sean Gregan and quickly Eddie Lewis replaced Danny Pugh with David Healy pushing up to join Robbie Blake up front.

It was too late and Bellamy worked a perfect cross for Dickov to convert with ease. This prompted the appearance of Rob Hulse for Robbie Blake and there were ironic cheers as he had a pop shot from distance for United’s only shot on goal all night. Gylfi Einarsson made a two footed lunge at Savage and was red carded and not unsurprisingly Blackburn added their third in the last minute as Bellamy played a one-two with Neill, who was allowed to race through the defence to score with ease. Leeds deservedly lost the tie and were eliminated from their first competition of the year.

United reverted to the normal formation for the visit to Madejski Stadium, home of undefeated front runners Reading, with no changes from the team that had performed so well against leaders Sheffield United. Sixty-sixth minute substitute, David Healy, scored his sixth goal of the season after seventy-five minutes to equalize a sixty-third minute goal by Reading to give United a deserved point. The draw took Reading to eighteen games undefeated while United extended their unbeaten League run to six games. Before the introduction of Healy United had defended stoutly with Matthew Kilgallon being outstanding in defence but Neil Sullivan, Gary Kelly, Paul Butler and Daniel Harding all give first class displays to keep United in the game. The midfield four were disappointing, with Shaun Derry well below his usual form, as Reading showed why they usually dominate the midfield and take command of matches. Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake had little opportunity to show their full capabilities but foraged well to compensate for the lack of creativity from the midfield.

United had threatened briefly in the first half but Reading had by far the better of the first stanza and pressed on in the second to deservedly take the lead just past the hour mark. They had thrown everything at United and gone close on several occasions before Gunnarson picked up the ball on the edge of the area to shoot through a crowd of players with Neil Sullivan unsighted. Kitson had a chance to kill off the game two minutes later but his header failed and the game changed with the introduction of David Healy. He was not frightened to run at the home defence and they were soon in retreat. He created a good opportunity for Jonathan Douglas but he made a hash of his chance to equalise. Healy would not be denied and duly got United on level terms. It was Reading who were left praying for the full-time whistle as United threw on Ian Moore for Frazer Richardson but ultimately justice was done and the spoils were shared.

United retained their finishing eleven, with Frazer Richardson and Robbie Blake dropping to the bench for the trip to Gresty Road and Crewe Alexandra in what looked like an easy game against one of the cellar-dwellers with only two victories to their name. Leeds went from heroes to zeros in turning on their worst performance of the season. In the end only a Paul Butler own goal separated the two teams but that did not tell the full tale as if Crewe had won by five or six they wouldn’t have been flattered, but they squandered chance after chance or were frustrated by a series of fine saves by Neil Sullivan, the only United to emerge with any credit. Incredibly United were in the competition right up to the final whistle but it would have been a travesty had they got anything from the encounter.

It was a thoroughly inept performance from Leeds, Jonathan Douglas had a very poor game and he and Shaun Derry were way below par and the team suffered accordingly. Only Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon in defence, and Rob Hulse up front, showed any effort and United were once again deeply in debt to Neil Sullivan for keeping them in the game. There did not seem to be one United outfield player capable of stopping Crewe’s neat simple approach play. Only the home team’s lack of finishing power saved Leeds from a drubbing as Crewe were unable to increase their lead after Butlers’ seventh minute blunder. Kevin Blackwell made his usual substitutions to try and pep things up with Robbie Blake on for David Healy after sixty-five minutes, Frazer Richardson for Ian Moore seven minutes later and finally Danny Pugh for Dan Harding with nine minutes to go. Robbie Blake had a couple of half chances, Rob Hulse shot over the bar, Frazer Richardson had a shot scrambled off the line and Gary Kelly skimmed the bar from outside the box in the last minute. Had it gone in it would have been a travesty and it seemed funny that United were sat in fifth spot with a game in hand on third place Watford, who they only trial by three points, while Crewe seem virtual relegation certainties but would have been glad of the three points that kept them in contact with fellow strugglers.

Kevin Blackwell responded to United’s poor recent midfield performances by taking Liam Miller on loan from Manchester United. He went straight into the team for the home fixture with Preston North End at the expense of Jonathan Douglas who dropped to the bench, while Frazer Richardson took the place of Ian Moore, who also dropped to the bench, and Danny Pugh missed out altogether. In a game which was very poor considering both teams hold pretensions of promotion but both had to play second fiddle to the referee D’Urso, who blew his whistle at the least opportunity and ruined any chance of the game reaching any great heights or having any free-flowing rhythm.

The two teams would next meet in the last game of the season and United’s inconsistency meant that both teams would join another ten teams with the potential to make the play-offs but both would have to improve on this performance to win that play-off, as Reading and Sheffield United already appeared to have booked their places to the Premiership even at that early stage of the season. After seven games in twenty-one days there were claims of the team being jaded but it held little water as the same conditions applied to all clubs in the League.

Rob Hulse played carrying an ankle knock and did his best but David Healy did not seem interested against his former team-mates and Eddie Lewis was equally insignificant. With Shaun Derry again off the pace and Frazer Richardson making no impact, Liam Miller, while making a bright start, made little impact, but the midfield was often by-passsed. D’Urso was soon in on the act as he ruled out a header from David Healy in the fifth minute, apparently for a push. Rob Hulse showed a willingness to chase lost causes and got in a couple of headers but was well shackled by the Preston defence as Leeds showed little imagination or variation. There were no goals from Rob Hulse, Robbie Blake or David Healy, or any flash of brilliance from Eddie Lewis, and Shaun Derry had little influence on the midfield, all of which had been deciding factors in previous games. Matthew Kilgallon and Paul Butler were strong and resolute in defence and Neil Sullivan was as reliable as ever, but better opposition would have punished Leeds for their worst home performance of the season to date. D’Urso managed to find thirty-three fouls and book five players and totally ruined the game as a spectacle.

There was a welcome break from the League competition and United took a trip across to France to play Amateur team Rodez, where a Danny Pugh goal was enough to ensure victory. It gave Blackwell a chance to give his fringe players a game leaving the same eleven intact for the full game. It was Ian Bennett; Frazer Richardson, Rui Marques, Sean Gregan, Stephen Crainey; Nick Gray, Gylfi Einarsson, Simon Walton, Liam Miller, Danny Pugh; Robbie Blake.

For the trip to St Mary’s, home of Southampton, the regulars were all back, with Robbie Blake getting the nod over David Healy in the starting eleven and the Irish International took his place on the bench, alongside Jonathan Douglas and Ian Bennett with Danny Pugh and Simon Walton, who were preferred to Sean Gregan and Ian Moore.

This was in many ways a watershed for United, as it showed them at their best and worse, but more than anything it showed that all things are possible, not matter what the odds. It was a comeback of unimaginable proportions, the like of which is seldom seen. United scored four goals in the space of fifteen minutes and no-one watching the game in the seventieth minute would have dreamed that Southampton, already three goals to the good, would do anything but increase their lead, such was their dominance and Leeds’ ineptitude.

Southampton had never looked in any kind of trouble and their midfield had so dominated the game that they seemed capable of scoring at will against a team that showed little skill or fight. Marian Pahars, who had returned to first team duties after a long lay off, gave the Saints the lead after twenty-seven minutes, with a goal straight from the training ground. Eight minutes later his fellow midfielder Nigel Quashie doubled the lead after Theo Walcott had tied Matthew Kilgallon in knots. The third followed on the stroke of half-time when Daniel Harding resorted to stopping a header with his hands and Quashie converted from the spot. Three up and in total dominance, Southampton must have been contemplating a cricket score in the second half. Fortunately, for United, Pahars was feeling the effects of his recent lack of match practice and he did not come out for the second half and Dennis Wise was also quickly withdrawn. Neil Sullivan kept Leeds in the game with two stunning saves as United still failed to cope.

After sixty-seven minutes David Healy was thrown into the fray in place of Frazer Richardson. To that point Leeds’ display had been as bad as Southampton had been good, but with Healy pushed up front, Liam Miller started to come more into the game as Healy showed more invention, something that had been sadly lacking in United’s game to that point. Suddenly docile players found energy and fight, and slowly the tide turned as Healy and Blake found holes in the Southampton rearguard. Four minutes after Healy’s arrival, skipper Paul Butler headed home a Gary Kelly corner and with almost twenty minutes left it seemed little more than a consolation goal. Even when the hard working Robbie Blake scored a second six minutes later, there seemed little immediate trouble. However it must have sent shockwaves through the Saints defence, who became visibly drained of confidence as United started to exert pressure. Higginbotham particularly looked decidedly uncomfortable and it was he that handled a David Healy shot. The confident Ulsterman made no mistake from the spot to level with still six minutes left. United were not happy to accept a draw and close up shop, they just kept on attacking! Rod Hulse got in the act after a quiet day as he unselfishly pulled the ball back for the charging Liam Miller, who took it in his stride, to lash it past the keeper for United to take an unbelievable lead and steal the points with four minutes to go.

It was a vital win which kept United well in touch with the leaders rather than sinking as low as tenth, which is what was on the cards with twenty minutes left. David Healy was a total revelation, Paul Butler was strong throughout, Liam Miller raised his game with a storming finale and Neil Sullivan kept United from capitulation with a couple of brilliant saves when needed. Robbie Blake worked tirelessly and Shaun Derry got stronger as the game progressed. After being totally outplayed for almost seventy minutes, there was a purple patch for the final twenty minutes! A brilliant comeback and congratulations were in order on a fabulous result, but despite everything it would have been unwise to disregard their truly awful display for the majority of the game. It did give hope for what could be achieved when the team play to their strengths and give their all. It gave hope for the rest of the season as it was against a team who had such a strong home record.

Burnley were the next visitors to Elland Road, and, not surprisingly, David Healy remained in the run-on team at the expense of Frazer Richardson, who dropped to the bench, where Sean Gregan took the place of Simon Walton. Robbie Blake had his best game to date and fully deserved his goal to cap an impressive display. Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon were sound at the heart of the United defence, while Dan Harding was exposed at times against a lively young winger, while Gary Kelly’s game improved after half-time and Neil Sullivan had little to do. Shaun Derry and David Healy worked hard in midfield, where Liam Miller and Eddie Lewis were below par and Rob Hulse had a frustrating evening up front. While not a convincing display, United were easily the better team and cemented a top six place and edge past their opponents.

It was good to see back to back wins against a team that had won their last four, as after being unable to gain the ascendancy in the first half, they stepped up a gear and had enough quality to overcome a worthy opponent. Matthew Kilgallon rattled the underside of the bar with an excellent header as early as the fourth minute, but United failed to create another chance in the first half hour, while at the other end Neil Sullivan made a good block from O’Connor and Sinclair headed over, Dyer had a shot deflected wide and McGreal headed wide, as Burnley looked a better team than the one United had beaten at Turf Moor a few weeks previously. They looked like a team who had won seven of their last nine games and if they had prevailed they would have jumped to fourth place.

United always seemed to have something spare and United sent them a warning in the shape of a Derry-Lewis move which ended in Eddie Lewis hitting the side-netting, but with David Healy moving up from right midfield to make a three pronged attack with Robbie Blake and Rob Hulse. Three minutes into the second half Rob Hulse had a goal disallowed for offside. Liam Miller soon went close as he played a quick one-two with Robbie Blake but his shot was blocked. It fell to David Healy to give United the lead from the spot after fifty-five minutes, as he kept his nerve to slot home his third penalty of the season. Burnley had a reply disallowed for taking a free-kick too quickly, but Robbie Blake did not make the same mistake when presented with a free-kick on the edge of the Burnley box, after seventy minutes. Burnley resorted to niggles and fouls and the usual yellow cards followed as United sent on Frazer Richardson for David Healy with ten minutes left, while Jonathan Douglas and Danny Pugh played the last minute in place of Paul Butler and Gary Kelly, but by then the game was beyond the men from Turf Moor.

Paul Butler missed the away trip to the Den and Sean Gregan deputised, with Gary Kelly taking the captain’s armband. Simon Walton took Sean Gregan’s place on the bench where Ian Moore replaced Danny Pugh. United completed the double over Millwall and made it three games on the trot with maximum points. It came in the form of a last minute strike from David Healy and United triumphed over a relegation candidate after previously dropping points to cellar dwellers too often for comfort in the season to date. The win meant that United had gained an incredible seven points, on one-time runaway leaders Sheffield United, in the last three games played in the space of a week. However, they still trailed the now second-placed club by ten points, but were well entrenched in the play-off places.

They dominated the match from start to finish and it wasn’t until the eighty-second minute that Neil Sullivan was called upon to make a save. Gary Kelly led by example and was United’s stand out performer, closely followed by David Healy, Rob Hulse, Robbie Blake and Eddie Lewis. Indeed all players played well and, after Shaun Derry succumbed to an injury, Jonathan Douglas performed well for all but the first thirty-seven minutes. Manager Blackwell opted for a 4-3-3 formation and it gave Gary Kelly the chance to get up and down the right wing and his crosses were a constant cause for panic in the Millwall rearguard. With Eddie Lewis in fine form on the left, there was a plentiful supply to the forwards with David Healy meriting his winner and his co-strikers Robbie Blake and Rob Hulse were unlucky not to figure on the score-sheet. The defence was totally unruffled and the midfield of Jonathan Douglas, Liam Miller and Eddie Lewis was in complete control.

Only the woodwork and some fine saves by the Millwall keeper kept Leeds from being out of sight by half time, as Eddie Lewis and David Healy both hit the post and the keeper denied both David Healy and Jonathan Douglas with first class saves. United kept pounding away at the Millwall defence in the second half and the keeper again denied Douglas, David Healy’s goal-bound shot hit the grounded Hulse, while the unfortunate Hulse only produced an air-swing when given a chance, all be it from a tight angle. It seemed as if United had been repulsed, but in the third minute of injury time David Healy’s powerful shot was deflected past the wrong footed keeper to give United a deserved winner. So for the first time in three years United had won three on the trot and the traveling faithful were rewarded with yet another away win.

The win was not without its costs as Shaun Derry, Jonathan Douglas and Sean Gregan were all unavailable for United’s home encounter with Leicester City. Captain Paul Butler returned in place of Sean Gregan, Simon Walton had his first run of the season in place of Shuan Derry, while Danny Pugh and Stephen Crainey took the place of Jonathan Douglas and Simon Walton on the bench. United triumphed 2-1 and moved into third place, their highest position since relegation with their fourth consecutive win. On the pitch United looked a far better side than a month previous while off the pitch there was news from Chairman Ken Bates of more financial stability.

Manager Kevin Blackwell again opted for a 4-3-3 formation and United carried on where they had left off against Millwall and played good attacking football. With Robbie Blake, Rob Hulse and David Healy playing up front United looked capable of scoring goals as they created more and more chances with the attacking formula. Gary Kelly had a licence to get up and down the right flank and the midfield men were encouraged to press forward and have a go themselves, while defensively the three front-runners were the first line of defence as they closed down and chased. The more attacking and adventurous formation produced a better type of football and entertainment for the watchers. The game was helped as a spectacle by the willingness of Leicester to attack and make the game free-flowing rather than adopt the regulation nine-man defence often preferred by visitors to Elland Road.

Neil Sullivan was forced to make two early saves and this set the tempo of the game, but United soon settled and looked dangerous themselves, as Eddie Lewis skimmed the crossbar after good approach play and Rob Hulse headed just over. Hulse had the ball in the net after fifteen minutes but his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag. It was hammer and tongs for the first half until United finally broke the deadlock four minutes before half-time. It was a routine straight from the training ground, with a rehearsed move from a free-kick in which Eddie Lewis played a back-heel for David Healy to pick his spot. It was only justice as United had been denied a penalty, after a handball had been missed by the referee, for the first of many mistakes he made to change the course of the match.

In the second half Rob Hulse headed against the crossbar before Leicester started to get the upper hand in the possession stakes, but United never looked in serious trouble. In defence Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon were commanding and in midfield Simon Walton broke up the play very well and United never looked like conceding a goal, until the referee gave a penalty to Leicester after the clumsy Rob Hulse had brought down Gudjonnson. It was a foul but contact was clearly made outside the box. It mattered little as Gudjonnsen equalized from the spot after sixty-nine minutes. He made amends a few minutes later, when he gave Matthew Kilgallon the benefit of the doubt, as he appeared to be in an offside position, when he netted after Robbie Blake fashioned an opening for him. Leicester defender, McCarthy, was so incensed by the decision that his protests earned him a red card. It was a rare piece of luck but Leicester pressed for the equalizer and, after sending on Frazer Richardson for Simon Walton after eighty-four minutes and Ian Moore and Danny Pugh for David Healy and Robbie Blake after eighty-nine minutes, the referee indicated there would be six minutes of stoppage time. Fortunately they hung on and put more pressure on Sheffield United as they extended their winning sequence to five games.

Sean Gregan was back in place of Simon Walton for the visit of Cardiff City and Walton dropped to the bench, where he and Jonathan Douglas replaced Frazer Richardson and Stephen Cairney. Hopes had been high after the good recent form and points accumulation that Cardiff would prove to be an easy win, as on paper it was less of a challenge than recent games. It came as a great surprise when United turned on their worst display in a long time and the players seemed like strangers to each other. It had seemed that they had, after the Southampton come-back, at last found the level of consistency required to mount a serious promotion challenge. It all went wrong right from the first whistle as it soon became apparent that they lacked any spark, the tempo was slow and they never managed to raise it. The midfield was totally ineffective and their poor form meant there was only ever going to be one outcome. It was a rare occasion when all eleven players were off-form at the same time. Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon were the only two who could hold their heads high. Gary Kelly managed a couple of good crosses, while Rob Hulse twice got himself into positions where he should have threatened the goal.As a team, Manager Kevin Blackwell’s summation of “Rubbish” was not far from the truth and he also claimed it was their worst performance of the season, although some could argue the Crewe performance was equally as dire.

Cardiff opted for the packed midfield to stifle United and like it often does at Elland Road there was no answer as the 4-3-3, so effective in recent weeks, could not give the width required to cause Cardiff any problems, even though their wing backs seemed slow and cumbersome they were never put to the test. Jason Koumas was the best player on the park and it was he who scored the deciding goal after being upended on the edge of the box by Sean Gregan. He arose to dust himself down and beautifully curl the ball round the wall to give Neil Sullivan no chance, on the half hour mark. It was a goal worthy of winning any match. United rarely looked like scoring, although Robbie Blake was wrestled to the ground early in the second half and Eddie Lewis went close with a header in the dying minutes. Kevin Blackwell rang the changes as Danny Pugh replaced Dan Harding after fifty-six minutes, while Jonathan Douglas replaced the ineffective Sean Gregan after sixty-nine minutes, and Ian Moore came on for Robbie Blake seven minutes later, but none were able to spark any life into a totally drab and uninspiring performance by the home team, who missed a great chance to improve their position as others faltered.

Simon Walton and Richard Cresswell were called up to replace the absent Gary Kelly and Rob Hulse, while Shaun Derry returned from injury to replace Sean Gregan, who dropped to the bench, in midfield as United travelled to Molineux for the game with Wolverhampton Wanderers. United suffered their second consecutive 1-0 defeat against a team that seemed to be there for the taking. United just could not muster any chances of note and their once comfortable position in the play-off zone came under threat, with fifth place Stoke City, United’s next opponents, only two points adrift and Wolves jumped to sixth spot with their first win in five games.

It was quite apparent that, while United were well organized and defensively sound, there was still a glaring lack of quality and creativity in the opponent’s one third of the field. The work-rate was also acceptable, and David Healy in particular grafted well and offered a glimmer of hope. However, to win games there must be an ability to open up the opposition and Leeds managed it only once in the whole game and as an attacking threat were a non-event. Richard Cresswell returned after a long lay-off and looked unfit and tired quickly, while Shaun Derry, who also was returning after injury looked very rusty in midfield. Paul Butler was commanding against his old club in central defence and was ably abetted by Matthew Kilgallon, while up front David Healy gave his all. Sullivan had to be on top form in goal and made a fine save to push the ball onto the woodwork and away to safety.

Early in the game Matthew Kilgallon did well to get in a header from an Eddie Lewis cross, but it was saved by the Wolves keeper, who also thwarted David Healy’s follow up. Later Liam Miller played in the impressive David Healy but Matthew Kilgallon failed to get a touch on his tantalizing cross. That was all United had to offer and Wolves’ response was immediate as they rattled the bar from distance and forced Neil Sullivan to a fine save from the follow up, then three minutes later they got the goal that won the game. Naylor, who had been a worry with his runs down the left flank, sent across another probing cross and Soel totally miscued his far post finish but unfortunately for United it fell kindly for Ganea to score from close range. United introduced Ian Moore for the tiring Richard Cresswell after sixty-eight minutes and Dan Harding made way for Jonathan Douglas with five minutes to go, but to no avail. There was plenty of huffing and puffing by United but their cause was not helped by Simon Walton being dismissed for a second yellow with seven minutes to go and Liam Miller’s yellow a few minutes later was his fifth and meant he missed the game at home to Coventry City.

There was plenty of Christmas cheer for United’s Boxing Day home game with Coventry City, as they ran out easy 3-1 victors. Gary Kelly made a welcome return at the expense of Simon Walton at right back, with Jonathan Douglas replacing the suspended Liam Miller. Rob Hulse, Frazer Richardson and Jermaine Wright took their place on the bench in place of Ian Moore, Jonathan Douglas and Sean Gregan. The best crowd of the season, 24,291, was on hand to see United get back into winning form. After two consecutive defeats United were under pressure to perform. season by any stretch of the imagination, they did improve their game and their quality overcame a team that played well above their lowly League position. It was a question that United scored three quality goals as opposed to Coventry’s one, but the fact that the visitors hit the woodwork five times indicated that United did not have it all their own way.

United played the better football but Coventry were direct and posed a threat from dead-ball situations. The long ball down the middle was tailor-made for Paul Butler and his dominance was the foundation of United’s win. However Jonathan Douglas, Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Kelly and Dan Harding all made decisive challenges. Despite a viral infection, Shaun Derry shone in midfield until he was given the job of man-marking Hutchinson late in the game. While upfront David Healy and Robbie Blake, both playing in the wide roles, put in long stints while Richard Cresswell took his goal well. After thirty-four minutes Cresswell caused consternation in the Coventry defence, as David Healy sent over a looping cross, and the ball fell kindly for Jonathan Douglas to gleefully volley home from close range. Coventry responded by pressing forward and United were not allowed to go into their shell and sit back on their lead. McSheffrey forced Neil Sullivan to push the ball round the post. Eddie Lewis was back to thwart a Coventry shot after they had hit the inside of the post and then they clipped the woodwork again from a set piece.

Half-time brought no respite for United as Coventry again pressed forward from the second half whistle and after going close on several occasions the equalizer, which had always seemed immanent, duly came on the hour mark as Hutchinson unleashed a venomous strike from twenty-five yards out which left Sullivan grasping at thin air. The goal stung United out of their lethargy and they were back on level terms after only ninety seconds, as David Healy delivered a pinpoint cross for his comrade in arms, Robbie Blake, to lash the ball home. United finally put the game beyond the visitors as with ten minutes to go Robbie Blake again figured prominently, breaking from the halfway line and feeding the onrushing Richard Cresswell, who scored with aplomb with a fantastic angled shot. With victory seeming assured United threw on Rob Hulse for Robbie Blake, but were given a scare as Paul Butler tangled with McSheffrey in the box and from the resultant penalty the Coventry striker added to Coventry’s woe by hitting the bar. With the miss went any chance they may have had of salvaging a point. Frazer Richardson replaced David Healy on the full-time mark as United shored up their three points.

Manager Kevin Blackwell kept faith with the same eleven for the visit to the Britannia Ground, home of Stoke City, with Liam Miller getting the nod over Jermaine Wright on the bench. United could thank their solid defence, in which Matthew Kilgallon, Paul Butler, Gary Kelly and the penalty-saving king, Neil Sullivan, excelled. Despite Stoke being the more dominant team, United maintained their 100% record at the Britannia Ground a far cry from their poor record at Stoke’s former home venue of the Victoria Ground. They took the best of their few chances, while Stoke’s attack foundered on the rock that was the United defence. After winning there the previous season with a lucky own goal, United again rode their luck as, apart from missing a penalty, the former Leeds misfit Michael Duberry answered everyone’s prayers in the dying moments when it was he that was presented with an open goal, but managed, as only he could, to hit the crossbar with a chance that would have been a schoolboy’s dream.

Stoke had all the early pressure and dominated for long periods in the first half and United were glad to go to the break on level terms. Referee Halsey had been very heavy on both sides as the game was punctuated by fouls and needless stoppages and United would have been glad when he didn’t reappear after the break as a result of an accidental collision with Robbie Blake. United had suffered from lack of width as they played 4-3-3 and David Healy played just behind the front two of Robbie Blake and Richard Cresswell, in a tactical change in the secondhalf. Eddie Lewis was restricted in his movements and Stoke were able to pour forward down the flanks but Dan Harding put up a good defence, albeit being given little protection, and United had their only period of ascendancy.

In the first half Jonathan Douglas twice shot wide, Paul Butler had a volley stopped and Richard Cresswell had a point-blank header deflected but, after Gallagher had twice shot wide early in the second stanza, United took command for a while. Richard Cresswell was thwarted by the keeper after being supplied with a good cross from Dan Harding and again it was Cresswell who could not find space to maneuver after good play by Robbie Blake. David Healy made way for Liam Miller after sixty-six minutes, which saw Eddie Lewis given a more advanced role as an orthodox winger and it paid almost immediate dividends. Jonathan Douglas delivered a cross from the right and Eddie Lewis got behind the Stoke defence to sweep the ball home for his third of the season with twenty-one minutes to go.

United then proved that they are capable of grinding out away results, but not without a bit of good fortune, as Stoke threw everything but the kitchen sink at them in one prolonged final assault and Sullivan pulled off a fine save from Bangoura before pushing a Sigurdsson shot round the post. Stoke really should have won the game in the last few minutes but for Duberry’s amazing miss. They also were presented with a penalty in the first half when their man mountain defender Sibide allowed pint sized Gary Kelly to “push” him over the box in a scramble after Neil Sullivan had spilled a routine shot. Justice was done when Sullivan saved the resultant penalty from Gallagher. United nevertheless got full points which saw them back in third place with a seven point cushion in the playoff places.

Liam Miller was preferred to David Healy, who dropped to the bench, and Stephen Crainey came in for Dan Harding for the final game of 2005 as United entertained Hull City. Jonathan Douglas netted both goals as United won in a canter and the score flattered Hull in what was one of United’s easiest wins of the season. Hull started in a flurry but after thirty minutes United started to totally dominate and in truth it could have been a cricket score. Matthew Kilgallon was a stand out in a dominant defence although Stephen Crainey looked understandably rusty after his long absence, but it was in the midfield that the foundation for the easy victory was made, with Shaun Derry, Jonathan Douglas and Liam Miller in exceptional form, while Robbie Blake was again in top form up front in tandem with Richard Cresswell and Eddie Lewis.

With Rob Hulse and David Healy restricted to the bench it was obvious that United had the depth and quality to make a determined push for promotion, as they extended their run to seven wins out of the last nine matches. Liam Miller had his best match since joining the club on loan, and with Shaun Derry showing his class and Jonathan Douglas in full flight and rewarded by two goals, it was not surprising that Eddie Lewis used to the freedom to skip down the touchline and send across a string of tantalizing crosses. Robbie Blake missed two chances but showed great touches in an outstanding performance, while in defence Neil Sullivan earned his wages with two fine saves and Gary Kelly and Paul Butler kept up their recent good form.

Jonathan Douglas’ first strike came in injury time in the first half and sent the visitors in with heads bowed and United had the ascendancy. They should have been ahead after 29 minutes when Richard Cresswell dispossessed a Hull defender to set Robbie Blake up with a clear run on goal, but the Hull keeper spread himself and Blake was denied a golden opportunity. Moments later Blake was again played in by a Gary Kelly cross but was unable to apply a finishing touch. In reply Hull hit the crossbar and after Paynter had firstly been stopped by Matthew Kilgallon he was also thwarted by a fine save from Sullivan but that was the end of the threat from Hull. A good ball out of defence by Matthew Kilgallon found Robbie Blake and he showed great skills to feed Jonathan Douglas, who made no mistake to register his second goal in three games. In the second half United were denied what appeared to be a blatant penalty, as a Hull defender clearly handled and it was highlighted by the big screen replay. They were not relieved for long as Richard Cresswell got in a header which was blocked and his follow up shot hit the bar but Jonathan Douglas was quickest to react and scored from close range to increase the lead in the fifty-sixth minute.

From there on it was United playing keep ball and denying Hull any possession without exerting themselves. Richard Cresswell almost added a third as he had the ball in the net with a looping effort, but Robbie Blake was adjudged to have been offside. Rob Hulse and David Healy replaced Richard Cresswell and Robbie Blake with just over ten minutes left and there was time for Healy to chip over with the Hull keeper in no-man’s land. Two minutes later Danny Pugh was given a run for the tiring Stephen Crainey. It was a merited 2-0 victory to make it three from three in the Christmas period with the prospect of more from the visit to Plymouth Argyle quickly following.

Unsurprisingly United were unchanged for the visit to Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. They kicked off the New Year with their fourth consecutive win and made it eight from the last ten as they appeared to have found the consistency required to mount a serious assault in the promotion stakes.

Plymouth started the game confidently befitting a team that had been undefeated in their last four games, but after weathering early pressure United took control. Eddie Lewis was the architect of victory and was well supported by top displays from Robbie Blake, Richard Cresswell and Liam Miller but in truth this was a fine team win with no apparent weak links. While Leeds took time to settle and Plymouth attempted to move the ball quickly and had similar opportunities, they never really troubled United. Matthew Kilgallon made a couple of timely clearances, but keeper Neil Sullivan had little to do. Leeds could have had their noses in front before half-time with Eddie Lewis running the show down the left and Richard Cresswell and Robbie Blake showing some deft touches and Blake was unlucky not to give them the lead just on half-time when his powerful shot was deflected narrowly wide.

The 1,161 travelling faithful roared them on and the break came with the distinct possibility of a seventh away victory of the season. Indeed it only took seven minutes after the break for Richard Cresswell to score his first away goal for Leeds. Liam Miller’s low shot was pushed onto the post and scrambled away for a corner. Gary Kelly’s corner was not properly cleared. Eddie Lewis gained possession on the edge of the area and his shot was deflected in by the predatory Cresswell. Eight minutes later it was 2-0 and game over, as Robbie Blake was rewarded for his hard work as again Eddie Lewis sped down the left flank to send a tremendous cross for Blake to lash it home at the far post. It could easily have been more as both Cresswell and Blake forced the Argyle keeper to fine saves while Lewis had an effort blocked by a defender. United still hadn’t finished and threw on Rob Hulse for Robbie Blake with eight minutes to go, and after Liam Miller had been brought down in the box, it was Hulse who grabbed the ball first and easily scored his first goal since October. United had emerged as the only team likely to challenge Sheffield United, whose lead had now been trimmed to a manageable eight points, for the automatic second place promotion place.

Rob Hulse was preferred to Richard Cresswell, who dropped to the bench where Simon Walton replaced Frazer Richardson for the visit to Wigan Athletic’s JJB Stadium for their Third Round FA Cup clash. There was a large contingent of the travelling faithful, 3,700, who packed one end of the ground and gave a huge vocal backing to their favourites, who were riding the crest of the wave and were now able to measure their progress against an EPL team, who had won the CCCL at a canter the previous year and were now well positioned in the upper echelons of the Top Division. An eighty-eighth minute equalizer gave United a well deserved draw and matched their opponents in most departments.

The first half was fairly uneventful but Wigan took a surprise early second half lead through David Connelly. United took the match to Wigan and ultimately it was Rob Hulse who stabbed the ball home just before the final whistle after United had what seemed a good shout for a penalty for handball turned down. It was the kind of game that either side could have won. Each could have claimed to be the better team and both had plenty of chances to do so. For Leeds Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon were resolute in defence while Gary Kelly raided well on the right flank and Stephen Crainey had his best game to date at left-back. Shaun Derry shone in front of the back four, which gave Liam Miller and Jonathan Douglas the chance to get forward and support the hard working Robbie Blake and Eddie Lewis, while Rob Hulse led the line well in a hard physical battle with the Wigan defence.

Jonathan Douglas went close early on and was twice thwarted by the Wigan keeper, but for the home team McCulloch wasted a good headed chance and also spooned a good chance straight into Neil Sullivan’s hands, while Robbie Blake had a good shot blocked early in the second half. Then Connolly passed the ball into the net after good work from McCulloch to give Wigan the lead. Liam Miller only just failed to chip the keeper and Robbie Blake almost played in the onrushing Jonathan Douglas. United went gung-ho putting on David Healy for Robbie Blake after sixty-eight minutes and Richard Cresswell for Jonathan Douglas eleven minutes later. With ten minutes to go Wigan should have sealed it but Connolly wasted two easy chances in a minute and they were left to rue it as Leeds finished the stronger of the two teams as they pressed for the equalizer and Rob Hulse scored with a typical finish to take the tie to a replay at Elland Road.

Richard Cresswell for Rob Hulse, who dropped to the bench, was the only United change as they visited cellar-dwellers Brighton & Hove Albion at their miniscule Withdean Stadium. For the second season since relegation United tasted surprising defeat on the south coast and the record shows they have failed to beat the perennial relegation candidates in four attempts since leaving the EPL. United had never looked like winning and the 2-1 defeat brought to an end their proud recent record. The fact that there was little difference between the playing surface and the local beach could not be offered as an excuse.

Carole and Hart, the two Brighton front men, caused the United defence all kind of problems and it seemed all at sea in the first half an hour, when the midfield was over-run and allowed Brighton to attack at will. Brighton’s back four were simply not tested enough but looked suspect. United played the neater football but failed miserably in the final third, where Richard Cresswell ploughed a lone furrow as the midfield failed to give good service, and even when Rob Hulse was brought on for Liam Miller after sixty-nine minutes, there was no noticeable improvement. Initially Leeds took the offensive with the wingers making good progress and it was almost ten minutes before Brighton had possession and Paul Butler had already failed with a header.

Brighton soon took control and Hart was unlucky when he saw his deflected shot loop over the stranded Sullivan but inches over the bar. Soon after, they could have been 3-0 up, with a little luck. Hammond headed against a post, neat play saw Reid ghost in behind the Leeds defence to shot home untracked on the ten minute mark and that was quickly followed by Hammond not accepting a very easy chance, as he shot wide from close range. The Leeds defence was looking very brittle with Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon very shaky, uncertain and unsettled. However United took to the attack and dominated the closing stages of the half. Robbie Blake had the Brighton keeper at full stretch to keep out his shot, while Richard Cresswell headed over and then had a shot deflected over the bar. They were given a lifeline when referee gave them a debated and generous penalty, when he adjudged Lewis to have been fouled by Reid in the box. Robbie Blake duly stepped up and converted via the inside of the post. This was much to the annoyance of the home team and its supporters who contested the decision vociferously.

Brighton defended like demons and broke quickly in attack, but it seemed that there was going to be a 1-1 stalemate and United were made to pay for their lack of attacking ideas and ability, as Brighton took the lead with ten minutes to go. Reid, who seemed well off-side, got behind Eddie Lewis and, with the Leeds defence static and in unison with an unsuccessful appeal, Hart strode on to the resultant cross to smash it past the helpless Neil Sullivan. The introduction of David Healy for Robbie Blake and Danny Pugh for Eddie Lewis two minutes either side of the Brighton winner made no difference. Richard Cresswell and Rob Hulse both headed over in the final minutes but the result seemed inevitable and Leeds had lost the impetus in their chase of second place Sheffield United. They will pray that Brighton can soon find an alternative venue to replace the nightmare that is Withdean, but it seems that the aberration is not confined to Brighton as United have been beaten three times in five visits to relegation candidates this season.

United were without Shaun Derry for the FA Cup Third Round Replay with Wigan Athletic at Elland Road and Simon Walton deputized. David Healy and Rob Hulse were preferred to Robbie Blake and Richard Cresswell up front, with Gylfi Einarsson filling the vacancy on the bench. It was a classic FA Cup Tie and it was a pity that there had to be a loser as the teams traded goals with gay abandon with Leeds three times regaining parity in the playing time of the match. The crowd was on their seats for the whole game and there were none taking an early mark such was the suspense and intensity of the game. It was 2-2 at full-time, 3-3 at the end of extra time and it was finally settled on penalties, 4-2 in the visitors. Leeds, and indeed Wigan, could hold their heads high and well deserved the standing ovation that both teams received at the final whistle and no doubt the viewers were equally enthralled by the televised thriller, which had everything that an FA Cup tie could produce.

Matthew Kilgallon was magnificent at the heart of the defence, while Rob Hulse was equally outstanding upfront with David Healy, who provided the goals. Liam Miller also emerged with credit, getting forward often and always in the thick of the midfield battle. Wigan took the lead after twenty-three minutes when, after a quick attack, Johanesson took advantage of a fine display of Jason Roberts’ skill, which resulted in the ball coming back right into his path, after it had rebounded off a post. The Leeds three-man midfield was increasingly finding it difficult to cope with the darting quick movements of their Wigan counterparts, so it came as quite a surprise and a tribute to their resilience when they levelled five minutes before the interval as Rob Hulse headed the ball over the line but it was somehow it was scrambled clear even though the TV replay showed it was probably over the line, but David Healy made sure it counted as he forced it home from close range.

Wigan were back in front again early in the second half as Jason Roberts again showed his skills, this time on the edge of the box, before lashing a thunderbolt past the groping Neil Sullivan. Right on cue United roared straight back and, after Leeds-born defender Matt Jackson had handled in the box, David Healy stepped up to convert the penalty for his and Leeds’ second. With a couple of minutes to go United sent on Gylfi Einarsson for Liam Miller, quickly followed by Richard Cresswell for Eddie Lewis but before he left, Liam Miller hit the underside of the bar with a sizzling volley, while at the other end Sullivan made two fine saves to keep the scores level before Wigan again took the lead thirteen minutes into extra time, and again it was Jason Roberts who was involved. The tiring Simon Walton gave away a free-kick which Kavanagh took quickly and caught the Leeds markers napping to pick out Roberts who rose to head his second and Wigan’s third goal of the night.

15,000 Leeds supporters urged United on with the chant of “Attack, Attack, Attack” and attack they did, and with five minutes left they again equalized from a most unlikely source. Gary Kelly had not scored since netting in a Cup–tie at Crystal Palace way back in 2003, but after the Wigan defence failed to clear properly and from the edge of the box he delivered a superbvolley to give the keeper no chance. It was only Kelly’s fourth goal ever for Leeds and it sent the game to penalties. The usually reliable David Healy inexplicably sent the first penalty over the bar, but Richard Cresswell and Robbie Blake made sure of theirs before Rob Hulse smashed the fourth over the bar too and with Wigan’s Bullard, Teale and Roberts all converting, it was left to Kavanagh to put it beyond United’s grasp as he made it an unassailable 4-2. There was no disgrace in losing this Cup-tie by such a slender margin and it now left United with just the League to concentrate on.

Sean Gregan was recalled to the heart of the United defence with Matthew Kilgallon not even making the bench, while Shaun Derry returned at the expense of Simon Walton, who dropped to the bench, while up front Robbie Blake and Richard Cresswell were rotated with David Healy and Rob Hulse, who was rested for the visit of neighbours Sheffield Wednesday to Elland Road. Eventually United won easily but with no goals until the sixty-ninth minute, the final result came as something of a surprise. However after dominating in terms of possession United were well worth the victory in the dour derby.

Sheffield Wednesday came into the game on the back of three consecutive victories but had clearly come with the intent of getting a 0-0 draw with the possibility of stealing a 1-0 win, if they got lucky. They did achieve their objective for two-thirds of the game as their defence held firm against almost constant Leeds pressure. Wednesday’s negative approach made for poor entertainment but as soon as Paul Butler opened the floodgates they had little option but to chase the game and United capitalized on the space created. Strangely, Wednesday claimed that they had scored moments before Butler’s strike, when the solid defender was on hand at the other end to scramble a header clear with the visitors claiming the ball had crossed the line. It was Wednesday’s only chance. Stephen Crainey and Sean Gregan both had good games in defence and the United midfield dominated for the whole game with Richard Cresswell and Eddie Lewis particularly outstanding up front. In a disappointing opening spell United created several chances, with Sean Gregan having a shot blocked; Jonathan Douglas a header saved by the keeper and Eddie Lewis had an effort blocked after some intricate approach play. Before the half-time break Jonathan Douglas had sliced wide and Sean Gregan shot over.

Just past the hour mark David Healy came on for Robbie Blake and was soon in the heart of the action. Jonathan Douglas did well to hook the ball back after a Paul Butler header drifted wide and the captain made no mistake with his header which easily beat the keeper. A second goal was not long coming as Richard Cresswell headed home a Gary Kelly corner on eighty-one minutes. Two minutes later Simon Walton came on for Liam Miller and was instrumental in United’s third. He picked up a beautifully flighted ball down the left wing from Stephen Crainey and his cross was lashed into the net by the enthusiastic Richard Cresswell, in stoppage time. The win maintained United’s ten point advantage on their play-off spot but plunged Wednesday just two points off the relegation zone.

Rob Hulse was back in place of Robbie Blake, who dropped to the bench at the expense of Gylfi Einarssen as United visited their early season conquerors Ipswich Town at Portman Road. David Healy’s individual brilliance had turned games United’s way at Burnley, Reading and Southampton and made Ipswich the fourth as he came off the bench to score from the spot to gain United a share of the points. It was a decision hotly contested by Ipswich who claimed it was a ball to hand situation, but as with Jackson in the recent clash with Wigan Athletic, there was clear indication of the defender raising his hands unnecessarily and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty, two minutes from time. It had looked as if United were going to finish up 1-0 down after failing to capitalize on their sizeable amount of possession, so justice was done.

United had started brightly with Rob Hulse having a shot parried, Liam Miller a low drive saved, Shaun Derry screwed a shot wide and Rob Hulse had a fine header saved just on half time. Gary Kelly was eager to get forward and the defence, with Stephen Crainey looking more confident with every game, looked solid. Once again United paid the penalty for standing appealing for off-side as the Ipswich keeper punched clear a Rob Hulse header and the home team broke at pace with Haynes taking advantage of the static defence to easily beat Neil Sullivan. The same player should have doubled their lead minutes later when he turned Paul Butler inside out but his shot did not match his approach work and it hit the bar and bounced clear.

David Healy was introduced in place of Liam Miller just before the hour mark and Richard Cresswell was allowed to go back to his more familiar role of down the middle striker, as United changed formation to 4-4-2 with Healy and Lewis down the flanks and a twin strike-force of Cresswell and Hulse. It was the signal for United to go on all out attack for the last half hour. Supple, the Ipswich keeper, showed his class with another superb reaction save to again thwart the unlucky Rob Hulse, after he had been put through by a superb ball from Eddie Lewis. Jonathan Douglas then had a goal-bound shot deflected as the pressure from United mounted. A David Healy solo effort was stopped by an Ipswich defender throwing his body in the way. Then there was the penalty for United to level after fully two minutes protest from the Ipswich team. Understandably there was four minutes of stoppage time and Ipswich were quick to appeal for a hand ball as Sean Gregan hacked the ball clear, however, the final chance fell to Leeds but, after being played in by Rob Hulse, David Healy was stopped by an offside flag. With Palace losing to Preston and Cardiff also drawing with Millwall, the promotion situation remained same as United maintained their ten point advantage over the seventh placed Welshmen.

David Healy replaced Rob Hulse in the starting line up for the home encounter with Queens Park Rangers as the United supporters were hoping for a repeat of the previous season’s 6-1 thrashing. QPR had to field a patched up eleven due to injuries and five players were on debut, including goalkeeper Phil Barnes on temporary loan from Sheffield United. It was small wonder that the QPR Manager labelled his team “Queens Park Strangers” and it was Barnes’ indecision and lack of understanding with his co-defenders that gifted United their lead just before half-time as Richard Cresswell back-headed a Lewis free-kick. It was Lewis that shone for Leeds but it wasn’t until seven minutes from time that Paul Butler got his second goal in consecutive home matches to seal the victory. Eddie Lewis supplied the final pass for both goals and he in turn was freed by a wonderful pass from Stephen Crainey for the second.

From the very first minute it was Eddie Lewis that looked the most dangerous player on the pitch and Richard Cresswell and Paul Butler were able to feed off his quality deliveries. Prior to Cresswell’s strike the QPR defence were lucky to scramble a Lewis cross away for a corner with Cresswell waiting to convert. He also brought out the best in the QPR keeper, but he was not alone in keeping up a supply of quality crosses as Gary Kelly, who was in a rich vein of form, played his part from the right. Lewis caught Barnes in two minds for the first goal and the keeper came off his line too late as Cresswell read the situation perfectly to beat him to the well flighted ball to back-head over the stranded Barnes. QPR never really threatened and the game was as good as won.

Liam Miller made good use of the space offered and caused problems in the second half, with Jonathan Douglas looking equally at ease while Shaun Derry hardly had to break a sweat in the anchor role. Barnes redeemed himself in the second half with a good save from Liam Miller, but was left exposed again as Richard Cresswell wasted a free header from another Eddie Lewis cross. Robbie Blake came on for the hard working David Healy after seventy-two minutes followed six minutes later by Rob Hulse for Richard Cresswell. It was Rob Hulse who came within inches of adding to the lead after Barnes had denied Lewis with a save at full stretch and Cresswell had not been too far away. United made certain of the points after a fantastic ball down the left from Stephen Crainey found Eddie Lewis and his cross was headed home by the onrushing Paul Butler with seven minutes remaining. The win kept United in touch with Sheffield United, who they trailed by eleven points while it took them three points clear of fourth placed Watford.

It was Robbie Blake and Rob Hulse up front in place of David Healy and Richard Cresswell, who were both rested as a precaution, and Ian Moore and Gylfi Einarssen took their place on the bench for the visit to Pride Park home of Derby County. United missed a golden opportunity to further close the gap on Sheffield United as they threw away two points to their inferior low-placed opponents. Derby were fighting for their championship survival and defended as if their lives depended upon it and did it by fair means or foul. Kevin Blackwell bemoaned the referee spurning United’s appeal for at least two penalties. Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake both appeared to have been unfairly impeded in the first half, while substitute Ian Moore went down under pressure from a Derby defender late in the game, and even the defender thought he was lucky to get away with it. United should not have needed to bemoan decisions that were not given as they dominated the first twenty minutes and the Derby defence looked decidedly suspect, but Derby battled back using effort rather than skill to nullify the superior United.

The Derby defence always looked vulnerable and it was hard to understand why Rob Hulse was left to plough a lone furrow down the middle while Robbie Blake and Eddie Lewis hugged the touchlines. It remained that way for the entire match as Ian Moore replaced Robbie Blake with twenty minutes to go and merely duplicated what Blake had been doing previously. Eddie Lewis and Gary Kelly tried hard to provide Rob Hulse with service but there was simply no one around to pick up the scraps when he managed to get a vital touch. United were nowhere near their best, but have played worse and still won convincingly in the season to date. They should have been one up in the first ten minutes but Robbie Blake’s goal-bound effort was somehow deflected over the bar and later in the half Paul Butler forced the Derby keeper to a fine save, both chances were provided by the in-form Eddie Lewis.

United passed the ball around with ease but could not convert their approach play into goals and were lucky that on loan striker Danny Graham, from Middlesbrough, was unable to get power into his header and Sullivan saved with ease, but on fifty-four minutes. The same player was gifted the best chance of the match but failed to beat the keeper when he was clear through on goal. Leeds were equally inefficient as both Rob Hulse and Liam Miller wasted good chances. With Watford beating Sheffield United in the previous game, they had drawn level with United and had then easily won to take them two points clear, while Sheffield United had also dropped two points. The two points lost at Pride Park had cost United dearly. With a game in hand United would have been in a strong position if had they got full points.

For the vital home clash with fellow promotion chasers Watford, United’s run on eleven remained the same but Richard Cresswell and David Healy replaced Ian Moore and Danny Pugh on the bench. It was Robbie Blake who led the United charge with a well-taken second half brace, which sent Watford to their first defeat of the year, United back into third spot and reduced the deficit on Sheffield United to just nine points, as they split the points in their top of the table clash with Reading, and Leeds still had that game in hand! Blake took the man of the match award and United fully merited their victory even though they were assisted by two Watford players receiving their marching orders.

Watford had taken the lead five minutes before half time and their goalkeeper was the first to see the red card after he brought down Rob Hulse in the penalty box just on the hour mark. The second dismissal involved Darius Henderson, who started the all-in Elland Road brawl when he clashed with Michael Gray when playing for Gillingham in the previous season, inexplicably he elbowed Sean Gregan in the face right in front of the referee, just two minutes later. The referee had blown a cantata all night and did his best to ruin the flow of the game by his constant whistling for petty infringements. Even with nine men Watford worked hard and it was never easy for United who took a massive confidence boost for the promotion run-in. Originally employing the 4-3-3 formation, with Robbie Blake roving infield rather than operating solely down the right wing, United changed to 4-2-2 with Blake joining Rob Hulse in a twin striker role at the start of the second half. They took the game to Watford and in the opening twenty minutes of the second half their play was a joy to watch as they put the Watford rearguard under constant pressure as Jonathan Douglas and Eddie Lewis pushed down the wings in a four pronged attack.

Watford had scored four goals in each of their last three games and it was a credit to the Leeds defence that, apart from a stunning free-kick, they posed little threat to Neil Sullivan in goal. Robbie Blake went close in the first half when he forced the keeper to tip over his rasping shot. Watford employed route one tactics and the keeper was the usual launching pad and they took the lead with a terrific curling free-kick after Sean Gregan had fouled Marlon King on the edge of the box. United ended the first half peppering the Watford goal and continued their pressing as Robbie Blake had a goal disallowed for offside just two minutes into the new half. They carved up Watford time and time again and were denied a penalty as Rob Hulse was wrestled to the ground by two defenders but there were no doubts moments later as the keeper brought him down as he rounded him. Foster was sent off and Robbie Blake converted to make new keeper Chamberlain’s first action to pick the ball out of the net. Henderson joined Foster in the dressing room two minutes later and United carried on battering the nine-man Watford and chances came and went as the moments ticked by. United sent on David Healy and Richard Cresswell for Jonathan Douglas and Rob Hulse after seventy-four minutes and it was the substitutes who combined to provide the chance for Robbie Blake to hammer home with just nine minutes left. Elland Road erupted on the final whistle and again as the Sheffield United result was announced. After such an outstanding performance United were on the crest of a wave.

Eirik Bakke made a rare appearance in place of Shaun Derry, while Ian Moore replaced Richard Cresswell on the bench, as the rejuvenated United visited the Walker Stadium to take on Leicester City. Once again United gave away two points to an inferior team and, while the point further cemented their play-off position, it was hard to believe that it was the same team that had so convincingly stopped Watford’s long unbroken winning streak and the supporters had every reason to expect more.

United were poor from the off and were behind after only five minutes when Eirik Bakke conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Gudjonsson’s kick was deflected and there was Hulme to take advantage of some sloppy defending and marking to squeeze the ball justinside the post. As against Watford United were handed the numerical superiority as Leicester skipper, Patrick McCarthy, for the second time in the season received his marching orders when he pulled down Rob Hulse in the area and was adjudged to be the last man in the defence after only ten minutes. Robbie Blake stepped up and fired home the equalizer to bring United level. United pressed home their advantage and soon Robbie Blake was narrowly wide, Stephen Crainey tried his luck from distance, while Rob Hulse failed to take advantage of a great through ball from Eirik Bakke and fired weakly at the keeper.

United seemed strangely lethargic and the midfield struggled to get any control on the game and as a result the service to the forwards was poor. With Leicester still keeping two forwards in their attack it gave United the numbers in midfield to have taken control of the game but the wingers failed to exploit the situation. The introduction of David Healy for Eirik Bakke after fifty-six minutes did help but it took the injection of Ian Moore’s pace to liven things up when he replaced Robbie Blake after seventy-one minutes. He became United’s biggest threat in the last twenty minutes as they finally got on top, but it was too little too late and the game fizzled out to a dull draw and United’s dismal record at the Walker Stadium continued. United dropped to fourth place and were now eleven points behind Sheffield United, albeit with a game in hand.

David Healy kept his position at the expense of Eirik Bakke, who dropped to the bench where new signing Joel Griffith replaced Simon Walton, as Gary Kelly celebrated his five-hundredth Leeds appearance in the home game against Luton Town. United reverted to 4-4-2 after the miserable display at Leicester and two goals in five minutes in the second half ensured that he was able to celebrate his milestone with a victory, as Jonathan Douglas just shaded him for the man of the match award. His forty-ninth minute strike was coupled with a close range strike from Eddie Lewis soon after to keep alive United’s faint hope of automatic promotion, although the visitors did stage a late comeback to have United hanging on desperately in the end as they hung on to win 2-1 and extended their winning home run to six. The result took United to within eight points of second placed Sheffield United and with a game still in hand the race was once again opened.

United were lucky not to have a penalty awarded against them before Jonathan Douglas had opened the scoring as Sean Gregan clearly handled inside the Leeds box but the referee ruled it was ball to hand and United broke away to score at the other end. It was a pivotal moment but Luton could look back and regret not having capitalized on three good chances in a dour opening period when United had the best of the possession but yet Luton had created those chances. Coyne headed a free-kick over the bar from close range after ghosting in at the far post unmarked, Foley then headed over from within the six yard box and Brkovic made a hash of his chance when well placed. United’s best chance of the half came from David Healy’s cross but the keeper stopped in from reaching the waiting Rob Hulse. The Hatters must have been kicking themselves in the break for not making their chances count as after the break United stepped up a gear and twice scored early in the second half.

Jonathan Douglas, who started in midfield for the first time since the loss to Crewe in November, was involved in both attack and defence as he worked tirelessly and it was fitting that it was he who opened the scoring with a fine goal after good work by Robbie Blake and Rob Hulse. Eddie Lewis doubled the lead moments later when he slid in to convert an angled cross from Hulse. It looked all over, but Luton staged a grandstand finish in the last ten minutes of the match and penned United back in their own area. Vine had a shot deflected wide and Howard saw a free-kick stopped by the wall before Luton got their consolation as Howard out-jumped Douglas to score with six minutes left.

Things started to look ominous for United and Neil Sullivan came to United’s rescue with a reaction save to deny Howard with just two minutes left when it seemed Howard was sure to score. Luton defender Davis got his marching orders after his second yellow card with a minute or so left,to make it four sending offs in the last three games by United’s recent foes. Eirik Bakke had come on for David Healy after seventy minutes while Ian Moore had replaced Robbie Blake with two minutes to go but neither had much effect. The fixture ended with Gary Kelly charging down the middle of the park in a vain attempt to round his day off with a rare goal, but it was not to be.

Shaun Derry was back in place of David Healy, who dropped to the bench with Danny Pugh as they were preferred to Joel Griffiths and Gylfi Einarrson, for the visit to his old club Crystal Pace at Selhurst Park in a vital clash by two of the Championship’s promotion candidates. United fired a warning to all the potential candidates with their best performance of the season, in which they were magnificent from the first minute to the last as they cut Sheffield’s lead to just six points. On the form showed in this match United proved that they could be more than capable of producing a finish that would see them overhaul Sheffield United and take the second direct promotion spot. United had played well enough all season to be in the top six the whole season but the win at Crystal Palace was the best performance by a United side in Kevin Blackwell’s reign and for several seasons prior. This was an all round team performance in a game that just had to be won if they were to maintain their second spot aspirations.

The foundations for the success were laid in the best midfield performance of the season. Shaun Derry broke up play superbly in the anchorman role while Liam Miller and Jonathan Douglas were simply magnificent. Douglas was in everything all afternoon from testing the Palace keeper twice in the first five minutes to making last ditch goal-saving tackles in the last few minutes. Miller had his best game for the club and had a hand in both goals. He was also responsible for many of the United attacks with quick thinking, intelligent passing and the ability to break quickly were vital. The United trio totally outplayed their Palace counterparts and apart from the final minutes totally dominated. Gary Kelly and Stephen Crainey snuffed out any threats down the flanks and Paul Butler and Sean Gregan were solid and uncompromising in central defence where England‘s World Cup hopeful, Andy Johnson, was made to look mediocre. Neil Sullivan was largely unemployed but was called upon to make several good saves in the dying stages. Upfront Robbie Blake and Eddie Lewis were sharp and always a threat, while Rob Hulse’s hard work and effort were important in the fine victory.

United were fast out of the blocks and tore into Palace from the off with their keeper soon called upon to save twice from Jonathan Douglas. He first palmed away a looping header for a corner and this time Douglas stooped low to head into the corner but the keeper somehow clawed the ball to safety. Eddie Lewis volleyed wide as United pressed for a goal. It came after thirty-three minutes as Liam Miller carried the ball from deep to serve Rob Hulse out wide, with his back to goal he did well to get his cross in and after a Palace defender missed his clearance, Robbie Blake sneaked in to get the decisive touch. The second and decisive goal came eight minutes into the second half with Liam Miller again the provider with a delightful cross from the right, after good work from Gary Kelly and Jonathan Douglas, and Hulse was on hand to stab the ball home from close range.

United had dominated the game for over an hour and, from a team who rarely drop points at home, it was only to be expected that they would at sometime rally. In the last twenty-five minutes they started to get back into the game and Neil Sullivan showed his worth with two fine saves and United got defenders back in numbers to defend stoutly as the need arose. The home team also failed to put shots on target which eased the problem for United, but Palace eventually got their names on the score sheet as McAnuff scored with a pile-driver deep into injury time. It was too little too late and United had their destiny in their own hands with a game in hand and still having to play their bitter rivals Sheffield United.

United were unchanged other than Matthew Kilgallon replacing Danny Pugh on the bench for their home game against Norwich City and the anticipation of further progress in the chase for promotion. With Sheffield United seemingly wilting under the pressure the fans were eager to roar United on. With nine games still to go promotion was well within their grasp provided they could maintain their recent consistency. It was a day of mixed fortunes and emotions, as United dominated the game for long periods but in the end were lucky to get a point in injury time. However they were left ruing their inability to get full points as the news filtered through that the Blades had been defeated and ultimately United were only five points behind and so it was a good day but it could have been far worse or much better depending on the way United’s fortunes changed in that day as the story unfolded.

United had been so much in control that by half-time and 1-0 up it seemed just a formality that full points would be assured. Unfortunately United eased up, took their foot off the accelerator and allowed the Canaries back into the game and before they knew where they were they were it was 1-2 and staring defeat in the face. They equalized with almost the last kick of the game and thankfully did not finish up empty-handed.

Leeds had controlled the opening stanza and Robbie Blake was denied with a couple of early saves by the Norwich keeper. The inevitable opener came after twenty minutes when Robbie Blake fed Eddie Lewis, who showed great trickery to lay the ball in the path of Rob Hulse, who had timed his run to perfection as he picked his spot with the visitors appealing in vain for offside. It looked like the start of an avalanche but nothing eventuated apart from a brilliant save by the Norwich keeper, who managed to dive full length to push the ball round the post from Hulse’s fine header just four minutes before half-time. It was a vital save and kept the Canaries in the game.

The PA system had announced that Sheffield were losing and all seemed well as United returned for the second half but Norwich returned rejuvenated for the second half and United started to look uncomfortable as the Norwich forwards started causing the Leeds defence problems. Neil Sullivan made a good save to deny Docherty from close range, but United did not heed the warning and allowed Simon Charlton to put in a cross from deep and Hughes ran untracked to rifle home the equalizer after fifty-seven minutes. It gave Norwich more confidence and should have increased their lead afterwards when McVeigh wasted a great opportunity after Huckerby had taken on the defence and pulled the ball back to him. Inexplicably United failed to learn by their good fortune and it was the same pair who combined in identical fashion a minute later for McVeigh to make sure and give Norwich the lead with a quarter of an hour left on the clock.

The goal woke United from their nightmare and but they could not gain any advantage from 15 minutes of basically route one football which was playing right into the hands of the visitors defence and the United fans were starting to accept another disappointment. Deep in injury time United were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Norwich box and Eddie Lewis stepped up to curl the ball round the static Norwich keeper to gain United a surprise share of the points and the crowd erupted as confirmation came through that Sheffield United had been defeated by Coventry City.

United travelled to in-form Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena, with Matthew Kilgallon replacing the suspended Sean Gregan and Gylfi Einarsson took his place on the bench. United managed a point and with Sheffield United once again being defeated, this time at Norwich, it took them to within four points and a game in hand with a fixture between the two protagonists still to come. Coventry had beaten Sheffield United at the Ricoh Arena the previous week and had only suffered one defeat in the last eight home fixtures, yet Leeds never really looked like losing the fixture but after conceding a goal in the first half hour, they went in at half time 1-0 down without really troubling the Coventry keeper but nevertheless after playing some decent football. However Coventry too had played well and on balance deserved their lead which came from a well worked opening which was finished sublimely by McSheffrey. Matthew Kilgallon was looking decidedly rusty and McSheffrey led him a rare old dance and was unlucky not to have scored more. Hutchinson had had a strong free-kick pushed on to the bar by Neil Sullivan and McSheffrey again broke free but could not apply the finishing touch. The half ended with Paul Butler in a blazing argument with the referee, who was escorted from the pitch.

In the second half Leeds made two chances for Jonathan Douglas who was firstly denied by a defender’s legs after good approach play and then he headed over from a tight angle after a pinpoint cross from Eddie Lewis. Liam Miller got back into the game with a series of good runs and the quiet Robbie Blake was replaced by the livelier David Healy on the hour mark. Eddie Lewis also started making headway down the left flank and the hardworking Rob Hulse had a header cleared off the line and quickly missed two more reasonable chances to equalize. Ian Moore came on for Jonathan Douglas with fifteen minutes to go and it was he who provided the cross for Eddie Lewis to hook the ball goalwards and a defender handled to give David Healy the chance to hold his nerve after two minutes of arguments and clinically put the ball out of the keepers reach with just two minutes left on the clock.

It was the vital catch up home game with Crystal Palace next and David Healy was preferred to Robbie Blake while new boy Jermaine Beckford took Gylfi Einarsson’s place on the bench. The balance of power swung again in the race for promotion as United missed a glorious chance to turn up the heat on the rest of the field. They were defeated 1-0 by the visitors to remain four points behind Sheffield and now a point behind Watford with Palace only four points adrift and all teams having played 39 games.

It was United’s first home defeat of the year and suddenly the key to automatic promotion was no longer in their hands as the well drilled Palace team pulled themselves back into the equation and there was a complete role reversal from the game at Palace less than three weeks previous. While United had the lion’s share of the ball they did little with it and were a shadow of the side that had looked such a force in the promotion stakes. Their persistence with the long ball up the middle to Rob Hulse became repetitious and played right into the hands of the Palace defence as it became more and more predictable. Palace rarely left their own half during the second half and yet Leeds could only manage one attempt to cause the Palace keeper concern and it fell to Matthew Kilgallon, who had arrived unmarked at the far post to meet an Eddie Lewis free-kick but could only head straight into the keeper’s hands. There were good efforts from Gary Kelly and the hard tackling Shaun Derry, who started with a series of ball winning tackles against one of his former teams, but received little or no support in midfield with Liam Miller in particular going AWOL.

United were fortunate that they did not go in at the interval at least three goals in arrears had it not been for Neil Sullivan who three times saved well from the Palace strikers but could do little about the deciding goal just two minutes before the interval, when Paul Butler was left stranded as the rest of the defence chased shadows and McAuff was left alone to pick his spot. United did have a couple of attempts on goal as Gary Kelly tried his luck from distance but the keeper got his fingertips to it and then Jonathan Douglas headed wide from a Kelly free-kick. Rob Hulse had a couple of headers off target but had poor service with the wingers operating too wide and only Jonathan Douglas getting forward from midfield.

Robbie Blake replaced the ineffective David Healy just past the hour and striker Jermaine Beckford was introduced at the expense of full back Stephen Crainey with just short of a quarter of an hour to go, while Eirik Bakke was on for Jonathan Douglas for the last five minutes. All was in vain, as although Beckford added pace his best effort just squirmed past the upright, but he was also adjudged offside even if he had hit the target. United threw five men forward and even when Palace won a corner they only sent up two players for it. Palace were the best team to play at Elland Road in the season and looked well capable of going on a run to overtake United, Watford and maybe even Sheffield. It was only United’s second defeat since the turn of the year and while they were quite capable of carrying on in their previous good form they would have to create more chances and convert them if they were to do so.

Sean Gregan was back from suspension to relegate Matthew Kilgallon back to the substitute’s bench where Joel Griffiths got the nod over Ian Moore and Eirik Bakke as United greeted Stoke City at Elland Road. Once again United failed to score and slipped up as Sheffield United won to increase their lead to six with six games left to play. They had now gone 340 minutes since a goal was scored from open play and frustration showed no sign of ending against Stoke as the familiar pattern of dominating possession but being unable to convert the good approach play into chances or goals against a team who came to defend and rely on a chance breakaway to maybe steal the points.

Kevin Blackwell had changed his tactics and reverted back to 4-4-2 with David Healy partnering Rob Hulse upfront and even had two strikers and the attack-minded Joel Griffith on the bench and, although all got a run, with Jermaine Beckford on for David Healy after sixty-three minutes, Robbie Blake for Jonathan Douglas five minutes later and finally Joel Griffiths for Eddie Lewis with a little over a quarter of an hour to go, none could raise any hope let alone trouble the scorers. While no one could fault Rob Hulse or David Healy for effort they did not receive the service they needed as United failed to put it together in the final third of the pitch. It was disturbing that no one had the ability to open up the Stoke defence and their central defence of Hill and Duberry had a relatively easy afternoon with surprisingly little pressure. Leeds had only one decent shot on goal and that came from full back Stephen Crainey who unleashed a dipping shot from distance which skimmed the bar, while Rob Hulse had two downwards headers which went wide.

Stoke were no better and were restricted to one header that went wide and a speculative shot from distance which caused Neil Sullivan no discomfort. Sean Gregan made some timely tackles early on and was outstanding on his return to the team. United’s best move of the second half came when Shaun Derry released Rob Hulse, who back-heeled into the path of Liam Miller, but the Stoke defence closed him down before he could get in a shot. The introduction of Jermaine Beckford and Joel Griffith did inject a little pace and urgency into the United attack, but although they did show touches of promise there was little else. Stoke almost stole the points but Neil Sullivan saved the day with a fine stop. The final whistle was greeted by a chorus of boos, but other results, Sheffield apart, favoured Leeds and they finished the day joint third.

It was Robbie Blake for David Healy in the run on side with new loanee Danny Graham and fit again Frazer Richardson taking the places of Jermaine Beckford and Joel Griffiths on the bench as United travelled to Hull City for their April Fool’s day encounter at the KC Stadium. It saw United’s pretension to challenge Sheffield United for the automatic promotion spot disappear, although still mathematically possible. On the bright side they only required two more points to ensure their play off position but having now gone five games without a win and three without a goal and it was now 430 minutes since the last goal from open play and 272 minutes since they found the target at all. Disturbing facts but reflecting their abysmal current spell which did not bode well for the play-offs.

Against the lowly Hull City they seemed disinterested and it was the home team that took the game to United and it was apparent from the clash of the two attacks and defences what the outcome was going to be. At one end the burly Parkin gave the stout Paul Butler and Sean Gregan their most testing physical encounter of the season, while at the other end the Hull central defence was under no pressure from Rob Hulse, who was well shackled and outnumbered. United did create chances but failed again to severely test the opposition’s keeper. Paul Butler fired over with the goal at his mercy and later Liam Miller failed to hit the target when given an easy chance. United started well enough and kept possession very well but as soon as they arrived in the last third of the pitch the moves petered out. Eddie Lewis had forced the Hull keeper to push his early free-kick round the post, but United were lucky not to have been behind at the half-time break after Parkin had the ball in the net, but, despite Crainey having headed it into his path, he was adjudged off-side. They could also thank Neil Sullivan for thwarting two commendable attempts on goal by the Hull attackers and right on half-time he foiled Parkin.

There was still hope for given their ability to improve in the second half and their ability to win away from home, but Hull stuck to their task well and denied United the space in midfield. Green shot over for Hull while Parkin and Fagan continued to cause the United defence problems. At the other end Jonathan Douglas hooked a chance over the bar and Liam Miller fired wide after being set up by Robbie Blake. It all went wrong for Leeds in the seventy-sixth minute as Green found space on the right and Parkin muscled himself into position to head in at the far post. United immediately threw on David Healy and Danny Graham for Liam Miller and Eddie Lewis followed three minutes later by Frazer Richardson for Robbie Blake but they still didn’t manage any real urgency until the final few minutes when David Healy sent a free-kick narrowly wide and Rob Hulse shot over, after good work by Danny Graham, but it was too little too late and the poor run now stood at five games without a win. Manager Kevin Blackwell must have wondered what had caused the wheels to fall of a machine that not so long ago had realistically threatened automatic promotion, while at that moment they would not have fancied their chances in the play-offs on current form.

Frazer Richardson and David Healy were preferred to Liam Miller and Eddie Lewis and Jermaine Beckford was on the bench for Danny Graham as United entertained Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road. Even though they gained a point that ensured a play-off spot, United had now gone over six hours without a goal and four complete games and the crowd mocked them with chants of “Premier League, You are having a laugh”. And even “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” was heard directed at players who only a few weeks previous had been hailed as conquering heroes. The cold hard facts were that they finished the game nine points adrift of Sheffield United and the final outcome would now be decided once and for all in two games time when United were due to visit Bramall Lane. After United’s fine win at Crystal Palace at the start of March, when hope sprung eternal, United had slowly sunk further and further behind in the promotion race and that euphoria has been totally eroded. Indeed since that game United had scored but one goal from open play and that was over eight playing hours previous. Even worse, they were not creating chances to even look like scoring and had amassed a paltry four points from the last eighteen contested. The lack of confidence and conviction was very apparent in the game and no-one would have realized that the fans were aware that their team had reached the play-offs for the first time since 1987.

The crowd particularly targeted Rob Hulse and Stephen Crainey for their abuse, and while Hulse was not at his best, but playing through the pain barrier for the good of the team, Crainey was sound in defence and did little wrong. United enjoyed virtually all the play but the fact was that the Argyle keeper was only called upon to make two saves in the entire game, such was their lack of inventiveness and cutting power. Gary Kelly had tried his luck from distance and Robbie Blake curled a free-kick wide, while Rob Hulse shot wide with Robbie Blake better placed. David Healy went closest when he fired past the post just before half time. Gary Kelly had been playing even though suffering from flu and, after thirty-six minutes, he was replaced by Jermaine Beckford, who showed some neat touches, and it was he who eventually tested the Plymouth keeper after eighty minutes with a low drive. Four minutes later the keeper pulled off a fine block from a Robbie Blake free-kick, but David Healy had hit the side-netting, Jonathan Douglas had headed an Eddie Lewis corner wide, while the out of form Hulse was crowded out after being released by Beckford. It was the kind of chance that Hulse would have put away with ease earlier in the season.

Plymouth had little to offer, and Paul Butler and Sean Gregan had their forwards in their pockets, while Frazer Richardson showed up well after dropping back to take the place of the flu-stricken Gary Kelly. Neil Sullivan had to make one save and watch a header sail over the bar, but otherwise he was totally untroubled. It was United’s sixteenth clean sheet of the season but, apart from the non-stop effort of Shaun Derry in midfield and the promise of Jermaine Beckford up front, there was no indication of any attacking capabilities from United as the introduction of Eddie Lewis for David Healy midway through the second half and Liam Miller for Jonathan Douglas, with fifteen minutes to go, showed no improvement and United now faced an Easter double header against the top two teams, Reading and Sheffield United, low on confidence and with little to play for except pride.

For the Easter Saturday visit of runaway leaders Reading, United rang the changes with Matthew Kilgallon, Eirik Bakke and Liam Miller replacing Sean Gregan, Frazer Richardson and Robbie Blake(a flu victim), while the bench comprised Ian Bennett, Danny Pugh, Danny Graham, Ian Moore and Jermaine Beckford. There were plenty of good points to come out of the game as United found that Reading’s style of play was more to their liking than the massed defences of relegation-threatened opponents They put on a performance which must have not only pleased their supporters but scared their play-off rivals, as they produced an outstanding display against the team that had only lost two games all season and were only two points from a century of points. They would have fully merited a well-earned win, but a lucky goal five minutes from time gave the visitors an unwarranted share of the points. The leveller not only extended United’s winless streak to seven games but almost ensured that United could not catch Sheffield United for the second spot. On the positive side it did ensure that the goal drought had been ended which was probably more psychologically important than the fact that Leeds were denied victory at the death.

Rob Hulse got the goal two minutes into the second half, a full 409 minutes since David Healy scored at Coventry City in mid-March and the relief was enormous. It was no more than United deserved and it should have been enough to secure United full points, but Reading, who had not had a shot on target up to that point, snatched a share of the spoils when Ingimarsson headed a Gunnarsson cross back across goal and Kitson, clearly in an offside position, got a touch to steer the ball goalwards and Hunt somehow bundled the ball over the line. An ear-piercing “We are Leeds” was the crowds immediate response and although the lead had been lost the crowd did not let it upset atmosphere. The crowd had laid the platform for the display by giving Kevin Blackwell a standing ovation as he took his place on the touchline. It was the Leeds faithful at their very best and the almost 25,000 crowd cheered their team on as an almost surreal atmosphere of peace and harmony returned to the stands and confidence came flooding back on the field.

Shaun Derry was immaculate in midfield and turned on a superb performance in the middle of the park as he snuffed out the forward runs of Harper and Sidwell, usually Reading’s most dangerous players, and also showed the attacking side of his game by being responsible for creating United’s goal. He was ably assisted by Eirik Bakke and Liam Miller and just like in the game at Palace, when the engine room was able to function, United fired on all cylinders and become a very dangerous team. Liam Miller made several good runs and was much more mobile than of late, but it was Eirik Bakke, starting only his fourth game of the season, who showed enough quality to suggest he might be a key figure in the final run in. Matthew Kilgallon made a good return and he and Paul Butler kept the dangerous Reading strikers quiet. Gary Kelly and Stephen Crainey gave nothing away and got in several telling crosses, with Crainey being particularly dangerous. With Robbie Blake a flu victim, Jonathan Douglas was pushed up wide right to join the hard working David Healy and Rob Hulse in a three pronged attack. Healy was seen tackling back and making challenges by his own corner flag, while Hulse was responsible for a clearing header over his own bar and then almost snatching a goal at the other end as Leeds broke quickly from the resulting corner.

There were many encouraging signs to be found and the only downside was that full points were not achieved. Reading keeper Hahnemann had to be alert to save from Shaun Derry, Jonathan Douglas and Rob Hulse, while Eirik Bakke was only inches over when he tried to delicately chip the keeper and Healy had a shot from halfway which drifted wide of the mark with the keeper stranded. There were chances aplenty created by Leeds while Reading could only muster three. Reading’s style of play obviously suited Leeds as they came trying to win rather than defending in depth and it clearly favoured United who had only lost once against top six opposition in eight games. If that record could be maintained it would bode well for the play-offs.

After their sterling display against the League leaders it was understandable that United maintained an identical line-up for their Easter Tuesday encounter with second placed Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, which had rarely been a happy hunting ground recently and had been the scene of several embarrassing Cup exits in recent years. The game finished all square at 1-1 and Sheffield’s fans celebrated their automatic promotion, while Leeds left quite happy with their performance and it boded well for the play-offs. The draw extended United’s good performances against the top six sides in which they had only lost one of the nine encounters thus far in the season and if they had shown a better nose for goal they could have been celebrating a rare “derby” victory. Sheffield could have argued the same as had they taken their chances during a twenty-five minute spell of domination in the first half the result could well have gone their way.

Both sides felt they each had a good claim for a penalty rejected. Eirik Bakke was clearly upended in the box in early play, while Kebba felt he should have had a penalty after a challenge from Stephen Crainey late in the game. The speedy Sheffield wingers exposed United’s defence and they were in front after only ten minutes as Eirik Bakke headed a corner past his own keeper. Sheffield were rampant and Neil Sullivan, Stephen Crainey, Gary Kelly and Paul Butler all made timely blocks, while Kebba twice tested Sullivan. The keeper also saved from Akinbiyi in a one-on-one situation. United had weathered the storm and came back to score with a fantastic individual goal from David Healy. He showed great control to leave several Sheffield defenders in his wake before unleashing an unstoppable shot which gave Kenny, the Sheffield keeper, no chance. Gary Kelly had featured in a succession of poor tackles and after the goal he went over the top on a Sheffield defender. There were some embarrassing scenes as Warnock started to vent his anger at the Leeds players and coaching staff, before the referee banished him to the Stands. Shaun Derry was again United’s lynchpin and best player, while Liam Miller made some good runs. Rob Hulse held the ball up well and went close on a couple of occasions. Eirik Bakke lost control of the ball when closing in on goal and Kenny got down well to deny Liam Miller. Ian Moore replaced David Healy with eleven minutes left, and Danny Pugh was on for Eirik Bakke a minute later, as United tried to turn their domination into goals. It was not to be and in the end a draw was a fair result for both teams.

The on-loan from Middlesbrough Danny Graham replaced Rob Hulse and Eddie Lewis was back in place of Jonathan Douglas, while there was no place for Ian Bennett, Danny Pugh and Jermaine Beckford on the bench, which featured Ian Moore, Steve Stone, Robbie Blake, Sean Gregan and Jonathan Douglas for the last home game of the season against Crewe Alexandra. The game marked Kevin Blackwell’s one hundredth game in charge and fittingly it ended the barren run which has set in since he signed his new contract in early March. It came from a rare David Healy header seventeen minutes before time. There was also the added boost of long-term injury-strickened former England International Steve Stone at last able to make his debut and playing for the final twenty-nine minutes, after replacing Liam Miller. He showed good touches and finishing the game strongly and without any after effects. The final pecking order in the play off race had still not been finalized, with Palace seemingly favourites for the sixth spot and with Preston dropping two points at Hull, United moved into fourth spot.

Leeds made very heavy weather of beating a team that had long been doomed to relegation in one of the most one-sided games you were likely to see. It was almost shots in as Crewe were absolutely awful in the first half as Leeds mounted attack after attack and it was truly amazing that they had nothing to show for it as half-time came with the score still 0-0. Danny Graham limped out of the game after forty-two minutes to be replaced by Ian Moore, but he had been guilty of missing the two decent chances that had come Leeds’ way. He headed wide after an Eddie Lewis cross found him at the near post and then failed to beat the keeper in a one-on-one situation as the keeper beat it out to Liam Miller, who had his shot blocked by a defender on the line. There were other chances as Shaun Derry, Stephen Creaney, David Healy, Eddie Lewis and Eirik Bakke all went close in the one way traffic, with the Leeds defence merely onlookers. Robbie Blake replaced Eddie Lewis after sixty-six minutes and the onslaught continued unabated until finally YEP player of the year Gary Kelly crossed from the right for David Healy to head home the winner. Again Shaun Derry was United’s star with his non-stop tackling and passing which has enabled Eirik Bakke and Liam Miller to get forward. Bakke’s suspect hamstring was a worry as the midfield was now starting to look dangerous and the general confidence of the team was returning even though the goals are not coming in torrents. United had to visit Deepdale for the final fixture knowing that whatever the result they would be involved in the play-offs in the ensuing week against an opponent as yet unknown but more than likely it would be three games against Preston North End in very quick succession!

For the final game of the League fixtures with Preston North End at Deepdale, Kevin Blackwell fielded a very under-strength team in an effort to conceal his likely team and plans for the play-offs. It was Neil Sullivan; Frazer Richardson, Sean Gregan, Matthew Kilgallon, Danny Pugh; Simon Walton, Steve Stone, Jonathan Douglas; David Healy, Robbie Blake, Ian Moore; with Ian Bennett, Jermaine Beckford, Joel Griffiths, Dan Harding and Gylfi Einarsson on the bench. Steve Stone played a full game while Simon Walton, Danny Pugh and Ian Moore had rare starts.

While this was a typical end of season game with nothing really to play for Ian Moore ran well and caused problems, Danny Pugh was sound defensively, Simon Walton covered acres in midfield and Frazer Richardson showed good touches at right back. Preston were uncompromising and physical in defence and their big men made size count against the smaller lightweight Leeds attackers. Sean Gregan and Matthew Kilgallon were solid in defence for United, who seemed to take the game as a training session. Preston threatened to run United ragged in the early stages, with their midfield trio controlling the game, and it gave United a sample of what might be likely in the play-offs. Jarrett was particularly dangerous and it was a trip on him by Matthew Kilgallon on the edge of the box that led to Preston’s opening goal seven minutes before the break. Dichio had played on, but when he made a hash of his attempt on goal the referee called play back for the free-kick. Stock curled a beautiful shot round the poorly constructed wall leaving Neil Sullivan no option but to pick the ball out of the net. It was no more than Preston deserved as they had been good value for their 1-0 lead on the break.

After fifty-two minutes Jermaine Beckford came on for Ian Moore and fourteen minutes later Joel Griffiths replaced Robbie Blake. Simon Walton headed into the side-netting after ghosting in at the far post from a Danny Pugh corner, but that apart it was not until the final minute that Beckford tested the Preston keeper. By that time it was all done and dusted and fourth place had already gone to Preston when, after Dichio had fired over from close range, former Leeds loanee Brett Ormerod made sure with thirteen minutes left. Frazer Richardson had done well to make a headed clearance but it fell to Ormerod who, after a couple of ricochets in the six yard box, forced the ball home from close range to clinch the game for Preston. With the game won Preston took their foot off the pedal and Leeds came more into the game but both teams were glad to hear the final whistle and put an end to the necessary evil and no doubt would come back with a bit more fire and purpose in the two games scheduled for the following week when one team would get to the Final and the other could start making plans for the following season.

The season which had seen its ups and downs, with a reasonable but inconsistent start which was kicked into motion with the fine come from behind win at Southampton which seemed to give the team the self belief and confidence to take off on a good unbeaten run which saw them challenging and with a game in hand always well placed but just a little out of touch with the two runaway leaders. After two consecutive defeats in early December they stuttered but recovered well to go on another unbeaten run culminating in a fine win at Crystal Palace and the very real prospect of overtaking Sheffield United for the second spot and automatic promotion. Unfortunately after that the wheels fell off and the season stuttered to an unsatisfactory end with only one victory in ten matches and that being against a side that was already relegated. However fifth position meant that they were only three games away from promotion and having an excellent record against their possible opponents on paper their prospects were good.

So it was that United entertained Preston North End at Elland Road in the first of the home and away knock out ties for the right to play the winner of Watford and Crystal Palace in the final playoff decider in Cardiff on the twenty-first of May 2006. United were almost at full-strength, with only captain Paul Butler unavailable, as they lined up with Neil Sullivan; Gary Kelly, Sean Gregan, Matthew Kilgallon, Stephen Crainey; Liam Miller, Shaun Derry, Eirik Bakke; David Healy, Rob Hulse, Eddie Lewis; while the bench comprised Ian Bennett, Jonathan Douglas, Steve Stone, Robbie Blake, Richard Cresswell. It proved to be a very even contest with both sides claiming they could have won but Preston’s fans and management went further claiming that they held the high ground as a result of a 1-1 draw on foreign territory and in the Manager’s words it was “job done” as he and his supporters went over the top in celebrations at the final whistle.

There was a lot of hammer and tongs football as befitted such an important match and this included several nasty, niggling, time wasting incidents and gamesmanship, mostly from Preston but their organization and determination was also apparent. The match officials were far too over officious and the game suffered accordingly. It was United who started brightly and made all the early running and had an early claim for a penalty turned down. After Nugent had failed to keep his nerve when given an easy chance from a corner in the seventh minute, but even before that United had a claim when Matthew Kilgallon was floored by the Preston defender Mawene in what appeared to be a definite penalty. Kilgallon also hit the woodwork with a powerful header from an Eddie Lewis corner and David Healy had a free-kick blocked. Then Liam Miller had two chances in quick succession, first he was denied by a smart save from Nash, the Preston keeper, and then McKenna pulled off a superb tackle to stop his progress on goal. It was all Leeds but the luck wasn’t with them.

Preston came out of their blocks quickly in the second half and it was they who now applied all the pressure. Again Nugent was allowed to have easy access to the goal, as he picked up the ball unchallenged before going on a mazy run and holding off four United players to shot home, after only three minutes of second half action. It was a bad goal to concede by a defence which had looked virtually impregnable. With the Preston defence looking equally impregnable and uncompromising it was hard to see where United could get back on level terms let alone establish a home leg lead. Preston continued to press for a second and O’Neil shot wide and Alexander missed a good chance when he fired across the face of goal. At the other end Eddie Lewis had another shout for a penalty turned down before Brett Ormerod was denied by Neil Sullivan to keep United in the game. Steve Stone replaced Eirik Bakke after fifty-eight minutes and fourteen minutes later Robbie Blake was sent on in place of David Healy.

United had now taken up the initiative and were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Eddie Lewis delivered one of his trade mark set piece kicks towards the Preston goal and Alexander could only help divert it further to leave his keeper stranded as the ball nestled in the net for the equalizer. Two minutes later Lewis fed Rob Hulse but his further progress was halted by the offside flag. Richard Cresswell was sent on for Shaun Derry as United pressed for the lead with Sean Gregan being unable to accurately direct his header from a Robbie Blake free-kick into the goal. Richard Cresswell received an elbow to the face and an all-in melee of twenty-one players ensued before peace was restored and Cresswell somehow received a yellow card, presumably for retaliation. Right on time United were indebted to Stephen Crainey for pulling off a last-ditch block on Dichio and the game ended in a deserved draw. United had been roared on by a 36,000 crowd and it certainly helped them lift their game and, while there would only be 2,800 cheering them on at Preston, if United can lift accordingly in the same way as their fans, then the tie would still be wide open, as the two teams were well matched and the result would count on the luck of the bounce or the whim of a referee.

United decided there was little to lose in the return leg and went for all-out attack, chosing not to have a keeper on the bench and restoring Frazer Richardson and Jonathan Douglas for David Healey and Eirik Bakke who dropped to the bench. Once again Captain Paul Butler was unavailable and United’s aggressive outlook paid dividends and, after a night of high drama, they claimed the spoils of victory with gripping, terrific performance to eliminate Preston North End from any further participation in the play-off procedure. Rob Hulse and Frazer Richardson got the goals that counted. The game was full of extremely physical and tense combat and even had a thirty-four minute interval due to a power failure. Preston had a goal disallowed and with United 2-0 up and coasting they had two players sent off, Stephen Crainey and Richard Cresswell, and both would miss the final in Cardiff against Watford.

After the scenes at Elland Road and their insistence that it was a ”job done”, the home announcer said “welcome to our penultimate game before we reach the Premiership” which only served to provide the encouragement that United needed to make them eat their words. The tactic of playing Frazer Richardson in an attacking role on the right was a master stroke, for not only did he curtail the Preston left back Alexander from making runs, but he played a big part in United’s attacking movements. Neil Sullivan was also a key man in dictating the pace of the game but was also at his agile best to keep a clean sheet. Sean Gregan and Matthew Kilgallon were outstanding at the heart of the defence while Gary Kelly and Stephen Crainey were strong in their defensive duties and managed to get up and down in the support and building of the attacks. Shaun Derry was solid and ferocious in the midfield anchor role while Liam Miller showed neat touches and good movement, but it was Jonathan Douglas who really caught the eye and was seemingly everywhere. Up-front Rob Hulse threw off his shackles and matched the two Preston defensive heavies literally punch for punch as their battle often teetered on the edge and several times threatened to boil over. Down the flanks Frazer Richardson and Eddie Lewis initially nullified the attacking moves of the Preston full-backs but later played their parts to the full as United’sattacking options increased with their grip on the game in a team performance not seen since their inspirational win at Crystal Palace.There was an enthralling opening to the game which saw the challengescome thick and fast and Rob Hulse and Davis clashed as early as the thirteenth minute in what was a sample of the personal battles being fought all over the pitch which continued throughout the game.

The blackout came just at the right time as it served to dampen the tempers and short fuses which had been lit just prior to the break when eighteen players were involved in a melee after Matthew Kilgallon had clashed with Nugent in the United penalty box. After the break it was United who came out firing on all cylinders and twelve minutes into the second half Rob Hulse gave United a well deserved lead as he headed home from a corner and to seal an obviously well-rehearsed move. Given United’s usual ability to preserve a one goal lead, particularly away from home, it looked as though Hulse’s strike would have won the game but just four minutes later they made doubly sure. Liam Miller was the architect, setting up Rod Hulse, with a fine pass before the big striker played in Frazer Richardson, who calmly picked his spot and made no mistake to fire the ball home.

With the game seemingly won, Preston were thrown a lifeline as Stephen Crainey, who had already been booked for needlessly kicking the ball away, received a second yellow for a dubious foul on Nugent and got his marching orders. Frazer Richardson duly dropped back to left back and Neil Sullivan was called upon to make two superb reflex saves to deny McKenna and Dichio as Preston tried to get back in the game and take advantage of United’s reduced numbers. With eleven minutes to go, Richard Cresswell came on to replace Rob Hulse, who left the field to a standing ovation from the Leeds fans, and he was twice booked in mysterious circumstances and United were down to nine men deep into injury time. Steve Stone had been sent on in place of Eddie Lewis with three minutes of normal time left. Mears then headed home a goal and Preston thought they had a lifeline until the referee saw the linesman’s flag raised for offside and their celebrations were quickly cut short. When the referee blew the final whistle after more than six minutes of time on, the United team and travelling fans were in raptures as they celebrated their victory in a game that had all the elements of what is good, bad and ugly, but United had proved they were the better side on the night and fully deserved to progress to the play-off final in Cardiff and they could head there with every confidence after such an emphatic display and victory.

The interest in United was intense as the mad scramble for the prized tickets took place. All of a sudden there were 40,000 fans that were lucky enough to get a ticket, and many thousands who were not so fortunate. Then there were the millions who watched the game on TV.

I was one of the fortunate 40,000, thanks to a long time friend and United fanatic, to whom I am eternally grateful. I could write a book on the story of the intrigues which took place before I finally had the prized piece of paper in my hand. We were on the road before the sparrows were awake and were soon joined by the exodus of United fans which came from all corners of the globe and clogged every motorway and by-way heading for the capital of the principality. The day was similar to my first taste of a major final at the country’s finest venue (1965 Liverpool at Wembley, after nearly 20 years of supporting mediocrity!). The dark clouds had gathered and the heavens had opened. Fortunately the Millennium was much more modern and its retractable roof ensured that at least the supporters would not get soaked to the skin as was the case in 1965! Cardiff was also inundated by the invading hordes, from Watford and Leeds, but thankfully there was no trouble between the fans but rather much bonhomie and friendliness was soon apparent.

The scene was set for the return to the EPL of one of its best supported teams. Unfortunately the team did not turn up, but rather a pale imitation of the team that had comeback so valiantly against all the odds at Southampton, played Crystal Palace off the park in their own backyard and prevailed in the physical battle at Deepdale.

The team that took the field showed several changes from their Deepdale triumph. Captain Paul Butler had recovered from injury and took the place of the suspended Stephen Crainey, with Matthew Kilgallon switching to left back. The suspended Richard Cresswell could not take his place on the bench and Manager Blackwell went for safety first, and included keeper Ian Bennett in his stead.

It was a disastrous day for United and their expectant fans. They had no arguments. They were outplayed, outfought and totally outthought by a Watford team who were better in all departments. The display was much at odds with their performance at Preston when they were strong, robust, physical and clinical. None of those qualities were apparent, but rather they lacked any creativity or invention in midfield and Watford dominated this area for the whole match and their quick and inter-changeable forwards pulled the United rearguard all over the park and created holes at will. There had been a glimpse of hope early in the game as Shaun Derry had a shot deflected to safety by a Watford defender and it set the tone of the game as United failed to capitalize on early match nerves, and a suggested instability in the Watford defence, but it soon passed and with it any chance that United may have had of prevailing and it was soon the Leeds defence that looked vulnerable.

It came as no surprise when DeMerit powered in to head home a corner in the twenty-fifth minute, with Rob Hulse holding his head in his hands for not tracking him. Shaun Derry did try hard in midfield but Frazer Richardson was not the success he was at Preston and was replaced by Robbie Blake at the start of the second half, while both Liam Miller and Jonathan Douglas were anonymous and United seemed to be seeing their hopes go down the drain by half-time as they surrendered the midfield. Rob Hulse was hauled down by the Watford keeper just before half-time but the fans hopes were dashed as the referee called the ball back for a previous infringement by a United player.

With the introduction of Robbie Blake, he went up to join the attack as Kevin Blackwell changed from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, but it made little difference and United were lucky not to go two behind early in the second half. Ex-Leeds striker Marlon King played in Darius Henderson, but, with another ex-Leeds player Matthew Spring running into space, his final pass was poor and the chance was lost. The warning was not heeded and in the fifty-seventh minute Watford doubled their lead as Chambers turned Eddie Lewis in the box and hisshot looped off the winger’s boot and onto the post before rebounding off the diving Neil Sullivan and into the net. Maybe a lucky goal butno more than Watford deserved and it finished the game as a contest.

United visibly wilted and despite the efforts of Paul Butler, Sean Gregan and Shaun Derry to breathe life into the United effort they got little response. It was as if Leeds had hoisted the white flag, even though there was half an hour remaining. David Healy, a somewhat surprise omission from the team to date, came on for the ineffective Liam Miller and he did test the Watford keeper with a low drive. Sean Gregan headed over the bar, Eddie Lewis tested the keeper with a skimming shot and Shaun Derry, United’s best player by a country mile and one of the few seeming to care, had an header cleared off the line and must have known it was not going to be his day. At the other end MacKay had an header cleared off the line before the Shaun Derry was adjudged to have unfairly brought down Marlon King in the area, with six minutes to go, and Darius Henderson put the final nail in United’s coffin by converting the resultant penalty. It was all over and even Shaun Derry conceded it was all over and the clock was wound down as Eirik Bakke relieved Sean Gregan from further suffering for the last five minutes.

United’s pain was there for all to see and the final ceremony was played out to banks of unoccupied seats at the Leeds End as the Leeds players held their heads in shame. It was painful to watch and the disappointment set in as once again I realized that Leeds had faltered at the last hurdle in another quest for some glory and a Radio Aire/Leeds interviewer stuck his microphone in front of my mouth and asked the immortal moronic question “How do you feel”. I suppressed the urge to strangle the life out of him for posing such an unfeeling and imbecilic question and said “I have supported Leeds for so long that I am used to failure at the last hurdle. I feel, now, that this is just the most recent in a long line of such disappointments which started for me at Wembley in 1965 and have continued with monotonous regularity culminating with today’s abject disappointment. I am as usual uncomfortably numb”

And then there was the four hour journey to reach the outskirts of Cardiff before encountering further congestion on the Motorways clogged by equally disappointed Leeds fans. I was thankful that my friend drove the whole way to his home where we arrived at 1.00am and ultimately I arrived “home” in Leeds at 4.00am and got some shuteye before facing the journey back to Oz. Happy Days! So came down the curtain on a season which had several times promised so much and yet finished with nothing. Some things never change.

United had finished the season in fifth spot with 78 points from their 46 games. They had used 29 players in all competitions. Gary Kelly and Paul Butler headed the appearances in the League with 44, followed by Eddie Lewis 42(1), Neil Sullivan 42, Jonathan Douglas 32(8), Rob Hulse 32(7) with Robbie Blake 31(10) the only players to start more than 30 times. David Healy managed 24(18), and it was he who led the scorers with 12 in the league and 2 in the cups and play-offs, along with Rob Hulse with an identical record, with Robbie Blake running them close with 11, all in the league.

2006-07:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

After going so close to obtaining promotion back into the EPL via the play-off Final, United were installed as early favourites for promotion by the bookmakers. The supporters looked to see some impetus from the management that might give them encouragement in their belief that a return to former greatness was imminent.

On the positive side there was the return to full fitness for Steve Stone and Eirik Bakke, to bolster the hole left in midfield by the departure of loanees Liam Miller and Jonathan Douglas.

Danny Graham had departed before the previous season’s end and soon other more permanent team members were on the way out. Prolific goal-scorer Rob Hulse departed for Bramall Lane in exchange for an initial £2.2 million which could rise to £3 million if certain events took place. He was soon joined by deputy goalkeeper Ian Bennett for an undisclosed fee and having no cover for either it was seen as a backward step. Especially as United had also allowed Danny Pugh to go to rivals Preston North End for £ 250,000 and Simon Walton to join Charlton Athletic for £ 500,000, both good young players thought to have a promising future at Elland Road. It was understandable that Michael Ricketts and Jermaine Wright were allowed free transfers to Southend United and Southampton respectively, as neither had showed any inclination to merit their supposedly high wages. Australian Joel Griffiths was also allowed to leave on a free transfer and returned to his homeland.

David Livermore was signed from Millwall for £400,000 on 21st July and then departed for Hull City for the same amount on 1st August, leaving the supporters mystified. According to Manager Blackwell he really wanted Kevin Nicholls from Luton Town but when he seemed unavailable he bought Livermore. Nicholls was duly bought for £ 750,000 and Livermore, being surplus to requirements, was sold. Daniel Harding, who was thought to have a bright future when purchased, was allowed to leave on a free and in part exchange for Ipswich Town’s Ian Westlake. Sebastien Carole came in on a free from Brighton and Hove Albion while Hayden Foxe was also added on a free from Portsmouth after a lengthy trial period.

There were several emerging juniors and Jonathan Howson, Robert Bayly, Simon Madden, Jonathan Lund, Danny Rose, Sam Hird and Gavin Rothery were all given shirt numbers in the squad. There were further loan players brought in to give temporary cover for the deficiencies in the squad. Geoff Horsfield came in on six months loan from Sheffield United, Tony Warner was loaned by Fulham initially for a month but then extended to end of the year. Right on the closing of the transfer window, Jonathan Douglas finally signed a three year deal and he joined from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee, while Eirik Bakke was paid up and he left for his homeland with SK Brann. Now all the big earners had departed, except for Gary Kelly. Promising young full-back Ben Parker and the young Jermaine Beckford were loaned out to Bradford Park Avenue and Carlisle United respectively to gain first team experience.

At the end of Kevin Blackwell’s reign there were further loans of Alan Wright from Sheffield United, Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough, both for a month as successive successors tried to plug the perceived gaps.

United kicked off the pre-season with a tour of Norway featuring two games against FK Sparta Sarpsborg and Sandnes Ulf. For the first game they lined up with Bennett; Richardson, Fox, Parker, Harding; Stone, Bakke, Einarsson, Carole; Beckford, Blake. After seventy-three minutes Gary Kelly, Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon replaced Frazer Richardson, Hayden Foxe and Ben Parker in defence while Joel Griffiths replaced Steve Stone in midfield and Rob Hulse and David Healy replaced Jermaine Beckford and Robbie Blake as the strike force.

There was a goal and a fine performance from Eirik Bakke to impress Manager Blackwell, who would have been pleased that Steve Stone came through his seventy-three minute outing to confirm his return to full fitness. There were debuts for Sebastien Carole, Ben Parker and Hayden Foxe, and it was the speedy Frenchman who was fouled for Eirik Bakke to score from the spot in the second half but United were denied victory by a late goal. It was Eirik Bakke that set up Robbie Blake for the best chance of the first half but his shot was parried by the keeper. Blake’s strike partner Jermaine Beckford also passed up two reasonable chances before United finally took the lead five minutes before the interval, when Frazer Richardson made a good foray down the wing and his dangerous cross was deflected into the goal by a defender. Robbie Blake was once again denied by the keeper after the interval, before the hosts drew level with a soft goal. United’s defence failed to repel a long goal-kick and a Sarpsborg substitute clipped a tidy finish beyond Ian Bennett to equalise. Eirik Bakke restored United’s lead from the spot midway through the second half but once again the United defence failed to protect their advantage and Sarpsborg equalised late in the game. David Healy came close to grabbing the winner in the dying minutes, while at the other end United had to thank Dan Harding for making a goal-line clearance as the game finished level at 2-2.

There was a 2-1 victory for United in their final game of the tour at Sandnes Ulf. They lined up Sullivan; Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Parker; Stone, Einarsson, Bakke, Harding; Hulse, Healy. After sixty-eight minutes Hayden Foxe replaced Matthew Kilgallon in defence, Frazer Richardson and Sebastien Carole came on for Steve Stone and Eirik Bakke in midfield, while Jermaine Beckford and Robbie Blake took over from Rob Hulse and David Healy in attack. The game against the second division team was played in pouring rain and the conditions and the wet ball made it difficult for both teams.

There were several very physical challenges and both Steve Stone and David Healy felt the full force of an over enthusiastic defender before the home team took the lead after twenty minutes. Ben Parker was robbed in a crunching tackle on the halfway line and Kiehl gave Sullivan no chance with a fine shot. United clawed their way back and both Dan Harding and Matthew Kilgallon were denied by the home keeper. Eirik Bakke was again in top form and he soared to head home a superb Gary Kelly cross to equalise right on half-time. Robbie Blake got the winner just eight minutes after coming on as a substitute, when he coolly slotted home from close range after a good build up.

United’s first pre-season friendly on home soil saw them defeated 2-1 by League Two Hartlepool United at Victoria Park. Manager Blackwell was not perturbed as he was giving a chance to several trialists and new signings. There were games for trialists Robbie Elliott of Newcastle United and Mark Fotheringham, formerly of Celtic and Dundee, and new signing David Livermore from Millwall. The line up was Sullivan; Kelly, Foxe, Butler, Elliott; Stone, Fotheringham, Bakke, Livermore; Healy, Blake. Jermaine Beckford replaced Robbie Blake at half time, Sean Gregan was on for Paul Butler on the hour mark, Joel Griffiths came on for Mark Fotheringham thirteen minutes later and finally it was Frazer Richardson who replaced David Livermore twelve minutes before the end, leaving Ian Bennett and Ben Parker unused on the bench.

Steve Stone crowned a fine display by getting United’s goal on the hour, but Hartlepool were already two goals to the good by then, with young Hartlepool striker James Brown getting both. Stone formed a good partnership with Gary Kelly down the right flank while on the left David Livermore made a steady but unspectacular start. Behind him Robbie Elliott had a similar game but had a couple of efforts on goal. Scotsman Mark Fotheringham was a little more impressive on the right of central midfield, where he was paired with Eirik Bakke, and it was he who set up United’s only goal.

United dominated possession in the early part of the game with neat football and their passing and movement was good. David Healy and Robbie Blake linked up well in attack and with the rest of the team, but there was no end product. Healy was marginally wide after he executed a fine turn and shot after fourteen minutes and a quarter of an hour later Robbie Elliott volleyed straight at the keeper after a cross from Gary Kelly. While Leeds were pretty, it was Hartlepool who were the more effective in the box and ex-Leeds player Mark Tinkler crossed for James Brown to coolly pick his spot after fifteen minutes to give Neil Sullivan no chance.

After the introduction of Jermaine Beckford, David Healy again came agonisingly close with a superb header from a Gary Kelly cross after fifty-one minutes with the home keeper pulling off a superb save as he dived low to save at his left-hand post. It was, however, Hartlepool that increased their lead four minutes later as former Owl’s protege Ritchie Humphreys’ free-kick was headed home by the ever alert Brown at the far post. United responded on the hour with Robbie Elliott releasing Mark Fotheringham down the left and his cross was pushed out by the keeper, but only as far as Steve Stone who drilled the ball home right in front of the travelling faithful. They should have levelled nine minutes from time as Frazer Richardson found Steve Stone, but his cross was met by Joel Griffiths whose header was wide from six yards. One minute before time a Robbie Elliott screamer from twenty yards was acrobatically tipped over by the home keeper to leave the home team the victors 2-1.

Things did not improve as United were again beaten 2-1 at Glanford Park by Scunthorpe United in their next pre-season friendly. United lined up Sullivan; Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Parker; Richardson, Bakke, Livermore, Carole; Beckford, Blake. French trialist Embelle Garra replaced Jermaine Beckford for the second half, while Bennett, Griffiths, Rose, Morris, Bayly, Hird and Howson remained unused on the bench. Once again it was a sad disappointment for Manager Kevin Blackwell, as although Robbie Blake gave United the lead five minutes before the interval, Scunthorpe hit back and equalised within a minute, and then got what proved to be the winner seven minutes into the second half. United had made a good start but Jermaine Beckford had twice strayed offside to spoil promising moves. Eirik Bakke was very unlucky after only six minutes, when after good work by Robbie Blake he saw his low shot beat the keeper but hit the foot of the post and rebound to safety. Bakke also had a good chance to equalise in the seventy-fifth minute but shot wide from near the penalty spot.

There was a visit to Notingham Forest’s City Ground for United’s penultimate pre-season friendly and there were more Leeds debutants as goalkeeper Darren Ward managed three minutes, Jonathan Howson was introduced in the last minute, Robert Bayly was given 16 minutes and Ian Morris played the whole of the second half. Worryingly new signing Kevin Nicholls was injured in training and was out for several weeks and he joined Richard Cresswell, David Livermore, Stephen Crainey and Shaun Derry who were all unavailable from injury and Eirik Bakke and Neil Bennett, who were withdrawn due to injury in the match. The line-up was Sullivan; Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Harding; Carole, Bakke, Stone, Lewis; Moore, Healy. Ian Morris and Sean Gregan replaced Eddie Lewis and Matthew Kilgallon at half time, Ian Moore made way for Jermaine Beckford after fifty-five minutes, Robbie Blake replaced David Healy on the hour, Robert Bayly replaced Steve Stone after seventy-four minutes, Darren Ward replaced Neil Sullivan for the last three minutes and Jonathan Howson replace Eirik Bakke in the final minute.

While the 3-2 victory was a welcome relief, it solved no problems, as many likely first team players were not available, and two others left the field injured. Sullivan’s injury appeared serious enough to doubt his fitness for the CCCL kick off with Norwich City and after the departure of able deputy Ian Bennett, Manager Blackwell may have to turn to on loan keeper Darren Ward, who was available on free transfer from their opening opponents. A very patched up under done outfit seemed to be Kevin Blackwell’s only likely option for United’s first League game since the play-off.

United started off in 4-4-2 formation with Steve Stone partnering Eirik Bakke in central midfield, with Sebastien Carole to the right and Eddie Lewis returning on the left. With Ian Moore and David Healy the two pronged attack, the attacking formula paid off as United swept into the lead after only three minutes. Moore found Steve Stone with a beautifully weighted pass and he took it to the bye line before splitting the Forest defence for David Healy to side-foot home from close range. Healy threatened to double United’s lead after another clever pass from Ian Moore gave him the chance to angle the ball across the face of the Forest goal. Forest went close as they shot narrowly wide and they finally equalised four minutes before half time. Sean Gregan had replaced Matthew Kilgallon at half-time and the defence hadn’t had time to settle before Forest took the lead two minutes after the break, when a cross from the left evaded United’s static markers and Holt crashed a powerful header past Neil Sullivan.

Leeds pulled themselves level on the hour mark with a piece of magic from Eirik Bakke. After a free-kick had been awarded in United’s favour he quickly picked up the ball and, before the keeper could get his wall set, he calmly planted the ball into the far corner of the unguarded net. Forest continued to look the more dangerous of the two teams and wasted several good opportunities before United clinched the game eight minutes from time. Again it was Eirik Bakke involved as he attempted to test the Forest keeper from distance, but the ball cannoned of a defender and nestled in the back of the net past a bemused keeper. Unfortunately the game finished with Neil Sullivan limping off followed by Eirik Bakke with a suspected knee injury.

United’s final hit out was a testimonial for Grimsby Town Manager Graham Rodger at Blundell Park. It provided Kevin Blackwell an opportunity to give a few fringe players and trialists a run. Darren Ward had a full game in goal, while there were trials for Carl Asaba from Sheffield United, former Fulham and Marsaille defender Jerome Bonnissel, ex-Cologne defender Roland Benschneider and Frenchman Embelle Garra got a second run. Youngsters Simon Madden, Bailey Camfield, Sam Hird, Scott Gardner, Robert Bayly, Jonathan Howson and Ian Morris were all given a run. The line-up was Ward; Richardson, Bonnissel, Gregan, Benschneider; Einarsson, Asaba, Bayly, Lewis; Beckford, Moore. Scott Gardner replaced Carl Asaba at half time while Sam Hird and Embelle Garra replaced Gylfi Einarssen and Ian Moore on fifty-six minutes, Simon Madden and Ian Morris were on for Frazer Richardson and Eddie Lewis after sixty-five minutes, while Bailey Camfield replaced Jerome Bonnissel on seventy-seven minutes and Jonathan Howson was on for Embelle Garra after eighty-four minutes. Mark Wilberforce was the unused keeper.

Eddie Lewis was United’s saviour as he netted seven minutes into the second half to equalise Grimsby’s ninth minute strike. Youngster Mark Wilberforce was left on the bench as Darren Ward was given the full ninety minutes to impress Manager Blackwell. Gylfi Einarrson had an early chance to equalise but guided a close ranged header wide of the goal, while Jermaine Beckford saw his shot beaten away by the Grimsby keeper shortly afterwards. Ward was given a chance to shine when he proved himself equal to Rankin’s twenty-sixth minute shot but then United started to take command and United saw a shot cleared off the line and Carl Asaba watched his shot blocked. The equaliser came from Frazer Richardson’s persistence and it allowed Eddie Lewis to beat the keeper after fifty-two minutes, but Ward still had a further chance to impress Kevin Blackwell, as he again denied Rankin in the dying minutes and so the score was locked at 1-1.

Kevin Blackwell frantically sought to bolster his depleted team and brought in goalkeeper Tony Warner on loan from Fulham and striker Geoff Horsfield on loan from Sheffield United, while Eirik Bakke was deemed fit to play and for their opening game against Norwich City at Elland Road the team that took the field was: Warner; Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey; Stone, Derry, Bakke, Lewis; Healy, Horsfield. Seb Carole replaced David Healy after sixty-nine minutes, Ian Westlake was on for Eirik Bakke after seventy-seven minutes, Ian Moore replaced Stephen Crainey for the last five minutes, while Sean Gregan and Robbie Blake were unused on the bench.

Neil Sullivan had failed a late fitness test on a dead leg and Tony Warner took his place in goal and was one of for players making their debut for United. Geoff Horsfield joined him in the run on XI while Ian Westlake and Sebastien Carole debuted from the bench. Not for the first time United were indebted to David Healy’s striking ability, as he got the only goal of the game from the penalty spot four minutes before the end of the first half. However, it was the defence that shone with Matthew Kilgallon just being pipped by goalkeeper Tony Warner and striker David Healy for man of the match. Warner was kept busy as Norwich started quickly and in the seventh minute Earnshaw picked up a terrible intended back-pass by Shaun Derry only to be foiled by the onrushing keeper, who made and impressive and vital save to keep the scoresheet blank.

Starting in a 4-4-2 formation United made the early running and tested the Norwich rearguard. So it was they that had the majority of possession in the first half hour but gradually the Norwich midfield led by Etuhu started to get on top and the fast raiding Earnshaw and Huckerby’s speed started to cause the United defence all kinds of problems. Earnshaw was particularly dangerous and only three fine saves by Tony Warner and a post stopped him from getting a deserved goal. His seventh minute effort was followed by a header going narrowly wide, and a snatched effort missed the target after he had dispossessed Paul Butler. The United captain struggled to cope all game and, after a crude tackle on a Norwich forward, the ball broke for Earnshaw to rifle a fine shot past the diving Tony Warner only to see it rebound off the inside of the post.

Manager Blackwell had seen enough and went to a 4-3-3 formation with Steve Stone on the right of midfield and David Healy wide right and Eddie Lewis wide left of the front three. The three man midfield suited Shaun Derry and he came more into the game. This paid dividends as Steve Stone played in David Healy who coolly beat the keeper only to be pulled up for being marginally off-side. Healy also had another shot saved by the Norwich keeper but finally got his revenge after Steve Stone had been blatantly tripped in the area and he step up to convert the resultant penalty four minutes before half-time.

Norwich continued to press after the break and Earnshaw was twice denied by reflex saves from Tony Warner. At the other end, Geoff Horsfield managed to miss from a yard out after Steve Stone had expertly guided Stephen Crainey’s cross-field pass across the face of goal. Earnshaw had one final effort to get on the scoresheet but three minutes from time his shot crashed against the outside of Tony Warner’s right-hand post. Other than that, although being second best for several periods of the game United showed commendable control to ensure that their record of being unbeaten in the opening fixture since 1989 remained intact.

United were unchanged for their visit to Loftus Road to meet expected strugglers Queens Park Rangers. It was a game that they were expected to win, did all the work, dominated for long periods and in the end failed in their mission for full points and the home team stole their point as United bemoaned dropping a couple. While United had been fortunate to get full points at home to Norwich, they could be understandably disappointed at not gaining a maximum against a team that should have been buried in a landslide such was United’s dominance. United were just not ruthless enough to put the game, which was theirs for the taking, beyond doubt rather than having to settle for a 2-2 draw. This could only have pleased the QPR Manager, while leaving Kevin Blackwell very frustrated and annoyed.

The overall quality of performance by United fuelled the thought that they would again be amongst the leaders in the charge for the EPL, but the result sowed the seeds of disillusionment at having thrown away two points that at a later stage in the season could prove very valuable. Kevin Blackwell again chose 4-4-2 as his starting formation but quickly changed to a five man midfield and it seemed at this early stage of the season that a single spearhead was his preferred option. QPR started very well for such a poorly credentialed team but Blackwell’s tactical response quickly swung the game in United’s favour. The home team created two chances in the first four minutes but both were wasted. A lack of communication between Tony Warner and Matthew Kilgallon gave them the first chance but the QPR attacker scuffed his shot, then the same player found Tony Warner alert to the danger to save his low shot after he had been gifted a chance after running into a huge gap left by Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon. The onslaught was brief and the reshuffle saw a tightening in defence. United took command of the midfield and soon created their own chances. An Eddie Lewis corner gave David Healy the chance to get in his shot which cannoned off the QPR keeper in the nineteenth minute, and this was followed eight minutes later by Healy forcing the keeper to show good reactions to save once again. Ian Westlake replaced Eirik Bakke after five minutes of the second half, while Sebastien Carole came on for David Healy after seventy-seven minutes. Seven minutes later Ian Moore was introduced in place of Geoff Horsfield. Steve Stone had his best game to date for Leeds and he and David Healy were the two outstanding performers and the main source of danger for QPR. It was Stone who was involved with both United’s goals. After sustained pressure, it was from Stone’s cross in the sixty-fourth minute, that Healy directed hisheader over the QPR keeper only to see it cannon off the underside of the bar, but the ball bounced kindly and Eddie Lewis was able to volley home into the unprotected net. The goal should have been sufficient for United to kill off the game, but ten minutes later a contentious penalty conceded by Stephen Crainey for a push in the back of the QPR winger Ainsworth, saw Rowland step up and beat Tony Warner from the spot to put the hosts back on level terms. United’s response was quick and to the point, it only took a minute before a Steve Stone lob was dropped over the home defence and straight into the path of Geoff Horsfield who took one touch before volleying into the QPR net, with the goalkeeper given no chance. Once again it should have been game set and match but once more the United defence made a gift in injury time as a cross looped over Stephen Crainey’s head and Ainsworth took the ball to the bye-line before centring for Baidoo to side-foot home, with little or no opposition from the United defence.It could have been worse, as QPR might, and should, have stolen the points as they finished as if it was a cup-tie and this produced two excellent chances for Jones, but thankfully for United he declined them both. So United in the end were thankful for a point, but for the first twenty-five minutes of the second half United had so dominated the proceedings that Tony Warner did not have any work to do before being confronted by the penalty, that was when they should have made their dominance count and put the game beyond the grasp of the home team. On the balance of the two games to date four points was probably a fair reflection and well within expectations of averaging two points per game to attain promotion.

Ian Westlake took the place of Eirik Bakke with Frazer Richardson filling the vacant spot on the bench as United visited Selhurst Park for the away fixture with Crystal Palace and memories of United’s fine performance in the same fixture in the previous season, filled them with an expectation of a similar performance. Neither team seemed to be of the calibre they both produced last season, and both looked below the benchmark expected of teams pushing for promotion. In a game that could have gone either way, neither team deserved to win but United’s chances received a severe blow with the sending off of Geoff Horsfield after only fifteen minutes. Once more Kevin Blackwell could feel aggrieved at not getting any points after battling right until time on for injuries before conceding that all important goal. Even with only ten men for the majority of the game United would not have been lucky if they had taken full points. Eddie Lewis was denied by a post with the best of the chances that fell United’s way. It was a ridiculous sending-off not that it wasn’t merited, but that it was such a stupid act for the loan player to commit, and it couldn’t have enhance his chances of a permanent contract as it cost United this game and meant he would be suspended for several games as a consequence. The ball was running out of play far from Horsfield’s feet when he ran into the back of the defending Hudson and reacted by flattening the Palace player by the swinging of an arm. While Horsfield felt he had been hard done by, the mere fact that he raised and swung an arm was sufficient to get him a red card in the view of the officials. Palace had been given a numerical superiority and United had little choice to play only David Healy up front, where he was left to fight a lone, unassisted battle against the Palace defence. Shaun Derry did strive manfully and was the pick of the engine room of both sides and he made many telling passes while anchoring the midfield. United were cursing their luck at not being in front at the interval as in the twenty-second minute Eddie Lewis had clipped the woodwork in an incisive raid by United, when David Healy’s cross found him in space at the far post, after hitting the post the ball fell kindly for Healy but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper’s legs. The chance was one of several that fell to Healy in the first half but none were in the easy category. After the interval, Palace introduced Freedman and began to look more menacing as he caused immediate consternation in the United defence and Cort was left with an easy header which he failed to take advantage of. It did signal a change in the game, whereas in the first half the Leeds defence coped easily with the Palace attack, now they lost control of the game as the opposition superior numbers began to tell. Amid the pressure United did manage a few sorties and Shaun Derry had the chance to open the scoring when presented with a free header from a Steve Stone corner after fifty-eight minutes, but he headed over and with that missed chance United’s hopes of winning disappeared. Tony Warner parried Kennedy’s goal-bound effort two minuteslater before watching a Cort header narrowly go over the bar and from then on the United keeper was constantly involved in stemming the tide for the rest of the game. Frazer Richardson was sent on in place of Eddie Lewis after seventy-five minutes and a minute later Ian Moore replaced David Healy, while Sebastien Carole took the place of Steve Stone right on full-time, but none were as successful as the Crystal Palace seventy-third minute substitution which saw the introduction of Clinton Morrison, and it was he who added to United’s woes. After another Tony Warner save from Freedman with three minutes to go it looked as if United had survived, but Morrison used his strength to hold off Matthew Kilgallon and his volley from six yards crashed into the back of the United net with virtually the last kick of the game deep into injury time for the only goal of the game.

Robbie Blake replaced the suspended Geoff Horsfield, while there were places on the bench for Eirik Bakke and Jermaine Beckford at the expense of Ian Moore for the visit of high-flying Cardiff City to Elland Road. The 1-0 defeat was soured even more by a verbal joust between Ken Bates and Peter Ridsdale, the rival chairmen. Ridsdale seems incapable of grasping the fact that his regime created the sorry demise of the club and yet he still claims to be a Leeds fan while having a celebratory wine to toast their defeat.

United had gambled on the fitness of Steve Stone, but it was a gamble that failed as he broke down after only half-an-hour and had to be replaced by Eirik Bakke. He had been influential to that point but he pulled up in obvious pain after making a tackle in his own box and it was plain to see that he could not continue, and was replaced two minutes later. United did have several chances to take the lead, but the referee was unmoved by Stephen McPhail’s bringing down of Ian Westlake in the box seven minutes before half-time, while he also gave the benefit of the doubt to the Cardiff defender, Darren Purse, who seemed to divert a goal-bound shot from Eirik Bakke, with more than a hint of hand-ball, during first-half injury time. The chance had fallen to Bakke from an Eddie Lewis corner and this seemed the most likely avenue for producing a goal for United, as his delivery from dead ball situations was excellent. It was from such source, after twenty-one minutes, that Matthew Kilgallon had the best chance to score, but he couldn’t direct his header into the net and it finished in the empty South Stand. Cardiff were equally wasteful with Chopra heading wide when well placed, just prior to the interval.The second half developed into a grim battle, with both David Healy and Robbie Blake testing the Cardiff keeper. After sixty-eight minutes Jermaine Beckford replaced Blake and added a little more impetus, soon firing into the side-netting as the United’s performance gathered momentum. The game seemed to be drifting to a scoreless draw when Matthew Kilgallon needlessly lost possession on the edge of the Cardiff box and City broke away for Flood to get beyond the Leeds defence for Chopra, who had anticipated his run and crosswell, to return the ball to the far post for Flood to slide in and score, withonly six minutes remaining. Blackwell threw on Seb Carole for Eddie Lewis buthe failed to trigger any inspiration as once more United did not seem to havethe answers when the questions were asked in the final minutes of matches, eventhough Cardiff were reduced to ten men with the late sending off of Darren Purse. It seemed as if the skill had deserted Leeds and while the effort was thereand indeed at least ten chances were created, but none were of sufficient effect that scoring was a formality and so the win took Cardiff into joint topspot and the Leeds players left the field to a chorus of booing by the barely18,000 crowd, which had witnessed their latest capitulation as they sank to eighteenth position with four points from four games. Their enthusiasm had been dampened by the heavy rain and another mediocre performance which had seen them concede defeat at the death for the third consecutive game.

It was the First Round Carling Cup Tie against Chester City next on the agenda at Elland Road, as United finally scored and got back to winning ways. As usual there was a run for a few of the fringe players as United lined up: Sullivan; Richardson, Gregan, Foxe, Crainey; Carole, Bakke, Lewis, Westlake; Blake, Beckford. Ian Moore replaced Jermaine Beckford after seventy-five minutes and David Healy and Matthew Kilgallon were on for Robbie Blake and Hayden Foxe with a minute to go, while Jonathan Howson and Danny Rose remained unused on the bench. There were just over 10,000 on hand to witness what could best be described as an uninteresting match, as United’s performance was only as good as it was necessary to win, which says little, as Chester, not so unpredictably, came to stop United scoring and very little else. It was United’s fifth game in seventeen days and Manager Blackwell resisted the temptation of leaving out more of his regulars as the alternatives were not available. Considering that in the past United had twice fallen to their Division Two opponents in giant–killing acts, they had to treat them with respect to avoidanother banana-skin embarrassment. With Chester employing five at the back and four across the midfield and one token plodding striker it was little wonder that the game was just an exercise in attack and defence, with United lacking cohesion to break down the Chester defence particularly in the first half. Robbie Blake had two long range efforts which were ineffective and Jermaine Beckford was dwarfed by three Chester central defenders as he struggled in his role of main strike-force. Beckford started the second half in more positive vein and saw a strong shot whistle past the post in the first minute after the break. Eirik Bakke was the man to break the deadlock after twelve minutes of thesecond half as everyone was starting to get visions of a penalty shootout asthe only way to break the deadlock. The goal came from a frantic scramble in the Chester box and it was typical of the game in general. Seb Carole had won possession in Chester’s half and his clever pass created space for Robbie Blake to press into the box, where his shot rebounded to Eddie Lewis, whose shot was diverted by a Chester defender onto a post for Bakke to stab the rebound into the net for his first goal for United in thirty months. There were good performances from Hayden Foxe, in his first competitive game since 2003, who was solid in defence and also went close with two headers, while Eirik Bakke continued his good form from the game with Cardiff. Frazer Richardson and Ian Westlake both threatened the Chester goal, while Seb Carole hit the post as United sought to put the game beyond doubt. At the other end Chester had their only chance of the match, when Gregg Blundell found himself onside and unmarked with only Neil Sullivan to beat, but he lost his composureand hooked a woeful effort wide of the goal. It was still too close for Kevin Blackwell to throw on Jonathan Howson and Danny Rose and in the end David Healy and Matthew Kilgallon were thrown on in the last minute purely as a time-wasting device. However, United progressed to meet Barnet in Round Two, which was the object of the exercise.

Sheffield Wednesday were only one point and two places above United as they played host to the White Rose Derby at Hillsborough. United reverted to their now normal line-up of Warner; Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey; Carole, Derry, Westlake, Lewis; Healy , Moore and the bench comprised, Sullivan, Foxe, Richardson, Blake and Beckford. Eirik Bakke was not included and it seemed that he had a clause in his wage contract that rewarded him for appearances. The chairman felt it was time that Bakke moved on as he was too expensive to play and had played his last game for Leeds. He returned to his home country with Brann, before the window closed, after negotiating a settlement for his contract to be paid out. Sean Gregan had been picked for the game, but a family illness caused his withdrawal and Ian Moore moved into the starting XI instead of the bench. A David Healy penalty ensured that United took full points to give them seven points from five games, which while not spectacular, kept them well placed in a solid position. United took their time to settle and for the first twenty minutes looked a very disorganized team. They allowed Wednesday to dominate the midfield with their superior numbers, but Wednesday did not make the most of their period of dominance and it was costly as they faded in the second half. Tony Warner was kept busy throughout the first half, saving a free-kick from Brunt and watched shots from Burton and O’Brien skim past th e posts. He was well beaten seven minutes before the interval by a looping cross from the right which struck his far post, but Burton lifted his shot from the rebound over the bar from the six yard mark. United had clawed their way back into the game and started to get on top inthe first twenty minutes of the second half and this produced the move that led to United winning the match. Seb Carole, who had had a quiet first half, started to show his speed and skill to leave the Wednesday full back struggling to keephim under control and when Ian Moore found him in space in the box after fifty-five minutes, he tested the Wednesday keeper, who could only parry his shot away from goal. Eddie Lewis snapped up the loose ball but saw his shot headed clear. United should have scored a minute later when Paul Butler got in his cross but it flew between Shaun Derry’s legs four yards out from goal and another chance went begging. United were now applying sustained pressure and it paid off in the sixty-sixth minute when an innocuous ball from Stephen Crainey was allowed tosqueeze through the Wednesday defence and David Healy timed his run well to take the ball in his stride and bear down on goal. He was met by the Wednesday keeper on the edge of the box and brought down. The referee had no hesitationin pointing to the spot and brandishing a red card at the crestfallen keeper. There was some debate on whether the tackle took place inside the area, or if any contact had been made and it was five minutes before Adamson took his place between the Wednesday posts. David Healey just waited patiently and, without batting an eyelid, dispatched the ball perfectly into the far left hand corner of the net to give United the points. Manager Blackwell sent on defender Hayden Foxe to replace Seb Carole in the eighty-first minute and, instead of pressing for a second, invited Wednesday to equalise if they could. However, Wednesday’s pressure amounted to nothing and even with five minutes added for stoppages they never looked like scoring.United’s ranks looked threadbare with Bakke on the way out, the impressive Warner due to return to Fulham, and not being able to provide one midfield replacement player on the bench and the Transfer Window set to close on 31st August.

To solve their midfield problems, United went to Blackburn Rovers and brought back Jonathan Douglas, who had had a successful loan period in the previous season, while they finally persuaded Fulham to extend the loan of Tony Warner, until the new year after seemingly having signed up the Charlton Athletic keeper Andersen on loan for the rest of the season, but then preferring the Warner option. Meanwhile Eirik Bakke had packed his bags and returned to his homeland. So for the home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, United had Jonathan Douglas in midfield instead of the injured Shaun Derry with Steve Stone and Sean Gregan on the bench in place of Frazer Richardson and Hayden Foxe, from the team that had won at Hillsborough.

United put on a fine performance but both teams lacked the finishing power needed and Wolves won 1-0 for the fourth time in the season, to illustrate that goals were always at a premium when they were playing. It took a goal of sheer brilliance to decide the game deep into injury time, as substitute Jay Bothroyd rifled home a drive from twenty-five yards in the “goal of the season” category. United could well complain that they were the better team and deserved the points, but they failed to convert one of the seventeen chances that they created or were presented with. They had only scored once at home in the three games to date and only three times from open play in the seven matches to date.

The United defence looked impressive while Ian Westlake shone in midfield and Seb Carole was another driving force. If Seb Carole had scored from an easy chance in the thirty-eighth minute, it would possibly have opened up the floodgates, but he pushed the ball straight at the Wolves keeper when the goal beckoned. Ian Moore had released Jonathan Douglas, who took the ball to the by-line and after he pulled the ball back David Healy could not make contact and it left Carole with the simple task of putting the ball into either corner of the net, but he hit the keeper, who had gamble in going to ground and spreading himself. Carole would have merited a goal, as he was United’s best player on the day.

As early as the sixth minute, Paul Butler was just wide as his curling shot left the Wolves keeper flat-footed and then the custodian was on hand to produce a commendable save from Ian Moore nine minutes later. Twice in the second half the Wolves centre back was fortunate to be on the line to save with the keeper beaten. David Healy and Ian Moore both put in plenty of effort but were thwarted by Wolves tall and uncompromising defence. Tony Warner was forced into a fine save in the first minute of the second half, before Eddie Lewis beat the keeper with a curling free-kick, but unfortunately it also passed the post as well. Jermaine Beckford was on for Ian Moore after seventy-eight while Steve Stone replaced Eddie Lewis five minutes later. Stone was unlucky not to score two minutes after coming on, but that was the last of United’s chances and a 0-0 draw seemed immanent. However, not for the first time, United were undone in the final minutes. In this season alone, they had lost five points in the final ten minutes and the latest two to be lost happened in the ninety-second minute. Bothroyd, who had come on as a half-time substitute, seemed to have strayed into an off-side position early in the move but there was no flag and he was there to finish the move by collecting the ball and angling across to the right-hand corner of the United box, which left him with a very narrow angle to shoot at the United goal, but his shot was sweet and straight as an arrow and beat Tony Warner for pace and accuracy. It was a great goal with which to win any game but it was the only time Warner had looked like conceding and United could only have themselves to blame with all the possession and chances they had.

Surprisingly after his performance against Wolves, Seb Carole was dropped to the substitutes’ bench in favour of Steve Stone with Geoff Horsfield returning from suspension to replace Ian Moore for the visit of Sunderland to Elland Road. There was a place on the bench too, for Kevin Nicholls but none for Neil Sullivan and Jermaine Beckford. Sunderland had had a terrible start to the season already having been knocked out of the Carling Cup by Bury and had lost their first four league games, which had caused Niall Quinn to step aside as manager and bring in the untried Roy Keane. However, the new manager had produced a turn around, and Sunderland registered their third consecutive victory and thoroughly deserved their emphatic 3-0 victory.

Former United loanee Liam Miller returned to his home ground of the previous seasonto give Sunderland a deserved lead, after United had kept them out for almost half-an-hour. Robbie Elliott, who had featured as an Elland Road pre-season trialist, started the move by carrying the ball deep into United territory before laying it off to Wallace who in turn found Miller unmarked to beat Tony Warner with a low drive. Warner kept United in the game by saving Kavanagh’s goal-bound shot eight minutes before the interval, but could do little to stop him six minutes later, when he again was put through to double the visitor’s lead. There was a call for Blackwell’s resignation from an isolated section of the crowd, as their frustration with United’s performance and the season’s results showed. Indeed they had already lost as many games at home as they had for the whole of the previous season and they were in a relegation position for the second tier for the first time in almost half a century!

Paul Butler played with an injury for the whole game and struggled to cope, while Steve Stone and his fifty-fourth minute replacement, Seb Carole, both lacked fitness. Kevin Nicholls came on with United trailing 2-0 as he replaced a tired Eddie Lewis at half time, even though he was not match fit such was United’s lack of fully-fit players. With the transfer window now closed and loan players at a premium there seemed little chance of things improving in the short-term. Nicholls had only been on the pitch a couple of minutes when Sunderland got their third goal to put the game totally beyond United’s grasp as Robbie Elliott scored with a blistering drive which gave Tony Warner no chance. No blame could be placed on the United keeper as he was their man of the match.

After the third goal Sunderland shut up shop and invited United to stop them from keeping a clean sheet. Robbie Blake, who had replaced David Healy after sixty-three minutes, had one worthwhile effort which curled wide with eight minutes left but otherwise the Sunderland defence never looked like being breeched. While United’s performances may not have been relegation class, and there could easily have been far more points on merit, the simple facts were that United were struggling and in the relegation zone no matter what!

Badly in need of a confidence boost, United next faced a trip to the Ricoh Stadium, home of Coventry City, and the midfield was almost totally changed. There was a return for Sean Gregan in place of Jonathan Douglas, while Kevin Nicholls was given the nod over the less than match fit Steve Stone and Seb Carole came in for Eddie Lewis. The replaced players all dropped to the bench.

United lost their third league game on the trot and were left last but one on the ladder just one point above bottom club Queens Park Rangers, with only seven points from eight games and scoreless in those three games and, with games on the horizon against some of the front runners, the position looked as if it would get worse before it got better.

Despite Coventry’s present good form United were hoping that their past record against them would stand them in good stead, as they were undefeated in the last fourteen encounters between the two clubs. They had done the double in their first year after relegation and a win at home and a draw away in the ensuing season. However, they went into the game low on confidence and it showed in their play in the first half, but overall they created enough chances to have won the game easily. David Healy hit the crossbar after only eight minutes and once again the old problem of the inability to score goals once again manifested itself and, just as in the game against Wolves, they were left to rue the misses. Healy’s chance came from a quick counter attack started by a throw from Tony Warner to Ian Westlake after a corner and his deep cross found Healy, who had timed his run to perfection, but unfortunately his header beat the keeper but skimmed off the bar to safety.

The Coventry winner came after twenty-six minutes as their midfield cut a swathe through the United ranks resulting in the ball being headed into the path of their strong midfielder Tebb, who had stood out as their best player, and he broke into the United box and with Tony Warner bracing himself for the expected shot, he spotted Stern John unmarked on eight yards out and he buried the pass into the United net.

Ian Westlake had fought well in midfield but Sean Gregan never settled and Stephen Crainey was nervous at left back and it came as little surprise that Manager Blackwell shuffled his pack, replacing Gregan with Jonathan Douglas at half-time. It had an immediate effect as United started to get back into the game as they started to function more effectively. Ian Westlake soon had a shot punched out by the keeper and a well-timed pass from David Healy, a couple of minutes later, was wasted by a poor touch by Geoff Horsfield. At his best Horsfield would have scored easily but his lack of match practice due to a four match suspension showed, as did the lack of confidence which currently grips United. Steve Stone replaced Seb Carole after sixty-nine minutes as United kept up the impetus.

Kevin Nicholls had a busy full debut and went close with a curling shot and both David Healy and Robbie Blake, who had replaced Ian Westlake for the last six minutes, might easily have snatched an equaliser as United tried to capitalise on their superiority in the late second half. Blake’s opportunity came deep in injury time when he curved Steve Stone’s cross past the post. Nevertheless, United were indebted to Tony Warner for two outstanding saves that kept United in the game.

The final whistle was greeted by a chorus of chants for the removal of the Manager and, while recently luck had not been on his side, the side’s dismal record could not fail to indicate that warning signs were clear for all to see.

For the Carling Cup Second Round clash with Barnet at Elland Road, United took the field with Sullivan; Kelly, Kilgallon, Foxe, Crainey; Stone, Douglas, Nicholls, Lewis; Horsfield, Blake with Moore, Derry, Howson, Westlake and Carole on the bench. The 3-1 victory turned the corner for United in many ways. Being their first win since Hillsborough on 27th August, the first goal since Healy’s penalty in the same game and their first home win since beating Chester in the first round of the Carling Cup one month previous, when they last scored from open play. Robbie Blake had settled the United’s nerves with a goal in the seventh minute, when he latched onto a Gary Kelly through ball to beat the Barnet keeper with ease.

United’s injury situation worsened with Geoff Horsfield picking up a hamstring injury and being replaced by Ian Moore seven minutes before the interval. While on the bright side Shaun Derry came on for Kevin Nicholls for his first run since his hernia operation, after sixty-five minutes. There was also a run for Jonathan Howson, who replaced Steve Stone for the last quarter of an hour.

For Ian Moore it proved also to be the end of the drought as he scored his first goal for United after forty-five appearances and nineteen months since arriving from Burnley. His goal after fifty-five minutes could not have been simpler, as Hayden Foxe headed on Eddie Lewis’s corner for Robbie Blake to flick the ball goalwards and Ian Moore was on hand, just one yard out, to lash it past the keeper for a poacher’s dream. He must have wondered if all his Christmas’ had come at once as it took him less than twenty minutes to register his second. It was a goal of true quality with Robbie Blake again prominent as he his run dragged the Barnet defence out of position and this left Moore in plenty of space for him to hammer a sweet finish beyond the keeper from the edge of the box.

Barnet had tried to make the game more entertaining by introducing two strikers for the second half and one of them, Kandol, forced Neil Sullivan to make a save but the visitor’s few attacks proved to be rare irritations to the United defence. The ease of the situation allowed Manager Blackwell to introduce the nineteen year old Jonathan Howson for his debut, and he almost scored with his first touch and later tested the Barnet keeper with a powerful shot in injury time. The visitors did get on the scoreboard after a deflection from a corner, but United were good value for their victory with Robbie Blake and Ian Moore the outstanding performers as they progressed to the third round with ease.

Unfortunately for Kevin Blackwell it proved to be his last game in charge, as his contract was cancelled on 20th September 2006. His record was P 115 WH 26 DH 19 LH 12 FH 76 AH 54 WA 18 DA 18 LA 22 FA 52 AA 63

He had taken over as manager of Leeds United in 2004, after initially being coach under Peter Reid and Eddie Gray. After relegation from the Premier League, he was given the unenviable task of rebuilding Leeds' team after huge debts forced the jettisoning of its highly paid stars. He was forced to make a record number of signings for the club in 2004-05. He focused on value for money, buying players that, while talented, had not made the highest grade. Although early results were poor, perhaps affected by boardroom turmoil that saw the new board struggle to put the club onto a sound financial footing and in time led to its takeover by Ken Bates, Blackwell led the side to challenge for the playoffs, before a run of draws slowed progress, leaving Leeds in mid-table.

Blackwell had been seen as a temporary appointment; perhaps to be replaced by a more glamorous name, but his success in stabilizing the team, and his initial popularity with fans, led Bates to suggest that he had a long term future at the club.

In the summer of 2005 Blackwell was giving financial backing and bought some high profile players for the new season. Proven strikers Richard Cresswell, Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake gave Blackwell plenty of firepower up front, while International winger Eddie Lewis arrived to supply the ammunition. Once again Blackwell had convinced in-demand players to join Leeds. Blackwell's shrewd tactics away from Elland Road and attacking style at home (where nine out of ten matches were won) proved very effective and, by the end of February, Blackwell had guided Leeds to third spot. This almost guaranteed a play off spot, with automatic promotion remaining a possibility. He was rewarded by Ken Bates with a new three year contract. Unfortunately, the Leeds team then produced some distinctly average performances and had to settle for their play-off place. This made a lot of Leeds fans disgruntled and many blamed it on Blackwell using the same tactics week in week out, with teams being able to predict this and counteract them.

Blackwell took his Leeds team into the Championship playoff final, after beating Preston North End 3-1 on aggregate. However Leeds lost the final 3-0 to Watford on 21st May 2006. A string of bad results followed in both pre-season and the start of the championship season 2006-07 and on 20th September 2006 his contract as Leeds United manager was terminated. As Blackwell left the club, Leeds were lying twenty-third in the table, with seven points from eight games.

There was then a period when indecision reigned, as Ken Bates had dismissed Kevin Blackwell without having a suitable replacement. He went for the cheap and easy option, handing the reins to coach John Carver and it was he who led United into their next home game against high flying Birmingham City at Elland Road. Given recent results United approached the game with trepidation as the visitors came into the game as joint leaders of the competition, ten points and twenty positions better off than United and the new acting Manager stuck with the strongest available, tried and true team of Warner; Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey; Douglas, Derry, Nicholls, Lewis; Horsfield, Healy. Sullivan, Foxe, Westlake, Stone and Moore were on the bench.

John Carver had promised a reaction from United and so it was that they shook off their inertia and showed what they were capable of as they took the game to Birmingham and against all the odds emerged 3-2 victors, and deservedly so. Was it beginner’s luck or the emergence of a new Messiah? Only time would tell but for now the fans were ecstatic with the change of fortune and Kevin Blackwell was soon forgotten. Whether John Carver could keep it up would be the test, as only consistently good performances would get United out of their current predicament, but the first step had been taken and United pushed their points into double figures and moved up to eighteenth, two points above the drop zone and six points short of a playoff spot!

The crowd of 18,898 went home happy, having been treated to an exciting, value for money match and while Birmingham Manager Steve Bruce would not accept that his side were outclassed, they had come close to being overrun in the first half and were clinging on desperately with ten men when they finally conceded the winning goal. It certainly was an enthralling battle between two sides that were expected to be frontrunners for promotion in the betting prior to the start of the season and the visitors were quoted as saying if they did not get automatic promotion they would have underachieved.

The win ended a sequence of three successive defeats in the league and stopped United from going bottom, which is what would have been the case had United lost. David Healy’s sixth minute searing volley gave United an early lead and marked the first goal from open play at Elland Road in the season and Leeds, for the first time for many months, looked like a team capable of scoring at will. Bruce claimed that had they not had a player sent off with almost twenty minutes left, they would have won the game. The truth was that they were lucky to have even been in touch by the interval.

Birmingham had struck first with McSheffrey’s twenty yard shot hitting the post in the fifth minute, but there was a fast retort as David Healy gave United the lead in the next minute, as Eddie Lewis’ free-kick eluded the defence and fell for the unmarked Healy to volley home at the far post. The fans were quick to acclaim their heroes with enthusiasm, but were soon rocked, as the visitors equalised, after only thirteen minutes. The City centre back was up helping in attack when he found himself with the ball in the United box and he hit the ball first time onto the post, but unfortunately for United and the unsighted Tony Warner the ball rebound onto the keeper’s back and rolled into the net. The own goal could have sapped United’s confidence but instead they roared back on the attack immediately. Jonathan Douglas made inroads down the right flank to feed Geoff Horsfield, who was felled by a rash challenge in the box. Up stepped David Healy to score with all the assurance of a regular penalty taker to send the Birmingham keeper the wrong way and United were back in the lead.

Shaun Derry and Matthew Kilgallon both should have added to the goal tally before half time but United’s ability to create chances was as encouraging as the score-line. Geoff Horsfield appeared to have increased the lead, when he shot home from a Kevin Nicholls flick in the seventieth minute, but he fell foul of the linesman’s flag. Birmingham lost Damien Johnson as a result of an appalling aerial challenge which flattened Ian Westlake, who had replaced Eddie Lewis in the sixty-ninth minute, four minutes later and the straight red card brought Birmingham to life. Bendtner left Stephen Crainey and Matthew Kilgallon standing as he cut inside and beat Tony Warner as he shot low to his left. On another day this could have knocked the stuffing out of United, but this was not one of those days and after Ian Moore had replaced Geoff Horsfield in the seventy-seventh minute, United’s tireless perseverance was rewarded just eight minutes later, as Steve Stone, who had replaced the impressive Shaun Derry four minutes earlier, turned up on the right wing to deliver a cross of Premiership quality, which had a Birmingham defender stretching, and caused him to divert the ball into his own net.

It was a fine performance by United as all the players rose to the occasion and proved equal to the challenge of one of the best teams in the league. Shaun Derry, after a lay off for an hernia operation, stood out in his best game of the season, reminiscent of some of his displays as United charged up the league in the previous season. With Kevin Nicholls improving with every game, and Geoff Horsfield and David Healy always looking dangerous, it boded well for United to improve their lowly position and return to a position to which the fans are more accustomed and happy with.

West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns was always going to be a daunting proposition, and United were pleased to name an unchanged team after their impressive performance of the previous week. Unfortunately the win against Birmingham, which had suggested that everything in the garden was rosy, turned out to be a one off and Manager Carver was brought down to earth with a resounding thud. It could have been so different, as things started out entirely in United’s favour. With the score at 0-0 and thirty-three minutes gone, the Baggies defender Paul McShane committed a professional foul on Geoff Horsfield in home team’s box and not only was he red-carded but he also conceded a penalty. Up stepped David Healy, who had already gained United six points so far in the season with his unerring accuracy from the spot, to fulfil the fans dreams, but instead hit the advertising hoardings well wide of the West Brom goal. Even allowing for that miss the odds should still have been on United with their numerical superiority, but it did not excuse it.

It was a battle of the stand-in managers, with Nigel Pearson stepping up temporarily to fill the shoes of the recently sacked Bryan Robson, while John Carver was into his second game as acting boss. The Leeds boss must have wondered where was the width in midfield provided in abundance by Jonathan Douglas and Eddie Lewis in his first match. He must also have wondered what had happened to his formerly reliable back four which had been so niggardly for his predecessor.

The Leeds defence was pierced at will by the Baggies and conceded four goals (against ten men!) which had not happened since Sheffield United had achieved the feat in April 2005. United were still getting over the penalty miss when West Brom took the lead after thirty-nine minutes. Tony Warner misjudged a Koumas corner for Albrechtsen to have a free header and Warner could only watch as it beat Gary Kelly at the back post. Worse was to come in the second half, after Steve Stone was introduced after the break for the injured Gary Kelly and Ian Westlake was on after Kevin Nicholls was stretchered off eight minutes later, and the defensive frailties were exposed even further.

Kamara, an half-time substitution, doubled the lead twenty minutes into the half. After Carter had run unchallenged into the United box, he squared a low diagonal pass for his team mate to score with ease. Fourteen minutes later Kamara collected the ball inside the United half and ran at Paul Butler, who backed off the speedy striker. He reached the area still confronted by three defenders in front of him, but his acceleration took him past Butler and Kilgallon to leave Kevin Phillips with an easy task to score. United’s defence was in total disarray having lost Kelly and Nicholls and deprived of their normal formation, but to everyone’s amazement, they finally made the numbers count as they staged a come back in the last ten minutes to give the travelling faithful visions of a Southampton-like comeback.

Ten minutes after Ian Moore had replaced Eddie Lewis on seventy minutes United staged their come back as, with away fans streaming out of the ground, Geoff Horsfield reduced the lead by turning Perry before firing past the keeper. Then, almost immediately, got in an header which came back off the post to leave Steve Stone with a simple finish to score his first United goal. It was one-way traffic and United pressed for an equaliser, but two minutes into injury time they fell for the sucker punch. Kamara used his speed and exploited the United all out assault when he latched onto Phillip’s quick pass to send him on his way towards goal and, as Tony Warner advanced to counter the danger, he coolly lobbed the ball over him and into the empty net to settle the contest once and for all.

Gary Kelly had recovered in time for the visit of Stoke City to Elland Road and a challenge from a team lower in the table than themselves, but Kevin Nicholls had not, and was replaced by Ian Westlake. Tony Warner paid the price for conceding four goals and was replaced by Neil Sullivan, who got his first league game of the season. The on-loan Alan Wright was given his debut at the expense of Stephen Crainey. Richard Cresswell made his come-back from injury with a place on the bench along with Tony Warner, Hayden Foxe, Steve Stone and Robbie Blake.

It was the first of two games at home against teams who at the kick-off started with similar or less points in the league as United and should have been a good guide to their current ability. That being the case they were in for a rude awakening as Stoke, who had only managed a single victory all season, steamrollered them in an emphatic 4-0 home reversal, which had the warning bells ringing load and long. Instead of posing the question “can we make up the six points to get into the play-offs”, the result left the fans asking the question “do we have the quality to stave off relegation”, as the grim reality of United’s rapid decline sank home. Indeed, in answer to the second question, after eleven games and only three victories and seven losses grave doubts had to exist, as they seem to have lost all sense of direction.

The crushing defeat was a result of persistent and familiar failings, which had been the case under Kevin Blackwell and, if anything had worsened under John Carver. United had shown a commitment to attacking and entertaining football in the three games under the acting manager but with the defence haemorrhaging goals at an alarming rate the hole needed to be plugged. While United had been getting their fair share of possession, they had not looked like a team capable of converting that possession into goals, moreover, they had also shown a distinct lack of confidence and character. This was well illustrated as soon as Stoke went two up, the heads drooped and defeat meekly accepted.

Stoke’s record before this game was truly abysmal, but they had picked up Salif Diao and Rory Delap on loan and with Lee Hendrie, another quality EPL player loaned from Aston Villa, they started the game confidently. It only took seven minutes for Hendrie to make his quality count. Matthew Kilgallon was fortunate to remain on the pitch when he was the last line of defence and he pulled down a Stoke forward on the edge of the box. He was punished with only a yellow but United were punished with a goal as Hendrie lifted a delightful free-kick over the wall and beyond the groping Neil Sullivan. The keeper was repeatedly exposed by his uncertain defenders and Stoke should have been further in front before United had their first threat on the Stoke goal in the twenty-third minute. David Healy crossed for Geoff Horsfield to force the Stoke keeper to make a brilliant parry, unfortunately Eddie Lewis’ shot from the rebound failed to get through a crowd of players and the keeper was able to regather the ball. Three minutes later Geoff Horsfield was withdrawn due to a hamstring injury and Richard Cresswell was given plenty of time to impress as he came on for his first run of the season.

Stoke forward Pericard should have doubled their lead just before the break as he slipped his marker only to head a wonderful chance wide from a Delap cross, and the signs became increasingly ominous as the Stoke full-back Higginbotham dropped a free-kick onto the United bar soon after the resumption. Five minutes later Stoke doubled their lead when Griffin’s raking shot beat Neil Sullivan at the near post as United visibly started to fall apart. This prompted Manager Carver to make a double substitution, as he threw on Steve Stone for Ian Westlake and Robbie Blake for David Healy, but they had hardly got on the pitch when more inept defending allowed Higginbotham to convert a gift free header from a Hendrie corner.

The angry reaction of the crowd told the team and acting manager of their disapproval and an ironic cheer came as Jonathan Douglas sent in a wayward shot fifteen minutes from time as the home crowd start to leave in droves. The ones who remained were subjected to more humiliation as a lucky penalty taken by Robbie Blake was saved by the Stoke keeper and, to make matters worse, Fuller stepped off the bench to curl home another delightful goal in the dying seconds. The quality of the finish showed the difference between the two teams. Stoke were classy and ruthless. Leeds were uninspired and just plain toothless. They fell to twenty-second, only two points above the bottom club but with seven defeats in eleven matches they were now anchored in the relegation zone.

For the second of the crunch games, against Leicester City at Elland Road, the injured Geoff Horsfield and Alan Wright were replaced by Richard Cresswell and Stephen Crainey, while new loan signing from Middlesbrough, Adam Johnston, debuted in preference to Eddie Lewis and Ian Moore got the nod over Ian Westlake. Frazer Richardson got a place on the bench alongside Tony Warner, Hayden Foxe, Robbie Blake and Ian Westlake.

United sank to their eighth defeat in twelve games with another less than inspiring performance against mediocre opposition, which, when considering that this was almost the same team that won through to grace the Millennium Stadium, with a one off chance of attaining EPL status only the previous May, was hard to digest such a sudden fall from grace. Even worse were the facts that they had already lost more games on home soil than they lost in the entire previous season, when, at the same stage, they had accumulated twenty-one points to sit in fourth position. It was little wonder why the fans found it hard to accept the sudden fall from grace and vented their anger accordingly.

There was a return of a little heart and endeavour to their play but as Leicester deservedly left with all the points it proved beyond any doubt that the rot had well and truly set in. The defeat culture had taken root and it would be hard to shake.

Leicester approached the game cautiously and allowed United to take the initiative and boss the possession, but, after failing to capitalise on the situation, United fell behind to a vicious shot from Danny Tiatto on the half hour. The crossbar, the post and Neil Sullivan stopped them from increasing their lead until ten minutes from time when they finally got through to put the game beyond United’s reach. And another team who were previously struggling for form were allowed to gel so convincingly at Elland Road, which is no longer a fortress nor as intimidating as it used to be.

For the first thirty minutes United had by far the better of the play but had nothing to show for it, while Leicester who seemed to have come to defend did have two efforts that sailed harmlessly over the bar. It all changed with Tiatto’s goal, as he lost Shaun Derry and scored with a fine shot into the roof of the net from distance. It was soon followed by a woeful attempt from a Leicester forward who lobbed the ball high over the goal with only Neil Sullivan to beat, while another effort looped onto the crossbar minutes before the break.

In the second half Shaun Derry was soon called on to clear off the line and after fifty-three minutes United’s chances were lessened as Matthew Kilgallon saw red as he brought down a Leicester forward just outside the box. From the resulting free-kick Neil Sullivan made a great save to push the shot onto the post and behind for a corner. United sacrificed David Healy for defender Hayden Foxe to fill the gap left by Kilgallon and Neil Sullivan immediately pulled off another fine save to keep out a low shot. Robbie Blake replaced the ineffective Cresswell after seventy-one minutes and four minutes later United were denied an equaliser, as the striker’s header clearly crossed the line on the action replay but when your luck is out, these decisions tend to go against you! United’s performance with ten men deserved better, but Leicester got their second in a breakaway before Paul Butler reduced the arrears from a Gary Kelly cross with four minutes to go. Unfortunately, even with five minutes of injury time that was all they could muster, after Ian Westlake had been thrown on for Adam Johnston at the end of normal time and United slumped to twenty-third, just one point above bottom club Hull City.

Hayden Foxe came in for the suspended Matthew Kilgallon and Ian Westlake for Ian Moore, while Robbie Blake was preferred to David Healy up front as United travelled to Luton Town at Kenilworth Road, while Healy, Moore and Lewis joined Warner and Richardson on the bench.

It was now five weeks since the departure of Kevin Blackwell, and still United’s inadequate performances continued unabated with further humiliation in the shape of another thrashing, this time to the tune of 5-1 and they now had won only five out of twenty-six matches since the former Manager was handed a new contract in March 2006. Once again the total capitulation and lack of fight or pride was clearly apparent as the white flag was run up early in the second half to disgrace the club and the 1,800 travelling fans as they were again used as cannon fodder by the opposition. Luton were unbeaten at home, but the lack of fight ensured their easiest victory of the season.

Luton were ahead after just twelve minutes as Hayden Foxe lost possession to former United junior Warren Feeney, who set up Edwards to beat the advancing Neil Sullivan. Foxe made amends only five minutes later as he rose to head home an Adam Johnson corner to put United on level terms. That was the way it stayed until fifty-five minutes had elapsed, with United having looked reasonably secure apart from a couple of minor scares and shared the possession evenly. Ian Westlake and Jonathan Douglas in particular took the attack to the home team, but it all changed ten minutes into the second half as the home team regained the lead, with Warren Feeney again featuring with the cross that was chested in by a team mate. Sixty seconds later Edwards delivered for Vine to set up Bell, who forced the ball past Neil Sullivan. United threw on David Healy for Robbie Blake in the sixty-third minute and tried to rally with Paul Butler and Richard Cresswell both having headers blocked on the line, but the flurry was short and up went the white flag. After seventy-two minutes Eddie Lewis and Ian Moore were thrown on for Ian Westlake and Richard Cresswell but to no avail, as Heikkinen got the fourth with a simple header and United’s defence was again decimated when Vine’s cross was run in by the unmarked Edwards, who beat Neil Sullivan from eight yards, as Luton went nap.

With an abysmal record of one win and four losses in his five games in charge and seven for and a colossal seventeen against John Carver fell on his sword and Ken Bates was forced to act. He ultimately went to Swindon Town and paid up former Chelsea players Dennis Wise and Assistant Gus Poyet’s contracts and they watched from the stands as reserve team coach David Geddis piloted United for the Third Round Carling Cup tie with fellow cellar dwellers Southend United who were on equal points but a better goal average and one place above the next to bottom United.

The Leeds line-up, which was picked by Dennis Wise but managed by David Geddis, was, Warner; Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey; Douglas, Westlake, Richardson, Lewis; Moore, Healy. Sullivan, Carole, Cresswell, Bayly and Blake were on the bench. Wise was left with no disillusions about the scale of the challenge he had accepted after another dismal performance in which Southend exposed all United’s weaknesses and deficiencies. Inept passing, suicidal defending and an acute lack of confidence figured high on the long list he had to tackle.

After Wise had delivered motivational words of encouragement to his new team, he left the running of the team to David Geddis while he and assistant Gus Poyet observed the match from the stands and duly noted the lack of quality displayed by Leeds in every quarter of the field. He must have observed the crying need for new blood, for although the team must have known that this was their audition to impress their new manager, there were few individual performance of skill, character or desire that would have caused a ripple of recognition. It would have been safe to assume that the axe would be hanging over several players who had consistently failed to perform. It would have been equally obvious that Wise would need the financial backing of Chairman Ken Bates in the January transfer window if the squad was going to be improved. It transpired that the victory in this tie drew the plum fixture of the next round with a home tie with Manchester United, but at this juncture it was more important to succeed in the CCCL rematch of the two teams at Elland Road on the following weekend, but for now, United spurned the chance of the rich pickings of the next round with another woeful display which sacrificed the possibility of the large financial prize.

Southend came to into the match with an abysmal record away from Roots Hall. In six games they had only managed to earn two points and score only two goals in the process, but like too many previously struggling teams they found their feet at Elland Road and dominated United as if they were world-beaters. Leeds produced four shots on goal compared to the visitor’s ten.

Southend had the added handicap of having their striker Billy Painter stretchered off as early as the twenty-second minute, but they overcame that disruption to stagger Leeds with two goals in three minutes. The porous nature of United’s backline was exposed in the thirty-third minute when a long clearance caught Stephen Crainey out of position on the left side of the defence. Simon Francis collected the loose ball in the United box and a desperate challenge from Crainey brought him down. Hammell sent Tony Warner the wrong way from the spot and United were in arrears. The second goal was even worse as a cross from Francis should have been an easy clearance for Matthew Kilgallon, but the out-of-form defender’s delay in clearing allowed Gutteridge to block it. The rebound fell kindly for Hooper who gleefully hammered the ball goal-wards with a powerful shot which found the net through Tony Warner’s arms. United replied just before the break through Ian Moore who finished off a swift attack which had sparked off a mass scramble in the Southend goal area by stabbing the ball home, but that glimmer of hope faded as the home team reverted to type after the break.

United’s inability to maintain possession for any meaningful length of time allowed Southend to dominate the midfield and Tony Warner came to United’s rescue after a mistake by Butler allowed Hooper an unopposed run on goal in the fifty-ninth minute. The keeper was helpless to intervene when another Southend attack found the United backline AWOL and although Crainey managed to block their first shot on goal the ball fell kindly to the unmarked Hooper to score with ease after sixty-four minutes. The game was lost. Richard Cresswell came on for Stephen Crainey in the sixty-ninth minute, and in a double substitution Robert Bayly was given his debut as he replaced Eddie Lewis. Robbie Blake was thrown on for Ian Moore with three minutes left, but it was all too easy for Southend as apart from Tony Warner, Gary Kelly and Ian Moore United had shown little fight or enthusiasm, with Paul Butler, Matthew Kilgallon, Stephen Crainey and David Healy all inept and anonymous. Dennis Wise had witnessed the all too regular scenario first hand and he must have departed certain in the fact that he faced a monumental challenge to motivate and give confidence to a team that had totally lost any confidence they once had and he would have to ring the inevitable changes to make it possible.

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2004-2005

Back Row: Steve Agnew (Reserve Team Manager), Harvey Sharman (Physio), Harpal Singh, Martin Woods, Jamie Winter, Martin Hodge (Goalkeeping Coach), Scott Carson, Jamie McMaster, Paul Keegan, Simon Johnson, Allan Sutton (Physio), Bruce Craven (Masseur).

Middle Row: Sean Hardy (Kit Manager), Dean Riddle (Fitness Coach), Matt Spring, Steve Guppy, Brian Deane, Matthew Kilgallon, Michael Ricketts, Michael Duberry, Simon Walton, Clarke Carlisle, Craig Hignett, Seth Johnson, Aidy Boothroyd (First Team Coach), Dave Hancock (Head Physio).

Front Row: Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Wright, Frazer Richardson, Lucas Radebe, Kevin Blackwell (Manager), Paul Butler, Sam Ellis (Assistant Manager), Gary Kelly, Danny Pugh, Danny Cadamarteri, Julian Joachim.

2004-2005

Back Row: Steve Agnew (Reserve Team Manager), Harvey Sharman (Physio), Harpal Singh, Martin Woods, Jamie Winter, Martin Hodge (Goalkeeping Coach), Scott Carson, Jamie McMaster, Paul Keegan, Simon Johnson, Allan Sutton (Physio), Bruce Craven (Masseur).

Middle Row: Sean Hardy (Kit Manager), Dean Riddle (Fitness Coach), Matt Spring, Steve Guppy, Brian Deane, Matthew Kilgallon, Michael Ricketts, Michael Duberry, Simon Walton, Clarke Carlisle, Craig Hignett, Seth Johnson, Aidy Boothroyd (First Team Coach), Dave Hancock (Head Physio).

Front Row: Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Wright, Frazer Richardson, Lucas Radebe, Kevin Blackwell (Manager), Paul Butler, Sam Ellis (Assistant Manager), Gary Kelly, Danny Pugh, Danny Cadamarteri, Julian Joachim.

2004-2005: Team observe Two Minute Silence in respect for Brian Clough 24th September 2004 v Sunderland at Elland Road

Gary Kelly, Neil Sullivan, Brian Deane, Frazer Richardson, Jermaine Wright, Clarke Carlisle, Paul Butler, Sean Gregan, Brett Ormerod, Stephen Crainey, Danny Pugh.

2004-2005: Juniors

Back Row: Simon Madden, Ben Parker, Sean McDaid, Mark Wilberforce, Brenton Leister, Bailey Camfield, Gavin Rothery.

Middle Row: Gary Worthington (Coach), Robert Bayly, Jonathan Howson, Aaron Lennon, Phil Stansfield, Ryan Serrant, Donna Gormley (Physio).

Front Row: Kevin Smith, Craig Steins, Neil Thompson (Coach), Ian Morris, Greg Abbott (Coach), Steven McKeown, Simon Walton.

2005-2006

Back Row: Martin Hodge (Goalkeeping Coach), Rob Hulse, Clarke Carlisle, Michael Ricketts, Ian Bennett, Neil Sullivan, Matthew Kilgallon, Danny Pugh, Simon Walton, Harvey Sharman (Physio).

Middle Row: Dave Hancock (Head Physio), John Carver (Head Coach), Dean Riddle (Head Fitness Consultant), Eirik Bakke, Frazer Richardson, Shaun Derry, Dan Harding, Gylfi Einarsson, Seth Johnson, Jermaine Wright, Darren Mowbury (Performance Analysist), Sean Hardy (Kit Manager), Alan Sutton (Physio).

Front Row: Robbie Blake, David Healy, Eddie Lewis, Sean Gregan, Sam Ellis (Assistant Manager), Paul Butler, Kevin Blackwell (Manager), Gary Kelly, Steve Stone, Stephen Crainey, Ian Moore.

2005-2006

Back Row: Martin Hodge (Goalkeeping Coach), Rob Hulse, Clarke Carlisle, Michael Ricketts, Ian Bennett, Neil Sullivan, Matthew Kilgallon, Danny Pugh, Simon Walton, Harvey Sharman (Physio).

Middle Row: Dave Hancock (Head Physio), John Carver (Head Coach), Dean Riddle (Head Fitness Consultant), Eirik Bakke, Frazer Richardson, Shaun Derry, Dan Harding, Gylfi Einarsson, Seth Johnson, Jermaine Wright, Darren Mowbury (Performance Analysist), Sean Hardy (Kit Manager), Alan Sutton (Physio).

Front Row: Robbie Blake, David Healy, Eddie Lewis, Sean Gregan, Sam Ellis (Assistant Manager), Paul Butler, Kevin Blackwell (Manager), Gary Kelly, Steve Stone, Stephen Crainey, Ian Moore.

2006-2007

Back Row: Dean Riddle (Head Fitness Consultant), Frazer Richardson, Dan Harding, Matthew Kilgallon, Neil Sullivan, Sean Gregan, Jermaine Beckford, Ian Moore, Darren Mowbury (Performance Analyst).

Middle Row: Sean Hardy (Kit Manager), Martin Hodge (Goalkeeping Coach), Harvey Sharman (Physio), Richard Cresswell, Kevin Nicholls, Gylfi Einarsson, Rui Marques, Shaun Derry, Eirik Bakke, Alan Sutton (Physio), Dave Hancock (Physio), Carl Serrant (Fitness Coach).

Front Row: Robbie Blake, Steve Stone, David Healy, Paul Butler, John Carver (Assistant Manager), Kevin Blackwell (Manager), David Geddis (Reserve Team Manager), Gary Kelly, Seb Carole, Eddie Lewis, Stephen Crainey.

2006-2007(Courtesy of Paul Gregson)

Back Row: Dean Riddle (Head Fitness Consultant), Frazer Richardson, Dan Harding, Matthew Kilgallon, Neil Sullivan, Sean Gregan, Jermaine Beckford, Ian Moore, Darren Mowbury (Performance Analyst).

Middle Row: Sean Hardy (Kit Manager), Martin Hodge (Goalkeeping Coach), Harvey Sharman (Physio), Richard Cresswell, Kevin Nicholls, Gylfi Einarsson, Rui Marques, Shaun Derry, Eirik Bakke, Alan Sutton (Physio), Dave Hancock (Physio), Carl Serrant (Fitness Coach).

Front Row: Robbie Blake, Steve Stone, David Healy, Paul Butler, John Carver (Assistant Manager), Kevin Blackwell (Manager), David Geddis (Reserve Team Manager), Gary Kelly, Seb Carole, Eddie Lewis, Stephen Crainey.

2006-2007

Back Row: Jonathan Douglas, Eddie Lewis, David Healy, Hayden Foxe, Jermaine Beckford, Rui Marques, Shaun Derry, Geoff Horsfield, Stephen Crainey, Paul Butler, Neil Sullivan, Gylfi Einarsson, Tony Warner, Frazer Richardson.

Front Row: Ian Westlake, Gary Kelly, Robbie Blake, Ian Moore, Matthew Kilgallon, Seb Carole.

Players/Managers:

Kevin Blackwell: Manager, Eirik Bakke , Jermaine Beckford , Ian Bennett , Nathan Blake , Robbie Blake , Paul Butler , Danny Cadamarteri , Clarke Carlisle , Sebastien Carole , Stephen Crainey , Richard Cresswell , Brian Deane , Shaun Derry , Jonathan Douglas , Michael Duberry , Ugo Ehiogu , Gylfi Einarsson , Hayden Foxe , Danny Graham , Micky Gray , Sean Gregan , Joel Griffiths , Leandre Griffit , Steve Guppy , Dan Harding , Paul Harrison , David Healy , Craig Hignett , Geoff Horsfield , Jonny Howson , Rob Hulse , Sasa Ilic , Julian Joachim , Adam Johnson , Seth Johnson , Simon Johnson , Gary Kelly , Andy Keogh , Matthew Kilgallon , Marlon King , Aaron Lennon , Eddie Lewis , David Livermore , Rui Marques , Jamie McMaster , Liam Miller , Ian Moore , Kevin Nicholls , Brett Ormerod , John Oster , Kevin Pressman , Danny Pugh , Lucas Radebe , Frazer Richardson , Michael Ricketts , Danny Rose , Gavin Rothery , Armando Sa , Matthew Spring , Steve Stone , Neil Sullivan , Simon Walton , Tony Warner , Ian Westlake , Jamie Winter , Martin Woods , Michael Woods , Alan Wright , Jermaine Wright .

Part 2: Dennis Wise - An Unwise move 2006-07

2006-2007:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

Dennis Wise had watched from the stands along with his Assistant Gus Poyet as United had stuttered to an ignominious exit from the Carling Cup against a team that were deep in the relegation mire but had made Leeds look decidedly second best and it did not bode well for the chances of the new Manager and his former Chelsea team-mate and now his Assistant. He went back to his Chelsea roots and tried to mow the meadow as he scythed through the United team unfortunate to have played in the Carling Cup encounter in the previous midweek. New loan signing, Graham Stack, replaced Tony Warner, who in turn dropped to the bench at the expense of Neil Sullivan. Wise probably recalled his skirmishes with Gary Kelly during his playing days and gave the United stalwart the benefit of the doubt at Right Back, but Stephen Crainey was not so lucky as Eddie Lewis assumed his USA team role at Left Back, dropping back from his recent United role of Left-Winger. Central Defenders Paul Butler, who lost the Captain’s armband, and Matthew Kilgallon both survived the axe, although more likely because there was just no-one to take their places. Frazer Richardson lost his spot in Right midfield and replaced Sebastien Carole on the bench as Ian Moore was given a chance to show his paces in midfield rather than as an out-and-out striker. Shaun Derry was installed as captain, in Kevin Nicholls' absence, and took over from Ian Westlake, who dropped to the bench in place of Rob Bayly, while Jonathan Douglas was another to escape the chop and held his position in midfield with loanee Adam Johnson returning and taking the Left Wing spot vacated by Eddie Lewis. Richard Cresswell swapped his place on the bench for the chance to partner David Healy up front and Robbie Blake maintained his place on the bench joined by Hayden Foxe, who replaced Cresswell as a substitute. The effect was what Wise and the faithful fans had been hoping for and the team that had conceded seventeen goals in the previous CCCL encounters kept a clean sheet and climbed from their worst-ever League position of twenty-third to twenty-first as Ian Moore repeated his performance of the previous Wednesday to score the first after forty minutes and Robbie Blake, who had replaced David Healy on the eighty minute mark, finally put the game beyond doubt two minutes before the end of normal time. Adam Johnson and Ian Moore were lively early on and the left winger went close after being set up by Shaun Derry, while Ian Moore was probably United’s best player until he had to go off with a back injury and was replaced by Frazer Richardson on the hour mark. The defence was much sounder than of recent times and Paul Butler stood out despite taking an heavy knock early on. Johnson made the running for the first goal getting possession deep in his own half and making progress before sending a perfectly weighted pass to Ian Moore who made his run in the centre-forward area and taking the ball in his stride before adeptly beating the advancing keeper. United missed Moore after he had to leave the field, and Graham Stack was called upon more than once to save United as Southend came more into the game, but needlessly picked up a yellow card for time-wasting. However Robbie Blake made sure of the points as he scored with a superb free-kick from twenty-yards, one minute after Ian Westlake had replaced Adam Johnson. While Wise would have been happy to start with a win, it was obvious that there was still a lot of work to be done.

After the Lord Mayor’s show came Deepdale and Preston North End gained sweet revenge for United’s play-off semi-final win of the previous season and none of the three ex-Preston players in the Leeds ranks could have been proud of their performances. Wise stuck with the same formation with Ian Westlake filling in for the suspended Jonathan Douglas and Geoff Horsfield taking his place on the bench. The United’s midfield was totally over-run by their Preston counterparts with ex-United man Danny Pugh having a hand in most of their goals. United’s inability to gain possession or retain it for any length of time meant that the defence was deluged by the ever pressing Preston attack. It was a surprise that it took Preston almost twenty minutes to open their account as Pugh fed David Nugent on the right wing and he centred to Stack’s near post and Danny Dichio stepped in to glance a clinical header past Stack as the rest of the Leeds defence stood leaden footed. The second wasn’t long coming as David Nugent hopelessly outpaced Paul Butler to cross for Danny Pugh to slide the ball into the net, just two minutes later and the game was over as a contest. Graham Stack prevented it from becoming a rout with fine saves from Chris Sedgwick and Sean St Ledger before the interval, but was fortunate not to concede a penalty as Pugh appeared to be fouled three minutes after he had scored his goal. However, there was little he could do as David Nugent, tapped in a third after fine work from Simon Whaley. This prompted Wise to throw on the cavalry, in a death or glory attempt, as Robbie Blake and Geoff Horsfield replaced the ineffective Ian Moore and Adam Johnson after forty-nine minutes as he desperately tried to hope that his four man forward line could get Leeds back into the game. There was no threat to Carlo Nash in the Preston goal, although Shaun Derry did produce United’s first attempt on goal after fifty-seven minutes. David Healy had received terrible abuse from his former supporters and he did quieten them briefly as he headed a Richard Cresswell cross into the net with ten minutes to go, but Preston responded with a fourth as Lewis Neal’s shot took a wicked deflection to leave Stack helpless. Shaun Derry headed against the bar in injury-time but apart from Graham Stack, who was blameless for any of the goals, Wise would not have been happy with the performances of any of his outfield players.

For the weekend visit to Oakwell, Wise went to 4-3-3 as Jonathan Douglas returned to midfield after suspension in place of Adam Johnson, who dropped to the bench, and Robbie Blake was pushed up front in place of Ian Moore, while Geoff Horsfield started in place of Richard Cresswell who took his place on the bench, along with Gylfi Einarsson. United approached the game against one of the few teams lower than themselves in the CCCL with a degree of optimism, in the knowledge that a win would take them out of the relegation zone for the time being. It was one of the games they were capable of winning and should have won, if they had taken the chances that were on offer to them, but in the end they conceded full points to the home club, who were not the better team. They fell to their seventh defeat in eight games and remained entrenched in the drop zone as they slipped to twenty-third with the worst goal difference in the Division. Graham Stack was at fault after half-an-hour when he punched a lofted free-kick straight from Michael McIndoe straight to the feet of Martin Devaney who quickly put it in the net. In recent times that would have been a sign for running up the white flag but for the first time in the season United hit back after going in arrears and had their noses in front by the break and deservedly so. Shaun Derry arrived at the far post to head home Robbie Blake’s corner to score his first goal of the season to level the scores a minute before the interval and right on half-time Robbie Blake collected a pass from Eddie Lewis to produce a clinical finish as the travelling faithful gave voice to their new found elation. Barnsley had had a chance to score between the two United goals as Marc Richards missed an easy chance from four yards. United replaced Geoff Horsfield with Richard Cresswell on the hour mark but as the game wore on the lack of numbers in the United midfield began to show and Barnsley started to take advantage down the flanks. Michael McIndoe equalised after sixty-five minutes as the pace of Daniel Nardiello, who had replaced the ineffective Marc Richards, began to show up United’s defensive frailties. It was Nardiello who also created the winning goal, leaving Paul Butler and Matthew Kilgallon in his wake before teeing up Brian Howard to score the winner five minutes later, and was unlucky not to get on the scorecard himself as his lob later bounced off a post. Wise threw on Adam Johnson for the fading Ian Westlake and Gylfi Einarsson for Jonathan Douglas, but it was too late and United slumped to another demoralising defeat.

Wise persevered with his 4-3-3 system but once more rang the changes. Graham Stack and Tony Warner kept their goalkeeping positions, but Matthew Kigallon was the only defender to retain his position. The injured Gary Kelly, the axed Paul Butler and Eddie Lewis were replaced by Hayden Foxe, Matt Heath and Stephen Crainey, with Eddie Lewis moving forward to left midfield in place of Ian Westlake, who dropped to the bench. Shaun Derry and Jonathan Douglas both retained their midfield spots and Robbie Blake and Geoff Horsfield were rewarded for recent displays by retaining their forward roles but David Healy was also discarded and Richard Cresswell was given a run in his place. Adam Johnson was joined on the bench by Ian Moore and Jermaine Beckford but there was no place for Gylfi Einarsson and others. There had been talk of a large broom sweeping clean the United deadwood with Sean Gregan and Paul Butler high on the list of likely suspects and the idea that Alan Smith might return on loan received a mixed reception and not much enthusiasm from Smith. Wise had made it known that he was not impressed by the lack of physical fitness of his new charges and had put Robbie Blake on a diet and hinted that others would follow Gregan and Butler. Blake underlined his worth to the team with two goals to make it four from four games since his reinstatement in the team. There were reflections of the humiliating loss to Colchester in the FA Cup almost thirty-five years previous as United faced the Armistice Day clash with trepidation as their opponents were not far from having play-off aspirations. They began quietly but upon finding there was little to worry about in the opposition as Robbie Blake missed a relatively easy chance by heading wide with only the keeper to beat. He soon made amends when he received the ball near the half-way line and after being allowed to advance unimpeded, he beat one defender before crashing the ball past Aidan Davison in the Colchester goal, after thirty-six minutes. United easily held on to their lead, with just one flutter as Colchester failed to take advance of an easy headed chance a minute before the break. Three minutes into the second half United had their two goal lead and a stranglehold on the game as Eddie Lewis’ perfectly flighted cross was met by a perfectly-timed run from Richard Cresswell as he headed in unopposed at the far post. United put the game firmly out of Colchester’s grasp when Cresswell was fouled by John White in the box and Robbie Blake stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot, after just fifty-three minutes. Ian Moore came on for Geoff Horsfield after sixty-three minutes, Ian Westlake replaced Eddie Lewis on seventy-six minutes and Jermaine Beckford was a token replacement for Richard Cresswell on the final whistle. With the game won United relaxed their grip on the game and Colchester went close on several occasions and with luck could have made a comeback in the last half-hour, but with Shaun Derry leading by example in midfield and Robbie Blake scoring twice it would have been an injustice to United in what was a fine all-round performance but with Hull City surprisingly beating Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southend United equally surprisingly holding Preston North End United did not really benefit from the win but moved above Barnsley into twenty-second spot and no longer had the worst goal difference in the Division.

With Southampton providing the opposition in the second of the back-to-back home fixtures and their record being on a par with Colchester there were high expectations of another United victory and another leap up the table. Wise kept faith with his team with only David Healy returning for the injured Richard Cresswell, even the bench remained intact. However those hopes and aspirations once more floundered as United’s flaws and inconsistencies once more reared their ugly head. It wasn’t that United were inferior to Southampton, and indeed they remained in the game for all but the last fifteen minutes, it was just that their inability to capitalise on their chances and the defence’s inadequacies let in another three goals which resulted in another depressing result and the realisation that they and three other teams were starting a mini-league of their own adrift from the other twenty team who soon would have no thoughts of relegation. Yet for sixty-nine minutes the result had hung by a thread of Grzegorz Rasiak’s thirtieth minute header and even then the visitors had been flattered by that lead. In fairness to United, they had virtually dominated the first half and had a tight grip on the start of the second half. United had started the game in a hurry and they peppered the Saints’ goal, with Robbie Blake leading the charge. His well judged through ball after three minutes saw Geoff Horsfield get in a powerful shot which went narrowly the wrong side of the upright. Four minutes later Blake provided the pass for defender Matt Heath to commit a glaring miss from less than six yards. After fifteen minutes, the sustained United pressure saw keeper Kelvin Davis pull off a fine save to tip over David Healy’s goal-bound shot. Then came the inevitable goal from the visitors totally against the run of play, and even that could not abate the United pressure as Eddie Lewis saw his free-kick cleared off the line and Robbie Blake hit a low shot into the side-netting as the interval approached. The pressure did not relent after the restart as Blake again was just wide and Ian Moore, who replaced Geoff Horsfield after fifty-five minutes, saw a goal-bound effort blocked inside the six yard box. Unfortunately the sustained United storm ran out of momentum and Southampton took advantage of it. Columbian substitute John Viafara, who had replaced an ineffectual Wright-Phillips in the sixty-fourth minute, turned Stephen Crainey five minutes later and sent a low cross to the far post where Rudi Skacel slid the ball in. It was obvious from the run of the game that United were never going to pull back the two goal deficit and it came as no surprise when Skacel turned provider when his corner found Rasiak as the United stood transfixed as he nipped in to glance a header past the helpless Graham Stack. There was no point in arguing that the score was not a true reflection of the game, the fact was that United were twenty-second in the CCCL and five points adrift from the twentieth team.

Nobody would have been looking forward to the long trip to Devon, to face a Plymouth side with a higher league position than United’s most recent opposition, but once again the Elland Road enigmas proved just how inconsistent they could be with a fine 2-1 victory against the odds as Wise reverted to 4-4-2. Ian Westlake and Ian Moore got the nod over David Healy and Geoff Horsfield, who dropped to the bench where Sebastien Carole and newcomer Tresor Kandol replaced returned loanee Adam Johnson and Jermaine Beckford. Five successive away defeats, and three months since their last full points away from home was achieved, was an adverse prospect for United’s longest trip away from home. Ian Moore, for once, produced an effective display and was instrumental in both United’s goals. Only three minutes had elapsed when he won the ball in the air to allow Eddie Lewis to get in his cross and, as the Plymouth defenders followed him to the near post, Robbie Blake was left unmarked at the far post and scored with ease. Moore was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet after twelve minutes when he hit he crossbar following Matt Heath heading down for him to get in his shot. The home team was particularly aggressive and the foul count against them escalated and they were lucky to get away with an ankle-tap on Ian Westlake in the box soon afterwards. However with Leeds dominating the midfield it was against the run of play when the Pilgrims equalised. Matt Heath was a fault as he needlessly conceded a free-kick and an hesitant Graham Stack was not blameless as Bojan Djordjic scored with a close-range header to send the teams in level at the break. Just on the hour it was Ian Moore who beat the Argyle offside trap and found Eddie Lewis in space and the winger went on to beat the keeper, Luke McCormick, and put the ball in the net to give United a deserved lead. Predictably Argyle threw everything they had at United in response and Eddie Lewis was to thank for clearing off the line from Lilian Nilis’ header and Graham Stack redeemed himself with a fine low save from substitute Nick Chadwick. Tresor Kandol replaced Robbie Blake after sixty-eight minutes and contributed well up front but it was the United defence that held firm, despite four minutes of injury time, to get the full points and push United up a place to twenty-first.

A midweek trip across the Pennines to Turf Moor was the game on United’s agenda and they paraded new loan signing Ugo Ehiogu in place of Matthew Kilgallon in an otherwise unchanged squad. United faced another daunting task against a team from the higher echelons of the League with a good home record, but buoyed by their weekend win against the odds came into the game with renewed confidence and more than held their own for fifty-two minutes until it became an uneven contest following the dismissal of Hayden Foxe. Booked in the first half for a foul on Steve Jones, Foxe lost his footing and pushed the ball away with his hand and was unlucky to get another yellow and instant dismissal. By the seventieth minute United were two down and the game had gone. United carved out few chances but had contained Burnley with ease prior to Foxe’s departure. However Stack had watched well beaten as a shot from Steve Jones narrowly missed the target and then he tipped over from the same player but apart from a parry to a Wade Elliott free-kick had little else to do prior to the two sides going into the break goalless. Ehiogu was calm and confident in the United defence which easily repelled all Burnley had to offer to that point. United did have their chances and both fell to Ian Moore but he shot straight at Burnley keeper Danny Coyne with his first chance and sliced badly wide with his second. Foxe’s departure caused a radical rethink to the United team with Jonathan Douglas dropping to full back, Ian Moore filling-in in midfield and Robbie Blake being taken off to leave his replacement Tresor Kandol as United’s lone attacker. The impressive Steve Jones beat Jonathan Douglas on the right and crossed into the goalmouth, where Matt Heath could only partially clear straight to the feet of Gifton Noel-Williams, who gave Graham Stack no chance. Two minutes later ex-United man Andy Gray turned quickly on the edge of the box to beat Stack with a low shot into the corner of the net. Strangely it was Leeds who dominated the remaining twenty minutes, when all the pointers had indicated an imminent avalanche of goals, and it was a great forty-yard pass from Stephen Crainey that found David Healy, a seventy-second minute substitute for Ian Moore, and the Irish international beat keeper Danny Coyne with a shot from outside the box which seemed to take a deflection off Jon Harley. United dropped to twenty-second but looked forward to the next game with Barnsley at Elland Road after two good performances on the road against better opposition.

It was back to 4-3-3, with Jonathan Douglas dropping back and replacing the suspended Hayden Foxe at right-back and Tresor Kandol being promoted from the bench and given his run-on debut up front. The not quite match-fit Fraser Richardson and Jermaine Beckford were on the bench as Geoff Horsfield dropped out. It was a Yorkshire derby that was as enthralling as it was entertaining but could not hide the deficiencies of both teams. All the goals were scored in a breathless first half and illustrated the attacking intent of both teams but in the end said more about their lack of defensive ability rather than the quality of their attack. All four goals stemmed from errors and lapses and illustrated the task of both managers to try to escape the bottom three with such leaking defences. As at Oakwell, despite the addition of Ugo Ehiogu and his class and organisational ability, the Leeds defence had no answer to the pace of Leon Knight and Daniel Nardiello, who led the Barnsley attack brilliantly and was rewarded with both goals. With Gary Kelly still injured and Frazer Richardson still not match-fit, Wise had chosen to replace the suspended Hayden Foxe with midfield-man Jonathan Douglas. It was not that he did not do an adequate job but more that his presence was missed in midfield where United found it hard to retain possession. Nardiello had opened the scoring as early as the third minute, when he got the ball from a throw-in on the left before strolling past Shaun Derry, dummied his way past Ugo Ehiogu and drilled a low shot past Graham Stack into the corner of the net. It did not take United long to reply as Tresor Kandol equalised after eight minutes following total confusion in the Barnsley defence. Neil Austin headed a Jonathan Douglas cross high into the air in front of the Barnsley goal, Keeper Nick Colgan collided with centre-back Paul Reid and Kandol was left with the simple task of heading into an empty net. From then on United carried the greater threat as Robbie Blake twice went close and Eddie Lewis clipped the outside of the post after thirty-five minutes. However, instead of taking the lead United conceded another soft goal as Nardiello struck a minute later. Taking a long ball from Neil Austin in his stride, wrong footed both Stephen Crainey and Matt Heath as he turned inside, Ehiogu attempted to block the ball with Graham Stack out of position but it flew past him and into the far corner of the net. As the first half went into stoppage time Ehiogu took advantage of the two extra minutes to put United on level terms. Ian Westlake took advantage of slack marking to cross to an unmarked Shaun Derry, who headed back across the goal and Ehiogu was equally free to head past Colgan from close range. In the second half chances were still plentiful and Ian Westlake saw a volley turned behind by Colgan while at the other end Stack made an alert save from Leon Knight and Paul Hayes. The game was into its last quarter when United thought they had gained full points. Matt Heath leaped to head home an Ian Westlake corner at the near post, the referee signalled a goal, the Barnsley players accepted it without dissent, but the linesman advised the referee there had been a foul and the goal was disallowed and United had to settle for a point. After twenty-one games United had twenty points and remained in twenty-second place, two behind Barnsley, three more than Hull City and eight more than the seemingly doomed Southend United.

Fourth-placed Derby County with Ex-United midfielder Seth Johnson were the next visitors to Elland Road and United welcomed by Hayden Foxe from suspension which allowed Jonathan Douglas to move into his normal tole in midfield in place of Ian Westfield, while up front David Healy replaced Ian Moore who dropped to the bench, where young Jonathan Howson was given a space at the Jermaine Beckford. Derby opened the scoring in the ninth minute and from there on there was an air of inevitability about the result. The Leeds midfield of Shaun Derry, Jonathan Douglas and Eddie Lewis was overrun by Derby even though Lewis was probably United’s best player but Seth Johnson ran the midfield and Derby had outstanding players in Darren Moore, Jon Stead and Giles Barnes. David Healy went close with a volley after seven minutes but that was all the shots United could muster in the first-half. Hayden Foxe provided Healy with the chance but while not letting the side down, it was apparent that he was a central defender playing out of position and that Leeds would benefit from the return of injured Gary Kelly and Frazer Richardson who were specialists in that role. The latter was being eased back into match action due to his ham-string injury and remained unused on the bench. The Derby goal came because Jon Stead was allowed too much room by a hesitant defence and his cross to the back post was headed home by Giles Barnes past a flailing Graham Stack after he had lost his marker, Stephen Crainey. With Johnson in charge derby dominated the first half and squandered several chances. After the break it was a different matter as United played with more determination and Eddie Lewis went close after good work by Shaun Derry and Robbie Blake. Blake also went close but shot into the side-netting, however, the best chance fell to David Healy just before being substituted by Ian Moore in the sixty-seventh minute. A determined run from Blake took him deep into the Derby box and he unselfishly pulled the ball back to Healy from the by-line but the Irish Striker ballooned the ball high into the Kop. Had he scored it would have been a platform for a United victory but it served to revitalise Derby and they went close to doubling their lead with two minutes to go but Steven Jones rattled the bar with Stack well beaten. Leeds, however, had one final chance as Matt Heath got in a header from an Eddie Lewis cross and it flew towards the top corner, but Derby keeper Stephen Bywater reacted brilliantly to turn the ball wide. United remained in twenty-second spot with twenty points after twenty-two games of the forty-six already gone.

Portman Road was the venue for United’s next game which marked the halfway point of the season. Ipswich were hovering just above the relegation zone and a win by United could have dragged them into the mire. Ugo Ehiogu was unavailable due to injury and that gave Hayden Foxe a chance to play in his normal position as Frazer Richardson was deemed fit enough to resume at right back. Eddie Lewis dropped back to replace Stephen Crainey to accommodate the return of long-term injured captain Kevin Nicholls, while Ian Westlake returned to midfield at the expense of Robbie Blake as Leeds reverted to 4-4-2 with Ian Moore taking over up front from David Healy, who dropped to the bench, where Geoff Horsfield and Matthew Kilgallon found a place as Jonathan Howson was omitted. Former United players Dan Harding, at left back, and Simon Walton, on loan from Charlton Athletic, and on the bench greeted their former team-mates. The returning skipper provided the bite in midfield and was the games outstanding player and covered the pitch tirelessly until six minutes from the end when he was shown the red card and saw him suspended for three games. The sending-off followed a confrontation with several Ipswich players following Nicholls' challenge on Danny Haynes. Nicholls had been booked for a clumsy tackle on Alan Lee sixty second earlier and when he caught Haynes with an elbow the challenge looked innocuous and accidental but on the linesman’s advice the referee produced a straight red. It seemed a little harsh as Owen Garvan escaped without caution for poleaxing Nicholls in the ensuing melee, while Alan Lee was not sent off for a blatant elbow on Hayden Foxe halfway through the second half. The events of the eighty-fourth minute overshadowed a forgettable game between two mediocre sides. Sylvain Legwinski drove a long range effort straight into the arms of Graham Stack midway through the first half as both teams seemed intent on not losing, rather than winning the encounter as neither side seemed committed to pushing players forward. United’s defence looked confident and the new pairing of Matt Heath and Hayden Foxe repelled Ipswich without breaking a sweat until injury-time in the first half which produced the only goal of the game. Leeds should have been in front by then as Tresor Kandol wasted a fine chance after a Jonathan Douglas pass found him totally unmarked. He was unable to control the ball quick enough and the Ipswich defence were given time to put pressure on him and he fired tamely wide from ten yards. Kandol’s miss was swiftly followed by Gavin Williams’ match-winner which resulted from a hopeful long ball upfield headed on by Alan Lee which Williams’ quickly controlled before volleying it past Graham Stack. United had their chances to reverse the score-line in the second half as Tresor Kandol missed twice in five minutes. The first was from a gift by Lewis Price who miscued his punch from a Kevin Nicholls free-kick and it went in the air and fell conveniently on Kandol’s head, but he only managed to steer the ball wide of an unguarded net. Five minutes later Ian Moore’s lay-off created another opening for Kandol but the keeper reacted well to push the shot round the post. That was as near as United came, but it could have been different if Sebastien Carole had squared the ball to an unmarked David Healy, who was ready to tap the ball into an empty net had Carole not chosen to try to beat the keeper himself from a narrow angle and succeeded only in hitting Price. United had now dropped to twenty-third with twenty points from twenty-three games.

United entertained fellow-strugglers Hull City, hoping that full points would see them leapfrog the Humber-siders on the League ladder. Tony Warner stood in for the injured Graham stack and his place on the bench was taken by Neil Sullivan. Ugo Ehiogu returned to central defence in place of Hayden Foxe in an otherwise unchanged defence, while Jonathan Howson was given his first League start of the season as he replaced the suspended Kevin Nicholls in midfield and Robbie Blake took over from Ian Moore up front and the latter replaced Geoff Horsfield on the bench. Ex-United striker Michael Bridges replaced another ex-United player in Nick Barmby, who was injured. With both sides in the bottom three the game was never going to be a classic and both sides played as if neither was prepared to lose and Hull in particular pulled most of their players back into their own half at the first sign of a United attack. Leeds created the better chances in a dour first half with Jonathan Douglas having an angled shot blocked by Michael Turner, Robbie Blake was just wide with a shot from the right and Tresor Kandol had a header brilliantly tipped over by Boaz Myhill. Bridges did create a chance for himself with some deft footwork but couldn’t supply the finishing touch and in the second half Jonathan Howson also controlled the ball well in the box but shot straight at the keeper. So for the third game on the trot Leeds remained goalless and failed to overtake their visitors and remained in twenty-third position with twenty-one points after twenty-four games.

For the Boxing Day clash at the stadium of Light against promotion hopefuls Sunderland, United rested Jonathan Howson to the bench and welcomed Hayden Foxe back at right back with Frazer Richardson pushing up into midfield, while Jermaine Beckford came in for Robbie Blake and David Healy replaced Sebastien Carole on the bench. United faced two former loanees in the shape of central defender Steve Caldwell and midfield-man Liam Miller. There was little doubt that United put up a gallant fight and held Sunderland until the sixty-fifth minute but the lack of trouble that United created to the Sunderland defence always meant that one goal was going to be good enough for the home team to gain full points. Tresor Kandol and Jermaine Beckford posed no threat to the Sunderland keeper Darren Ward who was virtually redundant and this meant that Sunderland could push up and attack incessantly with no fear of a counter attack. While the commitment and resilience of the Leeds defence merited a point Sunderland deserved the full pints for their patience and attractive football. United weathered the storm extremely well in the first half and deserved to go to the break on level terms as Sunderland had only created one clear cut chance as Stephen Elliott got in a shot at the near post but Tony Warner was alert and equal to the challenge as he pushed it round the post. The second half saw the Sunderland dominance reap its reward after Liam Miller and Darryl Murphy both went close before David Connelly turned quickly in the box to create enough space to get in a shot which flashed past Tony Warner and into the net. United did finally trouble Darren Ward and under pressure he failed to claim a high ball but Frazer Richardson was unable to capitalise on it. In Grant Leadbitter Sunderland had the best player on the field and it was fitting that he should put the game beyond recall nine minutes from the end after a fine run by Darryl Murphy and a neat bit of play from Dwight gave him the space to get in his shot from eighteen yards for a classy finish. Late in the game Matthew Kilgallon, who had come on for United after seventy-two minutes in a triple substitution with David Healy and Ian Moore replacing Ugo Ehiogu, Shaun Derry and Jermaine Beckford, made two outstanding blocks to keep United’s goal intact, but unfortunately had to limp out of the action after injuring himself in the second challenge. There was further bad news at full-time when results elsewhere showed an unexpected Barnsley victory over Burnley which meant they were now five points behind their Oakwell rivals and had failed to score in the last four games, and remained on twenty-one points in twenty-third position after twenty-five games.

Jonathan Howson was restored to the team with Frazer Richardson reverting to right back with Hayden Foxe dropping out, and the ineffective Tresor Kandol and Jermaine Beckford found themselves on the bench with Ian Moore and David Healy pressed into service in attack. There was a place on the bench for Rui Marques, for the injured Matthew Kilgallon, and Sebastien Carole as deputy to Howson, as United visited the Potteries and Stoke City. After their humiliating 4-0 home defeat earlier in the season United were not relishing the visit and went behind after just twelve minutes, when Lee Hendrie curled a corner high into the box and Tony Warner watched helplessly as Mamady Sidibe rose above a static defence to head home. This resulted in a more attacking United and Jonathan Douglas got in a dipping volley which almost crept under the Stoke crossbar just two minutes later. A sustained United attack left them short in numbers at the back when a quick counter-attack spearheaded by Lee Hendrie saw Darel Russell fail to get any power into his shot and Warner collected untroubled. However, despite this period of sustained pressure Leeds were unable to equalise as long range efforts from David Healy and Eddie Lewis were easily dealt with by Steve Simonsen, but such was United’s dominance that the sent wave after wave of attacks towards the Stoke goal and should have had a reward in the thirty-seventh minute when the referee failed to punish Carl Houfkens who climbed all over David Healy in the Stoke box. The pressure eventually told just four minutes before half-time when David Healy’s deep cross from the right wing left Simonsen badly exposed and Ian Moore ran in at the back post to leap above his marker to head home a thoroughly deserved equaliser and the teams went in on level terms at the half-time break. Lee Hendrie had struggled with an injury in the first half and was replaced by Patrick Berger at the start of the second half. The Czech International soon made his presence felt and on fifty-eight minutes he restored Stoke’s lead with a shot from eighteen yards which deflected off Ugo Ehiogu’s head and into the United net. It was a sad reward for Ehiogu, who had brought a new solidarity to the United defence and it was more than United could cope with and it became impossible when Richardo Fuller put Stoke further ahead in the seventy-sixth minute after he shot into an empty net after a mix-up between Warner and Ehiogu allowed the ball the run to him and presented him with an unmissable opportunity. United had broken the goal drought but had failed to arrest their losing streak and they remained in deep trouble on twenty-one points from twenty-six games and second from the bottom and becoming increasingly isolated from safety.

New Years Day saw the visit of Coventry City to Elland Road and it was hoped that 2007 would bring a change of fortune for United. Neil Sullivan was given back his position as United’s No.1 after some recent unconvincing performances by Tony Warner, who dropped to the bench. There were sweeping changes in the back four where new loan signing Robbie Elliott took over from Eddie Lewis who was pushed up into midfield at the expense of Ian Westlake who dropped to the bench. Hayden Foxe was paired with Rui Marques in central defence as Ugo Ehiogu’s loan spell had expired and Matt Heath was left out. There was a welcome return of Kevin Nicholls from suspension and he took his place in midfield as Wise switched to 4-3-3 and Jonathan Howson dropped to the bench and Shaun Derry was also omitted, while up front Robbie Blake returned after injury to join David Healy and Ian Moore in the three pronged attack. The five men on the bench were Tony Warner, Sebastien Carole, Jonathan Howson, Ian Westlake and Tresor Kandol. For once United were able to convert their superiority into points, but it was due more to the totally inept display by Coventry, who gave an abysmal performance, rather than United blowing away the opposition. On the evidence of their performance Coventry must come into serious consideration for the drop and the win gave United renewed hope. United’s performance was all it needed to be to overcome such poor opposition They started off at a quick pace and the onslaught could have seen the game over by half-time had United hit the net rather than the woodwork. Robbie Blake and Eddie Lewis both saw free-kicks rebound from the crossbar, after David Healy had given United a fifteenth minute lead and when Adam Virgo equalised for the visitors just before half-time after indecision in the United defence, all the United pressure had been for nothing and Coventry went in at the break undeservedly on level terms. United started the second half just as they had done in the first half and pulverised Coventry for the first ten minutes or so with intense pressure. It did have the desired effect as Eddie Lewis got in a clever pass to David Healy whose shot rebounded of the Coventry keeper, Andy Marshall, and Jonathan Douglas placed the ball into an empty net as he followed up on fifty-three minutes. Coventry immediately threw on Leon McKenzie and Dele Adebola and it was United’s turn to defend grimly for the last half hour. However the Coventry attack lacked cohesion and Neil Sullivan only had one moment of trouble when he was beaten by a Kevin Kyle header but it flew wide and United finished in front with their first win in eight games. It was a vital win in a vital game but results elsewhere saw Southend United, Hull City and Queens Park Rangers also win as United remained last but one with twenty-four points from twenty-seven games, but at least the losing streak had been arrested.

There was a visit to the Hawthorns as a break in the struggle for points in the CCCL in the Third Round of the FA Cup. Once more there were wholesale changes which heralded the return of Captain Kevin Nicholls from suspension and the inclusion on the bench of new signings Tore Andre Flo and Armando Sa on the bench along with junior keeper Jonathan Lund. The full line-up was: Neil Sullivan; Rui Marques, Matt Heath, Hayden Foxe, Robbie Elliott; Jonathan Howson, Kevin Nicholls, Eddie Lewis; Robbie Blake, Ian Moore, David Healy. Jonathan Lund, Armando Sa, Shaun Derry, Ian Westlake and Tore Andre Flo were on the bench. Some may say that the defeat was a blessing in disguise as it left Dennis Wise and his team with nothing to concentrate on except avoiding relegation. The financial gains from a good Cup run could not be ignored but the odds of achieving that were always stacked high and now United’s season is restricted to nineteen vital games which will decide their destiny. Two of their rivals, Southend United and Barnsley, were both involved in draws which meant extra midweek games and the possibility of injury and fatigue, something which United would not have to contend with. That was of little consequence to the two thousand faithful who made their second trek of the season to the Hawthorns and watched as United capitulated almost as soon as the game had started. United were two goals in arrears after less than fifteen minutes and both were due to woeful defending. West Brom opened the scoring in the seventh minute and were virtually assured of a place in the Fourth Round when their lead was doubled eight minutes later. The first was due to the creativity of Jason Koumas, whose dangerous cross forced Robbie Elliott to head over his own bar in the sixth minute. From the ensuing corner Neil Clement swung the ball towards the back post, where a poor clearing header gifted Paul McShane the opportunity to sweep the ball into the net from six yards. For the second, Russell Hoult drove a long clearance towards the edge of United’s box and Matt Heath’s poor positioning saw the ball bounce into the path of John Hartson. The striker found himself clean through with only the keeper to beat and his low shot slipped through Sullivan’s legs and into the net. The home side pressed their advantage further as Hartson headed a Clements cross wide from six yards in the eighteenth minute and then the Welsh striker was thwarted by a brilliant one handed save by Neil Sullivan. United’s response was spirited and committed as Robbie Blake twice tested Russell Hoult with goal-bound volleys and Kevin Nicholls was also denied by a brilliant save from the keeper as his shot was curling just inside the post. United made a triple substitution for the start of the second half, as debuts were given to Tore Andre Flo and Armando Sa, and Shaun Derry replaced Ian Moore, Matt Heath and Jonathan Howson respectively, all of whom had struggled in the first half. Armando Sa slotted into the right back spot and Rui Marques moved to central defence. Tore Andre Flo did get a chance to put his name on the scoresheet in the eighty-second minute after Eddie Lewis had found him just four yards out with a fine cross, but the keeper made an instinctive parry and it seemed United were destined to remain goal-less as Derry had missed a golden opportunity only four minutes earlier. Two minutes after Flo’s miss, West Brom got their third as a Jason Koumas cut-back was forced over the line by Kevin Phillips. The score-line flattered the home team and justice was done when Robbie Elliot’s cross forced Paul Robinson to turn the ball into his own net under pressure from Flo in injury time.

After their defeat at the Hawthorns in the Cup the same two teams met again in the League a fortnight later at Elland Road. New loan signing Alan Thompson came straight into the team in midfield replacing Jonathan Howson who dropped to the bench. Armando Sa and Tore Andre Flo were both given run on debuts as Sa replaced Rui Marques, who moved into central defence at the expense of Matt Heath, who also dropped to the bench, at right back and Flo replaced Ian Moore in attack. In a 4-4-2 system Robbie Blake dropped back into midfield and Shaun Derry, Jonathan Lund and Ian Westlake all lost their place on the bench to Ian Moore, Tresor Kandol and Gylfi Einarsson. Despite new players being brought in United’s situation had shown no signs of improvement and the stuttered to yet another defeat as their lack of quality was cruelly exposed. United were beaten by two two first half goals from Diomansy Kamara and great strike from Jonathan Greening. Tore Andre Flo got United and himself off to a great start with a goal in the third minute. Indecision by Paul McShane allowed a loose ball to reach Eddie Lewis. His shot was partially blocked by Russell Hoult and from the rebound David Healy had a shot kicked off the line by Curtis Davies. Robbie Elliott collected the ball and swung over a cross which allowed Flo to glance a header past the keeper. It looked as though the Baggies abysmal away record was going to benefit United, but they were level within four minutes and home and dry by half time, and it was really an inspired display by Neil Sullivan that stopped a rout. Their 3-1 interval lead was threaten sporadically after United’s other debutant, Alan Thompson, also got his name on the scoresheet with a typical classy free-kick in the sixty-sixth minute, as the introduction of Ian Moore and Tresor Kandol for Robbie Blake and Robbie Elliott in the fifty-seventh minute had the right effect and pepped up United’s performance. Thompson was taken off after eighty-three as his fitness ran out and Gylfi Einarsson replaced him, but his goal had temporarily lifted United but they were unable to get the goal to share the points and they remained on twenty-four points in twenty-third position but had now played twenty-eight games.

Suspensions and injuries meant that United were without the services of Tore Andre Flo, Robbie Elliott, Kevin Nicholls, Hayden Foxe, Graham Stack, Ian Moore, Shaun Derry and Richard Cresswell for their visit to the KC Stadium, home of relegation rivals, Hull City. Matt Heath came into the team for Hayden Foxe in central defence, while Eddie Lewis dropped back from midfield to cover for Robbie Elliott at left-back. Frazer Richardson was back, on the right side of midfield, to replace Robbie Blake, who dropped to the bench. Jonathan Howson and Jonathan Douglas replaced Kevin Nicholls and Eddie Lewis in midfield, while Tresor Kandol benefited from Tore Andre Flo’s absence. Stephen Crainey, Gylfi Einarsson, Sebastien Carole and teenager Tom Elliott joined Robbie Blake on the bench. The Tigers had been in a good vein of form in recent times and started off with an attacking 4-3-3 system, but it was Alan Thompson who went closest to scoring as a typical thirty-yard free-kck looked to be creeping inside the post until keeper Boaz Myhill acrobatically tipped the ball round the post. And United started to control the game and well merited their taking the lead as Matt Heath guided Thompson’s well flighted free-kick past the keeper from six yards with the Hull keeper flat footed. However, a new ground record crowd of 24,311 were subdued by United’s strike but they had something to cheer as City fought back and a Dean Windass free-kick just cleared the bar and Matt Heath all but conceded an own goal. Then, deep into first half injury time, Dean Marney’s free-kick bounced awkwardly in front of Neil Sullivan and ricocheted off his body and Nicky Foster rifled in a shot from eight yards. Dean Windass had a goal disallowed for offside two minutes into the second half and then Tresor Kandol was brought down after fifty minutes. As he had done in the previous game against West Bromwich Albion, Alan Thompson scored with a a free-kick of sheer class which this time gave the keeper no chance as it arced perfectly into the top corner to give United the lead. Surprisingly Hull did not mount any sustained pressure in the remaining forty minutes although Substitute Stuart Elliott put a fierce volley inches wide in the eighty-first minute but good defending by Leeds saw that this was the nearest them came. Results elsewhere meant that United’s 2-1 victory was no sufficient to avoid Southend going above them on goal difference and they slumped to the bottom position, twenty-fourth with twenty-seven points from twenty-nine games.

United again had to travel after the midweek away game at Hull, down to East Anglia to Carrow Road to face Norwich City in another vital clash. Eddie Lewis and David Healy were unavailable and Kevin Nicholls came into the midfield as several players moved positions to accommodate him and Robbie Blake moved from the bench to striker in Healy’s place and there was no place on the bench for Stephen Crainey, Gylfi Einarsson and Sebastien Carole as new goalkeeper Casper Ankergren, Ian Moore, Hayden Foxe and Ian Westlake were there alongside the teenager Tom Elliott. After the high of the midweek win United looked to build on it and for the best part of an hour it looked as if they were going to achieve their objective as they took the lead after twenty minutes when Jonathan Howson scored his first senior goal. Norwich had predictably started strongly but their effort was not sustained as Leeds repelled them with ease, even though ex-United striker Darren Huckerby was denied a goal by an offside flag. Up to the twenty minute mark United had conceded the midfield to Norwich but a long free-kick from Neil Sullivan was flicked into the box by Tresor Kandol and the alert Robbie Blake ceased the loose ball and was left to beat David Marshall in the Norwich goal from an acute angle, he took the option of pulling the ball back into the six yard box and Jonathan Howson swept the ball into the net. It was then a question that neither team could mount any danger on the opposing goal but United were always mindful that a Norwich breakaway might leave their defence exposed and so neither team over-stretched themselves in attack. With the game almost in its last third, however Norwich got the break they needed and United feared. Youssef Safri swung a cross into the six-yard box and Rui Marques did not get any distance on his headed clearance. The vastly experienced Dion Dublin found the ball bounced nicely for him to hammer the ball into the net from the edge of the box and Norwich were level. Leeds should have regained the lead almost immediately but Robbie Blake and Tresor Kandol were guilty of missing easy chances. The Canaries were not so wasteful and Darren Huckerby punished his old club with a goal twelve minutes from time. United failed to press home their advantage from a corner and Norwich gained possession and Lee Croft brought the ball out of defence and found Huckerby with a cross-field ball and it was the former Leeds speedster against Frazer Richardson. It was no contest as with a quick sidestep he beat his marker and accelerated into the Leeds box and his low left-footed shot easily beat Neil Sullivan to nestle in the far corner of the net. Not much later Sullivan could only watch helplessly as Huckerby almost repeated the feat but this time the ball ricocheted to safety of a post. So United failed to build on their midfield win and remained bottom of the League and three points adrift, with twenty-four points from thirty games.

The home game against the struggling Crystal Palace was yet another must win game as United needed to string together a succession of victories if they were to have any chance of avoiding relegation and, after several games against fellow strugglers and the prospect of a few more to come, it was getting to be crunch time down at the bottom. There was a debut for on-loan, from Danish club Bromby, goalkeeper Casper Ankergren and Eddie Lewis returned and took his place at left back with with Neil Sullivan and Armando Sa dropping to the bench. With Alan Thompson picking up a knock in training there was a return for Ian Westlake and Robbie Blake dropped back to the right of midfield as Jonathan Howson was rested to the bench and Ian Moore was brought into the team as striker in his place as Richard Cresswell returned from injury to start from the bench as teenager Tom Elliott lost his place in the squad. After the game there was stories from Dennis Wise of a “mole” in the squad who had leaked information to Crystal Palace, but just who it was and what had been leaked remained a mystery but he did make the statement that the player would never play again for the club, which only added to the intrigue for those who were interested. Whatever was said might not have foreseen Alan Thompson being injured in Friday’s training and the players were seemingly unconcerned and went out and did the business. United were very slow out of the blocks and were sloppy in midfield, slow and ponderous in attack and lacking in making anyone available to give the person in possession of the ball any reasonable options. It gave Palace the upper hand and they soon carved out chances and, fortunately for United, Casper Ankergren was equal to the task making several fine saves as United continued to labour for the first twenty minutes. It all changed as Leeds gained their first corner shortly before the half hour mark after an Ian Moore effort was deflected behind. Robbie Blake sent over a low bouncy cross and it missed everyone in the crowded box and Matt Heath met it with his head at the far post after had sneaked in undetected by Palace’s static defenders. It was a goal which came from poor Palace defending rather than the quality of the cross but it transformed United and they started to play with a semblance of confidence and they created two more good chances before half-time. Ian Moore’s flicked header from a Robbie Blake corner was goal-bound until a reaction save from Palace keeper Gabor Kiraly denied him but Tresor Kandol headed over when it seemed easier to score. After half-time it was noticeable that neither Ian Moore nor Tresor Kandol posed any threat to the goal and the part fit Richard Cresswell was called on to replace Kandol after sixty-eight minutes. It had the desired effect as just four minutes later, the former Preston striker received the ball in the centre-circle and, seeing Robbie Blake in space on the right, released him with a fine pass and he ran on goal to beat the keeper after a couple of deflections and a favourable bounce. United should have closed out the game but instead allowed Palace to get back into it and were again indebted to Casper Ankergren for two fine saves from Carl Fletcher and Shefki Kuqi. Inevitably a goal came with eight minutes left as Leon Cort climbed highest to head in Mark Kennedy’s cross. Robbie Blake left the field with three minutes left to a standing ovation and extra defender Hayden Foxe bolstered the already well performing Matt Heath and Rui Marques in central defence. Once more a win made no difference to United’s standing and they remained bottom with thirty points from thirty-one games.

Not many were expecting much change from a visit to Cardiff as United had not won there in twenty-three years and the home team had only lost twice in seventeen games in the season to date. Armando Sa replaced Frazer Richardson at right backing an otherwise unchanged team but Graham Stack replaced Neil Sullivan and David Healy filled the vacancy left by Sa. United would be wondering why they conceded all the points to a team that missed a second half penalty and finished the game with nine men. When Leeds could only muster three shots on goal in the whole match and the goal they conceded was a fine strike from Michael Chopra, but the problem was that they had no one likely to duplicate his effort and they relied totally on the long ball finding the head of Tresor Kandol and it was easy meat for the Cardiff defence, even though United did dominate the game territorially. Robbie Blake’s first effort on goal managed to slice into touch for a throw-in and set the tone for United for the match. Cardiff belied their lofty League standing and their general play was of such poor standard that it allowed Leeds into a game that Cardiff should have won at a canter on paper. Chopra tested Casper Ankergren with a low shot as early as the seventh minute and Ian Moore should have opened the scoring when Rui Marques headed down just five yards out but his weak touch went straight into goalkeeper Neil Alexander’s hands. Rui Marques and Jonathan Douglas collided in midfield and Marques had to be substituted four minutes before the break while Douglas returned to the fray with his head heavily bandaged. It was then that Copra produced a fine shot to beat Ankergren from a free-kick on the edge of the box. He went close to doubling the lead as his glancing header was just wide of the post in first-half injury-time. United tried to add power to their attack by the introduction of David Healy and Richard Cresswell in place of Ian Westlake and Robbie Blake, but it had no great effect. Michael Chopra earned his marching orders after sixty-five minutes after leaving Hayden Foxe bloodied with an elbow to the face. Tresor Kandol was fortunate to stay on the pitch and lucky that his keeper rectified his mistake after deliberately handling the ball in his own box and then watching as the keeper produced a brilliant save to push the ball off the target from Steven Thompson’s spot kick. David Healy flashed a volley wide from the edge of the box but Neil Alexander was never seriously troubled even after ex-United player Simon Walton was sent off with six minutes remaining. Jonathan Douglas finally troubled Alexander with a low shot in the injury time but it was too little, too late and United remained bottom with thirty points from thirty-two games.

Alan Thompson resumed in midfield in place of the injured Ian Westlake, while up front David Healy and Richard Cresswell also returned as Ian Moore dropped to the bench and Tresor Kandol was omitted and Jemal Johnson, the new loanee from Wolverhampton Wanderers took the vacant spot on the bench for the visit of relegation threatened Queens Park Rangers to Elland Road in a midweek fixture. United, spurred on by their biggest crowd of the season, 29,593, due to a generous reduction in prices, could not give them anything to enthuse about as they failed to get past the Rangers defence which offered nothing but hard work and United sank further into the relegation mire as the visitors took their share of the points. On the same night Barnsley beat Hull City 3-0 and Luton Town also won and left United three points adrift from safety with games left diminishing rapidly and another winnable game passed by. With games against better class opposition looming in the form of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday, United put themselves in the position of needing to get results against one or more of them by failing to beat a team that had lost five of its previous six games including a 5-0 defeat to United’s fellow strugglers Southend United. The game was tense and swung from end to end and in some ways it was entertaining but more often desperate and certainly lacking in quality. Leeds could be said to have been unlucky as both Robbie Blake and David Healy hit the woodwork and Rangers’ keeper Lee Camp also denied Healy with a brilliant one handed save just before half-time. Jonathan Douglas and Robbie Blake both had shots well saved while Richard Cresswell saw Michael Mancienne clear from under the bar. At the other end Casper Ankergren maintained his good form as he produced fine saves to deny Lee Cook and Dexter Bradstock. The loss of Alan Thompson to a calf injury on the half-hour did not assist United’s cause but his departure removed a steadying influence which disappeared with him and often panic set in and passing cohesion was non-existent. Although it was United’s first clean sheet in ten games that fact was lost as United dropped two points that were there for the taking and they remained bottom with thirty-one points from thirty-three games.

Frazer Richardson replaced Armando Sa at right-back, Sebastien Carole came in for Alan Thompson in midfield, while teenager Tom Elliott was given a place on the bench as Jemal Johnson could not play against his employers, high flying Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. United’s slender defeat did not become a possibility until the seventy-sixth minute when Micheal Knightly scored as Wolves appeared to be running out of steam from the incessant battering they had given Leeds. They had hit the woodwork twice but failed to test Casper Ankergren sufficiently with accurate shots as their total dominance of all facets of the game was not revealed on the scoresheet, which did not truly reveal the ineptness of United’s performance. United produced one effort in either half worthy of note as Alan Thompson’s influence was sorely missed. Richard Cresswell missed the clearest of those chances five minutes before half-time when he headed a Robbie Blake free-kick into the ground and over the bar from four yards. It was not until two minutes from time that they caused Wolves keeper Matt Murray trouble as he was called upon to push the ball over the bar from an Eddie Lewis shot from the edge of the box. It would hardly have done justice if it had made the score 1-1, such was Wolves superiority. The defeat was made even worse by results from other games with Hull City getting three unexpected points by beating Birmingham City and United remained bottom with thirty-one points from thirty-four games and needing a successful run to regain contact and have any chance of avoiding relegation.

Graham Stack replaced the injured Casper Ankergren, Jonathan Howson came in for Sebastien Carole, who dropped to the bench, where Armando Sa, Gylfi Einarsson and Jemal Johnson appeared in place of Hayden Foxe, Tom Elliott and the promoted Graham Stack. Bottom of the table United slumped to their twenty-first defeat of the season as unconvincing Birmingham City leapfrog back to the top of the table, despite United’s plucky performance. However, in truth United lacked inspiration or belief and were easily run ragged in the early stages by a Birmingham outfit which had not been consistent and gone down the United’s fellow strugglers Hull City the previous game. The Birmingham defence looked vulnerable but could not be exposed despite some hard work by David Healy and Richard Cresswell as the Birmingham attack was much more purposeful and deservedly took the lead in the fifteenth minute when Nicklas Bendtner scored with a fine glancing header. Leeds immediately launched their best attacks and a Richard Cresswell header was deflected over the bar and then Rui Marques’ header narrowly went over the bar. David Healy watched as his mishit shot was cleared off the line by Stephen Clemence. United began to look dangerous as they took control of midfield thanks to Kevin Nicholls and Richard Cresswell went close with a header from a David Healy cross. Birmingham also had their chances and should have put the game beyond United’s grasp in the second half as Stephen Clemence scooped the ball over the bar from close in and a brilliant fingertip save by Graham Stack avoided an own goal by Kevin Nicholls, while Nicklas Bendtner hit the post in the closing minutes. However, at the end of the game, it was not unexpectedly another three points lost and United still bottom with thirty-one points from thirty-five games.

For the home game with Sheffield Wednesday the defence remained intact and Ian Moore was drafted into the right of midfield in place of Robbie Blake who dropped to the bench and new loanee Radostin Kishishev replaced the supposedly disloyal Kevin Nicholls. Casper Ankergren returned to the bench in place of the injured Armando Sa and Hayden Foxe returned at the expense of Gylfi Einarsson. With Dennis Wise claiming that his captain Kevin Nicholls was omitted from the team as he wanted to return to Luton Town, this ranked alongside his previous claim there was a mole in the United camp and must have left the fans wondering just what exactly was going on. Results elsewhere where none of the bottom seven managed to avoid defeat resulted in United being no worse off but having played one game more. Wednesday at one point led by 3-0 and while the score-line flattered the visitors it was a lesson in clinical finishing and an indictment of the skill and talent which United lacked in abundance. Marcus Tudgay gave Wednesday the lead after just seven minutes when he headed in a Tommy Spurr cross, moments after Deon Burton had rattled the Leeds bar, but apart from that Leeds were the better team in the first half. Iain Turner in the Wednesday goal blocked a powerful shot from Ian Moore in the fifteenth minute and from then on it was United on the attack with David Healy and Jonathan Douglas both unable to force the ball into an empty net, Ian Moore hit the legs of Lee Bullen on the line and deflected wide and Rui Marques had a header cleared off the line by Frank Simek. United could easily have had two penalties as there seemed a good case for a foul against Steve Watson on David Healy and Richard Wood held back the same player as he broke clear after the half hour, with both offences clearly inside the box. United’s finishing once again let them down and they were punished in the thirty-seventh minute when Chris Brunt robbed Frazer Richardson on the right side of midfield and sent in a sublime lob from forty yards out which caught out keeper Graham Stack and the ball was in the net before he could move his feet to cover his goal. Marcus Tudgay received his marching orders for his second bookable offence very early in the second half, but it made no difference as Wednesday further increased their lead with another brilliant goal after fifty-four minutes. It was Chris Brunt who started the move with a quick counter-attack by sending a long ball to Deon Burton who found Glenn Whelan in turn created space for Jermaine Johnson who scored with a smart finish at the far post. United were dead and buried but hit back and after Richard Cresswell had already hit the bar Lee Bullen hacked the ball into his own net after an Eddie Lewis header in the eighty-eighth minute. Then a Richard Cresswell chip brought United back within striking distance just a minute later but Wednesday hung on to the full points and United remained bottom on thirty-one points but had now played thirty-six games.

Casper Ankergren was restored to the goalkeeping role as United entertained fellow strugglers Luton Town and Graham Stack dropped to the bench and there was another new loanee in the shape of central defender Lubomir Michalik from Bolton Wanderers, who became the forty-second different player to play for United in the season and the thirteenth loanee in place of the discarded Rui Marques. Sebastien Carole was given a start in midfield with Ian Moore taking his place on the bench and Robbie Blake too came into the midfield as the young Jonathan Howson was rested, while up front Jemal Johnson was given a chance ahead of David Healy who was found a place on the bench where Armando Sa replaced Hayden Foxe and Tresor Kandol also was also found a place. United hit the bar three times in a very unevenly matched contest in the first half and additionally Radistin Kishishev had a shot cleared off the line. The second half continued in the same vein with the revitalised United creating chance after chance. Richard did finally get the goal that mattered six minutes into the second half which was courtesy of his determination and prowess, when after receiving the ball from Jemal Johnson he turned his marker and flicked in a shot which crept in the far corner beyond the despairing outstretched hand of keeper Marlon Beresford. United were far superior to the Hatters and should have converted some more of the many chances they had created, but with four minutes left on the clock Luton were handed a lifeline as Matt Heath made a rash challenge on the suspiciously offside looking Leon Barnett as he shaped to shoot and sent him sprawling and made the referees decision easy. Dean Morgan, who had come on as a substitute and had interested Leeds earlier in the season, stepped up to take the resultant penalty but his connection was not clean and Casper Ankergren was able to block and then fall on the ball to become the fans hero. He was rapidly reaching cult status as this was his second penalty save in his short Leeds career. It should have ensured United full points, but Leon Barnett, who had been left unmarked just five yards out, headed over and United deservedly won and were by far the better side but while they had now achieved thirty-four points they still remained bottom with thirty-seven games played and just nine left, but at least had their destiny in their own hands and Luton and others firmly in their sights.

Armando Sa came in at left back for Eddie Lewis otherwise Dennis Wise stuck with his run-on side for the midweek visit to Leicester City, with Robbie Elliott taking Sa’s place on the bench and Alan Thompson was selected as substitute instead of keeper Graham Stack. The game was never going to be an easy one for United as the home side had just reeled off six wins on the trot before falling to Crystal Palace in their last game. While the gaining of a point could be viewed as being a major achievement results elsewhere were no to United’s advantag e with relegation rivals Southend United winning at home to Burnley, and Queens Park Rangers took an unexpected point from Derby County. Despite on paper looking tough opposition Leicester were not the task expected and both sides produced a game of poor quality devoid of entertainment. Both teams were restricted to a limited number of half chances as Leeds held the Foxes comfortably without looking dangerous themselves when Leicester goalkeeper Paul Henderson ran from his box to head a bouncing ball clear four minutes before half-time, his jump forced his knees into the onrushing Jemal Johnson who was stretchered off and replaced by David Healy. The referee booked the keeper and awarded a free-kick to Leeds. Robbie Blake took it and miss-hit his shot into the Leicester wall but from the rebound his exquisite volley rifled past the keeper and into the net. In celebration he took off to the opposite end of the ground to express his elation to the Leeds fans and his team-mates followed in hot pursuit and Leicester’s quick kick-off found many Leeds players out of position. Frazer Richardson was nowhere to be seen as Levi Porter broke down the left wing and his cross dropped towards Iain Hume in the centre of the area. His header should have, and under normal circumstances would have, been easily taken by Casper Ankergren but he lost his footing as he moved across his six yard box and the ball bounced tamely over the line and into the net for the Leicester equaliser. After losing Jemal Johnson and then Alan Thompson, who replaced Sebastien Carole after fifty-eight minutes, only to be injured himself thirteen minutes later, there was no was no wonder that United decided to settle for a point and rarely threatened in the last half hour. United could thank Matt Heath for twice putting his body in the way to stop goal-bound shots from Levi Porter and Casper Ankergren was alert to parry a Stephen Hughes shot in the seventy-seventh minute and this enabled them to gain the point and give hope of getting something from their next game at Southend United which now became of enormous importance as they were still bottom on thirty-five points but now with only eight games left.

United’s vital visit to Roots Hall saw Robbie Elliott come in as Armando Sa’s replacement at left back, while Sebastien Carole dropped to the bench as he gave way to the returning Eddie Lewis in midfield and Tresor Kandol was promoted from the bench to take the place of Jemal Johnson up front. Graham Stack and Stephen Crainey joined Carole, Healy and Ian Moore as the available substitutes. Tresor Kandol headed wide with the goal at his mercy and Jamal Campbell-Ryde stabbed the ball wide for the home team when it would have been easier to score, but it was the home team that took the lead after twenty-four minutes when Lubomir Michalik miss-kicked a clearance straight to Lee Bradbury, who off-loaded to an unmarked Mark Gower and the impressive winger drilled the ball past Casper Ankergren. Minutes later Freddy Eastwood should have made it 2-0 but he saw his shot rebound off a post. Leeds hit back with a Robbie Blake free-kick going inches wide and Richard Cresswell saw Darryl Flahavan save his low shot, but Southend were good value for their interval lead. Leeds started the second half the brighter of the two teams and Matt Heath’s header from a Radostin Kishishev free-kick turned for a corner by the Southend keeper Flahavan. The same keeper then parried Robbie Blake’s twenty-five yard free-kick before Freddy Eastwood saw his shot deflected onto the roof of the Leeds net. Wise brought on Ian Moore for Eddie Lewis after sixty-four minutes to the cries of “Wise-Out” by the travellin g fans but it was his replacing of Robbie Blake by David Healy with just eight minutes to go which proved to be the move that mattered. Southend seemed to be cruising to victory and United seemed down and out and almost certainly doomed to relegation and should have closed out the game but a rare piece of poor marking saw Healy equalise. Healy was fouled on the edge of the box and Robbie Elliott quickly took the free-kick from the right and found the Irishman unmarked and he rifled the ball into the centre of the net. However, that was not the end of the drama as Leeds should have won a penalty in injury time when Simon Francis handled but the referee only gave a free-kick, but it would have been an injustice because for all United’s effort Southend had outplayed them and the point took the season’s tally to thirty-six from thirty-nine games and while they had not achieved the victory that was required the point had left it mathematically still possible to escape the drop.

Preston North End were the next visitors to Elland Road and it saw the return of another loanee, Michael Gray who immediately replaced Robbie Elliott at left back and Elliott dropped to the bench at the expense of Stephen Crainey. David Healy had earned a recall to the starting team at the expense of Tresor Kandol and Rui Marques and Jemal Johnson took their places on the bench in place of Ian Moore and Sebastien Carole. It was Michael Gray who gave an outstanding performance to mark his return and United turned on their best performance since the arrival of Denis Wise but it was David Healy who got the winner and completed the best week of his career as he scored his sixth goal in that period for club and country to put a serious dent in his old club’s march towards promotion. Two Leeds old boys Danny Pugh and Brett Ormerod had combined to give Preston the lead after only four minutes as Pugh’s excellent pass into the box found Omerod who lost his marker Lubomir Michalik to shoot past Casper Ankergren from an angled twelve yards. Leeds did everything but score in the first half. Richard Cresswell wasted a glorious headed chance to equalise while David Healy got in a power packed shot that should have found the back of the net and both Jonathan Douglas and Robbie Blake had goal-bound efforts blocked in the goalmouth, while Matt Heath hit the foot of a post. Leeds were finally rewarded when the lively Richard Cresswell broke down the left to square the ball to Robbie Blake to slide home at the far post to score his ninth goal of the season after fifty-two minutes. Preston’s David Nugent and substitute ex-Leeds player Michael Ricketts should have restored Preston’s lead but both missed gilt-edged chances. Right on the last minute Eddie Lewis sent over a deep cross and Preston left back Pavel Pergl should have cleared easily but he chose to chest it and David Healy bundled the ball into the net at the far post with his head. It may have been lucky but it had been a long time since United had had a fair rub of the green and it saw then get a deserved full points and their thirty-nine points was sufficient to lift them off the bottom and into twenty-third place with just six vital games left to go.

United were looking to complete a very rare double as Plymouth Argyle made the long trip north for United’s next home fixture with an understandably unchanged run on side but Alan Thompson took Robbie Elliott’s place on the bench, but Plymouth probably spent most of the time on the long trip home wondering just how they had managed to leave empty-handed. United were far from the team that had performed so well in midweek in their fine victory over Preston North End and they had to be thankful to Lubomir Machalik for his first goal for the club in the eighty-seventh minute for achieving their first back-to-back win in thirteen months and taking them out of the bottom three after being there consistently since the game after they won at Plymouth at the end of November. Knowing that both Hull City and Southend United had both lost the day before had given United hope but it also made them edgy and it was no surprise when poor defending allowed Plymouth to take the lead. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake sent a ball over the top and it caught Frazer Richardson and Matt Heath out of position, allowing Peter Halmosi to race through and drill a shot under Casper Ankergren after thirty-six minutes. Only an outstanding tackle by Lubomir Michalik prevented Barry Hayles from adding a second before David Healy gave United a lifeline in the forty-fifth minute by scoring after Plymouth had failed to deal with a Radostin Kishishev free-kick. Argyle came back in the second half and dominated to such an extent that but for the excellence of Casper Ankergren they would have been two or three goals ahead. The Danish keeper ensured that the scores were level when Alan Thompson delivered a free-kick from the left flank three minutes from time and Michalik powered the ball into the net of the inside of the post to seal yet another late. Late show for United and elevate them to twenty-first place on forty-two points after forty-one games with visits to Colchester United, Southampton and Derby County as well as home games with Burnley and Ipswich Town still to come.

Rui Marques came in for the injured Frazer Richardson at right-back and Alan Thompson replaced Robbie Blake, who dropped to the bench, in midfield, while Tresor Kandol came in for the injured Richard Cresswell up front for the visit to Layer Road and Colchester United. Robbie Elliott and Hayden Foxe came onto the bench in place of Jermal Johnson and Rui Marques. Leeds wasted several good chances to take the lead as the first half ended goal-less. Jonathan Douglas’ long range shot was well saved by Dean Gerken, Tresor Kandol blazed a close-range effort over the bar and David Healy shot high and wide when he was put through with only the goalkeeper to beat. Colchester too had their chances with Richard Garcia and Jamie Cureton going close. Garcia tested Ankergren with a twenty-yard shot after the break but it was Leeds that made the crucial break through in the fifty-third minute as Eddie Lewis took the ball down the left wing and after advancing to the edge of the box unleashed a left-foot shot which whistled past Dean Gerken and inside his left-hand post. Colchester were dealt a blow when Kevin Watson had to be replaced by Hogan Ephraim but went close as Chris Iwelumo headed Karl Duguid’s cross the wrong side of the post. Hogan Ephraim and Johnnie Jackson both shot over from distance before Colchester got back on even terms when Chris Iwelumo launched himself at a Karl Duguid free-kick to head home from twelve yards with eight minutes to go. United then fatefully suffered the sort of fate that they had been giving their recent opponents as Jamie Cureton pounced to steer the ball home as Hogan Ephraim crossed from the left in injury time for a dramatic winner. United remained on forty-two points and dropped back into the relegation zone in twenty-second position with four games to go.

Frazer Richardson returned from injury at right back with Rui Marques dropping to the bench with Hayden Foxe dropping out, while Robbie Blake was into the starting eleven in place of the suspended Jonathan Douglas with Jemal Johnson coming on to the bench, while Richard Cresswell had recovered from injury and replaced Tresor Kandol as David Healy’s strike partner and Armando Sa replaced Robbie Elliott on the bench for United’s penultimate match at Elland Road against Burnley. United came into the game having won their last three home games while Burnley too were in a run of form which saw them with a three match winning sequence, so something had to give. The Turf Moor side were never allowed to get in their stride by a Leeds team that was intent on atoning for their defeat at Colchester United on that Easter Monday. It was United that grabbed the only goal of the game in the twenty-first minute when former Burnley player, Robbie Blake, won a corner off Paul McVeigh and Alan Thompson’s flag kick to the far post was met by a Matt Heath header for his third goal of the season. United almost doubled their lead four minutes later when Frazer Richardson rattled the crossbar from thirty-yards. Leeds remained on the attack and it need Burnley’s keeper, Brian Jensen to pull off spectacular saves to keep out close range headers from Richard Cresswell and Matt Heath, while at the other end Casper Ankergren, after being redundant for most of the first half was called upon to save bravely at the feet of Wayne Thomas just before the interval. Burnley came more into the game after the interval but Matt Heath and Lubomir Michalik were solid at the heart of the Leeds defence as was Radostin Kishishev in front of them in midfield and the closest either team came to scoring was when Wayne Thomas almost conceded an own goal as he sought to keep a header from Eddie Lewis from reaching its target. United now had forty-five points from forty-three games but they were still in the relegation zone in twenty-second position marginally outside safety zone on goal difference.

Lubomir Michalik had returned to Bolton Wanderers and Rui Marques was called up from the bench to take his place leaving a vacancy there for Hayden Foxe. Likewise Robbie Elliott was brought in to replace the injured Michael Gray, in an otherwise unchanged run on side, with Tresor Kandol in place of Jemal Johnson. In such a vital match for United Alan Thompson did the team no favours for getting himself sent off after just thirty-four minutes after grabbing Kenwyne Jones by the throat not only did he leave United with ten men for neigh on an hour but he also effectively ruled himself out of the rest of the campaign by the expected resulting suspension. It was all Southampton and Kenwyne Jones headed against a post in first-half injury time and he, Grzegorz Rasiak and Andrew Surman all missed clear chances. In a bad tempered game United struggled to cope with the incessant wave of attacks and it was an accumulation of the pressure that caused them to finally concede with just six minutes to go just when it seemed as if they had weathered the storm and earned a vital point. Djamel Belmadi centred from the right and as Leeds failed to clear Bradley Wright-Phillips lashed it in off the underside of the bar. Despite being roared on by 3,500 travelling fans United failed to respond to their commitment and encouragement and it was as late as the sixty-first minute before they managed a shot on target as David Healy got in a snap shot which Bartosz Bialkowski easily gathered. The loss left United in a critical situation on forty-five points and in twenty-second spot and though mathematically possible, Hull City’s better goal difference almost ensured that they were down barring a miracle with two games left to go.

Hayden Foxe came in for the injured Matt Heath and the return of Michael Gray saw Robbie Elliott drop to the bench in an otherwise unchanged team, with Jemal Johnson preferred to Armado Sa on the bench and 31,269 fans packed Elland Road for its final game of the season against Ipswich Town. Hope sprang eternal from the United faithful who could not quite believe the predicament the team were in at the end of a season which was a recurring bad dream and many refected on what could have been particularly in two of the last three games when late goals were conceded in the last ten minutes which had made the difference between survival and relegation. This game was no different in that aspect. United established an early lead thanks to Richard Cresswell’s strike in the twelfth minute. Alan Thompson’s long pass opened up the visitors’ defence and David Healy’s shot wa s parried by the Ipswich keeper, Shane Supple, in the six yard box and Cresswell launched himself into a diving header to put the ball in the net. It was a deserved lead and United were untroubled before half-time other than Casper Ankergren tipping over a shot from ex-United left-back Dan Harding. As news of Hull City’s taking the lead at Cardiff filtered through United retreated furthe r and further into their shell and became trapped in their own half and riddled with tension. Ipswich threw on three substitutes to press home their advantage and United did not have the capabilities on the bench to counter them. However they could have put the game beyond Ipswich’s grasp if Richard Cresswell had been more accurate with a header from six yards which went over the bar. The miss was costly as with two minutes remaining Ipswich forced a corner and Alan Lee lost his marker to glance a header into the far corner of the net to put the visitors on level terms. There were six additional minutes added and a group of misguided supporters emerged from the north-east corner of the ground and ran towards the Ipswich supporters at the opposite end of the ground. The initial invasion encouraged others on to the pitch and the referee called the players off and they all disappeared down the tunnel. Half an hour later the referee insisted on completing the remaining forty-five seconds being played out. It was a sad end to a sad season in which Leeds had paraded three Managers and over forty players and more off-field problems than any club could bear. The final 1-1 draw with Ipswich might have been the finishing blow but the damage was done weeks and months previous and United’s tally of twenty-five defeats was always going to drag then down, despite an improvement towards the end of the season.

For their final game at almost-promoted Derby County United gave a chance to several youngsters with Robert Bayly coming into the midfield to replace the departed loanee Radostin Kishishev and Tom Elliott, Jonathan Howson and debutant Fabian Delph coming on to the bench. Robbie Elliott replaced Frazer Richardson in defence and Sebastien Carole replaced Eddie Lewis in midfield while Jemal Johnson was given a run in the forwards in place of David Healey. The club management had accepted the fact that club was relegated and put the club into administration, thereby incurring a ten point deduction which had little effect as they were assured of relegation even without that penalty. It was reasoned that better to clear the financial burdens now than incur a further penalty if done at a future time. As it turned out, that logic was just as poorly conceived as most of the other decisions made by the club management and future events were to prove to have far reaching effects and ramifications which impeded progress just one year later. The game was the final nail in the coffin and the club sank to its worst position ever position in the League and left the second tier of the Football League for the first time in the clubs existence and not with a bang but the faintest of whimpers. As for the game it was held up for ten minutes after ex-Leeds midfielder collided with the referee causing a back injury and resulting in him being stretchered off after less than five minutes. As a result the first half ran for fifty-eight minutes and there was barely time for Darren Currie to give Derby the lead before the teams trooped of after almost an hours play. United’s youngsters showed a commitment with the over-enthusiastic Robert Bayly getting a red card after seventy-two minutes after showing up well and second half substitute Fabian Delph showed a cultured left foot but Tom Elliott and Jonathan Howson made little impression. Bayly got carried away with his enthusiasm and flattened Craig Fagan with a wild challenge on the halfway-line. Fagan’s reaction drew an attempt at a headbutt by Bayly, which though no more than a missed flick was sufficient for the reserve referee to fumble in his top pocket for the red card. The game was thoroughly forgettable, with the exception of Paul Peschisolido hitting the post in the first half, with both sides having little to offer and United’s efforts were restricted to a couple of blocked shots and a typical Alan Thompson free-kick two minutes after half-time which the alert Stephen Bywater tipped over without much distress. After Bayly was dismissed Jon Macken rattled the United bar with a header before defender Tyrone Mears squeezed a second goal under the body of Casper Ankergren with just four minutes left on the clock. United’s plight was not made easier by an injury to Hayden Foxe which resulted in Richard Cresswell having to play in central defence as United had no defender on the bench. This situation said much for the lack of planning or even the ability to put plans in place for normal eventualities let alone extra-ordinary ones. It was hard to pick any players who were likely to form any backbone to the team for their future even in the third tier and one could only see a new broom sweeping most of the underachieving failures away from the Elland Road scene with many hoping that it would start at the very top. The truth of the matter was that the long-suffering fans, who paid their high season-ticket fees and many who travelled in large numbers to away fixtures deserved better than this. When looking for causes or culprits of the club’s abysmal decline to the nadir of their existence, the queue was endless, from Peter Ridsdale to Ken Bates and all the players and Managers who served them. Could it get worse?

2007-2008:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

Could it get worse? In a word, Yes. Due to the financial irregularities and typical Bates behaviour, the very existence of the club dangled on a thread until the FA imposed a fifteen point penalty on the club before allowing it to keep its golden share and membership of the Football League. Apart from its very existence being threatened and fifteen points deducted before a ball was kicked in the new season, they were also hamstrung from buying or selling players in the period and as the pre-season games got underway the playing staff comprised triallists, Juniors and a smattering of contracted players. They went across the sea to Ireland to Dublin to take on Shelbourne and had the intention of playing a different eleven in each half to give each player a chance. In the first half they lined up: Gay; Bayly, Marques, Coughlan, Lewis; Carole, Fry, Howson, Westlake; Blake, Elliott. While the second half featured: Gay; Richardson, Heath, Douglas, Boertein; Mullan, Thompson, Prutton, Delph; Constantine, Kandol. Being the only keeper available ex-Norwich City and Southend United keeper Danny Gay played the entire game in goal. Former Sheffield Wednesday skipper Graham Coughlan was at the heart of the defence and Hull City reject Russell Fry was in midfield. The rest of the team were more familiar faces with young Tom Elliott partnering Robbie Blake up front. Blake was soon in the action and clipped the top of the bar from a free-kick, which was won after he had been fouled. At the other end Robert Bayly reacted quickly to thwart a Shelbourne attack. Elliott and Blake combined well and almost made a chance for Ian Westlake, before Elliott made good ground only to see his cross hacked to safety by a Shelbourne defender. United enjoyed all the early pressure and Sebastien Carole rattled the bar after sixteen minutes. United finally took a deserved lead on the half-hour mark as Robbie Blake scored with a free-kick from the edge of the box. Three minutes later Blake found Elliott unmarked at the far post but the denied the young striker, who moments later headed over the bar. The second half saw a major reshuffle and new faces given an opportunity were former Derby County left back Paul Boertein, young ex-Manchester United winger Jamie Mullan, former Sothampton midfielder David Prutton and Ex Port Vale striker Leon Constantine. United won an early corner after Fabian Delph, Alan Thompson and David Prutton had combined well. Alan Thompson anchored the midfield, while Jonathan Douglas marshalled the defence in an unaccustomed role of central defender. Danny Gay had a relatively trouble free evening and it was midway through the second half before he was called upon to make a save from Anthony Flood. In the seventy-second minute he was forced into another save this time from Marc McCulloch but four minutes later United increased their lead, when Matt Heath headed down an Alan Thompson free-kick for David Prutton to score from close range. With four minutes to go Leon Constantine almost made it a scoring debut with a strong shot but the keeper touched it round for a corner, but all-in-all it was an impressive start by United.

Dennis Wise gave another twenty-two players forty-five minutes each at Kit Kat Crescent against York City. In the first half he chose: Gay; Richardson, Marques, Parker, Westlake; Bayly, Douglas, Howson, Weston; Constantine, Elliott. The second half featured: Hammann; Fry Madden Heath, Lewis; Carole, Prutton, Thompson, Delph; Beckford, Kandol. Young Ben Parker was given his first run of the season in defence and ex-Millwall and Swindon Town triallist Curtis Watson got his first start. United’s first chance came in the fifteenth minute when Curtis Weston played in Leon Constantine only for the striker to be denied by an offside flag. United did create a couple of chances which came to nothing but their best chance fell to Tom Elliott after Ian Westlake had made good ground down the left and crossed to the unmarked Elliott but his effort was deflected for a corner by York defender David McGurk. There was a first game of the season for Jermaine Beckford, young defender Simon Madden and German triallist goalkeeper Nick Hammann in the second half and the keeper was soon called upon to make two good saves early on. Beckford should have put Leeds in front after seventy-four minutes but shot wide but later after being put through by Russell Fry he tested the York City goalkeeper with a strong low shot but the deadlock remained unbroken at 0-0.

With several players now officially having left Elland Road, including David Healy and Robbie Blake, United were still without a recognised keeper and they took Scott Loach on trial from Watford on their German tour with Nick Hamann the alternate choice. For the first game against Union Berlin United seemed to have stuck with the tried and true of the remnants of the 2006-07 squad together with youngsters such as Ben Parker, Tom Elliott and Fabian Delph and triallists like the keepers, David Prutton, Curtis Weston and Leon Constantine. The starting eleven was: Loach; Richardson, Marques, Heath, Parker; Douglas Prutton, Thompson, Lewis; Kandol, Beckford. The game started at a quick pace and United won their first corner after eight minutes, but Scott Loach was soon in action tipping the ball round the post and then making a good low block. United replied strongly with Jermaine Beckford creating a chance for himself but then he shot wide. Both teams showed good form and created good openings from midfield with David Prutton feeding Tresor Kandol but Christian Stuff averted the danger. On the half hour Alan Thompson went close when he forced keeper Jan Glinker to parry and Eddie Lewis just couldn’t quite finish the rebound. At the other end Scott Loach made a fine save to deny Tom Martins after Berlin had opened up the United defence and moments later he again pulled of another great save from Nico Patschinski who got in an angled shot from the left. However Loach was beaten five minutes before the break when Marco Gebhart lifted the ball over the advancing keeper. Nick Hamann replaced Scott Loach at half-time and United started the second half brightly and Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol linked up well before Kandol sent an overhead kick narrowly over the bar and United began to look more assured. There was a trple substitution just before the hour mark with Curtis Weston, Sebastien Carole and Leon Constantine coming on for Alan Thompson, Eddie Lewis and Tresor Kandol. Leon Constantine immediately struck up an understanding with Jermaine Beckford as the substitute made his mark with a shot that was blocked by a Berlin defender. Tom Elliott replaced Jermaine Beckford after seventy-one minutes and he had not been on the field for five minutes when he found his name in the referee’s notebook following a clash with Alexej Spasskov, who had made an aggressive challenge on him. United pressed for an equaliser without success and it was Berlin who rallied in the closing stagesand went 2-0 up six minutes from time when Nico Patchinski rounded off a good move by sweeping the ball into the United net beyond the reach of Nick Hamann, but United were not giving up the ghost and Sebastien Carole almost pulled one back in the final minute with a superb strike from distance.

United’s next port of call was supposed to be at Dynamo Dresden, but the game was cancelled amid fears of crowd trouble and Liberec the fourth best team in the Czech Republic played hosts to United in a hastily arranged fixture. United gave several players who had not played in Berlin valuable playing time as the team started with Hamann; Bayly, Heath, Akloul, Lewis; Carole, Weston, Howson, Westlake; Constantine, Beckford. Marques, Loach, Parker, Richardson, Elliott, Kandol and Delph were on the bench. United gave a trial to French defender Maloud Akloul and were lacking bite in midfield without the likes of Alan Thompson, Jonathan Douglas, David Prutton and Shaun Derry, so it came as little surprise that they did not have much to offer other than a wall of ten defenders. Liberac produced the only goal of the game after sixty-nine minutes with a sweeping attack that was finished off by Filip Dort and they gave the visiting defence a thorough workout but Leeds were not found wanting at a competitive level. The Liberac coach was pleased with the Leeds performance and rated them slightly above several clubs in the Czech League, and their attitude gave his team a taste of things to come in their own League where the better sides are frustrated by lesser sides adopting negative tactics and playing without ambition. United were organised and compact but never looked dangerous, despite a height advantage up front United could not take advantage but Jermaine Beckford did get in a clever chip across the goal which beat the Czech keeper and sailed narrowly over and that was as close as United got although Tresor Kandol failed to take advantage of two good chances in the second half.

The third and final game of the tour was against FC Energie Cuttbus from the Bundesliga and United lined up: Loach; Richardson, Heath, Marques, Lewis; Douglas, Thompson, Prutton, Westlake; Beckford, Kandol. Jonathan Howson, Sebastien Carole and Curtis Weston came on for Alan Thompson, David Prutton and Ian Westlake after seventy-three minutes while Elliott, Hamann, Parker, Bayly, Akloul and Delph remained unused on the bench. The game was ruined as a spectacle when the referee reduced United to nine men by dismissing Jonathan Douglas and Jermaine Beckford within two minutes of each other starting in the sixty-fourth minute. Leeds were 2-1 down and giving Cottbus a testing time when Beckford’s sending off brought the match to a standstill with twenty-four minutes left and after much posturing by the referee, players and officials the game finally restarted and was played to an unconvincing end with neither team seeming very interested in the pointless exercise. Cottbus had started the game at a quick pace and were by far the best of the three teams United had played on the tour and they struck fifteen minutes into the game when Stathis Aloneftis scored with a fine shot which left Scott Loach groping after Ervin Skela had opened Leeds up with a precise cross-field ball and it was he that increased the home team’s lead three minutes later with a curling free-kick from the edge of the box and United were in danger of a humiliating defeat. However they survived until half-time without conceding further and soon after the break Tresor Kandol reduced the arrears and brought United back into the game when he managed to stay on-side and collected an Alan Thompson through-ball to slip the ball past the advancing keeper. Then came the bust-up, when a foul by Francis Kioyo on Rui Marques saw a barrage of comments from Jonathan Douglas to the referee and the referee immediately showed him a red-card. Douglas left the field quickly but the tension simmered and Jermaine Beckford was soon walking down the tunnel after questioning another referee’s decision. Dennis Wise summoned the players to the touch-line but then the game resumed after a short discussion between the United Manager and the squad. Soon after Gus Poyet was order from the dug-out for remarks to the referee and Jonathan Douglas who came back to watch the game from the touchline was order down the tunnel in a pantomime performance by the referee.

The next pre-season match involved a trip to Turf Moor to take on CCCL team Burnley and the United line-up was now becoming more predictable as Dennis Wise got closer to his likely team and despite not being able to complete any transfer transactions due to the administration situation and some players being still on trial they lined up: Loach; Richardson, Heath, Marques, Lewis; Douglas, Prutton, Thompson, Westlake; Kandol, Beckford. Eddie Lewis took a knock and was replaced by Ben Parker after thirty-two minutes while Fabian Delph was given a run after fifty-seven minutes in place of Ian Westlake. There was a triple substitution on sixty-nine minutes as Jonathan Douglas, David Prutton and Alan Thompson made way for Jonathan Howson, Curtis Weston and Sebastien Carole, the final change saw Robert Bayly replace Frazer Richardson after seventy-six minutes with Richard Cresswell, Nick Hamann and Tom Elliott remaining unused on the bench. Jermaine Beckford, who was probably the pick of the United players, and Tresor Kandol were the two main offenders as United missed too many chances and ex-United winger Andy Gray, son of Frank Gray, and Ade Akinbiyi showed them how to finish clinically to give Burnley a 2-0 victory. Kyle Lafferty warmed Scott Loach’s palms as the keeper saved his early twenty-five yard shot at the second attempt. United responded with an acrobatic overhead kick from Jermaine Beckford and then Tresor Kandol wasted an easy chance as he shot wide. A handball by Matt Heath saw Andy Gray open the scoring from the spot after just fifteen minutes. United replied with a twenty-five yard shot from David Prutton and a Alan Thompson chip but failed to trouble the keeper. United were nearly two down when ex-Leeds loanee Steve Caldwell had a clear header at goal but Scott Loach was equal to the task. In the second half Akinbiya missed and easy chance and not to be outdone Tresor Kandol missed two at the other end, but eight minutes into the half Ade Akinbiya atoned to put Burnley two up and only a vital tackle from Matt Heath stopped Andy Gray from making it three. However United were unable to get back into the game despite an improved performance from their German/Czech games.

United fielded just five signed on players for the visit to Darlington, Jonathan Howson, Jermaine Beckford, Tresor Kandol, Sebastien Carole and Scott Gardner, while Ben Parker had been offered a deal. Scott Loach, Matt Heath, Alan Thompson, Curtis Weston and Rui Marques were all trying to impress the Manager and gain a contract, while Eddie Lewis, Frazer Richardson, triallist Leon Constantine were injured and Hull-bound Richard Cresswell were not included and Jonathan Douglas and David Prutton were omitted as they would be suspended for the opening League fixture. The line-up was: Loach; Gardner, Marques, Heath, Parker; Howson, Thompson, Weston, Carole; Kandol, Beckford. Fabian Delph came on for Alan Thompson after seventy-nine minutes and Robert Bayly replaced Sebastien Carole after eighty-three minutes, while Tom Elliott, Nick Hamann and youngster Simon Madden remained unused on the bench. Captain Alan Thompson was the standout performer for United and Jonathan Howson also caught the eye and laid on the United winner while Tresor Kandol was an aerial threat and Jermaine Beckford was a constant threat. Scott Loach was never really threatened but only because Darlington failed to capitalise on several chances they were offered. United created few chances themselves, the first coming as early as the eighth minute when tresor Kandol headed Alan Thompson’s free-kick over goalkeeper Andy Oakes but Tim Ryan did well to get back and hook it clear. Matt Heath headed across the goal from the resulting corner and towards half time Ryan again hooked the ball out from a Tresor Kandol header while Steve Foster blocked a Jonathan Howson shot in the second half. For Darlington Tommy Wright missed three chances in three minutes and it would not have been a surprise if they had gone in at half-time two goals to the good. Leeds old boy Julian Joachim had an effort kicked away by Ben Parker and soon after came to United’s aid as he disposed Tommy Wright in the act of scoring and then Scott Loach saved smartly from Julian Joachim and Tommy Wright in quick succession. United finally scored in the sixty-seventh minute when Jonathan Howson broke through the middle and threaded a pass past two defenders and Jermaine Beckford finished coolly.

United played host to EPL side Wigan Athletic for their final pre-season game at Elland Road. They lined up: Loach; Gardner, Parker, Marques, Lewis; Prutton, Douglas, Thompson, Westlake; Kandol, Beckford. David Prutton, Jonathan Douglas, Alan Thompson, Ian Westlake and Tresor Kandol were replaced in the seventy-fifth minute by Robert Bayly, Curtis Weston, Jonathan Howson, Sebastien Carole and Tom Elliott, while a triallist, L. Coritzo, and Fabian Delph were unused on the bench. Jason Koumas put the visitors ahead one minute before the interval and this was equalised by Jermaine Beckford just ten minutes into the second half but another Koumas goal on sixty-nine minutes sealed the victory, but Leeds could be well pleased with their performance and the way they coped with the EPL club who had invested heavily in in new players during the summer break. On the financial front, United had received back their ‘golden share’ on the Friday evening at the cost of a fifteen point penalty deduction for the 2007-08 season after the Football League deemed that United had failed to come out administration via a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), but the administrators had left and United, as Leeds United 2007 Ltd, were Football League members. The crippling points imposition, while it had a motivating effect in the short term, proved too much for United in their fight for instant promotion at the end of the season.

United were looking to get off to a good start to the season and maintain their imposing record of never having lost the opening fixture of the season since a 5-2 reversal to Newcastle United at St James’ Park in their Second Division promotion year of 1989-90. They had quickly signed Casper Ankergren and Tore Andre Flo as well as Rui Marques, Matt Heath and Andrew (Andy) Hughes who had been signed just forty-eight hours previous after being freed by Norwich City and they were all in the line-up but freshly-signed David Prutton and Jonathan Douglas were absent due to suspension. The team for their initial game of the season was: Casper Ankergren; Frazer Richardson, Rui Marques, Matt Heath, Eddie Lewis; Curtis Weston, Alan Thompson, Ian Westlake, Andy Hughes; Jermaine Beckford, Tresor Kandol. The bench was comprised of Tore Andre Flo, Jonathan Howson, Sebastien Carole, Ben Parker and Tom Elliott. There was a former United Junior in the opposition, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, the Australia who United had released to Aarhus in Denmark and he had returned to England and settled into the Tranmere defence under his new name of Shane Sherriff. There were debuts for Andy Hughes and Curtis Weston as United were greeted onto the pitch by over two thousand of their travelling faithful but it was Tranmere who had the first shot with Calvin Zola way off target from distance. United’s first chance came after eight minutes as Tresor Kandol arrived at the far post to an Alan Thompson corner but headed wide. The game carried on at a fast pace with both sides looking threatening and Casper Ankergren made a fine save before Tranmere took the lead after twenty-one minutes with a fine header from Chris Greenacre. Jermaine Beckford shot wide in response and was impeded as he tried to force his way through into the box in the second half. Alan Thompson’s free-kick was deflected for a corner and United applied the pressure and the goal came when Matt Heath rose high at the far post from a superb Alan Thompson free-kick after fifty-five minutes. Tempers rose in the seventy-third minute and two players from either side were booked after a melee involving Tresor Kandol and Jermaine Beckford of Leeds and Ian Goodison and Ben Chorley of Tranmere. Three minutes later Dennis Wise withdrew Curtis Weston and brought on Tore Andre Flo in an attacking move and soon the Tranmere keeper Danny Coyne was making a save from a Tesor Kandol header. With three minutes remaining Tranmere had a chance to take the lead but Steve Davies sent a free-kick over the bar and it was United who took the points with just ninety seconds to go as Tresor Kandol got on the end of an Andy Hughes cross to bundle the ball into the net from close range. The fourth official indicated there were five extra minutes but it was Leeds who again had the ball in the net in the time added on, but Jermaine Beckford’s celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

United showed several changes for their First Round Carling League Cup tie at League Two club Macclesfield Town. United gave youth a chance and rested several regulars with the heavy fixture list in mind. United gave debuts to Scott Gardner, who came in at right back for Frazer Richardson, and Ben Parker, who came into central defence as Rui Marques dropped to the bench. David Prutton and Jonathan Douglas returned to midfield after suspension and Sebastien Carole and Jonathan Howson were also included with Curtis Weston and Ian Westlake dropping to the bench and Andy Hughes and Alan Thompson being rested, while up front Tom Elliott replaced Jermaine Beckford who was also on the bench. Fabian Delph replaced Tore Andre Flo on the bench. Macclesfield created the better chances in the first half but were thwarted by an outstanding display by Casper Ankergren. He made a stunning full length save as early as fifteen seconds into the game to save from Michael Husbands. It was United who were first to get the ball in the net but Tresor Kandol was yards offside. Macclesfield went close after twenty-five minutes as Adam Murray clipped the top of the bar will a volley from distance but their best effort came just before the break as Danny Thomas was thwarted by another brilliant Casper Ankergren save. After the half time break United replaced Sebastien Carole and Tom Elliott by Ian Westlake and Jermaine Beckford and it was the latter who forced a fine reaction save from Tommy Lee after fifty-five minutes. Danny Thomas again went close for Macclesfield before United won the game with a quality move in the seventy-ninth minute. David Prutton picked out Ian Westlake who drilled home a ten yard volley inside the near post with deadly accuracy and United were through to Round Two.

For their second game of the season and their first at Elland Road, against Southend United, Leeds had lost Eddie Lewis, who was in the throes of being transferred to Derby County, which saw Andy Hughes revert to Left-back from midfield, where Jonathan Douglas and David Prutton were now available and Curtis Weston dropped to the bench in place of Tom Elliott in an otherwise unchanged team from the game at Tranmere and on paper it was probably United’s strongest team available. The game was delayed by fifteen minutes due to crowd congestion outside the ground. The delay made little difference to United as they took the lead after just three minutes when Jermaine Beckford was upended just outside the box and a trademark Alan Thompson free-kick gave Darryl Flahavan, the Southend goalkeeper, no chance from the set-piece. Southend came close to equalising after fourteen minutes as Alan McCormack’s powerful shot cannoned off the woodwork, but Darryl Flahavan had to be alert to beat Jermaine Beckford to a Tresor Kandol flick-on and Kandol should have made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark but his shot was wide. Moments later David Prutton fed Jermaine Beckford and Kerrea Gilbert had to be quick to deny Ian Westlake. Just on half-time Darryl Flahavan made a fine save from Jonathan Douglas’ far post header to stop United doubling their lead. Ian Westlake retired injured two minutes before half-time and Sebastien Carole came on in his place. Both sides had their chances early in the second half with Casper Ankergren called upon to twice come to United’s rescue while Tresor Kandol saw a header go wide and Alan Thompson tested Darryl Flahavan with a free-kick, and the keeper was again tested by Sebastien Carole on sixty-five minutes. After Seventy minutes Southend drew level after Casper Ankergren had made a good save from Lee Bradbury, Adam Barrett converted from close range. Two minutes later United lost their second player to injury as Andy Hughes limped off to be replaced by Ben Parker, who made his League debut. United pressed for a winner and Jonathan Douglas went close from a corner while Tresor Kandol appeared to be denied by a hand as he headed from close range. Tore Andre Flo came on for David Prutton with just ten minutes to go and it soon paid dividends as the big Norwegian converted a Sebastien Carole cross to put United 2-1 up with four minutes to go. Moments later it was all over as Rui Marques scored his first goal for the club with a backheader from a Sebastien Carole corner and then deep into stoppage time Jermaine Beckford rounded off a memorable afternoon as he fastened on to a long through ball to score with ease to give United a second maximum points and leave just nine more to be wiped out before the slate was clean.

United’s third League encounter involved a tricky visit to expected front-runners Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Jamie Clapham had been loaned from Wolverhampton Wanderers and he went straight into the team at left-back for the injured Andy Hughes, while Sebastien Carole came into midfield for the injured Ian Westlake and his place on the bench was taken by Robert Bayly where Scott Gardner replaced Curtis Weston. There was a lively start to proceedings and Forest had a couple of chances through Kris Commons but Matt Heath and Casper Ankergren made sure they came to nothing. After soaking up the early pressure United countered and went ahead after seventeen minutes as Jermaine Beckford served his strike partner with a fine pass and Tresor Kandol delivered a low drive to beat the keeper and sent the three thousand travelling faithful into raptures. David Prutton had a header from a precise Alan Thompson corner pushed over the bar just before the interval and a flurry of corners saw United with the upper hand at the break. Within four minutes of the restart the scores were level as a Kris Commons free-kick took a wicked deflection to leave Casper Ankergren with no chance. The goal gave Forest added confidence and only a superb tackle by Matt Heath after fifty-four minutes denied Junior Agogo from making it 2-1. Jermaine Beckford threatened the Forest defence but Rui Marques got in a fine block to stop Kris Commons at the other end. On the hour Dennis Wise made an attacking move by bringing on Tore Andre Flo for David Prutton but the action was still at the United end with Rui Marques getting in another block and Frazer Richardson heading the ball to safety. The Forest substitute wasted a good chance with three minutes to go when he shot wide from close range and Forest were made to pay as Sebastien Carole weaved his way down the left and Jermaine Beckford was at the back post to rifle the ball home for the winner right on time, to make it three out of three for United and reduce the deficit to just six points.

United came up against EPL side Portsmouth in the Carling League Cup Second Round Tie at Fratton Park and Denis Wise took the opportunity to rest a couple of his regulars. Tomi Ameobi was given a run-on debut upfront as Jermaine Beckford was rested to the bench and Tore Andre Flo was given a rest from bench duties. Jamie Clapham was cup-tied and Ben Parker took his place with Fabian Delph coming on to the bench. Alan Thompson was rested and Jonathan Howson was elevated from the bench where United only chose four substitutes. Sebastien Carole got in the first shot of the match from distance in the third minute but Niko Krancjar appeared to have hit the stantion of the net just four minutes later but no goal was given, but in a lively opening Tresor Kandol created a great chance in the eleventh minute but was denied by Jamie Ashdown, the Pompey keeper. United enjoyed a good spell of pressure with Tomi Ameobi and Tresor Kandol combining well and Sebastien Carole, Jonathan Howson and Jonathan Douglas to the fore in midfield, so much so that on twenty minutes Kandol was marginally wide and moments later had a goal disallowed for offside.On twenty-seven minutes he headed down for David Prutton who only just failed to get the ball in the net. If United had scored it would have been just reward for their performance in the first half-hour. It took the home side until the thirty-fifth minute to create another chance when Casper Ankergren saved a close range effort from David Nugent, but just before the interval Portsmouth took an ill-deserved lead when Pedro Mendes shot low from the edge of the box and Noa Pamarot deflected it past a wrong-footed keeper. Jermaine Beckford replaced Tresor Kandol after the break and he soon tested the Portsmouth keeper and United were also unlucky not to get a penalty as Matt Heath was brought down in the area by Djimi Traore. United were if anything the better side and probed for an equaliser but it was Portsmouth that almost extended their lead with twelve minutes to go when Casper Ankergren palmed over a long ranged shot from Pedro Mendes and David Nugent headed wide soon after when well placed. Noa Pamarot scored from a Gary O’Neil corner after eighty-one minutes and if 2-0 was harsh then 3-0 was a total travesty as David Nugent slid the ball home at the far post. But even then United kept going until the end as both Sebastien Carole and Tomi Ameobi had shots blocked in the final moments. United were beaten but certainly not disgraced and the score did not portray the closeness of the game.

Andy Hughes was fit again and took the place of Ben Parker, who dropped to the bench, at left back, while Alan Thompson was restored to midfield after the rest to force Jonathan Howson to the bench. Jermaine Beckford replaced Tomi Ameobi up front the latter had done enough to earn himself a place as substitute. New boy Alan Martin was Casper Ankergren’s deputy on the bench along with Jamie Clapham with Scott Gardner, Fabian Delph and Robert Bayly dropping out ofthe squad, as United welcomed Kevin Blackwell’s Luton Town to Elland Road for their second home game of the season. Ex-United man Matthew Spring was in the Luton line-up and Ex-Coach/Manager John Carver was in the dug-out, as United quickly got into stride and were unfortunate not to get a penalty in the seventh minute as Tresor Kandol was clipped by Chris Coyne a yard inside of the box but the referee gave the visitors the benefit of the doubt. Alan Thompson mishit his shot when well-placed but Casper Ankergren was lucky not to concede a goal when he dropped a cross and the Luton forwards failed to capitalise on his error. It appeared to be infectious as at the other end Jermaine Beckford missed a sitter. But with United the better team, they hit the front a minute before half-time when a fine cross from Sebastien Carole was expertly turned past the Luton keeper David Forde by ex-Luton man Tresor Kandol. He almost scored again as he hit the side-netting ten minutes into the second half after Paul Furlong had had a goal disallowed for pushing just two minutes earlier. In a close fought game United hung on to take the points and kept their 100% record with their fourth consecutive League victory and reduced the points deficit to just three points. In an incident on the touchline after the final whistle there appeared to be a clash between the rival coaching staffs.

Hartlepool United were United’s fifth opponents as United entertained them at Elland Road and they included former Leeds players Robbie Elliott and Ian Moore who both featured for United in their relegation year and were released at the end of it. With Jonathan Douglas away on International duty with the Republic of Ireland and Alan Thompson out with a groin strain United had to reorganise their midfield and moved Andy Hughes up from Left Back, with Jamie Clapham coming in to replace him in the defence and Robert Bayly coming on to the bench, while Jonathan Howson was in for Alan Thompson and Ian Westlake took his place on to the bench. Paul Huntington, a central defender, who had just been signed from Newcastle United was preferred to Alan Martin on the bench. Hartlepool, like United had made a good start to the season and had the first chance to get on the scoresheet but James Brown put the ball over the top. United’s first chance took ten minutes to arrive as Sebastien Carole also fired over after Frazer Richardson’s cross had been headed down to him by Jermaine Beckford. United soon got on top and Tresor Kandol gave them the lead after eighteen minutes with his fourth goal of the season as he headed in at the far post after good work from Jonathan Howson had let Frazer Richardson get in a telling cross. The two keeper were in action in quick succession as Jan Budtz saved Sebastien Carole’s low drive and Casper Ankergren somehow kept out a Richie Barker header from point-blank range. The Dane was in action again minutes later as he saved from Godwin Antwi and from the resulting corner Ian Moore hooked the ball high over the bar, but United went into the break looking in control of the game. It only took them three minutes in the second half before they doubled their lead with a stunning goal from Jermaine Beckford who received a through ball from Sebastien Carole and delivered a delicate chip which gave Jan Budtz no chance. Hartlepool did rattle the bar with a shot from Richie Barker and James Brown headed wide but United were good value for their two goal lead and kept their record intact with a fifth consecutive win and the slate had been wiped clean as United had got off to their best start since the triumphant year of 1973, but while United were bottom they were in touch with Walsall and if results fell the right way they had the encouragement of knowing they could be off the bottom after the next game.

Jonathan Douglas was back from International duty and replaced Jonathan Howson, who dropped to the bench, where there was a place for new goalkeeper David Lucas and a return for Tore Andre Flo as Robert Bayly, Ben Parker and Tomi Ameobi dropped from the squad for the Friday night visit to Bristol Rovers. United attracted the biggest crowd ever for the Pirates since they had moved to the Memorial Stadium with an estimated twelve hundred having made the long trip from Leeds in the 11,883 spectators. It took United just nine minutes to take the lead as Jermaine Beckford latched on to a Sebastien Carole cross to clip the ball past keeper Steve Phillips with ease. It should have been the start of a convincing win but the home team almost matched them for possession in the first half and United had to withstand concerted pressure in the second stanza. Bristol centre back Steve Elliott was often beating Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol in the aerial battles and at the other end Rovers forced four corners which produced three good headers from Andy Williams, Byron Anthony and Craig Disley. And United were almost in trouble as Casper Ankergren appeared to handle a lofted back-pass from Jamie Clapham. Bristol’s best chance fell to life-long Leeds fan Lewis Haldane but he was overawed and missed the ball completely. Tresor Kandol was no so forgiving as he doubled United’s lead with thirteen minutes left on the clock after hard chasing by David Prutton had created the chance for him to hammer home his fifth goal of the season. Jermaine Beckford got his second for the game with a spectacular overhead kick and though the final scoreline flattered them they were good value for their win and made it six out of six and moved off the bottom rung of Division One with three points to show from their eighteen they had merited.

It was thought that United would get a stern test from Swansea City who had won their last two games but came to Elland Road with History stacked strongly against them as they had not won there in fifty-eight years. United were unchanged in their run-on team but Alan Martin and Ben Parker were on the bench for David Lucas and Jonathan Howson. Leeds put Swansea under constant pressure from the kick-off and nearly took the lead after twenty minutes, as Rui Marques got in a goal-bound header from Jamie Clapham’s corner but Dorus de Vries pulled off an excellent diving save. David Prutton made a glorious solo run through the Swansea defence but missed his kick at the vital moment when deep into the Swansea area and then Tresor Kandol hit the outside of the post. The Leeds defence gave the Swansea forwards no room or opportunity but they hung onto level terms at the break more by good luck than good play. United were soon back and Jermaine Beckford forced a finger-tip save from the Swansea keeper just two minutes into the second half but then came the goals which Leeds richly deserved. After sixty-two minutes Jermaine Beckford got his sixth goal of the season when he turned Sebastien Carole’s cunning free-kick past De Vries and just five minutes later David Prutton got his first goal for the club when he beat the keeper with a stunning twenty-five yard drive to add respectability to the score-line which was just what United deserved. Swansea did make an attempt to remedy the situation but Ex-United Junior Warren Feeney was denied by a Casper Ankergren block. United claimed their seventh win in seven games, which equalled the club record, and moved up to eighteenth place and the conversations were now about promotion rather than relegation which had seemed a strong likelihood when the fifteen point deduction was imposed.

United went in search of a club record of eight consecutive wins when they visited Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium with an unchanged starting line-up. But David Lucas, Alan Thompson and Curtis Weston replaced Alan Martin, Ben Parker and Tore Andre Flo on the bench. United almost made the perfect start as Tresor Kandol was denied by Simon Royce after just five minutes and the home side responded when a David Graham shot was stopped by Matt Heath five minutes later. On fifteen minutes United had the ball in the net as Jermaine Beckford confidently stroked in a Tresor Kandol knock-down only to be thwarted by an off-side flag.The action swung to the other end and Casper Ankergren pulled off two fine saves from David Graham and Adam Nowland. Andy Hughes and Tresor Kandol found their names in the referee’s notebook and Frazer Richardson also got a lecture for arguing with the referee and his reluctance to award free-kicks to Leeds, but when they finally did receive a free-kick for a foul on David Prutton, Jonathan Douglas whipped it in and Matt Heath rose at the far post to head it back and Sebastien Carole was there to head United into the lead after twenty-eight minutes with his first goal for the club. Tresor Kandol will need to learn not to bait the referee and he got himself a red card for sarcastically clapping the referee for awarding Leeds a free-kick and United were down to ten men and fifty minutes of the match still remaining. The ten men started the second half brightly and forced a couple of corners and penned the home team in their own half. Beckford was booked for chipping the keeper after being blown up for offside and, after he was flattened by Efe Sodje not for the first time in the game, an act that went unpunished other than the award of a free-kick, the striker was shown red by the referee after a challenge on Sean Clohessy and United were down to nine men after fifty-seven minutes. Dennis Wise immediately took off Jamie Clapham and the already booked Andy Hughes for Paul Huntington and Ian Westlake but the yellow cards flowed unabated as Jonathan Douglas was the next to be booked in the sixty-fifth minute. Casper Ankergren for reasons known only to the referee was the next to see yellow after sixty-eight minutes and the game became a farce. Gillingham now tried to make their numerical superiority count but the closest they got was Andrew Crofts heading wide from a corner as United pulled men back and showed great determination. With ten minutes left Ian Cox blazed high wide and handsome from close range and substitute Chris Dickson headed over as the clock wound down and it looked as though United had defied the odds. Casper Ankergren got down well to save from David Graham at the expense of a corner but right on time the flag-kick produced the equaliser as Ian Cox headed powerfully into the net. It was a poor result when assessing the ineptitude of the opposition who seemed relegation bound but alternately it could be counted as a point gained against the odds but the ramifications were more far reaching depending on the length of the suspensions meted out to the United twin strike-force.

An evening midweek fixture with Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park was the next United fixture and Dennis Wise gave debuts to loan signings Mark De Vries and Wayne Andrews in place of the suspended Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol. Andy Hughes made way for Alan Thompson in midfield and he dropped back to left back forcing Jamie Clapham to the bench, where Tomi Ameobe was preferred to David Lucas. There was also plenty of Leeds influence in the Oldham team with John Sheridan as Manager and Sean Gregan in defence and Michael Ricketts in attack while Andy Liddell’s father Gary was also a former Leeds player. There were very few chances in the game as defences dominated to ensure a tense game which Oldham did not deserve to lose. However, Leeds shaded the chances created and Mark De Vries evaded the clutches of Ryan Bertrand in the ninth minute but shot straight at goalkeeper Mark Crossley. Oldham created a chance when Craig Davies found Andy Liddell in the box but he was dispossessed and then Chris Taylor saw his shot from eighteen yards cleared close to the goal. The same player was wide with another shot from distance and for Leeds Wayne Andrews wasted a chance by shooting over just before half-time. David Prutton almost broke the deadlock after the break but his header from six yards brought a great save from Mark Crossley. United finally won the game five minutes into stoppage time when Ian Westlake, who had come on as substitute for Alan Thompson just three minutes earlier, was at the far post to crack in a first-time volley from ten yards after Sebastien Carole found him with a fine cross. Oldham had proved themselves to be a team likely to be among the promotion contenders and United were lucky to take all the points to remain unbeaten after nine games with twenty-five points from a possible twenty-seven of which they still had ten!

United had their twin strike-force back as Yeovil Town were the latest visitors to Elland Road. Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol replaced mark De Vries who dropped to the bench in place of Tomi Ameobi and Wayne Andrews. Alan Thompson was not available through injury and that entailed the usual shuffle of Andy Hughes to midfield and Jamie Clapham to full back from the bench which left room for United’s latest signing Portuguese winger Filipe Da Costa, who had finally received FIFA clearance, while Tore Andre Flo was preferred to Curtis Weston. After a quiet opening Yeovil almost took the lead after nineteen minutes when Lloyd Owusu and Paul Warne combined to create a golden opportunity for Anthony Barry but his shot was blocked by Casper Ankergren. Leeds responded with some fine work by Jonathan Douglas and Rui Marques but Sebastien Carole ruined the move by shooting over from eighteen yards, but generally speaking Yeovil were looking the more organised of the two teams. Jamie Clapham tried his luck from twenty-five yards but his shot was well saved and then Leeds were again indebted to their Danish keeper, Casper Ankergren, who denied Paul Warne by pushing his fine shot, from just inside the box, round the post. As the game wore on into the second half Leeds became the more lively team but, after they had had an appeal for a penalty for handball rejected, Yeovil missed a glorious chance when Marcus Stewart shot wide from eight yards. After seventy-six minutes Dennis Wise went for broke as he took off David Prutton and Sebastien Carole and introduced two more striker in the form of Leicester City loanee Mark De Vries and Tore Andre Flo. The double substitution worked like a charm with Mark De Vries heading in a Jonathan Douglas cross after eighty-nine minutes to keep United’s unbeaten record intact and make it nine wins from ten.

There was a visit to Darlington for the First Round Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie and skipper Alan Thompson returned to midfield as Dennis Wise took the opportunity to give some of his less regular players a chance to show their worth. David Lucas was in goal, a defence of Frazer Richardson and Ben Parker at full back with Paul Huntington getting a start alongside Matt Heath in central defence. Curtis Weston, Jonathan Howson and Ian Westlake joined the captain in midfield while Leicester loanee Mark De Vries and Coventry loanee Wayne Andrews were the strikers. Jamie Clapham, Filipe Da Costa, Tomi Ameobi, Alan Martin and Robert Bayly were on the bench. A swirling wind and a greasy surface ensured that the game never rose to any great heights and there was little early action until Curtis Weston worked an opening for Wayne Andrews, who slipped on the poor surface in the act of shooting. The home side got their first chance after twenty minutes ad former United striker Julian Joachim forced David Lucas to make a smart save. Wayne Andrews was next to spurn a chance in the forty-second minute when he headed over and the play quickly swung to the other end and David Lucas saved from Gregg Blundell. Jamie Clapham replaced Matt Heath at half time with Ben Parker moving to central defence to accommodate the left back and it was Parker that United had to thank as he saved his line with a last ditch tackle. However after forty-eight minutes the action was at the other end as Paul Huntington rose to a corner to give the keeper no chance with a bullet header for his first goal for Leeds. Filipe Da Costa was introduced after fifty-seven minutes in place of Alan Thompson and he soon showed his skills as he jinked past three defenders before shooting wide. Mark de Vries almost doubled the lead after sixty-eight minutes when he ghosted in at the far post but hit the upright. Mark De Vries forced the keeper to a fine save and Filipe Da Costa put a free-kick over the bar but it was Darlington who came the closer to scoring as Neil Wainwright wasted a golden opportunity by firing wide from close range and United progressed to the area quarter-finals of the Trophy.

Leyton Orient were United’s next challenge at Elland Road and United brought in Alan Thompson from their last League game with Jonathan Douglas unavailable on International duty and there were places on the bench for their two loanee strikers Mark de Vries and Wayne Andrews as well as Filipe Da Costa as they lined up: Ankergren; Richardson, Heath, Marques, Clapham; Prutton, Hughes, Thompson, Carole; Beckford, Kandol and a bench of Huntington, Westlake, Da Costa, De Vries and Andrews. United fell behind after just nine minutes as David Prutton was penalised for a mild challenge on Jason Demetriou near the left touchline. Casper Ankergren totally misjudged Sean Thornton’s floated free-kick which sailed into the far top corner of the net. Soon afterwards Thornton hit the woodwork with a similar effort, but the whistle had already blown for offside. The game was tilted slightly in United’s favour when the referee showed a red to the Leyton goal-scorer for a challenge which left Sebastien Carole in need of treatment to a head wound. Just before half-time United went close to equalising when a Sebastien Carole header was cleared off the line by Tamika Mkandawire, but it was the Frenchman who finally got the equaliser with his second goal for the club ten minutes into the second half. He took a short corner to Alan Thompson and did a wrap around to accept the return pass and fired a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Stuart Nelson from just inside the penalty area. United should have taken the lead in the eighty-second minute when Paul Terry brought down Carole in the area but Tresor Kandol spooned the penalty high over the bar. It could have been even more costly in the eighty-sixth minute when Adam Boyd thought he had scored as his shot slipped from Casper Ankergren’s hands and seemed to cross the line but the referee ruled the keeper had recovered it just in time and waved play on. United may have merited a draw at least but after Orient had played with only ten men for the last hour and United spurned a penalty the fans had every right to expect full points but accepted the teams unbeaten record remaining intact.

A trip to the South Coast to the Withdean Stadium, home of Brighton and Hove Albion was next on the United itinerary. Jonathan Douglas was back from International duty and took over from Alan Thompson in midfield, and Leeds played safe with Goalkeeper David Lucas coming on to the bench in place of Filipe Da Costa in an otherwise unchanged squad. Tresor Kandol, who had been the villain of the piece in the last fixture, became the hero as he pounced on a blunder by Brighton defender Adam El-Abd eleven minutes from time to give United victory. It was a victory that was not particularly deserved in front of a record 8,691 crowd for the tiny ground, as Leeds were for long periods second-best to a team that had been unbeaten in five games. Casper Ankergren was forced to a fingertip over the bar save by a rasping long range shot from Jake Robinson in the early exchanges and David Martot should done better with a half-volley from a Andrew Whing cross before half-time. The United twin strike-force was held in check by the Brighton defence which had four successive clean sheets going into the game, with Tresor Kandol being hopelessly wide with a header early on from a David Prutton cross. Ex-Brighton winger Sebastien Carole brought out an acrobatic save from Michel Kuipers but it was the home side that did all the pressing in the second half. Casper Ankergren was forced to full stretch by Alex Ravel and David Martot went close from a Bas Savage cross. The winner resulted from a harmless looking cross from Frazer Richardson which bounced towards the near post but Adam El-Abd miscued the ball backwards towards the goal. The keeper dived at full-stretch to keep it out, but Tresor Kandol was there to pick up the scraps for his sixth goal of the season. It may not have been a true reflection of the play but United had shown great resilience to keep their goal intact and had won ten and drawn two of the twelve League games played.

New loan signing Radostin Kishishev was injured in training and, with Andy Hughes already ruled out, Ian Westlake returned to midfield with ex-Millwall player Curtis Weston coming on to the bench in the only change to the starting eleven, but Filipe Da Costa replaced Mark De Vries on the bench. Gus Poyet was not on the bench as he was rumoured to be heading for Tottenham Hotspur as the Assistant Manager at White Hart Lane and Alan Thompson was in the dug-out with Dennis Wise as United welcomed Millwall, one of the Manager’s former clubs. It was the visitors who thought they had struck first, but Will Hoskins was adjudged to be offside in the third minute, but United came back quickly and Jermaine Beckford was only inches over with a shot. Sebastien Carole tested Lenny Pidgeley from the edge of the box before Tresor Kandol’s header was off-target in the twenty-fifth minute and Jermaine Beckford shot wide on the half-hour. It was David Prutton that opened the scoring after thirty-five minutes, after Sebastien Carole had nut-megged former Leeds triallist Danny Senda and his cross was headed away by Richard Shaw but straight to David Prutton who found the top corner of the net for his second goal of the season. That was the end of the scoring in the first half but an avalanche of goals followed in the second half with three goals flying into the net in six minutes. The second United goal was a gift, a Lenny Pidgeley clearance hit Tresor Kandol and found Jermaine Beckford, who chested it down before firing in his seventh goal of the season in the fifty-third minute. It was then the turn of Jonathan Douglas to twice get his name on the scoresheet in the fifty-eighth and sixtieth minute. The first was as a result of a superb turn and shot inside the box and then, after Richard Shaw had brought down Jermaine Beckford on the edge of the box, he powered the free-kick through the defensive wall. Millwall did get some consolation as Will Hoskins beat Casper Ankergren from fifteen yards in the sixty-fifth minute and Croatian Ahmet Brkovic, on loan from Luton Town celebrated his debut with a seventy-sixth minute header. But it was United who fully deserved the full points which took them up to sixth place and stretched the unbeaten run to thirteen games.

Andy Hughes was back from injury in place of Ian Westlake, who had a toe injury himself, while on the bench Leon Constantine had recovered from his long ankle injury and replaced Wayne Andrews in an otherwise unchanged squad as United visited Brunton Park, home of promotion rivals Carlisle United, in front of the 16,668 fans, the biggest crowd at the ground since 1976. The hosts had an early shot deflected wide but United almost snatched the lead in the fifth minute as a Sebastien Carole shot beat the keeper, Keiren Westwood, only for Peter Murphy to head out from under the cross-bar. It was the keeper to the rescue in the eleventh minute as he brilliantly pushed a Jonathan Douglas shot over the bar and minutes later he was again at his best to parry a Jermaine Beckford deflection from a Jamie Clapham shot. It was all United and it came as no surprise when they took the lead in the twenty-eighth minute when a Jonathan Douglas shot was not properly cleared by Danny Livesey and Jermaine Beckford was on hand to tap in his eighth goal of the season. United were very much on top and coasted easily to the break as Carlisle offered little threat to their superiority and could easily have doubled their lead as first Jermaine Beckford was narrowly over from twenty yards and David Prutton was also denied by more fine goalkeeping by Keiren Westwood in the injury time period of the first-half. It was still United on the attack when the second half commenced with Tresor Kandol making a chance for Sebastien Carole but he shot straight at the keeper. The home team finally came to life after an hour’s play and Simon Hackney unleashed a powerful shot from distance and it flew into the net leaving Casper Ankergren with no chance and less than ten minutes later they took the lead as Joe Garner headed in from a corner. Leon Constantine was given his debut when he replaced David Prutton and, in a seventy-sixth minute double substitution, Filipe Da Costa took over from Sebastien Carole. Carlisle defended solidly once in the lead and United just couldn’t find a way through. Filipe Da Costa shot wide in the final moments and Leeds were still pressing as four minutes were added, but it was the home team who added to the score-line as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson scored their third goal from an acute angle following a corner deep into stoppage time and United became the last team in the Football League to lose their unbeaten record and Carlisle remained in pole-position in the fight for promotion from League One.

United were totally unchanged as a sign of confidence in the team as they went from their most northerly game of the campaign to one of the most southerly for a Tuesday night match at Bournemouth. Tresor Kandol returned to haunt one of his former clubs and he helped United erase the memory of the loss at Carlisle by latching on to an Andy Hughes through ball to beat the keeper, Neil Moss, after just four minutes. Ten minutes later he was close again as Frazer Richardson crossed from the right and he got in a header at the far post which was narrowly over. Bournemouth then took charge and created a number of good chances as Jo Kuffour went close in the twentieth minute with a delicate chip and then ten minutes later he got in a scorching drive which was saved by Casper Ankergren. They were rewarded for their pressure with a classy equaliser as the lively Jo Kuffour turned on the edge of the area to set up Jem Karacan, the on loan Reading youngster, who got in a blistering shot into the top right-hand corner to score his first-ever career goal. The home team almost took the lead prior to the break when Josh Gowling’s header was cleared off the line by Matt Heath. Just nine minutes into the second half United were back in the lead as Sebastien Carole exchanged passes with Jermaine Beckford before firing in his third goal of the season and then on the hour mark Lee Bradbury was sent off for striking Matt Heath with a flailing arm and then the contest became very one-sided. United sewed up the game with five minutes to go as Tresor Kandol got his second for the night as he headed home a Frazer Richardson cross.

United played their first FA Cup First Round Tie at League Two promotion contenders Hereford United on a Friday night and rested several players. Frazer Richardson, Andy Hughes, David Prutton and Jamie Clapham were replaced by Paul Huntington, Jonathan Howson, Curtis Weston and Ben Parker, while Jamie Clapham and Robert Bayly took up the vacant places on the bench. There was a near full-house at Edgar Street and the opening was fast and furious with Jonathan Howson getting in a shot that tested Wayne Brown for Leeds and Trevor Benjamin threatening at the other end before Theo Robinson got in a shot which Casper Ankergren saved comfortably after ten minutes. Lionel Ainsworth’s speed worried Leeds and he forced a great save from Casper Ankergren as he connected with a header from a Clint Easton cross. A volley from centre-back John McCombe was only just wide of an upright with Casper Ankergren well beaten. Leeds improved as the half progressed and Jermaine Beckford fired just over but Tresor Kandol scuffed his shot straight at keeper Wayne Brown when in a good position. The start of the second half saw the home team twice go close. Paul Huntington sliced a Clint Easton cross over his own bar and then from the resulting corner Trevor Benjamin’s header clipped the outside og the post. United hit back and Ben Parker forced an excellent diving save from Wayne Brown. Hereford suffered a blow on the hour when their skipper Karl Broadhurst was stretchered off with an ankle injury after a challenge on Jermaine Beckford and was sidelined for a month but Hereford were not distressed and finished the stronger of the two teams and they earned their lucrative replay at Elland Road on Tuesday 20th November 2007.

For the Johnstone's Trophy tie with Bury there were run-on debuts for Leon Constantine and Filipe Da Costa and Mark De Vries was given a start after rejoining United on loan and youngster Simon Madden was given his debut at right-back. Paul Huntington switched to central defence as Matt Heath was rested to the bench along with Curtis Weston, Jonathan Douglas and Tresor Kandol. Jermaine Beckford was also rested and not on the bench as neither was Casper Ankergren, who gave David Lucas a game with Alan Martin coming in on the bench as his deputy. Robert Bayly was rested from bench duties. Bury started the game at a fast pace with Dave Buchanan making a good run down the right wing and cutting infield into the penalty box but his intended pass to Andy Bishop was cut out by the Leeds defence as they took possession and started an attack of their own. There was a dream start for Leon Constantine who took a through ball from Sebastien Carole in his stride, while holding off a defender, to finish off emphatically to give notice of his arrival on the Elland Road stage and send United into the lead after just eight minutes. Mark De Vries almost got into the act also after fourteen minutes but Bury keeper Robert Provett saved low down to his left. Bury soon came back into the game and equalised on twenty-five minutes. An Andy Bishop close range effort forced United to concede a corner, which was taken by Brian Barry-Murphy and his kick was aimed into the six-yard box where Ben Futcher scored with a fine header. The same player took another corner just three minutes later and this time Andy Bishop was on hand on the edge of the six-yard box to pick his spot with a fine shot. A minute before half-time Filipe Da Costa was given a red card for a two footed tackle on Paul Scott. Leeds were straight on the attack after half time but Bury weathered the storm quite easily and seemed untroubled until the sixty-seventh minute when substitute Tresor Kandol fired in a towering header which had goal written all over it but Jim Provett produced an ‘out of this world’ save to prevent the ball crossing the line. Mark De Vries had a good chance on the seventy minute mark but he also was just wide of the post as he tried to catch the keeper off guard. Simon Madden was next to suffer because of the brilliance of Jim Provett as another superb save kept out the full back’s header and in a quick counter attack David Lucas had to be quick off his line to beat Nicky Adams to a through ball from Andy Mangan. Leeds were soon back and Tresor Kandol had a penalty appeal turned down and as United continued to pressMatt Heath had a close range header blocked on the line. Jonathan Douglas got too involved with a protest to the referee in injury time and was booked for the fifth time and his suspension meant that he would miss the FA Cup replay with Hereford United and in the end Bury became the first team to win at Elland Road in eight months and a Wembley dream disappeared.

It was back to the usual tried and trusted, with the exception of the injured Jonathan Douglas, as United lined up: Casper Ankergren; Frazer Richardson, Rui Marques, Matt Heath, Jamie Clapham; David Prutton, Jonathan Howson, Andy Hughes, Sebastien Carole; Jermaine Beckford, Tresor Kandol with a bench comprising Paul Huntington, Alan Thompson, Radostin Kishishev, Leon Constantine, Mark De Vries. Andy Hughes captained United in the absence of Jonathan Douglas and Alan Thompson being on the bench. Tresor Kandol was claiming for a goal after only five minutes as his header was held by Swindon keeper Petr Brezovan, but the referee and linesman both disagreed with his claim, saying it had not crossed the line. Classy teenage midfielder Jonathan Howson was almost punished for losing possession in his own penalty box but Billy Paynter’s shot was blocked by Casper Ankergren, while at the other end Jamie Clapham’s low drive hit Lee Peacock on the line and rebounded into the waiting arms of Petr Brezovan. Leeds took a controversial lead after thirty-one minutes. Swindon’s captain Hasney Aljofree was adjudged to have handled David Prutton’s cross marginally inside the penalty area and after waving away protests the referee watched Jermaine Beckford expertly place the ball in the top left corner. Half-time came with United still in the lead but less than a minute after the break Simon Cox centred for Lee Peacock to shoot past the unprotected Casper Ankergren. Jermaine Beckford got his second goal of the game after fifty-six minutes to take his tally to ten for the season, when he took Tresor Kandol’s pass down the middle to score with a half-volley from fifteen yards to restore United’s lead. Simon Cox had a goal disallowed in the eighty-third minute when he was adjudged to have handled the ball on the line after Casper Ankergren had parried a header from ex-Leeds Academy player Barry Corr. United moved into fourth spot on the ladder, two points behind leaders Carlisle United.

For the FA Cup Replay with Hereford United at Elland Road, United were lacking the suspended midfielders David Prutton and Jonathan Douglas and the ineligible Mark De Vries and Radostin Kishishev. Rui Marques, Jamie Clapham were omitted in favour of Paul Huntington and Ben Parker with Clapham sitting on the bench. Ian Westlake returned from injury to replace David Prutton and wisely David Lucas was on the bench instead of Kishishev, while Tom Elliott took De Vries’ place on the bench and Curtis Weston was there instead of Alan Thompson. Leeds were second best in just about every department and the score-line flattered them and said more about the poor finishing of Hereford rather than the closeness of the contest. Hereford made the perfect start, taking the lead after just three minutes. Lionel Ainsworth, who had caused United so much trouble in the first encounter, found himself space in the penalty area and placed the ball wide of Casper Ankergren’s right hand. United came back and started to dominate possession and Tresor Kandol got in a powerful header from an Ian Westlake corner which Wayne Brown, the Hereford keeper, fumbled. Despite having a majority of the possession United could not threaten the Hereford goal and Hereford should have doubled their lead before half time when Trevor Benjamin picked out Theo Robinson but he reacted slowly and Casper Ankergren bravely dived at his feet to deflect the ball wide. The save was made at a cost to United as the brave keeper was carried off on a stretcher and David Lucas took his place between the posts. United started the second half a little brighter with Jonathan Howson getting in a long range shot. Hereford were soon back and the dangerous Lionel Ainsworth went close as he unleashed a powerful shot from the right. The United attack was being well held by the Hereford back four and when Jermaine Beckford did managed to get in the clear his shot was saved by Wayne Brown. United had been knocked out of two Cup competitions in the space of a week by two team from Division Two.

United were on the road South again for their next League game with Cheltenham Town and broke new ground at Whadden Road. Casper Ankergren had not recovered from his injury and David Lucas was in goal. Rui Marques was back in place of Paul Huntington, who dropped to the bench and David Prutton and Jonathan Douglas returned from suspension to take their place in midfield as Ian Westlake dropped to the bench and Jonathan Howson was rested. Radostin Kishishev, Mark De Vries and Tore Andre Flo completed the bench as Curtis Weston, Leon Constantine and Tom Elliott made way for them. Leeds were soon on the attack and Cheltenham rode their luck early on as Jermaine Beckford was having an off day with his shooting. He sent an early shot over the bar and then was denied by a last-ditch tackle from David Bird from point blank range. He then hit the crossbar with a shot just approaching the interval and was again off target with a lob, but his worst miss was reserved for midway through the second half when David Prutton won a header from diminutive ex-United loanee full-back Alan Wright and the ball went towards the far post where Beckford had a start on goalkeeper Shane Higgs, but with the goal gaping he shot wide from six yards. He did get the ball in the net fifteen minutes from time when a Jonathan Douglas free-kick was spilled by the keeper and although Beckford was first to the ball to head into an empty net the linesman had already raised his flag for off-side. There was calamity for United with just four minutes to go as David Lucas threw the ball out to defender Frazer Richardson but Cheltenham’s Dean Sinclair got there first and played it out to Andy Lindegaard and although his defence splitting pass was headed out by Lucas it only went to Steven Gillespie who sent it into the net from the edge of the penalty area. The goal visibly shook Leeds and the defence opened up again as Gillespie almost added another in the final minute but thankfully his shot was wide. It was a totally unexpected reversal as the home team who had been bottom before the game with just two wins from sixteen games won only their second home game and kept only their second clean sheet for the season. Leeds should have won in a canter and had nineteen attempts on goal and should have had the game sown up long before the last gasp goal from Cheltenham. The home team had never looked like scoring prior to that and it was a big dent to United’s ambition of being top by Christmas.

For the second game running the bottom club provided the opposition as Port Vale visited Elland Road. United were in a form slump having won just one game in their last five games in all competitions, but they roared back to form with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the team from the Potteries. Casper Ankergren was back between the posts after injury and United took the risk of not having David Lucas or any deputy on the bench. Andy Hughes dropped back to left back from midfield as Ben Parker was omitted and he was replaced by Radostin Kishishev, who was elevated from the bench along with Ian Westlake, with Sebastien Carole dropping to substitute alongside Jonathan Howson and Alan Thompson and there was no place for Mark De Vries. United went straight on the attack and the visitors were put under siege but the first goal did not arrive for eighteen minutes, when Andy Hughes went on a long run down the left flank before crossing for David Prutton to rise at the far post to score with a downward header for his third goal of the season. Jermaine Beckford twice hit the post as United tried to convert their superiority into goals but they were fortunate that both Luke Rodgers and David McGoldrick wasted excellent chances for the visitors. Rodgers missed the goal completely from twelve yards when clear through and McGoldrick tried to chip Casper Ankergren but only succeeded in putting the ball high and wide and not very handsome and it was easy to see why Vale were languishing at the bottom. Jermaine Beckford finally got his name on the scoresheet after fifty-five minutes, when he was put through by Rui Marques and then turned and shot low and into the corner of the net for his eleventh goal of the season. He was injured after sixty-seven minutes and limped off to be replaced by Tore Andre Flo and it was he who rounded off the scoring in the eighty-third minute after Tresor Kandol had headed an Andy Hughes throw-in down for him. The 3-0 victory maintained United in fifth spot.

Jermaine Beckford had recovered from his shin injury and there were no changes to the United sixteen as they played host to their nearest neighbours Huddersfield Town for the first time in two decades on the weekend of the tenth anniversary of the death of legendary Billy Bremner. In contrast Huddersfield had two players, goalkeeper Matt Glennon and ex-Chelsea player Frank Sinclair, suspendedand had to give a full debut chance to seventeen year-old Alex Smithies in goal and Robbie Williams at full-back. In front of a 32,501 crowd United were lookingsecond best and could easily have gone behind had Ronnie Wallwork not side-footed an easy chance wide with only Casper Ankergren to beat before a speculative thirty-five yard shot from Jonathan Douglas spun off a greasy surface to leave the debutant keeper grasping at thin air and gave United a lead they did not deserve. Town hit back with Phil Jevons hooking a volley inches wide. Radostin Kishishev, who had already been booked, was given a stern warning rather than a second yellow and Dennis Wise took no risks by replacing him with Jonathan Howson at half-time. Town were still looking the better team but just five minutes into the second half it was United that strung together a fine passing move which ended in David Prutton crossing from the left for Jermaine Beckford to slide the ball home to double United’s lead. Twenty minutes later Beckford was again on hand to pick up the scraps after David Prutton had forced Alex Smithies to make a fine parry at full stretch. The two goal hero went off to a standing ovation after eighty-three minutes and on came Tore Andre Flo to duplicate his effort of the previous game and scored the fourth goal three minutes from time. The 4-0 score-line was not a fair reflection of the game and, until United ran away with the game in the second half, Huddersfield had always looked capable of winning, but nothing could take the shine off the emphatic win which took United up into third spot, although Tresor Kandol’s booking was his fifth of the season and ensured that he would miss the ensuing game at Walsall.

Leon Constantine was the replacement for the suspended Tresor Kandol in the only change to the run on side, but Dennis Wise opted to have keeper David Lucas on the bench at the expense of Sebastien Carole for United’s visit to the improving Walsall. Once more United were not the better team and were more than pleased to get away with a point. Walsall thought they had taken the lead in the ninth minute when a long-range shot from Mark Bradley hit the cross-bar and rebounded to Tommy Mooney, who had the ball in the net, but the 'goal' was disallowed for offside. They then had a great chance in the twenty-ninth minute but Scott Dann headed straight at goalkeeper Casper Ankergren from a Daniel Fox free-kick and ten minutes later the goalkeeper again came to United’s rescue when he made a fine save to push the ball round the post from a Tommy Mooney shot from the edge of the box. United tried to step up the pace in the second half but created little danger and, having made all the chances throughout the fine match, Walsall finally took the lead in the seventy-sixth minute when Tommy Mooney got his seventh goal of the season as he was on hand to prod the ball home from close range after Mark Bradley had headed on a Daniel Fox corner. Dennis Wise had substituted Tore Andre Flo for the ineffective Leon Constantine in the sixty-ninth minute and quickly threw on Alan Thompson and Jonathan Howson for Radostin Kishishev and David Prutton after going behind. It paid off, when in the last minute of added on time an Alan Thompson free-kick was deflected off Ian Westlake to leave the Walsall keeper Clayton Ince stranded as United got the equaliser that they hardly deserved. The draw was at a cost, as United finished with ten men after Jonathan Douglas was carried of with a serious left leg injury in the second minute of time added on.

For the visit of Bristol Rovers, Tresor Kandol was back from suspension and replaced Leon Constantine, who dropped to the bench at the expense of David Lucas, while Jonathan Douglas was unlikely to play for quite some time due to the injury sustained at Walsall and he was duly replaced by Jonathan Howson, who was promoted from the bench along with Alan Thompson, with Radostin Kishishev taking his place there, alongside Sebastian Carole. The game started badly for both sides as after just twenty seconds a clash of heads between David Prutton and Rover's left-back Joe Jacobson saw the full back carried off to be replaced by Chris Curruthers and the United midfielder carried on with a bandage around his gashed head. Jermaine Beckford almost added to his thirteen for the season in the fourth minute when he headed Alan Thompson’s pass against the bar but the visitors should have taken the lead ten minutes later but Rickie Lambert shot into the side-netting from fifteen yards. The fans were shouting for a penalty a little later as the ball hit Steve Elliott on the hand but the referee made no reaction. Then Jermaine Beckford was again unfortunate when his shot from distance was well saved by Steve Phillips in the Bristol goal, but the striker was then guilty of a bad miss, when he turned the ball wide from eight yards from a David Prutton cross. He missed another opportunity after the break and then his strike partner, Tresor Kandol, was also guilty of two misses. A scrambled goal six minutes from time finally gave United the points just when a draw seemed inevitable. Sebastien Carole headed an Alan Thompson cross goal-wards and it struck Bristol defender Steve Elliott before crossing the line as the PA system announced that Jonathan Howson had scored and Sebastien Carole had claimed it but the opinion was that it was an own goal. Whoever scored mattered little as it gave United a valuable three points and took them into third place just one point behind the leaders and in striking distance of achieving Manager Dennis Wise’s ambition of being top at the New Year.

United had a Boxing Day trip up the coast to the Victoria Ground home of Hartlepool United for their next game. Alan Thompson dropped to the bench and Radostin Kishishev was promoted to midfield in his place as the only change to the United team from their home win over Bristol Rovers. Once again they allowed an inferior team to put them off their game and they played second fiddle for most of the game in another below-par performance in which they gained a point rather than losing two. Hartlepool had two former United players in their ranks, Robbie Elliott at left-back and Ian Moore in attack and it was the full-back who played a big part in Hartlepool opening the score after twenty-one minutes as he swung over a great free-kick to the far post where his fellow full-back Michael Nelson rose to head in with a powerful downward header. Not to be outdone Ian Moore blasted in a shot, but it was of little consequence as it sailed high over the bar, but Leeds were under the cosh and penned in their own half and on the defensive. They were very subdued in attack and the closest they came to scoring was a Tresor Kandol shot that went harmlessly into the side-netting and a Jermaine Beckford shot which goalkeeper Jan Budtz saved with his feet. Moore was closer in the second half and demanded a finger-tip save from Casper Ankergren to push his angled shot round the post for a corner. United were not allowed to settle down or play flowing football but they stayed in the game and got their reward in the very last minute of the game when a long clearance found Jermaine Beckford wide on the left. He cut inside before hammering a low angled shot across Jan Budtz and inside the far post for an unexpected and dramatic last-ditch equaliser for his fourteenth goal of the season. With the noon kick off United were momentarily top of the table.

For the top of the table clash at Swansea City United made two changes as Sebastien Carole and Alan Thompson were promoted and their replacements David Prutton and Radostin Kishishev took their places on the bench, where Curtis Weston took over from Leon Constantine. There was a large crowd, 19,010, at the Liberty Stadium to witness the epic struggle and they were treated to a feast of attacking football to see out the old year. After early misses by Jonathan Howson and Jermaine Beckford, Swansea took the lead after nine minutes when Alan Thompson chopped down Swansea winger Andy Robinson. The wide man took the ensuing free kick himself and used the wide angle to lift it over the United wall and past Casper Ankergren at the near post. United were qick to reply and a terrible scuffed back-header by Swansea defender Dennis Lawrence sold his keeper Dorus De Vries short and Jermaine Beckford was first to the ball, and executed a clever lob instead of the anticipated shot from a very acute angle and it bounced into the net before any Swansea defenders could intervene. Swansea regained the lead as a result of a hotly disputed corner in the twenty-third minute which resulted in Matt Heath being booked for dissent. It was taken by Paul Anderson and due to poor marking Garry Monk met the ball unhindered on the six-yard line to head past Casper Ankergren. There was a very unsavoury incident in the thirty-eighth minute which saw the Swansea midfielder Ferrie Bodde dismissed for a terrible stomp on Jonathan Howson, which resulted in young United midfielder being stretchered off with his leg injury in a splint and sparked off a melee between the two sides near the centre circle. If United thought that playing against ten men would make their task easier they were sadly mistaken because, after hesitancy by Rui Marques and Matt Heath, Jason Scotland was allowed to run clear and scored Swansea’s third goal in the fifth minute of injury time at the end of the first half. United were stung into action and the second half had hardly started when Alan Thompson was given the chance to try one of his trade-mark free-kicks and he duly obliged with a beautifully flighted strike which beat the Swansea keeper and nestled in the in the corner of the net from the edge of the area to make the score 3-2 to the ten-man home team. Three minutes later he was presented with an almost identical chance but this time, with the Swansea keeper well beaten, it thudded against a post and bounced to safety. Swansea defended resolutely and made light of their deficiency in numbers and also threatened just as much as United in attack and in the end were deserved winners to remain top of the ladder.

New Year’s Day brought a visit from Oldham Athletic to Elland Road and a crowd of 25,906 was on hand to witness it. With Jonathan Howson on the injured list David Prutton was recalled to midfield and Radostin Kishishev was also reinstalled at the expense of Ian Westlake, who dropped to the bench and Sebastien Carole moved from the right midfield to the left. Ben Parker replaced Curtis Weston on the bench where Leon Constantine took up the vacant spot. Former United favourite John Sheridan was Manager of the visitors and he soon saw his striker Craig Davies force Casper Ankergren into the first save of the afternoon. Tresor Kandol had a shot blocked and at the other end Chris Taylor tried his luck from distance before limping out of the action to be replaced by Deane Smalley after only nineteen minutes. Oldham took the lead when Reuben Hazell seized on a poor clearance by Matt Heath and volleyed the ball home spectacularly from twenty-five yards after twenty-eight minutes. Another United error in the thirty-fifth minute by Frazer Richardson, whose misplaced pass was seized upon by Craig Davies, resulted in his shot being saved at the expense of a corner by Casper Ankergren. It only put off the inevitable for a moment as from the resultant corner taken by Neil Kilkenny, Neal Trotman rose to head Oldham’s second one minute later. The disaster did not end there, as just four minutes later Oldham went three clear. Craig Davies was allowed to get in a low cross, which Lee Hughes turned goalwards and Andy Hughes, in an effort to clear his lines could do no more than help it into his own net. There was a double substitution for the start of the second half with strikers Tore Andre Flo and Leon Constantine coming on for the sacrificed midfielders, Radistin Kishishev and Sebastien Carole as Dennis Wise signalled his intention on all out attack. It immediately reaped a reward with Leon Constantine opening United’s account with his first touch thanks to a pass from Jermaine Beckford just thirty seconds after the restart. A moment later the pair again combined but this time Constantine was wide of the mark. All out attack had its drawbacks and in a fifty-third minute breakaway Lee Hughes failed to benefit from the ball coming free to him, after Casper Ankergren had parried an effort from Neal Trotman, by shooting wide. United had the ball in the net on sixty-six minutes but Tresor Kandol was ruled offside and soon after Jermaine Beckford put the ball over the bar as United pressed to get back in the game. Fifteen minutes from the end Casper Ankergren kept United in the game with another save to keep out Mark Allott and just three minutes from time it was Rui Marques who made a last-ditch block to deny Craig Davies. United’s form over the last five games had shown a remarkable decline and the absence of Jonathan Douglas had been a deciding factor. The loan of Shaun Derry to Crystal Palace could only have signalled his likely exit, which was equally puzzling as his presence was exactly what United needed and if he was fit enough to put in star performances for Palace in the CCCL it was inconceivable he could not have done the same for United. These were thoughts which the supporters were left to ponder over as United slumped to the first home League defeat and conceded three goals at home for the first time but also for the second time in consecutive games.

Dennis Wise’s reaction to the United slump was quick. He signed Oldham’s star player in their Elland Road win, midfielder Neil Kilkenny, and agreed terms for Stoke City midfielder Peter Sweeney and went on a major shake-up of the team. Matt Heath was suspended and so Paul Huntington, making his run-on League debut, replaced him and Ben Parker came in at left back to release Andy Hughes into a midfield role. Neil Kilkenny made his debut and Ian Westlake was installed at the expense of Sebastien Carole, who dropped to the bench as did Radostin Kishishev, but there was no place for Alan Thompson, while up front Tore Andre Flo started in place of Tresor Kadol, who found a place on the bench alongside David Lucas and Curtis Weston. Neil Kilkenny had been loaned from his parent club Birmingham City with a view to a permanent move and the Australian showed some fine touches in midfield. Paul Sweeney did not complete the transfer procedure in time to play after the Scotland Under-Twenty-One International had been pencilled in to start the game. There was no place in the Northampton Town team for Bradley Johnson, who was expected to sign for United for £250,000 in the ensuing week as Dennis Wise pull out all the stops to bolster his midfield. Northampton packed their midfield and defence and employed a lone striker. This ploy held United at bay and they struggled to penetrate the massed defence. It was twenty-three minutes before the visitors had their first let off as Paul Huntington sent a fine through ball to Jermaine Beckford and his shot was parried by goalkeeper Mark Bunn and the follow up from Tore Andre Flo was cleared off the line by Brett Johnson. Eventually United’s pressure and patience paid off just two minutes before the break when Frazer Richardson, with a fine individual effort, made a long diagonal run before shooing past Mark Bunn from just outside the box. Seven minutes into the second half Rui Marques, who was due to depart for African Nations duty with Angola, headed in a second after Andy Hughes had turned a Neil Kilkenny corner into the goal-mouth. After Jermaine Beckford had been denied three times, Curtis Weston, who had just come on as substitute for David Prutton, was on hand to steer the ball into the net for United’s third in the very last minute and United finished with an emphatic 3-0 victory which was sufficient to reclaim fourth spot on the ladder.

Dennis Wise had been busy on the transfer market signing Darren Kenton on loan from Leicester City and he went straight into the team at Crewe Alexandra as a straight replacement for Rui Marques who was likely to be on International duty for several weeks. He also had completed the signings of Bradley Johnson, who replaced Sebastien Carole on the bench, and Peter Sweeney who replaced Ian Westlake in midfield. David Lucas and Radostin Kishishev gave way on the bench to Matt Heath, returning after suspension, and Alan Thompson, returning after injury. United dominated most of the play but failed to take advantage of the chances that were created and in the end had to fight off some late pressure from the Gresty Road side. Acting captain, Andy Hughes, was the first to threaten the Crewe goal with a fierce volley which flew just over the bar and then glanced a header from a Peter Sweeney cross narrowly wide. It was nineteen minutes before Crewe broke out of their own half but Casper Ankergren was at full stretch to stop a Michael O’Connor header from creeping inside the near post. However, on thirty-six minutes Jermaine Beckford was on hand to score from a Peter Sweeney cross. After that Leeds held the match in their grip by keeping possession and threatening the Crewe rearguard with Tore Andre Flo and Jermaine Beckford keeping Julien Baudet and Chris McCready fully extended. Early in the second half Frazer Richardson had a good claimed for a penalty go unheeded after the ball struck Ben Rix’s hand in the box. Within a minute Rix could have equalised but Casper Ankergren was quickly off his line to avert the danger and the home side felt equally aggrieved as they were also refused a penalty after Nicky Maynard appeared to be held back in a good position. United were again lucky when a Chris McCready header rattled the bar. At the other end Tresor Kandol, who had replaced Tore Andre Flo after seventy-seven, was selfish in wasting a chance with Jermaine Beckford far better placed. However, United were lucky that Crewe had used all their substitutes and were reduced to ten men as Julien Baudet limped off with cramp and Crewe didn’t have the numbers to over extend United, who moved into third place with their victory.

Bradley Johnson was given his debut against Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers at Elland Road with David Prutton dropping to the bench as United’s only change from their midweek victory. A crowd of 31,402 was on hand to see if United could maintain their promotion push and dent the Doncaster record of just one defeat in their previous seventeen games. History was on the side of the home team as Rovers had never won at Elland Road, but it was fifty-two years since they had last clashed. The game was off to a fiery start with the referee breaking up a wrestling match between Bradley Johnson and Jason Price straight from the kick-off and Gareth Roberts was lucky that an off-the-ball lunge at Jermaine Beckford was missed by the referee soon afterwards. Darren Kenton came to United’s rescue as he executed a perfect tackle to dispossess James Coppinger of a shooting chance from fifteen yards and there was a further warning as the same player shot into the side-netting. It went unheeded as Doncaster took the lead after twenty-one minutes when Paul Huntington fouled Richie Wellens on the edge of the box and from the resulting free-kick Brian Stock sent a curling free-kick sailing into the corner of the net before Casper Ankergren could move. Jermaine Beckford almost equalised immediately but his excellent volley was superbly saved by ex-United keeper Neil Sullivan. United could not create any chances as Doncaster took a grip on the midfield and soon were forced to ring the changes at half-time as Darren Kenton was injured and replaced by Matt Heath and nine minutes later Tresor Kandol replaced Tore Andre Flo. But it made little difference as Rovers still had command of the midfield and only a scrambling save by Casper Ankergren prevented James Coppinger from increasing the visitor’s lead. With eighteen minutes left Neil Kilkenny was replaced by Curtis Weston and though United tested Neil Sullivan several times towards the end and Jermaine Beckford had a shot deflected wide, even after four minutes of stoppage time United were unable to get the ball in the net and fell to their second home defeat of the season and once again had missed taking advantage of winning against promotion rivals.

With Neil Kilkenny under suspension there was a place for David Prutton in midfield and Tresor Kandol replaced Tore Andre Flo up front, as the Norwegian took his place on the bench, for the visit to Kenilworth Road, home of Luton Town. Ian Westlake, Sebastien Carole and new Finnish winger Sebastien Sorsa were included on the bench at the expense of Curtis Weston and Alan Thompson, who were excluded. Luton started brightly and ex-United player Matthew Spring hit a deflected shot narrowly wide but United soon hit back and Tresor Kandol nearly scored against one of his former clubs as he was narrowly over with a calculated lob. Luton responded with a spell of sustained pressure as Paul Furlong twice had shots blocked and Alan Goodall was wide with one of the rebounds. United rode out the storm and after twenty-seven minutes took the lead with a well executed free-kick routine. After Chris Perry had fouled Jermaine Beckford on the edge of the penalty area, Peter Sweeney’s perfectly flighted cross was nodded home by Paul Huntington. Having taken the lead United defended in depth and withstood anything that the home team had to offer until half-time and continued the same routine in the second half. They should have capitalised on two chances created on the break as in the sixty-third minute Jermaine Beckford raced through and rounded keeper Dean Brill and then proceeded to shoot wide albeit from an acute angle, but Tresor Kandol was even more guilty in the seventy-eighth minute as he was through with just the keeper to beat but blazed high over the bar. The misses were costly as Sam Parkin came off the bench to score a stoppage time equaliser as he touched home a Dean Morgan cross with seconds remaining. It left United level in fifth spot whereas victory could have seen them in second spot as other rivals lost games. Points lost that would have been invaluable at season’s end.

There was a game on the other side of London, at Roots Hall with other promotion aspirants, Southend United the following Tuesday night. It saw the return of Neil Kilkenny from suspension while Casper Ankergren had suffered an hip injury at Luton and was replaced by David Lucas. Bradley Johnson dropped to the bench in place of Sebastien Sorsa while Ian Westlake lost his place on the bench to Jonathan Howson, who returned after injury. It seemed that Dennis Wise had departed to Newcastle United and that Gary McAllister was to be installed in his place but for the time being Technical Director Gwyn Williams was in charge of the dug-out as Dave Bassett had also chosen to depart. It was not going to be an easy task for the former United schemer as he learnt about United’s third consecutive game without a win, in which time they had gathered only one point. United had created some good opportunities in an even first half with both David Prutton and Andy Hughes shooting straight at Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan, while Tresor Kandol headed wide and Jermaine Beckford headed into the side-netting from close range. Southend were not inactive either as David Lucas was forced to save from Mark Gower and then Charlie MacDonald. The Shrimpers took the lead after forty-one minutes as Lee Barnard followed up to score after David Lucas could only get a hand to Steve Hammell’s twenty-five yard free-kick. The second half continued in similar fashion and Adam Barrett headed over while Lee Barnard was marginally wide, but United should have equalised as they missed two more fine chances as both Tresor Kandol and Jermaine Beckford failed to get their head to a fine Peter Sweeney cross and the it was Kandol who volleyed another excellent cross from Peter Sweeney wide from a yard. They continued to miss chance after chance, firstly after a fine upfield run Jermaine Beckford ballooned the ball high over before Peter Sweeney was just as inaccurate after a long Frazer Richardson throw had given him the chance of a volley from twelve yards. Despite Tore Andre Flo being thrown on as a third striker with ten minutes to go United were unable breakthrough despite attacking with six men as the Southend defence held firm to take the points and push United down to sixth spot.

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2007-2008 (Courtesy Paul Gregson)

Back Row: Dennis Wise (Manager), Joe Allon (First Team Coach), Andy Hughes, Ben Parker, Matt Heath, Paul Huntingdon, Tomi Ameobe, Tresor Kandol, Tore Andre Flo, Jermaine Beckford, Rui Marques, Casper Ankergren, Andy Beasley (Goalkeeper Coach), Gus Poyet (Assistant Manager).

Front Row: Gavin Rothery, Jamie Clapham, Scott Gardner, Jonathan Howson, Robert Bayly, David Prutton, Sebastien Carole, Frazer Richardson, Ian Westlake.

2007-2008 (Courtesy Paul Gregson)

Back Row: Daral Pugh (Under-18 Coach), Chris Beasley (Kitman), Scott Gardner, Tomi Ameobe, Tore Andre Flo, David Lucas, Darren Mowbray (Video Analyst), Alan Martin, Paul Huntingdon, Ben Parker, Robert Bayly, Paul Perkins (Physio), Donna Gormley (Physio).

Middle Row: Joe Allon (First Team Coach), Harvey Sharman (Physio), Shaun Derry, Frazer Richardson, Leon Constantine, Casper Ankergren, Tresor Kandol, Matt Heath, Rui Marques, Andy Beasley (Goalkeeper Coach), Neil Thompson (Academy Director).

Front Row: Sebastien Carole, Curtis Weston, Andrew Hughes, Jonathan Douglas, Gus Poyet (Assistant Manager), Alan Thompson, Dennis Wise (Manager), David Prutton, Jermaine Beckford, Ian Westlake, Jonathan Howson.

2007-2008: Juniors

Back Row: Paul Perkins (Physio), Chris Fisher, Duane Grace, Sam Jerome, Ross Wilkinson, Matt Edwards, Stefan Connor, Andrew Milne, Tom Lees, Neil Thompson (Coach).

Front Row: Lee Booth, Josh Falkingham, Chris Ovington, Charles Hutton, Daral Pugh (Coach), Fabian Delph, Liam Darville, Jason Mycoe, Nathan Cartman.

Players/Managers:

Dennis Wise: Manager, Tomi Ameobi , Wayne Andrews , Casper Ankergren , Robert Bayly , Jermaine Beckford , Robbie Blake , Paul Butler , Sebastien Carole , Jamie Clapham , Leon Constantine , Stephen Crainey , Richard Cresswell , Filipe Da Costa , Mark De Vries , Fabian Delph , Shaun Derry , Jonathan Douglas , Gylfi Einarsson , Robbie Elliott , Tom Elliott , Tore Andre Flo , Hayden Foxe , Scott Gardner , David Healy , Matt Heath , Jonny Howson , Andy Hughes , Paul Huntington , Bradley Johnson , Jemal Johnson , Tresor Kandol , Gary Kelly , Darren Kenton , Matthew Kilgallon , Neil Kilkenny , Radostin Kishishev , Eddie Lewis , Scott Loach , David Lucas , Jonathan Lund , Simon Madden , Rui Marques , Alan Martin , Lubomir Michalik , Ian Moore , Kevin Nicholls , Ben Parker , David Prutton , Frazer Richardson , Danny Rose , Gavin Rothery , Sebastian Sorsa , Graham Stack , Neil Sullivan , Peter Sweeney , Alan Thompson , Tony Warner , Ian Westlake , Curtis Weston .

Part 3: Gary McAllister - Return of the Mac 2007-08

2007-2008:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

For his first game in charge Gary McAllister had three new signings, left-back Alan Sheehan, on loan from Leicester City, central defender and former loanee from Bolton Wanderers, Lubomir Michalik, and Stockport County striker Anthony Elding and he gave a debut to each of them as he made five changes to the starting line-up. With Casper Ankergren still injured David Lucas continued between the posts but he had been joined on the injured list by Neil Kilkenny and Frazer Richardson, while Tresor Kandol had succumbed to illness. There was a recall for Matt Heath with Paul Huntington dropping to the bench, Darren Kenton switched from central defence to fill in at right back while Ben Parker could not even find a place as a substitute. Jonathan Howson earned a recall to first team duty as he and Bradley Johnson were promoted from being substitutes and Alan Sweeney was relegated to the bench, where keeper Alan Martin was preferred to Sebastien Carole. In the Tranmere ranks were two United old boys Shane (Cansdell-) Sherriff and Ian Moore but they got nowhere near the welcome received by Gary McAllister as he took his place in the dugout to a deafening ovation. Ian Moore was fouled just outside the box by Matt Heath in the ninth minute and Leeds were fortunate not to go behind as the resultant free–kick from Paul McLaren rattled the United bar. Andy Hughes had to leave the field after a clash of heads with Anthony Kay and returned six minutes later with his head bandaged to cover the stitches. David Prutton was just over with a free-kick from distance but United seemed to have little to offer in attack as the two sides went to the break without scoring. It wasn’t until the sixty-first minute that Jennison Myrie-Williams broke the deadlock as he headed round Matt Heath before beating David Lucas with an angled left foot shot from fifteen yards. Just eight minutes later it was Ian Moore’s turn to celebrate as he headed a Paul McLaren free-kick out of the reach of David Lucas. The other United old boy, Shane Sherriff went close with two headers, one of which was brilliantly saved by David Lucas. Unitedhad no answer and could not improve on the solitary point they had amassed since Boxing Day as they extended their winless run to four games and slipped out of the play-off positions for the first time since November and were now a full sixteen points behind Swansea City and for the first time they were not the highest point gainers in the Division, without the fifteen points that had been deducted by the Football League.

United had Casper Ankergren back from injury and he took his place in goal with David Lucas dropping to the bench at the expense of Alan Martin, while Rui Marques was back from international duty, which meant Matt Heath taking Paul Huntington’s place on the bench. Tresor Kandol also returned after recovering from illness at the expense of Anthony Elding who ousted Sebastien Carole from the bench. Northampton enjoyed the majority of the first half possession but had little to show for it as Jonathan Hayes shot wide when well placed. At the other end United took the lead seven minutes before the break when Jonathan Howson spun perfectly to volley in a Bradley Johnson cross and United harboured hopes of victory as the game drew to its conclusion. Northampton had introduced Adebayo Akinfenwa to their strike power ten minutes into the second half and he soon showed his power as he muscled his way through and shot marginally wide. Jermaine Beckford failed to increase United’s lead as he fired wide from twenty-five yards and fifteen minutes from time Northampton drew level as Adebayo Akinfenwa met a slick delivery from Poul Hubertz after good work from Danny Jackman and the home team increased their undefeated run to six matches since being well beaten by United in January but United were less pleased as they were now in eighth spot.

Nottingham Forest, one of the Division’s forerunners, were the next visitors to Elland Road and United greeted them with an unchanged team although Frazer Richardson had recovered from injury and replaced Matt Heath on the bench. Forest were almost gifted a goal in the ninth minute when Lewis McGugan’s freekick was headed too close for comfort past the post by Leeds defender Alan Sheehan. Kris Commons and Ian Breckin both missed narrowly as Forest looked the likelier team to score, but in the thirty-third minute it looked as though United should have been awarded a penalty when it looked as though Luke Chambers had handled a Darren Kenton cross in the box and United seemed to be getting the upper hand as the half progressed as Bradley Johnson twice went close as it drew to a close. However it was Forest that started the second half the brighter and twice went close to scoring as Nathan Tyson latched onto a through ball but dragged his shot wide. The same player rounded Lubomir Michalik but Will Hoskins just failed to connect with his cross. It was Hoskins who was at the centre of the next moment of controversy in the fifty-fourth minute as he seemed to handle in the box, but referee Mark Halsey refused the claim despite protests from the United players. United still threatened and both Alan Sheehan and Jonathan Howson had shots deflected and an Andy Hughes header was cleared off the line. It was not all Leeds and Luke Chambers wasted a free header and Casper Ankergren saved a low shot from Kris Commons. It was Forest that took the lead in the sixty-ninth minute as Kris Commons sent in a high cross from the left and Julian Bennett rose to head powerfully past the stranded Casper Ankergren. United had Casper Ankergren to thank for keeping them in the game with a fine one-handed save from Nathan Tyson. After seventy-five minutes Jermaine Beckford had a header cleared off the line but eight minutes later he registered his seventeenth goal of the season from the penalty spot after Tresor Kandol had been hauled down. As neither side deserved to lose, a draw was a fair result after an entertaining game which saw United in seventh spot on forty-six points.

Jermaine Beckford was suspended and Andy Hughes could not shake off a knee injury for United's midweek fixture with struggling Crewe Alexandra at Elland Road. On the bright side Frazer Richardson was fit again and took up the role of right midfielder while Tore Andre Flo was considered fit enough to start and Peter Sweeney also moved up from the bench in exchange for Bradley Johnson, while Paul Huntington and Sebastien Carole were found a place as substitutes. There was confusion for the commentators as Crewe fielded two players named Gary Roberts. One was a twenty-one year old midfielder, and the other a twenty-three year old winger on loan from Ipswich Town. Alexandra, who had won only two of their previous seventeen, were hoped to be cannon-fodder for United’s recovery but it didn’t work out that way even though Tore Andre Flo shot just over the bar in the first minute. His strike partner Tresor Kandol also went close with two headers and then saw a thirty yard drive well saved as Leeds, with Prutton showing the way, enjoyed a glut of possession. However, Crewe should have taken the lead in the thirty-fourth minute when Casper Ankergren made a mess of fielding a cross and Nicky Maynard spooned his shot over an unguarded net from ten yards. There was another let-off, approaching half-time, when a curling free-kick from Kenny Lunt thudded against the United cross-bar with Casper Ankergren well-beaten. Crewe finally took the lead two minutes into the second half when Kenny Lunt chipped the ball to Gary Roberts, the younger, who in turn played in Nicky Maynard and he carried on through to make no mistake with a deadly finish from twelve yards. Jonathan Howson showed have restored United to parity but his shot was so feeble that the Crewe goalkeeper, Ben Williams, had plenty of time to save with ease while at the other end Casper Ankergren saved United as he raced off his line to foil Gary Roberts, the elder. United finally got the equaliser with two minutes to go as Tresor Kandol netted his first goal since November when Sebastien Carole crossed for him to head home from close range. United mounted sustained pressure but even though there was six minutes of stoppage time they were unable to get the winner. They dropped two more points to technically inferior opponents and had now gone seven games without a win and they slumped to ninth place with forty-seven points. They were losing touch with the leading pack as they were now five points from a play-off position.

United must have wondered what was going wrong with their season as new loan signing from Aston Villa, full back Steve O’Halloran, who was drafted straight into the United team at the expense of Alan Sheehan, was injured in the warm up exercises and limped out of the squad with a twisted knee. Frazer Richardson took his place as Alan Sheehan took the spare place on the substitutes’ bench. Neil Kilkenny returned to the team, initially at the expense of Frazer Richardson and Bradley Johnson was preferred to Peter Sweeney while Jermaine Beckford returned after suspension at the expense of Tore Andre Flo. Alan Thompson was on the bench in place of Paul Huntington. A twenty-fifth minute Tresor Kandol header was enough to give United the points, rewarded Gary McAllister with his first win, after five times trying, and broke the seven game points drought. It was Tresor Kandol’s tenth goal of the season and came as he expertly directed a David Prutton cross into the top left hand corner of the net well out of the reach of the Swindon keeper Phil Smith. Swindon should have equalised just before half-time but Simon Cox headed off-target after finding himself unmarked just three yards out. But, for the second game running, it was Prutton in charge of the midfield stamping his mark on proceedings. Jonathan Howson also played his part and came close to doubling United’s lead as his strong volley was just tipped over by the keeper. Suprisingly, Swindon, who were also experiencing a slump with just one win in six games, offered little in the way of a threat although Cox’s alarming miss knocked out whatever confidence they may have had and they only tested Casper Ankergren on one other occasion throughout the whole game and that was in the seventy-fifth minute, when Cox found Christan Roberts near the far post, but his strong shot was brilliantly pushed past the post by Casper Ankergren. Five minutes from time the impressive Jonathan Howson was just inches off target with a right-foot volley which screamed just over the bar but Leeds held on comfortably to gain full points and move up into eighth spot on fifty points.

Gary McAllister stuck with his successful line-up for the start of the home game with Bournemouth, but new loan signing from Crystal Palace, Dougie Freedman, was on the bench as was Andy Hughes, who returned from injury, and Paul Huntington as Alan Thompson, Sebastien Carole and Alan Sheehan were the ones to miss out. A bumpy pitch, churned up by a recent World Cup Rugby League match, rain and a gusty wind all combined to make good football almost impossible and United had to battle hard against the relegation-threatened opposition. For the third game on the trot David Prutton was United’s inspiration, ably assisted by Jonathan Howson, and the Bournemouth keeper was picking the ball out of the net after just eleven minutes. David Prutton lobbed the ball to the edge of the penalty area and the keeper, David Forde, made a late decision to come for it and only succeeded in colliding with his own defender Neil Young, leaving Bradley Johnson with the easy task of firing the ball into an empty net for his first goal for the club. Bournemouth had had the ball in the Leeds net earlier but Max-Alain Gradel had his effort ruled out because of a prior infringement. They should also have equalised after Casper Ankergren had spilled a cross from Gradel only for Sam Vokes to shoot badly wide and Gradel was also guilty of missing another easy chance as the Leeds defence looked very vulnerable. There was little to choose between the two teams and it was to great relief of the home team when Jonathan Howson carved out an opening for Neil Kilkenny to hit an unstoppable shot from twenty yards in the sixty-third minute. Dougie Freedman was given twenty minutes in which to shine on his debut but had few chances to impress. United were well satisfied with the three points which moved them up to seventh position on the ladder with fifty-three points and kept them in touch with the play-off places.

United were once again unchanged for the third successive time as they entertained lowly Cheltenham Town in a midweek evening match at Elland Road and they maintained the same substitutes as they looked to register their third successive win and extend their unbeaten run to five.They started like a house on fire with Jermaine Beckford getting in a twenty-five yard shot which looked destined for the bottom left hand corner of the net until Shane Higgs pulled off a fine one handed save with only ninety seconds on the clock. Damian Spencer wasted a good chance for the visitors when a spooned his shot high into the crowd and Tresor Kandol missed an even easier chance when he headed over the bar from within the six yard box, after Bradley Johnson had picked him out with a perfect cross from the left. With thirty eight minutes gone, Frazer Richardson lost control of the ball just outside the box and David Bird pounced to beat Casper Ankergren with ease. United were not looking sharp near goal and Jermaine Beckford and Lubomir Michalik both missed the target just before half-time. Bradley Johnson had a fierce free-kick well saved by the in-form Shane Higgs soon after the break and Jermaine Beckford was just too high with a shot on the turn soon afterwards. United brought on Dougie Freeman for Jonathan Howson in the sixty-second minute but just two minutes later Cheltenham went two up when Alex Russell sent in a speculative shot from the left of the box and it flew past Casper Ankergren and into the corner of the net. United threw on Anthony Elding and Andy Hughes for Tresor Kandol and Frazer Richardson with nineteen minutes to go and it was Elding that reduced the arrears fourteen minutes later when he headed home a cross from Neil Kilkenny to register his first goal for United, but the visitors held on to register a double over United who remained seventh with fifty-three points.

Not surprisingly Gary McAllister made changes to his defeated team for the visit to another cellar-dweller in the form of Port Vale. Andy Hughes was reinstated at left back in place of the out of position and out of form Frazer Richardson, who took his place on the bench. Dougie Freedman was given a place in the starting line up as Tresor Kandol dropped to substitute alongside Sebastien Carole who took the place of Paul Huntington. The home side gave United an early scare when a clever flick from Paul Edwards made an opening for Luke Rogers but Casper Ankergren was quickly off his line to block the striker’s shot. It was the home side that took the initiative pinning United in their own half for long periods, but it was United that took the lead when, seconds after being denied a penalty, Rui Marques fired a right foot volley past Joe Anyon after the home defence had failed to clear a Bradley Johnson corner six minutes before the break. Just two minutes later it was again Bradley Johnson who was the provider as he set up Dougie Freedman for the loan striker to easily beat the keeper to fire into the left corner of the net from twelve yards for his first goal for United, who lead by a flattering two-nil at the break. After sixty-five minutes the game came to life when the home team were awarded a debateable penalty for a hand ball by Andy Hughes despite protests from the culprit and David Prutton. Paul Harsley confidently stroked the ball into the top right hand corner of the net to give Casper Ankergren no chance. Vale Park erupted two minutes later as Damian Rodgers showed determination to get his cross in and Danny Whitaker was on the spot to slide the ball home from close range for a deserved equaliser. However United refused to lie down and took the lead with just four minutes left on the clock as Tresor Kandol got in a looping cross for Dougie Freedman to place it expertly past the helpless Joe Anyon. However, justice was done in stoppage time when substitute Kyle Perry headed Paul Harsley’s free-kick across the face of the goal for Luke Rodgers to force the ball over the line to leave honours even as United slumped to tenth with fifty –four point and their inability to beat lowly placed clubs was costing them dearly.

Andy Hughes was suspended and so Alan Sheehan took his place at left-back, while there was a welcome return after a three month absence with a knee injury for Jonathan Douglas and he replaced Sebastien Carole on the bench for the visit of Walsall to Elland Road and managed to get on the pitch for the final ten minutes. Despite Walsall’s superiority in numbers in midfield United soon got on top and almost took an early lead after Dougie Freedman put Jermaine Beckford in the clear but his first time shot as narrowly wide. He was not to be denied, however, and after just one goal in eleven matches, it was he who gave United the lead after twenty-nine minutes as he latched onto a Neil Kilkenny pass and waltzed round the keeper to roll it into the net. Walsall offered little threat on the United goal and in their only chance in the first half Edrissa Sonko strayed offside and it was David Prutton who tested Clayton Ince in the Walsall goal with a long range effort. The Saddlers were livelier after the break and Lee Holmes clipped the ball over the bar from a free-kick and moments later Tommy Mooney shot over with the goal at his mercy. At the other end Alan Sheehan forced a good save from Clayton Ince from a thirty-yard free-kick and the keeper also had to keep out a Bradley Johnson header. United got their just deserts ten minutes from time as Jermaine Beckford used his pace to latch on to a Neil Kilkenny through ball and get beyond the defence to steer the ball past Clayton Ince for his nineteenth goal of the season. The three points lifted United above Walsall into eighth position on fifty-seven points and just two points away from the play-offs with a game in hand.

United were unchanged for the visit of promotion rivals Brighton and Hove Albion to Elland Road, apart from Paul Huntington being preferred to Frazer Richardson on the bench. After just two defeats in eleven games Brighton arrived at Elland Road with high hopes but Leeds dominated the game until the final stages and after a series of early corners it took a desperate goal-line clearance from Andy Whing to keep out Dougie Freedman’s fourteenth minute shot from fifteen yards, and the same player was also unfortunate as he rolled a Bradley Johnson cross narrowly wide. Jonathan Howson had a fine game in midfield for Leeds and also went close on several occasions. Brighton did have a few moments and Glen Murray had the ball in the Leeds net after sixty-three minutes but was flagged for offside and, after replacing Bradley Johnson after fifty-eight minutes, Jonathan Douglas made a clumsy challenge on Murray but the referee ignored the Brighton claims for a penalty. Tresor Kandol had the chance to win the game in injury time, when Jermaine Beckford crossed from the left but his shot carried no force and Brighton’s defensive qualities had held United goalless and gained a point and kept them in seventh spot still two points ahead of United on fifty-eight points as the season came towards the end with United facing the prospect of five of their remaining seven games away from home and plenty of work to do to make the Play-offs.

For the midweek evening visit to Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium United made three changes with Paul Huntington, Jonathan Douglas and Frazer Richardson replacing the injured Rui Marques, David Prutton and Darren Kenton, who were not on the bench, which left places there for Andy Hughes and Sebastien Carole. It was a must-win situation for United and very much a case of smash and grab as Doncaster dominated for most of the match. The home team produced some fine passing and classy football but were guilty of wayward finishing and trying to walk the ball into the net and they could find no way past the impressive Casper Ankergren. Paul Heffernan and James Coppinger combined in a neat move in the eighth minute but the final shot from Jason Price was blocked. Four minutes later it was Heffernan who turned and shot marginally wide and was then baulked by good defending from Jonathan Douglas. In the sixteenth minute it was Casper Ankergren to the rescue as he saved at the feet of Paul Heffernan after he had been put clear through by Adam Lockwood. Completely against the run of play in the twentieth minute Alan Sheehan gave Leeds the lead as he guided a left-footed curling twenty-yard free-kick over the defensive wall and into the top corner of the net. Rovers responded immediately as James Coppinger dribbled his way through but his close range shot was kept out by an instinctive save from Casper Ankergren. Rovers’ skipper Adam Lockwood was stretchered off in the thirty-second minute with a suspected fractured foot, but the home team still applied all the pressure and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty as Jason Price was bundled over two minutes later. Leeds had to defend heroically and were under intense pressure in the second half and had luck on their side just two minutes after the break as Bradley Johnson headed a Gareth Roberts effort off the line with Casper Ankergren beaten. There was another penalty claim from Rovers after Steve Roberts was bundled over in the area twenty minutes later but like the first it was waved away by the referee. Substitute Lewis Guy missed a great chance in the closing stages as he fired over the top when well placed and Rovers were denied a deserved equaliser when Paul Green saw his effort cleared off the line by Jonathan Douglas with the last move of the match. United did not improve on seventh but hovered just one point away from a play-off spot with a game in hand on sixty-one points.

United didn’t change their winning formula for their visit to Brisbane Road, home of Leyton Orient. Their only change was with fit-again David Prutton being preferred to Sebastien Carole on the bench. United took a stranglehold on the game in the fifteenth minute, just three minutes after Dougie Freedman had had the ball in the net only to be adjudged offside. After Leyton defender Tamika Mkandawire had handled, Bradley Johnson sent over a fine free-kick and Paul Huntington guided the ball into the net from close range. The home team should have equalised just five minutes later when Jason Demetriou and Adam Boyd combined to create a chance for Tamika Mkandawire but he volley over from just six yards. United kept up the pressure and on the thirty-minute mark Orient keeper Glenn Morris was forced into a double save from Jonathan Howson and Dougie Freedman. But Orient were not a spent force and came back just before the break for Adam Boyd to test Casper Ankergren with a dipping volley and Jabo Ibehre headed wide a cross from Jason Demetriou. Five minutes before the break the home team lost Alton Thelwell with a knee injury which did not help their defensive cohesion and five minutes into the second half United wrapped up the points when Stephen Purches slipped over and lost possession. Dougie Freedman swooped on the chance and crossed for Jermaine Beckford to notch his twentieth goal of the season with a shot from twenty yards. Ten minutes later he limped off to be replaced by Tresor Kandol and the threat from United’s attack became less potent and Leyton came back into the game without threatening Casper Ankergren. Despite a couple of good efforts from Charlie Daniels and Jason Demetriou United held fast and finished worthy winners with their second consecutive clean sheet, and their third in four games, and moved into sixth spot on sixty-four points and still with a game in hand.

The visit of promotion rivals, and second placed, Carlisle United saw the return of Darren Kenton from injury in place of Alan Sheehan in an otherwise unchanged United squad. Both teams were in good form with Carlisle undefeated away from home since the end of January and Leeds having lost just one game of the last eleven and having the boost of Jermaine Beckford passing a late fitness test. Paul Huntington played against his hometown team with his head bandaged to protect an injury sustained at Leyton in the previous game. United found themselves behind after just sixteen minutes as Evan Horwood passed to Simon Hackney, whose cross eluded several players before Scott Dobie finally made contact at the far post and ran the ball into the net. Dougie Freedman should have equalised four minutes later but he headed a Darren Kenton cross too high from eight yards. He was off target once more from twelve yards after fine lead up play from Jonathan Howson, Jonathan Douglas and Jermaine Beckford. Leeds dominated possession as Carlisle stacked the midfield with only ex-Leeds loanee Danny Graham upfield as an attacker and they hit back after the interval with two goals in nine minutes to take the lead. Dougie Freedman atoned for his earlier misses when he equalised in the forty-ninth minute as he took Neil Kilkenny’s pass into his stride to hold off a challenge from keeper Keiren Westwood and score from eight yards. Jermaine Beckford had left the field in the fifty-first minute and it was his replacement, Tresor Kandol, who got in a shot that was parried by the keeper and the eager Jonathan Howson smashed the loose ball into the net. It only took Carlisle two minutes to get back on level terms when Casper Ankergren dropped a Simon Hackney corner and Danny Graham was on hand to score from point-blank range. The goals continued to flow as Dougie Freedman scored his second and United’s third on sixty-nine minutes. Grant Smith had fouled Bradley Johnson and from the resultant free-kick Neil Kilkenny’s free-kick from the left was pounced on by Freedman who fired home unstoppably from close range. Both David Prutton and Tresor Kandol went close to scoring in the dying minutes and the win gave United sixty-seven points in sixth spot four points clear of seventh placed Walsall.

Jermaine Beckford had not recovered from an ankle injury and was missing for the visit to Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium and he was replaced by Tresor Kandol with Sebastien Carole filling the vacancy on the substitutes’ bench. It was a feisty encounter with Leeds dominating the possession in the first twenty-five minutes as Huddersfield strung five men across the midfield. Town came more into the game after that and were unlucky not to be given a penalty on the half-hour as Andy Booth took a tumble in the box under pressure from Paul Huntington, but the referee waved play on. The game was littered with cynical fouls and Leeds captain Jonathan Douglas was booked for a trip on Jon Worthington in the thirty-second minute and seven minutes later he was booked again for holding back Michael Collins and was automatically red-carded. It was all square in the sending off stakes as Jon Worthington, one of the smallest men on the field, was sent off for his second yellow card just on half–time. He made a rash challenge on goalkeeper Casper Ankergren and was booked and sent off, he turned and squared up to United’s biggest defender Lubomir Michalik and the big defender was booked also. The teams went in at half time on level terms and each with ten men. Early in the second half Huddersfield were in the ascendency and Michael Collins hit the bar. Just when it seemed that the game was going to end in stalemate as no clear-cut chances were being created substitute Joe Skarz,who had only been on the field for four minutes pulled clear down the left and picked out Andy Holdsworth unmarked near the far post and the midfielder powered in a header which went into the net off the post. Soon after Skarz again was the cause for concern as his delicate chip was not far out but landed on the roof of the net. Without twenty goal Jermaine Beckford United were toothless and hardly threatened and despite five minutes of extra time could not find an equaliser. United remained in sixth spot still four points clear of Walsall as this was their game in hand, but it was a missed chance to make the play-offs a certainty.

Alan Sheehan returned from suspension and was preferred to Darren Kenton at left back. David Prutton was in for the suspended Jonathan Douglas, while up front Anthony Elding replaced Tresor Kandol, who dropped to the bench.Rui Marques and Peter Sweeney took up the vacant spots as United visited the Den and the Lions of Millwall. Off the pitch there was a hearing into whether or not the High Court would arbitrate in United’s favour and re-instate the fifteen points they had been deducted at the start of the season but the verdict was not expected until 1st May 2008. Nearly two thousand United fans swelled the crowd to produce by far the biggest gate of the season for the London club and it witnessed a tense start with Ahmet Brkovic shooting wide from a free-kick while at the other end Anthony Elding forced Rhys Evans to the first save of the game after eight minutes. Millwall were making the better chances and again Brkovic was wide with a curling free-kick, while another of his free kicks was hooked over the bar by Tony Craig and the Croatian was just over with another. Casper Ankergren saved easily from Jay Simpson and Vas Savage but Jem Karacan rattled his cross-bar and Simpson sent a thirty yard shot just over. United did hit back and after an hour Dougie Freedman was narrowly wide and then volleyed straight at Rhys Evans, before, after seventy minutes, a clearing header from Tony Craig fell nicely for David Prutton to hit a sweet strike into the corner of the net. Then, nine minutes later, Bradley Johnson’s persistence paid off and his bye-line cross was stroke home by the unmarked Andy Hughes, who had come on as a substitute for Anthony Elding just six minutes earlier. It seemed hard justice on Millwall as they had at times outplayed United and it was hard to understand their lowly position, but their ten home losses compared to United’s eleven away wins explained it as United remained in sixth spot four points clear of seventh placed Brighton and five behind fifth placed Southend United with just two games left.

There was a ground record crowd on hand at Huish Park to see United take on Yeovil Town with United still without the services of injured star striker Jermaine Beckford but strengthened by the return from suspension of Jonathan Douglas, who replaced David Prutton in midfield, and Prutton was consigned to the bench with Peter Sweeney being omitted for the evening clash. United were off to the perfect start, as after four minutes, Neil Kilkenny crossed from the right, picking out Bradley Johnson at the far post. His shot was parried by Steve Mildenhall but the experienced Dougie Freedman scrambled the ball over the line for what turned out to be the winning goal, with the Yeovil Manager complaining bitterly that a hand had been used. Although Yeovil’s football was neat and precise it was not until the twentieth minute that they had an attempt on goal when Marcus Stewart headed over. They had their best opportunity six minutes later when Aidan Downes got in a cross for Marvin Williams to force a superb save from Casper Ankergren with a six-yard header. It was the United keeper who again saved Leeds with just three minutes to go as he dived full length to turn a shot from Aidan Downes round the post. Alan Sheehan had United’s best effort in the sixty-ninth minute with a thunderbolt free-kick from forty-yards which had Steve Mildenhall flying across his goal to turn the ball for a corner, but United’s day was clouded by an incident just four minutes earlier when Alan Sheehan was dismissed for an appalling high two footed tackle on Lee Peltier which produced an instant red card and an all-in melee involving just about ever player on the pitch and the joy of gaining a play-off play was reduced by the incident as United edged seven points clear with one game to go and just two points behind fifth placed Southend.

The final game of the season saw relegation near-certainties Gillingham visit Elland Road with little but pride to play for although it was still likely that United could manage to gain fifth spot with a victory if results went for them. There were several changes made with the suspended Alan Sheehan being replaced by Andy Hughes coming off the bench to fill the left back spot. Scott Gardner played at right-back with Frazer Richardson being rested. Jonathan Howson was also rested and replaced by David Prutton with Fabian Delph coming on to the bench and Peter Sweeney replacing the also rested Neil Kilkenny. Veteran Alan Thompson was found a place on the bench as was Sebastien Carole. Tresor Kandol was given a chance up front in place of the rested Dougie Freedman in a team designed to rest key players for the play-offs rather than field the strongest eleven. Off-field the hearing had been decided in favour of the FA and the decision to deduct the fifteen points stood as United had agreed to the decision in order to regain their ‘golden share’ and the court saw no reason for any appeal given that fact. So United had to bear the deduction and play in the play-offs and forget about any automatic promotion. The biggest crowd in League One for the season of 38,256 were there to witness United’s final League game of the season and were not happy at the poor display by United. A mistake by Paul Huntington gift-wrapped a goal for Simeon Jackson after twenty minutes, as he lost possession to the striker who avoided challenges from Lubomir Michalik and keeper Casper Ankergren to put the ball in the net from twelve yards. Huntington did partially atone for his mistake as he made an excellent block in the goalmouth from a twenty yard drive from Stuart Lewis as Gillingham looked to increase their lead. Without the threat of Dougie Freedman and Jermaine Beckford United were pretty toothless and Gillingham keeper Derek Stillie was never troubled in the first half which ended with United being booed from the field. United replaced Peter Sweeney with Sebastien Carole on the hour and just nine minutes later he was instrumental in United equalising as he crossed from the right and found Bradley Johnson unmarked twenty yards out and he equalised with a crisp shot. The winner finally arrived with just two minutes left on the clock when a long through ball from Andy Hughes found Tresor Kandol and the tall striker dispatched it into the net. The 2-1 defeat sent Gillingham into League Two and pushed United into fifth position on goal difference above Southend United on seventy six points just four points behind Carlisle United, who they would play on an home and away basis in the play-off semi-finals. However, they would have needed to show a large improvement on their recent showings which had yielded plenty of points but no great flair or entertainment and being outplayed for long periods by inferiorly positioned opposition.

After all the trials and tribulations of a season that started with a huge weight place round United’s neck, saw them rise to the challenge and looked like beating all the odds as they hit the top momentarily at the halfway point then nosedived almost into oblivion before again rising like a phoenix from the ashes of a burnt out season. They finally had a chance to redeem themselves in a winner take all play-off for the right to promotion to the CCCL and play alongside Swansea City and Nottingham Forest who had already booked their places. To do that they had to beat Carlisle United on aggregate over the home and away legs to get to the Wembley play-off Final. Considering they were the form team of the League with eighteen points from the last seven games and although finishing four points behind the Cumbrians they had, without the fifteen point deduction, actually gained eleven points more than their rivals in the season. Although Carlisle had halted United’s thirteen game unbeaten run from the start of the season by beating them 3-1 at Brunton Park, while in the return at Elland Road it was United who triumphed 3-2 to keep their play-off hopes alive and put a dent in visitors direct promotion aspirations. So it was all to play for with United installed as favourites as they had their full compliment back on the pitch as they lined up: Ankergren; Richardson, Michalik, Huntington, Johnson; Prutton, Howson, Douglas, Kilkenny; Beckford, Freedman. Lucas, Marques, Hughes, Carole and Kandol were the substitutes. Surprisingly, the crowd was less than for the final League game against Gillingham and of the 36,291 there were only just over one thousand in the visitors enclosure which seemed to be the only section of the ground where there were any empty seats. Carlisle had promised that they had come to attack and they were as good as their word, almost taking an eighth minute lead when Marc Bridge-Wilkinson shot against the outside of the post. Although Dougie Freedman went close with two twenty-yard efforts it was the visitors who created plenty of chances with Simon Hackney usually involved. United failed to heed the numerous warnings and when ex-Leeds loan player, Danny Graham, met Simon Hackney’s centre Casper Ankergren was forced to concede a corner. From that thirty-second minute corner Leeds failed to clear the ball conclusively and when the dangerous Hackney fired in a stinging volley from the left hand corner of the box there was Graham to get the final touch as the ball entered the net. Jermaine Beckford should have equalised two minutes before half-time after Neil Kilkenny had found him with a defence-splitting pass but his shot on the turn was well saved by Keiren Westwood. Simon Hackney was proving to be too hot to handle on the United right flank and he played in Evan Horwood, whose pass was stabbed into the net from eight yards by Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, giving Casper Ankergren no chance. United would have been happy to see the back of Hackney as he limped off in the sixty-ninth minute. Keiren Westwood was proving to be a stumbling block for United and he brilliantly tipped over a strong header from Jonathan Douglas and even when he was beaten Paul Huntington’s shot was kicked off the line. United had been pressing and they finally got their reward and left themselves with a fighting chance by reducing the arrears in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time. Carlisle-born Paul Huntington sent a high ball into the goalmouth and there was the persistent Dougie Freedman to blast the ball home from close range just as it had seemed United, who were again below-par, would travel to Carlisle for the return leg as underdogs and two goals in arrears, but at least Freedman had given them a fighting chance.

Striker Jermaine Beckford passed a late fitness test and United were able to name a totally unchanged squad but, although Carlisle pressured United early on, they never reached the heights that they had risen to in the first encounter, where they dominated and were good value for their win. The Cumbrians were hit by a sucker punch in United’s first real attack after ten minutes when the impressive Jonathan Howson played in Dougie Freedman on the wing, the on loan from Crystal Palace striker squared it back to him, and the onrushing Howson rocketed the ball between two defenders and left Keiren Westwood helpless as the ball sailed past him to put United level on aggregate. The home team had already had a penalty appeal turned down but in truth they rarely threatened and had to thank keeper Keiren Westwood for keeping the score down. Jermaine Beckford should have done better with a header and Neil Kilkenny went close with a volley, before a defensive slip-up let in Leeds again. Full-back Evan Horwood made a hash of an intended header back to the keeper and the dangerous Dougie Freedman was on to it in a flash and only Keiren Westwood’s quick reactions saved the day for Carlisle. There was a couple of flashes of danger from the home team just before half-time as Scott Dobie hammered a volley wide and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson went even closer but his low drive was blocked by Casper Ankergren. It was Leeds who dominated after the break and Jermaine Beckford twice went close with long distance efforts which flew narrowly wide. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson did almost equalise in the seventy-third minute with a clever volley, but that apart, it was all Leeds as they camped in the Carlisle half. United almost got the second as Bradley Johnson headed against a post in the seventy-eighth minute and, with Carlisle praying for extra-time, Jonathan Howson struck with seconds remaining to send United to Wembley for the League One Play-off Final to stun Carlisle with a fine 2-0 win. Once again it was the Freedman-Howson combination that saw Dougie Freedman feed the ball to Jonathan Howson, who slipped an inch perfect shot inside Kieran Westwood’s post for his second goal of the game. It was a perfect end to another famous away victory after all had seemed lost when they were two goals in arrears at Elland Road. To their credit United battled on and after Dougie Freedman had got the vital goal at Elland Road they found their true form at Brunton Park and their 2-0 win was well-merited and could easily have been more. Doncaster prevailed in the other play-off Semi-Final and were United’s opponents in the Wembley Play-off Final.

Gary McAllister kept his starting eleven that had served him so well in the Play-off Semi-Finals and his only change to the squad was the inclusion of Alan Sheehan, after serving his suspension, on the bench in place of Sebastien Carole. At Cardiff two years previous Leeds had played poorly to be well beaten by Three goals to Nil in the CCCL play-off Final by Watford and, although they produced a better display at Wembley, they were second best for long periods, particularly in the opening thirty minutes of the game. They had a let off in the eighth minute when Jason Price fired over the bar when it seemed easier to score and then Richie Wellens selfishly fired into the side-netting when a cross would have been the preferred option as Rovers had others better placed. Casper Ankergren kept United in the game with well-timed advances from his goal to deny first the on-rushing James Coppinger and then James Hayter. When United finally settled, Jermaine Beckford shot straight at Ex-United custodian Neil Sullivan, but it was Rovers who finished the half strongly with James Hayter again going close to breaking the deadlock. Just two minutes into the second half Doncaster finally got the goal they deserved and it fell to the player who had gone close several times previous as James Hayter, who found himself unmarked close to the penalty spot, headed the ball beyond the reach of Casper Ankergren. Leeds tried to respond and despite Jonathan Howson’s prompting they seemed strangely disjointed. It was Jonathan Howson who fired over the bar but Neil Sullivan was strangely untroubled as Rovers defence gave him blanket cover. For the 2008-09 season Leeds would still be playing the likes of Hereford United and Cheltenham Town while Doncaster would be in the second tier for the first time since 1958. It was only five years previous that Leeds were in the EPL while Doncaster Rovers were in the Conference League, but the following season it would be Doncaster who would be playing at the higher level.

In the season United played forty-six games in League One and three in the Play-offs, two FA Cup, two League Cup, and three Johnstone's Paint Trophy games. Casper Ankergren led the way with appearances featuring in forty-three League games, three play-offs, two FA Cup games, and two League Cup games. Frazer Richardson and Jermaine Beckford both started in forty-five games in total, but Beckford also made two substitute appearances and David Prutton made forty-five starts and a further five appearances as a substitute. Other regulars were Rui Marques, thirty-eight starts, Tresor Kandol, thirty-six, Andy Hughes, thirty-three while Jonathan Howson and Matt Heath both started thirty games. In the goalscoring stakes Jermaine Beckford led the way with twenty goals, all scored in the League, while Tresor Kandol was the only other player to register double figures with eleven goals, all scored in the League.

2008-2009:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

After the disappointment of once more falling at the final hurdle, this time in the in the quest to take the first step back towards the EPL, the club looked hopefully to Manager Gary McAllister to build on that near miss and ensure that the step to CCCL was achieved.

The close season had seen the usual activity with several players being given free transfers. Matt Heath going to Colchester United on 13th May 2008, Leon Constantine to Northampton Town on 2nd July 2008, Tomi Ameobe to Doncaster Rovers on 23rd July 2008, Anthony Elding to Crewe Alexandra on 24th July 2008, after being persuaded by Manager McAllister that there was no future for him at Elland Road, despite his reluctance to leave. Curtis Weston went to Gillingham and Sebastian Sorsa to Hamilton Academical on 1st August 2008, while Darren Kenton was off to Cheltenham Town on the following day. They also released three players, former Captain Alan Thompson on 28th May 2008, and Filipe Da Costa and Simon Madden three days later.

United had had three players on loan to them in the latter stages of the previous season and the unfortunate Stephen O’Halloran had returned to Aston Villa without being able to kick a ball for United, while the club decided not to pursue Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman on a permanent basis while they signed Alan Sheehan on 1st July 2008.

United had not been idle on the inward side of the transfer market and as well as Alan Sheehan they had finalised the transfer of Andy Robinson from Swansea City on 1st July 2008, Enoch Showunmi finally decided to come to Elland Road from Bristol City on a two year contract on 8th July 2008, while on 25th July 2008 United pulled off a coup by persuading the very promising young Scottish winger, Robert Snodgrass, to join Leeds from Livingston, despite other larger clubs being interested, with the fee being fixed by tribunal due to his age. After taking Luciano Becchio on trial on their Irish tour Manager McAllister decided to sign him from Spanish side Merida on 1st August 2008, while a week later he bolstered his defence when he took the old and experienced Paul Telfer from Bournemouth. Having signed Showunmi and Becchio, Tresor Kandol was now well down the pecking order and he was loaned to Millwall on 1st August 2008 until the New Year.

United started their pre-season on 11th July 2008 at the Kit Kat Crescent against York City. Gary McAllister had twenty-four players on his team-sheet and made a complete change at half time. In the first half his line up was : Casper Ankergren: Frazer Richardson, Rob Bayly, Paul Huntington, Ben Parker; Jonathan Douglas, David Prutton, Peter Sweeney, Andy Hughes; Jermaine Beckford, Curtis Weston. A fine run and cross by Andy Hughes saw Jermaine Beckford force the ball home from close range to give United the lead after twenty-five minutes. With Rob Bayly partnering Paul Huntington in central defence and Curtis Weston partnering Jermaine Beckford up front Leeds looked disjointed at times. Soon after the goal Beckford should have doubled the lead but hit the side netting, while before half time York midfielder Sodje should have equalised but Ankergren saved with his feet but two minutes before half-time he did equalise at the second attempt. For the second half United lined up: Alan Martin; Scott Gardner, Lubomir Michalik, Ian Westlake, Alan Sheehan; Sebastien Carole, Jonathan Howson, Neil Kilkenny, Bradley Johnson; Enoch Showunmi, Andy Robinson, with debuts for the last two. Robinson impressed and nearly scored with a curling free-kick after Alan Sheehan had been brought down. Sheehan also sent in a shot which was just over the bar. Bradley Johnson suffered a knee injury and with three minutes left on the clock he was replaced by Tom Elliott and just on time Alan Martin made sure the scores remained level with a good fingertip save. Sebastian Sorsa remained on the bench, being the only player not to get a run.

United the took off on their tour of Ireland playing their first game on the West Coast against Galway United on Wednesday 16th July 2008. The starting eleven was: Casper Ankergren; Frazer Richardson, trialist Paul Telfer, Paul Huntington, Alan Sheehan; Jonathan Howson, Andy Hughes, Andy Robinson, Bradley Johnson; Jermaine Beckford, Enoch Showunmi. Gary McAllister changed policy and played substitutes rather than using a different team in each half in an effort to give his first choices extra time on the pitch. Paul Telfer was given his first chance, partnering Paul Huntington in central defence. Leeds played neat football and Beckford had the ball in the net but was ruled out for offside after eighteen minutes. Five minutes later Enoch Showunmi headed narrowly over from an Alan Sheehan cross after good work by from Andy Robinson and Jonathan Howson. It was Robinson who provided Jermaine Beckford with the chance to put United in front two minutes later and this time he made no mistake to get his second goal of the pre-season. One minute into the second half it was Beckford again who extended the Leeds lead when he picked up the ball just inside the Galway half and after a strong run scored with a good finish. Gary McAllister rang the changes after sixty-two minutes, giving twenty-one year-old Canadian Under-Twenty-one International Marcus Haber a chance in place of Jermaine Beckford and Robert Bayly, Jonathan Douglas, Peter Sweeney and David Prutton replaced Jonathan Howson, Andy Hughes, Bradley Johnson and Andy Robinson. Twelve minutes later he sent on Alan Martin in goal for Casper Ankergren, Scott Gardner for Frazer Richardson, Lubomir Michalik for Paul Telfer, Ben Parker for Alan Sheehan, leaving Rui Marques unused on the bench and Paul Huntington and Enoch Showunmi to play the full ninety minutes, as the game got a little scrappy and the home side missed a few chances.

Rui Marques took the captain’s armband and trialist Marcus Haber was given a start as United visited Bray Wanderers on their second game of their Irish tour, while David Lucas was given a chance in goal, as United gave several players a chance to show their ability as they lined up: David Lucas; Scott Gardner, Rui Marques, Lubomir Michalik, Ben Parker; David Prutton, Jonathan Douglas, Peter Sweeney, Bradley Johnson; Marcus Haber, Andy Robinson. United started promisingly, with Bradley Johnson heading over after four minutes after good work from David Prutton and Andy Robinson but received a shock five minutes later when Daryl Robson took advantage of the Leeds defence leaving him free on the edge of the box by rifling a shot past David Lucas. United pushed for an equaliser and Peter Sweeney hit a post but it was the home side that increased their lead after thirty-two minutes when Leeds lost possession in midfield and former Leeds trainee Alan Cawley fed Ger Rowe, who scored with ease. It was not a fair reflexion of play but nevertheless the home side took a 2-0 into the second half. United pulled a goal back from an Andy Robinson corner which Rui Marques met at the far post to head home powerfully and after Rob Bayly replaced Rui Marques after sixty-four minutes, four minutes later they drew level as Prutton provided the pass that found Marcus Haber at the far post to tap home his first goal for the club. Enoch Showunmi replaced Marcus Haber after seventy minutes and five minutes later Jonathan Howson came on for Andy Robinson and seven minutes from time, as the game seemed to be heading for a draw, the two combined and good work from Showunmi saw Howson score. Casper Ankergren, Frazer Richardson, Alan Sheehan, Paul Huntington and Paul Telfer all remained unused on the bench.

The tour moved to Dublin and the final game with Shelbourne as goalkeeper Alan Martin was given his chance and trialist Luciano Becchio was given his debut. Lacking the injured Jermaine Beckford and Andy Robinson, United started with: Alan Martin; Frazer Richardson, Rui Marques, Paul Huntington, Alan Sheehan; Jonathan Douglas, David Prutton, Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson; Luciano Becchio, Enoch Showunmi. Paul Huntington lead the side and Luciano Becchio was soon in the action as he shot wide in the first minute. There was little action in the opening fifteen minutes other than Bradley Johnson having a free-kick blocked and Alan Martin making a routine save at the other end. Becchio was proving to be a handful for the Shelbourne defence and the keeper was harried into a mistake and the new man steered the loose ball goal-wards but a desperate goal line clearance denied him. However, after Jonathan Howson had rattled a post, a goalkeeping error by Alan Martin, who cleared straight to Anthony Flood, Shelbourne’s leading scorer, and he scored the easiest of goals, after twenty-three minutes. Unfortunately for him ten minutes later his game was over after a challenge from Rui Marques left him stretchered off into the waiting ambulance and the game started to get out of control with fouls and yellow cards being issued to both sides as tempers continued to rise. It was Paul Huntington, who had been in the thick of the action and on the receiving end of some dubious challenges, that got United’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time as an Enoch Showunmi effort from a corner was going wide when the big defender appeared at the far post to head home. Lubo Michalik came on after half-time for Rui Marques, who had already been booked and then Ben Parker replaced Bradley Johnson four minutes later before on sixty-two minutes Robert Bayly, Paul Telfer, Scott Gardner and Peter Sweeney replaced Jonathan Douglas, Paul Huntington, David Prutton and Jonathan Howson, but Enoch Showunmi shot wide and Luciano Becchio headed straight at the keeper when well positioned. On seventy-three minutes Luciano Becchio’s debut game came to an end as he was replaced by fellow trialist Marcus Haber and six minutes later the Canadian shot wide and then put a header wide also. Peter Sweeney was causing trouble with his free-kicks and Lubomir Michalik got on the end of one but fired straight at the keeper, while at the other end Alan Martin was proving equal to the task and twice saved well as the game petered out to a 1-1 draw and the two keepers, Casper Ankergren and David Lucas, were the only Leeds players not to get a run.

Underhill Stadium, home of Barnet, was the next stop for Leeds after their successful tour of Ireland had yielded them two wins and a draw. With Jermaine Beckford and Bradley Johnson sidelined by injury, there was another chance for trialist Luciano Becchio, youngster Fabian Delph and Andy Robinson were back after injury as United lined up: Casper Ankergren; Frazer Richardson, Rui Marques, Paul Huntington, Alan Sheehan; Andy Hughes, Jonathan Howson, Fabian Delph, Andy Robinson; Enoch Showunmi, Luciano Becchio. United started by playing up the step sloping pitch and Andy Robinson had a shot blocked before two minutes had elapsed, but Barnet showed they were not going to be pushovers as United scrambled away their corner as they responded. It was Luciano Becchio who was proving to be an awkward customer as he shot over and then on fifteen minutes forced the Barnet keeper to an excellent save to deny him from opening his account. However it was the lively Andy Robinson who gave Leeds the lead after thirty-six minutes, with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty box. It was the former Swansea City schemer that also fashioned an opening for Luciano Becchio to shoot wide from one of his defence splitting passes and right on half time it was Robinson again who tested the keeper with a curling shot. The travelling fans were given more to cheer about just four minutes after the interval as Jonathan Howson doubled United’s lead as he broke through the centre on the downhill slope and picked his spot to give the Barnet keeper no chance. Paul Telfer came on for Frazer Richardson after fifty-six minutes, while Lubomir Michalike replaced Paul Huntington twelve minutes later, followed by Scott Gardner for Luciano Becchio on sixty-eight minutes and finally trialist Marcus Haber was on for Enoch Showunmi a minute later. United started playing possession football and kept the ball for long spells but allowed Lubomir Michalik to push forward and he saw his shot deflected away from the net. Andy Hughes too saw a shot blocked and Marcus Haber could not get through the crowded Barnet defence as he looked to score from the rebound and then saw another shot deflected over the bar as Leeds won 2-0 with ease. David Lucas, David Prutton, Jonathan Douglas, Peter Sweeney, Robert Bayly, Ben Parker and Alan Martin all remained unused on the bench.

United wore their yellow shirts bearing the name of new sponsor Netflights.com for their Tuesday night visit to the Darlington Arena. They had Jermaine Beckford back from injury and new signing Robert Snodgrass on the bench, as they lined up for the kick-off with: Casper Ankergren; Frazer Richardson, Paul Huntington, Rui Marques, Alan Sheehan; David Prutton, Jonathan Howson, Fabian Delph, Andy Robinson; Enoch Showunmi, Jermaine Beckford. The game started slowly as Enoch Showunmi shot over and Alan Sheehan was wide from a free-kick before the Darlington keeper was tested for the first time after eighteen minutes as David Prutton shot from a distance. Beckford also tested him on the half-hour as the game did not reach any great heights and Darlington failed to get any shots on target and the only chance of the first half came two minutes before the interval when Alan White was forced to head over his own bar to thwart a Leeds raid. The second half showed some improvement as Jonathan Howson had a shot blocked and Rui Marques headed over from a corner, while Frazer Richardson twice reacted quickly to block efforts from the lively Adam Griffin. New signing Robert Snodgrass made his first appearance on fifty-seven minutes as he replaced Enoch Showumni while two minutes later Bradley Johnson came on in place of Fabian Delph. Ten minutes after coming on, Robert Snodgrass headed over from a corner and then as the game got into the last fifteen minutes Andy Robinson had a shot blocked and Jermaine Beckford had an effort saved by the keeper. Darlington should have taken the lead after eighty-one minutes, when Casper Ankergren failed to hold a cross but Alan White headed over from five yards and the game finished in a goalless draw. David Lucas, Jonathan Douglas, Lubomir Michalik, Scott Gardner, Ben Parker, Peter Sweeney, Robert Bayly and Alan Martin were all unused substitutes.

For United’s final pre-season friendly they entertained Belgian First Division side FCV Dender at Elland Road and it saw a first start for Robert Snodgrass and a final chance for others to impress Manager Gary McAllister before the season kicked off one week later. With Luciano Becchio out with a slight injury, the starting eleven was: Casper Ankergren; Frazer Richardson, Paul Huntington, Rui Marques, Alan Sheehan; Robert Snodgrass, David Prutton, Jonathan Howson, Andy Robinson; Enoch Showunmi, Jermaine Beckford. After the poor performance at Darlington Gary McAllister had harsh words with the squad and his starting eleven for the game against the Belgians looked like his strongest team and the eleven that he had in mind for the season’s opener at Scunthorpe United. The first team squad had remained unbeaten in six pre-season friendlies and were looking to add FCV Bender to their list. Enoch Showunmi was obviously keen to impress and started like a house on fire, having one effort cleared and then a dipping shot from distance saved after being set up by Andy Robinson. The Dender goalkeeper Alexandre Martinovic had to be in good form as Andy Robinson, Jermaine Beckford and their fellow strikers all tested him. It came as no surprise when United took the lead after twenty-four minutes, when, after good work by Robert Snodgrass, Enoch Showumni played in Paul Huntington and the central defender powered the ball into the net. Just four minutes later it was 2-0 as Rui Marques headed home a Robert Snodgrass corner. Enoch Showunmi had been the Leeds danger-man from the off and he tried to beat the keeper from distance and was then denied again by the alert keeper. He was not having much luck himself but he laid on a goal for his strike partner Jermaine Beckford after thirty-four minutes and Gary McAllister would have been pleased with his side’s performance and a 3-0 lead they took in at half-time. Dender started off the second half much livelier and pulled a goal back after fifty-five minutes as Bart Van Den Eede finished well after receiving a good through ball. A minute later Gary McAllister started to ring the changes as Robert Bayly and Lubomir Michalik replaced Frazer Richardson and Rui Marques, followed by more changes six minutes later as Scott Gardner replaced Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Douglas came on for David Prutton and the complete change to the midfield saw Fabian Delph and Peter Sweeney on for Jonathan Howson and Andy Robinson. Three minutes later he sent Ben Parker on for Jermaine Beckford, leaving just the two goalkeepers David Lucas and Alan Martin unused on the bench. With all the changes it was inevitable that United lost their rhythm and the game drifted to its inevitable conclusion. However with four minutes of normal time left Paul Huntington headed home a Peter Sweeney corner for his second and United’s fourth of the game as they cruised to a very satisfying 4-1 victory.

There were starts for United new boys, Robert Snodgrass, Andy Robinson and Enoch Showumni, while Luciano Becchio came off the bench to make his debut and Paul Telfer although making the bench had to wait for another day for his debut. United still boasted the best first day without defeat record which stretched back almost twenty years to the opening day defeat at St James’ Park when Newcastle were the victors as long ago as 19th August 1989 in the 1989-90 Second Division Campaign when Howard Wilkinson led his team to the EPL as Champions. The first-ever League visit to Glanfield Park promised to be a challenge to that record, but United had been installed as the promotion favourites by the bookmakers and hopes were high of maintaining the first day sequence. Frazer Richardson led his full-strength team out and they lined-up as follows: Casper Ankergren; Frazer Richardson, Paul Huntington, Rui Marques, Alan Sheehan; Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Howson, David Prutton, Andy Robinson; Jermaine Beckford, Enoch Showunmi. The bench comprised: David Lucas, Jonathan Douglas, Paul Telfer, Andy Hughes and Luciano Becchio. The game opened brightly with Jonathan Howson prominent at both ends of the pitch, winning a corner from which Paul Huntington headed narrowly wide and then the centre back and midfield man were back clearing consecutive corners. The game continue at a frantic pace and Jermaine Beckford shot high over from a Frazer Richardson cross, while Casper Ankergren was also getting plenty of work at the other end. Scunthorpe had a good chance on thirty-eight minutes but Paul Hayes shot wide and United quickly responded as Enoch Showunmi capitalised on good work by Robert Snodgrass and grazed a post with the keeper well beaten. The half finished in controversy as the Irons’ keeper Josh Lillis fumbled a shot from Robert Snodgrass and the ball appeared to have crossed the line, but the referee and his Assistant failed to see and United went to the break feeling aggrieved not to be in front. They were quickly in command as the second half started and Lillis had to make a fine save to deny Andy Robinson, Enich Showumni had a shot blocked and both Jermaine Beckford and David Prutton had efforts go just wide and Robert Snodgrass continued to be a source of menace and was twice denied. After applying all the second half pressure, disaster struck United after fifty-seven minutes when Scunthorpe’s Gary Hooper escaped the marking of Rui Marques and exchanged passes with Paul Hayes before beating Casper Ankergren and putting the home side into the lead. United responded quickly and just three minutes later the impressive Robert Snodgrass flighted a long free-kick and Enoch Showunmi rose well to head the ball home. Five minutes later there was almost a replica goal, only this time Enoch Showumni could not get his header on target. On seventy minutes it was again Robert Snodgrass’ free kick that caused Scunthorpe more problems and David Prutton was wide as a chance fell to him, quickly followed by more fine saves from Josh Lillis to deny Andy Robinson and Jermaine Beckford as the Irons’ failed to cope the Scot’s set pieces. Inevitably United finally hit the front with ten minutes left after David Prutton had rattled the bar; Jermaine Beckford was on hand to power home the rebound. Gary McAllister immediately sent Luciano Becchio into the fray in place of Enoch Showumni and soon tested Josh Lillis with a shot from distance. There was a scare at the other end as a misjudged back-header by Alan Sheehan gave a chance to Gary Hooper but Casper Ankergren reacted well to save the situation and Jonathan Howson forced another good save from Josh Lillis and David Prutton was narrowly wide as United took the honours with a fine 2-1 away victory, as Andy Hughes replaced Andy Robinson at the death.

United had been given a trip to the Deva Stadium to play League Two side Chester City in the First Round of the Carling Cup and Gary McAllister resisted the chance of wholesale changes against weaker opposition even though Chester City had suffered a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Dagenham and Redbridge the previous game. David Prutton was injured and Fabian Delph took his place in central midfield, while Luciano Becchio was given a start as Enoch Showunmi dropped to the bench, where there were places for Lubomir Michalik, Bradley Johnson and Tom Elliott in place of Andy Hughes as the substitutes allowed was increased from five to seven. It didn’t take United long to open the scoring as after just three minutes a long free-kick from Casper Ankergren was whipped into the bottom right hand corner of the net from close range by Jermaine Beckford, who had escaped the marking of former Leeds Captain Paul Butler. A second soon followed after just ten minutes as Andy Robinson released Fabian Delph down the left and Robert Snodgrass was left with acres of space to pick his spot and score his first Leeds goal. The goals kept coming but this time it was the home side that found the net as a Ryan Lowe shot deflected off Rui Marques and left Casper Ankergren a spectator as it looped over his head. Jonathan Howson was close with a dipping shot as the gulf in class between the two sides became apparent and United got a third after twenty-five minutes as Jermaine Beckford pounced on a defensive error to easily beat goalkeeper John Danby. A fourth goal arrived after thirty-one minutes as Jonathan Howson and Robert Snodgrass combined well to cut through the Chester defence and set up Andy Robinson who curled the ball into the net for his first United goal. It could have been 5-1 soon after but Paul Butler got in a last ditch tackle as Jermaine Beckford looked odds-on to complete his hat-trick. However, it was only delaying the inevitable and the Leeds striker duly completed his first-ever Leeds hat-trick with Robert Snodgrass finding him in space and he scored with an audacious chip from near the touchline fully thirty-five yards from goal to leave the Chester keeper John Danby stranded to put the game way beyond any doubt after thirty-five minutes. The score remained the same until half-time and after seven minutes of the second half Gary McAllister gave Jonathan Douglas and Bradley Johnson their first run of the season and also sent on Enoch Showumni in place of Jonathan Howson, Andy Robinson and Jermaine Beckford and left David Lucas, Lubomir Michalik, Paul Telfer and Tom Elliott unused on the bench. Ten minutes into the half Luciano Becchio forced John Danby to be at his acrobatic best to push over a goal-bound header. Soon afterwards Fabian Delph headed wide from a Robert Snodgrass cross and the keeper did well to keep out an Enoch Showumni effort and then the big striker was just too high with a shot in the sixty-third minute. The pace of the game had slowed dramatically and Chester City did create a couple of half-chances before Frazer Richardson was adjudged to have brought down Damien Mozika in the box and Ryan Lowe made no mistake from the spot after seventy-five minutes to round off the scoring as Leeds progressed to Round Two by 5-2.

Lubomir Michalik, Tom Elliott and Bradley Johnson were the substitutes to miss out as David Prutton returned from injury to replace Fabian Delph in the run-on team and Gary McAllister reverted to having just five on the bench for his first home League game of the season against old rivals Oldham Athletic. He also gave the job of partnering Jermaine Beckford to Enoch Showumni as Luciano Becchio started from the bench as he picked the same eleven that opened the season at Scunthorpe. There was a crowd of 24,631 to see former Leeds legend John Sheridan’s team, which included ex-Leeds player Sean Gregan in their ranks, test the latest team’s quality. It was United that set the early pace as Andy Robinson saw a shot blocked and Jonathan Howson witnessed his shot curve wide, but twenty minutes had elapsed before Robert Snodgrass tried his luck from distance but Mark Crossley watched as it flew over the bar, but it wasn’t until twenty-five minutes that Casper Ankergren was brought into action as Chris Taylor tested him from outside the penalty area. Taylor also figured in United’s next threat as he headed an Andy Robinson free-kick just past his own post as he tried to avert the danger. After thirty-seven minutes Jermaine Beckford had a shot blocked and Robert Snodgrass just over from the resultant corner and Oldham tetorted forcing Paul Huntington to clear hurriedly to cut out Lee Hughes and Alan Sheehan blocked a shot from Andy Liddell, whose father Gary Liddell was a former Leeds player, as the teams went to half-time goalless. The second half was only five minutes old when Lee Hughes tried to lift the ball over Casper Ankergren from close range and as the ball rebounded from the crossbar it was Chris Taylor who was first to the ball the head into the net. Lewis Alessandra had the ball in the net a minute later but the visitor’s were denied by the Assistant’s offside flag. On the hour mark Leeds were denied a penalty after Sean Gregan had appeared to pull Enoch Showumni’s shirt in the six-yard box, but the referee adjudged the Oldham man the saint rather than the sinner and it proved costly as Oldham increased their lead five minutes later as Chris Taylor was given all the time in the world to gave Casper Ankergren no chance with a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area. Gary McAllister reacted by sending on Fabian Delph and Luciano Becchio on in place of Jonathan Howson and Enoch Showumni. Their impact was immediate as the Argentinian tested Mark Crossley with an header and Fabian Delph created an opening for Andy Robinson, who shot wide. Alan Sheehan put in a free-kick which did not trouble Mark Crossley with fourteen minutes to go as United did not pose much of a threat and were lucky not to fall further behind as Lewis Alessandra was in the clear but Casper Ankergren came to United’s rescue with a fine save five minutes from time, as United slumped to their first defeat of the season and found themselves in thirteenth place on the ladder.

Surprisingly Gary McAllister kept faith with almost all of his favoured eleven but there was an exception as he gave Luciano Becchio his run-on League debut as Enoch Showumni took his place on the bench. Becchio repaid his faith after just twenty-five seconds of the second away match of the new season at Huish Park, home of Yeovil Town, who had started the season well with a win and a draw to sit in sixth spot. Rui Marques had lifted a speculator over the Yeovil defence and as they waited for each other to make a decisive move the Argentinian took advantage to nip in and steer a left-footed drive inside the left-hand post past a surprised Asmir Begovic in the Yeovil goal. His strike partner was also looking to get in on the act and his shot was just over the bar in the sixth minute as he proved to be a constant menace to the Yeovil defence who were quite prepared to stop them both no matter what the cost. And the free-kicks and yellow cards started to mount. It wasn’t just one way as Yeovil had to use two substitutes as Danny Schofield, after fifteen minutes, and Aidan Downes, seven minutes into the second half, were unable to continue. The two Leeds strikers continued to cause Yeovil problems and four minutes into the second half, United could have doubled their lead after Robert Snodgrass fired in a twenty-yard shot which Asmir Begovic allowed to slip from his grasp, but, unfortunately for Leeds, it squirmed past the wrong side of the upright. United conceded an equaliser in the sixty-second minute when Paul Huntington clearly pushed Paul Warne in the penalty box. Substitute Lloyd Owusu placed the spot kick low to Casper Ankergren’s left and the keeper made a fine attempt to save but unfortunately he couldn’t hang on to it and the substitute was able to follow up and put the rebound into the net. Yeovil were now in the ascendancy but their scorer missed a good opportunity as he put the ball over the bar and Gavin Tomlin had Casper Ankergren back-peddling madly as he tried to lob him from distance. After seventy-three minutes Gary McAllister made a double substitution replacing Andy Robinson with Enoch Showumni and Robert Snodgrass with Jonathan Douglas as United switched from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3. The game was wide open and Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio remained the major threats on goal as the game reached its last ten minutes but equally Yeovil were still causing United’s rearguard plenty of problems and with four minutes to go Fabian Delph came on for Jonathan Howson. There were four minutes added for stoppages and United had Alan Sheehan to thank for stopping Gavin Tomlin from putting the ball in the net after he had rounded Casper Ankergren. In the end United were happy with a point which took them into twelfth place.

United’s reward for beating Chester City was a home tie with CCCL side Crystal Palace which would give United a chance to see how they would cope with opposition from the higher League. Gary McAllister took the chance to give some of his fringe players a chance to get some game time in the first team. Sixteen year-old Aidan White was given his debut at left back and Paul Telfer also got his first game at the heart of the United defence and there were places for David Lucas, Lubomir Michalik and Neil Kilkenny was back after representing Australia at the Olympics as United lined up: David Lucas; Frazer Richardson, Lubomir Michalik, Paul Telfer, Aidan White; Fabian Delph, Jonathan Douglas, Neil Kilkenny, Andy Hughes; Luciano Becchio, Jermaine Beckford. With seven substitutes allowed United could choose from Alan Martin, Rui Marques, Andy Robinson, Bradley Johnson, Jonathan Howson, Robert Snodgrass and Enoch Showunmi. Palace had two ex-United loanees on their bench in John Oster and Leandre Griffit. David Lucas was soon in action as he Kieran Djali shot straight at him for him to make a comfortable save, but it was United that took an early lead as Jonathan Douglas shot home in the eleventh minute after Lubomir Michalik had sent a long ball forward and Jermaine Beckford’s flick on had found him unmarked and Leeds remained in command in the opening twenty minutes. After the twenty-five minute mark it was again Beckford to the fore as he forced a save from Darryl Flahavan and moments later there was an action replay which was saved at the expense of a corner. Kilkenny’s flag kick was precise and it was the Leeds main striker who headed powerfully past the keeper to double his team’s lead after twenty-nine minutes. United continue to be the better side but could not improve the score before the interval. They effectively killed off the game seven minutes into the second half when Luciano Becchio got up well to meet a Frazer Richardson cross to head powerfully home. Manager Gary McAllister decided he had done his job and gave him a rest as he sent on Enoch Showunmi six minutes later and United were cruising with little threat from their CCCL visitors. Enoch Showumni almost made it 4-0 but was denied by Darryl Flahavan’s desperate hand, after Jermaine Beckford had put him through in the seventy-second minute. Aidan White left to a standing ovation two minutes later as Bradley Johnson took his place and four minutes later Enoch Showunmi did make it 4-0 as he slid in to force the ball home and should have made it five soon after but took one touch too many and was closed down by the advancing keeper and with the job well and truly done Jonathan Howson came on for Jermaine Beckford with eleven minutes left on the clock as United waltzed into the Third Round with an emphatic 4-0 win over the more fancied Crystal Palace.

After the strong performance in the midweek drubbing of CCCL Crystal Palace, Manager Gary McAllister stayed with the nucleus of the team that had given such an emphatic victory for the visit of eighth placed Bristol Rovers. Despite his excellent performance, there was no place in the squad for Aidan White and he did not include Paul Telfer either, preferring to bring in Bradley Johnson, for his first game of the season at left back, and Paul Huntington in central defence and Casper Ankergren, Jonathan Howson, David Prutton, Robert Snodgrass and Enoch Showunmi formed a strong bench. United started off confidently and were one up inside five minutes as Neil Kilkenny and Fabian Delph featured strongly in the build up and not surprisingly it was Jermaine Beckford on the business end of it as his strong shot went in off the hand of Bristol defender Steve Elliott. Bristol had their moments but it was united who were in control as the game reached the half-hour mark, but a moment of sloppiness proved to be costly as the United defence was caught square in the thirty-second minute after Paul Huntington’s fine blocking tackle rebounded to Ricky Lambert, who found himself in plenty of space and had time to take aim before tucking the ball home for the equaliser. It got worse as the West Country team took the lead just five minutes later after they had been awarded a dubious free-kick, once more slack marking left Darryl Duffy unmarked as he shot accurately into the net from ten yards. United were quick to reply as Luciano Becchio got in a cross which Steve Elliott almost headed into his own net and this was quickly followed by Paul Huntington getting on the end of a Bradley Johnson free-kick, but his header was too high, while at the other end Duffy again found himself free but shot wide, as United went in at half-time 2-1 down. They started the second half at a quicker tempo and Bradley Johnson and Fabian Delph both could not convert chances into goals. After sixty-six minutes Gary McAllister took off Bradley Johnson and Andy Hughes and sent on Enoch Showunmi and Jonathan Howson as United pushed three up front. Howson almost immediately got in a shot which was blocked and Bristol showed they were prepared to defend in numbers and restrict Leeds to long range shots and crosses, and Gary McAllister threw on Robert Snodgrass for Luciano Becchio with fifteen minutes to go. However, it was Jermaine Beckford who got his second of the game and his seventh for the season in the seventy-seventh minute as he seized a chance in the area as Enoch Showunmi threaded the ball through to him and he finished confidently to equalise with a clever chip. Leeds looked the more likely of the two teams to get the winner and Neil Kilkenny saw a shot deflected wide as Leeds lay siege to the Pirates goal in the dying stages, but the Bristol defence held firm and they won their point but both teams slipped down the ladder with Rovers going to eleventh and United to fourteenth.

United next had a Johnstone’s Paint trophy encounter with League Two opponents Bradford City at Elland Road and they took the chance to once more give some of the fringe players much needed game time. Aidan White was given another exposure at left-back after showing up well against Crystal Palace and the Leeds team was: David Lucas; Frazer Richardson, Paul Huntington, Rui Marques, Aidan White; David Prutton, Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Howson; Robert Snodgrass, Enoch Showunmi, Andy Robinson. The five substitutes were Casper Ankergren, Bradley Johnson, Fabian Delph, Luciano Becchio and Jermaine Beckford. Gary McAllister started with three up front as Robert Snodgrass, Enoch Showunmi and Andy Robinson took those roles. United were quick to apply the pressure and David Prutton hit the post with an angled drive after just three minutes, but only seven minutes had elapsed before they took the lead. Paul McLaren handled in the box and Andy Robinson converted from the spot with an unstoppable shot. They did not have it all their own way and had to thank David Lucas for keeping the scoresheet blank. Jonathan Howson was the next to threaten the City goal as he fired a low shot wide from the edge of the penalty box. The Bantams thought they had got an equaliser after twenty-one minute when Neil Kilkenny was back defending on the line and his clearance hit David Lucas and cannoned back over the line but the flag was up for an offside. Eight minutes later Enoch Showunmi limped off and was replaced by Luciano Becchio who soon announced his arrival as he got in an header that was just over the bar. Bradford had a chance to equalise just before the interval but Barry Conlan headed over from close range, but after Andy Robinson had rattled the Bantam’s bar, moments later it was 2-0 as Luciano Becchio got up well to head in a corner kick five minutes before half-time. It could have been 3-0 at the break but Andy Robinson failed to make the most of a chance after Bradford’s keeper Rhys Evans had kicked the ball straight to him. The second half was more of the first with City on the back-foot and after fifty-two minutes Luciano Becchio watched as the Bradford keeper clawed his goal-bound effort. Then Jonathan Howson hit the inside of the post and the keeper palmed a n Andy Robinson shot over the bar and then made a finger-tipped save from another curling free-kick from the same player. With twenty minutes left it was City that scored next as Barry Conlan turned a Kyle Nix cross into the net. Manager McAllister sent on Bradley Johnson to replace Neil Kilkenny one minute later but it was the visitors who pressed for an equaliser. With four minutes left on the clock Fabian Delph was sent on for Aidan White and David Lucas saved comfortably from Paul McLaren in the ninetieth minute as the Referee added three minutes but while the finale was tense United were through to the Second Round.

For the home game with Crewe Alexandra United returned to their tried and true 4-4-2 system as they fielded the following team: David Lucas; Frazer Richardson, Lubomir Michalik, Paul Telfer, Alan Sheehan; Andy Hughes, Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Douglas, Fabian Delph; Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio. The substitutes were Casper Ankergren, David Prutton, Jonathan Howson, Robert Snodgrass and Andy Robinson. It saw Paul Telfer replace Paul Huntington in central defence and Alan Sheehan come in for Bradley Johnson at left back and Andy Robinson replace Enoch Showunmi on the bench from the team that had played out a 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers. Crewe, who had lost three of their first four League games, had Anthony Elding in their ranks first his first return to Elland Road after leaving in the summer. United made much of the early running as Alan Sheehan created an opening, Jermaine Beckford as a threat and Jonathan Douglas headed wide before Andy Hughes had a header cleared off the line after twenty minutes. It was Fabian Delph, however, who gave United the lead after twenty-six minutes, as he celebrated his signing of a new four year contract by striking his first goal for the club from well outside the penalty box and the low shot clipped the left hand post on its way into the net. Ten minutes later Alan Sheehan added a second with another blistering long range effort, this time his left-foot rocket flew into the top right hand corner from thirty yards out. Luciano Becchio twice had headers pushed over the bar by Crewe keeper Steve Collis and it could well have been three or four by half-time as United dominated. Becchio started the second half by again being unlucky as his shot was deflected, but they didn’t have long to wait for the third as three minutes into the half as Jonathan Douglas became the third player to score from distance as he drilled his first time shot inside the keeper’s right hand post. With Fabian Delph controlling the midfield chances were arriving frequently and Jermaine Beckford and Lubomir Michalik went close. After sixty-four minutes Gary McAllister gave Jonathan Howson and Andy Robinson a chance to impress as they replaced Andy Hughes and Neil Kilkenny, and it was Andy Robinson who provided the cross for Jermaine Beckford to head home a fourth goal at the near post less than two minutes later, as he brought his season’s tally to eight. After sixty-nine minutes Robert Snodgrass came on for Luciano Becchio, bit it was Robinson again that almost made it five as he rattled the crossbar and then, after seventy-eight minutes, forced Steve Collis to parry another effort. With nine minutes left on the clock he got his reward scoring with a spectacular curling shot from outside of the box. He then provided Jonathan Howson with a chance, but his header went wide. The game finished on a sour note for United as Lubomir Michalik was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for shirt-pulling and from the resulting free-kick Billy Jones headed a consolation for Alexandra. But the game was not yet over and Crewe salvaged a little more pride as Eugene Bopp scored with a deflected shot from the edge of the box with the final kick of the game. The win lifted United up into sixth spot and the extra goals had lifted them above the other three clubs on the same number of points.

There was a trip down to the West Country to the County Ground to play Swindon Town, who were sat in eleventh spot, and Manager Gary McAllister had to make two enforced changes with Rui Marques coming in for the suspended Lubomir Michalik and Alan Martin replacing the injured Casper Ankergren on the bench. There was a very early yellow card for Rui Marques as he tripped Simon Cox on the edge of the box after five minutes, but worse was to follow as Alan Sheehan received a straight red card for a two footed tackle on Jon-Paul McGovern and United were reduced to ten men with only eight minutes on the clock. United dropped Andy Hughes to left back and played with a three man midfield with Jermaine Beckford helping out in defence whenever possible. David Lucas was soon in action saving from Simon Cox, but United were not a spent force in attack and Neil Kilkenny tested Phil Smith from distance and indeed took the leas after twenty-three minutes as a Frazer Richardson cross was not cleared properly by Jeril Ifil and Jermaine Beckford seized on the chance to shoot the ball into the net for his ninth goal of the season. Despite their numerical disadvantage United were holding their own and after Frazer Richardson had tried his luck from distance three minutes before the break and Simon Cox had also shot over with a speculator from outside the box, Cox was the next scorer right on the stroke of half-time when he was left unmarked and was able to pick his spot with a far post header. The Swindon keeper was soon in action as the second half saw Leeds straight on the attack with Kilkenny forcing him to save as Jermaine Beckford waited ready to pounce and Luciano Becchio was appealing for a penalty after he claim he had been pulled to the ground. So it came as no surprise when Neil Kilkenny gave Leeds the lead five minutes into the half with a shot from distance which looked innocent but the Swindon keeper spilled the catch and it rolled over the line. David Lucas made no such mistake as he pulled off an outstanding save to thwart Jon-Paul McGovern minutes later. On the fifty-eight minute mark Gary McAllister made a double substitution bringing on Jonathan Howson and David Prutton to provide fresh legs in midfield as Neil Kilkenny and Luciano Becchio came off, as United put four in midfield and left Jermaine Beckford as the lone striker, as Swindon started to make their numbers count. Nine minutes later Jonathan Howson and Fabian Delph combined well to make a break but Jermaine Beckford’s shot was off target. But United remained on the attack with Beckford chipping just over the bar and a Howson free-kick was cleared at the expense of a corner. Once again the Swindon keeper spilled the corner but it was scrambled away. Jermaine Beckford was always in the thick of the action and was unceremoniously upended in midfield after seventy-two minutes and it was he that clinched the match five minutes from time with a clinical finish after being put through by a long ball down the middle for his tenth of the season and he went off for a well earned rest a minute later as Robert Snodgrass came on. Even though there was five minutes of stoppage time United never looked anything but clear winners and recorded another fine away victory to take them into fourth spot.

The suspension of Alan Sheehan gave Gary McAllister the chance to include the promising Aidan White at left back and gave him his League debut in an otherwise unchanged team for United’s visit to Brunton Park, which must have brought back fond memories of United’s play off victory there over Carlisle United. The sixteen year-old was soon in the action as he picked out Andy Hughes with a good cross from the left. Carlisle were quick to reply as Simon Hackney made good ground down the left before his cross went over the bar. The Carlisle defence was stretched after nine minutes when a good move in which Aidan White, Jonathan Douglas and Jermaine Beckford all combined well to let in Andy Hughes at the far post but his shot was scrambled to safety. United played good possession football and Jonathan Douglas went close with a strong shot but Carlisle quickly reminded them that they too posed a threat as Cleveland Taylor went close with a header after twenty-three minutes. However, after Neil Kilkenny had been denied by Carlisle keeper Ben Williams, United took the lead after thirty-two minutes from the resultant corner as Kilkenny’s deep corner kick was put back into the middle by Paul Telfer and Luciano Becchio was on hand to force the ball into the net from close range. It was a deserved lead but Carlisle soon were back on the attack and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson shot from distance was not too far over the bar, while Jermaine Beckford and Rui Marques both went close for United as the half time break came. United soon created chances at the start of the second half as Luciano Becchio headed over a Frazer Richardson cross and Jermaine Beckford was just wide after he broke through the middle. Gary McAllister was forced to make his first change ten minutes into the second half as Aidan White limped off and was replaced by Jonathan Howson, as he took the midfield role with Andy Hughes reverting to left back. It was the new full back who came to United’s rescue as he cleared under pressure after Simon Hockey tried a shot as Carlisle mounted the pressure. Ex-United hero Michael Bridges came into the fray after sixty-three minutes but headed wide a minute later and his team-mate Danny Carlton did the same eight minutes later. Gary McAllister sent on Robert Snodgrass for Neil Kilkenny with fifteen minutes left as United conceded back to back corners, before Frazer Richardson rattled the bar from distance as United counter-attacked on eighty minutes. Two minutes later United were in luck as a goal-bound shot from Simon Hockey took a diversion, but with four minutes to go Robert Snodgrass broke down the right and Jermaine Beckford timed his run to perfection to shoot home from close range for his eleventh goal of the season as United completed a third successive away League victory to move into third spot on the ladder, as Andy Robinson took Luciano Becchio’s place to wind the clock down.

There were wholesale changes to the line-up as United entertained Hartlepool United at Elland Road in the Third Round of the Carling Cup. There was a first game of the season for Ben Parker at left back and Andy Hughes switched to right back and also took on the Captain’s armband from Frazer Richardson. United had also allowed third choice keeper Alan Martin to go on loan to Conference National side Barrow to gain match experience. The team was: Casper Ankergren; Andy Hughes, Lubomir Michalik, Paul Huntington, Ben Parker; Robert Snodgrass, David Prutton, Jonathan Howson, Neil Kilkenny; Andy Robinson, Enoch Showunmi. David Lucas, Jonathan Webb, Aidan White, Fabian Delph, Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio and Tom Elliott were the seven man bench. The night was off to a bad start as the visitors took the lead before two minutes were on the clock as Leeds-born Andy Monkhouse arrived unmarked at the far post to head a Joel Porter flick from a Ritchie Humphreys’ cross past David Lucas. The United response was swift but Ben Parker’s shot was just off target as was an effort from Neil Kilkenny and Andy Robinson’s shot from distance was on target but keeper Arran Lee-Bennett coped easily with it. The equaliser duly came after fourteen minutes as Robert Snodgrass dispossessed Sam Collins on the edge of the penalty box and gave the keeper no chance with an accurate finish. Ten minutes later Andy Robinson created a chance for Jonathan Howson, but the midfielder shot wide and then shot just over after he had made another opening for himself. Despite United’s possession it was Hartlepool that scored next as Joel Porter found space on the edge of the box to score with a precision lob after he spotted Casper Ankergren off his line, after thirty-three minutes. Three minutes later United were forced to replace Robert Snodgrass, who was complaining of a stomach upset, by Jermaine Beckford and two minutes later Hartlepool almost increased their lead as Casper Ankergren was forced to push an Anthony Sweeney header over the bar and, on the stroke of half time United were again indebted to their keeper who saved them after Ritchie Jones had been put through by Andy Monkhouse. The second half saw Jermaine Beckford head just over the bar and Enoch Showunmi barge his way through only to be thwarted by the keeper, but it was he who scored the equaliser after fifty-seven minutes when he forced home the rebound after Jermaine Beckford had hit the bar. Five minutes later a David Prutton shot was just wide of the mark and then with twenty minutes left on the clock Luciano Becchio replaced Enoch Showunmi, but the winner would not come as Jermaine Beckford could not find the net as he chased a long clearance out of defence by Lubomir Michalik. With six minutes of normal time left and extra-time a distinct possibility, Gary McAllister sent on Fabian Delph for David Prutton, just in time to see Jonathan Howson’s powerful free-kick deflected over the crossbar. It was Andy Robinson who saved the game from extra-time and gave United the victory on ninety minutes as he cut in from the right and delivered a precision strike to give the keeper no chance and put United into the Fourth Round against possible EPL opposition.

After the win over Hartlepool United Gary McAllister reverted to his winning side at Carlisle United except that he replaced Andy Hughes and Neil Kilkenny by Andy Robinson and Jonathan Howson as they took on Hereford United at Elland Road and the team that took the field was: David Lucas, Frazer Richardson, Rui Marques, Paul Telfer, Aidan White; Jonathan Howson, Jonathan Douglas, Fabian Delph, Andy Robinson; Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio. The bench featured Casper Ankergren, Andy Hughes, David Prutton, Neil Kilkenny and Robert Snodgrass. It was Andy Robinson who tested the Hereford keeper Darren Randolph after five minutes with a shot from distance and it was also he who tried to play Jermaine Beckford in but Richard Jackson managed to clear the danger. United were well in command and Howson was wide and Delph tested the keeper before Aidan White cut in from the left only to see his shot deflected to safety by the Hereford defence. The visitors were heavily indebted to their keeper for keeping the scoresheet blank as he left his box to head clear and then thwarted Jermaine Beckford just after the half hour before denying Luciano Becchio after thirty-eight minutes. In the next three minutes, Jermaine Beckford was just wide with a curling shot from outside the area and Richard Rose put in a superb tackle to stop Jonathan Douglas from scoring from close range and then on the stroke of half time the keeper pulled off another fine save as Luciano Becchio headed goal-wards at the far post. The one way traffic continued in the second half as after three minutes Jermaine Beckford shaved the post with a shot from close range and then David Lucas was finally called upon to make a fingertip save to deny Nick Chadwick before Beckford was again close on two occasions as on the one hour mark United had had twenty shots on goal with ten of them being on target with barely a shot by Hereford as United had enjoyed over sixty per cent of the possession. Randolph was having an excellent game in the Hereford goal and he twice more denied Jermaine Beckford before Andy Robinson was just wide with an header and Randolph somehow kept out a Luciano Becchio header. United finally got the goal they had been looking for in the seventy-second minute but not before Randolph had performed another wonder save to deny Becchio and the goal came from a cross from Beckford which was met firmly by the head of Becchio and despite another fine one handed save by Randolph it only went into the path of Andy Robinson and he dived to head the ball into the net. Even after the goal Randolph continued with his man of the match performance to again thwart Luciano Becchio and the followed it up with a double save as he denied Jermaine Beckford. Gary McAllister sent on Andy Hughes for the young Adrian White after seventy-eight minutes. Then suddenly Hereford made a concerted effort to grab a point and Rui Marques got a decisive touch to deflect a Matt Done shot to safety in the eighty-fourth minute and a minute later Robert Snodgrass replaced Andy Robinson but it was Done who found an opening three minutes later but slipped as he was about to get in his cross and with Hereford showing a will to win Moses Ashikoda wasted a great opportunity a minute from time when he shot wide. In the end United were hanging on to their three points after having enough chances to have won the game with ease but they kept third place one point behind the joint leaders, Oldham Athletic and Scunthorpe United, but fourth placed Leicester City were also in the same points as United but had a game in hand.

There was a midday kick-off for United as they visited Peterborough United at their London Road ground. During the week United had announced the release of Irish defender Robert Bayly and Manager Gary McAllister had chosen an unchanged squad but his plans were rapidly changed when David Lucas broke his finger in the pre-match warm-up and Ben Parker came on to the bench as Casper Ankergren came into the starting eleven in place of David Lucas. It was the Peterborough keeper Joe Lewis who was the first in action all-be-it to watch a Luciano Becchio shot go narrowly wide after five minutes as United were playing a 4-3-3 with Andy Robinson pushed up on the right wing. It was, however, Casper Ankergren who was the first to have to pull off the first goal-saving save as he made a splendid stop from Craig Mackail-Smith who had found himself in space. United hit back and Luciano Becchio headed over and Jermaine Beckford shot over before the first quarter of an hour had elapsed. United were enjoying the better possession but Casper Ankergren was again in the action as he saved a low shot from Paul Coutts, while Luciano Becchio also went close at the other end, before the keeper was again in action saving from George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith in quick succession as Peterborough came more into the game. Joe Lewis was also in action as he had to leave his line to thwart Jermaine Beckford and the United striker was appealing for a penalty after he had been impeded in the box soon after. Although United finished the half in the ascendancy they had Rui Marques and Paul Telfer to thank for some good defending after Shaun Batt had drawn Casper Ankergren and the ball was heading for the net and later the keeper was called upon to save with his legs to deny Craig Mackail-Smith. The game took on a totally different aspect after less than two minutes of the second half as George Boyd scored in controversial fashion when he netted by sliding in to divert a shot from Dominic Green, who had appeared to have handled a cross to the far post by Russell Martin before shooting. They almost added a second minutes later but Casper Ankergren reacted well to deny Craig Mackail-Smith. Jonathan Douglas was just wide for United and Craig Mackail-Smith even closer for the home team, before Fabian Delph forced Joe Lewis to make a good save as United mounted more pressure and Gary McAllister sent on Robert Snodgrass in place of Jonathan Howson after fifty-six minutes. The Scot was soon in action as his free-kick was blocked and more United pressure saw the home keeper fumble a Neil Kilkenny shot after seventy-two minutes and at the other end Casper Ankergren was largely untroubled but did save well as he stopped a glancing header from George Boyd. United replied quickly and Andy Robinson had a goal-bound shot deflected and it looked as if United had got the equaliser they deserved in the eighty-second minute as Luciano Becchio had the ball in the net after he picked up the scraps after Joe Lewis could only parry a Neil Kilkenny shot, but the referee disallowed it for offside. Four minutes later Andy Robinson could not get a clear shot on goal after a well crafted move and United were given hope as the referee indicated four minutes of stoppage time but it was Peterborough who benefited as, after George Boyd had been denied, the United defence hesitated and Craig Mackail-Smith was quick to put the ball in the net after two minutes of overtime to put the game beyond United and they suffered their first away defeat and slipped to fourth place.

For the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Second Round encounter with League Two side Rotherham United, Leeds made their first visit to the Don Valley Stadium with a much changed starting line-up, which showed eight changes from the side beaten at Peterborough as the teamsheet showed: David Lucas; Andy Hughes, Rui Marques, Lubomir Michalik, Ben Parker; Neil Kilkenny, David Prutton, Jonathan Howson, Robert Snodgrass; Enoch Showunmi, Andy Robinson. Substitutes: Casper Ankergren, Alan Sheehan, Fabian Delph, Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio. In a bright start Robert Snodgrass rattled the crossbar with a free-kick and Andy Warrington pulled off a fine save as Andy Robinson shot from distance, but it was the home side that took the lead after eighteen minutes when Ian Sharpe got up well to a long throw from Andy Nicholas and the ball looped over David Lucas and into the net. Leeds were back on level terms when, after Andy Robinson and Robert Snodgrass had both had efforts stopped, Jonathan Howson was on hand to score from close range on the half hour and just before half time Neil Kilkenny was extremely close with a free-kick. It was Rotherham, however, who took the lead from the penalty spot after Andy Hughes had brought down Reuben Reid in the area and Mark Hudson scored at the second attempt after David Lucas had saved low down but failed to hold the ball and Hudson netted from the rebound. The second half was only three minutes old when the home side extended their lead, as Drewe Broughton headed a Dale Tonge cross from the right firmly past David Lucas and five minutes later they went further ahead as Nick Fenton made it 4-1 with another header, this time from an Alex Rhodes corner. Leeds reduced the arrears two minutes later as Enoch Showunmi latched on to a through ball from Jonathan Howson and scored to make it 4-2. Gary McAllister immediately gave Alan Sheehan his chance as he was sent on to replace Ben Parker and on seventy minutes he was just wide with a free-kick. A minute later Jermaine Beckford was sent on for Enoch Showunmi, quickly followed by Luciano Becchio in place of Andy Robinson as United tried to save the game. However, it was Robert Snodgrass who came close as his header was clawed away by Andy Warrington before Becchio rattled the bar and then saved well from Neil Kilkenny. Unfortunately Leeds were reduced to ten men as Alan Sheehan limped off and while he was receiving treatment Pablo Mills had the ball in the net with another header, which fortunately was ruled out because of an infringement. Andy Warrington remained in defiant mood and in the dying minutes pulled off a good parrying save from Jonathan Howson before recovering well to deny Luciano Becchio from the rebound as United dropped out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy to the League Two side.

Elland Road welcomed Brighton and Hove Albion, who were managed by ex-United star Micky Adams and after two consecutive defeats Leeds were looking for a return to winning ways. Gary McAllister made six changes from his team that had lost at Rotherham United in midweek and also had Paul Telfer unavailable with a groin problem and Alan Sheehan out with a hamstring injury. So the team was: David Lucas; Frazer Richardson, Rui Marques, Lubomir Michalik, Adrian White; Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Douglas, Fabian Delph, Andy Hughes; Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio. Casper Ankergren, David Prutton, Jonathan Howson, Andy Robinson and Robert Snodgrass were on the bench. There was a cautious start to the game and visiting goalkeeper Michel Kuipers was not called into action until the tenth minute when he saved from Jermaine Beckford. David Livermore, the former Leeds player who never pulled on a Leeds shirt in the League, was on hand to make a goal-line clearance to stop United from going in front soon afterwards and it was almost twenty minutes before Brighton threatened with a shot from Joe Anyinsah was well over the bar. United were having the better of the possession and Jermaine Beckford went close after twenty-five minutes, before Frazer Richardson tried his luck from distance which the visiting keeper fumbled but then after Richardson was again on target on forty minutes he made a fine save. After the half had remained goalless for forty four minutes there was a flurry of goals as an Andy Hughes cross was deflected across the face of goal for Luciano Becchio to smash the ball home at the second attempt to register his fifth goal of the season. Almost before the fans had finished celebrating, good work from Fabian Delph and Aidan White created a chance for Jermaine Beckford which he converted with a fine header and United went into half time 2-0 to the good. Straight from the restart it was Beckford who almost made it 3-0 with a shot that was narrowly wide and as United continued to press Rui Marques headed a corner against the bar and Jermaine Beckford also went close. Fabian Delph was in outstanding form and a menace to the visitors and on seventy-six minutes there was a flare-up as players took exception to the teenager being scythed down on the edge of the area. The United pressure paid off and Jermaine Beckford got his thirteenth goal of the season almost on time with a clinical finish but there was still time left for Glenn Murray to punish a Rui Marques mistake two minutes into injury time to leave the score at 3-1 as Brighton lost their first game of the season on the road and United went third on goal difference.

It was third placed United playing fourth placed Millwall at the New Den and Manager Gary McAllister relied on his same starting eleven but Enoch Showunmi came in for Andy Robinson on the bench. Tresor Kandol was not able to play for the home team under his loan agreement and the game saw a tentative start by both teams as late tackles were prevalent and it wasn’t long before the referee was hading out yellow cards and Millwall were appealing for a penalty after David Martin’s mazy run was ended by Frazer Richardson in the penalty box after fourteen minutes. It was Martin who had the home side’s first shot on target eight minutes later but it was wide as Leeds defended well in the first half hour. This was rewarded by Luciano Becchio scoring the first goal of the game after thirty-one minutes as he showed great skill to carve out an opening before scoring with a shot from twenty yards out and his lethal left foot shot gave David Forde no chance as it flew into the far corner of his goal. They only had the lead for six minutes, however, as the veteran Neil Harris combined well with David Martin for the youngster to lift it over advancing David Lucas to leave well beaten with a precise finish and the sides remained locked at 1-1 as half time came. Disaster struck for Leeds after fifty-nine minutes when Neil Harris gave the Lions the lead after he climbed to delicately head home a cross from Marc Laird after the Leeds defence had failed to clear a corner. After sixty-five minutes Gary McAllister went to a bold 4-2-4 when he sent on Robert Snodgrass and Enoch Showunmi for Neil Kilkenny and Andy Hughes, but it was at the United end that Enoch Showunmi proved useful as he made a good defensive header and Jonathan Douglas was also on hand to make a block as Millwall threatened to increase their lead. United did create some chances and a good cross from Robert Snodgrass saw Jermaine Beckford’s shot blocked by Paul Robinson and David Forde had to race from his box to stop Enoch Showunmi after he had been put through by Fabian Delph, but David Lucas kept United in the game as he blocked a shot from Lewis Grabban with four minutes left on the clock. Enoch Showunmi replied for United but his shot was deflected wide but it was Millwall that put the game beyond doubt with two minutes to go. Gary Alexander pressured David Lucas into a hurried clearance after Fabian Delph had not put enough strength into his back pass and the ball went straight to Neil Harris who side-footed into an unguarded net from an acute angle. The defeat saw United drop to fifth spot.

Leyton Orient were the next visitors to Elland Road for a midweek encounter and they were languishing in the relegation zone eleven points behind their hosts and this gave Gary McAllister hope of a quick return to winning ways as he made three changes to his team. Ben Parker took over at left back from Aidan White, who dropped to the bench, while Paul Telfer had recovered from injury to take over from Rui Marques in central defence and Jonathan Howson took over from the injured Andy Hughes, while Andy Robinson was restored to the bench at the expense of Enoch Showunmi. Fabian Delph was the first to threaten the Orient goal as his shot from distance went narrowly wide and ten minutes into the game United had a gilt-edge chance to take the lead as the referee pointed to the spot after John Melligan handled a Ben Parker cross. Jermaine Beckford stepped up confidently to take the penalty but lost his footing as he made contact from the spot and the ball sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. The visitors were proving to be an attacking force too as Adam Boyd shot just over and Luciano Becchio was back in defence to head away a corner. On twenty-nine minutes David Lucas did well to block Dean Morgan’s shot from close range but there was little he could do in the thirty-sixth minute as the same player beat him comprehensively to give the visitors a shock lead. It could have got worse as Frazer Richardson made a vital block to keep out Paul Terry. That save proved to be the springboard for the United’s thirty-ninth minute equaliser, as Jermaine Beckford broke loose down the right and his cross was deflected over Orient keeper Glenn Morris by Stephen Purches, who was pressured by Luciano Becchio and Morris was again called upon to save from Jonathan Howson just before the interval. It did not remain 1-1 as right on the stroke of half time United took the lead as Luciano Becchio scored with a powerful header after Frazer Richardson had provided the cross in first half injury time. Beckford started the second half with a fine acrobatic effort just three minutes in which rattled the crossbar after good work from Jonathan Howson and he was also a threat minutes later before Leyton rallied, but the striker was again close after sixty-five minutes and again three minutes later as United applied more pressure and it took a spectacular one handed save from Glenn Morris to deny him in the seventy-fifth minute as the Leeds striker turned quickly before delivering a powerful shot. Luciano Becchio had the ball in the net nine minutes later but was ruled offside. Orient let Leeds know that they were not a spent force as Ryan Jarvis shot just wide as Gary McAllister sent on Andy Robinson for Neil Kilkenny with five minutes left on the clock. It was Jermaine Beckford once more who went within a whisker of putting the result beyond doubt but as he rounded the keeper his shot could only find the side-netting. David Prutton came on for Luciano Becchio on full-time and was denied by Glenn Morris in stoppage time as United finished on top and the 2-1 win saw them up to fourth place, but it could have been so different as in their eagerness to attack United left themselves open to quick counter-attacks and a combination of wasteful finishing and bad luck in front of goal meant that Orient were able to stay in the game until the end and but for a brave save by David Lucas as he denied Jason Demetriou and a terrible miss by Ryan Jarvis after United had been opened up down the middle the visitors could even have snatched an equaliser or more.

With David Lucas unavailable through illness, Gary McAllister took the risk of not having a goalkeeper on the substitute bench for the visit of Walsall to Elland Road. Casper Ankergren took his place in goal in an otherwise unchanged starting eleven and Enoch Showunmi took his place on the bench, with Andy Hughes and Paul Huntington still unavailable with groin injuries and Alan Sheehan out for another couple of weeks with a ham-string problem and he had also loaned Ian Westlake to Cheltenham Town. Former Leeds player Michael Ricketts captained the visitors as United started brightly with Jermaine Beckford skimming the crossbar in the opening minutes. Jonathan Howson tried his luck after ten minutes and Jonathan Douglas got in a shot which ricocheted off Luciano Becchio and Clayton Ince made an easy save. Leeds had the majority of possession and Neil Kilkenny shot from twenty-five yards and Fabian Delph had a shot blocked by Clayton Ince and Jermaine Beckford put the rebound wide before United were called upon defensively with Frazer Richardson pulling off a timely clearance and then Michael Ricketts had a shot blocked. In a half which Leeds ruled possession they were forced to shoot from distance as Walsall defended well and this was reflected in the 0-0 score-line as the teams went to the half-time break. It soon changed as less than a minute into the second half Luciano Becchio struck as Walsall could not clear their line and the Argentinian made no mistake from close range. The goal forced Walsall out of their shell and, after Chris Palmer had made a swift break and Troy Deeney’s right wing cross had found Jabo Iberhe eight yards out, Casper Ankergren made a fine blocking save and the visitors won a corner. The high wind was not conducive to good football but Leeds still maintained their passing game, but they had to be wary of Walsall’s threat from a quick counter attack as Jabo Iberhe proved when he just failed to connect with a Richard Taundry cross. After sixty-one minutes Gary McAllister made his first substitution as he sent on Andy Robinson for Neil Kilkenny and the ex-Swan was soon in the action as his free-kick was deflected for a corner and his flag kick brought appeals for a penalty as the ball hit Paul Boertien’s hand as he stood on the line. However, his third involvement brought the Leeds second goal from a superb strike by Fabian Delph, as Robinson took the ball to the by-line and pulled it back to the youngster on the edge of the box, who sent an unstoppable drive into the top corner, after sixty-five minutes. It was Fabian Delph who almost increased the lead further in the seventy-ninth minute with another powerful shot from the edge of the penalty box. Michael Ricketts had a shot from distance to show that Walsall had not given up the ghost as Robert Snodgrass came on for Luciano Becchio on the eighty-two minute mark However, it was Fabian Delph who put the game beyond doubt three minutes before full time with another stunning strike as he bent the ball past Clayton Ince from distance, and the 3-0 win pushed United into second spot on goal difference, but fourth placed Leicester City were just one point behind and had a game in hand.

Gary McAllister, who had loaned Bradley Johnson to Brighton and Hove Albion, fielded an unchanged starting eleven but had a keeper on the bench as David Lucas replaced Enoch Showunmi for the midweek trip to Roots Hall to face Southend United. Dougie Freedman could not play due to injury but Dan Harding was there at left back to play against his former club. Leeds started brightly and won a corner in the opening minutes before Jonathan Douglas didn’t make the best of a chance that came his way after five minutes and put his shot wide of the right upright from twenty yards. After ten minutes the home side started to come more into the game and debutant Francis Laurent forced two good saves from Casper Ankergren. Laurent was causing United problems and he won a free kick on the right hand side of the penalty box. Up stepped Dan Harding and his curling left footed kick beat Casper Ankergren to nestle in the top corner of the net, after eighteen minutes. Southend were now on top and could easily have gone two up soon after when the dangerous Francis Laurent brought a good save from Casper Ankergren but it was only palmed straight to Hal Robson-Kanu who ballooned over with the goal at his mercy. United were now living dangerously and the ball seemed stuck in the Leeds danger area, but gradually they started to come back and in the thirty-fifth minute Jonathan Howson forced Adam Federici to make his first save of the game. Jonathan Douglas had the best chance to equalise but he hooked the ball wide before Fabian Delph forced Federici to make a great one-handed touch at full stretch to push the ball round the post as the youngster connected sweetly from twenty-five yards. Now back in the game United created a few chances and Jermaine Beckford was just over with a header but it was Southend who finished the stronger as the half came to a close and could have had a penalty as Lubomir Michalik was beaten by Francis Laurent and seemed to pull him down but fortunately for United the referee waved their appeals away. United came back strongly after the break and Luciano Becchio crossed from the left and Jonathan Howson headed down for Neil Kilkenny to strike a sweet volley from ten yards but it was excellently saved by Federici as he pushed it over the bar. Leeds remained on top in the first ten minutes of the new half but could not create any clear cut chances and against the run of play Dan Harding almost repeated his strike from a free kick but this time Casper Ankergren was equal to the test and pushed the ball over the bar. The game now became end to end and Alex Revell was in the clear only to shoot narrowly wide. As the game started to get scrappy Gary McAllister made a double substitution after sixty-six minutes as he replaced Neil Kilkenny and Fabian Delph with Andy Robinson and Robert Snodgrass. Andy Robinson, like usual, was soon in the action but his shot from inside the box was easily dealt with by the keeper. With ten minutes to go United started to mount sustained pressure on the Shrimpers’ goal and the two substitutes combined well for the Scot to get in his cross but there were no takers. Although they continued to press they were unable to make the pressure count and they went down to their third consecutive away defeat and slipped to third, three points behind the joint leaders and Leicester were still one point behind with a game in hand.

United travelled to Whaddon Road to meet Cheltenham Town and Gary McAllister resisted the temptation to make changes to his team despite their three consecutive losses on the road and again fielded the same starting eleven but brought back Enoch Showunmi on the bench for Aidan White. Cheltenham, who had performed the double over United in the previous season, did make several changes, one being caused by United player Ian Westlake not being available for them under the terms of the loan agreement, but Darren Kenton, who had joined them from United in the close season was in central defence. United were quickly on the attack and Frazer Richardson tested Shane Higgs with a low drive and then the keeper reacted well to deny Jermaine Beckford after he had been played in by Luciano Becchio. So it came as no surprise when United did capitalise on their dominance after just six minutes as Luciano Becchio rose to head firmly past Shane Higgs from a Frazer Richardson cross from the right. United were totally dominant and only more good work from Higgs stopped the lead from being increased as he saved well from Jermaine Beckford. He was quicly brought into the action once more as he twice denied the Leeds striker then he did well to keep out a shot from distance by Fabian Delph and could only watch as Jonathan Howson could not get the rebound on target. Casper Ankergren, who had tipped a shot over earlier was called upon to make his second save after twenty-six minute when he safely collected a Drissa Diallo header. United sustained the pressure and pushed for the second goal on the half hour when Jermaine Beckford again went close after good work by Jonathan Howson and Ben Parker and soon Luciano Becchio went close with a header. It was becoming a procession as Neil Kilkenny failed to connect cleanly on the edge of the box and Frazer Richardson was causing problems down the right flank and he laid on another chance for Jermaine Beckford. However it was Cheltenham who had the final word in the first half as Scott Murray took advantage of a defensive mistake to get in a drive which past marginally wide of the post. It was the home side that threatened first in the second half when Paul Connor was twice off target with shots in quick succession as united were forced on the defensive. On fifty-two minutes it was Connor once again who forced Casper Ankergren to block with his legs when he really should have done better from close range. Jermaine Beckford latched onto a long clearance from Casper Ankergren but could only put the ball into the side netting. Gary McAllister made hid first change ten minutes into the half when he sent on Andy Robinson for Jonathan Howson and he was quickly involved and almost got to the ball after Shane Higgs cold not hold a shot from Luciano Becchio, but the keeper recovered in the nick of time and then after sixty-five minutes he got in a shot that was just wide of the mark as United continued to apply the pressure. United made their second change as David Prutton replaced Neil Kilkenny, after sixty-nine minutes. Two minutes later Jermaine Beckford had the chance to put the game beyond the home team’s reach but he shot over when well-placed and then Shane Higgs was again to thank as he stood the test as Andy Robinson shot from the edge of the box. At the other end Casper Ankergren too made a fine save to keep out a shot from Josh Payne. With tem minutes to go Manager McAllister made his third substitution by sending on Robert Snodgrass for the out of touch Jermaine Beckford as it was United’s turn to withstand pressure as Cheltenham sent men forward in an effort to get something out of the game and substitute Damien Spencer used his strength to advantage but Casper Ankergren was quickly off his line to thwart him with two minutes to go. A minute later Luciano Becchio had the chance to put things beyond doubt as he worked himself a good opening but once more Shane Higgs was equal to the task. Although United were on the back foot they were able to withstand four minutes of stoppage time to grab the three points to take them into second place as two points covered the top five teams.

United had drawn Northampton Town in the First Round of the F.A. Cup at Elland Road and were looking to progress past the first stage with a win that would have been the first since United prevailed over Crystal Palace in 2003. Manager Gary McAllister preferred Robert Snodgrass to Neil Kilkenny and Andy Robinson replaced Jermaine Beckford, who was absent due to a hip injury. Andy Hughes was fit enough to take his place on the bench and Aidan White and Jonathan Webb were added to raise the compliment of substitutes to seven. The game got off to a fiery start and Giles Coke was booked for an over-exuberant lunge that was to prove costly. Luciano Becchio put an early effort over the bar before the visitors stunned the Elland Road crowd by taking the lead in the ninth minute. After former United player Leon Constantine had caused problems, Ryan Gilligan got free on the right and his cross was turned into the net by Scott McGleish. Paul Telfer went close to equalising eight minutes later but his header from a corner was cleared off the line and the crowd were again shocked to see the ball in the United net on twenty-minutes but heaved a sigh of relief when it was disallowed for offside. After twenty-six minutes Giles Coke was left ruing his earlier lunge when another cynical challenge flattened Fabian Delph in midfield and his second yellow card saw him leave the game and left his side to struggle with ten men for over sixty-five minutes. From the resulting free-kick Lubomir Michalik was close to getting an equaliser with a powerful volley that was only just off target. Northampton also had their chances and Andy Holt set up a chance for Ryan Gilligan but Casper Ankergren was able to stop his effort and from the rebound Scott McGleish fired over from almost forty yards. Good work by Luciano Becchio gave Jonathan Howson the chance to force Frank Fielding into a fine save but on thirty-six minutes United were level. It came from the penalty spot after Mark Hughes had brought down Jonathan Howson and Andy Robinson coolly converted the penalty. Just before half-time Andy Robinson hit the post with a long distance shot and Jonathan Douglas had a shot blocked by Mark Hughes and Jonathan Howson had a shot deflected into the side-netting and from the corner Fabian Delph shot over. The start of the second half saw Andy Robinson shooting over, before Robert Snodgrass hit a post with a superb left-footed shot and on sixty-three minutes the Scot again tested Frank Fielding. There was a header from Jonathan Howson and then Andy Robinson again tried his luck from distance as United continued to assert their numerical superiority as the Cobblers answered with a massed defence and after seventy-two minutes Fabian Delph forced Frank Fielding to save low down. Gary McAllister sent on Enoch Showunmi for Jonathan Howson with twelve minutes left and the big striker was soon involved in a goalmouth scramble, followed by a penalty claim after he had fallen in the box. With seven minutes to go Aidan White was introduced for Ben Parker but the game fizzled out and United faced a replay at Sixfields ten days later.

United had a midweek visit to Pride Park for their Fourth Round clash with CCCL side Derby County as Neil Kilkenny replaced Jonathan Howson in midfield and fit-again Jermaine Beckford took his place on the bench at the expense of Jonathan Webb. Robert Snodgrass, who was playing on the right of a three-man attack soon had Roy Carroll in trouble with a shot from distance but it was Derby that opened the scoring after only six minutes, when Emmanuel Villa held off a challenge from Lubomir Michalik to beat Casper Ankergren and moments later Ben Parker came to the rescue as he put in a decisive challenge to avert a second goal. United replied with some good work from Fabian Delph in central midfield, and, after Robert Snodgrass had continued the move, Luciano Becchio saw his shot deflected over the top and then the Argentinian had the ball in the net but was adjudged offside. After eighteen minutes United’s task became even harder when the home team got a second from Nathan Ellington who scored from close range after a good passing move. Following this Leeds had almost total possession and impressed with some good football but could not break down the home defence. Andy Robinson had a shot from distance fumbled by Roy Carroll before they got their reward five minutes before the break when Luciano Becchio headed firmly past the keeper from a Robert Snodgrass cross and just before half time Delph went close from distance. United had played some superb football and as they came out for the second half they knew the game was theirs for the taking even though derby had packed their midfield in an attempt to stifle the flowing football that United had produced. A curling free-kick from Robert Snodgrass almost brought an equaliser in the fifty-sixth minute as it hit the post and with Fabian Delph ruling the midfield Luciano Becchio was unlucky to be ruled offside after netting from a superb through ball from the young protégée. Seven minutes later Andy Robinson was denied by a great save from Roy Carroll after good build up work from Robert Snodgrass, but it was the ex-Swans’ last contribution as he was replaced by Jermaine Beckford after sixty-four minutes. United’s top marksman first involvement was to fire into the side-netting as he cut in from the left, followed quickly by curling a shot wide and then Robert Snodgrass tested Roy Carroll with another well-taken free-kick. After seventy-five minutes Aidan White replaced Ben Parker and five minutes later Neil Kilkenny was on for Jonathan Howson as United looked to make their final assault. It was ex-United favourite Rob Hulse who next caused trouble as he forced Casper Ankergren into action with Derby’s first effort of the half, but United were soon back searching for an equaliseras Richardson shot straight at RoyCarroll and Delph was wide and as four minutes were added they still pushed on as Lubomir Michalik was thrown into the attack and saw his header go narrowly over with a minute of added time to go and Jermaine Beckford tried to lob Roy Carroll with a final bid. However there was not to be an equaliser as the whistle blew on United’s finest performance of the year with the travelling faithful chanting “We played you off the park.”

There was an early kick-off for the ‘local derby’ with Huddersfield Town at Elland Road in United’s next fixture and Gary McAllister kept faith with the side that had played so well at Derby County in midweek, leaving out Andy Hughes and Aidan White from the bench which had to be reduced back to the normal five. The sides were greeted by the biggest crowd of the season at Elland Road, 32,028, but there were gaps in the Lower East stand due to the Terriers not selling their full quota. The big turnout was soon rewarded as United took the lead after only three minutes as Luciano Becchio crossed from the left and Robert Snodgrass was there with the decisive touch at the far post, as the Scot justified Manager McAllister’s decision to play him and leave Jermaine Beckford on the bench. Town replied with an effort of their own but a free-kick from the edge of the box went over. Fabian Delph replied with a shot from distance and Luciano Becchio was blocked by Michael Collins while after twenty minutes Andy Robinson had the ball in the net only to be denied by the offside flag. Town were not frightened to attack and Gary Roberts shot from distance and Ian Craney had Casper Ankergren moving quickly to avert the danger as he got himself into a good attacking position, but it was Robert Snodgrass who curled a shot over the bar with the last goal effort of the half. Town were quick out of the blocks in the second half and got themselves back in the game thirty-five seconds into the new half, as the Leeds defence failed to deal with a cross from the right and Joe Skarz was left with an easy chance to hammer the ball into the net. United came back quickly in replay as Ben Parker had a shot kicked off the line but Huddersfield were giving as good as they got with Keigan Parker shot over from an acute angle after Gary Roberts had put him through. After sixty-two minutes Gary McAllister sent on Jermaine Beckford in place of Neil Kilkenny and the striker was soon on target as he forced Matt Glennon to make a fine save from distance. Nine minutes later Luciano Becchio fit the woodwork with a header from a good Robert Snodgrass cross. On seventy-six minutes United made a double substitution with Jonathan Howson and David Prutton coming on for Fabian Delph and Jonathan Douglas and four minutes later had a penalty appeal waved away after Jermaine Beckford appeared to be pushed over in the box as United piled on the pressure as Frazer Richardson had a shot blocked and a good cross from Andy Robinson went begging. With one minute of ordinary time left Andy Robinson curled a shot wide but two minutes into stoppage time Huddersfield stole the winner when ex-Leeds player Danny Cadamarteri went clear on the right and Michael Collins was on hand to prod the ball home from close range which saw United plummet to sixth on the table.

Gary McAllister had allowed Malcolm Christie to train with United to see whether he could get himself match-fit and assess his worth to Leeds as a player and he handed him his debut as United visited Northampton Town in their F.A. Cup First Round Replay at the Sixfield Stadium, in tandem with Jermaine Beckford, as United reverted to 4-4-2. Captain Frazer Richardson was unavailable due to illness and this meant a recall for Andy Hughes. Casper Ankergren, Fabian Delph, Andy Robinson, Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio were all rested to the bench as chances were given to David Lucas, Jonathan Howson and David Prutton while Jonathan Webb was added to Enoch Showunmi on the bench to make it up to seven. The teams were greeted by a damp and miserable evening and a crowd of less than 4,000 with at least a quarter having come to support the visitors and the teams both won early corners. David Lucas was the first goalkeeper to see any action as he made a good save after Liam Davis had struck a strong shot from just outside the box after ten minutes. United were the first to strike three minutes later when Lubomir Michalik sent the ball forward and, after it had been flicked on by David Prutton, Jermaine Beckford controlled the ball well before beating Frank Fielding with a clinical finish. The United striker kept the keeper on his toes as he twice shot straight at him and Malcolm Christie tried his luck with a low shot. Northampton should have done better after twenty-four minutes as Andy Holt shot wide from close range in a goalmouth scramble and then Luke Gitteridge tried his luck from distance and it flew marginally over. United responded immediately and after twenty-eight minutes made the score 2-0 after Jonathan Howson had played a neat one-two on the edge of the area with Malcolm Christie before getting in his shot on goal which took a wicked deflection off Mark Hughes to leave Frank Fielding wrong footed. Scott McGleish headed wide from a Danny Jackman cross after thirty-seven minutes and then Jackman forced David Lucas to a good save with a shot that ricocheted of Neil Kilkenny. While the Leeds custodian was pleased with his save his opposite number was not as United went 3-0 ahead after he had completely misjudged a good shot from thirty-five yards by Ben Parker to give the Leeds left-back his first goal for the club. It seemed to have put the tie beyond Northampton but they pulled one back as Jason Crowe headed powerfully into the net from a Danny Jackman corner a minute before half-time. However, Jermaine Beckford restored United’s three goal cushion in stoppage time as he bagged his second for the night when he rifled home a shot as he cut in from the left. United started the second half with purpose and Malcolm Christie and Jermaine Beckford combined well in an early threat and it was Beckford who completed his second hat-trick of the season as Neil Kilkenny split the Northampton defence wide open with a superb pass for the striker to have the ball in the net with ease. The Cobblers should have scored when ex-United striker Leon Constantine had only David Lucas to beat and Scott McGleish shot wide from the resultant corner after sixty-seven minutes. But United had the game won and Enoch Showumni came on for Malcolm Christie four minutes later, quickly followed by Luciano Becchio for Jermaine Beckford a minute later and five minutes after that there was a debut for Jonathan Webb who came on for Paul Telfer. There still seemed as if there wre more goals to come as Lubomir Michalik made a good clearance and Ryan Gilligan put a shot over the bar for the home side while with five minutes to go Neil Kilkenny had a shot deflected wide and debutant Jonathan Webb headed a corner over the bar, before Jason Crowe pulled a goal back in the final minute as he headed his second goal of the night from a Luke Gutteridge corner. United eased into the Second Round where they had been drawn to meet Non-League Histon on their own ground.

United had decide to release Tore-Andre Flo from his contract and he left to join his ex-Chelsea team-mate Roberto Di Matteo at MK Dons and it was back to the League as United played hosts to Hartlepool United and Gary McAllister made three changes from the team that had seen United through to the Second Round of the F.A. Cup in midweek. Malcolm Christie was not risked as he had a rib injury and he and Jonathan Webb dropped from the squad while Andy Robinson and Luciano Becchio returned to the starting eleven, as did Fabian Delph after being rested in midweek, so that he could make his England Under-twenty-one debut at Bramall Lane the following night. Jonathan Howson and Neil Kilkenny dropped to the bench and were joined there by Frazer Richardson, who had recovered from illness but was not risked, with Enoch Showunmi giving way and Robert Snodgrass remained on the bench. David Prutton was the first to shine as he supplied Luciano Becchio with a cross that he headed just wide. Jermaine Beckford too was soon in the action but was denied by Aaran Lee-Barrett, but there was nothing the keeper could do after fourteen minutes as the ace striker headed firmly beyond his reach from an inch-perfect Andy Hughes cross. Lee-Barrett was soon in action again as he saved well from Luciano Becchio three minutes later. He was proving hard to beat as he got down well to deny another Leeds well-struck shot six minutes later. But it was Hartlepool who were the next on the scoresheet in the twenty-fifth minute, when a corner was only cleared as far as Michel Nelson and from the edge of the penalty area he lobbed the ball into the goalmouth where Joel Porter pounced to beat David Lucas unchallenged. United responded and Aaran Lee-Barrett pulled of a double save from Jermaine Beckford as they continued to dominate with Andy Hughes a source of danger down the right flank and just on half-time they won a succession of corners one of which was kicked off the line as Hartlepool were clearly on the back foot at the break. Joel Porter and James Brown had gone close in the first half and Michael Nelson blazed over the bar from a Sam Collins’ free-kick before United regained the lead after fifty minutes as Fabian Delph got his fourth goal of the season after Luciano Becchio gave him the chance to display his skills on the edge of the box before firing home. The visitors had a good chance to bring the scores level again as Kevin Kyle hit the bar and a Matty Robson cross was well blocked by Lubomir Michalik. United increased their lead after sixty-four minutes when Jermaine Beckford found Luciano Becchio with a long through ball for the Argentinian to finish clinically from eight yards. Four minutes later it was main striker Beckford who watched his well stuck shot get deflected wide and then Andy Robinson lifted a shot over the bar. Gary McAllister made his only substitution after seventy-seven minutes when he replaced the Luciano Becchio with Robert Snodgrass. Ten minutes from time Aaran Lee-Barrett almost blotched his copybook as he let a shot from Andy Robinson slip through his hands but he recovered in time to stop it crossing the line. Unted were still pressing as the minutes ticked by and in the final minute Jonathan Douglas shot over from a well-worked corner, bur Jermaine Beckford rounded off the scoring when he controlled a through ball and rounded the keeper to slot home his fifth goal in two games as United won 4-1 but remained in sixth spot just three points behind Leicester City, who had deposed Scunthorpe United at the top.

United kept faith with the sixteen man squad that had disposed of Hartlepool United as they returned to the scene of their recent 5-2 F.A. Cup triumph at Sixfields Stadium for the Tuesday night fixture, hoping to repeat the feat against Northampton Town for the teams third clash in less than three weeks. United had the first shot on goal as Andy Robinson tried his luck after being given a chance by Luciano Becchio but it was easily saved and Northampton were soon down the other end and Scott McGleish should have done better with a header after Andy Todd had found him with a cross. It was a lively start and United responded with a quick break which ended with Andy Robinson putting a shot over the bar. The action continued at a frantic pace as after nine minutes the home side went close as Ryan Gilligan hit a post with a superb drive from twenty-five yards out and then David Lucas was called into action to save from ex-Leeds man Leon Constantine, while at the other end Frank Fielding had no problems as Andy Robinson shot from distance but Northampton who had been comprehensively outplayed in the Cup-tie were certainly giving as good as they were getting in a much closer encounter. No one could complain when they took the lead after twenty-nine minutes with an extremely clean strike by Liam Davis from the edge of the penalty area which left David Lucas totally beaten. Jermaine Beckford led the Leeds response and only a superb save from Frank Fielding denied the in-form striker, who was back again after thirty-seven minutes forcing Fielding into making another good block after Andy Robinson had put him through and almost immediately Fielding got a touch on another effort from the striker to deny him a place on the score-sheet. Fabian Delph was the next to be denied as his shot hit the upright. Beckford was in top form but United received a blow when Fabian Delph received his fifth booking of the season which automatically ruled him out of the upcoming clash with Tranmere Rovers. Jonathan Douglas was also booked before half time as United’s frustrations began to show. United were early on to the pitch for the second half and first to threaten and Fielding was forced to make a top save by Andy Robinson who had been released by Ben Parker. At the other end David Lucas got down well to deny Leon Constantine but after fifty-minutes the play swung to the other end and Frank Fielding again saved from Andy Robinson as Leeds continued to probe for an equaliser. Luciano Becchio rattled the crossbar two minutes later after Jonathan Douglas and Andy Robinson had combined well in the build up. The former Swansea man was finding plenty of space on the right wing and the Cobblers defence had to be on their toes to keep out efforts from Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Beckford. Gary McAllister made his first change after sixty-six minutes as he sent on the more attacking Robert Snodgrass for midfield anchorman Jonathan Douglas. The move paid dividends as the Scot had a hand in the build up to United’s equaliser. Andy Robinson supplied the cross and Jermaine Beckford got on the end of it to equalise from close range. United kept up the pressure as Frank Fielding saved well from Fabian Delph after good work from Luciano Becchio. There was more bad news for United in the seventy-eighth minute as Jermaine Beckford went down injured and had to be taken off with a heavily-bandaged thigh and he was immediately replaced by Jonathan Howson. Still United searched for the winner and Frank Fielding, the England Under-Twenty-One International goalkeeper, who was on loan from Blackburn Rovers, stood as the barrier to three points and he again made an awkward save from Andy Robinson and then got down well at the post to save from Luciano Becchio. Jonathan Howson was also thwarted by the young International but after Leeds had dominated the second half the Cobblers stole the game right on the death with what was their first chance of the second half. They won a right wing corner and, after Danny Jackman took it, the relatively small Nicholas Bignall rose highest to head home the winner and Leeds finished with nothing to show for their dominance and slipped to seventh six points behind leaders Leicester City.

Sebastien Carole who had not featured in a game in the current season was allowed to go to Darlington, but Leeds made several changes for their trip to Bridge Road to play Blue Square Premiership leaders Histon. Captain Frazer Richardson was re-installed at right back and Andy Hughes moved into midfield, while Rui Marques replaced Paul Telfer in central defence and Alan Sheehan returned at left back after injury to take over from Ben Parker, who like Telfer and David Prutton moved to the bench. Jermaine Beckford was out with a thigh injury and Robert Snodgrass took his place as Casper Ankergren and Neil Kilkenny made up the bench. Heavy rain and a muddy pitch greeted the two teams as they took the field and Leeds were first to threaten as Alan Sheehan shot over the bar inside two minutes. Although Histon went close as Jack Midson headed wide early on, it was Leeds who looked the more dangerous. An Andy Hughes cross was almost deflected into the net by home defender Patrick Ada and then Luciano Becchio, who should have done better, shot over after good work by Robert Snodgrass. However, it was the home side who took the lead six minutes before half time as central defender Matthew Langston rose unchallenged at the far post to head the ball home from a Gareth Gwillim corner and the writing was on the wall for Leeds. It was yet another goal given away by a defence with a lamentable record of conceding soft goals by poor marking. Although Leeds did dominate possession in the second half they failed to get control of the midfield where Histon Captain Matthew Mitchel-King excelled and marshalled his team well. Manager McAllister sent on Enoch Showunmi for Andy Robinson after fifty-two minutes and Jonathan Howson for Andy Hughes seven minutes later but to no avail in a game of few incidents and conditions totally unconducive to good football, as the rain swept pitch threw up splashes of water each time the ball was kicked. However, United were very close to grabbing an equaliser in the sixty-fifth minute when Lubomir Michalik hit the inside of the post and Luciano Becchio twice went close. In the closing stages United piled players forward and Lubomir Michalik had a shot blocked on the line by substitute Antonio Murray, as the home team repelled attack after attack and they even withstood two corners deep into stoppage time, as Leeds slipped out of the F.A. Cup for the first time to a Non-League Club and suffered one of their biggest of several humiliations in a competition, where except for purple patches in the Revie era has been a succession of early exits often against lower less favoured teams.

After such a humiliation it was expected that Manager McAllister would need to come up with fresh ideas to bolster his teams flagging confidence and get United back into the vanguard of the promotion contenders. He was still without star striker Jermaine Beckford with a thigh injury and he lost one of his form players, Fabian Delph, to suspension and also Andy Robinson to injury. He made four changes to his line up as Robert Snodgrass continued to deputize for Jermaine Beckford but moved to midfield in place of Andy Robinson as Enoch Showumni took on the striker’s role. He also recalled Paul Telfer and Jonathan Howson in place of Lubomir Michalikand Andy Hughes, who both dropped to the bench, while David Prutton was Fabian Delph’s deputy as Casper Ankergren, Ben Parker and Neil Kilkenny remained on the bench as United looked to improve their away form which had seen seven defeats in their last nine games as they visited Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park. After David Lucas had pushed over a dangerous cross from John Johnson it was United that started off on the right foot as Enoch Showunmi gave them the lead after just ten minutes after Frazer Richardson had helped on a Robert Snodgrass corner for the burly striker to show good composure to fire United ahead as he hooked the ball into the net with his back to goal from eight yards. The lead was short-lived as Tranmere came back six minutes later to equalize after Andy Taylor floated a free-kick into the Leeds goal area and Tranmere skipper Antony Kay got between goalkeeper David Lucas and Frazer Richardson to head the ball into the net from twelve yards. Luciano Becchio almost restored the United lead after twenty-six minutes when he forced the Tranmere keeper, Danny Coyne to make a good save right on the line from a corner. While the game carried on mainly in midfield with little between the two teams it was Robert Snodgrass who was close just before half time as he was narrowly wide as he shot from distance and the two sides went in on level-pegging at half time, after Edrissa Sonko was high and wide for Rovers. It did not remain that way for long after they returned after the break as after just four minutes the former Leeds striker Ian Moore returned to haunt his old team once more as he fired his side ahead with a strike from outside the penalty area which left David Lucas well beaten. United responded but first Enoch Showunmi with a header and the Jonathan Howson with a shot were wide of the target. On the hour Alan Sheehan forced Danny Coyne to concede a corner and from it Luciano Becchio had the ball in the net with a header from Robert Snodgrass’ flag kick but it was disallowed for a push on Antony Kay. After seventy-one minutes Manager McAllister sent on Neil Kilkenny to replace Jonathan Howson and United mounted a period of sustained pressure which saw Luciano Becchio heading wide. As United continued to press Jonathan Douglas and David Prutton had efforts blocked before Luciano Becchio thought he had a good claim for a penalty for handball as his shot was charged down. Three minutes of stoppage time brought no change to the final outcome and United lost again away from home and their promotion hopes were slipping away as they were in seventh spot three points adrift from sixth place and nine behind leaders Leicester City as the season started to approach the halfway mark.

For the home fixture with Colchester United Gary McAllister had Fabian Delph back after suspension and this saw Robert Snodgrass move up to partner Luciano Becchio in attack as Jermaine Beckford was still out and this meant Enoch Showunmi dropped to the bench at the expense of Ben Parker. Frazer Richardson, with a corked thigh, joined Paul Huntington and Andy Robinson on the injured list but Malcolm Christie had recovered from his rib injury to take his place on the bench as Andy Hughes filled in for the Captain at right back. Neil Kilkenny was restored to the starting eleven as Jonathan Howson dropped to the bench, which was completed by Casper Ankergren and Lubomir Michalik. Colchester were without former United central defender Matt Heath with a hamstring problem but another ex-Leeds defender, Irish International right back Alan Maybury made his debut after being signed the previous Thursday. The teams ran on to a soddened pitch with the rain pouring down heavily to make matters worse, which made for a tentative start by both teams. After thirteen minutes it was Colchester that had the first attempt on goal as Jermaine Easter fired wide from an acute angle, but the referee had already blown for a push by Easter on Paul Telfer, who was captaining the home team for the day. United went on the attack and Luciano Becchio had a shot deflected for a corner and then Robert Snodgrass shot over after a corner. The game was literally getting bogged down an chances were few and far between and David Lucas got down well to deflect a shot in the twenty-seventh minute but it was Leeds who finally took the lead in the thirty-fourth minute when Robert Snodgrass chased a long kick from David Lucas and sprinted clear of Chris Coyne before neatly side-stepping Paul Reid before firing wide of keeper Jimmy Walker for his fourth goal of the season. The young Scot almost notched a second before half-time as he deflected a shot from Fabian Delph towards goal and then on the stroke of half-time shot straight at Jimmy Walker after Luciano Becchio had put him through. Two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half Colchester drew level in contentious circumstances. Referee Nigel Miller had sent Rui Marques to the touchline to change his shirt, due to bloodstains on it, and while he was there the referee allowed Mark Yeates to take a Colchester corner kick while United were reduced to ten men. Dean Hammond headed that corner past David Lucas and United were understandably angry and David Prutton was booked for protesting. After an hour Gary McAllister sent on Malcolm Christie for his League debut as he replaced Neil Kilkenny but five minutes later United were reduced to ten men when David Prutton received a second yellow card for a foul on David Perkins on the edge of the box. It became worse as from the resultant free-kick Mark Yeates hit a powerful strike that gave David Lucas no chance and Colchester took the lead. United had a chance to draw level as Alan Sheehan took a free-kick from the edge of the box but his goal-bound shot was palmed over by Jimmy Walker. With fourteen minutes left Gary McAllister sent on striker Enoch Showunmi for right back Andy Hughes as he tried to salvage the game. Almost immediately Luciano Becchio found him with a good cross but the substitute was unable to get sufficient power behind his header. Leeds did go close with just seven minutes left on the clock as after an Alan Sheehan free-kick the ball was kicked off the Colchester line by a defender. It was their last chance and they slumped to their third home defeat and down to eighth, twelve points behind the leaders Leicester City.

Frenchman Mansour Assoumani had been signed after a trial period as a free agent and the former Montpelier player went straight into the team at right back as United travelled to third-placed MK Dons in danger of losing contact with the promotion places. Lubomir Michalik was recalled to replace Paul Telfer in central defence as the former Saint dropped out of the squad. Jonathan Howson was also recall to replace the suspended David Prutton as Gary McAllister made three changes to his starting team. In addition Malcolm Christie was absent with the flu and Tom Elliott was brought onto the bench alongside Casper Ankergren, Frazer Richardson, Andy Hughes and Enoch Showunmi. United were the first to create a chance as inside three minutes Jonathan Howson got in a shot from distance which was mishandled by Willy Gueret and though Robert Snodgrass was first to the ball he was unable to hit the target. Former United loanee Jemal Johnson gave his old team a fright as he forced Lubomir Michalik to slice his low cross and David Lucas had to be alert to keep it out. The ex-Loanee was again the source of trouble and this time it was more damaging as after ten minutes his low corner kick found the Dons skipper Sean O’Hanlon in space to steer the ball into the net to put the home side in front. They doubled the lead just seven minutes later when another corner by Jemal Johnson, which was not cleared and after a bout of head tennis inside the goal area Aaron Wilbraham got the decisive touch to score the second goal. Leeds went back up the field and immediately forced two corners. The first was headed clear by Jude Stirling and the second saw Mansour Assoumani force Willy Gueret to make a save. United kept pressing and Jonathan Douglas had a shot deflected wide and from that corner Lubomir Michalik headed over. United were contesting well in midfield and Luciano Becchio was put through on goal but Willy Gueret was alert to the threat and collected the ball at the second attempt. At the other end David Lucas was also alert and saved well from Aaron Wilbraham, who had been played in by Sam Baldock. There was four minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half and this saw Wilbraham head across the face of goal from a Shaun Cummings cross. In the half-time break Gary McAllister changed the team around as he withdrew Lubomir Michalik, moved Mansour Assoumani to central defence and brought in Frazer Richardson at right back. As United settled to their changes Jason Puncheon shot narrowly over from distance but United roared straight back and three minutes into the second half Robert Snodgrass scored with a stunning volley from distance. Then just one minute later United were appealing for a penalty for an apparent handball after Robert Snodgrass hit the ball against Niguel Angel Liera, but Referee Tony Bates waved them away. It was the home team who struck next and on fifty-five minutes Jemal Johnson was again the instigator as he crossed from the left and Aaron Wilbraham got up well to head past David Lucas. Goalkeeper Willy Gueret was called into action in the sixty-third minute as Rui Marques got in a header on goal from a Neil Kilkenny free-kick. While eleven minutes later Sean O’Hanlon had to make a timely clearance after Frazer Richardson put in a cross from the right and then Luciano Becchio hooked a shot wide from a corner. With fourteen minutes to go Gary McAllister threw on Enoch Showunmi for Jonathan Howson. Then Alan Sheehan skied a ball over the bar after more good work from Frazer Richardson but MK Dons were still a threat and David Lucas had to save a low drive from Jason Puncheon at the foot of a post. MK Dons threw on ex-United man Tore-Andre Flo with eight minutes to go but fortunately he did not punish his former team, but it was the Leeds substitute Enoch Showunmi that tested the home keeper as he got in a good header from a Jonathan Douglas free-kick and Luciano Beechio headed wide with a minute left, but although there were four minutes added for stoppages United could not change the score and went down 3-1 and dropped to ninth, fifteen points adrift from Leicester City, who continued to lead the League after their fourth consecutive defeat. It was too much, and Gary McAllister bowed to pressure and stepped down as Manager.

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2008-2009: Pre-season Tour of Ireland at Bray Wanderers on 20th July 2008.

Back Row: David Prutton, Jonathan Douglas, David Lucas, Peter Sweeney, Rui Marques, Marcus Haber, Lubomir Michalik, Ben Parker.

Front Row: Bradley Johnson, Mascot, Andy Robinson, Scott Gardner.

2008-2009 (Courtesy Timothy Reynard)

Inset:Neil Kilkenny, Paul Telfer, Tom Elliott, Jonathan Webb, Aidan White.

Back Row: Harvey Sharman (Head Physio), Rui Marques, Ben Parker, Lubomir Michalik, David Lucas, Casper Ankergren, Enoch Showumni, Peter Sweeney, Robert Snodgrass, Andy Beasley (Goalkeeper Coach).

Middle Row: Darren Mowbray (Video Analyst), Neil McDonald (First Team Coach), Luciano Becchio, Bradley Johnson, Alan Martin, Paul Huntingdon, Jermaine Beckford, Steve Staunton (Assistant Manager), Matt Pears (Fitness Coach), Chris Beasley (Kit Manager)

Front Row: Alan Sheehan, Jonathan Howson, Fabian Delph, Jonathan Douglas, Andrew Hughes, Gary McAllister (Manager), David Prutton, Frazer Richardson, Andy Robinson, Robert Bayly, Scott Gardner.

2008-2009

Back Row: Harvey Sharman (Head Physio), Rui Marques, Ben Parker, Lubomir Michalik, David Lucas, Casper Ankergren, Enoch Showumni, Peter Sweeney, Robert Snodgrass, Andy Beasley (Goalkeeper Coach).

Middle Row: Darren Mowbray (Video Analyst), Neil McDonald (First Team Coach), Luciano Becchio, Bradley Johnson, Alan Martin, Paul Huntingdon, Jermaine Beckford, Steve Staunton (Assistant Manager), Matt Pears (Fitness Coach), Chris Beasley (Kit Manager)

Front Row: Alan Sheehan, Jonathan Howson, Fabian Delph, Jonathan Douglas, Andrew Hughes, Gary McAllister (Manager), David Prutton, Frazer Richardson, Andy Robinson, Robert Bayly, Scott Gardner.

2008-2009

Back Row: Harvey Sharman (Head Physio), Rui Marques, Ben Parker, Lubomir Michalik, David Lucas, Casper Ankergren, Enoch Showumni, Peter Sweeney, Robert Snodgrass, Andy Beasley (Goalkeeper Coach).

Middle Row: Darren Mowbray (Video Analyst), Neil McDonald (First Team Coach), Luciano Becchio, Bradley Johnson, Alan Martin, Paul Huntingdon, Jermaine Beckford, Steve Staunton (Assistant Manager), Matt Pears (Fitness Coach), Chris Beasley (Kit Manager)

Front Row: Alan Sheehan, Jonathan Howson, Fabian Delph, Jonathan Douglas, Andrew Hughes, Gary McAllister (Manager), David Prutton, Frazer Richardson, Andy Robinson, Robert Bayly, Scott Gardner.

2008-2009: Juniors (Courtesy Timothy Reynard)

Back Row: Michael Whitwell, Adam Watson, Andrew Milne, Matt Edwards, Sam Jerome, Luke Garbutt, Callum Williams.

Front Row: Sam Jones, Jason Mycoe, Liam Darville, Aidan White, Will Hatfield, Josh Falkingham, Tom Lees, Jonny Birbeck, Lee Booth.

2008-2009 (Courtesy Timothy Reynard)

Back Row: David Prutton, Lubomir Michalik, Frazer Richardson, Luciano Becchio, Matt Pears (Fitness Coach), Andy Beasley (Goalkeeping Coach), Simon Grayson (Manager), Richard Naylor, Casper Ankergren, Andy Hughes, Peter Sweeney, David Lucas, Enoch Showunmi, Lee Trundle, Alan Sheehan, Bradley Johnson, Robert Snodgrass, Paul Huntington, Rui Marques, Jermaine Beckford, Fabian Delph, Neil Kilkenny

Front Row: Ian Miller (First Team Coach), Ben Parker, Glynn Snodin (First Team Coach), Andy Robinson, Jonathan Howson, Aidan White, Josh Falkingham, Mike Grella

Players/Managers:

Gary McAllister: Manager, Tomi Ameobi , Casper Ankergren , Mansour Assoumani , Robert Bayly , Luciano Becchio , Jermaine Beckford , Sebastien Carole , Leon Constantine , Malcolm Christie , Fabian Delph , Carl Dickinson , Jonathan Douglas , Gylfi Einarsson , Anthony Elding , Tom Elliott , Dougie Freedman , Scott Gardner , Matt Heath , Jonny Howson , Andy Hughes , Paul Huntington , Bradley Johnson , Tresor Kandol , Darren Kenton , Neil Kilkenny , David Lucas , Jonathan Lund , Simon Madden , Rui Marques , Alan Martin , Lubomir Michalik , Stephen O'Halloran , Ben Parker , David Prutton , Frazer Richardson , Andy Robinson , Gavin Rothery , Alan Sheehan , Enoch Showunmi , Robert Snodgrass , Sebastian Sorsa , Peter Sweeney , Paul Telfer , Jonathan Webb , Ian Westlake , Curtis Weston , Aidan White .

Part 4: Simon Grayson - A new Dawn? 2008-2012

2008-2009:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

United now had their third Manager of 2008 as Simon Grayson took over the reins from Gary McAllister and he could not have asked for a more sterner test than a home game against League One leaders Leicester City, in a Boxing Day clash in front of 33,580 spectators, which was the biggest crowd of the season outside the EPL. He was boosted by the return from injury of Jermaine Beckford and Andy Robinson while David Prutton had served his suspension and was also available. After just two training sessions to assess his new charges, there were several changes to the squad and starting line-up as Casper Ankergren was recalled in goal in preference to David Lucas. Frazer Richardson was also recalled to the starting eleven in place of Mansour Assoumani, who did not make the squad, and neither did Tom Elliott, who was also dropped from the bench. David Prutton and Andy Robinson came into midfield as Neil Kilkenny and Jonathan Howson dropped to the bench. While the return of Jermaine Beckford to partner Luciano Becchio meant that Robert Snodgrass was also on the bench. One of United’s major weaknesses of recent times had been their inability to defend set-pieces, so when Lubomir Michalik headed away an early free kick and then the defence coped with the ensuing corner it was good to see that the frailty appeared to have been worked on. Manager Grayson was almost given the perfect start when after fifteen minutes as Andy Robinson crossed from the right and under pressure from David Prutton the Leicester keeper Dave Martin lost the ball and Luciano Becchi got in a snapshot which rattled the post from close range. It was Leicester, however, who got the first goal after twenty-four minutes, when their leading goal-scorer Matt Fryatt made all the running before laying it off to Matt Oakley who placed a low shot out of the reach of Casper Ankergren. Leicester were proving to be a well-drilled unit and United were often second best, but on thirty-five minutes Frazer Richardson went close with a low shot which went across the face of goal and then just on half time Fabian Delph had a shot from outside the box blocked as Leeds enjoyed a spell of pressure. They started the second half in similar fashion and Luciano Becchio fired over after good work by Andy Robinson. Simon Grayson made his first substitution as he brought on Andy Hughes for David Prutton and he soon made an impression with a crunching tackle on Mark Davies. United continued to apply the pressure and Andy Hughes volleyed just over the top after Dave Martin had fisted a high lob from Alan Sheehan straight to him. With fifteen minutes to go play was held up for treatment to Rui Marques after a clash with Steve Howard as United still searched for the equaliser again a very well organized Leicester team who defended in numbers. On seventy-seven minutes United made a double substitution as Robert Snodgrass and Jonathan Howson replaced Jonathan Douglas and Andy Robinson and as the minutes ticked down Jonathan Howson thought he had a good penalty claim, but it was waved away and Jermaine Beckford was beaten to a high ball by the visiting keeper. United were not going to be denied and the equaliser finally came in the first minute of stoppage time, as the two latest substitutes combined as Jonathan Howson played in Robert Snodgrass at the far post and the Scotsman tucked it away to secure a deserved point. With three minutes still left they did press for three points but time ran out and the point gained kept United in ninth place but their pointless streak had been stemmed against the best team in League One.

There were two changes to the starting team as Andy Hughes and Robert Snodgrass were preferred to David Prutton and Jonathan Douglas for the visit to Edgeley Park to take on Stockport County in the final game in 2008 as the season reached the halfway mark. There was no place on the bench for Neil Kilkenny as Malcolm Christie had recovered from his bout of flu and was included as the backup striker. After leaving it until stoppage time to score against Leicester to regain their confidence United soon had it dented as the home team went in front after just two minutes at Stockport Casper Ankergren had made a great save from Michael Rose inside the first minute but he was helpless one minute later when Carl Baker set up Johnny Mullins inside the area and his powerful shot hit Jonathan Douglas on its way into the net. United had several near misses but the most spectacular came when Jermaine Beckford hit the woodwork with an acrobatic overhead kick. An equaliser was never far away and it came in the nineteenth minute when Luciano Becchio got the final touch on a Robert Snodgrass corner. United where within a whisker of a second three minutes later when Owain Fon Williams got down well to parry another goal-bound shot from the big Argentinian and the quick-thinking Jermaine Beckford almost seized the rebound. United had been well on top since conceding the early goal and had been playing some neat football and the home team had been penned in their own half for the best part of thirty minutes but on thirty-two minutes the home side had a Carl Baker header, following a corner, cleared off the goal-line in a desperate clearance by Andy Hughes and two minutes later Casper Ankergren was called upon to make a fine save to repel the home side following a corner and then saved again soon afterwards from Anthony Pilkington who had been put through by the lively Carl Baker. The second half started like the first with Stockport on the offensive but good defending denied Tommy Rowe. United were again close after fifty-four minutes as Robert Snodgrass bent a free-kick round the wall and past the keeper but unfortunately also past the post. The game continued to see-saw from end to end as the crowd were getting value for their money and the home defence had to be on their toes to clear an Andy Hughes cross which was destined for the ever alert Jermaine Beckford who had worked himself into space, while at the other end Alan Sheehan cleared well from a corner. On the sixty-five minute mark United sent on Malcolm Christie for the tiring Jermaine Beckford and Jonathan Howson in place of Robert Snodgrass. Eight minutes later United took the lead when the Stockport keeper made a poor clearance straight to Fabian Delph, who sized up the opportunity and sent a well flighted shot back over the keeper and into an empty net from over thirty yards out. The goal meant that Leeds were in with a chance of their first win since in over a month and after Casper Akergren had saved well from Dominic Blizzard on eighty-six minutes Leeds quickly moved the ball up field as Rui Marques found Malcolm Christie who hit a tremendous half-volley which went in off a post and registered his first Leeds goal that sealed the victory for Leeds and then Leeds sent on David Prutton for Andy Hughes with a minute to go to wind down the clock. The win did not improve United’s ninth position on the ladder and they still trailed Leicester by fifteen points and the sixth club by five points.

Leeds had taken striker Lee Trundle on loan from Bristol City and there was a place for him on the substitutes’ bench as they were hosts to Carlisle United. They were, however without Jermaine Beckford with a Hamstring injury and so Malcolm Christie made his starting eleven League debut as his replacement in an otherwise unchanged team. There were changes on the bench, however with Bradley Johnson, who had returned after a loan spell with Brighton and Hove Albion, and Mansour Assoumana replacing David Prutton and Jonathan Howson. Former United striker Michael Bridges was in the Carlisle line up and it was he who was first into the action after seven minutes and he should have scored when he was played in by Cleveland Taylor but his shot was superbly saved by Casper Ankergren who was quick to advance from his line. United’s furst chance came five minutes later when Malcolm Christie had a shot blocked by Danny Livesey and then Luciano Becchio shot into the side-netting after a surging run from Robert Snodgross had given him the chance. United went close on eighteen minutes when Alan Sheehan’s free-kick was saved by Tim Krul after it had taken a deflection. It was the visitors, however, who scored first after twenty-six minutes when Graham Kavanagh and Cleveland Taylor made all the running and former Leeds loanee Danny Graham scored from close range. United threatened to equalise as they struck back quickly with a great cross from Robert Snodgrass finding Luciano Becchio at the far post, but his header was blocked superbly by Tim Krul. Graham Kavanagh was once more the provider as Michael Bridges increased the Carlisle lead after thirty-five minutes as he scored from a very acute angle. Shortly before half time Andy Hughes got in a good cross but Malcolm Christie was unable to connect as it flew past the goal and right on the stroke of half-time Tim Krul saved low down from Luciano Becchio. The striker also went close as the second half opened and Lubomir Michalik was denied by some desperate defending after he had got on the end of a corner kick. After fifty-seven minutes United sent on Bradley Johnson for Alan Sheehan and Lee Trundle for his debut as he replaced Malcolm Christie and a re-organisation saw them go to 3-4-3 as Trundle soon tried his luck but shot over from distance. Robert Snodgrass went close after good play by Fabian Delph before Manager Grayson sent on Andy Robinson in place of Andy Hughes after sixty-two minutes. Four minutes later Luciano Becchio saw his shot pushed on to a post by Tim Krul and Andy Robinson miscued the rebound straight into the arms of the relieved goalkeeper. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson also wasted a great chance to kill off the game completely six minutes later when he fired wide of an empty net. United were still looking to get back in the game and Tim Krul saved well from Bradley Johnson while Dave Raven headed away an Andy Robinson cross before Lee Trundle went close with a free-kick. Four minutes of stoppage time only produced one chance as Bradley Johnson’s shot was deflected and despite having the territorial advantage and the most chances United had lost to a team that made two of their three chances count. It saw United slip to tenth fifteen points behind Leicester and five outside the six spot.

Leeds had made two further loan signings with Leeds-born Richard Naylor coming in from Ipswich Town and left back Carl Dickinson arriving from Stoke City on a month’s loan. They both were given run-on debuts along with other loan signing Lee Trundle while Bradley Johnson made the starting eleven against the team he had spent most of the season on loan with as they visited the miniscule Withdean Stadium to play Brighton and Hove Albion. Lubomir Michalik and Malcolm Christie dropped to the bench, while Johnson replaced the injured Robert Snodgrass. Mansour Assoumana was not included in the squad and was released by the club in the next few days while former regular Alan Sheehan did not even make the bench. United started brightly and Rui Marques had an effort cleared off the line after a Bradley Johnson corner and after ten minutes had the chance to go ahead from the penalty spot after Luciano Becchio had been pushed at a corner, but unfortunately he failed to take advantage as John Sullivan saved his kick with his legs. United were the better of the two teams and, after a terrific cross from Carl Dickinson, Andy Hughes just failed as he tried to put it into the net. United looked strong at the back with Rui Marques and Richard Naylor featuring strongly and Carl Dickinson made a brave header to clear a dangerous cross before Brighton had their first attempt on goal after twenty-two minutes when Andrew Whing shot wide from distance. Only a good save from Casper Ankergren denied Stuart Fleetwood who had found himself in space after a long ball had eluded the United defence, but a mistake by the United keeper when his clearance hit Fleetwood was rectified as Richard Naylor was able to clean up and Frazer Richardson also made a good clearance after a corner kick. The pitch was not in the best of condition and was cutting up badly and hindering either side from playing good football as the first half came to an end. The second half started scrappily and it wasn’t until the fifty-seventh minute that anything of note occurred and then it was Nicky Forster who hit his fellow striker Stuart Fleetwod as he shot. United finally took the lead after sixty minutes when Lee Trundle got his first goal for the club as Richard Naylor sent a long free kick towards the Brighton goal and it was flicked on by Luciano Becchio and Lee Trundle showed great quality as he made a great turn and finish from ten yards. Six minutes later an injury to Frazer Richardson saw Andy Robinson enter the fray as Andy Hughes switched to right back. The ex-Swansea man earned a couple of corners but the game seemed to be drifting towards a narrow Leeds victory before Fabian Delph conjured a goal from nothing in the eighty-third minute, as Andy Hughes headed a Brighton corner clear and the youngster picked up the ball well inside his own half on the right hand touchline before setting off on a fifty yard run and, as the Brighton defence retreated, he finished with a shot which gave John Sullivan no chance. Two minutes later Malcolm Christie and Jonathan Howson replaced Lee Trundle and Bradley Johnson and United tried to increase the margin as Andy Robinson was just wide and then Malcolm Christie could not hit the target after been put through. So United kept a rare clean sheet and the three points gained saw them move up to ninth still fifteen points behind Leicester and five points out of the sixth spot.

Third placed Peterborough United arrived at Elland Road looking to secure a double at United’s expense and gain ground on MK Dons and Leicester City. Frazer Richardson had not recovered from his injury and so Andy Hughes switched to right back and his place in midfield went to Andy Robinson and Richard Naylor, on home debut, took over as the Captain’s armband. Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass had recovered from injury but were included on the bench as Malcolm Christie slipped out of the squad and was released by the club before the end of the month. There was a tentative start to the game and it was not until the seventh minute that either side had a shot at goal and it was Lee Trundle who turned in the box before lifting an angled drive over the top. He also won a free-kick on the edge of the area after a foul by Dean Keates and Bradley Johnson’s low free-kick was deflected for a corner. That corner saw Rui Marques have his effort blocked on the line by Craig Morgan before the visitors cleared their lines. Eighteen minutes had elapsed before the visitors threatened, as George Boyd headed wide, and then Craig Mackail-Smith shot over the bar. That duo had scored Posh’s goals at London Road and it was George Boyd who then tested Casper Ankergren with a shot from distance after twenty-two minutes. United nearly opened the scoring, but Joe Lewis made a terrific save to deny Andy Robinson’s flick after a shot from Jonathan Douglas. On twenty-seven minutes it was again Joe Lewis who got down well to palm another Andy Robinson shot on to a post. Casper Ankergren was also kept busy at the other end and made a good save to keep out another George Boyd effort before Lee Trundle went close with a glancing header five minutes before the break. It was Peterborough, who had impressed as one of the best teams to visit Elland Road, who made the early running in the second half and on fifty-two minutes it was George Boyd who shot over and Aaron McLean was next to cause concern as he fired his shot over from an acute angle. Lee Trundle showed his skill as United hit back after fifty-seven minutes to win a corner but it was developing into a very close encounter. Simon Grayson made his first change two minutes later as he sent on Jermaine Beckford for Luciano Becchio and the striker made an immediate impact as Joe Lewis was forced to parry a Bradley Johnson free-kick and it was Beckford who pounced to score from close range to give United the lead just twelve minutes after coming on. United went looking for a second and only a great save from Joe Lewis prevented Lee Trundle from netting after great work by Fabian Delph. However, on seventy-one minutes it was again Jermaine Beckford who doubled the United advantage after Lee Trundle provided him with a tremendous through ball and the striker kept his composure to slot the ball past the keeper. Just when United thought they had the game won Peterborough pulled one back with ten minutes to go. The dangerous George Boyd headed a Chris Whelpdale cross against the bar and, despite a valiant attempt by Richard Naylor, Craig Mackail-Smith forced home the rebound. Simon Grayson threw on Jonathan Howson for Lee Trundle two minutes later and after eighty-eight minutes Robert Snodgrass came on for Andy Robinson as the time ticked down. Four minutes of stoppage time was signalled and after one of them United increased their lead as Jonathan Howson swept the ball into the net to secure a 3-1 victory which swept united into seventh spot but they were still five points out of the six and eighteen points behind Leicester, who now were edging away but only nine behind second placed MK Dons as the chasing pack started to bunch.

United had a Tuesday night visit from third-placed Southend United and Jermaine Beckford was recalled to the starting eleven as Luciano Becchio dropped to the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad from the welcome win over Peterborough. On the other hand their visitors were having injury problems and lacked nine first team players. Leeds were off to a flying start as Rui Marques scored his first goal of the season after just six minutes. He rose the highest to firmly head the ball into the bottom corner of the net. It could easily have been more soon afterwards but Adam Barrett twice saved the Shrimpers with timely blocks. United were not to be denied and after eleven minutes Richard Naylor got his first goal for the club in identical fashion to Rui Marques after eleven minutes as he headed home another fine Bradley Johnson corner to make it 2-0. It could have been more as Jermaine Beckford had appeals for a penalty waved away after he appeared to be impeded by Simon Francis when he was through on goal and then after twenty-one minutes the ace striker lifted the ball over the bar. The two goals had taken a lot of the competition out of the game and half time came and went without much incident until just after the break Andy Robinson’s shot was off target after a good build up. Steve Mildenhall, the Southend keeper. Served his side well as he got down well to get his left hand to a shot from Jermaine Beckford and then the striker was denied by Johnny Herd after Jonathan Douglas had seized upon a poor clearance by the keeper. It came as quite a surprise when Southend came close to pulling one back when Theo Robinson saw his low hard shot thump against a post. Simon Grayson sent on Robert Snodgrass after sixty-nine minutes to replace Andy Robinson and four minutes later Jonathan Howson took the field as Lee Trundle came off. With just six minutes left on the clock he sent on Luciano Becchio for Jermaine Beckford and it was the big Argentinian who almost made it three as he went close soon after coming on, but it was at the other end that he proved his value when he put a defensive header over the bar as the Shrimpers threatened from a corner, in what proved to be the last play of the game and United won their third game on the trot and were now just three points behind their visitors who had dropped to sixth spot after the defeat and only six points behind second placed MK Dons.

Tresor Kandol had returned from his loan period with Millwall and was almost immediately loaned to CCCL side Charlton Athletic for the rest of the season, while youngster Tom Elliott went on a month’s loan to League Two side Macclesfield and another young player Scott Gardner was released, as the transfer window neared its conclusion. Manager Grayson, not unsurprisingly, kept faith with his settled squad, when they visited Banks’ Stadium in search of a fourth straight win against Walsall. The home side took an early lead after seven minutes as SofieneZaaboub crossed from the left and Troy Deeney rose to head beyond Casper Ankergren. Zaaboub also tried his luck with a free-kick as Walsall took the early initiative and Leeds struggled to find their cohesion and it was Zaaboub once more who shot over following a quick raid. It wasn’t until the twenty-seventh minute that United created even a half-chance until Andy Robinson won a corner and his angled shot was turned away. Two minutes later Bradley Johnson did have the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside. Jermaine Beckford shot straight at Clayton Ince as the defence backed off. On the thirty-sixth minute mark Andy Robinson curled a free kick wide after a foul on Lee Trundle on the edge of the box. It was Walsall that finished the half on top as both Richard Naylor and Carl Dickinson made timely tackles to keep the home team at bay as the teams went to half time. Simon made a double substitution ten minutes into the second half as Luciano Becchio and Robert Snodgrass came on for Jermaine Beckford and Bradley Johnson. The move almost came off as Becchio featured in the build up as Jonathan Douglas forced Clayton Ince to pull off a good save low down four minutes later. United were now starting to exert pressure on the home team and the tackling got more tigerish and the referee was soon reaching for his yellow cards but it was Jabo Ibehre who next went close as the Saddlers came back into the game. Manager Grayson made his final substitution as he sent on Jonathan Howson for Jonathan Douglas with twenty minutes to go. This saw United attacking more and Robert Snodgrass headed wide from an Andy Robinson cross before the Scot tried his luck from distance after another foul had handed United a free-kick. A cross from Andy Robinson saw Luciano Becchio rise to head marginally wide after seventy-seven minutes and three minutes later United had a penalty claim ignored as Robert Snodgrass went down in the box under pressure. United were throwing men forward in search of the equaliser and this left them exposed on the break and Troy Deeney almost bundled in but was just wide with four minutes to go. At the other end Lee Trundle had a shot blocked and Robert Snodgross had a good effort go wide. Four minutes of stoppage time even saw Casper Ankergren join the attack for a corner kick and Luciano Becchio headed an Andy Robinson free-kick over the top just before the final whistle as United went down 1-0 but stayed in sixth spot four points adrift from sixth spot with a game in hand.

Richard Naylor’s loan period had come to an end but United bought him from Ipswich Town and decided to release Paul Telfer, while taking on American Mike Grella after a one month trial period in which he scored a hat-trick for the Reserves. The Leeds-born player again led United against fifth-placed Millwall who started the game at Elland Road five points in front of United but had two games in hand, leaving United in a must win situation if they were to force their way into promotion contention. United retained the same squad from their defeat at Walsall but Robert Snodgrass replaced Bradley Johnson in the starting line-up. The Captain almost got off to the perfect start to his new Leeds career, but was wide with a header. Jermaine Beckford had two half chances, Andy Robinson went close and Richard Naylor threatened from set pieces, as the visitors were remarkably quiet in the early stages. Millwall did finally come into the contest as they were denied by a fine save from Casper Ankergren and Richard Naylor, who cleared off the line with the Lions claiming it had crossed the line, but replays showed it had not. On thirty-two minutes it was United that took the lead with a superb strike from Jermaine Beckford after he cut in from the right and held off Andy Frampton to give David Forde no chance with a curling drive. The ace striker almost got a second after being put through by Jonathan Douglas but he was just wide as he slotted the ball past the advancing David Forde. Andy Robinson also was close with a dipping effort just before half-time. Lee Trundle started the second half by forcing David Forde into a fine save to keep out his curling shot. Jonathan Douglas was booked for a foul and his fifth yellow card of the season meant he was automatically out of the upcoming match at Hereford. Gary Alexander had a chance for Millwall but he failed to trouble Casper Ankergren as it flew wide. After seventy-four minutes Simon Gayson sent Luciano Becchio on for Lee Trundle and five minutes later Bradley Johnson was on for Andy Robinson as Millwall were applying the pressure but Robert Snodgrass went close with a free-kick from the edge of the box. However, Casper Ankergren was forced into a fine save as David Martin tried to surprise him with a quickly taken free kick with three minutes left on the clock and then there were loud claims for a penalty by the visitors as Rui Marques tangled with Jimmy Abdou. United weathered that storm and after Jonathan Howson had come on for Robert Snodgrass with two minutes to go, came close to doubling their lead in the last minute but Jermaine Beckford blasted over after being played in by Luciano Becchio. Moments later the two strikers again combined and it was Jermaine Beckford who made no mistake as he netted his second goal of the game and this twenty-third of the season to give United an important victory and even though they remained in seventh spot they were now just two points behind sixth-placed Millwall and two others with equal points.

The win over Millwall was not without its problems as the F.A. had handed Jermaine Beckford a three match suspension for a video-taped incident which had gone unnoticed by the match officials. His enforced absence meant a return to the starting line-up for Luciano Becchio and a place on the bench for recent signing Mike Grella. There was an almost capacity crowd of 20,928 on hand as United visited their nearest neighbours Huddersfield Town and a tense opening period saw the two teams test each other cautiously with the first threat coming from the home team after nine minutes as Anthony Pilkington got in a teasing cross from the left. It was Leeds, however, who had the first direct shot on goal in the fourteenth minute as Andy Robinson played the ball out of the Leeds half for Lee Trundle to release Robert Snodgrass who advanced on goal but shot straight at the Town keeper Alex Smithies. There was a quick response from the home team and it brought the first goal two minutes later when, after Richard Naylor had acted quickly to clear the danger after Casper Ankergren was put under pressure, from the resulting corner from Gary Roberts, Nathan Clarke rose between Richard Naylor and Andy Hughes to head past Casper Ankergren, who had failed to cut out the cross. United replies with an Andy Robinson pile-driver which keeper Alex Smithies could not hold and conceded a corner from which Rui Marques forced him to another excellent save. At the other end Casper Ankergren too failed to hold a shot under pressure, but was quick to recover at the second attempt after twenty-five minutes. Leeds who were prone to losing possession easily were starting to look sharper and Robert Snodgrass again went close on the half hour when his shot curled just wide. At the other end Andy Hughes made two decisive challenges to avert danger as Huddersfield pressed. United were on the attack as soon as the second half started and Luciano Becchio was appealing for a penalty as he went to ground as he tried to get on the end of an Andy Hughes cross, who eight minutes into the new half had to leave the field to be replaced by midfielder Jonathan Howson as Jonathan Douglas dropped back to right back. It was Douglas who was instrumental in a move just five minutes later, which also involved Robert Snodgrass, and saw the substitute midfielder glance a header just wide. Alex Smithies, who earned the man of the match tag, was again in the action with a good save from a well-placed Andy Robinson header from a Robert Snodgrass corner as Leeds were now applying all the pressure but finding the equaliser very elusive. There was a debut for American Mike Grella with fifteen minutes to go when he replaced Lee Trundle, but it was Robert Snodgrass who forced Alex Smithies to another fine save and the keeper was there again to deny Andy Robinson with five minutes left on the clock. Huddersfield’s goal had led a charmed life and with three minutes to go Richard Naylor had a header hit the post from an Andy Robinson free-kick. Simon Grayson threw on Lubomir Michalik for Rui Marques with a minute of normal time left and he was soon in the action as he pressured the Town keeper to fumble a high ball. In the four minutes of stoppage time United threw everyone forward and it nearly cost them dearly as Casper Ankergren denied Huddersfield a second goal after they broke through two-on-one against Richard Naylor as United went down 1-0 and remained seventh, three points behind sixth place.

United were still without the suspended Jermaine Beckford and the injured Frazer Richardson and the injury to Andy Hughes and the suspension of Jonathan Douglas added to their woes as they visited Edgar Street to play third from bottom Hereford United in a Tuesday evening fixture. There was a return for Ben Parker at left back as Carl Dickinson, in his last game of his loan period before returning to Stoke City, switched to right back to take over from Andy Hughes, while Jonathan Howson replaced Jonathan Douglas and David Prutton came on to the bench. United started well with Carl Dickinson getting in a well-struck effort which Hereford keeper Peter Gulacsi got down well to save. Leeds continued to press, winning two corners in quick succession and Lee Trundle just could not connect with a good cross early on. Hereford came back and gained a free-kick on the edge of the area, which Jonathan Howson cleared but Kris Taylor followed up with a shot that cleared the bar. The home team missed a great chance to take the lead in the twenty-first minute when, after a Leeds attack had broken down, Jennison Myrie-Williams used his pace to get away from Carl Dickinson but lifted his shot high over as Casper Ankergren advanced to close the angle. It was United’s turn to next strike on the break after a Hereford corner was cleared and Fabian Delph’s shot was blocked by a defender, then shortly after the half hour mark Andy Robinson forced Peter Gulasci to save after he had dribbled free in the area. More trickery from Andy Robinson saw the referee point to the spot after he was brought down by Kris Taylor on the thirty-seven minute mark but Lee Trundle’s firmly hit shot was pushed round the post by the keeper. From the resultant corner there was more bad luck for Leeds as the on loan striker got in the way of a goal-bound header from Luciano Becchio and to compound matters the home side broke quickly and Jennison Myrie-Williams made up for his previous mistake as he tucked the ball into the net past the advancing Casper Ankergren after thirty-nine minutes. Just on half time the home side almost added a second as Sam Hewson put a shot narrowly wide. The second half saw Leeds quickly on the offensive with Andy Robinson having his cross deflected into the arms of the keeper and then Luciano Becchio seemed to be held back by the shirt as he bore down on goal, but the referee saw nothing wrong. On the hour mark Simon Grayson made a double substitution with Mike Grella coming on for Lee Trundle and Bradley Johnson for Robert Snodgrass. It did not stop Hereford going two up two minutes later when a corner from the left was headed back towards the goal by Godwin Antwi and Fabian Brandy got the finishing touch to score. It left Leeds with a monumental task to salvage anything from the game but Andy Robinson was narrowly wide after sixty-nine minutes. Nine minutes later Manager Grayson made his final change sending on David Prutton for Ben Parker and switching to 3-4-3. Hereford once more hit on the break and a Steve Guinan chip floated just over the bar. Luciano Becchio shot wide after seventy-eight minutes but was shown a yellow card soon after and being his fifth booking of the season he automatically ruled himself out of the upcoming home clash with Scunthorpe United. Although three minutes were added in stoppage time United were never going to get anything from the fixture and the Leeds fans chanted “We’re shit and we are sick of it” as United were making heavy weather of beating lesser sides and they dropped to eighth place four points behind the sixth club and one point in front of tenth placed Huddersfield Town.

United’s next game saw them pitted against rank bottom Cheltenham Town at Elland Road, still without the suspended Jermaine Beckford and with loan Carl Dickinson having returned to Stoke City but they did have Andy Hughes back from injury and Jonathan Douglas back after suspension. Hughes replaced Dickinson at right back and Douglas came into midfield in place of Robert Snodgrass who moved into the striking role at the expense of Lee Trundle who dropped to the bench, as David Prutton and Bradley Johnson were omitted and Neil Kilkenny came back onto the bench. Ian Westlake, who was on loan to Cheltenham, was in their starting line-up. United were quickly on the attack and Luciano Becchio just failed to get on the end of a Jonathan Howson pass. The same two threatened again soon afterwards when Howson forced keeper Scott Brown to a good save as he shot from distance and Becchio was thwarted as the keeper was quick off his line as he chased a through ball. The keeper was again in action as he got down well to stop a Richard Naylor shot from crossing the line and after twenty minutes Fabian Delph saw his shot blocked after good work from Andy Robinson and Jonathan Douglas and seven minutes later it was Douglas who hit the bar with a header after Rui Marques had headed towards goal. The one way traffic continued and Scott Brown had to save fro Jonathan Howson and then Robert Snodgrass to keep his goal intact. United were forced into a change after thirty-three minutes when Andy Hughes limped off. Jonathan Douglas switched to right back and Neil Kilkenny came on in midfield. Michel Townsend and Scott Brown denied Neil Kilkenny and Luciano Becchio around the thirty-seven minute mark while Andy Robinson headed against the post with the rebound from Neil Kilkenny’s effort. Casper Ankergren was finally called upon to make a save shortly before half time when he had to spread himself to deny Lloyd Owusu and Andy Robinson’s free-kick was just wide after Fabian Delph had been fouled on the edge of the box. At the start of the second half United continued on the attack and Neil Kilkenny needed too much time on the ball and then Fabian Delph went close with a curling shot. The long awaited goal to confirm United’s dominance finally came after fifty-four minutes when Robert Snodgrass fed Andy Robinson and his cross was met by a firm header into the net by Jonathan Howson from ten yards. Eight minutes later Chelmsford’s lone striker Lloyd Owusu had the ball in the net but was ruled offside and two minutes after that United got the two goal cushion they needed as Jonathan Howson got his and United’s second with a left foot shot after he latched onto a clever through ball from Fabian Delph. Robert Snodgrass forced Scoot Brown into making a save from his free-kick with fifteen minutes left on the clock and was called on to repeat the action four minutes later as Neil Kilkenny had a header on target. Simon Grayson sent on Lee Trundle in place of Robert Snodgrass with four minutes left on the clock and he immediately headed just over from a Jonathan Douglas cross and to wind down the clock in injury time Mike Grella was sent on for Luciano Becchio as United made it four home wins on the trot but did not improve on eighth place and were just one point out of the six but Millwall and Scunthorpe United both had two games in hand.

Scunthorpe United sat in fifth spot, two pints in front of Leeds but had two games in hand and as United welcomed them to Elland Road they also welcomed back Jermaine Beckford from a three match suspension. Jonathan Douglas switched to right back to replace the injured Andy Hughes with Neil Kilkenny taking his place in midfield, while Beckford’s return compensated for Luciano Becchio not being available due to suspension and his name was missing from the team-sheet for the first time in the season. Bradley Johnson took the vacant place on the bench. The visitors were the first to press as Kayode Odejayi headed over after eight minutes and there was a blow for Leeds after just fifteen minutes as Andy Robinson was injured and Bradley Johnson took his place. Five minutes later United had another injury scare as Matthew Sparrow caught Rui Marques high, but he was able to continue after treatment. The visitors had looked the better team and during the first twenty-five minutes Casper Ankergren twice had to deal with teasing crosses, but it was Leeds who had managed to soak up the pressure that scored first after thirty-two minutes. Jonathan Howson broke down the right and from his low cross Jermaine Beckford turned the ball into the net from close range. Six minutes later it was 2-0, when after a short free-kick by Robert Snodgrass on the edge of the box, it was Bradley Johnson who hammered the ball into the net with the aid of a deflection off Grant McCann to beat Joe Murphy. Three minutes before the break Scunthorpe pulled one back after indecision between Casper Ankergren and Rui Marques saw Gary Hooper latch on to a flick from Kayode Odejayi and convert an easy chance. There were again defensive frailties as Rui Marques and Ben Parker failed to clear near the touchline and Gary Hooper stepped in to head for goal and score his second and Scunthorpe’s equaliser with a good finish after six minutes of the second half. Simon Grayson responded by sending on Lee Trundle for Neil Kilkenny after fifty-seven minutes but it was Jermaine Beckford who restored United’s lead after sixty-seven minutes when Robert Snodgrass opened up the path to goal for the Leeds striker to hammer home his twenty-fifth goal of the season as he beat Joe Murphy with ease. United were reduced to ten men with ten minutes left to go when Jonathan Howson picked up his second yellow card for a foul and the dismissal meant he was unavailable for the upcoming clash at Oldham Athletic. The dismissal gave Scunthorpe renewed hope and Casper Ankergren had to be alert to save a shot from distance with five minutes to go and Landsbury headed over from a free-kick. Simon Grayson sent on Lubomir Michalik for Lee Trundle to shore up the United defence, but in the four minutes of time added on it was Leeds who went closest to scoring as Jermaine Beckford shot narrowly wide. The win saw United complete the double over the Irons and move into sixth spot just a point ahead of them but having played a game more.

United had another chance to make an impression on the promotion battle as they visited fourth-placed Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park in a Monday evening fixture, as they were just three points behind them with a game in hand. United had Luciano Becchio back from suspension but as Jonathan Howson was out due to suspension and Andy Robinson was not available due to injury it meant a return for Bradley Johnson and Robert Snodgrass dropping back into midfield and a return to bench duties for David Prutton. It was Robert Snodgrass who first threatened when he shot over from a Luciano Becchio cross. The was another chance for United as Neil Kilkenny played in Luciano Becchio but Daniel Jones was quick to close the opening with a well-timed tackle, but the ball seemed to strike his arm, however, the Leeds appeals were waved away. Play swung to the other end and Casper Ankergren bravely saved at the feet of Lee Hughes on the ten minute mark but there was little to choose between the two teams as they cancelled each other out and chances and excitement were both at a premium. On twenty-seven minutes Jermaine Beckford got in a header from a Robert Snodgrass cross but was off target and he also won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Bradley Johnson’s kick was blocked by the wall. Chris Taylor hit the bar with a header just on half-time but the referee had already blown up for a push. The second half started with Bradley Johnson heading Robert Snodgrass’ free-kick straight into the arms of Greg Fleming. Six minutes into the second half the home team took the lead as Lee Hughes arrived at the far post to get in a shot, after a Daniel Jones cross had been helped on by Deane Smalley, and it went through Casper Ankergren’s legs from the tightest of angles. The lead did not last long as Luciano Becchio got in a header which forced Greg Fleming to save acrobatically at the expense of a corner and from that corner he was left unmarked and headed home via the post from six yards to restore parity just one minute later. The goals seemed to liven up proceedings and Lee Hughes was denied by some good defending before Robert Snodgrass tested Greg Fleming at the other end. Then Chris Taylor fired wide from distance for the home team and Jonathan Douglas forced the Oldham keeper into the action to save a high ball into the box after seventy minutes. Richard Naylor was having a fine game at the heart of the United defence, as was ex-Leeds player Sean Gregan in marshalling the home defence but although both teams tried to win they were quite content with a draw. With five minutes to go Jermaine Beckford almost found a way through but the ball was quickly hacked away by a home defender and Jonathan Douglas performed a similar task to halt a home attack in the final minute. Three minutes of stoppage time could not separate the two teams as honours were even and Simon Grayson had not amended his starting eleven as United moved to fifth on goal difference from Millwall, but the Londoners still had two games in hand as ninth placed Tranmere Rovers were only three points behind United.

Fourteenth placed Bristol Rovers were United’s hosts at the Memorial Stadium and Jonathan Howson returned from suspension as Bradley Johnson dropped out of the squad in an otherwise unchanged squad. Both sides had opportunities in the first five minutes as after United cleared a free kick from the home side Jermaine Beckford earned a free-kick from which Robert Snodgrass’ shot was unsuccessful. Darryl Duffy was next to cause problems as he pounced on some indecision in the United defence but Casper Ankergren reacted quickly to save. It was the home side that took the lead after fourteen minutes as David Pipe raided down the right and his cross was met on the volley by Jeff Hughes who hammered the ball beyond Casper Ankergren. Rovers were the better team in the early stages and Richard Naylor and his defence had plenty of defending to do, but United did cause problems in attack as Robert Snodgrass sent a cross into the box but Jermaine Beckford was closed down before he could get a shot in. United did equalise on twenty-seven minutes in a move that was started by Jonathan Howson who won the ball in midfield and fed Robert Snodgrass for the Scotsman to advance to the by-line before getting a perfect cross in to pick out Luciano Becchio at the far post who headed home. The game was held up several times for running repairs, firstly when Neil Kilkenny had his head bandaged and then Rui Marques received treatment for a facial injury, and finally as Marques was being treated by the Leeds staff Robert Snodgrass was being attended to by the Bristol staff for a bang in the face. There was five minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half, but even though United were on top they could not take the lead. However, after the interval it was the Pirates who threatened first as Darryl Duffy should have done better with a chip from distance, but United were soon back as Steve Phillips did well to keep out a Jermaine Beckford header from a Robert Snodgrass free-kick. The Scotsman’s pinpoint accuracy was to the fore as he gave United the lead after fifty-eight minutes as he curled a free-kick into the top corner with Steve Phillips being unable to prevent it. United were playing some excellent football and frustrated the home side by keeping possession for long periods with the midfield four in control but were not able to create any scoring chances, although Jermaine Beckford did twice try from distance. They appeared to be cruising to victory but Casper Ankergren did have to concede a corner which Ben Parker had to clear from the line. David Prutton came on for Neil Kilkenny with three minutes left but it was a travesty when the home team equalised right on the ninety minute mark as substitute Joe Kuffour latched onto a through ball to beat Casper Ankergren. Leeds now had to conjure up a goal in the four minutes of injury time and like in the previous thirty minutes they never looked like scoring and dropped two valuable points after victory had seemed a certainty. They dropped to seventh position whereas a win would have seen them in fifth position.

Simon Grayson kept faith with his starting eleven and his only change to the squad was Bradley Johnson being preferred to David Prutton on the bench as United entertained Yeovil Town on a cold Tuesday night. After five minutes the play was held up for treatment to Gavin Tomlin after a strong challenge from Richard Naylor. While United started the better of the two sides in the first fifteen minutes the closest they came to goal was when Ben Parker over-hit a cross into the box which Luciano Becchio could not get to. Almost out of the blue United took the lead after twenty-six minutes when Ben Parker provided Jermaine Beckford with a chance to beat Josh Wagenaar with a shot into the far corner of the net. The ace striker had the ball in the net two minutes later from a pass from Luciano Becchio but the flag was up for offside and three minutes after that he forced the Yeovil keeper to save with a header from close range. Neil Kilkenny doubled the lead two minutes before half-time with a superb strike into the top corner of the net from twenty-five yards out as the Yeovil defence backed off and allowed him the room. Yeovil finally made a threat on goal soon after the start of the second half when Lee Peltier sent a free-kick from distance over the bar. Jermaine Beckford got his twentieth League goal of the season to increase United’s lead after he coolly slotted the ball into the net after Neil Kilkenny had provided him with an opening. He was hungry for his first League hat-trick but was twice denied by Aaron Brown who blocked his shots from an acute angle. He didn’t need to wait long to achieve his objective as he lifted the ball over the advancing Josh Wagenaar from just outside the box after being fed by Jonathan Howson in the fifty-eighth minute to register his twenty-eighth goal of the season from just twenty-nine games. Luciano Becchio wasted a good opportunity for Leeds to go nap when he lofted the ball high over the bar from the penalty spot in the seventieth minute after a Yeovil defender had handled in the box. He had refused to give the ball to Robert Snodgrass the nominated penalty-taker. The miss was a big disappointment for Becchio, who was looking for his third goal in as many outings. Simon Grayson immediately sent on Mike Grella for Luciano Becchio and Bradley Johnson from Neil Kilkenny after seventy-three minutes but the game was already won. The easy four goal victory saw United achieve a six game home winning streak and jump back into fifth spot as the season countdown showed that United had just ten games to ensure their promotion.

United next entertained lowly Swindon Town and Simon Grayson had been out into the loan market to bring in striker Liam Dickinson from Derby County for the rest of the season. He took the place of Lee Trundle on the bench as United were otherwise unchanged as they searched for their seventh consecutive win at Elland Road. The in-form Jermaine Beckford was quickly in the action in the first minute when he was just wide from a Robert Snodgrass cross. He then tested Phil Smith with a low drive from distance and then on sixteen minutes it was Robert Snodgrass who forced the Swindon keeper to concede a corner and seven minutes later Jermaine Beckford again tested Phil Smith from distance as it was all Leeds. Robert Snodgrass was again close with a curling effort that was just over, before Phil Smith saved well from Jonathan Howson and the Fabian Delph was wide from the rebound. It was not until the final minute of the first half that Swindon created a chance as Simon Cox headed a free-kick wide from close range. Sean Morrison had been the sole source of trouble for United with his long throws until Owain Tudor-Jones found Simon Cox with the free-kick. However, they were the first to threaten in the second half when Casper Ankergren saved on the line. The game was not high on excitement but Phil Smith saved twice in quick succession as he blocked shots from Jermaine Beckford and Jonathan Howson. He again saved a Jonathan Howson strike from distance in the seventieth minute just before Jermaine Beckford was over with an overhead kick. With ten minutes to go Manager Grayson sent on loan signing Liam Dickinson for his debut as he replaced Luciano Becchio and Bradley Johnson replaced Neil Kilkenny and four minutes later he sent on Mike Grella for Ben Parker as he changed the formation to 3-4-3. Jermaine Beckford again forced Phil Smith to make another save as he shot from a tight angle as United piled on the pressure in search of the winner. It came with just three minutes of ordinary time left. Robert Snodgrass was the provider with a chip into the box and there was Jermaine Beckford to get up well at the far post to head home for his twenty-ninth goal of the season. United tried for a second and two minutes into stoppage time Phil Smith saved from Jonathan Howson but in the final minute Jermaine Beckford received his marching orders as he picked up a second yellow card for dissent after being adjudged off-side and automatically ruled himself out of the upcoming game at Crewe Alexandra. The late winner kept United in fifth spot and they now had a three point buffer over the sixth club.

Ian Westlake’s loan to Cheltenham Town had ended but he had been immediately loaned to Oldham Athletic for the rest of the season, and Peter Sweeney and Jonathan Lund were also similarly loaned to Grimsby Town. Jermaine Beckford’s suspension saw Simon Grayson give loanee Liam Dickinson his starting debut as Andy Hughes returned to the United squad on the bench as United visited Gresty Road to take on Crewe Alexandra and seeking to put an end to a five match losing streak in away games. There was a tentative opening with John Brayford for the home side and Jonathan Howson for United both having early shots at goal. Crewe were playing a defensive 3-4-3 formation and United exploited this by using the space conceded to good effect and Liam Dickinson forced John Ruddy to save with a shot from distance after ten minutes. Five minutes later he was even closer when he steered a Neil Kilkenny shot just wide of a post. There was a major turning point in the seventeenth minute when Billy Jones was given a straight red card after a foul on Robert Snodgrass. United started to press and a Jonathan Douglas cross caused panic in the Crewe defence before Fabian Delph had a shot blocked. United took the lead after twenty-seven minutes when Neil Kilkenny gave John Ruddy no chance with a fine shot. Three minutes later Luciano Becchio made it 2-0 as he took advantage of another fine Robert Snodgrass cross to score with a firm header. It became 3-0 on thirty-three minutes as Robert Snodgrass took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score with a fine shot. United were in total control and just on half-time Jonathan Douglas shot inches over. Manager Grayson sent on Lubomir Michalik for the second half in place of the injured Rui Marques, but it was Crewe that started the second half on the attack and Richard Naylor conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box and was lucky not to be booked for a second time in the match as he hauled down Byron Moore. The free-kick produced a teasing cross which Casper Ankergren allowed to slip through his hands and across the face of goal. United were soon back on the attack and Jonathan Howson tested John Ruddy. Robert Snodgrass then had a shot saved while John Brayford headed over for Crewe. Fabian Delph showed his skill with a fifty yard run but the home team averted the danger and responded with Casper Ankergren making a great save from Clayton Donaldson. It came at the expense of a corner and from it Julian Baudet headed in from close range to reduce the arrears from the Gylfi Sigurdsson flag-kick on the one hour mark. United were still controlling the game and playing some neat football and with twenty minutes left Mike Grella came on for Liam Dickinson. Three minutes later United’s two goal cushion was reduced to one as Tom Pope headed the home team’s second goal at the second attempt after Danny Woodward’s shot had been blocked. Bradley Johnson came on for Neil Kilkenny with fourteen minutes left and three minutes later he headed a Robert Snodgrass corner wide of the mark. Robert Snodgrass forced John Ruddy to make a great save following good work from Mike Grella and moments later the young American had a good opportunity but shot straight at the keeper. There were four minutes of extra-time and Crewe nearly pulled off a remarkable comeback as Casper Ankergren pulled off a marvellous save from a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick but United came back and John Ruddy saved well from Robert Snodgrass as United held on to get their first away win since mid-January and consolidated their hold on fifth spot with eight games remaining.

There had been more comings and goings as Simon Grayson tried to revitalise his side for the run-in. Alan Sheehan and Oliver Hotchkiss had been loaned to Crewe Alexandra and Mansfield Town respectively for the rest of the season, while Goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan and Central Defender Sam Sodje had been similarly loaned from Crystal Palace and Reading. Sam Sodje went straight into the team for the injured Rui Marques as United welcomed fourth-placed MK Dons to Elland Road. They were also happy to welcome back leading scorer Jermaine Beckford after suspension and Liam Dickinson dropped to the bench and Mike Grella was left out of the squad to accommodate him. Also Andy Robinson had recovered from injury and replaced Bradley Johnson on the bench. In front of a crowd of 27,649, the largest since Boxing Day, United were looking for their eighth consecutive home win. The visitors had not come to defend and after Jason Puncheon had shot over the bar from distance, Casper Ankergren had to push a Sam Baldock free-kick round the post after Richard Naylor had brought down Jason Puncheon on the edge of the box on the eleven minutes mark. United too were playing enterprising football and Luciano Becchio went close after twenty minutes. Jermaine Beckford showed skill to beat Sean O’Hanlon and Shaun Cummings before he tried his luck on goal, but it was Robert Snodgrass who first tested Willy Gueret from distance after thirty-one minutes. It was, however, Jermaine Beckford who linked well with Luciano Becchio that scored his thirtieth goal of the season with a clinical finish in the thirty-seventh minute. A Ben Parker free-kick from the left was headed on by Becchio for Beckford to meet it with an unstoppable volley. Four minutes later Dean Lewington stopped a second goal after Fabian Delph and Jermaine Beckford had combined well with a last-ditch tackle on the striker. After the break it was United who threatened first as Jonathan Howson shot over. More good build up play saw Jermaine Beckford shoot over from an acute angle but after fifty-four minutes he made no mistake after Robert Snodgrass had made an incisive pass as he applied the finishing touch to double United’s advantage with his tenth goal in his last seven matches. He almost completed his hat-trick on the hour mark when he screwed his shot wide after beating two defenders. On sixty-one minutes Simon Grayson sent on Lubomir Michalik for Sam Sodje who had picked up a knock. United were well on top and Luciano Becchio got up well to head a Robert Snodgrass cross but Willy Gueret made a good save low down. MK Dons should have scored in the sixty-ninth minute but Sam Baldock could only turn a Jason Puncheon cross across the face of the goal. Three minutes later Andrew Hughes was sent on to replace Neil Kilkenny. Robert Snodgrass needed lengthy treatment after a clash with former Leeds loanee Jemal Johnson, but the visitors did not bother United and after three minutes of stoppage time they had a deserved win to stretch their winning home sequence to eight games and while remaining fifth moved to just one point behind their visitors and importantly now had a five point buffer and a game in hand over seventh placed Tranmere Rovers, who only had six games to play.

There was a sell-out 9,559 ground record crowd at the Weston Homes Community Stadium to see if United could extend their eight-game unbeaten run as they visited thirteenth placed Colchester United. United maintained the same starting eleven but there were changes on the bench as Rui Marques had recovered from injury and replaced Lubomir Michalik. United started lively as inside the first five minutes Robert Snodgrass fed Jermaine Beckford but the ace striker was denied by some quick thinking by Mark Cousins in the Colchester goal. Colchester hit back and Karl Hawley struck well from distance to force Casper Ankergren into a good save low down. There were two corners from Robert Snodgrass in quick succession and Luciano Becchio got on the end of one to head narrowly wide. Jermaine Beckford was getting caught often by the Colchester offside trap but on twenty-two minutes he did get a hurried shot on target but Mark Cousins was untroubled. At the other end Mark Yeates should have done better when presented with a good chance but Casper Ankergren did well to thwart him. United were starting to control the game and took the lead after twenty-nine minutes when Luciano Becchio created an opening for himself on the edge of the penalty box to hammer the ball into the net, giving Mark Cousins no chance, for his thirteenth goal of the season. Neil Kilkenny created an opening for Jermaine Beckford a minute before half-time but the striker lost his footing as he tried to shoot and in first half injury time the Colchester keeper denied the thirty-one goal striker after he was through on goal. The home team emerged with renewed vigour at the start of the second half and play was held up as Fabian Delph was treated fter being fouled. Kem Izzet, who had already been booked, was given a stern lecture by the referee after fouling Jonathan Howson just before the hour mark. On sixty-seven minutes Luciano Becchio had to receive treatment when he was brought down in the box but United had had to do more defending since the break but had done it well and Casper Ankergren had not been troubled. On seventy-two minutes Luciano Becchio had the ball in the net but an offside flag saw it disallowed and then Casper Ankergren was in action five minutes later when he fielded an ambitious attempt by Mark Yeates from distance. A head injury saw Richard Naylor leave the field for treatment as the game deteriorated and was soon in the referee’s notebook after he and Simon Hackney had clashed after the winger had scythed down Robert Snodgrass. It saw the Scotsman immediately substituted by Andy Hughes with two minutes left and in injury time Liam Dickinson came on for Luciano Becchio. There were four extra minutes for stoppages but Leeds were untroubled and with the last play of the game Mark Cousins denied Jermaine Beckford and Leeds extended their unbeaten run to nine games to remain in fifth place but now were seven points in front of the seventh team with a game in hand as Southend United only had five games left. Second spot seemed out of their reach as Peterborough had a ten point buffer although Leeds had a game in hand.

United next had a Tuesday Night visit to Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road, now known as the Matchroom Stadium. They were without the injured Sam Sodje and Jermaine Beckford. They were replaced by Rui Marques and Liam Dickinson, with Lubomir Michalik and Mick Grella coming on to the bench. United were looking to continue their winning run which now stood at five and to further consolidated their push for a play-off place. United started brightly and soon forced the home team on the defensive as Neil Kilkenny was denied by the legs of Orient keeper Jamie Jones but there was a scare for them as Robert Snodgrass, who had also received a buffeting at Colchester, need to treatment after a foul by Charlie Daniels. Fortunately for United he soon returned to the action and after nineteen minutes it was he that gave them the lead. Neil Kilkenny had fed Fabian Delph who showed great skill on the right before delivering a measured ball into the path of the arriving Scotsman who finished with aplomb as he slid the ball into the far corner of the net. United continued to be the dominant team and Ben Parker was very close after twenty-eight minutes with a shot that was inches over the bar, but Leyton still threatened on occasions and six minutes later Jimmy Smith shot marginally over. There was bad news for United shortly before half time as Fabian Delph picked up his tenth booking of the season which meant that he would miss the upcoming games at home to Tranmere Rovers and away to Hartlepool United. It was Leeds who went straight on the attack after the interval and an offside flag denied Liam Dickinson and Fabian Delph went close with a shot from distance. After Jonathan Howson had been deflected for a corner, Luciano Becchio’s shot from the flag-kick was handled by Jason Demetriou on the line and the referee had no alternative but to point to the spot and dismiss the Orient defender. There were no arguments this time as to who should take it and Robert Snodgrass, the designated penalty-taker stepped up to stroke the ball home for his second goal of the night after sixty minutes. Just five minutes later Orient were back in the game, as Casper Ankergren stood no chance after being wrong footed by a deflection from a free-kick by Sean Thornton. United responded immediately with Jonathan Howson rattling a post, after being played in by Liam Dickinson, and Robert Snodgrass was denied his hat-trick by a good save from Jamie Jones from the rebound. After seventy-seven minutes Andy Robinson replaced Liam Dickinson and then Robert Snodgrass saw another shot deflected wide as United continued to press, but it was the home side that scored next as they equalised with just five minutes left on the clock. A low cross by John Melligan from the left was turned across the goal by Dean Morgan and it could not be held by Casper Ankergren, who gifted a chance to Simon Church who made no mistake as he latched onto the fumble to score from close range. Andy Hughes was sent on for Neil Kilkenny but even though there were four minutes added United could not get the victory their play had deserved and had to settle for one point with their unbeaten run now stretching to ten games as they maintained fifth spot. However, to come back from 2-0 down after an hour, with ten men was a credit to Orient and eased their relegation worries.

Jermaine Beckford was still not available due to injury as United entertained tenth placed Stockport County in the Easter Saturday clash at Elland Road, and Sam Sodje had not recovered either and so Rui Marques remained in central defence as the squad remained unchanged. Leeds were looking to equal the feat of Howard Wilkinson’s promotion winning side of 1989-90 by claiming a ninth successive home win and soon produced the first chance as Liam Dickinson, playing against the team where he became famous, headed narrowly over. Only nine minutes had elapsed when Leeds took the lead. Jonathan Douglas delivered a cross from the right, which was touched on by Luciano Becchio and Jonathan Howson took advantage of some poor marking to slot the ball home from close range. Stockport came straight back and Casper Ankergren was forced to save with his legs. After eighteen minutes United nearly doubled their lead as Liam Dickinson hit the crossbar and from the rebound Luciano Becchio saw his shot deflected to safety. United continued to press and Robert Snodgrass was only just over with a free-kick after thirty-seven minutes and with one minute left of the half it was Neil Kilkenny who shot narrowly wide. The second half started with Stockport making the running but they were soon pushed back and Jonathan Howson was brought down on the edge of the area. Simon Grayson was forced into an early substitution just nine minutes into the half as Andy Robinson was sent on for Luciano Becchio, who had picked up a knock in the first half and had not been able to run it off. Robinson infused a little purpose into the United attack and was soon in the action as he shot just over. However the game seemed to be loosing its sparkle and starting to drift to an inevitable conclusion with Leeds in firm control and twenty minutes to go. On seventy-three minutes Robert Snodgrass worked an opening but his shot was wide and soon after Craig Logan, the Stockport goalkeeper, made a good save from Andy Robinson quickly followed by a save from the same player’s free-kick. Stockport did press for a while in the closing stages and Casper Ankergren saved bravely to deny them. Mike Grella came on for Liam Dickinson with three minutes left on the clock and then Neil Kilkenny shot wide with less than two minutes to go and Casper Ankergren again saved from close range as United claimed the three points. With four games left to go United had a six point buffer on sixth-placed Tranmere Rovers but the seven club, Scunthorpe United, trailed by eight but had two games in hand. Leicester looked odds on to be champions eleven points clear of United with second placed Peterborough just four points behind them with Millwall just one point in front of United in third spot and MK Dons were fourth by virtue of a better goal difference and also had a game in hand.

United had to travel to Leicester City for the Easter Monday fixture at the Walkers Stadium and it was on the cards that this would decide whether it would throw the League One title race wide open or consign United to the Play-off games and a crowd of 25,507 was on hand to witness the tussle, which was of vital interest to the top seven or eight teams but none more so than the two participants. The Leeds squad was still lacking their trump card Jermaine Beckford but Sam Sodje was back to take over in central defence with Rui Marques who had picked up an injury dropped out of sixteen. It was a 12-15pm kick-off and so the rest of the teams watched on in anticipation. It was the home side who pressed first but Lloyd Dyer saw his shot blocked and then Casper Ankergren pulled off a good save to deny Max Gradel from distance. Leicester continued to press and Richard Naylor was called upon to save United with a good blocking tackle after eleven minutes. United weathered the storm well and gained the first corner of the game after a length of the field passing movement. The corner was only cleared to Jonathan Douglas, who found Luciano Becchio, who had made a miraculous recovery to be fit to take his place in the team, in space but his shot from an acute angle hit the side-netting. Casper Ankergren was again in action after twenty-one minutes as he pulled of another good save to keep out an Andy King header following a corner. United were using their tight defence as a springboard to launch counter attacks and it made for a good game but it was a good job that Casper Ankergren was in good form and he next kept out Steve Howard at the expense of a corner which the Leicester striker headed wide under pressure from Jonathan Douglas. United were starting to pose threats at the other end and Robert Snodgrass went the closest to opening the scoring as his corner kick was pushed towards his own net by the Leicester keeper, David Stockdale, but it hit the bar and was kicked off the line by Max Gradel, but the keeper looked more assured moments later as he saved from Luciano Becchio. Three minutes before the interval Casper Ankergren got down well after Michael Morrison shot from distance and soon after Andy King headed over from a free-kick. Leicester went on the attack at the start of the second half but it was United who again threatened to score and almost took the lead five minutes into the half as the inspirational Richard Naylor climbed to get in a firm header but David Stockdale just blocked it on the goal-line. United were now starting to find space and becoming a very real threat to the Leicester goal and Sam Sodje was the next to go close as his header from a Robert Snodgrass free-kick was narrowly wide. It was not one way traffic as Casper Ankergren was called upon to push a Matt Oakley effort past the post and when the home team threatened again there was some good defending by Fabian Delph and then a decisive header out from Sam Sodje and Matt Fryatt was also wide of the mark after being crowded out. Luciano Becchio, who had given it his all despite carrying an injury, was replaced by Andy Robinson after sixty-four minutes. He was soon involved in the action as he fed Fabian Delph, who was denied by the legs of David Stockdale before the ball was booted to safety by Wayne Brown. Casper Ankergren was still earning his keep as he kept out a header from Steve Howard in the seventy-third minute and then got down well to save from Matt Fryatt as Leicester tried to get in front in what was a very absorbing contest. In United’s next attack Richard Naylor got in a good header which appeared to strike a Leicester defender on the hand in the home goal area, but it was not given. After seventy-eight minutes Simon Grayson sent on Andy Hughes for Neil Kilkenny and three minutes later David Stockdale produced a fine save to keep out a good shot from Andy Robinson after the ex-Swan had made an opening for himself. Two minutes later Mike Grella came on for Liam Dickinson in United’s last roll of the dice. It looked for all the world as if honours had finished even, but two minutes into stoppage time Steve Howard rose to head home from a Max Gradel corner beyond the reach of the gallant Casper Ankergren. It was a sad end to a fine performance from United and the end of their unbeaten run, which gave Leicester one hand on the championship trophy and left Leeds seven points adrift from second spot.

There were now only eight teams left with the possibility of competing for the three promotion spots. With just three games left for all but two of the teams, Leicester City were already assured of a promotion spot and needed one point to be crowned Champions. Seven points behind them Peterborough United were favourites for second spot as they led Millwall by three points, but in fourth spot, just one point behind Millwall, MK Dons had a game in hand and a three point break on Leeds. Tranmere Rovers were in sixth spot three points behind Leeds, with Scunthorpe United two points behind them, but with two games in hand. Southend United trailed Scunthorpe United by three points and needed a miracle to scrape into sixth spot. So the home fixture with Tranmere Rovers could close the door on them or throw it wide open to the chasing pack. United were without the services of teenage sensation Fabian Delph who was suspended but Andy Robinson was an able deputy. There was a major boost with the return of leading goal-scorer Jermaine Beckford from injury as Liam Dickinson dropped out of the squad, while Rui Marques had recovered from injury to take the place of Lubomir Michalik on the bench with Bradley Johnson filling the vacant place as a substitute. United were going for their tenth consecutive home win which would take them past the nine achieved by Howard Wilkinson’s 1989-90 promotion side and put them in sight of the all-time record of twelve held by the Don Revie Football League championship team of 1968-69. They were off to a rousing start as Jonathan Howson rattled the bar with a fine effort from forty yards with keeper Danny Coyne well-beaten and it was United that took the lead after fifteen minutes as Jermaine Beckford notched his thirty-second goal of the season after combining well with Robert Snodgrass to beat the keeper with ease as he tucked the ball just inside the far post. It had been a lovely start with Leeds looking the more dangerous on the break and it took a foul by Steve Jennings on the edge of the box to stop Luciano Becchio’s progress on goal, but Robert Snodgrass put the free-kick wide. The second goal was not long coming and in the twenty-sixth minute Jonathan Douglas found Neil Kilkenny in space and the Australian International scored from an acute angle. However a defensive mix-up a minute later let Tranmere back into the game as a Sam Sodje header looped over the stranded Casper Ankergren, as Sodje tried desperately to rectify his error. Tranmere had a further chance nine minutes later as Casper Ankergren failed to collect a corner and Antony Kay made a mess of a free header. They were also looking dangerous with four minutes to the break as Edrissa Sonko was bearing down on Casper Ankergren but Richard Naylor did enough to hurry him into putting his shot wide. It was the Leeds keeper to the rescue early in the second half as he pulled off an excellent save in parrying a shot from Antony Kay before quickly recovering to avert the danger when Ryan Shotton followed up. On the hour mark Leeds gave themselves a good cushion when Robert Snodgrass took a free-kick from distance and found it Luciano Becchio unmarked after a deflection off Jermaine Beckford and he put the ball in the net from close range. Simon Grayson took the opportunity to bring off Robert Snodgrass, who was carrying an injury, and give Bradley Johnson a chance to get good game time. The goal had killed off ant further threat from Tranmere and United were content to play possession football. Simon Grayson also helped to wind the clock down by sending on Andy Hughes for Andy Robinson after eighty-two minutes and Mike Grella for Jermaine Beckford three minutes later. The four minutes of stoppage time passed without incident as United got their tenth successive home win and moved six points clear of Tranmere to all-but ensure a place in the play-off finals but had to accept that second spot was out of their reach with two games left.

United visited Victoria Park to play Hartlepool United in the final away game of the season and were still without Fabian Delph, who was serving his final game of a two game suspension, and Robert Snodgrass, who had not recovered from a knock picked up in recent games. Bradley Johnson was given a chance as the Scotsman’s replacement and Liam Dickinson took the vacant spot on the bench. United were soon on the attack with Jermaine Beckford looking dangerous and within the first two minutes he had made a good opening for himself and saw his shot deflected for the first of two early corners. Hartlepool broke quickly from the second of those corners and Casper Ankergren was called upon to save a Joel Porter header. The pendulum swung back towards Leeds and they missed a grat opportunity to go ahead after ten minutes. Neil Kilkenny found Luciano Becchio and the Argentinian advanced on goal and drew the Hartlepool keeper, Jan Budtz and squared the ball to Jermaine Beckford but he was denied by Joe Skarz who stopped his shot on the goal-line. Hartlepool’s next attack saw Casper Ankergren avert the danger by bravely diving at the feet of Daniel Nardiello, who had wriggled his way through the Leeds defence. A booking for Sam Collins for a cynical challenge on Jermaine Beckford on the edge of the box was the Hartlepool answer to United’s next threat, but Bradley Johnson was not in luck as his free-kick struck the woodwork. Hartlepool were not taking their chances either and a Joe Skarz corner was headed over and Leeds-born Andy Monkhouse should have done better than shoot wide when well placed. The catalogue of near misses mounted as Sam Sodje hit the woodwork when he headed on to the crossbar after half an hour as the game maintained its fast pace and entertainment. The intensity abated a little towards the break but in the first minute of stoppage time Leeds a good move involving Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Douglas and Andy Robinson saw Richard Naylor putting an effort just wide. In the half time break a strong breeze came up together with steady rain and that put a dampener on proceedings and Ritchie Jones saw yellow for a bad challenge on Ben Parker but it was Hartlepool that missed the first chance as Gary Liddle shot wide. After fifty-seven minutes Luciano Becchio failed to keep an Andy Robinson cross down and it flew over the bar, but two minutes later United took the lead. Jonathan Douglas, Neil Kilkenny and Ben Parker all played a part in the build-up before the ball found Jermaine Beckford on the edge of the penalty area. The ace striker provided a great turn and finish as he netted his thirty-third goal of the season. Relegation threaten Hartlepool showed a little more urgency and Antony Sweeney was denied by Casper Ankergren, while Bradley Johnson had a free-kick well held by Jan Budtz. With eleven minutes left Simon Grayson sent on Andrew Hughes for Andy Robinson and Mike Grella was given a chance in place of Jermaine Beckford, while four minutes later he sent on Liam Dickinson for Neil Kilkenny. It was Liam Dickinson who gave Luciano Becchio a chanceas a he delivered a cross from the right but the Argentinian shot wide. The win saw United cement a play-off place and were just one point away from third spot in fifth spot, with Tranmere Rovers and Scunthorpe United left to fight out the sixth place.

The final fixture of the League calendar saw Northampton Town, who were deep in the relegation fight and needing at least a draw for their survival, as the final visitors to Elland Road. Simon Grayson rested Sam Sodje and Rui Marques came back into the starting eleven. Fabian Delph was back after his two match suspension for Bradley Johnson, who dropped to the bench to joined Frazer Richardson, who was back after a long lay-off with injury, and Robert Snodgrass, who had missed the previous game at Hartlepool because of injury. United were going for their eleventh home League game in succession and the chance of three points seeing them in fourth spot in the final table and the biggest crowd of the season, 34,214, was there to cheer them on. Fabian Delph quickly made up for lost time as he was narrowly wide with a shot from distance and Northampton were soon on the defensive as United pressed with some neat football. Ben parker had to receive extensive treatment after nineteen minutes following a hefty challenge from Abdul Osman. United were close to opening the scoring after thirty minutes when Jonathan Howson played in Jermaine Beckford but the striker could not make it count and good defending by the visitors keeper at the near post kept Andy Robinson out. Northampton seemed to be happy to defend as United had long periods of possession but Goalkeeper Chris Dunn had to be alert to keep out Rui Marques and keep a clean sheet at the interval. He did not succeed as two minutes before the break United took the lead as Luciano Becchio struck from close range after Ben Parker’s excellent cross from the left found him in space and he rose to head home his eighteenth goal of the season, as Chris Dunn chose to stay on his line. Half-time showed that Carlisle United, who were in the relegation tussle with Northampton were leading Millwall, the team United were hoping to displace in fourth place, and so at half time Leeds were fourth, Millwall fifth and Carlisle safe and Northampton down, if results did not change in the second half. The Cobblers responded to the bad news and threw everything at Leeds. Ex-Leeds striker Leon Constantine was denied by a good tackle by Richard Naylor and Luke Gutteridge also went close, but there position worsened as Jermaine Beckford netted his thirty-fourth goal of the season to double the lead for United on the one hour mark. Scotsman Robert Snodgrass, who had replaced Neil Kilkenny only two minutes before, fed the ball through to the ace striker who sent the ball into the net to the right of Chris Dunn. The crowd were now in party mood an there was a standing ovation for Frazer Richardson seven minutes later as he came on to replace Ben Parker. Simon Grayson completed the substitutions by sending on Mike Grella for Jermaine Beckford with twelve minutes to go and three minutes later Andy Robinson went close but fired over and when they should have gone three goals up. Mike Grella was denied by goalkeeper Chris Dunn dashing from his line after he had broken down the middle. Finally United firmly put the final nail into Northampton’s relegation coffin in the last minute as Robert Snodgrass scored with a spectacular bicycle-kick after good play by Andy Robinson in the final minute. So United took fourth spot with eighty-four points, trailing Leicester City by twelve, Peterborough United by five and MK Dons by three points, while Millwall finished two points behind United with Scunthorpe United just attaining sixth spot, eight points behind them. This meant Leeds would take on Millwall in the play-offs and MK Dons would face Scunthorpe United.

On Saturday 9th May 2009 United travelled to the New Den to take on Millwall in the first leg of the play-off semi-final and Manager Simon Grayson brought back Sam Sodje and Robert Snodgrass into his starting eleven as Rui Marques and Andy Robinson dropped to the bench with Frazer Richardson being omitted from the squad. The home fans turned up in force to swell the crowd to a season’s record of 13,228, whereas the United fans were restricted to a meagre 1,000 but they were vocal enough to make their presence known and no doubt appreciated by the players. The previous evening MK Dons had gone to Scunthorpe and come away with a satisfactory 1-1 draw in the other play-off semi-fanal first leg. Jermaine Beckford got United off to a good start when he quickly tested David Ford with a good shot which Millwall keeper was unable to hold at first attempt. The home team were quick to respond as Andy Frampton sliced his shot on the volley wide, after Jonathan Douglas’ weak clearing header had given him the chance, following a free-kick from Adam Bolder. The game was not rising to any great heights and it was punctuated by fouls and stoppages for injuries and after sixteen minutes Millwall had to bring on Neil Harris after Jason Price was unable to continue. The game continued to be mainly fought out in midfield and chances were at a premium. The Millwall keeper did have a Jermaine Beckford effort deflected into his arms, while Millwall’s Neil Harris should have done better in the thirty-eighth minute when Sam Sodje denied him a more positive outcome. Leeds did also carve out a chance of their own soon after when Neil Kilkenny put a great ball through to Jermaine Beckford, but the Millwall defence were able to partly clear the danger. Luciano Becchio latched on to their clearance but his shot went narrowly wide and just before half time it was the Argentinian that headed a Robert Snodgrass cross straight at David Forde and the teams went into the break scoreless. Soon after the second half got underway Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio linked up in the best move of the game to that point and Beckford was only denied by some desperate defending by Andy Frampton and United continued to press gaining three corners in quick succession. A well-flighted Robert Snodgrass free-kick caused the Millwall defence concern and when Becchio got on the end of it he headed just wide. Millwall hit back and Zak Whitbread missed a golden opportunity when he shot over the bar from close range following a free-kick. Casper Ankergren was called upon to make a good save from a Neil Harris backheel. This was followed by some sustained Lion’s pressure with Gary Alexander shooting wide. The game seemed to have opened up and Jermaine Beckford curled a shot just wide of the post after sixty-three minutes. The goal drought was broken when Millwall scored after seventy-two minutes. Richard Naylor tried to stop a cross from the right from Gary Alexander but he was unable to prevent it reaching Neil Harris, who steadied himself to tuck the ball into the net beyond Casper Ankergren. Six minutes after the goal Simon Grayson brought Bradley Johnson on for Jonathan Howson and four minutes after that he sent on Andy Robinson for Robert Snodgrass as he looked to try and square the game. Andy Robinson and Jonathan Douglas both had a hand in United’s next attack but it broke down and Millwall broke quickly and Sam Sodje did well to thwart James Henry. After the goal had been conceded United seemed to be out of sorts. Millwall bossed the midfield and had the majority of possession in the game, something that United had not been used to in recent times. United never looked like pulling the goal back and so they returned for the second leg with a one goal deficit but with home advantage and the possibility of equalling the record set by Don Revie’s immortals they would have done so with high hopes and confidence.

On Thursday 14th May 2009 United’s season hung on the result of the game. With an almost perfect home record and the biggest crowd of the season outside the EPL, 37,036, with all but eight hundred and sixty there to roar them on, all they had to do was repeat their recent home results and they would equal the record set by Don Revie’s champions and move on to Wembley to play either MK Dons or Scunthorpe United who were due to play the following day. There were no changes to the United team and Simon Grayson pinned his faith on the same squad and backed them to improve on their showing at the New Den. There was a fiery start to the game as Adam Bolder was booked for a foul on Robert Snodgrass and Jonathan Howson was hard on Jimmy Abdu and the scene was set for a tough encounter. United took the game to Millwall in the early stages but it was not until well after the quarter hour mark had been reached that Robert Snodgrass tested David Forde with the first shot of note after good build-up with Jonathan Howson. The Millwall keeper was soon called into more action as he saved first from Jermaine Beckford and then Fabian Delph but the war of attrition continued unabated. David Martin was booked after twenty-three minutes and three minutes later Fabian Delph was the next player to see yellow, after an incident with Gary Alexander. Neil Kilkenny also suffered as he was forced out of the game in the thirty-sixth minute as Andy Robinson came on in his place. United had had the better of the game to that point but Gary Alexander showed that Millwall were still in the game with a shot from distance that flew over the bar. United replied to assert their ascendancy by putting the visitors under more pressure with Robert Snodgrass showing how dangerous he could be when he got up after being fouled by Adam Bolder and forced the keeper to save his free-kick at the expense of a corner. Andy Robinson showed his danger from the dead ball as he curled a free-kick just over as the half came to its conclusion. No sooner had the game recommenced than Robinson was causing more problems with another free-kick. Just four minutes of the half had elapsed when Leeds should have taken the lead. Referee Mark Halsey awarded a penalty to them after he saw Andy Frampton wrestle Sam Sodje to the floor. Jermaine Beckford’s spot kick was neither accurate nor powerful enough and David Forde was able to get down to save it but was unable to hold it. Andy Robinson followed up on the rebound but shot over the bar from an acute angle. And United had blown a golden opportunity to level the tie on aggregate. They were level just four minutes later as Ben Parker, after a good run down the left, got in a low cross from the left and Luciano Becchio slid the ball home from close range for his nineteenth goal of the season to put United one up on the night and level on aggregate. After the goal it was all Leeds and Jermaine Beckford cottoned on to a ball down the middle but was unable to get his shot in. In the seventy-fourth minute Millwall struck a killer blow as Jimmy Abdu scored from close range after a perfect David Martin cross from the right had been teed up for him by substitute Lewis Grabban, in what was Millwall’s first attack of the half. Four minutes later United withdrew Ben Parker and sent on Bradley Johnson and mounted one final push to save their season. Millwall responded by sending on Central Defender Paul Robinson in place of Midfielder James Henry with four minutes of normal time to go to re-enforce their defence. With two minutes left Bradley Johnson came within a whisker but his shot was wide, but despite six minutes of stoppage time being added United were unable to breach the Millwall defence and it was Millwall that went to Wembley and Leeds were left to contemplate a third successive season in League One. Another season! Another disappointment! Another season more down with the deadmen!

2009-2010:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

It was another season down in the depths of the nether regions of the Football League, but United had already been made the bookmakers' choice of the team most likely to gain promotionfrom League One, but the usual sceptics among the United faithful had seen too many other seasons of promise fade to disillusionment.

There were the usual comimgs and goings in the United fold with United's finest prospect, Fabian Delph going to Aston Villa on 4th August 2009 for a reported £6 million, after seemingcertain to be destined for Manchester City, but while leading scorer Jermaine Beckford was officially on the transfer list, there were no takers, and he remained at Elland Road. Goalkeeper David Lucas was first cab off the rank when he joined Swindon Town, on a free transfer on 1st July 2009, three days later Peter Sweeney joined Grimsby Town on a permanent basis, after previously being there on loan, Frazer Richardson joined Charlton Athletic on 9th July, a surprise move for United's current longest serving player and Captain. There was another surprise the following day when Jonathan Douglas, for a long time a fixture in midfield, joined David Lucas at Swindon Town, also on a free transfer. The clear out continued on 16th July 2010 when Ian Westlake was offloaded to Wycombe Wanderers after returning from loan to Oldham Athletic.

Loan players from the 2008-09, all returned to their clubs, Lee Trundle to Bristol City, Liam Dickinson to Derby County, Darryl Flavahan to Crystal Palace and Sam Sodje to Reading. While Loan Players returning to United were, Goalkeeper Alan Martin from Barrow, Tresor Kandol from Charlton Athletic, Ian Westlake from Oldham Athletic, Peter Sweeney and Jonathan Lund from Grimsby Town, Alan Sheehan from Crewe Alexandra and Oliver Hotchkiss from Mansfield Town. Goalkeeper Jonathan Lund was released on 31st May 2009, Full-Back Alan Sheehan was loaned to Oldham Athletic on 1st September 2009 for two momths and Goalkeeper Alan Martin wasloaned to Accrington Stanley on the same day until January 2010.

Young central defender Tom Lees also went to Accrington Stanley on loan for the season and Paul Huntington was loaned to Stockport County on 11th September 2009 until the end of November, while on 17th September 2009,Tom Elliott was loaned to Bury for the season.

There was little to enthuse about in the acquisitions with Full-back Jason Crowe coming in on on 29th June 2009 from Northampton Town on a Free Transfer, Goalkeeper Shane Higgs arrived on 3rd July 2009, also on a Free Transfer from Cheltenham Town. Central Defender Patrick Kisnorbo arrived on 22nd July 2009 on a free transfer from Leicester City and anotherDefender, Leigh Bromby, was bought for an "undisclosed Fee" from Sheffield United early in the season on 1st September 2009. On 6th August 2009 the midfield had been bolstered by the loan of Michael Doyle who came on loan from Coventry City for the season.

United started off their new season with a Friendly against York City on 12th July 2009 at Kit-Kat Crescent and opted to play a team in either half and alternate three Goalkeepers, which resulted in Shane Higgs playing thirty-eight minutes before Alan Martin came on until he was superceded by Casper Ankergren in the Sixty-fifth minute. In the first half the outfield players were, Jason Crowe, Paul Huntington, Tom Lees and Ben Parker, Robert Snodgrass, Bradley Johnson, Jonathan Howson and Aidan White, Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio. While in the second half they featured Liam Darville, Andy Milne, Lubomir Michalik and Andy Hughes, Mike Whitwell, David Prutton, Fabian Delph, and Andy Robinson, Enoch Showunmi and Tom Elliott. Shane Higgs and Jason Crowe made their first appearances for the club, while it was expected that Fabian Delph was nearing the end of his appearances for United. Enoch Showunmi was back after a seven month lay-off and there were places for youngsters, Alan Martin, Liam Darville, Tom Lees, Andy Milne and Mike Whitwell. While noticable absentees were Richard Naylor, Rui Marques, Alan Sheehan, Neil Kilkenny and Mike Grella, who were all injured. Robert Snodgrass was the first to show the way to goal with a first effort which sailed harmlessly across the face of goal and, after twelve minutes, he tried his luck with a curling shot. He was close again after good work by Jonathan Howson andJason Crowe, when he shot from outside the box. Jermaine Beckford had the ball in the net after eighteen minutes but was denied by an offside flag, before Jason Crowe tested Michael Ingram, the York keeper. Despite all the early pressure being from United, it was York that took the lead in the twenty-fourth minute when a terrific strike from Andy Smith left Shane Higgs grasping at thin air as the York midfielder found the top corner of the net from distance. Paul Huntington was on hand to make a good block before United should have been on even terms just before the half hour. Robert Snodgrass sent a low cross into the six-yard box but Aidan White failed to capitalise and Ingram was able to gather the ball before Jermaine Beckford could pounce. Six minutes later Aidan White was again the guilty party, when Beckford had played him in, but he shot straight at the keeper. Luciano Becchio did not make the same mistake and after thirty-nine minutes he tucked the ball past the keeper to equalise. After the interval it was Leeds who settled the quickest and Mike Whitwell crashed the ball into the net with his first touch after a good cross from Enoch Showumni, after fifty minutes. York relieved the Leeds pressure to fashion a couple of chances of their own, but first they shot high over and then Andy Milne was on hand to avert the danger. The game was fairly tight for quite a while but in the eightieth minute Tom Elliott sent a shot wide of the mark, then with eight minutes left Andy Milne got his name on the scoresheet, when he stabbed the ball home from an Andy Robinson cross. However, York made a last desperate effort as the minutes ticked by and reduced the arrears when Alex Lawless scored another good goal from distance. Then in one final attack one of their trialists bundled the ball home to salvage a 3-3 draw.

United undertook a trip to Ireland as part of their pre-season build-up and they soon found themselves without the services of Enoch Showumni, with a hamstring injury, and Alan Martin, with a back problem. Martin did not complete the warm-up prior to the first game withShelbourne, at Tolka Park on 14th July 2009, and this meant Casper Ankergren played the wholegame, while Showumni was taken off after twenty-nine minutes, as a precaution. Mike Grella and Alan Sheehan were given a chance after missing the game at York and as in the previous friendly, Ankergren apart, fielded a different team in either half. In the first half Ankergren found his outfield was: Andy Hughes, Tom Lees, Lubomir Michalik and Alan Sheehan, Andy Robinson, Fabian Delph, Jonathan Howson and Enoch Showumni, Jermaine Beckford and Mike Grella. Aidan White replaced Showumni after twenty-nine minutes. For the second half he was fronted by: Andy Hughes, who gave way to Liam Darville after sixty-five minutes, Jason Crowe,Paul Huntington and Ben Parker, Robert Snodgrass, David Prutton, Bradley Johnson and Aidan White, Mike Grella, who was replaced by Tom Elliott, after sixty-five minutes and Luciano Becchio. United were quickly out of the blocks and Mike Grella pounced on a defensive mistake to play Jermaine Beckford in, but he was quickly crowded out. Good work on the left by Enoch Showumni played in Mike Grella who tested Vinny Whelan, the Shelbourne keeper. Mike Grella was again involved as he created an opening for Jermaine Beckford but the striker could not capitalise, but after twenty-one minutes Beckford was unlucky, when after rounding the keeper, his shot from an acute angle was kicked off the line. Soon afterwards United's main striker again tried his luck with an overhead kick, but with his next involvement he gave United the lead after twenty-six minutes. He was on the end of another good Leeds move to give Whelan no chance. He almost made it two, three minutes later, when an Andy Robinson cross was slightly off target and he was unable to get in a firm shot. United were well on top and it was again Beckford in the spotlight as he headed an Andy Hughes cross onto the underside of the bar, and then Jonathan Howson went close when the Shelbourne defence allowedhim too much room. The second goal inevitably came in the forty-first minute when, after goodwork by Aidan White, Beckford made no mistake with a sharp finish. Andy Robinson was unluckynot to find his name on the scoresheet just prior to the break when his long range shot was turned over the bar at the second attempt by the Shelbourne keeper. The second half was more of the first, with Aidan White making a mazy run down the left to set up David Prutton for a cross which Bradley Johnson headed straight at the keeper. However, with their first serious threat of the half Shelbourne reduced the deficit, as Richie Baker crossed from the right for Guy Bates to easily beat Casper Ankergren with a well placed header. This seemed to knock United out of their rhythm, and after Paul Huntington had snuffed out one threat and Casper Ankergren had saved well from Richie Baker, there was a goalmouth scramble and Andy Hughes was judged to have handled, and up stepped David Crawley to equalise from the spot. The game then became dull and did not provide much entertainment for the 3,343 crowd, as Shelbourne's fitness showed and United faded. Casper Ankergren was called upon to save a free-kick in the seventieth minute and United were lucky that Jurgis Kalns lifted the ball over the bar rather than hit the target. United quickly replied and after eighty minutes Luciano Becchio headed narrowly over from a Bradley Johnson cross. Tom Elliott was the centre of an incident which resulted in the Shelbourne keeper needing attention after he went up for a header and with three minutes left Robert Snodgrass put an effort over the bar as United searched for the winner but in the end were happy to settle for a 2-2 draw.

On 18th July 2009, United moved from the capital of the Republic to the capital of Northern Ireland as they found many supporters in Belfast for the game with Glentoran. After playing a full game in Dublin, Casper Ankergren gave way to Shane Higgs and Alan Martin, as the latter and Enoch Showumni were passed fit for the game. United lined up: Shane Higgs; Andy Hughes, Lubomir Michalik, Paul Huntington, Ben Parker; Robert Snodgrass, Fabian Delph, Jonathan Howson, Andy Robinson; Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio. However, most of the squad were given a run at some point in the match. United went straight on the attack with Luciano Becchio almost through on goal soon after the kick-off and there was a scrambled home defence to prevent Robert Snodgrass from crossing to a well-placed Jermaine Beckford. A shot from Andy Robinson was blocked and then home keeper Elliott Morris was forced into a seventh minute save by Jermaine Beckford, as United started brightly. The home team made its first raid but Ben Parker was on hand to block. It was United who took the lead after just fifteen minutes, when Robert Snodgrass found space just outside the box to rifle the ball home with a fine finish. The lead could soon have been doubled but first Jermaine Beckford saw his shot smothered by the keeper and then Andy Robinson put the ball over the bar. United were well ontop and Luciano Becchio threatened, while Paul Huntington had a shot blocked. The home side were not out of it by any means and on the half hour Richard Clarke was wide with a shot fromthe edge of the box. The game was starting to drift towards half time but Luciano Becchio, rekindled everyone's interest as he hit the bar with a header from an Andy Hughes cross. This was followed, in injury time, by Jermaine Beckford beating the offside trap and racing thirty yards before rounding the goalkeeper and putting the ball into the roof of the net to send United into half-time with a 2-0 lead. The second half started with Aidan White on for Ben Parker and Tom Lees replacing Paul Huntington, and it was Shane Higgs that was soon called into action as he saved low to his left, while at the other end Andy Robinson had a shot pushed round the post by the Glentoran keeper. However on the fifty-eight minute mark Glentoran pulled the game back to 2-1 as Andy Hall played in Grant Gardiner who beat Shane Higgs with a shot into the top corner of the net. This was the sign for United to ring the changes and Enoch Showumni came on for Robert Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson replaced Fabian Delph. they were followed in the sixty-sixth minute by David Prutton for Jonathan Howson and Alan Sheehan for Andy Robinson, and one minute later Mike Grella replaced Jermaine Beckford.Alan Sheehan was soon into the action as he tested the replacement Glentoran keeper, James Taylor, from long range, but the keeper had no chance as Bradley Johnson met a low cross fromMike Grella in the seventy-fifth minute, but it went just wide. Luciano Becchio then made wayfor Tom Elliott and five minutes later Alan Martin took over between the sticks from Shane Higgs and Liam Darville replace Andy Hughes, leaving Lubomir Michalik as the only starter remaing on the pitch by the eightieth minute. Just two minutes later the fresh legs paid dividends as Enoch Showumni seized upon a defensive error to beat the advancing James Taylor. Mike Grella was a little unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet, when he skilfullyfashioned a good opening, but was denied by an acrobatic save from the Glentoran keeper as United were good value for their first pre-season win at the third attempt.

Next on the pre-season agenda was a trip to Blundell Park, Cleethorpes on 21st July 2009 to play Grimsby Town. Simon Grayson took the oppurtunity to use the game as a trial for Troyes defender Mathieu Baudry, as he fielded a strong side, but lacked some vital ingredients as the game clashed with a friendly at Wealdstone, which had been arranged as part of the deal which brought Jermaine Beckford to Elland Road, and had to feature Jermaine Beckford and several senior United players and a sprinkling of Juniors. So United lined up for the clash with the Mariners as: Casper Ankergren; Andy Hughes, Lubomir Michalik, Mathieu Baudry, Ben Parker; Robert Snodgrass, Fabian Delph, Jonathan Howson, Andy Robinson; Luciano Becchio. Mike Grella. The substitutes were Alan Martin, Rui Marques, Tom Lees, Tom Elliott and Aidan White. Peter sweeney had a quick reunion with his former team-mates when he faced them just a couple of weeks after leaving Elland Road. Simon Grayson had decided to watch the game in preference to going to Wealdstone and he would have been dismayed to see Casper Ankergren picking the ball out of the back of his net after only five minutes. Danny Boshellsent over a cross from the left, which Lubomir Michalik failed to clear and Jean Louis Akpa Akpro scored from close range to give the home team an early lead. Moments later Jonathan Howson tested the Grimsby Keeper, Nick Colgan, with a header from a Robert Snodgrass free-kick which he took at full stretch. But the home side were making telling breaks as first Akpa Akpro was narrowly wide in the twelfth minute and moments later Nick Hegarty shot over as the home side mounted more pressure. It was noticable that United were finding it far more difficult to get on top of the opposition than in any other previous pre-season friendlies, and Peter Sweeney reminded United of his capabilities, when he hit the underside of the bar from a free-kick in the twentieth minute. This was emphasised even more when after half an hour Barry Conlon did the almost impossible by heading over a golden opputunity from close range. In the closing stages of the first half Robert Snodgrass and Mike Grella combined to give Andy Robinson an oppurtunity to force home keeper Nick Colgan into a fine save. Simon Grayson replaced Lubomir Michalik with Rui Marques at the start of the second half and United went straight on the attack as Robert Snodgrass went close. The home team were quick to reply and a swift break saw Nick Hegarty go very close to doubling their lead. In the fiftieth minute Leeds got back on level terms as good pressure from Mike Grella forced a hurried clearance from Grimsby's replacement keeper, Leigh Overton, and Luciano Becchio was quickly on to it to score with a clinical finish. This gave United added imputus and Andy Hughes went close with a free kick, before Andy Robinson just wide of the upright as he cut in from the left flank. It was now an improved United side and both Andy Robinson and Robert Snodgrass went close as the hour mark approached. Mike Grella forced the Grimsby keeper to a good save low down and moments later Andy Robinson curled a free-kick just wide. On the seventy minute mark Andy Robinson saw his free-kick only partially cleared and Jonathan Howson's follow up shot was blocked. Alan Martin came on for Casper Ankergren after seventy-one minutes and Aidan White replaced Mike Grella a minute later. French trialist Mathieu Baudry was replaced by Tom Lees after seventy-nine minutes and was given a good reception by the Leeds fans as he left the field with his head swathed in bandages and bloodied from a head wound. Martin had no time to settle in as he could only watch as Akpa Akpro was only just wide of the mark. Tom Elliott came on for Robert Snodgrass after eighty-two minutes, but it was Luciano Becchio who provided a rousing finish to the match as he skilfully created an opening on the edge of the penalty box before rattling the underside of the bar with a powerful strike which bounced to safety as the game finished as a 1-1 draw.

On the same day United were surprised by Wealdstone and slipped to a 2-1 defeat. The team lined up as Shane Higgs; Liam Darville. Paul Huntington, Andy Milne, Alan Sheehan; David Prutton, Josh Falkingham, Bradley Johnson, Enoch Showumni; Tresor Kandol, Jermaine Beckford. Substitutes: Ryan Jones, Will Hatfield, Mike Whitwell. The game provided first games of the season to Tresor Kandol and junior, Josh Falkingham, with two more juniors, goalkeeper Ryan Jones and midfielder Will Hatfield experience of a first team game from the bench. Jermaine Beckford was one of the more senior members of the United squad, but it was his strike partner from two seasons previous that stole the limelight with a twenty-second minute first goal as United were the better team in the first half hour. Playing his first game of the season Kandol scored with a header into the corner of the net past Sean Thomas in the Wealdstone goal after Josh Falkingham had provided him with a superb cross to give him the chance and Kandol registered his first goal for the club since May 2008. Both Bradley Johnson and Jermaine Beckford went close, forcing the Wealdstone keeper to good saves, but it was Keiron Forbes that equalized for the home team two minutes from half-time. After a corner from Danny Spendlove on the left was not cleared he hit a bullet-like shot into the net. While United tended to dominate proceedings in the second half, it was Wealdstone who capitalized on another error by the United defence for Ross Lafayette to find space, turn, and fire the homeside into the lead after sixty-three minutes, as he easily beat the exposed Shane Higgs. United sent on Mike Whitwell for Jermaine Beckford after seventy-five minutes and it was he that came closest to putting the visitors on even terms, but he was narrowly wide. So, it wasnot to be as Wealdstone recorded a memorable 2-1 victory as Ryan Jones and Will Hatfield remained unused on the bench.

The United "Junior" squad scored a 1-0 win at Throstle Nest on 24th July 2009 over Farsley Celtic. It was a goal from central defender Tom Lees after half-an-hour that gave them the victory over the Blue Square North team. It provided a chance for the two trialists, defender Bafode Diakhaby and central midfielder Tom Reilly to have a chance to show their capabilities. The team was: Ryan Jones; Liam Darville, Tom Lees, Bafode Diakhaby, Andy Milne; Josh Falkingham, Tom Reilly, Will Hatfield, Aidan White; Tom Elliott, Mike Whitwell. The substitutes, who played were: Callum Williams, Sanchez Payne, Joe McCann and James Baxendale, while keeper Alex Cairns and defender Adam Watson were unused.

On 25th July 2009, United hosted EPL side Blackburn Rovers in their only home friendly of the pre-season. It provided a return to his roots for England goalkeeper Paul Robinson and a first game for Patrick Kisnorbo, who had just signed for United from Leicester City. It also saw first games at Elland Road for Shane Higgs and Jason Crowe. Casper Ankergren was out injured and Shane Higgs was given his chance in goal as United lined up with: Shane Higgs; Jason Crowe, Rui Marques, Patrick Kisnorbo, Ben Parker; Robert Snodgrass, Fabian Delph, Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson; Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio. Substitutes: Alan Martin, Andy Hughes, Paul Huntington, Lubomir Michalik, Alan Sheehan, Andy Robinson, David Prutton, Enoch Showumni and Mike Grella. The game kicked off fifteen minutes late to allow a bottleneck of queuing fans time to get into the ground but the official crowd was only 11,885.It was Luciano Becchio that provided the first highlight in the game, after three minutes, when his speculative shot passed narrowly over the bar. The Argentinian next created a good chance for Jermaine Beckford, but Paul Robinson was equal to the task, saving at the expense of a corner. United were close again, in the eighth minute, when Fabian Delph made a strong run before unleashing a fine shot which had Paul Robinson beaten but just clipped a post. It was Delph again, that picked out Jermaine Beckford with a cross-field ball, for the United striker to watch in frustration as his lob was headed off the line by a Blackburn defender. United were causing their EPL foes all kinds of trouble and the pressure showed as a header by a Rovers defender saw a post stop it from becoming an own goal. Jermaine Beckford, who was following up, hooked his shot just over the bar. When Blackburn did finally get on the attack, Shane Higgs easily collected an El Hadji Diouf free-kick but Rui Marques had to concede a corner to deny Jason Roberts. Jason Crowe and Luciano Becchio combined well for the striker to shoot wide and Paul Robinson parried a Jermaine Beckford effort before easily dealing with Luciano Becchio's follow up. After forty-one minutes Blackburn should have done better with a free-kick on the edge of the Leeds penalty box but Shane Higgs easily dealt with Morten Gamst Pedersen's effort. Moments later the Leeds keeper was again in action as he was quick off his line to thwart the onrushing Jason Roberts. On the stroke of half time Robert Snodgrass was injured and limped off at half time. He was back after half-time and saw a Jermaine Beckford effort deflected for a corner. It was Snodgrass that forced Paul Robinson into an acrobatic save at the expense of a corner four minutes after the break. It was from that corner that United deservedly took the lead. Snodgrass took the corner and Luciano Becchio deftly headed it on for Jermaine Beckford to flick the ball into the net with a pleasing finish. Blackburn soon retaliated and Shane Higgs made a fine double save first from Jason Roberts and then El Hadji Diouf, who had followed up with a fine effort. Paul Robinson who had already made some fine saves, pulled off another from a Bradley Johnson free-kick in the fifty-fourth minute. Just six minutes later the former United custodian was substituted and after throwing his gloves into the Kop, left the field to a thunderous reception. There were several substitutions in the middle period of the second half and in the fifty-sixth minute United had taken off new defenders Jason Crowe and Patrick Kisnorbo and brought on Andy Hughes and Lubomir Michalik in their place, and after sixty-nine minutes there was another double substitution as Ben Parker and Fabian Delph made way for Alan Sheehan and Andy Robinson. Fiveminutes later there were two further substitutions with Rui Marques and Bradley Johnson leaving the pitch for Paul Huntington and David Prutton, as Blackburn enjoyed more of the ball in the second half but with fifteen minutes left had not really looked like scoring. In the seventy-ninth minute United made their final double change with strikers Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio being replaced by Enoch Showumni and Mike Grella, leaving goalkeeper Alan Martin as the only unused substitute. Paul Gallagher and David Dunn both tried their luck from distance and both teams had appeals for penalties turned down as the game entered the last five minutes. Right on time the referee pointed to the spot after Alan Sheehan had brought down Martin Olssen and Paul Gallagher duly converted the spot kick intoa goal to leave the final score at 1-1.

On 27th July 2009, a "second String" squad took on Bradford Park Avenue at the Horsfall Stadium. It contained two trialists Tom Reilly and Tom Beane, in the run-on team, and American Davide Somma on the bench. The Leeds team was: Alan Martin; Liam Darville, Tom Lees, Paul Huntington, Alan Sheehan; Tom Beane, Josh Falkingham, Tom Reilly; Mike Grella, Tom Elliott, Enoch Showumni. Playing Substitutes: Andy Milne, Will Hatfield, Davide Somma. United raced into a two goal lead inside the first quarter of an hour. Enoch Showumni showed good skills to turn and fire Leeds into the lead after just four minutes before Tom Elliott doubled the lead with a shot from the edge of the box. The visitors received a warning of things to come when Alan Martin was forced into two stunning saves from Mark Jones and Chris Hall and it was Hall that pulled a goal back just before half-time when he scored from a Steve Downes cross. Leeds brought on trialist Davide Somma for the second half in place of Tom Elliott. United restored their two goal cushion on the hour when Alan Sheehan scored from the spot after Liam Darville had been brought down in the box by Mark Bett. Bett atoned for his mistake just four minutes later when he reduced the arrears to one with a shot from long range. Leeds brought on Andy Milne and Will Hatfield in the eightieth minute as the two trialists Tom Beane and Tom Reilly gave way. Enoch Showumni was unlucky not to get a fourth for Leeds after good work by Mike Grella but with just four minutes left on the clock it was Bradford that levelled the scores when Chris Hall got his second and Park Avenue's third when he scored from a Luke Gibson cross. Hall had a chance to win the game for the home team in the final minute but he couldn't find the mark and the game finished in a 3-3 draw.

On 29th July 2009 United travelled to St James' Park to take on Newcastle United who had lost their EPL status at the end of the previous season. The Geordies were captained by Alan Smith, once of Leeds United, and unfortunately Manchester United, and he led a team bristlingwith EPL experience, while United relied upon the same starting eleven that had played so well against Blackburn Rovers. It was starting to look as if that eleven might be Manager Simon Grayson's preferred team with just one more senior pre-season friendly, against EPL side Burnley, still to come. There was a huge following of Leeds supporters, taking up the entire section that had been allowed, whereas the rest of the stadium was sparsely populated and, although the official count was 16,945, the visiting fans were far more vocal than theirhome equivalents. They soon had plenty to cheer about as Robert Snodgrass sent a shot wide ofthe target, but it was Shane Higgs who was the first of the keepers to be called into action as he saved from Ryan Taylor after pressure from Newcastle. In fact, there was a period of sustained pressure from the home team but on twenty-four minutes it was Jermaine Beckford that sent an angled shot just over the top as United managed to break clear. Six minutes later it was Shola Ameobi tried his luck from distance but Shane Higgs got down to it well tomake an easy save. Newcastle continued to threaten and after forty minutes Shane Higgs made the save of the game when he thwarted Ryan Taylor from point-blank range and as half-time approached Leeds had their best period to date as Robert Snodgrass had two free-kicks on target. Leeds kept the same team for the start of the second half, but it was Newcastle that had the first real chance when Sebastien Bassong headed wide from close range after a good cross from the left and then Ryan Taylor rattled the bar during a spell of early pressure from the home side. On fifty-five minutes Leeds replied and keeper Steve Harper was forced to come to his team's rescue as he palmed away a Jermaine Beckford header. Just before the hour mark Simon Grayson rang the changes bringing on Casper Ankergren for Shane Higgs in goal, Lubomir Michalik for Patrick Kisnorbo in central defence and Andy Hughes for Robert Snodgrass. It was Andy Hughes who was the first to announce his presence, when he forced Newcastle replacement keeper, Tim Krul, into saving his deflected flick on goal from a Bradley Johnson shot. In the seventieth minute Leeds sent on Andy Robinson for Bradley Johnson and one minutelater made a double substitution, with Jonathan Howson and Luciano Becchio making way for David Prutton and Mike Grella. Newcastle should have made more of a seventy-seventh minute free-kick but Fabricio Coloccini blazed well over the bar. Moments later it was their own keeper, Tim Krul, who was called upon as Andy Robinson won a corner and from the set-piece by Andy Hughes, Lubomir Michalik headed on to Jermaine Beckford, and his header had Krul clinging desperately to it. Then it was Mike Grella who quickly started causing problems and again it was Krul who got the faintest of touches after the American had made an opening for himself. In the eighty-fourth minute Aidan White came on for Ben Parker in United's final substitution of the game. Casper Ankergren kept Leeds in the game as he raced from his line to deny Kazenga Lualua with five minutes left on the clock. As the clock ticked down Jermaine Beckford had a shot deflected into the arms of Krul, after more good work from Mike Grella but there were to be no goals as the match ended with a 0-0 scoreline.

The "Juniors" took on Forest Green at the New Lawn Stadium on 30th July 2009. They included fringe players Paul Huntington, Alan Sheehan, as well as trialists Tom Beane and Davide Somma, and lined up: Ryan Jones; Liam Darville, Andy Milne, Paul Huntington, Alan Sheehan; Will Hatfield, Joe McCann, Josh Falkingham,Tom Beane; Davide Somma, Tom Elliott. Substitutes: Mike Whitwell, Adam Watson, Sanchez Payne, James Baxendale, James Booker, NathanTurner, Louis Turner, Alex Cairns. Goals from Steve Davies and Mark Preece either side of half-time proved enough to secure the Blue Square Premier Division side victory in soddened conditions. San Jose Earthquakes Striker Davide Somma rattled the bar for United but otherwise Leeds failed to impress and went down 2-0 to a team that adapted to the conditions much better.

On 31st July the "Junior" squad played Newport County at the Newport Stadium, Spytty Park.Leeds won 2-0 with goals from Tom Elliott from the spot and Davide Somma. The Leeds team was:Ryan Jones; Liam Darville, James Booker, Sam Jones, Adam Watson, Andy Milne, Will Hatfield, Josh Falkingham, Davide Somma, Tom Elliott, Tom Beane. Joe McCann replaced Tom Beane at half-time, Sanchez Payne replaced Sam Jones after sixty-five minutes, Mike Whitwell came on for Tom Elliott after seventy-eight minutes, and finally Nathan Turner came on for Andy Milne after eighty-five minutes and Louis Turner took over from James Booker two minutes later. James Baxendale, Alex Cairns, Jonathan Birbeck and Callum Williams remained unused substitutes. There was a sluggish start while the young Leeds side looked bright despite the gloomy weather. Tom Beane, had the home keeper worried in the very first minute with a good run and testing shot from twenty-five yards which just cleared the bar. Josh Falkingham also went close in front of a disappointingly small crowd of seven hundred. After thirty-four minutes United took a deserved lead as Aaron Cook brought down Tom Elliott in the area and the towering striker easily beat Newport goalkeeper Glyn Thompson from the spot. Cook almost made amends immediately with a stinging drive into the side netting but Leeds went straight down the other end and added a second with a neat finish by Davide Somma from seven yards out.

On 1st August 2009, United had their final pre-season friendly, when they visited EPL sideBurnley at Turf Moor. Both Luciano Becchio and Fabian Delph had picked up knocks in training and were left out of the squad. Mike Grella and David Prutton moved into the starting elevenand Aidan White came in in the bench, which was reduced to seven. Casper Ankergren was given a chance in goal as Shane Higgs dropped to the bench, while Andy Hughes was given the right midfield position in preference to Robert Snodgrass, who dropped to the bench and in a last minute move Enoch Showunmi, who had originally been given a substitute role, came in after Jermaine Beckford had to withdraw due to illness. Burnley had several former United players in the ranks, with central defenders Clarke Carlisle and Steve Caldwell and striker Robbie Blake all in the starting eleven. Once more United made a positive start creating two chances in the first six minutes. Mike Grella just failed to latch onto a cross from Ben Parker and then Jonathan Howson shot wide. Burnley then came more into the game but there was little else to enthuse about in the first twenty minutes. Jason Crowe was clattered by Clarke Carlisle in the twenty-fourth minute, but continued after treatment and from the resulting free-kick Bradley Johnson came close to giving United the lead when his free-kick hit a post.Johnson then linked well with Mike Grella for the striker to go close. There was another goodoppurtunity for United just after the half hour mark, when Andy Hughes broke free on the right but Enoch Showunmi put the ball wide from close range. Bradley Johnson was the next to go close as he cut in from the left, but his right-footed shot was narrowly wide of the post.In the thirty-seventh minute United finally got the goal they deserved and it came from Mike Grella, who scored his first goal for the club. The hard-working American had been a shining light in United's pre-season and when Steve Caldwell slipped he was on to the ball in a flashto slam the ball past Brian Jensen in the Burnley goal. The goal was well merited as for the second time within a week United had outplayed EPL opposition in the early stages of matches.Burnley did create a chance just before half-time, but Chris Eagles shot wide when well placed. Lubomir Michalik came on for Rui Marques after the break and the home side had the first shot on goal in the second half as Robbie Blake curled a free-kick into the waiting arms of the untroubled Casper Ankergren. United quickly took the ascendency and created a half chance for Enoch Showumni, then saw Andy Hughes denied by an offside flag and then, on the hour mark, David Prutton got in a cross which Jason Crowe only just failed to connect with. There was a triple substitution on the sixty-three minute mark as Simon Grayson withdrew Jason Crowe, Patrick Kisnorbo and Bradley Johnson and sent on Robert Snodgrass, PaulHuntington and Andy Robinson in their places. Snodgrass and Robinson were soon involved in some intricate play which saw Mike Grella get in a shot that went across the face of the goal. United's enterprising play got its reward after seventy minutes when Andy Robinson finished off another good move with a fine shot from just inside the box which gave Brian Jansen no chance and gave United a deserved 2-0 lead. The home team then made wholesale changes and oneof them, Kevin McDonald, shot wide soon after arriving. Aidan White came on for Ben Parker in the seventy-fifth minute and one minute later he conceded a corner from which the home side scored as David Edgar got the ball into the net from close range. Enoch Showumni came off in the eightieth minute as Alan Sheehan came on as United's final substitution, leaving Shane Higgs as the only unused substitute. Three minutes later Andy Robinson, who had been denied by an offside flag moments before, was narrowly wide with a shot on the turn, but there were no more goals and United deservedly won 2-1 with a confidence boosting performance and lookedforward to the start of their League One campaign with relish.

Simon Grayson was confident that transfer-listed leading goalscorer, Jermaine Beckford, would still be with the club at the close of the transfer window, at the end of the month, after he had seen one of his prime players, Fabian Delph, depart to Aston Villa. He had been able to secure the loan of Coventry City midfielder on a season-long loan as a replacement for the departed England Youth International. The sun shone on Elland Road for the start of another season in League One, with United hoping to extend their incredible run of undefeated games in the season's opening fixture, which dated back twenty years to 19th August 1989 when, in the season they achieved promotion from the old Second Division, they last tasted defeat at Newcastle United. Their visitors on 8th August 2009 were newly promoted Exeter City and a crowd of 27,681 were there to greet them. Simon Grayson gave debuts to Shane Higgs, Jason Crowe, Michael Doyle and Patrick Kisnorbo as United lined-up: Shane Higgs; Jason Crowe, Patrick Kisnorbo, Rui Marques, Ben Parker; Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Howson, Michael Doyle, Bradley Johnson; Luciano Becchio, Jermaine Beckford. Substitutes: Casper Ankergren, Andy Hughes, Lubomir Michalik, Andy Robinson, David Prutton, Mike Grella and Enoch Showumni. It was Leeds that came out of the traps the quicker of the two teams as Luciano Becchio went close with a header. Jermaine Beckford was through on goal courtesy of a Jonathan Howson through-ball but was denied by Paul Jones, the visiting keeper. After ten minutes Jones got down well to once more thwart the United striker, who then tried his luck with a curling shot from distance. It came as no surprise when United took the lead after thirteen minutes and less surprise when United's main threat, Jermaine Beckford, was the scorer. It was Michael Doyle that started the move, which continued with a strong run from Ben Parker down the left wing, before finding Beckford perfectly for him to coolly slip the ball past Jones and into the corner of the net. Little had been seen of Exeter as an attacking force, but Barry Corr did get an oppurtunity in the twenty-third minute but Shane Higgs was not troubled. The Grecians were struggling to get a hold on the game, despite having an extra man in midfield, and Leeds seemed to have spare men everywhere. The Leeds passing and movement was slick and they mounted constant pressure so much so that City found themselves pinned in their own half for the first quarter of the game. Beckford hit the Exeter bar with a header and failed to head the rebound downwards sufficiently and he put it over the bar. United were forced to make a change after twenty-eight minutes when the impressive Ben Parker limped out of the match with a thigh injury and Andy Hughes came on as his replacement. United continued to press and won a succession of corners, but the visitors did mount some pressure just before half-time and Ryan Harley saw his free-kick blocked and the Patrick Kisnorbo made a good stop at the far post. United fully deserved their half-time lead, and after a bright start to the second half a head injury to Patrick Kisnorbo held up play. He had to leave the field to have his head bandaged. It tempoarily dis organized United but after fifty-seven minutes Jermaine Beckford went close to a second goal but his shot went just over. There was an unfortunate incident in the fifty-ninth minute when Exeter striker Barry Corr was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Michael Doyle. The Leeds midfield man was apparently holding his shirt, when Corr saw red and lashed out at him. The referee did not hesitate in showing the red card and Exeter were reduced to ten men. They were then forced on to the back foot and Beckford shot over after being put through by Jonathan Howson and Bradley Johnson headed wide from a good cross from Robert Snodgrass. Exeter were not idle and Ryan Harley shot over from distance, but United quickly responded and Jason Crowe was through only for Paul Jones to deny him his first Leeds goal. United had had several chances to extend their lead and their failure was punished in the seventy-third minute when Exeter scored an equaliser. Jason Crowe conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Alex Russeell unleashed a powerful strike to beat Shane Higgs comprehensively. United immediately sent on Andy Robinson in place of Bradley Johnson and they mounted sustained pressure in search of a winner and some intricate play almost created a close range oppurtunity for Luciano Becchio. It was to be his last involvement in the game as Enoch Showumni was introduced to the action in his place after eighty-four minutes. It was to prove a master stroke as the replacement striker had a major role in the build up to United's last minute winner. He held the ball up well, created space and then played in Jason Crowe, whose accurate cross was met by the head of Jermaine Beckford to bury it into the net. The goal almost raised the roof at Elland Road and the striker almost got a hat-trick in injury time as his solo run was only ended by the outstretched hand of Paul Jones. So United had kicked off the season with a 2-1 win and extended their winning home run to twelve League matches.

Next on the agenda for United was a visit to Darlington in the First Round of the Carling Cup on 10th August 2009. Simon Grayson was forced into five changes as he was without Patrick Kisnorbo and Rui Marques, who were both on international duty, Jermaine Beckford had picked up a knee injury in the win over Exeter and Ben Parker had been taken off with a thigh injury from which he had not recovered, and Luciano Becchio was moved to the bench as a precaution after also picking up a knock in the season's opener. Lubomir Michalik, Paul Huntington, Enoch Showumni, Andy Hughes and Mike Grella were drafted in as their replacements and this saw Neil Kilkenny, Alan Sheehan and Aidan White join Casper Ankergren and Becchio on the bench as David Prutton missed out. Bradley Johnson and Enoch Showumni both had shots on target in the first three minutes and Robert Snodgrass also tried his luck from long range. Then Paul Huntington, making his first senior appearance in almost a year, headed over from a corner. Leeds dominated the first twenty minutes and spent that time camped in the Darlington half, apart from one minor breakout by the home team. On the twenty-eighth minute mark Darlington keeper, David Knight, could only parry a shot from Michael Doyle and follow ups from both Enoch Showumni and Bradley Johnson were scrambed away. However two minutes later the home side did create a chance from a free-kick, but Lee Thorpe's far post header did not trouble Shane Higgs. It was Thorpe that broke down the right, moments later, but his cross could not find David Dowson and a chance went begging. A rainstorm before the interval made conditions a bit more muddy, but it did not stop Robert Snodgrass from having a shot blocked nor Andy Hughes shooting over just before half-time. Jonathan Howson created the first chance of the second half as he broke from midfield but his shot was off target. The pressure continued and Bradley Johnson rattled the bar with a powerful shot after good work from Mike Grella and Jonathan Howson forced a good save from David Knight from the rebound. The inevitable goal came in the fifty-fourth minute, when Enoch Showunmi reacted quicker than David Knight to beat him to a Robert Snodgrass cross to poke the ball into the net. It looked as though the home side had made a quick response when, after Jamie Chandler had fed David Dowson, the striker had the ball in the net six minutes later, but fortunately for United an offside flag ruled it out. with seventeen minutes left on the clock Luciano Becchio was introduced in place of Enoch Showunmi and six minutes later Neil Kilkenny came on in place of Mike Grella for his first game of the season, after being sidelined by injury. As the game ground to its conclusion Jonathan Howson was well wide from distance and David Dowson tested Shane Higgs with an angled drive After Andy Robinson had replaced Robert Snodgrass in the ninetieth minute, in the second minute of stoppage time, Mark Bower rose at the far post to meet a corner, but his header was off target and Leeds remained 1-0 winners at the final whistle in front of a crowd of 4,487 to ease their way into the Second Round of the Carling Cup.

15th August 2009 saw United at Wycombe Wanderers in front of a crowd of 8,400 for their first away game of the season at Adams Park. In the Wycombe team were reminders of United's dim past and more recent past in the shape of Michael Duberry and Ian Westlake, but they were able to pick their own team from almost full-strength with the return of Rui Marques, Patrick Kisnorbo, Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio, but Ben Parker was still out of the starting eleven and Andy Hughes continued to deputise. Neil Kilkenny continued his recovery with a place on the bench and David Prutton was alongside him as United's teamsheet read: Shane Higgs; Jason Crowe, Rui Marques, Patrick Kisnorbo, Andy Hughes; Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Howson, Michael Doyle, Bradley Johnson; Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio. Substitutes: Casper Ankergren, Lubomir Michalik, David Prutton, Neil Kilkenny, Andy Robinson, Mike Grella and Enoch Showumni. It was United's first-ever clash with Wycombe in the Football League and, like Exeter City, they were newly promoted to League One and had lost their opening day game, in their case at Charlton Athletic. It was the home team that started on the attack and Chris Zebroski headed over from an early free-kick. There was an untidy opening ten minutes in which neither team could claim the upper hand, but once more the home team had an oppurtunity in the fourteenth minute as Matt Phillips broke free down the left and crossed for Chris Zebroski to shoot straight at Shane Higgs from the edge of the box, and then it was Jose Mousinho who failed to apply the slightest of touches required to turn another Matt Phillips' cross into the net. It was Leeds, however, who almost snatched the lead minutes later, as Jermaine Beckford latched onto a through ball and his first-time strike beat Wycombe's keeper, Scott Shearer, but passed inches wide of the goal. Luciano Becchio was also marginally off target when he fired over the bar from long range. United were starting to put their passing game together and this posed a threat to the home team who had worked tirelessly on closing down the United playmakers. In the thirty-third minute Rui Marques started a move when he found Robert Snodgrass in midfield. The Scotsman made ground before finding Jermaine Beckford with an incisive defence splitting pass, but the striker's first time shot was off target. Wycombe's main threat was coming from Matt Phillips, whose pace was causing plenty of trouble down the left flank and on one occasion he showed three markers a clean pair of heels but his cross came to nothing. Four minutes before half-time another build up from the back via Rui Marques and Jonathan Howson ended with Jermaine Beckford's shot being deflected for a corner. United started the second half in positive fashion and Luciano Becchio saw an early effort flash wide of the mark. Leeds were having a large part of the possession, but Wycombe were getting nine and ten men back behind the ball in defence and making it hard to create meaningful oppurtunities. They kept plugging away and in the sixty-first minute they got their reward when Luciano Becchio picked up a loose ball just outside the penalty area and unleashed a shot of such power that it gave Scott Shearer no chance. Moments later Jonathan Howson put a shot over the bar as United maintained the pressure and only a good challenge from Adam Smith halted Bradley Johnson in full flight after he had been released by Jermaine Beckford. Jose Mousinho headed over for the home team on a rare breakout but Jermaine eckford and Bradley Johnson both had shots deflected to safety and, with fourteen minutes left, a Robert Snodgrass delivery was headed away. first Bradley Johnson and then Michael Doyle went close and after eighty-three minutes a spectacular overhead effort from Jermaine Beckford found the target only for Scott Shearer to pull off a fine save to deny the United striker. Simon Grayson sent on David Prutton to replace Robert Snodgrass a minute later and though the home team had threatened little throughout the game, with less than two minutes of normal time left, Shane Higgs had to pull off a fine save to push a fine shot from substitute Stuart Green on to the post and to safety for a corner. Even the Wycombe keeper, Scott Shearer, joined in the attack for the resultant flag-kick, which almost back-fired when Leeds cleared and Jermaine Beckford was wide with his shot from long range as the keeper scrambled back to try and get back to his goal. In the ninetieth United replaced Luciano Becchio with Enoch Showumni but it was only to wind down the clock as a crowd of 8,400 witnessed a second victory for United, by the only goal of the game, which saw them in third place, trailling Colchester United and Charlton Athletic on goal difference, with the three clubs alone on maximum points.

For their 18th August 2009 date with Walsall, in their second away match of the season at the Banks' Stadium Bescot, United were able to pick a totally unchanged squad. The travelling Leeds faithful were in evidence as they filled one end and one side stand and were officially numbered as 3,679 of the total crowd of 8,483. After their slow start at Wycombe United did not make the same mistake and attacked from the off with Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass both winning early corners and Andy Hughes also trying his luck from distance. Jonathan Howson forced the Walsall keeper, Clayton Ince, into an early fumble as he unleashed a low skidding shot, which the Walsall custodian saving at the second attempt. The keeper again looked unsafe as Patrick Kisnorbo tried to lob him from long range after fifteen minutes, but moments later he showed his mettle as he pulled off a fine save as he palmed a Jermaine Beckford header from a Bradley Jonson cross onto a post. While United had started the brighter there was evidence that Walsall were providing the stiffest test yet in organisation and physical presence. The home team lost Matt Richards, with Richard Taundry coming on as his substitute, after twenty-eight minutes and Mark Bradley also needed treatment after receiving a knock in the face. There was disappointment for Jermaine Beckford right on half-time when he thought he was was well-placed to fire United ahead but was denied by an offside flag and, in first-half stoppage time, the flag was up again as Beckford headed wide from an Andy Hughes cross. United started the second half once more on the attack and Jermaine Beckford had an early header saved after Jason Crowe had given him the chance. Walsall mounted their reply and Steve Jones twice sent crosses into the danger area. At the other end it was again Jermaine Beckford who worked himself an opening before letting fly, but Clayton Ince saved and then Bradley Johnson lifted a shot from distance over the bar in the fifty-third minute. Jason Crowe again found Jermaine Beckford but the striker was unable to to get properly balanced and his shot ballooned over the bar. The Leeds striker was well in the game and tested Ince once again in the sixty-sixth minute, after Robert Snodgrass had made an opening for him and then he glanced a Bradley Johnson cross just wide of the post. On seventy-two minutes Simon Grayson made a double substitution with Neil Kilkenny taking over from the more defensive Michael Doyle in midfield and Andy Robinson came on for Andy Hughes with Bradley Johnson dropping back to left back and Robinson taking the more advanced role, in an effort to making United an even more attacking unit. United had a huge let off in the seventy-fifth minute when a cross from deep totally eluded Shane Higgs but Walsall skipper Mark Hughes was unable to find the target with a free header. The Leeds response was quick and Luciano Becchio was denied by a good defensive block and then, after Jermaine Beckford had showed superb control in getting the ball down, he was unable to apply the finishing touch. Disaster struck with ten minutes to go Steve Jones attacked the Leeds goal at speed and he ran towards the goal he was unceremoniously upended by a rash sliding tackle by Rui Marques. Sam Parkin stepped up and gave Shane Higgs no chance from the spot. It seem as if United's perfect League record was at an end but that would have discounted the inspiration that Leeds so often find in moments of adversity. They poured men forward and drew level just three minutes later. In some ways it was a soft goal but in others it was a brilliant finish. United forced a corner on the left and Andy Robinson took it. It was soft as the Walsall defence failed to pick up Bradley Johnson. It was brilliant in the way he timed his run to perfection, arriving at the far post before launching himseld into a powerful diving header, which powered the ball into the net like a rocket to level the scores. Four minutes later United hit the lead. Rui Marques launched the ball forward from the back and again Jermaine Beckford showed outstanding execution to hammer the ball beyond Clayton Ince. It was a superb finish and the striker and his teammates celebrated with the ecstatic fans. Robert Snodgrass almost bagged a third in the final minute but hit the side-netting. Moments later the Scotsman, after a quick break by United, sent in a good cross but Darryl Westlake was on hand to head clear with Jermaine Beckford lurking ready to pounce. Snodgrass was then replaced by David Prutton but the game was soon over, with United holding the 2-1 advantage, but both Colchester United and Charlton Athletic had maintained their perfect records and United had to be content with third place once again.

There were 21,692 on hand to see United's second home game of the campaign on 22nd August 2009 against Tranmere Rovers. Tranmere's teamsheet showed a couple of familiar names, with former Leeds striker Ian Moore having added Thomas and a hyphen to his name since his Leeds days, in recognition of his recent marriage he had also taken on his wife's surname, and was now known as Ian Thomas-Moore. Further down the list in the substitutes was former Leeds and England striker Michael Ricketts, who had disappointed in his expensive Leeds sojourn. United were able to field an unchanged squad for the third successive game, as they went in search of their thirteenth consecutive League victory at home, something that United had not acheived apart from when Don Revie's wonders had done it in their first Championship-winning season of 1968-69. After the Grandstand finish they mounted at Walsall in the previous game they started this game in similar vein and could have been ahead in less than half a minute when Luciano Becchio took advantage of some poor defending by Ian Goodison, and Jermaine Beckford was only denied by a great save from keeper Luke Daniels. After some good play from Michael Doyle, Beckford went even closer in the fourth minute when he beat goalkeeper Daniels only to hit the inside of the post. United keeper Shane Higgs had to be alert inside the opening five minutes when Alan Mahon tried to chip him from long range, but it was United that were taking the game to Tranmere and Jermaine Beckford went close again after ten minutes when he lifted a low cross from Robert Snodgrass over the bar. United's mastery was turned into a goal after just fourteen minutes with a second goal of the season from Bradley Johnson. Jonathan Howson won the ball in midfield and fed Jason Crowe, whose cross was met by Luciano Becchio with a powerful header, but after Luke Daniels had pulled off a great point-blank save the ball ran to Bradley Johnson and he sent a good clean shot into the net from an acute angle. Jonathan Howson was agin a threat on the twenty-fourth minute mark when he won a corner following an intelligent run and shot and then he almost released Luciano Becchio on goal but the alert Daniels was able to collect first. It was Daniels that immediately launched the ball upfield and only some quick thinking by Patrick Kisnorbo denied Ian Thomas-Moore as he threatened to latch on to the through ball. However it was Daniels who was keeping Tranmere in the game and he again came to the resue by first denying Jermaine Beckford and then Luciano Becchio. But he could not stem the flow for ever and the second goal duly arrived in the thirty-fifth minute from the trusted boot of Jermaine Beckford. Andy Hughes started the move from deep and when the ball was sent forward Ian Goodison was unable to deal with it, and it was Beckford that seized the chance to slide the ball past Daniels a nd into the net from the inside of the post. Bradley Johnson almost added a third just on half-time when a deft flick from Jermain Beckford played him in, but Luke Daniels once again got a vital touch to deny United once more in what could easily been a first-half rout. Tranmere Manager John Barnes made his second substitution of the game when he brought on Michael Ricketts, but it was United that almost netted the third goal within five minutes of the restart as Jermaine Beckford almost converted a Bradley Johnson cross from the left. Again in the fifty-fifth minute Beckford, who had been causing mayhem amongst the Tranmere defenders with his movement, was thwarted again when he hit the underside of the bar after some excellent build up play by Leeds. Not much later it was keeper Daniels who pulled off yet another brilliant save to stop Patrick Kisnorbo's deflected header which was heading for the corner of the net. Then it was Jonathan Howson who tried to get in on the act when he curled a shot just wide of the post. It had just been one way traffic for an hour as Leeds turned on their best performance for a long while. On the attack they could have been out of sight and in defence they had restricted Tranmere to virtually nothing. Amazingly the woodwork was proving to be the main obstacle to Beckford and a bagfull and he was again denied what would have been a superb goal, from a first time strike from thirty yards, when the ball once more hit the inside of the post. Even when United had beaten the defenders, the outstanding Luke Daniels was having the game of his life to keep the score down, and he pulled off another superb save to deny Bradley Johnson. From the resultant corner, the ultimate combination of goalkeeper, woodwork and defence denied Leeds when Luciano Becchio and Rui Marques both went close. It seemed incredible that Tranmere had not conceded more than twice but, with nineteen minutes to go, they were still in the game, even though the score could have been a landslide. On the eighty minute mark Simon Grayson repeated his substitution of the previous week of sending on Neil Kilkenny and Andy Robinson, who he considered a more attacking option than Michael Doyle and Robert Snodgrass, and the two new introductions soon combined for the Australian to get in a shot that was a little off target. Four minutes later Mike Grella was sent on for Jermaine Beckford, who left the field to a standing ovation. The American's first involvement was to win a free-kick from twenty-five yards out. From the set piece Bradley Johnson was again denied by the woodwork, with the goalkeeper well beaten, but this time Luciano Becchio was able to capitalise and head in the rebound to stretch United's lead to three. This was still not even half of what the score deserved to be, but at least it did push the score towards a fairer reflection of the game which had seen Leeds dominate from the first minute. It did confirm United's thirteenth consecutive home League win to equal the Revie team's record of forty years previous. The success was almost increased by a fourth goal, from Mike Grella in stoppage time, as the American twisted and turned inside the box, to find an opening for himself, but his finish flashed just wide. So the final score was 3-0, and, with Colchester United losing ,it left United behind Charlton Athletic on goal difference as the only two teams with a perfect record.

CCCL side Watford were United's opposition in the Second Round of the Carling League Cup in front of a crowd of 14,681 at Elland Road on 25th August 2009. While Simon Grayson kept the same squad for a fourth consecutive game, he chose to rest Luciano Becchio, on the bench, and gave Mike Grella a chance to prove his worth in the starting eleven. Watford had former Leeds loan players, striker Danny Graham and substitute goalkeeper Scott Loach in their squad. United were looking to keep their perfect record with their sixth straight victory for the season. It was tit-for-tat in attacking moves in the early exchanges. Watford's keeper, Richard Lee, first collected a Jermaine Beckford cross, then was quickly off his line to clear a Jason Crowe cross in the eleventh minute. At the other end Danny Graham latched onto an underhit header by Jason Crowe back to keeper Shane Higgs, but his first touch let him down and the oppurtunity went begging. After fifteen minutes Bradley Johnson put a shot over the bar from long range and Watford replied with Don Cowie forcing Shane Higgs to a finger-tip save. Jermaine Beckford and Mike Grella combined well in the twenty-fifth minute to create a chance for Robert Snodgrass. The Scotsman's first shot was blocked, but he quickly reclaimed possession, then was over the top with his second effort. On the half-hour Shane Higgs was called upon again as Will Hoskins straight at him after he had found space in the box. Eight minutes later United took the lead as Robert Snodgrass scored his first goal of the season. Mike Grella laid the ball off to him superbly and Snodgrass delivered a sublime shot to curl the ball past Richard Lee. The Watford retort came quickly as Will Hoskins forced Shane Higgs to a good save as he fired in a low shot and then Higgs was quickly back in the action, which saw Tom Cleverley forcing him to another save, after Hoskins again featured in the build-up. Just on half time Bradley Johnson won a corner after a powerful shot was deflected. United started the second half in attacking mode, as Jonathan Howson and Robert Snodgrass both shot narrowly wide but Watford also went close through John Eustace. The entertaining contest continued as Howsom looked lively and Snodgrass was again close as he forced Richard Lee to a good save low down. Mike Grella had also been a threat and he forced Lloyd Doyley to concede a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, which John Eustace managed to head clear. It was the American once again who released Jermaine Beckford to force the Watford keeper to tip his shot over the bar. After seventy-nine minutes Simon Grayson made his first change, with Enoch Showumni replacing Jermaine Beckford, and three minutes later he replaced the hard-working Mike Grella with Neil Kilkenny. But it was a Watford substitute that brought the contest back to parity. With four minutes to go it was Marvin Sordell, who had entered the game in the seventy-second minute, who beat Shane Higgs with a low drive, after United had failed to clear their lines. The goal looked to be enough to send the game into extra-time but in time added United forced Watford onto the back foot as they attacked in numbers, but Michael Doyle lifted his shot over the bar and as Watford retaliated Shane Higgs had to keep out a header to finally ensure extra time. It was United who threatened first in the first extra period and were back in front eight minutes into it. It was Robert Snodgrass who got his, and United's, second goal of the night as he cooly applied the finishing touch after Enoch Showumni had played the ball to him. Michael Doyle almost made it three two minutes later but, after he had been played in by Andy Hughes, he was denied by a superb save from Richard Lee. Now chasing the game, Watford started the second period of extra-time aggressively and Jason Crowe came to United's rescue with a timely block, as Henri Lansbury shot after receiving a good ball from Marvin Sordell. Enoch Showumni was twice denied by good blocks, first by a defender and then by the keeper and, as both teams tired, the chances still continued, but John Eustace and Marvin Sordell were both off target. with four minutes to go, Robert Snodgrass came off to a standing ovation and Luciano Becchio came on, in time to see Robert Lee react well to thwart Enoch Showumni. With one minute left on the clock Watford captain, Mike Williamson, broke down the right flank but he had outstripped his support and his cross flew past an empty penalty area and to safety. In the dying seconds Bradley Johnson sent a shot wide of Richard Lee's left-hand post and in another quick break Michael Doyle managed to meet a Jonathan Howson cross but Luciano Becchio was unable to apply the finishing touch. It was the last chance of the game as United eased through to the Third Round.

Looking for a record equalling seventh successive victory at the start of a season, United were again able to field an unchanged squad for the fifth consecutive game, but Luciano Becchio was back in the run-on eleven after being rested for Mike Grella in the Carling Cup. United were expecting a stern test as they visited third-placed Colchester United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on 29th August 2009 in front of a crowd of 8,810. Irish International Alan Maybury, who started with United as a Junior, winning a F.A. Youth Cup winners medal, and featuring in European competitions with the club, was at right back for the home team. It was United that threatened first as Luciano Becchio tested the Colchester keeper, Ben Williams, with a header from a Robert Snodgrass free-kick. Jermaine Beckford had the ball in the net in the seventh minute, after being played in by a clever ball from Michael Doyle, but was denied by an offside flag. At the other end Shane Higgs made an early save as he pushed a shot from David Fox round the post. Once more Jermaine Beckford had the ball in the net to round off some fine play from United culminating in him receiving a delightfully flighted through ball from Luciano Becchio after fifteen minutes, but again he fell foul to the offside flag. Undeterred, United still pressed and the home keeper had to save with his legs to deny the irrepressible Beckford, who had latched onto a through ball, swivelled, and hit the target with a powerful shot. Jonathan Howson shot wide from the edge of the box as Colchester failed to clear their lines. A hard-fought contest was starting to get littered with fouls and Alan Maybury found his name in the book after a foul on Bradley Johnson. From the resulting free-kick it was Beckford who found his name being noted after a Colchester defender had been decked. Approaching half-time Ashley Vincent shot over for the home side following a corner, then the half was brought to an end by Robert Snodgrass almost breaking the deadlock with a long range free-kick that just grazed the crossbar. It was a Robert Snodgrass free-kick that gave United the lead less than two minutes into the second half. It found Bradley Johnson unmarked in the box and he rose to head his third goal in three games to give United the opener. Colchester sought to make a quick reply and went close with a free-kick of their own, but Shane Higgs was equal to the task with a fine reflex save from Kemal Izzett's shot. It was a bit of a shirt-pull by Rui Marques, after Kevin Lisbie had got past him in the penalty area that saw him concede his second penalty of the season and brought the Colchester equaliser after fifty-six minutes. The striker duly placed the ball on the penalty spot and beat Shane Higgs with ease, as he placed the ball in the top corner. Tensions were getting high as both teams looked for the winner and the referee booked two Colchester players. It was Leeds that kept their heads the better of the two teams and it was Jermaine Beckford who remained cool, calm, and collected, as he was the first to react to a poor header by Alan Maybury in the Colchester area to whip the ball into the home net after sixty-three minutes. It was his fifth goal in five League games. The goal saw Leeds become more assertive and they seemed solid in defence, content with their one goal advantage and as the game wore on they brought David Prutton on in place of Robert Snodgrass with ten minutes to go. With six minutes left Luciano Becchio was played in by Bradley Johnson and fired a fearsome shot, well worthy of a goal, just wide of the angle. As the minutes ticked away Rui Marques picked up a knock after eighty-seven minutes, which saw him replaced by Lubomir Michalik, and in the final minute of normal time Enoch Showumni came on for Luciano Becchio. There were four minutes of added time, but Colchester didn't look like changing the score and it was only a good tackle from Pat Baldwin on Jermaine Beckford, after he was put in by a cushioned header from David Prutton, that stopped United further increasing their lead. Patrick Kisnorbo blocked a late move by the home team and Jonathan Howson was industrious in mopping up in midfield as United recorded their seventh successive victory and their fifth in the League with a 2-1 win to keep their perfect record, but as Charlton Athletic also won, they still remained second, on goal difference.

Stockport County, who came to the game in fifteenth spot, were the next visiors in the League on 5th September 2009 as 22,870 were on hand to see if United could continue their winning ways. Simon Grayson was forced into three changes as Patrick Kisnorbo and Rui Marques were on International duty and Jermaine Beckford had picked up a hamstring injury. Leigh Bromby, who had arrived from Sheffield United on 1st September 2009, and Lubomir Michalik and Mike Grella, who were elevated from the bench, took their place. Paul Huntington and Tresor Kandol, in a United squad for the first time in fifteen months, took the vacant spots on the bench.United started brightly and took the lead after just seven minutes. Mike Grella, who had impressed in his limited chances to date, scored his first goal for the club at senior level when he showed good skills inside the box before curling a shot out of the reach of Owain Fon Williams in the Stockport goal. The keeper was again soon in action as he made a good save at the foot of a post from Robert Snodgrass. Stockport had not come to anything but frustrate and limit the damage, packing their midfield and defence, which did not make for an entertaining game and after twenty-five minutes Grella's goal had been the only shot on target. It was Grella that was narrowly wide with a header after Lubomir Michalik had flicked on a long throw. New boy Leigh Bromby had provided United with a new option in the shape of his long throw expertise and this was being used to telling effect. The free-kicks mounted and it was from one such set-piece that United increased their lead. On thirty-seven minutes Robert Snodgrass launched the ball into the box, Leigh Bromby challenged for the ball and it fell to Lubomir Michalik, who promptly stabbed the ball into the net to put United two up. Michael Doyle had picked up a yellow card on the half hour and mindful of this Simon Grayson made the tactical move of bringing him off for Neil Kilkenny three minutes before half-time. United started the second half brightly and Mike Grella went close to increasing the lead inside the first five minutes of the restart, when he curled a good effort just over after Bradley Bradley had made good ground down the left flank to give him the chance. After fifty-five minutes Nicholas Bignall reminded United that County did have an attack, as he held up the ball well before turning and forcing Shane Higgs to a good save, low to his right. United did have the chance to make it 3-0 when John Mullins handled in the box, but Owain Fon Williams pulled off a save as Robert Snodgrass placed his kick too close to the keeper from the spot. This gave the visitors new effort and Nicholas Bignall again tested Shane Higgs with a good shot, after the visitors broke quickly. Andy Robinson was introduced to the action, when he came on in place of new-boy Leigh Bromby. In a reshuffle Jason Crowe moved to central defence, Andy Hughes to Right-Back and Bradley Johnson to Left-Back as Robinson took up the left midfield role. Bradley Robinson delivered a superb cross from the left which saw Owain Fon Williams claw the resulting header from Neil Kilkenny to safety. The Australian midfielder then had a shot deflected wide after seventy-two minutes. The keeper also did well to keep out a close-range header from Luciano Becchio. Andy Robinson was denied minutes later by a good block by a defender, as United searched for a third. Stockport did enjoy a bright spell in the closing stages and Shane Higgs had to make a good save, when a James Vincent shot was deflected towards the bottom corner. But United eased themselves to an eighth succesive victory from the start of the season and a fourteenth successive home League win, which broke the records previously set by Don Revie's sides of 1973 and 1969 respectively. However, as Charlton Athletic also won, they remained in second place, on goal difference, both with a perfect record, and already five points clear of third placed Huddersfield Town, after six games.

Patrick Kisnorbo was reinstated to the starting eleven after his stint on International duty with Australia, but United's other international, Rui Marques, return from his call up to the Angolan squad with damage to his Achilles tendon, which stopped him rejoining his international collegue in Central Defence. There was better news for United as leading goalscorer Jermaine Beckford had recovered from the hamstring injury that had kept him out of the previous game with Stockport County. United visited Roots Hall on 11th September 2009, bringing at least 2,151 supporters, in the crowd of 10,123, with them for the Friday evening fixture, and were motivated by the knowledge that a point would see them hit the top of League One, all-be-it maybe just temporarily, as chief rivals Charlton Athletic were not playing on that night. The return of Patrick Kisnorbo and Jermaine Beckford meant that Lubomir Michalik and Mike Grella were relegated to the bench, with Paul Huntington and Tresor Kandol dropping out of the squad. United had made their best-ever start to a season with eight wins in all competitions and were now chasing their record winning start in the League, as another win would equal the 1973 record of seven achieved by Don Revie's immortals. Both teams started the game at a hectic pace and Bradley Johnson had an early effort blocked after Robert Snodgrass had won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box. It was also Robert Snodgrass that won a corner after ten minutes, which saw Patrick Kisnorbo nod it on to Leigh Bromby, who should have opened the scoring, but scooped the ball over the bar, when it should have been easier to find the net. Michael Doyle also created a half chance for Jermaine Beckford when he found him with a superb crossfield ball, but the striker's effort was blocked by a home defender. Southend keeper, Steve Mildenhall, was forced into a reflex save from his own defender, Adam Barrett, whose blocking of a Bradley Johnson cross had caused concern. Robert Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson were giving plenty of space on the wings and were fed on a regular basis by the vision of the players behind them. Southend were badly stretched in the nineteenth minute when Jonathan Howson found Robert Snodgrass with a sublime pass from inside his own half. The Scot toyed with Johnny Herd, his opposing full-back, before finding Jermaine Beckford, whose shot was deflected wide. United had started well with excellent passing and movement and Jermaine Beckford lifted a cross from Bradley Johnson over the bar. There was a sense that if they could get one goal it could start an avalanche. Southend had offered little, but Francis Laurent showed his pace as he beat Patrick Kisnorbo down the right and his cross won a corner, which Adam Barrett headed over. Shortly afterwards a Simon Francis free-kick caused a scramble in the United goalmouth in the thirty-third minute, but Shane Higgs was able to save a Jean-Francois Christophe sliding shot at the base of the post. At the other end Robert Snodgrass curled a free-kick wide of the target, but it was a free-kick from the home team that caused problems for United, when Shane Higgs was called upon to save fron Jean-Yves M'Voto with his legs. The keeper was called into action again on thirty-nine minutes, when, with Robert Snodgrass off the field for attention for a knock on the face, Francis Laurent shot from the edge of the box and the keeper parried capably on his goal-line. Simon Grayson must have had his heart in his mouth when minutes before half time United's defence was cut wide open by Franck Moussa's run down the left wing and when he got in his cross Lee Barnard, who was unmarked at the near post, flicked it on to leave Anthony Grant with an open goal, but he made hard work of a simple task and volleyed over the bar. An injury to Right-Back Jason Crowe, just three minutes into the second-half forced United to make an unscheduled substitution. Lubomir Michalik came on as Patrick Kisnorbo's partner in Central Defence as Leigh Bromby moved to Right-Back. The game had ebbed and flowed since United's early dominance and soon Leigh Bromby was called upon to make a good block from Franck Moussa. The game was still very much in the balance as it passed the hour mark but, on sixty-five minutes, Leigh Bromby untidily pulled down Lee Barnard in the box and Southend were handed the perfect oppurtunity to take the lead. Barnard strode up confidently and hit a well placed shot towards the the top right hand corner of the goal, but Shane Higgs was equal to the task and took off, thrusting his left fist at the ball to turn it away from the net for a magnificent save. In the seventy-fourth minute United had a chance to take the lead as Jermaine Beckford seized on a defensive error, but the striker was unable to apply the finishing touch as Adam Barrett got in a decisive tackle. In the next minute Simon Grayson made his second substitution, sending on Neil Kilkenny in place of Robert Snodgrass, going into central midfield, with Jonathan Howson taking the wide right position. Ex-Leeds loanee Dougie Freedman came off the bench with ten minutes to go, as Southend made a double substitution in an effort to turn the game. Two minutes later United made their final substitution with Mike Grella replacing Luciano Becchio. It was Grella that turned in the box to shoot narrowly wide in the eighty-fourth minute, and then Jermaine Beckford had a great chance, from a Lubomir Michalik throw-in, but his close-range effort went straight at Steve Mildenhall. With one minute to go Mike Grella got up well to meet a Bradley Johnson corner, but his header was off target. There were four minutes of time added on, but, although Mike Grella had a shot blocked, and Leeds had to defend against two free-kicks, the goalless draw brought an end to United's perfect record but it saw them top of League One.

Charlton Athletic were also unable to maintain their perfect record, but a draw, in their match in hand, saw them reclaim the leadership of League One. United had the eighth-placed Gillingham as their visitors on 19th September 2009, which attracted a crowd of 21,026 to Elland Road. The Gills had former United midfielder Curtis Weston in their eleven, as United, with Jason Crowe recovering from hamstring trouble which caused him to be substituted in their last match, and deciding not to risk Captain Richard Naylor, who had almost recovered from his back problems, and Ben Parker, whose hamstring injury in the first game of the season had almost healed, were able to name an unchanged squad from the previous game at Southend. The game was off to a good start with Gillingham adopting an attacking formation, but, even in the first ten minutes, there were signs that such an approach would leave then vulnerable at the back if United moved the ball quickly. However it was Gillingham that created the first chance in the twelfth minute. Simeon Jackson fed Curtis Weston, who, after creating a good opening, held on to the ball too long and when he did cut the ball back, Andy Bircham fired wide. United responded immediately, slicing through the Gillingham defence, but Luciano Becchio was unable to get a finishing touch to a Robert Snodgrass cross. The Argentinian again found himself well positioned but his shot was cleared by Josh Gowling, at the expense of a corner. It was from that corner that United took the lead, as Robert Snodgrass whipped in the flag-kick and Bradley Johnson continued his fine scoring streak as he scored his fourth goal of the season with a powerful header after fourteen minutes. The game tightened up after that goal but suddenly in the twenty-eighth minute a goal came from nowhere. Bradley Johnson was found in space on the left and he cut in rapidly and unexpectedly to unleash a shot from the tightest of angles, which went through keeper Simon Royce's legs and into the net. Gillingham soon abandoned their attacking intentions after conceding two goals, but just before half-time they did create a half chance when Curtis Weston delivered a cross, but Simeon Jackson failed to get the required touch. The second half had barely started when United made it 3-0, when Jonathan Howson latched onto a Robert Snodgrass pass, nudged on by Jermaine Beckford for the midfielder to control it with his knee before hammering it into the net. It could easily have been 4-0 within a minute, as Jermaine Beckford struck the bar with a fine first-time volley or in the forty-eighth minute when Luciano Becchio headed a Robert Snodgrass corner wide of the target. It was the visitors who were the next on the scoresheet, in the fiftieth minute, when Andy Barcham scored with a first-time shot from inside the area, after Mark Bentley had beaten Leigh Bromby to a Kevin Maher free-kick. The goal had Simon Grayson remonstrating with his players from the touchline as he felt they had taken their foot off the pedal and allowed Gillingham to rally and get back into the game. Indeed, the Gills were now showing more belief in themselves and Patrick Kisnorbo had to make a good block on Simeon Jackson, who had been played in by Danny Jackman. After sixty-seven minutes Simon Grayson made a double substitution bringing on Lubomir Michalik for Jason Crowe and Neil Kilkenny for Robert Snodgrass. There was the usual tactical moves with Leigh Bromby moving to Right-Back and Jonathan Howson to the right of midfield. Moments later Luciano Becchio again came close to adding to the score and Denis Oli had a chance at the other end but headed over. In the eightieth minute the game was put well beyond recall when Leeds made it 4-1. Michael Doyle hit the woodwork with a shot from distance and Jermaine Beckford was well placed to follow up with a header from close range. Mike Grella immediately came on for Luciano Becchio and Jermaine Beckford was within a whisker and Lubomir Michalik also headed an Andy Hughes cross just wide with three minutes left on the clock. There were four minutes of time added but United cruised to an important three points and a fifteenth successive home League victory. It also took United two points clear at the top of Legue One as Charlton Athletic, while still remaining unbeaten, once more were held to a draw.

United's next game in the Third Round of the Carling Cup saw the undefeated leaders of League One pitted against the mighty Liverpool, reviving many memories of some titanic tussles between the two clubs when they were among England and Europe's elite. Even with a slightly understrength team Liverpool would still be a decided threat to United's unbeaten record. With Mascherano, Carragher, Babel, Riera and Aurelio in the starting eleven and Reina, Gerrard, Torres, Johnson, Skrtel and Veronin on the bench the Liverpool team bristled with star quality. On that Tuesday night 22nd September 2009 there were 38,168 fans crammed into Elland Road with United almost at full strength, apart from Leigh Bromby who was replaced by Lubomir Michalik, which in turn meant a first appearance in the United squad for the season for captain Richard Naylor on the bench. There was a bright start from United and Liverpool keeper, Diego Cavalieri, was called upon to stretch for an early Robert Snodgrass cross. In the eleventh minute there was another telling cross from Snodgrass, after good work by Jason Crowe, which resulted in Michael Doyle having a free header which he put wide in what was a criminal waste of the first real chance of the game. In a controversial incident two minutes later, United had the ball in the net, but the referee ruled it out for offside. From a Robert Snodgrass corner, Lubomir Michalik met the ball with a firm header that Luciano Becchio forced into the net after Jermaine Beckford and Diego Cavalieri dived for the ball simultaneously inside the six yard box. The linesman raised his flag immediately, indicating that Beckford had been minutely offside. Replays did not vindicate his decision although they did suggest that Michalik's header might have carried into the net without the aid of either Beckford or Becchio. Undeterred United pressed on and Luciano Becchio had another shot as Leeds continued to take the game to the EPL side. It was not until the thirty minute mark that Shane Higgs was called upon to make his first real save, after Ryan Babel had raced seventy yards when a Leeds attack had broken down, but his angled shot was easily dealt with by the Leeds keeper. Robert Snodgrass was causing many problems for the Liverpool defence and when one of his crosses found Jermaine Beckford, a great touch from United's leading scorer played in Luciano Becchio, but some desparate defending denied him. After being outplayed for most of the half the EPL side finished the first half strongly and Shane Higgs made a terrific save to stop Albert Reina's close range header. United started the second half on the front foot and, after Luciano Becchio had shot wide, Jermaine Beckford was then denied by some good defending, after Jason Crowe had got behind the defence to square the ball to him. Soon after, it was again Jermaine Beckford that threatened when, after collecting a long through ball, he was only denied by Diego Cavalieri as he blocked with his legs. On the hour mark play was held up for a short while after Javier Mascherano seemed to catch Jermaine Beckford with an elbow and replays showed the fiery midfield man was lucky not to receive a card and possibly an early shower. The striker was in the thick of everything and he was narrowly wide of the mark with a shot on the turn minutes later. However, it was Liverpool that took the lead after sixty-six minutes. Patrick Kisnorbo cleared an attack with a brilliant sliding tackle from the feet of Ryan Babel, but at the expense of a corner. Luciano Becchio headed the resultant flag-kick well clear, but it fell to Javier Mascherano, who had a volleyed shot that was drifting well off target, until David Ngog was able to get to it and showed great poise to rifle it past Shane Higgs. Leeds recovered from the setback and threatened again in the seventy-sixth minute when Bradley Johnson tried his luck from distance and forced a save from Diego Cavalieri. After Liverpool had introduced England Internationals, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson, in the seventy-ninth minute Simon Grayson threw on Neil Kilkenny into the midfield with full-back Andy Hughes being taken off. Two minutes later he put fresh legs into the attack as Mike Grella came on for Luciano Becchio and the two substitutes combined for Grella to bring a save out of the Liverpool keeper. At the other end Liverpool had a free-kick deflected to safety and Ryan Babel also shot over the bar. With one minute left on the clock Enoch Showumni was thrown on in an all out attack with Michael Doyle giving way, but despite four extra minutes the score remained the same and United were left to reflect on what might have been if the events of the eleventh and thirteenth minute had had a different outcome, but they fully deserved the standing ovation the crowd gave them.

There were at least 4,119 Leeds supporters in the crowd of 16,713 when United travelled to Stadium MK on 26th September 2009 to face third placed Milton Keynes Dons. United made two changes to the team that had performed so well against Liverpool in the Carling Cup. Leigh Bromby was able to return in place of Lubomir Michalik, who dropped to the bench, and Mike Grella was given a starting role in place of Luciano Becchio, who was about to become a father. It was the home side that first threatened when Aaron Wilbraham forced Shane Higgs to an early save but Leeds hit back and had two good efforts blocked, one being from a Bradley Johnson free-kick. Jason Crowe seemed to pull up with a hamstring injury after about nine minutes but still managed to get a good tackle in to deny former Leeds loanee, Jemal Johnson, before he was taken off and replaced by Lubomir Michalik, who went into central defence with Leigh Bromby taking over at Right-Back. The new full-back was soon in action with a good challenge to halt Luke Chadwick and Aaron Wilbraham tested Shane Higgs with a low drive. MK Dons were using their wingers to stretch the Leeds defence but there was an early tension that suggested it might become a physical contest. Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass were both brought down in the box and after twenty-seven minutes there was an altercation between Dean Lewington and Robert Snodgrass which resulted in a free-kick to Leeds and from it Bradley Johnson was caught with a flailing arm. United were starting to get on top, but there were few chance, the nearest being a speculative shot from distance by Bradley Johnson which passed wide. Lubomir Michalik was called upon to make a good clearance from Luke Chadwick after he had been put through by Jemal Johnson as half-time approached. However there was just sufficient time for Jason Puncheon to be shown a straight red card for an horrific tackle on Michael Doyle, who was lucky to escaped unscathed, but players from both sides clashed as Pucheon left the field. In stoppage time Lubomir Michalik headed on for Jermaine Beckford to shoot over from an acute angle. It was United that applied the pressure from the start of the second half, as Mike Grella was denied by some good defending and then Jermaine Beckford shot over the bar and on fifty-one minutes Leigh Bromby headed into the side-netting from a Robert Snodgrass free-kick. There was a retort fron MK Dons but Peter Leven didn't troubled Shane Higgs as he shot over the bar after a breakaway by the home side. Simon Grayson made his second change after fifty-five minutes with the introduction of Andy Robinson in place of Andy Hughes as he took a more adventurous formation with Bradley Johnson falling back to left back to allow Robinson the freedom of the left flank. United continued to press and Lubomir Michalik had a snapshot blocked and from the rebound Mike Grella put the ball over the bar from a tight angle after he had rounded Will Gueret, the home keeper. In the sixty-second minute Leeds had to make their third change, which like the first was caused by injury. Shane Higgs had to be helped off and Casper Ankergren came on for his first game of the season. His first taste of the action was to watch a shot pass over the bar, but after seventy-one minutes United had the ball in the net. Jonathan Howson picked out Jermaine Beckford with a good through ball but the offside flag was raised after he had neatly tucked the ball into the net. Chances were at a premium and the game was ticking away with a 0-0 draw looking inevitable. The Dons dod have one chance in the eighty-third minute when after Mathias Doumbe had made good progress down the right flank, Jabo Ibehre put his cross into the side-netting. Jermaine Beckford picked up a knock but struggled on and two MK Don players were book for time-wasting and their intentions were quite clear, and with two minutes left on the clock Jabo Ibehre broke on the right but found no support. United threw Lubomir Michalik forward at every oppurtunity and were the more pleased of the two sides to see four minutes added for stoppages. In the third of those minutes Bradley Johnson sent in a free-kick from the left and Robert Snodgrass rose well to head forcefully into the net for the vital goal. United had maintained their unbeaten record with a fine 1-0 win, but rivals Charlton Athletic also claimed full points to remain unbeaten, just two points in arrears.

29th September 2009 saw United face their tenth League encounter as Carlisle United visited Elland Road in front of a crowd of 19,673, with Leeds looking to extend their winning League run at Elland Road to sixteen games. United had to shuffle their defence with Casper Ankergren in goal for the injured Shane Higgs and Frank Fielding, who was brought in on loan from Blackburn Rovers, took his place on the bench. Club Captain Richard Naylor was elevated from the bench to partner Patrick Kisnorbo in Central Defence as Leigh Bromby moved to Right-Back for the injured Jason Crowe. Luciano Becchio returned after the birth of his daughter, with Mike Grella returning to the bench. There was a familiar face at left back for the visitors in the shape of Republic of Ireland International, Ian Harte, and another not too familiar face of former Leeds Junior Tom Taiwo, who was one of the players at the centre of the Chelsea poaching incident and was now gaining experience on loan with the visitors and a third, another former Leeds Junior and Reserve player, midfielder Gavin Rothery was on the bench. United started brightly with Luciano Becchio heading over in the first minute and this was quickly followed by Robert Snodgrass heading over after exchanging passes with Jermaine Beckford. Play was held up after ten minutes as Carlisle Captain Danny Livesey received attention for a knock and from the restart Leigh Bromby forced the visitors on the back foot with a well placed free-kick. Veteran Graham Kavanagh was showing his experience in a five man midfield as, while he provided an anchor for them going forward, he was quick to assist in defence when danger threatened and Robert Snodgrass shot wide from twenty yards as the Carlisle defence retreated. Leigh Bromby made a good break down the right in the twentieth minute but overhit his cross and Jermaine Beckford was unable to profit from it. The Red wall of the Carlisle defence was proving a formidable barrier, but after thirty minutes United got the breakthrough that their pressure deserved. Michael Doyle had made good progress through the Carlisle rearguard, when he was upended as he was clipped on the leg by Richard Keogh as he entered the box, after a cushioned header from Luciano Becchio. There was pressure on Jermaine Beckford as he stepped up for his first penalty attempt since his vital miss in the play-off Semi Final defeat by Millwall in May 2009. He shot tamely and Lenny Pidgeley was easily able to save his spot-kick attempt, but somehow he failed to hold it and this left the Leeds striker with an easy chance to hammer the ball into the net. It could have been 2-0 very soon afterwards as Robert Snodgrass saw a tremendous shot cannon back off the inside of a post. Carlisle quickly responded forcing Casper Ankergren to make a save. United's injury woes continued when, in the thirty-eighth minute, Leigh Bromby had to leave the field. He was replaced by Neil Kilkenny, which entailed the usual shuffle of Andy Hughes to Right-Back, Bradley Johnson to Left-Back and Kilkenny into the midfield. As half-time approached, Graham Kavanagh forced Casper Ankergren to punch away an inswinging free-kick but Leeds responded by winning a corner and went into the break with a one-goal lead. United started the second half with Bradley Johnson taking a shot from distance which was narrowly over the bar. Carlisle adopted a positive approach and were soon applying plenty of pressure and forcing Casper Ankergren to fist clear. After good work by Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Howson had a shot which flashed past the post. It was his last involvement in the game as he came off in favour of David Prutton after sixty-six mimnutes. Carlisle were still causing trouble and making Leeds work hard to maintain their superiority, while not creating too many clear cut chances. They introduced Scott Dobie in an effort to give them more firepower and after Matt Robson had twice gone close, their enterprise was rewarded as Scott Dobie firmly met a Kevan Hurst corner to power a header past Casper Ankergren after seventy-five minutes for the equaliser. United tried to raise their game but could not refind their previous rhythm, although with eleven minutes still on the clock David Prutton did get a shot on target which forced Lenny Pidgeley to save. Simon Grayson made his last roll of the dice when he sent Enoch Showumni on in place of Luciano Becchio in the eighty-fourth minute, while Carlisle re-enforced their defence by bringing on defender Peter Murphy for midfielder Tom Taiwo. It was another Carlisle defender in the shape of captain Danny Livesey that came to the visitors' rescue with a timely clearance from a Bradley Johnson cross and then made another block from a header by the same United player. After Carlisle had momentarily relieved the pressure United were back again and their skipper was again to thank for diverting a Jermaine Beckford cross for a corner. From the resulting flag-kick it was Scott Dobie who headed over his own bar to avert the danger. Three minutes stoppage time was signalled, but Robert Snodgrass was forced to limp out of the contest leaving United with ten men for the final minutes. Still United pressed on, with Jermaine Beckford taking advantage of an Enoch Showumni flick, but his effort cleared the bar, in the last action of the game. The 1-1 draw did bring United's home League winning sequence to an end but it saw them remain the only club in the Football League with an undefeated record, as Charlton Athletic lost at Colchester United and this also meant United extended their lead at the top to three points.

Second-placed Charlton Athletic were United's next opposition at Elland Road on 3rd October 2009. The Charlton team looked like a Leeds Old-Boys reunion, with former Leeds Captain and long-serving Right Back Frazer Richardson being joined by midfielder Matthew Spring and loanee defender of the previous season, Sam Sodje, while there was the added flavour of Leeds-born Lloyd Sam on the right of midfield. There was an almost capacity crowd of 31,838 on hand to see the top-of-the-table clash as Simon Grayson was forced, by injuries, to reshape his team. Ultimately it only required Robert Snodgrass to be replaced by Neil Kilkenny from the bench, with Tresor Kandol coming onto the bench, but there was also the moving of Jonathan Howson to the right flank of midfield as Kilkenny took over the more central role. Soon after the start Leigh Bromby's long throw caused consternation in the Charlton defence before being scrambled away, but after seven minutes it was Sam Sodje heading wide following a Charlton free-kick. However, the first real chance fell to Leeds, as Neil Kilkenny picked out Jermaine Beckford with a superb pass, but the striker's first time effort flew wide. Charlton's Nicky Bailey was lucky to escape without caution, after cynically hacking down Luciano Becchio, but the referee chose to play the advantage. Both teams were trying to play entertaining football, with United the slightly more adventurous, but after twenty-five minutes, it was the visitors who created a good chance, as Frazer Richardson had a good run down the right to send over a good cross for Jonjo Shelvey, but the striker wasted an excellent chance by heading wide. United's response was instant as Jermaine Beckford was narrowly short of getting on the end of a low ball across the box from Jonathan Howson and then Bradley Johnson had a shot deflected into the waiting arms of Charlton keeper, Rob Elliot. The keeper had to look lively to save from Bradley Johnson on the half-hour mark. There was more injury woes for United after thirty-six minutes, when Luciano Becchio fell awkwardly and had to be carried from the field, to be replaced by Enoch Showumni. United had enjoyed the better of play to date and Charlton were again forced to clear their lines after a Neil Kilkenny cross into the six-yard box was deflected in the fortieth minute. But Charlton went straight to the other end and Lloyd Sam's cross was deflected for a corner and, as the visitors enjoyed the ascendency in first-half stoppage time, Matthew Spring fired over. The start of the second half saw the game become scrappy as the strong wind made the ball swirl around and started to ruin the game as a specticle. In the fifty-fourth minute United mounted an attack with Enoch Showumni showing good pace to get his cross in and win a corner. It was again Enoch Showumni who forced Rob Elliot to make a save low down in the sixtieth minute. Five minutes later Andy Robinson was introduced in place of Andy Hughes, with Bradley Johnson dropping back to Left-Back, to allow him to operate down the left flank. He was soon chasing down a Jermaine Beckford flick to win a corner after pressurising Frazer Richardson. For quite a while the two teams cancelled each other out as the game ebbed and flowed, until Casper Ankergren was called upon to make his first save of note in the seventy-third minute, after Jonjo Shelvey tried his luck from distance, and then quickly was forced to make a second as Matthew Spring was on target from just outside the box. With eleven minutes left United went for more attack, sacrificing Neil Kilkenny for Mike Grella. It was not going to be United's day as Jermaine Beckford worked himself a good oppurtunity but was wide with his shot and Enoch Showumni was tantalisingly close with a delicate chip from the edge of the box. Charlton were forced on the defensive by a couple of late free-kicks which they managed to clear and Frazer Richardson also headed away a Jonathan Howson cross as Jermaine Beckford waited to pounce. Both Michael Doyle and Andy Robinson tried their luck from long range just before full-time came with the game scoreless and honours even, with United still unbeaten in their eleven League games, three points ahead of the visitors. With the next scheduled game at Bristol Rovers, who had moved into third place, being postponed due to United's players International commitments, it would be a fortnight before their League campaign would be resumed.

United's next game on 6th October 2009 was at Elland Road against the Football League's bottom club, Darlington, in the Second Round of the Johnnstone's Paint Trophy and torrential rain had poured for the best part of a day and was still falling as the game kicked off with a crowd of 8,429 huddled in the dry parts of the stadium. Simon Grayson, whose squad was already decimated by injury and International calls, took the chance to give several fringe players a chance to show their worth. The team lined up: Casper Ankergren; Leigh Bromby, Lubomir Michalik, Richard Naylor, Andy Hughes; Andy Robinson, Neil Kilkenny, David Prutton, Aidan White; Mike Grella, Tresor Kandol. Substitutes: Ryan Jones, Bradley Johnson, Davide Somma, Enoch Showunmi and Jermaine Beckford. Andy Robinson, David Prutton, Aidan White, Mike Grella and Tresor Kandol would have been glad to brave the elements for their chance to impress, but teenage Junior keeper Ryan Jones and Davide Somma would have welcomed a little shelter with a chance of later participation from the bench. Andy Robinson who started on the right of midfield created the first opening for Mike Grella to head over after three minutes. Darlington, who had only amassed two points to date in League Two and really had nothing to lose, with former Leeds Assistant Manager, Steve Staunton, their new Manager, watching from the stands, carved out an opening after ten minutes but Jamie Devitt shot wide. It brought a quick reply from United as first Tresor Kandol had a header saved, and then saw another effort deflected wide, and was then denied by a good challenge from Steve Foster, after Mike Grella had played an intelligent ball to him. On fifteen minutes, Kandol could only watch as goalkeeper Nick Liversedge pulled off a remarkable acrobatic save to stop his header by pushing it onto and over the bar, after good work by Lubomir Michalik and Andy Hughes. It was starting to become one-way traffic as Mike Grella was the next to test the keeper and when the Quakers did relieve the seige Aidan White was quick to make an interception to return United back on the attack, which resulted in another close shave for the Darlington goal. Good work by David Prutton helped to give Andy Roninson a chance to shoot in the nineteenth minute but his effort went wide, as did a long rage effort, from all of forty yards, by Lubomir Michalik. Such sustained pressure was bound to have only one result, and in the twenty-fourth minute poor defensive work saw United take the lead. Andy Robinson took a free-kick which was well-struck and straight into the wall, which did not hold. and the ball deflected well wide of the stranded keeper. There was quickly a second, four minutes later, scored by the hard-working Tresor Kandol. Neil Kilkenny provided a great ball through the middle and Kandol hammered the ball past keeper, Nick Liversedge, to double the lead. The tall striker was only just off target shortly afterwards, when he curled a shot just over after good work by Mike Grella. On the half-hour Darlington did manage a quick break, but Jamie Devitt was wide of the target. United looked comfortable with their two goal lead and Gary Smith broke their complacency as he shot wide. As half-time approached Tresor Kandol fired wide, but it was Darlington who had the final say in the half, as Jamie Devitt again tried his luck with a shot that also had a look of a pass from the edge of the area and Mark Convery was there to stab the ball home from close range to reduce the arrears. United brought Enoch Showumni on in place of Tresor Kandol at the start of the second half and they started it by soon on the attack once more. First Mike Grella was denied by an infringement, then Neil Kilkenny almost got on the end of a teasing cross from Enoch Showumni, before Mike Grella was crowded out by good defence, after being released by Andy Robinson. After fifty-five minutes Aidan White fed Mike Grella, who then saw his shot deflected for a corner. Richard Naylor's header from the resultant flag-kick was also scrambled for another corner and Aidan White also forced Nick Liversedge to make a good save low down. United were dominant and Richard Naylor joined in an attack which almost produced a third when he shot narrowly wide following another Andy Robinson corner. Even though it was an uneven contest, there was still only one goal in it and on sixty-two minutes Mark Convery should have levelled matters when he arrived unmarked at the far post to meet a cross, but he failed to control the ball with the goal at his mercy. Simon Grayson made his second change after seventy minutes giving Davide Somma a chance at the expense of his fellow American, Mike Grella, who had picked up a slight knock. There was not much of note happening on the pitch but there was the nagging rememberance that there was still only one goal in it and Kevin Gall reminded they everyone that Darlington hadn't given up entirely as he shot wide. At the other end Enoch Showumni was denied by Nick Liversedge following a good run by Neil Kilkenny and then the big striker narrowly failed to get on the end of an Andy Hughes cross. That proved to be Hughes' last involvement as he made way for Bradley Johnson after eighty minutes. After eighty-four minutes, with all substitutes used, Davide Somma pulled up sharply with what seemed to be an hamstring injury and United were down to ten men for the final few minutes. The now ten-men Leeds seemed content to sit on the lead but Darlington still appeared to have a vision of maybe sneaking the game on penalties, and as the game ebbed towards its finish Curtis Main shot wide and Richard Naylor had to produce another fine block to preserve the scoreline. In the final minute of stoppage time, Darlington keeper, Nick Liversedge, was handed a straight red card when he flattened Enoch Showumni, who was in full flight for the goal. Andy Robinson took the resulting free-kick on the edge of the penaty area but lifted it just over and the whistle blew for the end with United moving into the Trophy's Area Quarter-Finals.

There was a Monday evening kick-off for United's next League game against Nowich City on 19th October 2009. United started in second place, rivals Charlton Athletic having taken advantage of United's inactivity, to accumalate four points from the two games they had since played, meaning United were now one point behind them with two games in hand. Simon Grayson had moved quickly and silently to strengthened his injury depleted squad to take young Welsh International striker Sam Vokes on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three month deal, as cover for Luciano Beccio who had damaged ankle ligaments, and Ivory Coast midfielder/striker, Max Gradel, on loan from Leicester City for a month, as cover for Robert Snodgrass whose knee injuries were giving cause for concern. There was a recall in goal for Shane Higgs, who had recovered from injury, Sam Vokes was given a debut in place of the injured Luciano Becchio, but Max Gradel was on the bench as there was better news of Robert Snodgrass, who had recovered sufficiently to take his place on the right of midfield. Patrick Kisnorbo had not arrived back from International duties in time for the game, but Jason Crowe was back in the team after injury as United lined up: Shane Higgs; Jason Crowe, Leigh Bromby, Richard Naylor, Andy Hughes; Robert Snodgrass, Michael Doyle, Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson; Jermaine Beckford, Sam Vokes. Substitutes: Casper Ankergren, Lubomir Michalik, David Prutton, Neil Kilkenny, Max Gradel and Mike Grella. There was a crowd of 19,192 on hand to see if United could improve on their recent home form which had seen them struggle against the League's worst in Darlington and drop four home ponts in their last two League games they had had since their memorable performance against Liverpool in the Carling Cup. Norwich City were not expected to pose a big threat as they had already been beaten three times in the League but were still sat in a handy sixth spot on the ladder. They, like many in the crowd, may not have been aware of United's swoop into the loan market. It was Shane Higgs who was the first of the two keepers to be called into action, as he desperately clawed a goalbound effort from Darel Russell after fumbling the original shot. United were down to ten men when this happened after Richard Naylor went off for stitches in a head wound. He had had a bad start to the game as he clattered into the back of Norwich midfielder Wes Hoolihan soon after the game started and received a caution and a cut over his eye, which required running repairs which kept him off the pitch for most of the first eight minutes. Stephen Hughes had received a yellow card for a savage attack on Jason Crowe's ankles and Norwich tried to press home their numerical superiority. Darel Russell's effort had come from Jon Otsemobor's low cross, after Andy Hughes had been caught badly out of position, and while the fumble was uncharacteristic, the keeper's quick reaction to keep it out of the net was impressive. Richard Naylor emerged from the tunnel with a thick bandage across his forehead to bring the sides back to an eleven man each contest. It became an interest filled game after Sam Vokes had tried his luck from distance, this was matched by Norwich's Chris Martin firing wide at the other end. The visitors were finding space and Higgs was called upon to make another save to deny Wes Hoolihan, this time, when Richard Naylor was nowhere to be seen as Grant Holt's cross found Hoolihan totally unmarked, after receiving the ball on the penaty spot area Hoolihan struck the ball weakly and Shane Higgs was able to stop it with his left foot. It was a significant miss and it must have come as some relief when United took the lead after fifteen minutes with their next attack. Jeramaine Beckford chased down a long ball and forced Gary Doherty into conceding a corner. Robert Snodgrass put in a deep cross from the ensuing flag-kick and this was met at the far post with a typical Bradley Johnson header to power the ball into the net with his sixth goal of the season. Simon Grayson was hoping that the opening goal might calm down the game but he was not in luck as one minute later he lost his goalkeeper Shane Higgs to a recurrence of his thigh strain, which had kept him out of action for several weeks, but it seemed as if he had been brought back too soon, and Casper Ankergren was forced into the action. However, United almost scored a second goal while waiting to make the change in goal, when Leigh Bromby quickly turned defence into attack rather than playing the ball out to enable the substitution, and Michael Doyle had a shot blocked after great break from Robert Snodgrass. Jermaine Beckford went close on the half-hour, as he showed great skill to skip past two defenders, but his shot was just wide of the mark. However, Norwich were back on level terms seven minutes before the interval. Simon Lappin sent a cross from deep and Grant Holt outmuscled Jason Crowe at the far post to score from close range. It was Holt's fourth goal in four games and took his total for the season to ten as when Simon Lappin's curling ball fell invitingly at the far post, he stuck a leg around the back of Crowe to slide it over the line past Casper Ankergren who was rooted to the line. Half-time gave Leeds a chance to regroup and within minutes of the restart Jermaine Beckford had worked himself an opening before shooting wide. The visitors soon got back into the game and on the hour mark Casper Ankergren had to recover quickly to block an effort from Jens Berthel-Askou. On sixty-seven minutes Casper Ankergren redeemed himself for his lack of movement in the Norwich goal, when he saved well from the Norwich scorer and Holt was in the thick of the action as, in the next minute, he fired wide. It was the Norwich keeper that produced the save of the half, when he palmed away a powerful free-kick from Robert Snodgrass. After eighty-four minutes Simon Grayson made his first unenforced replacement as he took off Sam Vokes and surprisingly sent on Tresor Kandol for his first game since May 2008. He then sent on Max Gradel for his United debut in the eightieth minute, in place of Robert Snodgrass, who had had a fine game. From his first touch when he delivered a quality ball to Jermaine Beckford, the loanee wasted no time in lighting up Elland Road. He linked up with Tresor Kandol to provide Jermaine Beckford with another great ball and it took a great save from Fraser Forster to deny the United striker. Moments later it was the effervescent Gradel who tried his luck from distance after winning the ball in midfield. It was again Gradel who was involved in firing in a low cross which Jermaine Beckford almost converted in the dying minutes. It was, however, United's talisman marksman that got the winner in stoppage time with a solo effort. Fraser Forster was really to blame, but only for his first fundamental mistake, which saw a woeful goal kick from him screw straight to the feet of Jermaine Beckford. The striker didn't need any more invitation, he took off for goal with the Norwich defence desperately scrambling in his wake, but he kept his head under pressure and as Forster came from his line to try and remedy his mistake the ace marksman delicately chipped him and followed the ball into the net for the winner. It had been a closely run victory from which Norwich could also take credit, but it took United back to the top of League one, two points clear of Charlton, with a game in hand. Equally on the night's performance they would have been happy to put eleven points between themselves and the visitors, again with a game in hand.

For their thirteenth game of the season on 24th October 2009 United had to return to the venue of their Play-off Semi-Final defeat of the previous season with a visit to the New Den, home of Millwall. There were at least 1,993 supporters in the intensely hostile crowd of 14,165. Patrick Kisnorbo was back from International duty and he replaced Jason Crowe, who dropped to the bench, as Leigh Bromby switched to Right-Back to accomodate Kisnorbo in Central Defence. On the downside United were still without Luciano Becchio, and loan player Sam Vokes continued in his place. Shane Higgs looked to be out for several weeks following the recurrence of his thigh problem, which saw Casper Ankergren between the posts in his stead and loan keeper Frank Fielding was brought on to the bench, in an otherwise unchanged squad. The home side started brightly and Richard Naylor reacted well to avert danger in the first minute, but the hosts were in front after just three minutes as they scored with their next attack. A free-kick was swung over from the left and Neil Harris rose unchallenged to head the ball past Casper Ankergren. United were almost level in the tenth minute when Jonathan Howson ran unchallenged through the defence and after home keeper David Forde had made a good save, Robert Snodgrass saw his follow-up deflected wide. Two corners later it was 1-1 as Jimmy Abdou blocked a header on the line and Patrick Kisnorbo followed up to hammer the ball past David Forde. There was no clear pattern to the game as both teams were playing off the cuff in trying to gain the advantage and it resulted in a very entertaining first twenty minutes. Leeds settled to play the neater football, but the home team started to threaten from set-pieces and also looked to promote the ball from the wings. United came the closer to getting a second goal and in the thirty-third minute their loan striker, Sam Vokes, was almost the scorer. He linked up well with Jermaine Beckford, following a long clearance from Casper Ankergren, but the ball did not sit up correctly as he shaped to shoot and David Forde was able to save. There was a sense of expectancy when Leeds started to attack and Bradley Johnson twice had shots blocked after good build-ups.Sam Vokes was back helping out in defence and was responsible for averting danger from a free-kick but gave away a corner. Leigh Bromby was able to head clear the danger from the resulting corner. The ball eventually got to Jack Smith on the edge of the box but he shot wide. Then Chris Hackett also was wide after finding space to get in a shot. Three minutes before half time Robert Snodgrass thought he should have got a penalty after his free-kick seemed to hit a hand in the Millwall wall. The first half had provided good entetainment for Millwall's record crowd for a League game since November 2004. When the second half got under way Paul Robinson was lucky to avoid a yellow card after hauling down Jermaine Beckford when the Leeds striker was through on goal. Bradley Johnson curled the resulting free-kick wide of the post. Millwall carved out a good chance as they broke quickly after Leeds had surrendered possession, but Steve Morrison headed straight into the arms of Casper Ankergren. Then Tony Craig should have done better when he met a Chris Hackett cross at the far post but his header was off target. At the other end Jermaine Beckford shot wide from an acute angle, while Robert Snodgrass shot straight at David Forde and Leigh Bromby caused problems to the Millwall defence with another of his long throws. The game continued tit-for-tat as Paul Robinson did well to deny Jermaine Beckford while Danny Schofield wasted a chance at the other end as the home side made a good break. Simon Grayson made his first change after seventy minutes as he introduced Tresor Kandol for Sam Vokes and Kandol's first involvements were in defending a couple of set-pieces as Millwall started to enjoy a prolonged period of pressure and, while Leeds conceded possession too easily, they defended strongly and look solid under pressure. After seventy-eight minutes Simon Grayson turned to Max Gradel for inspiration as he took off Robert Snodgrass in the hope of forcing a winner. It was Millwall, however, that took the lead in the eighty-third minute. It was substitute Gary Alexander who scored with a back-post header from a Danny Schofield cross from the left. United responded and Jonathan Howson had a shot cleared off the line as once more Leigh Bromby caused problems with his long throw. In the the last minute of normal time Tresor Kandol could not beleive his bad luck when he rattled the inside of the post with a fine oppurtunist effort. The striker also narrowly failed to make a good connection with a Bradley Johnson cross as United tried to capitalise on four minutes of stoppage time. A free-kick in the last minute was United's final chance but the ball from deep failed to fine any takers and United's unbeaten start to the season finally faltered at the thirteenth hurdle. With Charlton only picking up one point, United remained top, one point clear, with a game in hand.

After the setback at the New Den, United played their match in hand on 27th October 2009 against Bristol Rovers at their Memorial Stadium in front of a crowd of 11,448, which included at least 1,640 who had made the long trip to support the League leaders. Simon Grayson showed no panic in his team selection and kept his faith in the team that had served him so well and relied on the same squad and run-on team, with one exception as Alan Martin took the place of Frank Fielding on the bench, as the young Scottish Under Twenty-One International had been recalled from loan with Accrington Stanley to replace his English Under Twenty-One counterpart, who had returned to his parent club, Blackburn Rovers at the end of his loan period. United were the first on the attack and Bristol defender Steve Elliott picked up an early yellow card as he sent Jermaine Beckford sprawling as the Leeds striker was goalbound. Robert Snodgrass next saw a powerful free-kick blocked and, when the ball had been scrambled to safety, Aaron Lescott had to receive treatment. A superb passage of play saw United take the lead after just nine minutes. Michael Doyle found Jermaine Beckford with a sublime through ball and the striker completed the fine movement by keeping a cool head to fire past Mikkel Anderssen from just outside the box. A minute later it was again Beckford who almost added a second as he rounded the Bristol keeper but the angle was too acute and the ball hit the side-netting. Leeds were clearly in command and playing good attractive football, but they did receive a scare in the twenty-second minute, when Stuart Campbell shot from distance and almost caught Casper Ankergren unawares. The Leeds keeper misjudged the ball, allowing it to get under his arms and ricochet off the turf and strike the underside of the crossbar. The referee was of the opinion that the ball had bounced down on the goal-line and waved play-on, but closer observers were of the opinion that the ball had crossed the line. The incident put renewed hope into the home side, who had started the game in sixth place, but a win from this game in hand would have seen them even higher. However, they were jerked back to reality, soon after the half hour, when Sam Vokes fired just wide. As the game moved towards half-time there was a note of malice creeping in and Michael Doyle flattened Jeff Hughes, who had earlier had an altercation with Robert Snodgrass. There was little of note as the game drifted to the break, but Robert Snodgrass did fire over a minute before the players were due to disappear down the tunnel, and in stoppage time Jermaine Beckford was unable to make contact after Mikkel Anderssen had failed to cut out a through ball. The second half saw United straight on the attack and only good defending by Jeff Hughes kept Jermaine Beckford out at the expense of a corner, which Mikkel Anderssen saved as Sam Vokes was ready to pounce. After fifty-three minutes Jermaine Beckford could only steer an effort wide of the mark. Two minutes later he was back, featuring in a fine build up with Robert Snodgrass, before a nice interplay between them on the edge of the box gave Sam Vokes the chance to slide the cross into the net for his first goal for the club. It was Vokes who next threatened, and Byron Anthony reacted quickly to clear the danger posed by his cross and, soon after, Robert Snodgrass was just over the bar with his shot after Jonathan Howson's shot could only be parried by Mikkel Anderssen. At the other end a free-kick from Jeff Hughes skimmed the bar. United were by far the better side and put the game almost beyond recall in the sixty-fifth minute when Jonathan Howson gave Jermaine Beckford the chance to pit his pace and skill against that of Byron Anthony, who was wrong footed by the striker's quick feet and Mikkel Anderssen could only dive hopelessly as he was beaten by a curling shot to his left. The game was fast becoming United's best away performance of the season as the seventieth minute came and went without a serious challenge on the Leeds goal. United cleared a Bristol corner and started a sweeping move that saw Jonathan Howson feed Jermaine Beckford, and, with the scent of a "hat-trick" in his nostrils, the Leeds striker curled another shot past the Bristol keeper, but unfortunately it was also wide of the post. United were quickly back for Bradley Johnson to test the keeper from distance and he was forced to push the ball round the post. Simon Grayson made a series of quick substitutions, with Neil Kilkenny replacing Michael Doyle after seventy-three minutes, Max Gradel for Jermaine Beckford three minutes later, and Tresor Kandol for Sam Vokes on the eighty minute mark. Bristol Rovershad come close to a consolation goal, but after a good solo run Andy Williams had put the ball wide. Leeds still pressed on to confirm their superiority even more and after Max Gradel had been denied by the legs of Mikkel Anderssen in the eighty-sixth minute, it was he, just a minute later, that laid on a goal for Tresor Kandol. as he made a low cross from the by-line for his co-striker to net from close range. It was a fitting end to a comprehensive victory which saw United stretch their lead at the top to four points, with all teams now having played fourteen games.

After the confidence-boosting win at Bristol Rovers, Simon Grayson again picked the same eleven for the home game with twelfth-placed Yeovil Town on 31st October 2009, but gave a place on the bench to Mike Grella in preference to Jason Crowe. It attracted a 24,482 crowd to Elland Road, as Yeovil arrived on the back of a six game unbeaten run. The proud boast did not deter Leeds and they set off on their usual flying start. After Michael Doyle had seen a good ball from him blocked before it could reach Jermaine Beckford, Sam Vokes tested visiting keeper Alex McCarthy for the first time in the third minute. The visitors showed some enterprise too, in those opening minutes and passed the ball around until they created their first chance as Casper Ankergren was called upon to save from John Obika. As both sides tried to play good football in the first twenty minutes they tended to cancel each other out and neither side were able to claim the ascendancy. It was Yeovil who created the next chance, when Craig Alcock had a free header from a free-kick but it was misdirected and sailed harmlessly wide of the post. The crowd, mostly there to cheer goals from the home team, were strangely muted as, while both teams were serving up good entertaining football, there was little in the way of goalmouth excitement as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark. After thirty-eight minutes United's persistency bore fruit as they won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area after Robert Snodgrass had been fouled. Unfortunately there was no end product as Bradley Johnson's ensuing effort was easily dealt with by Alex McCarthy. But it was Johnson who did open the scoring four minutes later, against the general run of play. At least that was the general opinion, as his cross appeared to hit Shaun McDonald and go into the net before the intended target, Jermaine Beckford, who was contesting the ball with keeper Alex McCarthy, could get a touch on it as he followed it into the net. There was no doubt about the scorer of what seemed to be United's second, almost as soon as the second half had started. It was clearly Jermaine Beckford, but an offside-flag denied him. Sam Vokes was also trying very hard to get his name on the scoresheet as he twice tried longe-range shots in the first ten minutes after the restart. At the other end Richard Naylor and Andy Hughes combined well as Sam Williams threatened to create an opening. After fifty-nine minutes Simon Grayson decided fresh legs and ideas were needed and sent on Max Gradel and Neil Kilkenny for Andy Hughes and Michael Doyle with Bradley Johnson dropping back to Left-Back. The diminutive Ivorian was soon in the game and supplied a cross to Jermaine Beckford, from which the striker had Alex McCarthy scrambling across his goal to save at the expense of a corner. Sam Vokes headed over from the resulting corner. Jonathan Howson was next to have a go as he tested Alex McCarthy with an excellent effort. But Max Gradel got his first Leeds goal as he turned his marker before driving the ball low into the net, which gave goalkeeper Alex McCarthy no chance, and allowed United the comfort of a two goal lead. The lead blew out to 3-0 and put United beyond catching in the seventy-eighth minute, when Jermaine Beckford reacted quickly to score from a flick from Sam Vokes with another good finish as he put the ball well out of McCarthy's reach. Two minutes later Simon Grayson took his star striker off and gave Tresor Kandol a run. It did not take him long to score his second goal in as many matches as he netted United's fourth in the eighty-fourth minute. Robert Snodgrass supplied a cross from the left and Kandol got up well to score with a header before performing his trademark somersault. It was the second time in less than a week that United had hit the opposition for four and it was also the second succesive time they had done it to Yeovil, who for long periods in this game, had held their own. It also opened up a seven point gap at the top to Charlton Athletic, who had been beaten by Carlisle United.

On 7th November 2009 United visited Boundary Park home of Oldham Athletic, who were presently sitting in thirteenth place below Leeds, but with a game in hand on almost all the other clubs. It was the First Round of the F.A. Cup and given United's usual performances in the competition, people had always come to expect the unexpected, usually to United's detriment. It made history as being the first F.A. Cup tie ever to be screened live on the internet. While League points were the main priority, it was expected that Simon Grayson might take the oppurtunity to play some of his fringe player to give them valuable game time. He was to disappoint as he stuck to his tried and true as best he could. His only changes were enforced, as he replaced the cup-tied Sam Vokes by Neil Kilkenny and give Robert Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson more advanced roles as they joined Jermaine Beckford in the vanguard of a 4-3-3, with Aidan White taking Kilkenny's place on the bench. Also on the bench, Andy Robinson replaced the equally cup-tied Max Gradel and Enoch Showumni was called up to replace the suspended Tresor Kandol, who had foolishly slapped a Yeovil player in the tunnel after the previous game and on report he was given a three week suspension. In the Oldham ranks were former Leeds player Sean Gregan and former loan goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan. It was Oldham that mounted the first two attacks of the game but it was Darryl Flahavan who was the first goalkeeper brought into serious action as he denied Bradley Johnson who had taken advantage of sloppy defending to test him. Johnson was becoming a thorn in the side of the home team and after winning a free-kick on the edge of the box his set-piece effort was blocked but Michael Doyle put the rebound way over the bar. Jonathan Howson was the first name in the book after twenty-three minutes as the robust challenges started to fly. Oldham had a great chance to take the lead on the half-hour when Patrick Kisnorbo misjudged a ball on the edge of the box, but Joe Colbeck failed to capitalise and his shot did not trouble Casper Ankergren. United took the lead in stunning fashion after thirty-six minutes. Jonathan Howson picked up a Robert Snodgrass pass just outside the penalty box, glanced at goal, and unleashed a left-foot strike that gave Darryl Flahavan no chance. From then until half time, while both teams tried to get in on goal, apart from one effort by Jermaine Beckford extending Darryl Flahavan, there was little to enthuse about on a dank and dreary November evening, even though the almost 2,671 Leeds supporters in a total crowd of only 5,552 had more to cheer than the balance, most of which comprised the home support. The mood was hardly broken as the second half started to produce more of the pre-half-time ennui. United were in the position of being one goal to the good and the impasse favoured them, but following a throw-in Chris Taylor forced Casper Ankergren to push his shot round the post for a corner. The keeper found it much easier to deal with an Alex Marrow header from the resulting corner, before Sean Gregan tried his luck with a long range effort in the sixty-fifth minute as the home side realised that they needed to make the running. It was Sean Gregan to the rescue at the other end with a timely interception as Robert Snodgrass tried to play in Jermaine Beckford. minutes later Snodgrass and Beckford did combine and the striker lifted his shot over after his Scottish team-mate had flicked the ball on. Beckford was unlucky to be caught offside in United's next move when he seemed to be through. It seemed that the status quo would prevail with United unable to increase their lead and Oldham incapable of drawing level. Ryan Brooke, who had come on as an eighty-first minute substitute, tried his luck with a shot that flew well over as the game drifted into its final phase. United sent on Mike Grella for Jermaine Beckford with three minutes on the clock and Aidan White for Michael Doyle in the very last minute, but there was a moan from all sides of the ground when four added minutes were indicated. in tha final minute of added time Aidan Whitelatched onto a Robert Snodgrass pass and found the other recent substitute, Mike Grella, with a perfect ball for the American to score the final goal of the game to put Leeds 2-0 up and seal United's passage into the Second Round.

There was a crowd of 10,430 on hand at Elland Road as United entrtained League Two side Grimsby Town in the Area Quarter Finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on 10th November 2009. Sam Vokes and Max Gradel were both available once more after being Cup-tied in the F.A. Cup and while making several changes to the squad Simon Grayson did not go completely overboard, but did give a place on the bench to young goalkeeper Ryan Jones, due to the absence of Alan Martin. Lacking both Michael Doyle and Tresor Kandol through suspension, and Patrick Kisnorbo, Rui Marques and Scotland Under-Twenty-One keeper Alan Martin on International duty, United lined-up: Casper Ankergren; Andy Hughes, Richard Naylor, Lubomir Michalik, Aidan White; Robert Snodgrass, Neil Kilkenny, Bradley Johnson, Max Gradel; Sam Vokes, Jermaine Beckford. Substitutes: Ryan Jones, Leigh Bromby, Andy Robinson, David Prutton, Encoch Sowunmi. United started on the attack and Sam Vokes headed over in the first minute. Neil Kilkenny next had a shot stopped at full-stretch by defender Adrian Forbes as Leeds sought to expose the League Two strugglers waeknesses by creating space with quick movement and passing. The Mariners were all at sea defensively, but as they moved forward they were able to get one early effort just wide of the mark. Casper Ankergren was forced to make his first save on the twenty minute mark as former United man, Peter Sweeney, tried his luck from a free-kick just outside the box. Andy Hughes then created a good chance for Sam Vokes but the Wolverhampton Wanderers loan man could only head over. Max Gradel was proving to be a handful down the left wing and after one such run he found Neil Kilkenny, who went close with a strong shot from long range. It was the bubbly Max Gradel who was the architect of United's first goal after forty minutes. He went on a typical mazy run before he finally cut inside to have a shot on goal. Olly Lancashire tried to block Gradel's shot but could only divert it inside the post. On the stroke of half time it was 2-0 with a goal from Neil Kilkenny. The midfielder played a quick one-two with Jermaine Beckford before steering the ball into the far corner of the net. The second half got underway with a period in which neither side was able to dominate, but, after fifty-four minutes it was 3-0. It was Bradley Johnson that made the goal as he made a strong run through the Grimsby defence before supplying Jermaine Beckford with the chance to score. The Grimsby reply came just two minutes later and it was scored in fine style by former United man, Peter Sweeney. After Casper Ankergren had fisted away a corner the ball came out to the midfielder and he didn't hesitate to hit it on the volley and the ball flew like a bullet into the back of the net. Robert Snodgrass thought he had restored the three goal lead on sixty-five minutes with a fine flying header from a Max Gradel cross, but Nick Colgan managed somehow to get a hand to it to push it against the inside of the post, and it was scrambled clear by a Grimsby defender. Three minutes later Andy Robinson came on for Robert Snodgrass and was soon trying his luck with two shots from long range. David Prutton replaced Bradley Johnson after eighty-one minutes. Max Gradel was in the action again as he came within a whisker of getting United's fourth, but his shot went into the side-netting. Grimsby should have reduced the arrears but after seizing on a stray pass from Aidan White, Grimsby substitute, Bradley Wood, wanted too much time and Casper Ankergren was quick off his line to dispossess him. Enoch Showumni came on for Sam Vokes after eighty-seven minutes, but even though there were three minutes of stoppage time there were no further goals and United won 3-1, and eased into the Northern Area Semi-Finals and a chance of a Wembley appearance, if they could pass just two further teams.

There was a crowd of 7,615, of which approaching a thousand had made the long trek from Leeds and other starting points to support the Whites, that braved the inclement weather on 21st November to turn up at the Withdean Stadium for the game in which Brighton & Hove Albion played hosts to Leeds United. Former Leeds Assistant Manager, Gus Poyet, had started to pull the home team round with two victories since his recent arrival. Poyet had not stayed long at Leeds but he had on his bench an ex-Leeds player who lasted even less. David Livermore had arrived at Leeds from Millwall on 21st July 2006 and departed to Hull City on 1st August 2006, after playing just seventy-eight minutes in a white shirt in a Friendly against Hartlepool United on 22nd July 2006 and a full game on 25th July 2006 in a Friendly against Scunthorpe United. Simon Grayson was forced to make changes to his squad, as Richard Naylor and Bradley Johnson were both missing due to injury and Tresor Kandol was still unavailable due to suspension, but on the positive side, Michael Doyle was again available after suspension and Patrick Kisnorbo was back from International duty. The Leeds line-up was: Casper Ankergren; Leigh Bromby, Lubomir Michalik, Patrick Kisnorbo, Andy Hughes; Jonathan Howson, Michael Doyle, Neil Kilkenny, Robert Snodgrass; Jermaine Beckford, Sam Vokes. Substitutes: Alan Martin, Aidan White, David Prutton, Max Gradel, Andy Robinson, Mike Grella, Enoch Showumni. The game kicked off in the wind and rain, with many of the crowd taking advantage of the plastic raincoats made available by the hosts. It was Jermaine Beckford who had the first attempt at goal but he was way over the top. Considering the bad conditions the entertainment was reasonable and it was Brighton who next had a semblance of a chance as Nicky Forster fired wide in the thirteenth minute. Brighton keeper Graeme Smith was brought into the action when he saved well from Jermaine Beckford after a good build-up, but the flag was up for offside anyway. Andy Hughes was lively to avert the danger by thwarting Dean Cox when he was faced by two Brighton attackers near the United goal. After Sam Vokes had had an appeal for a penalty rejected after a Brighton defender appeared to be hit on the hand, United took the lead in the twenty-seventh minute when Robert Snodgrass scored a stunning goal with a shot from near the touchline. Within a minute it was almost 2-0, as Robert Snodgrass delivered a good cross from the left and Jermaine Beckford saw his deft flick hit an upright, as Leeds started to get on top, particularly in midfield. Brighton were not out of it and Glenn Murray headed wide in the thirty-second minute. eight minutes later Robert Snodgrass tried to repeat his goal with an effort from long range, but this time Graeme Smith saved. However two minutes before half-time was due, Leeds went 2-0 in front as Lubomir Michalik gained possession in defence and played a short ball to Neil Kilkenny. The midfielder then found Jermaine Beckford with a superb pass and the striker composed himself before scoring with a cool finish. In stoppage time, Sam Vokes almost made it three as he made a chance for himself, but was narrowly wide. Brighton were given a chance of getting back into the game early in the second half when a free-kick gave them an oppurtunity but it was Leeds who threatened next as Sam Vokes created a chance, and then Patrick Kisnorbo headed wide from a corner. After fifty minutes Leeds should have had a penalty when Robert Snodgrass was wrestled to the ground in the box, but the referee waved play on. Brighton responded by winning their first corner of the game, but Leeds cleared comfortably. Leeds were getting the upper hand but Brighton put together their best move of the match just after the sixty minutes mark, but Glenn Murray missed a glorious chance at the near post. Leeds continued to dominate with Neil Kilkenny superb in midfield, while up front the movement of Jermaine Beckford and Sam Vokes was causing havoc in the Brighton defence. However the rain fell unabated and conditions became increasingly more difficult as there was a period of very heavy rain, but Leeds were edging their way to another professional display and another away success. Simon Grayson introduced David Prutton for Jonathan Howson after eighty-one minutes and Enoch Showumni for for Sam Vokes three minutes later. The victory was sealed in the final minute when the two substitutes combined in a great move which gave Neil Kilkenny the chance to smash the ball past Graeme Smith for the third and final goal. Max Gradel was introduced in place of Jermaine Beckford in the ninetieth minute but it was all over, as United stayed in top spot six points in front of Charlton Athletic, with a game in hand at Swindon Town, which had been postponed on 14th November 2009 due to International duty by Leeds players, Patrick Kisnorbo (Australia), Rui Marques (Angola) and Alan Martin (Scotland Under Twenty-One's) being involved on that day.

Simon Grayson was able to name an unchanged starting eleven, but had new boy Davide Somma on the bench in place of Enoch Showumni for the home clash with seventeenth placed Leyton Orient on 24th November 2009 in front of a crowd of 19,744. After losing their first game of the season at Millwall, United had put together a nice recovery which had seen them widen their lead at the top by winning three games on the trot and scoring eleven goals and conceding none. It was Orient that had the first chance of the evening as Andros Townsend lifted a shot well over the bar from a free kick but generally it was Leeds who enjoyed the majority of the early possession. However it was the visitors who were creating the more chances for shots on goal. Orient had the ball in the net after five minutes as Andros Townsend beat Casper Ankergren, but the referee called play back as Sean Thornton had taken a free-kick too quickly. In the twelfth minute Sean Thornton shot wide after good approach work and Andros Townsend again tried his luck with a long-ranged shot which Casper Ankergren could only gather at the second attempt. Patrick Kisnorbo also had to be lively to cut out another Orient move. United were struggling to thread moves together in the first twenty minutes as Leyton played with a one-man attack, with only Scott McGleish up, and looked to get forward in numbers on the break. It was thirty minutes before United had a real chance. Neil Kilkenny was fouled on the edge of the box and Robert Snodgrass' free-kick was blocked by the Orient wall. Neil Kilkenny hit his shot over the bar as the visitors failed to clear their lines. Play soon went to the other end and Andy Hughes had to stretch to block Scott McGleish at the second attempt after good work by Adam Chambers down the Leyton right. Leeds did respond but the ball didn't fall kindly for Sam Vokes, after a Jermaine Beckford flick on, and he lifted the ball over the bar. On thirty-six minutes Orient were back knocking on the Leeds defensive door and Sean Thornton again tested Casper Ankergren with another good strike. Leeds almost created something just before half-time when Michael Doyle sent a good through ball for Jermaine Beckford to take in his stride, but good defending denied the Leeds striker. Then some neat passing by Leeds gave Jonathan Howson the chance to test Orient keeper Jamie Jones. United were out for the second half before their visitors but Simon Grayson took off the injured Andy Hughes after just two minutes and replaced him with Aidan White. His first involvement was to release Robert Snodgrass down the left and the Scot wriggled his way through before seeing his cross blocked. Leeds were looking brighter but the swirling wind was making it hard to play good football. Nevertheless Sam Vokes did get in a good low cross but could only watch in frustration as it was just too far in front of the advancing Jermaine Beckford. After sixty-two minutes Simon Grayson made his first unenforced change when he sent on Max Gradel in place of Sam Vokes. He was immediately involved and his cross was only cleared at the second attempt by the Orient defence. Defender Ben Chorley had to make a vital touch to get to a Max Gradel free-kick before Patrick Kisnorbo, and his looping header found its way into the arms of keeper Jamie Jones. United went close in the seventy-second minute as Max Gradel, with his back to goal, lifted his effort just over the bar after good work by Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass. Leeds were now srarting to get on top for the first time in the evening and had two penalty appeals rejected. The first was a claim for handball and the second was after Jermaine Beckford went to ground in the box. As their pressure increased, Robert Snodgrass had an effort cleared after Jonathan Howson had featured in the build-up. United had now gone to a 4-3-3 system with Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass pushed up front with Jermaine Beckford, and there was another appeal for a penalty as Robert Snodgrass claimed he was fouled by Adam Chambers. On eighty-one minutes Mike Grella came on for Jonathan Howson as Leeds tried desperately to convert their ascendancy into goals. Joining the other three attackers, Grella made it a 4-2-4 formation and he immediately forced Jamie Jones to make the save of the night as he palmed over a strong shot. He then had a shot blocked as Leeds continued to mount more pressure. There were nine players in the box when Patrick Kisnorbo launched a free-kick from just inside the Leeds half but still the vital goal would not come. Just as it looked as if United were going to be frustrated, Max Gradel seized on a ball and displayed his magic in the penalty box before finally shaping to shoot and placing the ball well wide of Jamie Jones in the Orient goal, one minute before the end of normal time. The relief of the Leeds players was obvious, as they mobbed the loan man, as was the relief of the crowd. The board went up showing four minutes of stoppage time, but it was now one way traffic and the only significant action took place in the Orient goalmouth as Robert Snodgrass flashed a shot into the side-netting. The victory stretched United's unbeaten home run to twenty games and preserved their six point lead, with a game in hand over second placed Charlton Athletic at the top of League One.

United had to turn their attentions from their League campaign to focus on the F.A. Cup and a Second Round tie with Blue Square Premier side Kettering Town at their Rockingham Road ground. They would have been mindful of their previous year humiliating exit in the Second Round at the hands of another Blue Square Premier side in the shape of Histon and were keen not to suffer a repeat. Andy Hughes was still on the injured list and Simon Grayson took the oppurtunity to give a debut to Tony Capaldi, recently taken on loan from Cardiff City, at Left-Back. United were without Sam Vokes and Max Gradel, who were cup-tied and Mike Grella took the striker's role while Luciano Becchio, who was almost recovered from injury, took his place on the bench, where Rui Marques took the vacant spot. Jason Crowe, who was back after his hamstring problems, was able to take his place at Right-Back as Leigh Bromby moved into Central Defence to fill in for the injured Patrick Kisnorbo. There was also a return to the bench for Enoch Showumni at the expense of Davide Somma, as United lined up: Casper Ankergren; Jason Crowe, Lubomir Michalik, Leigh Bromby, Tony Capaldi; Jonathan Howson, Michael Doyle, Neil Kilkenny, Robert Snodgrass; Jermaine Beckford, Mike Grella. Substitutes: Alan Martin, Rui Marques, Aidan White, David Prutton, Andy Robinson, Luciano Becchio, Enoch Showumni. As the teams were greeted by the 4,887 crowd, there was an-ex Leeds player in the Kettering Town ranks, striker Anthony Elding, who was keen to prove his ability, as the game looked to have all the ingredients of an upset as the rain poured down. In the early stages it was Leeds that made the running and both Neil Kilkenny and Robert Snodgrass got in shots before Leigh Bromby was denied by a goal-line clearance after Jermaine Beckford had rounded the home keeper before delivering a cross to the waiting Central Defender at the back post. Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass both hit the woodwork midway through the first-half and it just seemed a matter of time before United claimed the lead. Tony Capaldi got in a cross which gave Mike Grella the chance to shoot, but his effort was blocked on the line. Lubomir Michalik had also been joining in the attacks and twice went close, while as half-time approached Anthony Elding was over the bar with Kettering's best chance. The rain got heavier during the interval and conditions started to deteriorate. The first twenty minutes of the second half saw oppurtunities arise at both ends, but it was the home side that took a shock lead after sixty-three minutes as Lubomir Michalik conceded a needless free-kick and home captain Ian Roper climbed to head home from a Richie Partridge free-kick, as Casper Ankergren failed to beat him to the punch. Leeds did not panic but introduced Luciano Becchio for Mike Grella after seventy-one minutes and, despite having had enough chances to have comfortably won the game many times over, they continued to mount their calculated attacks as Jason Crowe and Michael Doyle were both denied by excellent saves from the home Goalkeeper and Manager, Lee Harper. However, with twelve minutes left on the clock their patience was rewarded when a Robert Snodgrass cross shot was met by the ever-alert Jermaine Beckford and the ball flew into the net for the equaliser. United pressed for the winner but the home side stood firm and defended strongly as they had done throughout the match and both names went into the draw for the Third Round.

1st December 2009 saw United returning to Boundary Park for the second time in the season and they would have been heartened by their F.A. Cup victory their as they returned in search of more League points. Oldham Athletic were lying in sixteenth spot in the League and United had brought over 4,151 supporters with them and they dominated the vocal clash as they out-numbered the home fans in an attendance of 7,793, not helped by another cold and dismal Oldham night with the rain again pouring down.Simon Grayson had again been in the loan market and brought in Hogan Ephraim, a midfielder from Queens Park Rangers, and Goalkeeper David Martin from Liverpool. He must have thought that United needed a shake-up as he rested three of his main contributors for the season as Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass dropped to the bench and Michael Doyle was rested. In to the starting line-up, for the first time in almost a year, came David Prutton for Michael Doyle and up front Sam Vokes and Max Gradel returned as the strike partnership, after being Cup-tied, in place of Jermaine Beckford and Mike Grella, who both dropped to the bench. While Hogan Ephraim took Robert Snodgrass's midfield spot as the Scot dropped to the bench. David Martin came onto the bench in place of Alan Martin as the goalkeeper substitute as Andy Robinson and Enoch Showumni were omitted and Rui Marques, Luciano Becchio and Aidan White retained their bench roles. Both Sean Gregan and Darryl Flavahan were in the Latics line-up to greet their former club and there was an even opening ten minutes which saw Joe Colbeck get the better of Jason Crowe and Dean Furman should have done better with a free header in front of goal. United carved out their first opening after thirteen minutes when Neil Kilkenny put David Prutton through, but he was brought back by an offside flag. Neil Kilkenny was having a good game against his former club and it was the midfielder that almost created an opener for United on the fifteen minute mark. He played in the fast raiding Jason Crowe and while the full back's shot beat keeper Darryl Flavahan it was also marginally wide of the goal. Olham were being seen as a much more attacking force than in the Cup encounter but, as the game passed the half-hour mark, few chances were being created and the only goalmouth action was a shot from David Prutton that went over the bar and both sides had corners cleared. Deane Smalley managed to get a decisive touch to deny David Prutton from a Hogan Ephraim free-kick and he also cleared the subsequent corner. Soon after Sam Vokes beat the offside trap as Lubomir Michalik got the ball forward but the striker shot straight at Darryl Flavahan. After thirty-seven minutes Neil Kilkenny was rewarded for his influencial role in the game when Max Gradel found space on the left to get in a telling cross and Kilkenny was on hand to meet it to score from close range. Soon after United emphasised their ascendency as first Max Gradel and then Neil Kilkenny tested Darryl Flahavan from distance. Only desperate defending by the home team stopped United from increasing their lead as the visitors finished the half strongly. United were quickly into gear in the second half and Darryl Flahavan had to come off his line to deny Sam Vokes as he ran on goal and then David Prutton headed over from a Hogan Ephraim cross from the left. Paul Black gave away a needless free-kick when he tapped Max Gradel's ankles, but Darryl Flahavan was equal to the test from the resulting free-kick by Hogan Ephraim, but at the expense of a corner, which was followed by another corner as Oldham scrambled to clear their lines. It was from the second of those that Sam Vokes again went close as Leigh Bromby met Max Gradel's flag-kick with a powerful downwards header but the Welsh striker could not keep his shot down and fired the chance over. Darryl Flavahan was keeping Oldham in the game as he punched clear a good free-kick from Hogan Ephraim and after good work from Sam Vokes it was again the keeper who denied Max Gradel as he tried to capitalise. Oldham should have drawn level in the sixty-ninth minute as Paul Hefferan seized on some hesitant defending, but he sent the ball into the side-netting with the goal at his mercy. Simon Grayson made his first change of the night after seventy-four minutes, when he replaced Hogan Ephraim by Robert Snodgrass, and then Luciano Becchio was sent on for Sam Vokes just three minutes later. Robert Snodgrass was soon in the action as Darryl Flavahan was quick off his line to deny him after Max Gradel had played him in. Dean Furman shot wide for Oldham at the other end but Leeds were looking comfortable as the game moved into the last ten minutes. The game was put beyond doubt in the eighty-third minute when Luciano Becchio showed good composure to shoot past Darryl Flahavan after Max Gradel again supplied a good pass. The rain started falling even heavier and the closing stages were played out in a torrential storm as three minutes from time Mike Grella came on for Max Gradel, but United sailed on untroubled to record another victory with another clean sheet and maintained their six point lead over Charlton and did still had a game in hand on just about every other team in the League.

Fifth place Huddersfield Town were United's next opponents at Elland Road on 5th December 2009, in front of a sell-out crowd of 36,723. There were several changes from their midweek win at Oldham Athletic as Simon Grayson recalled Michael Doyle to the squad and he started along with Robert Snodgrass and Jermaine Beckford, who were recalled from the bench. David Prutton dropped to the bench, as did Hogan Ephraim and Max Gradel, where Alan Martin returned as second choice keeper from David Martin, as Aidan White missed out. In a flying start, United took a surprising early lead inside two minutes. Sam Vokes fired in a weak shot, which Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies amazingly failed to hold and it spilled into the path of Robert Snodgrass, who didn't need asking twice to hammer it into the net. United were creating all the early chances and Jermaine Beckford was twice pulled up by the offside flag when through on goal, in the first five minutes. Town did create a chance for Gary Roberts but he shot wide when well-placed. In the fourteenth minute it was again United that went close as Jermaine Beckford got in a good cross from the right and Sam Vokes flashed a header just wide of the post. United appeared to have the visitors measure and it was next Lubomir Michalik that went close in the twenty-second minute with a good header from a corner. Town had offered little in the first half-hour other than a shot from distance by Peter Clarke which Casper Ankergren gathered without trouble and a low cross from Anthony Pilkington, which the keeper cut out with ease. Town did start to come into the game as the game got nearer to half time, but United looked solid in defence and moved quickly to reply, and good work by Jermaine Beckford gave Robert Snodgrass the chance to get in a hooked shot with his back to goal, which hit the base of a post. However, Town did enjoy a flurry of possession just before the half-time whistle, but Gary Roberts again wasted a good chance and Jordan Rhodes also should have done better when free in the six-yard box but Casper Ankergren was able to save. In first half stoppage time Robert Snodgrass was denied by Alex Smithies, who redeemed himself for the early lapse by pulling off a great save. If Leeds got off to a flier in the first half it was town who did the same in the second half. In another defensive lapse United failed to clear a cross and Lee Novak headed in from close range after the ball was deflected to him. United hit back and only two minutes later Jermaine Beckford was twice denied by some desperate defending after Robert Snodgrass had attacked and crossed from the left. United had a great oppurtunity in the fifty-seventh minute, when Neil Kilkenny headed a ball through to Jermaine Beckford, but the Town keeper further redeemed himself as he dived at the striker's feet to smother. The striker also hooked the ball wide, under pressure from two defenders, after good work from Jonathan Howson. On sixty-three minutes Simon Grayson made a double change as he threw on Luciano Becchio and Max Gradel for Sam Vokes and Neil Kilkenny, It had become a close encounter and Jermaine Beckford claimed a penalty after he went down in the box under pressure from a Town defender, but the referee did not share his view, while at the other end, Leigh Bromby made a good block and Casper Ankergren pulled off a good save from Anthony Kay. Three minutes after coming on, Max Gradel gave United the lead once more. After saving from Anthony Kay, Casper Ankergren quickly released the ball downfield, Jermaine Beckford rose to challenge Alex Smithies in the air, the Town keeper only flapped at the ball, and it was picked up by the diminutive Ivorian, who rounded the keeper to score from a tight angle. Jordan Rhodes was again off target as Town sought to make a quick reply, but as play swung to the other end, Luciano Becchio was the next to go close as he headed over a cross from Robert Snodgrass. Leigh Bromby again came to United's rescue with a timely block and soon after Town had a claim for a handball in the box turned turned down. On seventy-eight minutes Town drew level again as Gary Roberts supplied a cross from the right and Jordan Rhodes scored with a fine header past Casper Ankergren. With four minutes left on the clock Hogan Ephraim came on for Robert Snodgrass, but neither team were taking the initiative although Gary Roberts did have a shot deflected wide for Town. In the last minute United had a terrible scare when an Anthony Pilkington free-kick smashed against the bar and bounced back off Casper Ankergren before being cleared to safety. There were four minutes of stoppage time but neither team were able to alter the score and United picked up another home point, but their lead at the top had been cut to four points, with a game in hand. Town remained fifth, fourteen points in arrears, having played a game more.

8th December saw Kettering Town at Elland Road in the Replay of the F.A. Cup Second Round tie for the right to travel to Old Trafford for the money-spinning clash with Manchester United in the Third Round. Once more stripped of the services of Sam Vokes and Max Gradel, who were Cup-tied, now Hogan Ephraim was also added to that list. Andy Hughes had recovered from injury and took over at Right-Back from Jason Crowe, who dropped to the bench, while Aidan White replaced Tony Capaldi at Left-Back, after a poor game at Huddersfield from the loan player, who dropped to the bench. Luciano Becchio was elevated from the bench to replace Sam Vokes and Tresor Kandol, who had finished his suspension took his place on the bench. Rain restricted the crowd to just 10,670 who braved the elements, while many favoured the comfort of their lounge room as it was broadcast free on ITV4 while it was £15 to be at Elland Road in the rain. United started brightly, forcing Kettering on the defensive and Jermaine Beckford lifted a shot over the top, while Luciano Becchio had a good shot blocked by Ian Roper. It was all United and Neil Kilkenny went the closest in the first fifteen minutes when he curled a shot just wide of the post. United had applied all the pressure and in the twentieth minute it came as no surprise when they took the lead. It came when Robert Snodgrass fired in a cross from the left and Luciano Becchio scored with a firm header. Almost immediately Kettering Player/Manager Lee Harper pulled off a good save to prevent Jermaine Beckford from doubling the deficit. The twenty-fifth minute saw Kettering enter the Leeds half for the first time and Anthony Elding put the ball over the bar and into the crowd. United were swiftly back and Jermaine Beckford went close from a Robert Snodgrass cross. Neil Kilkenny, who was running the midfield without much opposition was not far away from making it 2-0 when his shot from distance struck an upright. The game was heading towards half-time as Lee Harper saved Kettering once more as he denied Jonathan Howson, while Lubomir Michalik sent a free-kick just past the post. United started the second half in similar fashion and Michael Doyle was soon trying his luck with a long-range shot. In could have been 2-0 after fifty minutes as Luciano Becchio headed a Neil Kilkenny cross against the inside of a post before it was cleared by Lee Harper and then Jermaine had an unsuccessful appeal for a penalty when his shot hit a defender's hand. It was very much one-way traffic and Lee Harper must have thought it was a game of shots-in, but he was able to smother Jermaine Beckford's shot as United attacked again. In the fifty-sixth minute United made there first change, enforced by Aidan White limping off to be replaced by Tony Capaldi. On the hour mark \ Kettering had weathered the worst United could throw at them and, in an effort to save the game, threw caution to the wind and started attacking United. They won successive corners and gained a free-kick in the United half. In the sixty-first minute Robert Snodgrass picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and automatically ruled himself out of a visit to Griffin Park in United's next game, but United suffered an even bigger set-back one minute later as Kettering equalised. Simon Heslop, who had at last started to compete in midfield, was the architect and a cross from the right saw Anthony Elding head the ball into the net to level the score against the team that had rejected him, but who he had always supported since a child. The goal gave the visitors a big lift but Jermaine Beckford almost put United back in front but fired wide, after good work by Robert Snodgrass down the left flank. Tresor Kandol was introduced to the action in place of Luciano Becchio in the seventy-sixth minute. Jonathan Howson bent a shot wide of the post as United started to search for a winner and Lee Harper managed to keep a Neil Kilkenny shot out as he put it round the post with his body. The game had now opened up, with both sides looking to exploit any opening, but United were the bigger threat and Robert Snodgrass had a shot blocked and with nine minutes left on the clock the game hung in the balance. Leeds were piling on the pressure in the closing stages and a succession of corners were ended when Tresor Kandol got up well but could not keep the ball down and it sailed over the bar. In the dying moments the tall striker came even closer when he did get a great downward header on target, but it was hacked off the line by Andre Boucard and the game went into extra-time. Extra-time was no different to the majority of the normal time. It featured United permanently camped in seige of the Kettering goal and Robert Snodgrass once more rattled the woodwork. United totally dominated the first period of extra-time, but just could not find a way through and a penalty shoot-out started to look a strong possibility. After one hundred and six minutes Mike Grella was introduced in place of Andy Hughes as United's final roll of the dice, as the second half of extra-time started. It was Mike Grella who made an immediate impact and put United in front six minutes after being ntroduced. After Leigh Bromby ran at the Kettering defence the American scored from point-blank range and Tresor Kandol put the game beyond Kettering one minute later as he made it 3-1, when he headed home a Robert Snodgrass cross. Six minutes later Mike Grella made it 4-1 with the best goal of the night as he curled his shot to perfection to leave Lee Harper with no chance. Four minutes later, with just one minute left on the clock, Tresor Kandol turned a Mike Grella pass into the path of Jermaine Beckford for him to slide the ball into the net to make it 5-1, as United set up the lucrative trip to Old Trafford in the Third Round. Chairman Ken Bates was of the opinion that the Third Round clash would be worth £750,000 to Leeds, when taking in gate receipts, TV money and the £27,000 prize for reaching Round Three.

12th December 2009 saw United back into the League action with a visit to Griffin Park to take on eighteenth placed Brentford. They had in excess of 1,737 supporters in the almost full-house crowd of 9,031. Robert Snodgrass had to serve a one match suspension and his place in the starting eleven was taken by Max Gradel. There was good news for United as Patrick Kisnorbo had recovered from injury and he took up his regular place in Central Defence, as Lubomir Michalik dropped to the bench, where David Martin also took over deputy keeper duties from Alan Martin. Tony Capaldi was in at left-back for the injured Aidan White, while Richard Naylor was on the bench as David Prutton and Rui Marques gave way. The home side started the more lively, and forced a series of corners one of which was cleared by Jonathan Howson. However, the first chance fell to United and only a terrific save by Wojeciech Szczesny stoppede a Jermaine Beckford pile-driver from finding the net, as he pushed it onto the post and to safety. The home keeper also saved from Jonathan Howson in the fourteenth minute and while the home side was enjoying the majority of the possession, it was United's quick breaks that were creating the chances. The rain-soddened pitch was starting to cut up badly and soon good football was at a premium. As Brentford continued to work hard, it was United that were the more inventive and a good through ball from Jermaine Beckford forced the home keeper to leave his line to deny Max Gradel, who later hooked another shot wide after a long Leigh Bromby throw-in. With four minutes to go to half-time the referee had words with both Patrick Kisnorbo and Charlie MacDonald, as the Leeds defender claimed the Brentford man was going down too easy in search of a penalty. It was United that created the first chance of the second half, in the first minute, as Jermaine Beckford headed an Andy Hughes cross straight into the arms of the home keeper. Neil Kilkenny next ran through some sloppy defence and his run into the box created space for Max Gradel on the left to get the ball to Luciano Becchio, who grazed the bar with a strong shot. United were starting to get on top and Neil Kilkenny saw a shot deflected over the bar, as Leeds looked the more likely to open the scoring. It was once again the home keeper who had to move quickly from his line to thwart Jermaine Beckford after he had latched on to a great through ball from Jonathan Howson. Play was starting to deteriorate and tempers were becoming frayed, which caused the refereee to have words with players for both on and off the ball incidents. Max Gradel was spoken to on a couple of occasions and a water bottle was thrown from the crowd in his direction, but in the seventy-second minute it was he who sent a strong shot inches wide. The home team also had their moments and a free-kick was deflected wide. On seventy-five minutes Leeds made their first changes as Hogan Ephraim and Tresor Kandol came on for Max Gradel and Luciano Becchio. Tresor Kandol was soon in the action as he got in a good ball which Jermaine Beckford only just failed to connect with. With six minutes left on the clock Jason Crowe came on for Jonathan Howson, but it was Tresor Kandol who next went close with a shot across the face of goal and it was again him who headed wide from a corner as United made a last minute bid for victory. Four minutes of stoppage time were added and in that time a Jermaine Beckford cross was cleared, Tony Capaldi was booked, and United had to defend against two Brentford set-pieces, but the game remained goalless. The draw saw United's lead at the top reduced to two points, and a game in hand, but Charlton were also six points clear of the third-placed Norwich City.

Simon Grayson made several changes as United played their sixth game in fifteen days, when League Two Accrington Stanley visited Elland Road on 15th December 2009 in the Semi-Final of the Northern Section of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in front of a crowd of 12,696. He gave a debut to David Martin, in goal, as Casper Ankergren moved to the bench. Jason Crowe, Richard Naylor and Lubomir Michalik all came from the bench and Andy Hughes switched from Right-Back to Left-Back, as Leigh Bromby and Tony Capaldi were both rested, and Patrick Kisnorbo dropped to the bench. In midfield Robert Snodgrass returned after suspension to take over from Jonathan Howson, who was rested, while David Prutton was brought in for Michael Doyle who dropped to the bench, and Hogan Ephraim was in the starting eleven as Max Gradel took his place on the bench. Up front Tresor Kandol and Mike Grella were both promoted from the bench as Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio were both rested. Sam Vokes was brought back into the squad, but started from the bench. Accrington came into the game with nothing to lose and soon went on the attack and won their first corner in the first minute. It did not last long, however, and United were in front after just nine minutes as Hogan Ephraim scored his first goal for the club. David Prutton and Mike Grella showed neat approach work before the loan man struck, and his shot took a deflection off Accrington defender Phil Edwards on the way into the net to wrong-foot the Stanley keeper, Dean Bouzanis. The goal was the only real action in the first twenty minutes and the entertainment value was non-existent. On the half-hour Hogan Ephraim was the instigator of a good move that gave Tresor Kandol a chance to have a shot on goal, but Dean Bouzanis saved with his legs to concede a corner. Accrington did fashion an oppurtunity after thirty-nine minutes after forcing a corner. Michael Symes was presented with a free header from it, but David Martin was untroubled as he gathered easily. Robert Snodgrass replied for Leeds but his shot was wide and Andrew Proctor lifted his shot over the bar for Accrington in the only goalmouth action before half-time. United started the secon half on the attack and Jason Crowe was only just over the top with a shot. The second goal was not long in arriving and. five minutes into the second period, Hogan Ephraim got in a fine cross and Neil Kilkenny scored with a diving header to double the United lead. Michael Symes did have a half-chance for the visitors, but shot wide, and, on the hour Tresor Kandol went close for Leeds, as he headed a cross from Jason Crowe just over the crossbar. A minute later United changed their strikers with Sam Vokes and Max Gradel replacing Mike Grella and Tresor Kandol. The Wolves loan-man almost had an immediate impact but was denied by the visitors' keeper. Accrington had made two substitutions and it was those replacements that went close for them. Firstly, John Miles hit the post, then Sean McConville wasted a good chance with only goalkeeper David Martin to beat. The visitors then rattled the post with David Martin well-beaten and as John Miles tried to stab in the rebound, Richard Naylor managed to get his body in the way to concede a corner. On seventy-eight minutes it was United that forced a corner when Dean Bouzanis pushed a Max Gradel shot over the bar, but it was the home side next in trouble, as David Martin was forced to save at full stretch, and while he was grounded from that save John Miles scooped his shot over the unprotected goal. It was the last bit of action before the final whistle and United were through to meet Carlisle United in the two-legged Area Final, with the winners to meet the Southern winners at Wembley.

Southampton were the next visitors to Elland Road as United resumed their League campaign on 19th December 2009. The Saints were in fourteenth position on the ladder but if they hadn't lost ten points deducted by the F.A. they would have been standing in equal fifth spot alongside Huddersfield Town and were one of the form sides in League one with four away wins already to their credit and having won eight of their previous eleven games. They had former United Left-Back Daniel Harding in their ranks as Simon Grayson made wholesale changes from the side that had won through to the Area Final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in midweek. A crowd of 25,948 saw Bradley Johnson back in the United squad after injury as they were almost at full-strength and lined-up: Casper Ankergren; Leigh Bromby, Richard Naylor, Patrick Kisnorbo, Andy Hughes; Johnathan Howson, Michael Doyle, Neil Kilkenny, Robert Snodgrass; Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio. Substitutes: David Martin, Jason Crowe, Bradley Johnson, Max Gradel, Hogan Ephraim, Mike Grella, Tresor Kandol. Before five minutes had elapsed Jermaine Beckford felt he should have been awarded a penalty as he was felled as he attacked the goal. It was the only real incident in the early play as chances were at a premium as the two teams sought to adapt to the condition of the pitch which was partially covered by snow. United did find a few holes in the Southampton defence but they were soon closed as Robert Snodgrass saw his shot blocked by Radhi Jaidi at the expense of a corner and from that corner Michael Doyle also had his shot blocked. Andy Hughes forced another corner from which Luciano Becchio headed just wide. An alert Leigh Bromby was on hand at the other end to cut out a dangerous pass from Adam Lallana. On the half-hour, Luciano Becchio turned well but hit his shot over the bar. United had enjoyed the majority of possession to that point and soon Luciano Becchio again went close with a header from a Robert Snodgrass cross. Just before the interval Dean Hammond shot wide for the Saints but, in general, Leeds were well on top. United started on the attack in the second half and Jonathan Howson forced keeper Barotsz Bialkowski to a good save. Tempers flared on the hour mark when a frustrated Rickie Lambert clashed with Patrick Kisnorbo and after sixty-seven minutes Jonathan Howson was within a whisker when his shot from long-range was not far from the post. Simon Grayson made a controversial double substitution, in the seventy-fifth minute, bringing on Bradley Johnson for Jonathan Howson and Max Gradel for Jermaine Beckford, which caused the striker to spit the dummy and refuse to shake his Manager's hand as he disappeared down the tunnel in a huff. The breakthrough came just one minute later, with a goal from a marvellous piece of individual brilliance from Robert Snodgrass. Receiving the ball from Andy Hughes, he left several Saints in his wake as he cut in from the left before feinting to shoot with his left and then curling it beautifully with his right for the ball to arc into the top corner of the net with a superb strike from distance to break the deadlock. Leeds were good value for their lead and not unsurprisingly had to withstand some pressure from Southampton, as the visitors mounted a late rally to try and get back on terms. Four minutes were added and Rickie Lambert fired across the face of goal with the Saints' first real chance of the game, but United held firm to go into Christmas as leaders of League One. They had increased their lead to four points as Charlton were held to a draw by Millwall, and United still had a game in hand.

Simon Grayson celebrated the first anniversary of his appointment as Manager of Leeds United as Hartlepool United were the next visitors in the League to Elland Road. It had been a phonomenal first year, seeing Leeds accumulate a hundred and two points from forty-six games, scoring ninety-nine goals in the process and boasting an unbeaten home record that stretched back to January 2009. He was able to maintain the same starting eleven that had beaten Southampton, but he brought back Sam Vokes and Lubomir Michalik to the bench at the expense of Jason Crowe and Hogan Ephraim. The large crowd of 30,191 were soon cherring as United immediately forced a corner and from it Robert Snodgrass saw his strong shot stopped on the line. Luciano Becchio and Leigh Bromby were both denied by good blocks as United forced a succession of corners. Robert Snodgrass was denied again on the six minute mark as Leeds were clearly in control. In the twelfth minute he was denied again, this time by the head of Gary Liddle, before Casper Ankergren was brought into action by Adam Boyd. There was an immediate response from United as Scott Flinders got down quickly to deny Jermaine Beckford after Luciano Becchio had flicked a Neil Kilkenny through ball to him. Leeds were well on top and Sam Collins did well to cut out a Neil Kilkenny pass to stop Jermaine Beckford getting a run on goal. Moments later Jermaine Beckford released Jonathan Howson but he shot straight at Scott Flinders. United were shocked to the core after twenty-five minutes when Hartlepool took the lead. Richie Humphreys sent over a good corner from the left and it was flicked on for Armann Bjornsson to place his header firmly beyond a despairing Casper Ankergren, as Leeds fell behind at home for the first time in the season. Hartlepool had United on the back foot for the first time in the match and Adam Boyd forced them to concede another corner as his shot was deflected. In the few times that United had gone behind in the season they had usually hit back almost immediately and three minutes later Scott Flinders came to his team's rescue and he hung on at the second attempt as Jermaine Beckford put him under pressure. Hartlepool's lead did only last thirteen minutes, before Jermaine Beckford put United back on level terms. A Robert Snodgrass centre was cleared but only as far as Neil Kilkenny and his low shot was back-heeled into the net by the Leeds predator to give Scott Flinders no chance. The Hartlepool keeper was soon called into more action as he twice got down well to save from Robert Snodgrass and Jermaine Beckford, as United regained the ascendency as half-time approached. There were three minutes added for first-half stoppages and in that time United got their second to gain the lead. Jonathan Howson sent over a magnificent centre from the right and Luciano Becchio's header was deflected off Gary Liddle to leave Scott Fliders stranded. The second half started off at great pace, as both sides threatened. It was Jermaine Beckford who threatened the most, hitting the cross-bar with a superb strike and then having another effort cleared off the line. Another goal was always likely and it was more likely to come from Leeds and the favourite to score had to be Jermaine Beckford. And so it turned out to be in the sixty-ninth minute. The striker fastened on to a through ball, that had been flicked on by Luciano Becchio, and lifted the ball over the advancing Scott Fliders to make it 3-1. After seventy-two minutes the hard-working Michael Doyle was brought off and replaced by Bradley Johnson. The new substitute was soon showing his skills and seemed to be unfairly impeded, which caused players of both sides to engage in a bit of pushing and shoving as tempers rose. The outcome was that Bradley Johnson, Luciano Becchio and Sam Collins all saw yellow. There were two late substitutions by Leeds as Tresor Kandol came on for Luciano Becchio after eighty minutes and Max Gradel replace Richard Naylor a minute later. Max Gradel was soon entertaining the crowd with his trickery and Tresor Kandol was denied a goal by some desparate defending. Scott Fliders got down well to save from Max Gradel with two minutes left but even thought the referee added three minutes there were no more goals. Charlton Athletic had been held to a draw by Swindon Town and so United now lead by six points with a game still in hand.

United went to Edgeley Park to take on bottom-placed Stockport County in their twenty-third game of the season which marked the halfway point of the campaign and the last game for the calendar year. There were 3,077 and more Leeds supporters in the crowd of 7,768 which turned up to see the game, which had only been confirmed as being on by an early morning inspection and the teams were greeted by a pitch with a wet surface and heavily sanded in several places. Simon Grayson made one change to his starting line-up with Bradley Johnson coming into midfield in place of Jonathan Howson, who dropped to the bench, with Robert Snodgrass switching to the right of midfield to accomodate him on the left. Jason Crowe replaced Sam Vokes on the substitutes bench. Stockport were in dismal form having lost their last ten games and the eleventh looked very immanent as United got off to a flying start as Robert Snodgrass scored after two minutes. He cut in from the right and delivered a superb curling shot beyond the reach of Owain Fon Williams. Stockport looked vulnerable every time Leeds had the ball in the opening exchanges, but the wet and slippery conditions worked in the home teams favour as a leveller which caused all players to struggle to keep their feet and composure. County had several young players in their side who did not seem worried by reputations and it was this spirit that saw them draw level after twelve minutes. The prolific Carl Baker won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box, after a mazy run, and it was he that took the set-piece and sent his shot skidding into the far corner of the net. It didn't take United long to almost regain the lead and after twenty minutes. Bradley Johnson centred from the left, after Michael Doyle had put him in possession, and Luciano Becchio was denied by a good blocking save from Owain Fon Williams. As the half-hour approached it was the Leeds keeper, Casper Ankergren, who was called into action to make a good double save from Christian Ribeiro, after good play from the home side. Moments later the action was at the other end as the woodwork came to the aid of the home team as a well-struck volley from Bradley Johnson rattled the crossbar. In the thirty-third minute the linesman pulled up Leeds after he saw Luciano Becchio use his hand to control the ball in front of goal. As half-time approached Robert Snodgrass had an effort headed away and Neil Kilkenny saw a cross stopped and then Michael Raynes went full stretch to head away from another dangerous ball from Snodgrass. The last of three minutes of stoppage time saw Adam Griffin anticipate well to cut out a ball from Luciano Becchio that would have released Jermaine Beckford through on goal. The first half had featured many untimely tackles and players falling over because of the treacherous conditions and the second half was no different, but the first oppurtunity of the half fell to the home side and it was wasted by striker Matty McNeill who blazed over with only Casper Ankergren to beat. At the other end Owain Fon Williams was forced to pull off another good save, as he kept a Neil Kilkenny shot from going in the top corner and then recovered quickly enough to prevent Jermaine Beckford from pouncing. Surprisingly it was the home team that took the lead in the sixty-second minute, when a cross came over from the left and Johnny Mullins stooped to head past Casper Ankergren. Three minutes later Simon Grayson took off Robert Snodgrass and Michael Doyle and replaced them with Max Gradel and Jonathan Howson. Two minutes later United were level when Patrick Kisnorbo got in a looping cross from the left and Jermaine Beckford got up well to head past Owain Fon Williams. The introduction of Max Gradel had added pace and trickery to the United cause and Jermaine Beckford almost got on the end of one of his low crosses. The little loan-man had a go himself in the seventy-fourth minute but he shot over following a terrific solo run. He was again in the action when he got another good cross in, after being put in possession by Neil Kilkenny, and Bradley Johnson was close to giving United the lead with a header. Tresor Kandol was introduced in the seventy-sixth minute for Luciano Becchio and Leeds were well on top and searching for the winner. One minute after his introduction United did hit the front but as Max Gradel once more finished a run with putting the ball in the box, Stockport could only half clear and the ball and it fell to defender Leigh Bromby, who caught it perfectly to send the ball into the net like a rocket to score his first goal for the club and put United ahead 3-2. The referee added four minutes of stoppage time and in the third of these United sealed the game completely when Tresor Kandol flicked on a long clearance from Casper Ankergren and Jermaine Beckford was there to deliver another great finish to make it 4-2 and strengthen United's grip on their top of the table spot. In the very last minute Stockport were reduced to ten men when David Poole was shown red for a foul on Max Gradel and Patrick Kisnorbo picked up a yellow for getting involved in an altercation. The win took United eight points clear, still with a game in hand, as Charlton could only draw.

United's EPL days and many battles dating back to the early days of Don Revie were recalled as United Visited Old Trafford to do battle with Manchester United, and while the home team had several of their "Stars" out of their starting eleven, Including Nemanja Vidic, who picked up an injury in the warm-up to the game, it still contained the likes of Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans, Danny Welbeck, Anderson, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, while the bench looked equally potent with Ryan Giggs, Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen, and Michael Carrick on hand. United were without Leigh Bromby, who was suspended, and Robert Snodgrass, who was injured, and Simon Grayson brought Jason Crowe and Jonathan Howson into his starting eleven, and Robert Snodgrass, despite carrying an injury, was included on the bench, as Max Gradel was Cup-tied. Aidan White, Tony Capaldi and David Prutton were also called to the bench as Tresor Kandol was left out. There were almost 9,000 Leeds fans in the crowd of 74,526 as the Third Round F.A. Cup tie got underway on 3rd January 2010 in United's first game of the New Year. It was a moment that all Leeds fans had waited for since the club's relegation from the EPL, six years previous. Even though the match was televised live, it was always going to be a capacity crowd and the atmosphere electric. The home side did get in an early shot at goal, but Darron Gibson put it wide, but it was Leeds that started with confidence even though they were forty-three places below their hosts in the Football League ladder. Home keeper Tomasz Kuszczak had to be alert to punch away a Bradley Johnson corner and soon Jermaine Beckford was in the action as he turned a Jonathan Howson cross over the top. Danny Welbeck got a teasing cross for the home side and then Gabriel Obertan tried to find Welbeck with a cross from the by-line bit he just failed. The moment that all Leeds had dreamed of arrived in the twentieth minute when Jonathan Howson played a measured long ball forward and Jermaine Beckford easily outstripped Wes Brown for pace and, as he always does so well, he slipped the ball with precision accuracy past the home keeper to stand back and watch his handiwork as the ball nestled sweetly in the corner of the net to give United a well deserved lead. The goal caused scenes of jubilation amongst the players and travelling fans and stunned disbelief from the home fans and bench. United were still not done and minutes later Luciano Becchio headed a Neil Kilkenny centre as the visitors threatened again. If United excelled at attacking they also showed that they had a defence that was just as reliable, as the home side came forward in the twenty-fifth minute. Dimitar Berbatov released Wayne Rooney and Jason Crowe endeared hinself to the Leeds fans as he turned up just like a latter-day Paul Reaney to make a goal-line clearance as an equaliser looked certain. United were showing no fear, and Bradley Johnson rose to head a Jason Crowe cross just wide of the target. after thirty-five minutes Wes Brown was booked after on Luciano Becchio as he looked to set United on another break. The same player caused Bradley Johnson to require treatment after a challenge from him, as the game approached the half-time break. The home team started the second half on the attack and had appeals for a penalty waved away as Jonathan Howson clashed with Danny Welbeck. There was a more serious clash between Jonathan Howson, Wes Brown and Darron Gibson after Michael Doyle was the subject of an over-zealous attack, and tempers became frayed. Moments later Darron Gibson was booked for a challenge on Bradley Johnson, while Richard Naylor was also booked for a challenge on Wayne Rooney. In the football part of procedures, Casper Ankergren saved well from both Danny Welbeck and Dimitar Berbatov. Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia were introduced in place of Gabriel Obertain and Danny Welbeck in a move to give the home side more penetration down the flanks. However, as the game passed the one hour mark, it was United that were looking the more resilient and Bradley Johnson curled a free-kick which Tomasz Kuszczak saved. With twenty-one minutes remaining home team Manager Ferguson had his last throw of the dice sending on Michael Owen for Anderson. The home side were frantically searching for an equaliser but when Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov combined, Patrick Kisnorbo easily cleared but only as far as Wayne Rooney, who blazed high over the bar. The same player was again miles over in the seventy-seventh minute when played in by Antonio Valencia. Soon afterwards United had the chance to wrap the game up when Jermaine Beckford seized upon a Michael Doyle pass, but his finish was marginally wide of the post. Just after this United emphasised their authority when Robert Snodgrass, who had come on for Jonathan Howson in the seventy-seventh minute, hopelesly beat the home keeper only to see his free-kick smash against the woodwork. Inthe latter stages United sent on Lubomir Michalik for Luciano Becchio with a minute to go and Aidan White for Andy Hughes in the final minute of normal time, basically to wind down the clock. As the game headed into the final stages, the home side were unable to offer anything in the way of an attacking threat and the home crowd seemed to sense and accept that they had been beaten by a better team. Even when five extra minutes were added there was a sense of resignation, although there was a slight panic in the fourth extra minute as United scramble the ball clear after a good save from Casper Ankergren. A corner ensued from which Wayne Rooney again was well off target before the final whistle blew. United had eliminated the home team from the F.A. Cup and recorded their first win at Old Trafford since 1981, twenty-nine years previous.

The Leeds United groundstaff had to put in a great effort to make sure the pitch and stadium was in a good shape to stage the first home League game of the year as United entertained next-to-the-bottom Wycombe Wanderers on 9th January 2010. It was one of the few games in the country that survived the ice and snow and it was a chance for the fans to welcome home the heroes of Old Trafford as Robert Snodgrass returned to the starting eleven in place of the injured Andy Hughes. Bradley Johnson dropped back to Left-Back to accomodate the Scot on the left flank of midfield. Max Gradel, who was Cup-tied, came back into the squad, and Leigh Bromby, who had missed the game through suspension, came into the squad at the expense of Tony Capaldi, who like Sam Vokes and Hogan Ephraim had returned to his parent club at the end of his loan period. The 24,383 crowd, who had braved the snow and ice to be there, were soon rewarded as United went straight on the offensive and Jonathan Howson gave United the lead in the fourth minute, when his skidding long-range shot eluded Scott Shearer and finished in the far corner of the net. They could have been forgiven for believing that this goal was just the start of an avalanche of goals they might expect as United sought to capitalise on their nearest rivals, apart from Norwich City, being inactive. However, Wycombe soon gave notice that they were there to provide a contest as Jon-Paul Pittman rattled a post moments after United's opener. It was United who almost had another chance, but Craig Woodman nipped in smartly to prevent Jermaine Beckford from getting to a cross. The Leeds defence allowed a corner from Scott Davies to drift across the face of goal before Neil Kilkenny cleared it on the line. The lowly visitors were providing stiff opposition and Stuart Beavon was the next player to threaten as he forced Casper Ankergren to save. Almost on the half-hour Robert Snodgrass went close from a free-kick after Jermaine Beckford had been brought down on the edge of the penalty box. Beckford did get an acrobatic shot on goal in the thirty-fourth minute, but Scott Shearer was equal to the task, as he was moments later when he got down well to a shot from Neil Kilkenny. Bradley Johnson appealed that the ball had crossed the line from his header from a Robert Snodgrass free-kick, but the referee saw nothing wrong with Lewis Hunt's goal-line clearance, after Scott Shearer had only partially saved initially. As half-time approached Wycombe were back on the attack and John Mousinho shot over the bar. After the break United were on the attack in the early stages and Jermaine Beckford went close with a long-range effort, but Wycombe were soon back with a couple of efforts that caused Casper Ankergren to save. On the hour mark Scott Shearer was called upon to save from a low shot from Patrick Kisnorbo, but play was soon back at the other end as Wycombe broke quickly and only good defending from Richard Naylor blocked a Jon-Paul Pittman cross. Pittman had caused the United defence considerable concern throughout the match and he was rewarded after sixty-three minutes when he beat Richard Naylor to fire a low shot angled drive wide of Casper Ankergren into the far corner to level the scores. Simon Grayson sent on Max Gradel for Robert Snodgrass in the sixty-sixth minute but he did not have his usual impact and Wycombe were starting to look just as capable as United of getting a deciding goal. It took some good defending by United to deny Wycombe as they managed to cut out a low cross into the box which Matt Harrold was waiting to put in the net. Aidan White came on for Bradley Johnson after seventy-six minutes and Mike Grella replaced Luciano Becchio eight minutes later. But the more the game progressed the more the visitors looked like winning. United did mount a late rally but both Jermaine Beckford and Max Gradel were caught offside. In the final minute Jermaine Beckford got in a shot but it didn't worry Scott Shearer and, even though three minutes were added, there was no more excitement and Wycombe deservedly left Elland Road with a point. Norwich City moved into second place behind United just six points adrift, but United still had a match in hand.

United travelled to Exeter City's St James Park for the return fixture of their opening game of the season on 16th January 2010. Simon Grayson made several changes to his starting eleven and also made changes on the bench. He reinstalled Leigh Bromby to the Right-Back position and Jason Crowe took his place on the bench. Andy Hughes had recovered from injury and he took his place at Left-Back with Bradley Johnson reverting to the left flank of midfield, with Robert Snodgrass moving from there to the right flank of midfield, which saw Jonathan Howson relegated to the bench. Ryan Jones was called up to replace David Martin as deputy goalkeeper on the bench and David Prutton was the one to be omitted from the squad. A crowd of 8,451 had turned up, which was near capacity for the Grecians, and included many United supporters as the sun shone. The pitch showed obvious signs of the recent thaw and even though the Exeter groundstaff had spent the morning sweeping excess water from the pitch it still looked very wet and likely to turn into a mud bath. Fifteenth-placed Exeter had accumulated most of their points on home soil, having only lost two of their thirteen games there and so it came as no surprise when it was the home team that made the early running, going very close inside two minutes as Matt Taylor saw his shot go over the bar. United had not even mounted an attack when the home side took the lead after only four minutes. Steve Tully whipped over a cross from the right and Ryan Harley rose to head the ball firmly past Casper Ankergren. The home side continued to press and Rob Edwards was off target from long-range after a corner was not cleared. Exeter continued to dominate and Casper Ankergren was lucky to get a touch on the ball, as Adam Stansfield took the ball round him, sufficient to deflect it and prevent a goal. There were problems with the away section of the ground who were crammed like sardines into the confined space and several were allowed access to the perimeter of the pitch to ease the congestion. Fortunately Leeds were attacking the far end of the ground whilst this was happening and Leigh Bromby's long throw was being used as their most potent weapon, and a defender made a goal-line clearance in the chaos it caused. As the game passed the half-hour mark United started to gain majority possession, but the chances they created were few, other than a header from Luciano Becchio that was over the bar. When Exeter next threatened it took a good save from Casper Ankergren, after Leigh Bromby had deflected a powerful Scott Golbourne cross goalwards. Then Marcus Stewart headed wide from the edge of the box as the home team mounted more pressure. Ryan Harley went close with a shot from distance as Exeter were the more accomplished team and the one most likely to score next. Leeds did finish the half on the attack, but seemed devoid of ideas apart from Leigh Bromby's long throw. They were also the first to threaten in the second half, but the move soon broke down as Robert Snodgrass was caught offside. Jermaine Beckford then delivered a teasing cross but it came to nothing, but at least United were now getting their share of possession. Simon Grayson had gone to a back three of Leigh Bromby, Richard Naylor and Patrick Kisnorbo, with Andy Hughes and Bradley Johnson being used as wing-backs. It was Leigh Bromby who raised Leeds hopes as he got away down the right but shot over from an acute angle. Jermaine Beckford was caught offside after Bradley Johnson had tried to play him in, as the rain began to fall, making the conditions more difficult and tempers started to rise. United came more into the game and Andy Hughes forced Paul Jones to save with his legs and Robert Snodgrass got in a good cross from the left which Jermaine Beckford headed just over the bar. The Exeter keeper was again called into action as he parried a strong shot from Bradley Johnson and then quickly recovered to prevent Jermaine Beckford from scoring from the rebound. After sixty-six minutes Simon Grayson had introduced Jonathan Howson for Michael Doyle and seven minutes later he replaced Luciano Becchio by Max Gradel for his last appearance before his loan period expired. He was hoping that the loan man would be able to convert United's recent extra possession into an equaliser and maybe more. As Leeds pressed Adam Stansfield spearheaded an Exeter breakway and after holding off Richard Naylor wasted a good oppurtunity by failing to hit the target. It was Ryan Harley that killed off any chance United thought they may have had when he scored his, and Exeter's, second goal, seven minutes from time, as he comprehensively beat Casper Ankergren with a strong shot from distance. Leeds threw caution to the wind as they immediately brought on striker Mike Grella for defender Richard Naylor, but although Bradley Johnson forced a good save from Paul Jones in the final minute of normal time, the game was beyond recall for Leeds and not even six minutes of time added could stop them from slipping to their second League defeat of the season. Norwich City had now cut the lead to just three points, but had played one game more than United, while Charlton were in third spot, trailing United by six points from equal games.

On 19th January 2010 United played the first Leg of The Northern Area Final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy against Carlisle United at Elland Road. Simon Grayson made several changes from the side beaten by Exeter City. Patrick Kisnorbo was out and this meant a reshuffle in the defence with Jason Crowe coming in at Right-Back with Leigh Bromby partnering Richard Naylor in Central Defence. Jonathan Howson was recalled and Michael Doyle dropped to the bench, while Mike Grella was given a chance to partner Jermaine Beckford in attack as Luciano Becchio took his place with the substitutes, which were limited to just five. Max Gradel was not in the squad as his loan spell had expired. Carlisle had always seemed to pose a problem to United at Elland Road. They had won in the play-offs in 2007-08, were the last team to win at Elland Road in January 2009, and had drawn in the League earlier in the season. So the omens were not good when combined with the fact that United had only picked up one point from the last six contested, and against supposedly poor opposition. 13,011 were on hand for the kick-off as United started well as Leigh Bromby headed over from a free-kick and Jermaine Beckford was not far away following good play from Bradley Johnson. However Carlisle were soon causing problems and Andy Hughes made a great goal-line clearance to deny the Cumbrians after twelve minutes, after Matt Robson had set up Kevan Hurst with a chance that was hard to miss. Almost immediately Leigh Bromby also did well to stop Scott Dobie after Casper Ankergren could only parry a shot from Matt Robson. Robert Snodgrass was involved in the build-up as Jermaine Beckford had a shot pushed round a post for a corner. It had been an entertaining opening but on twenty-one minutes it was Carlisle that took the lead. A cross from the marauding Matt Robson from the left was cushion headed down by Evan Horwood to Graham Kavanagh who let it bounce and sit up kindly before he hammered an unstoppable shot past Casper Ankergren. United's response came from Jermaine Beckford but he was denied by Lenny Pidgeley in the Carlisle goal. Beckford was again denied and Bradley Johnson had a shot deflected for a corner. After thirty five minutes United again bemoaned their luck as Richard Naylor was twice thwarted and Mike Grella forced Lenny Pidgeley to make a great save with an acrobatic overhead kick, and twice had claims for hand ball turned down, in one concerted spell of pressure. Leeds were well on top and Jermaine Beckford next hit a post, but after thirty-eight minutes Casper Ankergren was forced to make a good save by Adam Clayton when he shot from distance. Half-time came and went and United started the second half with the aim of getting back on even terms. Eleven minutes into the second half they drew level, when Andy Hughes got in a good centre from the left and, as Lenny Pidgeley came racing from his line, Jason Crowe was well placed at the far post to score with a well-placed header. Moments later Jason Crowe found himself with an almost identical chance but this time he chose to shoot and couldn't keep it down and his shot was well over. It was Leeds who were looking the better of the two sides and Jermaine Beckford again went close. After seventy minutes Lenny Pidgeley was quick off his line to deny Jonathan Howson after good work from Robert Snodgrass, and then Bradley Johnson was wide after another cross from the left. There had really only been one side in it in the second half as Leeds dominated, but Carlisle did have an half-chance but Kevan Hurst was wide with a header from a partially cleared corner. Luciano Becchio came on for Mike Grella after eighty-three minutes. Carlisle had in their ranks two ex-Leeds players in Chelsea loan-man Tommy Taiwo and the more renowned Ian Harte and neither had rated a mention to date, but the full-back changed that after eighty-four minutes, when he sent over the free-kick from which Carlisle took the lead. His well flighted cross found Joe Anyinsah totally unmarked and the substitute striker headed the visitors into the lead. The goal was totally against the run of play, but United almost levelled after two minutes of stoppage time, when a Luciano Becchio header was well saved, but it was not held and it fell for Jonathan Howson, who was following up, and saw his shot kicked off the line. That was the last chance of the game and Carlisle became the first team to win at Elland Road since Liverpool. It was their third win in four visits and it meant they took a one goal advantage into the Second Leg at Brunton Park early in February.

As a reward for their Old Trafford victory United were given a trip to White Hart Lane to face another high-fling EPL side in Tottenham Hotspur. They were backed, as always, by a large contingent of supporters who numbered in excess of 4,500 in the 35,750 attendance. Simon Grayson sprang a surprise by leaving Luciano Becchio on the bench and playing Robert Snodgrass up front with Jermaine Beckford. Patrick Kisnorbo was back at the heart of Central Defence and Richard Naylor was left out. Michael Doyle was back in midfield and David Martin was on the bench in place of Ryan Jones as deputy goalkeeper, the bench also included Aidan White, Lubomir Michalik and Mike Grella, with David Prutton and Andy Robinson being added to the five that had served against Carlisle United. The former Leeds players, which Spurs made a habit of acquiring, saw Danny Rose in the starting eleven and Robbie Keane on the bench, but both Aaron Lennon and Jonathan Woodgate were injured. It was the home side that started on the attack with Niko Kranjcar forcing Casper Ankergren to pull off a magnificent save. That fine save was not as stunning as the one he made in the seventh minute when became an instant hero by saving a penalty. It looked as if Michael Doyle was harshly treated when he was penalised for a tackle on Danny Rose but the big Dane got down well to dive to his left to make a superb save from Jermain Defoe's spot kick. United were having to withstand a lot of opening pressure and Andy Hughes pulled off a great tackle to save the day for United before Casper Ankergren covered himself in more glory with another fine save, this time from Gareth Bale from a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box. It was not until the twentieth minute that United were able to mount a serious assualt on the Spurs' goal, but Jonathan Howson's cross was cleared. Jason Crowe was the next United defender to get into goal-stopping action, when he made a superb recovering tackle after Jermain had emerged from what seemed an offside position to sprint towards the Leeds goal. Leigh Bromby and Michael Doyle also made vital tackles as United coped with all the home pressure with their goal still intact. When United did get the ball they used it enterprisingly and were able to find space in midfield and Heurelho Gomez had to make a good save from Robert Snodgrass after some excellent passing by Leeds. On the half hour Jermaine Beckford capitalised on some poor defending to carve out an opening which went just wide. After weathering the prolonged early pressure United were now starting to look a real threat and Jermaine Beckford forced Heurelho Gomez to another good save after he had been played in by Jonathan Howson. Neil Kilkenny was starting to find plenty of space in midfield and using it to create problems for the home defence. It looked as though the teams would go into the break on even terms but the home team made the breakthrough in unfortunate fashion. Three minutes before the break, Casper Ankergren had made a good block with his legs to keep out Niko Kranjcar's first-time shot, but the ball ricocheted into the net off a surprised Peter Crouch. United immediately responded and Robert Snodgrass tried to play in his strike partner but Heurelho Gomez saved athis feet. United were unfortunate to be behind at the break, but started the second half on the attack and Jermaine Beckford almost intercepted a back-pass. They got the equaliser they deserved after fifty-two minutes. Leigh Bromby flicked on a corner, Jermaine Jenas made a mess of his attempted clearance, and Jermaine Beckford was on hand to ram the ball into the net from close range for a well-merited equaliser. Neil Kilkenny tried his luck from distance as United pressed again, and the Spurs defence were finding Jermaine Beckford a real handful with Michael Dawson resorting to foul means as well as fair to keep him out. Gareth Bale was able to clear from Beckford and a Robert Snodgrass free-kick was headed away by Wilson Palacios. Soon after Robert Snodgrass was again causing problems as his shot flew marginally over after being played in by Neil Kilkenny. It was now United on top but in the sixty-ninth minute Casper Ankergren was called on to make his first save of the second half, as he got down well to a Jermain Defoe shot. Four minutes later Spurs made a double substitution, with Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane coming on for Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar. It only needed five minutes for the change to work and it was Roman Pavlyuchenko who scored the goal that put the home side back in the lead, after a Jermain Defoe centre was played on by Wilson Palacios, for him to score with a good finish. Five minutes later Simon Grayson took off the hard-working Michael Doyle and brought on Luciano Becchio to provide extra strike-power. But it was the home side that were doing all the pressing and creating the chances. Patrick Kisnorbo denied Jermaine Jenas, Andy Hughes made a goal-line clearance, Leigh Bromby managed to dispossess Gareth Bale, as he cut in from the left, and Casper Ankergren saved well lowdown after Robbie Keane had found an opening in the box. It looked as though United were running out of time and the game was slipping away. But they mounted a late rally which came to an end as the Spurs defence mopped a pass from Jermaine Beckford, but there were five minutes of stoppage time to be added according to the fourth official. The travelling faithful ramped up the volume and the players responded for just one more last hurrah. Deep into time added Jermaine Beckford finished on the deck after a tackle as he persued a Neil Kilkenny pass, but Referee Alan Wiley was unmoved. But moments later, Michael Dawson used means foul once too often and this time the referee did point to the spot. The striker, who had just asked the club to take him off the transfer list as he wished to stay until the end of the season, picked himself up, dusted himself down and confidently dispatched the penalty-kick past Heurelho Gomez to take Tottenham Hotspur to Elland Road for a replay after a 2-2 draw. In the League with United inactive, Norwich City nudged United off top spot on goal difference, even though they still had two games in hand. Charlton Athletic were still in the equasion three points behind United, but having played one game more.

On 26th January 2010, United went to the County Ground to play their game in hand against Swindon Town, which had been postponed on 14th November 2009 due to United's International commitments on that day. Since that time Swindon had managed a good recovery in the League and were now well-placed in fifth position and in-form. United brought another huge following with them and there would have been around the four thousand of them in a capacity crowd of 14,508 at kick-off. United were able to field the same run on side as at White Hart Lane and the only change on the bench was new signing Max Gradel, who came in for David Prutton. In the Swindon starting line-up were two former Leeds players, in goalkeeper David Lucas and Jonathan Douglas. There was an entertaining start to the game with both Jon-Paul McGovern and Jermaine Beckford getting in shots in the opening minutes. Play fluctuated constantly from one end to the other as both teams looked to attack. Casper Ankergren made a couple of routine saves, Billy Paynter head over for the home side from a corner and Robert Snodgrass threatened to open up the Swindon defence with a mazy run. After thirteen minutes of end to end play it was the home side that made the breakthrough. Charlie Austin, the home sides l eading goalscorer, was the one on the end of a sweeping move to smash the ball past Casper Ankergren for his eighth goal in nine games. Casper Ankergren was soon called upon to make a good save from Jon-Paul McGovern as Swindon started to get on top and Leeds were subjected to heavy pressure. United, like at Tottenham, seemed to settle better after the twenty minute mark had been reached. Neil Kilkenny had a chance to equalise in the twenty-ninth minute after good play with Bradley Johnson, but he shot wide. Scott Cuthbert stuck out a despairing leg to deflect a Jonathan Howson shot over the bar after he had been put through by Robert Snodgrass. Shortly before half-time Casper Ankergren had to make a save from a Jon-Paul McGovern free-kick as the home side gained the ascendency, but United did get up the other end for Patrick Kisnorbo to head over from a Robert Snodgrass cross. Simon Grayson made a double substitution on the restart after half-time when he brought on Luciano Becchio for Neil Kilkenny, with Robert snodgrass dropping back to the right flank of midfield, and Lubomir Michalik replaced Jason Crowe, which also required Leigh Bromby to move to right-back to accomodate the big Slovakian in Central Defence. David Lucas was called into action just thirty seconds after the restart as he caught a Robert Snodgrass cross under pressure from Jermaine Beckford. It was Leeds now applying the pressure and a good block tackle in the area denied Jermaine Beckford and in the fifty-third minute David Lucas had to make a crucial save on the line after Bradley Johnson tried to find the net from close range following a corner. Soon after, the keeper made a routine save after Lubomir Michalik had turned a cross goalwards. In their first foray into the Leeds half after the break, all the Leeds pressure was dissapated when Billy Paynter scored a second for the home side on the hour. Lescinel Jean-Francois sent in a cross from the left and the home striker rounded off the move with a powerful near post header which easily beat Casper Ankergren for his fifteenth goal of the season. It got worse three minutes later when Casper Ankergren could easily have been red carded when he pulled back Charlie Austin in the act of scoring. He did get a yellow card and then had to face a penalty from Billy Paynter, from which the striker slid the ball home for his sixteenth goal of the season and United trailed 3-0 and were totally beyond recall for even a point. United immediately sent on Max Gradel for Bradley Johnson and United's latest signing soon had David Lucas forced to a good save and then rattled the crossbar, but with twenty minutes left there was no chance of United ever scaling the mountainous challenge that confronted them. It was not going to be United's night as on seventy-five minutes Luciano Becchio had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for a foul. However it could have been worse as Billy Paynter should have at least completed his hat-trick, but he first wasted a good chance and then Casper Ankergren pulled off a good save to deny him on another occasion. The Leeds keeper also kept the score down twice more with excellent saves from both Billy Paynter and Danny Ward. United slumped to their worst defeat of the season and their winless run stretched to three games in which they had gathered just one point and were now three points behind Norwich City, who had played two games more, and three points in front of Charlton Athletic who had played one game more and another half dozen teams had visions of capitalising on United's form slump if it continued.

Fourth placed Colchester United must have taken heart fro United's form slump which had seen them close to within eight points of the former runaway leaders. They visited Elland Road on 30th January 2010 with a crowd of 23,425 on hand and they, and the crowd, must have been wondering if the three points on offer were to be theirs or the home side's. They had former United player Matthew Heath in their central defence, but all eyes were on United's two new loan signings of midfielder Gary McSheffrey from Birmingham City and left-back Shane Lowry from Aston Villa. Both featured in the United starting eleven in place of Bradley Johnson, who dropped to the bench, and Andy Hughes, who was ill and unavailable, respectively. Patrick Kisnorbo and Neil Kilkenny were both unavailable due to injury, which meant that there was a place for Richard Naylor, who was now available, and Luciano Becchio was promoted from the bench as Robert Snodgrass moved back into midfield from the striking role. Leigh Bromby was moved to right back as Lubomir Michalik was restored to central defence which meant a place on the bench for Jason Crowe. United were desperate to get back to winning ways and both themselves and the visitors were looking for early goals. In a tentative opening period Jermaine Beckford almost found an opening but it was the visitors who had a loud shout for a penalty when Philip Ifil went down under presuure from Lubomir Machalik after a Marc Tierney cross. It wasn't until the twenty-first minute that there was any real threat on either goal, but Gary McSheffrey was involved in the move that saw Michael Doyle test the Colchester keeper Ben Williams with a low shot that skimmed off the surface. Both Gary McSheffrey and Jermaine Beckford were denied by the offside flags when well positioned. Casper Ankergren made the first save of the afternoon when he got down well to save a free-kick from Philip Ifil. At the other end Robert Snodgrass got crowded out in the box and Lubomir Michalik headed straight into the waiting arms of keeper Ben Williams. The vital breakthrough came in the thirty-eighth minute when Luciano Becchio was brought down after he had got through the Colchester defensive line. Just as he had done in the closing minute at White Hart Lane, Jermaine Beckford calmly took the penalty and put United 1-0 in front. United came close to increasing the lead three minutes later, when Shane Lowry started a move with a left wing run before finding Jermaine Beckford, who played in Gary McSheffrey, who the move on with a great run, but unfortunately he was just wide with his shot. United had had the better of the first half and they started the second in similar vein. They had the first oppurtunity when Gary McSheffrey broke free and found Jermaine Beckford, but the striker had his shot deflected wide. Gary McSheffrey also went close from the resultant corner but his powerful shot was deflected over by Jermaine Beckford. The second goal was not long coming and duly arrived on the fifty-five minute mark. Jonathan Howson showed great skill to control the ball and shoot from just inside the area and as the ball rebounded from a post, Jermaine Beckford was at his poaching best to net the ball from close range. Just over five minutes later, the Leeds striker thought he had a hat-trick, but he was denied by an offside flag. Shane Lowry's impressive debut came to an end as he limped out of the game after seventy-one minutes, with what seemed like cramp, and Bradley Johnson took the field as his replacement. Likewise, just over ten minutes later, Gary McSheffrey, who had also had an impressive debut, came off for Max Gradel. It was Gradel who almost made it 3-0 minutes later as his shot was deflected only inches wide, after good work by Jermaine Beckford. From the resulting corner Leigh Bromby glanced a header against the crossbar. The New Year had started with a solid performance and United were glad to be back to winning ways once more. Norwich City won and maintained teir three point lead, having played two games more, but Charlton Athletic could only draw and slipped five points behind United and had played a game more.

3rd February 2010 saw the Fourth Round F.A. Cup Replay played at Elland Road in front of 37,704 audience with a full-strength Tottenham Hotspur riding high in the EPL as the visitors. There was no Robbie Keane in the squad and Danny Rose was the only ex-Leeds player in the squad and he started from the bench. Neil Kilkenny and Patrick Kisnorbo had still not recovered and neither Gary McSheffrey nor Shane Lowry were available as both were Cup-tied, and Max Gradel was also out. Andy Hughes, who had recovered from illness, came in for Shane Lowry at Left-Back while Bradley Johnson filled the midfield vacancy. Alan Martin was the substitute goalkeeper in place of David Martin, with Davide Somma and Will Hatfield being introduced to the bench. Just as at White Hart Lane, it was Tottenham that started on the attack and Jermain Defoe should have done better, when a defensive error gave him a chance, and David Bentley had a free-kick deflected over the bar and, from the resultant corner, Sebastien Bassong blazed wildly over when totally unmarked. United were forced on the defensive and Jermain Defoe again wasted a chance after Peter Crouch had chested the ball into his path. It was not until the fifteenth minute that United showed as an attacking force and Jermaine Beckford hit the crossbar with a header, but the referee had already blown for an infringement. Spurs were starting to show their superiority and Casper Ankergren had to make a succession of fine saves to keep them at bay. The first was a save at point blank range after he quickly got off his line, the second was from a curling shot from Gareth Bale and a third from Jermain Defoe, after a good passing movement, in the thirty-fifth minute. It was Jermain Defoe, who had always looked the most dangerous Tottenham player, even though a little erratic, that gave Spurs the lead two minutes later. David Bentley got past Andy Hughes down the Leeds left flank and from his cross Defoe controlled, turned and shot the ball into the top corner, giving Casper Ankergren no chance. To their credit Leeds tried to make an immediate reply as Lubomir Michalik forced Heurelho Gomez into a good save. United maintained the pressure and as half-time loomed it was Spurs that were defending desperately. In first-half stoppage time the United pressure paid off and Luciano Becchio got the equaliser. Leigh Bromby hooked the ball into the Spurs penalty box, Jermaine Beckford got in a shot which Heurelho Gomez saved well, but could not hold, and it was Becchio who was following up to smash the ball into the net. The first half had been an entertaining and hard fought contest and the second half commenced in a similar vein with Jermain Defoe soon creating a chance for himself but was well over the United bar and Casper Ankergren was untroubled. Peter Crouch also touched an effort wide, when he tried to deflect a strong shot from Niko Kranjcar into the Leeds goal. United kept pace with Spurs and were soon down the other end for Jermaine Beckfordto see his shot deflected wide and Luciano Becchio watch his shot touch Michael Dawson on the hand but the referee ruled a corner. Michael Dawson was soon involved at the other end, when he forced Casper Ankergren to another good save. The Leeds custodian was proving to be his side's F.A. Cup hero and he pulled off another great save to deny David Bentley, who had struck a good shot from long range. Jermain Defoe had the ball in the Leeds net in the sixty-eighth minute when he met a low cross to net from close range, but the offside flag was already up. The diminutive Spurs striker was not to be denied and he scored his second for the night after seventy-three minutes to give Spurs a 2-1 lead. David Bentley was again the provider and Defoe arrived to slide the ball in from close range to give Spurs the lead for the fourth time in the tie. United, sent on Aidan White in place of Andy Hughes in the seventy-sixth minute and rallied in the hope of levelling yet again but Spurs were looking to put the game beyond doubt and with six minutes left on the clock Peter Crouch hit the bar with a header. Simon Grayson made a double substitution in the eighty-sixth minute, bringing Bradley Johnson and Luciano Becchio off and replacing them with Jason Crowe and Mike Grella. United had not given up, and Leigh Bromby headed over in the dying minutes. The tie was finally settled in the third minute of stoppage time, when Leeds had sent every player up in a last ditch effort to pull level. Ankergren took the kick from near the half-way line and, as luck would have it, the ball was cleared, and it was latched onto by Jermain Defoe. The striker composed himself to put the ball out of Casper Ankergren's reach to complete his Hat-trick and put the game beyond doubt. In the League Charlton could only draw and so Norwich City still led by three points and Charlton Athletic trailed Leeds by four points and United had two games in hand on both.

For the visit to seventeenth-placed Hartlepool United on 6th February 2010 Simon Grayson had Shane Lowry, Gary McSheffrey and Max Gradel all available for selection after being unavailable for the F.A. Cup Replay against Tottenham Hotspur in midweek. This saw Andy Hughes, Bradley Johnson and Robert Snodgrass all drop to the bench as Andy Robinson, Davide Somma and Will Hatfield were cut fom the squad. David Martin was back in place of Alan Martin as the substitute goalkeeper, but Patrick Kisnorbo and Neil Kilkenny were still out with injuries. The game got off to a scrappy start and United were close to scoring in the first five minutes when Luciano Becchio forced his way into the penalty area but an attempted clearance hit Jonathan Howson before just going wide. After twelve minutes a long throw from Leigh Bromby was flicked on by Lubomir Michalik and the Hartlepool keeper Scott Flinders just managed to get his finger tips to a Luciano Becchio header to turn it on to the bar for a corner. There was little else of note in the first twenty minutes until Adam Boyd was over the bar with Hartlepool's first attempt on goal. Four minutes later United took the lead, with a quality move and finish. Jermaine Beckford received the ball on the right flank as United broke from defence with a good passing movement. The striker sent across an inch-perfect cente and Luciano Becchio rose to head the ball home with an emphatic finish. Scott Flinders was soon in the action as Jonathan Howson tested him from distance and he saved unconvincingly as Jermaine Beckford closed in. At the other end Leeds-born Andy Monkhouse forced Casper Ankergren to his first save with a header, but Leeds were able to make good ground on the break and in one such break it was Jonathan Howson that broke down the right and a Gary McSheffrey cross was cleared unconvincingly. An offside flag stopped McSheffrey after another good move which also featured Jonathan Howson. Right on half-time, after a Gary McSheffrey corner, a header from Luciano Becchio was pushed over by Scott Flinders. Robert Snodgrass replaced Jermaine Beckford after the break and it appeared that the striker had picked up a knock just before the break. There was little enterainment to warm the crowd of 5,115, Harlepool's biggest of the season, which included more than 964 from Leeds. Lubomir Michalik headed over from a corner on the hour mark, but it was Casper Ankergren who had to make the first save of the second half when he got down to an Adam Boyd shot and pushed it round the post. Ritchie Jones, who had come on as a substitute in the fifty-eighth minute, then went close with a long-range shot. Once more United made a good break and Gary McSheffrey won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, which Robert Snodgrass curled just wide. Gary McSheffrey also put a shot over the bar after another good move from the visitors. In the seventy-first minute Hartlepool, who had vastly improved since the introduction of Ritchie Jones, got back in the game with an equaliser, when Adam Boyd easily beat Casper Ankergren with a shot from distance. The home side were now in the ascendency and Andy Monkhouse shot wide in their next attack, but Gary McSheffrey forced Scott Flinders into an acrobatic save to stop his goal-bound shot. It was from the resulting corner that Leeds regained the lead when a Richard Naylor shot cannoned off the bar and Luciano Becchio was first to the rebound to force the ball over the line after seventy-nine minutes. With four minutes left on the clock Gary McSheffrey left the field to a standing ovation as he was replaced by Bradley Johnson. The home side pushed hard for an equaliser and Denis Behan saw his powerful shot hit the head of Lubomir Machalik and cannon away for a corner. From that corner it was Adam Boyd who forced Casper Ankergren to a good save as the United fans whistled loudly for full time. In stoppage time the home team threw men forward, but it looked like United's twin mountains, Richard Naylor and Lubomir Michalik had held them at bay, but with ten seconds to go a free-kick from Ritchie Jones came in from the Hartlepool left and Anthony Sweeney a header, from an Adam Boyd touch, into the net for the equaliser. It was a bad two points to drop, as Norwich lost, and that was the margin left between the two teams. Charlton Athletic also, only managed a draw and remained four points behind United, who had two games in hand on both their rivals.

United were without star striker Jermaine Beckford as they travelled to Brunton Park to try to overcome their 2-1 deficit to progress to the Final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Apart from Beckford and the injured Patrick Kisnorbo, Simon Grayson was able to select from full-strength and both loan-men, Gary McSheffrey and Shane Lowry, as well as recent signing, Max Gradel, were in the starting line-up. Jason Crowe took over at Right-Back from Leigh Bromby, who dropped to the bench. Robert Snodgrass came in for the injured Jermaine Beckford in attack and Neil Kilkenny returned from injury to take his place on the bench, while Andy Hughes and Aidan White were the two to miss out on the reduced bench of five. Leeds had made a come back at Brunton Park before, when they had won 2-0 to reverse a 2-1 defeat at Elland Road in the 2007-08 play-offs and a crowd of 9,430 was on hand to see if a repeat was in store. The home side were quickly on the attack and Casper Ankergren got down well to turn a Evan Horwood shot round the post and soon Lubomir Michalik had also forced one. After eight minutes Robert Snodgrass showed good control to feed Luciano Becchio, but the Argentinian shot wide. He was, however, soon back and tested keeper Adam Collin with a far post header from a free-kick, but it was a waste as an offside flag would have stopped the move. It was a tit-for-tat start and after twenty minutes Luciano Becchio was again denied by some good defending after Max Gradel had featured in a good move. Adam Clayton raised the home supporters hopes in the thirty-third minute when he gave Carlisle the lead on the night, and a valuable two goal buffer in the tie, when he raced clear of the visitor's defence to place the ball past Casper Ankergren and into the waiting net. Simon Grayson had slightly altered his formation, more of a reshuffle than a different system, when he pushed up Gary McSheffrey into the striking role, alongside Luciano Becchio, while Robert Snodgrass took the right midfield slot and Max Gradel moved to the left, and the loan-man from Birmingham City had the chance to equalise, but his shot was saved by Adam Collin. At the other end Carlisle came close to increasing their lead when Adam Clayton saw Casper Ankergren off his line and tried to chip him, but only succeeded in shooting over. Then a good cross from Max Gradel gave Gary McSheffrey an half chance, but he could not capitalise. Graham Kavanagh was on hand just before time to avert the danger as Max Gradel was almost through and Gary McSheffrey was similarly crowded out on the stroke of half-time. After the break it was Leeds who started to press and Max Gradel had a shot saved, but it was Robert Snodgrass who equalised for United before a minute had elapsed, as he seized upon a defensive error to head the ball into the net and give his team a life-line. The home side did retort but Kevan Hurst dallied too long and Shane Lowry was able to dispossess him close to goal. As the game approached the hour mark it had opened up and while Leeds were pressing for another goal, Carlisle were able to break and create chances of their own and Casper Ankergren save an Ian Harte free-kick and Jonathan Howson headed another set-piece clear. But it was Leeds who pressed the most and Gary McSheffrey had a penalty appeal rejected, Max Gradel had a shot blocked and Michael Doyle had a shot saved by Adam Collin. On the seventy-six minute mark Simon Grayson freshened up the midfield with Jonathan Howson and Michael Doyle giving way to Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson. Johnson was immediately involved, as Robert Snodgrass got in a fine cross, he emerged at the far post and headed the ball back across the goalmouth to where the waiting Jason Crowe headed into the net. The celebrations were cut short as it was disallowed for offside. It was Carlisle that capitalised on their good fortune and in the seventy-second minute they scored to make it 2-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate. Kevan Hurst took advantage of a slip by Lubomir Michalik to pounce and then curl a good shot past Casper Ankergren. Leeds responded immediately and both Max Gradel and Gary McSheffrey drove good balls into the box. Simon Grayson also responed by throwing on Mike Grella to provide another striker and he replaced Richard Naylor after seventy-nine minutes. It had an immediate effect as Right-Back Jason Crowe arrived at the far post to score with a clinical first-time volley. With ten minutes on the clock, United needed two to win or, the more likely, one to send the tie into a penalty shoot-out. Shane Lowry did some good work down the left and then found Gary McSheffrey, who set up the ball for Mike Grella to powerfully head the ball into the net with four minutes left on the clock, to put United 3-2 up and level the tie at 4-4. It was Carlisle who next went on the attack and Lubomir Michalik made a clearance before United had to face a corner. Then, after the visitors cleared their lines, Mike Grella had another effort saved, Max Gradel saw his free-kick clawed away and Bradley Johnson forced Adam Collin to a save low down, but neither side could break the impasse and it went to penalties. Ex-Leeds deadball expert, Ian Harte took the first and scored. First up for Leeds was the normally reliable set-piece exponent Bradley Johnson, but his shot was saved by Adam Collin, to leave Carlisle ahead 1-0. Kevan Hurst made it 2-0 but Robert Snodgrass pulled it back to 2-1. Striker Gary Madine made it 3-1 but Gary McSheffrey kept Leeds in it at 3-2. Richard Keogh blazed the ball over the bar and Mike Grella levelled at 3-3. Adam Clayton made it 4-3, but Max Gradel was equal to his task and levelled at 4-4 and so the shoot out went into sudden death. Evan Horwood made it 5-4 but Neil Kilkenny kept his nerve to level at 5-5. Matt Robson shot the home team into a 6-5 lead and to the hisses, boos and general off-putting tactics of the home supporters, Shane Lowry saw his shot saved by Adam Collin. The home victory was greeted by a pitch invasion and Shane Lowry was subjected buffeting and goading by the invading fans and his team-mates led him off to save him from any further threats or violence and left the F.A. to sort out the pitch invasion. And So United were out of all the Cups and Trophies they had progressed in against the odds and their only possibility of a Wembley appearance would be if required in the play-offs!

Jermaine Beckford and Patrick Kisnorbo were still not available for United's next League game at twelfth-placed Leyton Orient on 13th February 2010. Leigh Bromby replaced Lubomir Michalik in Central Defence. Max Gradel was moved up into the striking role along side Luciano Becchio, and Robert Snodgrass dropped back into Right-Midfield in his place. Michael Doyle and Jonathan Howson were replaced in the central midfield positions by Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson, while on the bench David Martin had returned to Liverpool at the expiration of his loan period, and Alan Martin took over the role of substitute goalkeeper. Aidan White and Andy Hughes were also added to the bench to fill the quota of seven. There were in excess of 2,891 Leeds supporters in the 8,013 crowd, which was the biggest since United visited in April 2008, and with Orient not having been beaten in five games, there was an expectation of a good contest. There was a lively start and it was United who almost took the lead inside ten minutes when Gary McSheffrey seized upon a defensive error but his chipped shot landed on the roof of the net with Orient keeper Jamie Jones well beaten and then Bradley Johnson shot wide as United pressed. After fifteen minutes Robert Snodgrass sent in a superb centre and the Orient defence cleared as Gary McSheffrey and Luciano Becchio sought to capitalise. It was Robert Snodgrass who sent a good left foot shot marginally over as United started to dominate. United's passing and movement was causing the home defence all manner of problems and Adam Chambers had to head clear a Robert Snodgrass crntre with Luciano Becchio waiting to pounce. Gary McSheffrey was having a great game and was the root of the Orient problems and after twenty-four minutes Jamie Jones finger-tipped away a goal-bound header from him. The opening half hour had seen the majority of possession and pressure coming from Leeds. More trickery from Robert Snodgrass gave Bradley Johnson a chance at the near post which he was unable to take. After Robert Snodgrass had had a good shot blocked Bradley Johnson was wide from a free-kick in the forty-second minute. After Leyton had managed to clear a corner the ball fell to Leigh Bromby and his well-struck shot forced Jamie Jones to make another superb save. United had done everything but score in the first half and their dominance continued with the start of the second period. Max Gradel had a shot deflected into the arms of the goalkeeper after just three minutes and then only good defending by the home team stopped Robert Snodgrass, after Bradley Johnson had played him in. Richard Naylor was the next to go close after a Gary McSheffrey free-kick had fallen to him on the rebound, as the sustained pressure faile to produce the elusive goal. A quick free-kick, involving Neil Kilkenny and Robert Snodgrass, after sixty-one minutes, resulted in a decisive clearance by Ben Chorley, but moments later United were back and Max Gradel shot over and that was quickly followed by Gary McSheffrey also shooting over. Casper Ankergren got a touch of the ball after sixty-four minutes, when Nicky Adams shot from long range, for only Orient's second shot of the afternoon. It seemed to awaken the home team as the game headed for the final twenty minutes. On the seventy-five minute mark Mike Grella came on for Max Gradel as United widened the search for the key to unlock the Orient goal. United had totally dominated the game and with ten minutes left it seemed as if they would only leave with just one point. Three minutes later it appeared that even the one point might be prized away from them when the home team, undeservedly, and totally against the run of play, took the lead. Nicky Adams got in a cross from the left and Tamika Mkandawire got up well for his header to loop over Casper Ankergren and into the net. Neil Kilkenny was immediately replaced by Jonathan Howson and as United chased the game they won a corner in the next minute and had nine men in the Orient box, with one sweeping on the edge, but still the goal did not arrive. The fourth official announced four minutes of added time and the hope lived on. In the final minute of time added, Leigh Bromby launched one of his long throw-ins. It caused all kinds of problems for the home defence and a miscue from the boot of Charlie Daniels finished up in the home net, and United had rescued a point. Norwich City, had won and were now four points in front, having played two games more, and Charlton had not played and so were five points behind and United still had a game in hand on them.

Jermaine Beckford had recovered from injury for the home game with Walsall as United found the games coming thick and fast. Walsall were in twelfth spot and despite the hiccough at Leyton Orient the 18,941 crowd would have been looking for maximum points to get the promotion campaign back on the rails again. Jermaine Beckford renewed his strike partnership with Luciano Becchio as Max Gradel dropped to the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad from which Andy Hughes dropped out. United were quickly on the attack and had all the possession and pressure until the eleventh minute when Walsall won a corner. It was only a momentary blip and United returned upfield to gain two corners before Jason Crowe headed wide after twenty minutes. Bradley Johnson forced Clayton Ince to make the first save of the game after thirty minutes with a well-struck shot and immediately the Walsall keeper was in the action again as he cut out Gary McSheffrey at the near post. But the game approached half time with little incident. After the inactivity of the first half, it came as a total surprise when the visitors took the lead in the first minute of the second half. Walsall played a long ball out of defence which found former-Leeds triallist Julian Gray on the left, and after making ground his centre found Dwayne Mattis free just inside the penalty area and he rifled the ball into the net with a low volley. United were level just nine minutes later, from a superb solo performance from Gary McSheffrey. He was on the left flank when he noticed the Walsall keeper out of position in the penalty area and he delivered an inch-perfect chip shot which easily beat the stranded keeper and went inside the near post to make it 1-1. The keeper was again in the action, but this time got down well to save a Luciano Becchio header from a Gary McSheffrey free-kick. It was the last involvement in the game for the Argentinian striker as he and Robert Snodgrass made way for Mike Grella and Max Gradel in a double substitution after an hour. Leeds were starting to get on top and create openings, but Gary McSheffrey overhit a cross onto the roof of the net. Jason Crowe soon made the same mistake when the referee applied the advantage rule after Max Gradel had been brought down just outside the penalty box. Jonathan Howson came on for Neil Kilkenny with fifteen minutes left. It was Max Gradel who had the next chance, as his trickery gave him an oppurtunity, which Clayton Ince was equal to as the game entered its final ten minutes. In the eighty-first minute the visitors were awarded a goal in controversial fashion. Leeds failed to clear a Julian Gray corner and Clayton McDonald tried to bundle the ball over the line. Casper Ankergren tried to claw it back. The Assistant Referee's flag signalled a goal. The TV replays were inconclusive, and it was unclear if the ball had crossed the line, but the Referee took the avice of his Assistant and the goal stood. The goal meant that United were beaten at home for the first time since January 2009 and After the game they were still four points behind Norwich City, but just three in front of Colchester United, who had moved into third place two points ahead of Charlton Athletic and United still had a game in hand on all three teams.

Twenty-first placed Brighton & Hove Albion were United's next home game in a succession of home games which a couple of months ago would have been home bankers. Former United Winger Sebastien Carole was on the bench for the visitors, as Simon Grayson rang the changes in an effort to revitalize his team. Patrick Kisnorbo was fit again and took his place in Central Defence, as Leigh Bromby dropped to the bench. Andy Hughes was back and returned at Right-Back as Jason Crowe was omitted from the squad. Jonathan Howson and Michael Doyle returned to midfield with Robert Snodgrass dropping to the bench, along with Luciano Becchio, with Gary McSheffrey being moved up to partner Jermaine Beckford in the strikers. Lubomir Michalik dropped out of the squad. Former United Assistant Manager Gus Poyet was given a good reception by the 24,120 crowd as he took his place on the bench as Manager of the visitors. Since Poyet's appointment Brighton had improved, especially away from home, but it was United that were quickly on the attack and enjoyed all the possession in the first ten minutes. The match showed little entertainment and the flow was constantly broken by free-kicks for a multitude of infringements. Jermaine Beckford and Neil Kilkenny featured in the build up as Bradley Johnson fired wide with United's best effort in the first twenty-five minutes. Brighton seemed to be well-briefed on the threat of Jermaine Beckford and Inigo Calderon pushed man-marking to the limits to subdue him. Jonathan Howson was involved and, after good work from Gary McSheffrey, he had a shot blocked and then fired into the side-netting. However, it was not until the forty-second minute that Peter Brezovan had to make his first save when Gary McSheffrey was on target from just outside the penalty area. It was Brighton that had the first opening in the second half, when Gary Dicker shot over after Leeds failed to clear a corner. United's reply saw Jermaine Beckford almost get on the end of a Bradley Johnson flick-on. Simon Grayson replaced Jonathan Howson with Max Gradel after fifty-eight minutes and seven minutes later he sent on Luciano Becchio for Bradley Johnson, with Gary McSheffrey taking over the Left-Midfield role. Any chances were at a premium and whenever Brighton did go on the attack Richard Naylor and Patrick Kisnorbo combined well to restrict any openings. After seventy-four minutes Max Gradel worked himself an opening on the edge of the box but shot well over. The visitors made the most of their next chance two minutes later, Brighton's Glenn Murray took a fall in the box under pressure from Richard Naylor and Patrick Kisnorbo and the Referee pointed to the spot, although TV Replays showed nothing untoward. Glenn Murray duly slammed the ball into the net for the second visitors to Elland Road in a few days to take the lead under dubious circumstances. Robert Snodgrass was introduced for Gary McSheffrey and he soon livened up proceedings as he twice tested Peter Brezovan. Adam Virgo made a shocking high tackle on Max Gradel and the Referee promptly showed him a red card. Patrick Kisnorbo also earned a yellow card for remonstrating with the departing visitor. Faced with ten men United immediately went on all-out attack and Patrick Kisnorbo put an effort wide after a good cross from Andy Hughes. United had an appeal for a penalty turned down after Luciano Becchio went down in the box. The Argentinian also glanced a header just wide as the clock ticked down. Five minutes were added for stoppages and in the very final minute Robert Snodgrass finally found the net after Patrick Kisnorbo had headed on a Max Gradel corner. Norwich had suffered a 1-0 defeat at Southampton and United's point had put them within three points, but Colchester United and Charlton Athletic had both won to leave them one point and three points in arrears, respectively, but all three teams had played one game more than United.

United's third successive home game saw nineteenth placed Oldham Athletic visit Elland Road and Leeds would have been buoyed in the knowledge that they had already won twice at Boundary Park earlier in the season both by a 2-0 margin, but having won just one of their last eight games, nothing was certain. Simon Grayson tried to give the team width and more pace down the wings by juggling his squad and employing Robert Snodgrass and Aidan White wide on the flanks in midfield as Bradley Johnson and Neil Kilkenny dropped to the bench. Gary McSheffrey also dropped to the bench as Luciano Becchio returned as striker. Former Leeds players Sean Gregan, who was in Central Defence, and Darryl Flahavan, who was on the bench as second goalkeeper, returned to their forner home, as 17,635 hardy souls braved the Arctic weather that had changed Elland Road into a winter wonderland, after heavy snow had fallen overnight. United were the quicker of the two teams to show any mastery of the conditions as they created a chance after six minutes, when Jermaine Beckford fired wide from an Andy Hughes cross. Oldham had clearly come to defend and rely on quick breaks for any attacking intentions, but their forays usually broke down quickly early in the game. On fifteen minutes Aidan White instigated a break for Leeds, from which Jermaine Beckford was denied by some strong defending, but soon the striker was claiming unsuccessfully for a penalty after being bowled over by Reuben Hazell. United's next raid saw Jonathan Howson shoot over from the edge of the penalty area and then Oldham had to frantically clear their lines after Dean Brills had fumbled a Robert Snodgrass shot. United were looking much sharper, and more threatening when on the attack, than in the last two games. Snodgrass shot just wide from the edge of the box just before the half-hour, and then Michael Doyle was denied by the advancing Dean Brill, after he needed too much time to control the ball. Just before half-time Luciano Becchio appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty after being brought down from behind by Reuben Hazell in the penalty area, when well placed. Snow was beginning to fall heavily in first half stoppage time as the two Leeds strikers combined and only more good defending kept them out. oldham were soon defending again as the second half started, and Alex Marrow made a decisive clearance and then Dean Brill had to pull off a fine save to keep out a curling Robert Snodgrass free-kick after fifty-two minutes. United went one up in the following minute when the Oldham keeper could not hold a strong shot from Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio followed up to tap the ball into the net from close range. Sean Gregan did not endear himself to the crowd and received Oldham's fourth booking of the night after flattening Luciano Becchio. The big Argentinian just picked himself up and dusted himself down and moments later, in the sixty-second minute, he got his second goal for the night when Robert Snodgrass sent in a lovely cross for the striker to jump like a salmon to power home a header. After sixty-five minutes Aidan White left the field to a standing ovation as he was substituted and Max Gradel came on. Two minutes later the visitors finally created a chance, but Casper Ankergren denied Chris Taylor. Oldham had little choice but to try and make a game of it but United were comfortable and had the game well within their grasp. With six minutes left on the clock United sent on Mike Grella for Jermaine Beckford. Max Gradel, as always, was lively and he hit the side-netting from a narrow angle with five minutes to go. Liciano Becchio was the next player to leave the field to a standing ovation in the final minute of normal time, when he was replaced by Bradley Johnson. Four minutes were added but it made no difference to the scoreline and United won a welcome three points to keep the pressure on. However Norwich had also won, Colchester had not played and Charlton had suffered an embarrassing home defeat to Brighton. So United remained three points behind Norwich City, moved to four points in front of Third Placed Colchester and six points in front of Charlton Athletic and still had a game in had over the first and fourth placed clubs.

Aidan White had picked up an injury and was ruled out of United's next clash with sixth-placed Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium on 27th February 2010. His place was taken by Gary McSheffrey and Tresor Kandol was called up to the vacancy on the bench. Town were nicely in touch with the leaders nine points behind United and had amassed a ten game unbeaten streak as they went into the match in front of a 21,764 crowd, of which at least 3,995 had come to support the visitors, boasting an undefeated at home tag. The game started at a hectic pace with neither team prepared to slow the action. United had the first chance but Luciano Becchio couldn't direct his header downwards from an Andy Hughes cross. It was Town, however who took the lead in the fourteenth minute, when Anthony Pilkington, who was already tormenting Shane Lowry with his speed, trickery and elusiveness, shot from just outside the box and it cannoned off the hapless Lowry to take a wicked deflection past a wrong-footed Casper Ankergren to put Town 1-0 up. United tried to be positive and Robert Snodgrass forced Alex Smithies to pull off a great save before Luciano Becchio headed a corner into the side-netting. It was Town that were making all the running, in particular Anthony Pilkington was making Shane Lowry's afternoon a nightmare and on the half hour he stood off the winger, who did not need a second invitation as he cut inside to hit a strong shot inches outside of the post. Four minutes before half time Town were at it again as Gary Roberts took advantage of lack of cover by Gary McSheffrey to play in Lee Peltier who scampered past Shane Lowry to pick out the unmarked Jordan Rhodes, but the Town leading goalscorer ballooned his shot over the bar, for a great piece of good fortune for Leeds. While Leeds were still in the game the half had belonged to Town and they could have been more than one goal in front, while their goal had been rarely threatened. Casper Ankergren was soon in the action as the game re-started for the second half, when he was quick off his line to save at the feet of a Town attacker. United's reply was swift as Jermaine Beckford headed just over from a Michael Doyle cross after some enterprising play by United. Huddersfield also had to clear their lines after Gary McSheffrey got in a low cross to Jermaine Beckford. United's equalizer came after sixty-one minutes when Jonathan Howson started a move which saw Robert Snodgrass beat a Town defender before crossing for Jonathan Howson to finish off the move by heading the goal that made it 1-1. United took the lead five minutes later when Robert Snodgrass took a corner kick on the right, which was headed on by Richard Naylor and Luciano Becchio headed home from close range. Suddenly the game had been turned on its head and Town found themselves having to come from behind on home soil. After seventy-four minutes they were close to an equalizer when Peter Clarke headed a corner against the base of a post to put United on notice that they would be doing a lot of defending in the final fifteen minutes. Simon Grayson sent Bradley Johnson on after seventy-eight minutes in place of Gary McSheffrey to help bolster the Leeds left flank. Casper Ankergren made a good save from Lee Novak after he got a touch on a Town free-kick. Then Richard Naylor, Patrick Kisnorbo and Luciano Becchio all made timely clearances as Huddersfield searched for an equalizer. The game had turned into a real battle and Michael Doyle was sporting a bandaged head, as it was all hands to the pumps as United tried to hold out for the last six minutes. It was not to be as the Huddersfield equalizer came in the next minute. Once more it was instigated by Anthony Pilkington, and his deep cross found Gary Roberts at the far post and he calmly side-footed it past Casper Ankergren. Both sides made changes in the final minute of normal time with Town bringing on Michael Collins for Antony Kay and United sent on Tresor Kandol for Luciano Becchio. It was Tresor Kandol who made his presence felt, and Bradley Johnson landed a floating cross on the roof of the net. United had Casper Ankergren to thank as he pulled off a stunning save in stoppage time to deny Lee Novak but it was Leeds who were enjoying possession when the final whistle went just as Shane Lowry was about to launch a long throw into the Huddersfield goal area. In the end a draw was a fair result although either side would have had a case to claim victory, but the game was the winner as both sides had provided entertainment of the highest order. Norwich City won again and moved five points clear of United while Charlton leap-frogged Colchester United into third place, as they won and Colchester were beaten and they were trailling united by four points and both United's rivals had played a game more than themselves.

On 6th March 2010, United were at Elland Road once more to face fourteenth-placed Brentford and were hoping they had turned the corner in the exciting local derby with Huddersfield Town, after a run of poor results which had seen their once commanding position at the top of the League crumble to where they were now dragged back to the pack with any one of the top seven able to make the top two places. Paul Dickov, who was a free agent, had signed for the club until the end of the season and was given a place on the bench, but Simon Grayson's selection was limited by injuries to loan player Shane Lowry and Captain Richard Naylor. Aidan White, who had recovered from cramps, came into the team in place of Shane Lowry and Leigh Bromby was promoted from the bench into Central Defence in place of Naylor. Lubomir Michalik was recalled to the bench and Mike Grella dropped from the bench in favour of Paul Dickov. There was a crowd of 25,445 on hand and they were hoping for better entertainment than the December encounter at Griffin Park, which had been a dour and uninspiring 0-0 draw. The game started well for United as the were quickly on the attack with Robert Snodgrass forcing Wojciech Sczcesny to make a good early save. However the Scotsman soon found his way into the referee's notebook following a clash with Ryan Dickson. Leeds made all the early running, but after thirty minutes it was Casper Ankergren who came racing off his line to deny Sam Wood after Toumani Diagouraga had played him in behind Aidan White. There was a quick response from United and Jermaine Beckford headed narrowly wide from a Robert Snodgrass centre, and moments later it was the Scotsman who shot wide after Jonathan Howson had played him in. On the thirty-seven minute mark the Bees keeper was quick off his line to pull off a good save to his left, as Jermaine Beckford tried to squeeze the ball into the net from an acute angle. The striker also went close just before the interval and also created a chance for Gary McSheffrey, but he shot over the bar. Robert Snodgrass had a shot blocked just on half time and it was 0-0 at the break. United were the first team to attack when play resumed and, after good work from Jonathan Howson, Jermaine Beckford tested the visiting keeper from distance. Andy Hughes had been ill during the previous week and Simon Grayson replaced him with Lubomir Michalik, who went into Central Defence with Leigh Bromby moving to Right-Back. A minute before the hour mark, United went behind. Leon Legge headed a corner towards the far post and Charlie McDonald had a shot which Casper Ankergren blocked but the ball was only deflected onto Ben Strevens' head and then into the net, as Michael Doyle tried hard to retrieve the situation. United responded but Robert Snodgrass was wide. The Brentford keeper did well to keep out a header from his own player, Leon Legge, who headed towards goal when under pressure from Patrick Kisnorbo. Jermaine Beckford headed wide after a great run from Gary McSheffrey. United had missed so many chances in the game, but they were deservedly back on equal terms after seventy-two minutes. It was set-up by Gary McSheffrey, who received a cross from Robert Snodgrass at the far post and then coolly laid it across the six-yard box for Jermaine Beckford to score from close range. Three minutes later Charlie McDonald was guilty of slicing the ball well wide after he was in a good position on the edge of the box. united went on the hunt for the winner and Robet Snodgrass should have done better when he was released by Jermaine Beckford on a diagonal run, but as he needed time to change feet to his favoured left, Brentford Left-Back Ryan Dickson was able to dispossess him and another chance had gone begging. With ten minutes left to go Leeds brought on Paul Dickov and Bradley Johnson for Luciano Becchio and Aidan White, in a double substitution. As the minutes ticked quickly by, Robert Snodgrass had a great run and both Jonathan Howson and Paul Dickov had a shots blocked, but right on ninety minutes Lubomir Michalik got in a header that hit the inside of a post and then bounced agonisingly to safety as Jermaine Beckford tried to pounce. The game had been so one-sided and although there was only one team likely to score, the goal would not come, and with the last action of the game Leigh Bromby shot over in a goalmouth scramble. It was a game that United should have won and two valable points had been dropped, and, as both Norwich City and Charlton Athletic had easy victories, it left United seven points adrift of Nowich and only two ponts in front of Charlton, both having played one game more than United.

On Tuesday 9th March 2010, United played the game that they had in hand over their two main rivals. It was a vital game at Tranmere Rovers, in a fixture which had been postponed because of United's F.A. Cup commitment at Old Trafford. They would have been daunted by Tranmere's victory on the previous weekend over one of the form teams in the Division, Southampton, as, after the Prenton Park clash, they were due to embarked upon a series of four consecutive games against the most in-form clubs in League One. Surprisingly, United stuck with virtually the same team that could not win at home to Brentford. The exception was that Richard Naylor had recovered from injury and took over from Leigh Bromby in Central Defence, while he moved to the bench at the expense of Lubomir Michalik. There was a crowd of 8,346 on hand, of which over 2,000 had come to support the visitors. A good passing movement in the second minute earned United a corner, from which Luciano Becchio headed narrowly wide. At the other end Craig Curran got in a shot which Casper Ankergtren was able to parry.Robert Snodgrass' expertise from the set-piece was starting to show and when he curled in a teasing free-kick, two United runners were close to connecting with their heads. It was the Scot, who, on nine minutes, claimed the opening goal with a similar curling teasing delivery. He took a free kick on the right and despite Luciano Becchio and Patrick Kisnorbo's best efforts neither could not get his head to it, but the kick kept going and bounced past several players and into the net, at the far post, past a bemused Tranmere keeper, Luke Daniels. United had a chance to double the lead in the fifteenth minute, as Jermaine laid off the ball for Gary McSheffrey to go on a surging run into the penalty area, but he never got the chance to score as his legs were taken from under him by Paul McLean, who made no protests when the Referee pointed to the spot. Jermaine Beckford scored United's second in the sixteenth minute when he made no mistake from the spot. Tranmere's response was quick. Luke O'Neill forced Casper Ankergren into a good save low down, at the expense of a corner, three minutes later. Paul McLean made amends for his error as he took the flag-kick and United were unable to deal with it. In the confusion that ensued John Welsh poked the ball into the corner of the net to make it 2-1 with the third goal in ten minutes. Luke Daniels was called into action and could only push away a Gary McSheffrey effort at full stretch. Luciano Becchio was waiting to pounce but an offside flag came to Tranmere's aid. Robert Snodgrass put in a big effort when, after losing a tackle to Ian Goodison deep in Tranmere territory, he tracked back almost seventy yards to regain possession, then started a move which was carried on in a good passing movement which finished with a shot by Gary McSheffrey, which was blocked by Luke O'Neill. It was 3-1 on the half hour, as it was Jermaine Beckford, who featured strongly in the move and then turned provider, as he delivered a cross from the right and Luciano Becchio timed his run perfectly to fly horizontally to score with a diving header which flew like a bullet past Luke Daniels. Moments later the Argentinian was in with a chance of making it four as he seized upon a defensive error but his chip was just over the bar. Next it was Jermaine Beckford who tested the Tranmere keeper with a daisy-cutter from just outside the home box. The half-time whistle blew with United still on the attack and Michael Doyle was just shaping to shoot. The home side sent on Bas Savage for Marvin Sordell and the big striker won an early corner, from which Marlon Broomes shot well over. The home side also had a claim for a penalty for an Aidan White handball rejected. At the other end a late offside flag against Jermaine Beckford denied Gary McSheffrey the chance of shooting into an open goal. It was Beckford who next threatened just before the hour mark when his first-time shot was narrowly wide. Tranmere defender Marlon Broomes also almost conceded an own goal when he stuck out a leg to touch a cross too close to the post for comfort. The fourth goal did arrive in the sixty-fifth minute and it was a strike of real quality. Michael Doyle lofted a long ball forward and Jermaine Beckford was on to it like a flash and, as the keeper advanced, he delicated chipped the ball over him and it fell perfectly under the crossbar for a well taken goal. The Leeds striker was close to completing his hat-trick seven minutes later, when Luciano Becchio played him in with a clever back-heel, but on this occasion Luke Daniels was equal to the task and pulled off a great save. Four minutes later Simon Grayson made a double substitution by replacing Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio with Max Gradel and Tresor Kandol. He also gave Paul Dickov his second run when he replaced Jermaine Beckford for the final seven minutes. There was no addition to the score and it was Alan Mahon who provided the only action when he forced Casper Ankergren to an excellent save in the final minutes with a shot from long range. So United finished with an emphatic 4-1 away win, with their best result in a long time, which must have boosted their confidence as the win took United to four points behind Norwich City and five in front of Charlton, all having eleven games to play, and thirteen in front of seventh placed Huddersfield Town, who were the last team with a significant chance of second spot.

United's next game took them to St Mary's Stadium, to visit one of the form sides of the Division, Southampton, on 13th March 2010. The Saints were in tenth spot twenty-seven points behind Leeds, but with two games in hand, and they still hadn't given up the notion of promotion via the play-offs, although the ten points they had been deducted by the F.A. had made life very hard for them and had stopped their chances of promotion by the direct route. The Saints had scored ten goals in their previous two home games and were by far the League's biggest spenders, and so United could not underestimate the task they faced. They kept an unchanged team from the side which played so well at Tranmere, with the only change to the squad being on the bench, where they went for the defensive qualities of Jason Crowe over the attacking abilities of Tresor Kandol. A capacity crowd of 30,794 contained over 2,336 of the visitor's supporters as the game got underway. The open game predicted was confirmed by both teams having goal attempts in the first few minutes. Rickie Lambert headed narrowly wide from a Dean Hammond cross, then in the fourth minute the hosts produced a fine early move. Adam Lallana started it on the left, but his run was stopped by an interception. Dean Hammond won the ball back and set Lallana on his way once more, and, once in the area, he found Jason Puncheon, who had been sent off earlier in the season against Leeds when he played with MK Dons, before signing for the Saints, who tried his luck with an ambitious curling shot from long range. Jermaine Beckford had a penalty claim turned down, after taking a tumble under pressure from Jose Fonte. Robert Snodgrass also powered in a free-kick from distance but it hit Luciano Becchio. At the other end, after Jon Otsemobor had launched a free-kick into the area, Rahdi Jaidi found himself in lots of space but headed over. United responded immediately and Jermaine Beckford shave the woodwork with a great strike from long range. Then, after a surging forty-yard run by Gary McSheffrey, Luciano Becchio failed to control his pass and the chance went begging. After fourteen minutes, Casper Ankergren made a great save from a strong shot from Dean Hammond from long range, but had to parry it. As the ball bounced loose Patrick Kisnorbo was on hand to clear. Saints were straight back for Dean Hammond to shoot over. On the fifteen minute mark Jon Otsemobar picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Wayne Thomas. Jason Puncheon then struck a post as he cut in from the right as the fast, entertaining, open game carried on unabated. In the twenty-fifth minute, the home side took the lead and it came from former Leeds player, Dan Harding. A cross was sent over from the left and Rickie Lambert collected the ball at the far post and held it up before turning and laying it off to Jason Puncheon, who scuffed his shot but it fell for Dan Harding as the ex-Leeds man raced into the six yard box to net from three yards, before celebrating in front of the Leeds fans. Lee Barnard almost added another seven minutes later, but his half volley hit the head of Patrick Kisnorbo and ricocheted over the bar for a corner. A minute later Saints thought they had doubled their lead when Rahdi Jaidi had the ball in the net through a melee of players at the near post but it was disallowed for a foul. Just two minutes after that Saints should have had their second goal when another scramble in the Leeds goalmouth saw the ball fall for Lee Barnard but from a few yards out he could only hit the diving body of Aidan White as he blocked it on the line. Adam Lallana was next to waste a chance when he headed over from close range, while Leeds raised one token effort in the forty-second minute when Robert Snodgrass sent a free-kick wide after Rahdi Jaidi was booked for a foul on Jermaine Beckford. Half-time could not come quick enough for United, who had been clearly rattled by the goal, and as the break got nearer the tempers rose and the challenges became more dangerous. Simon Grayson took off Aidan White for the second half and sent on Leigh Bromby, who went to Right-Back, with Andy Hughes switching to Left-Back. The second half started in much more subdued fashion and it was Jermaine Beckford who curled a shot straight into Kelvin Davis' arms. Leeds were seeing more of the ball in the second half but the Saints always looked the more menacing when in possession. There was a short stoppage when Gary McSheffrey needed treatment for a head wound. It needed bandaging and Simon Grayson had second thoughts and sent Neil Kilkenny on as his replacement after sixty-two minutes. Jason Puncheon was booked for his part in the challenge. After sixty-seven minutes Patrick Kisnorbo had to be alert to deal with a Jason Puncheon cross, and Southampton forced two corners in quick succession. After seventy-six minutes Simon Grayson tried to liven up his attack and introduced Max Gradel for Luciano Becchio. Almost immediately he was booked for a challenge on Dan Harding, which could quite easily have been red. Saints pushed for a second but never really troubled Casper Ankergren and even with five minutes of stoppage time, the closest United could come was when Robert Snodgrass blazed wide in injury time. So Saints were deserving winners, but Leeds could take solice from their performance, but had never looked like scoring, let alone winning. With ten games left they trailed Norwich City by seven points but had a five point buffer on Charlton Athletic.

Millwall, who had earler in the season taken away United's unbeaten record with a 2-1 win at The Den in their thirteenth game, were on a roll and had reached fourth place on the League One ladder and come within six points of United. So the three points that were up for grabs as two sides clashed at Elland Road on 22nd March 2010 were of vital importance to both teams as well as the promotion race in general. A win for Leeds would take them nine points clear of their opponents and make Millwall's chance of making the top two highly improbable, whereas a win for the visitors would throw the race wide open. It was not good news for United, when star striker Jermaine Beckford was ruled out with a hamstring problem, which meant a run-on debut for Paul Dickov. Simon Grayson also replaced Gary McSheffrey with Bradley Johnson and Aidan White with Leigh Bromby, who came in at Right-Back, with Andy Hughes switching to Left-Back. White and McSheffrey both dropped to the bench, where Shane Higgs was back after a long injury in place of Alan Martin, and Mike Grella took the vacant spot. Millwall had their all-time leading goalscorer, Neil Harris, back in their strike force and he was soon involved in a clash with Patrick Kisnorbo, with players from both teams joining in the fray. On just eight minutes Patrick Kisnorbo suddenly pulled up with an Achilles injury, and Steve Morison took advantage of his incapacity to shoot narrowly wide from a sharp angle. Kisnorbo had to be stretchered from the field and was replaced by Aidan White, with Leigh Bromby moving to Central Defence and Andy Hughes switching to Right-Back. Things got worse for the home team as Steve Morison arrived at the far post to tap the ball into the net after a sweeping five-man move from the visitors down the left flank, which finished with Liam Trotter putting it on a plate for Morison. Leeds look ponderous and disorganised and Millwall were looking every inch the in-form side as they dominated the first twenty minutes, while United looked shell-shocked from their double disappointments. Leeds did not really have an attack until the twenty-seventh minute when Paul Dickov was involved in a move which finished with Robert Snodgrass shooting across the face of goal, and then the Scot also forced David Forde to come off his line to collect an in-swinging cross. On the half-hour the home side were starting to get back in the game and Luciano Becchio headed wide from a free-kick. Aidan White also made a good run down the left but his cross was blocked by Darren Ward. Just before half-time, Jonathan Howson was close the snatching an equalizer after he had made an opening for himself on the edge of the penalty area, but it was the visitors who had the last word in first half, when, in stoppage time, Paul Robinson headed a corner against the woodwork. It was United that started the second half the better, and Paul Dickov was marginally offside after Robert Snodgrass had found him with a good ball. Dickov was involved again as United started to mount the pressure, but Robert Snodgrass lifted his cross over the bar. At the other end Jimmy Abdou headed well over after Steve Morison broke down the Millwall right. After sixty-three minutes Neil Kilkenny replaced Michael Doyle, and he was soon involved when Robert Snodgrass and Paul Dickov combined, but Millwall were defending well under pressure and blocked his effort. Millwall were not just about defending and Steve Morison wasted a chance to kill off the game, when he shot wide after being clear through. After sixty-nine minutes United made their final change as Max Gradel replaced Bradley Johnson, but after Robert Snodgrass had seen his shot charged down play switched to the other end and Chris Hackett wasted another good chance for the visitors after being put through by Steve Morison. Millwall did get their second goal after eighty minutes and the game was effectively over. Shaun Batt received the ball near the corner flag on the left wing and at first seeming to have no where to go, he started weaving his way inside past two defenders and, when confronted by Casper Ankergren at his near post, he smashed the ball under the keeper's body and made it 2-0 to the visitors. United never looked like improving the score and were well beaten. With both Norwich City and Charlton Athletic drawing, Millwall slipped into third place three points behind United, who now trailled Norwich City by eight points, with nine games left.

Things were now on a knife's edge and in the middle of a series of prospectively tough League encounters there were none tougher than a visit to the League leaders, Norwich City, who had steadily pulled away from United to sit eight points clear. The three points being fought for would decide the destiny of the Championship and possibly United's chance of promotion. There was a crowd of 25,445 at Carrow Road on 27th March 2010 to see the vital clash and there was good news for United with the return of Jermaine Beckford from injury. There were also several other changes in the Leeds squad after the midweek loss to Millwall. Neill Collins had been brought in on loan from Preston North End for the rest of the season, as cover for Patrick Kisnorbo, whose Achilles injury would sideline him for several months. Shane Higgs was preferred to Casper Ankergren in goal, Shane Lowry was back after injury and took over at Left-Back, with Andy Hughes switching to Right Back in place of Leigh Bromby. Neil Kilkenny was recalled to midfield in place of Bradley Johnson and the bench comprised: Casper Ankergren, Leigh Bromby, Bradley Johnson, Max Gradel, Mike Grella, Tresor Kandol and Paul Dickov. United were immediately forced on the defensive as Norwich forced two corners and Shane Higgs was quickly into the action as he got up to punch clear. Robert Snodgrass completed a good passing movement from United with a shot and both sides had shots deflected wide during an entertaining opening. In the eleventh minute Luciano Becchio was laid out after a clash of heads with Micky Nelson and both team physios and the Leeds doctor were on the field for over three minutes before the Argentinian was stretchered off and he was replaced by Mike Grella after fifteen minutes. The substitute almost fashioned an opening as Leeds continued to play good football in a very entertaining match. It was United who created an oppurtunity after twenty-three minutes when the industrious Neil Kilkenny was wide with a long range effort. Robert Snodgrass also put a shot over the bar and Leeds, for who Michael Doyle was influencial in overshadowing Wes Hoolahan, were the better team in the first half-hour. United were creating half chances but were not able to making any clear-cut chances, but Jermaine Beckford was the first player to force a keeper to save when Fraser Forster was able to gather his long range shot. In the thirty-seventh minute the Canaries won a free-kick at the other end, but Andy Hughes made a decisive block and Leeds were able to clear and win a free-kick of their own as Robert Snodgrass was fouled by Wes Hoolahan. Norwich enjoyed a spell of pressure just before half-time and, after Shane Lowry had blocked a free-kick, Grant Holt blazed the rebound over the bar. Five minutes of stoppage time failed to break the deadlock. Sraight from the kick-off Michael Foyle was caught high by Korey Smith, which brought a stoppage and a free-kick to Leeds. It was a sign of Norwich's frustration, as the Leeds workrate and better football was getting the visitors on top, but the home side was defending well and chances were at a premium. After defending for a while, Norwich broke out and won a corner from which Gary Doherty headed wide. Mike Grella did get in a shot but Fraser Forster gathered comfortably. Norwich made a good break, as Wes Hoolahan evaded Michael Doyle for the first time, but Stephen Elliott's shot finished in the crowd. Mike Grella again tested Fraser Forster after good work from Neil Kilkenny and Jermaine Beckford and then Robert Snodgrass went very close to getting the goal that Leeds deserved as his shot flashed narrowly wide of a post. At the other end Neill Collins got in a timely tackle but conceded a corner as Norwich threatened and, after that corner had only been partially cleared, Korey Smith shot straight at Shane Higgs. Leeds went back up the other end and Jermaine Beckford was denied by some good defending and Jonathan Howson was narrowly wide. Tempers were simmering and Gary Holt received a yellow card for a foul on Robert Snodgrass, which provoked a reaction from a number of Leeds players. The fouls continued as the game remained fast and open it reached its final ten minutes. United were starting to tire after the mammoth effort and with four minutes to go Bradley Johnson came on for the hard-working Neil Kilkenny. The home side showed their character and grabbed the decisive goal with one minute left on the clock. Stephen Hughes sent over a cross from the right and Chris Martin scored the winner, with a glancing header. It was a cruel blow, given United's contribution to the pulsating game, but after Norwich had fallen to a very late goal at Elland Road in the earlier reverse fixture, it may have evened the ledger. Worse was to follow as United brought on Tresor Kandol in place of Andy Hughes, as they valiantly tried to chase the game, but he had only been on for less than a minute when he received a straight red card after an off the ball altercation with Darel Russell. That mattered little in terms of the result, but Norwich were now eleven points clear, with just eight games left, and Millwall had beaten Stockport County to draw level on points with United, who held on to second spot by a one goal advantage on goal difference, with Swindon Town now just one point behind and fifth placed Charlton Athletic just three points behind.

There was another top-of-the-table tussle in prospect as Swindon Town visited Elland Road on 3rd April 2010, Easter Saturday. Luciano Becchio had not recovered from his head injury at Norwich and Mike Grella took his place, and Sanchez Watt, United's latest loanee, from Arsenal, took his place on the bench, where Ben Parker returned after long term injury in place of the suspended Tresor Kandol. The Swindon team included goalkeeper David Lucas and midfielder Jonathan Douglas, who were hoping to put one over their former team-mates as both teams lined up, with blackarmbands, for a minute's silence to remember Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, who had lost their lives in Istanbul ten years previous. United started well in front of the 27,881 crowd, their biggest in 2010, and attacked from the off. There was little direct trouble to either goal until the fifteen minute, when David Lucas was called upon to get down to a low drive from Michael Doyle. Swindon defender Scott Cuthbert was also forced to make a clearance under pressure from Shane Lowry, after a good ball had come over from the right. The visitors did have a shot on goal after twenty minutes, from former Leeds Schoolboy Danny Ward, but it curled wide. Leeds were back on attack in the twenty-fourth minute, and only a goal-line clearance from Stephan Darby denied Jonathan Howson, after his cross was deflected over David Lucas and towards the net. Swindon broke quickly and Billy Paynter had a shot deflected for a corner. Almost on the half-hour Andy Hughes missed a great chance to put Leeds in front, as David Lucas reacted well to save from close range. Hughes almost atoned by putting in a great cross but Michael Doyle's downward header reared up and over the bar. It was David Lucas again, that kept Swindon in the game when he made a great save to deny Jermaine Beckford, as United were well on top. It was Swindon that stole the lead three minutes before half-time. Jon-Paul McGovern delivered a cross and Billy Paynter's first-time shot beat Shane Higgs to go in off the inside of the post. It was a major blow for Leeds who had been the better team in the first half, but it could have been worse as Shane Higgs saved a Billy Paynter effort from point blank range in first-half stoppage time. It only took three minutes of the second half for shell-shocked Leeds to go 2-0 down. Billy Paynter got his second, with the aid of a deflection from an innocuous situation and Leeds were in serious trouble. It was soon 3-0 as Stephan Darby and Billy Paynter linked down the right flank for Billy Austin to head in from close range after fifty-five minutes. Leeds were crushed and demoralised by the three goals, in not much more than ten minutes, and never looked like recovering. Ben Parker and Max Gradel replaced Richard Naylor and Michael Doyle on the hour, but it had no effect. Apart from Robert Snodgrass shooting over in the sixty-ninth minute, Leeds showed little reaction and Paul Dickov's replacement of Mike Grella in the seventy-sixth minute was equally fruitless. The loss was devastating to United's hopes of direct promotion and they slipped to fourth, their lowest position of the season, ahead, on goal difference only, of Charlton Athletic in fifth place. Swindon jumped into second spot, but as Norwich were beaten and Millwall could only draw, United remained eleven points behind Norwich, two behind Swindon and one behind Millwall with seven games left.

United made the long trip south to Huish Park on 5th April 2010, Easter Monday, to face fifteenth-placed Yeovil Town in an attempt to arrest a form slump which had seen them lose their last four games. They made two changes to the side beaten 3-0 at home by Swindon Town, with Leigh Bromby coming in at Right-Back and Andy Hughes moving to Left-Back to take over from Shane Lowry, who dropped to the bench, and Max Gradel replaced Mike Grella in the striking role as the American also dropped to the bench, as the same squad was maintained. There was a crowd of 6,308 on hand and a strong Leeds presence. As in the game with Swindon, both teams wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence in remembrance of Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, who had lost their lives ten years before in Istanbul. The Leeds fans turned their backs on the game for the first minute in symbolic protest over the lack of justice against the killers. It was the home team that made the first real raid of the game as Shane Higgs made an early save, when he pushed a shot from Terrell Forbes round the post. United responded quickly and Robert Snodgrass forced Alex McCarthy to make a full-length save in the twelfth minute as Leeds applied the pressure. Jermaine Beckford was crowded out as he looked to round the keeper and Yeovil struck back and made a couple of oppurtunities, with Shane Higgs palming down a volley from Gavin Tomlin and then watching the second go into the side-netting from a header by Steven Cauker. The referee failed to apply the advantage, after an opening had been created for Jermaine Beckford, and recalled play to forty yards back down the field for an earlier infringement in favour of Leeds. Neill Collins saw yellow after he had dragged back Gavin Tomlin, who had stolen a march on him. United took the lead in the twenty-ninth minute from a Neil Kilkenny set-piece, when he knocked the ball out wide to Jonathan Howson, who lifted his cross into the box and skipper Richard Naylor scored with a header that looped over Alex McCarthy, and evaded Craig Alcock's attemots to clear it, to score United's first goal in five games, and put them in front 1-0. Jermaine Beckford was then denied by Alex McCarthy and quickly afterwards shot wide after Max Gradel had squared the ball back to him. The goal had given United renewed confidence and Max Gradel was the ext to test Alex McCarthy with a good left footed strike after being played in by Neil Kilkenny. The keeper only saved by conceding a corner and it was from that corner that United got their second, as Richard Naylor scored for the secind time. This time he time his run to perfection, as a well flighted Neil Kilkenny corner came over, and scored with a clinical header that gave the Yeovil keeper no chance, after thirty-five minutes. It was a different United now, with all the confidence of the first half of the season and, when the second half of the match started, they again went on the attack. Richard Naylor was up in attack and twice got in attempts on the home goal with headers from corners. After fifty minutes Neill Collins also got in on the act with a header after a Jonathan Howson shot had been blocked. It was again Richard Naylor who won the ball in the air from a free-kick to open up a chance for Max Gradel, which was blocked. United were dominating and Jermaine Beckford forced the Yeovil keeper to save, and minutes later the overworked keeper pulled of an even better save from Robert Snodgrass at the expense of a corner. From it Richard Naylor was denied a hat-trick by a last-ditch clearance off the line by Craig Davies. It was hard to keep Richard Naylor out of the action, and he next created an opening for Max Gradel to get in a powerful shot which the keeper managed to block. After sixty-three minutes it was a desperate Craig Alcock who got a foot to a Neil Kilkenny flick after good work from Max Gradel. However, after twenty minutes of almost sustained Leeds pressure in the second half, it was Yeovil who scored next. It was Dean Bowditch who got away from Richard Naylor and shot past Shane Higgs into the far corner, in what was the home team's first meaningful attack in the second half. Shane Higgs, who had been virtually unemployed, reacted well to pull down a cross as Yeovil soon threatened again and next it was Neill Collins who came to the rescue with a decisive tackle as the home side were revitalised. Shaun MacDonald should have done better in the seventy-fourth minute when he failed to trouble Shane Higgs as he shot over when well placed. Dean Bowditch was equally at fault when he missed an easy chance with a header but United had Michael Doyle to thank as he cleared off the line from a Gavin Tomlin header after an Andrew Welsh corner, but it was too close for comfort. United were being asked to defend hard and they were still defending as the clock ticked down. Simon Grayson sent on Sanchez Watt, for his debut, in place of Jermaine Beckford, and Bradley Johnson in place of Neil Kilkenny to wind the clock down in the eighty-ninth minute. The Referee signalled four minutes stoppage time but Yeovil still pushed forward and United were relieved to see Andy Welsh shoot over as they defended desperately. Sanchez Watt did help the cause as he won the ball with a superb well-timed challenge in midfield, to thwart Yeovil for one last time, and the whistle went on United's first win since mid-March at Tranmere. It did keep United well in the race as all the top five teams won and Norwich were almost out of sight as leaders, with six games to go.

There were 21,650 in the crowd to watch United take on relegation threatened Southend United, who were sat intwenty-second place, at Elland Road on 10th April 2010, in the knowledge that United could not afford any more slip ups at home or automatic promotion would be replaced by the lottery of the play-offs. United fielded the same starting eleven as at Yeovil but on the bench Paul Dickov and Shane Lowry gave way to Luciano Becchio and Gary McSheffrey. There was a slow opening, but Southend keeper Steve Mildenhall had to react quickly, after ten minutes, to cut out a cross from Robert Snodgrass as Max Gradel waited to pounch. Robert Snodgrass was causing Southend trouble and Adam Barrett was on hand to avert the danger as the Scot crossed from the left, and moments later he forced the Southend keeper to tip the ball over the bar after a great cross from Max Gradel, but he let himself down when he shot straight at the keeper soon afterwards. United were in total control and approaching the half hour Jermaine Beckford headed wide at the far post after Neil Kilkenny had picked him out with a fine cross. On thirty-two minutes the striker saw his shot deflected wide after Robert Snodgrass had created an opening. Southend did make one assualt on goal before half-time, when Matt Paterson shot well over from long range. Four minutes before half-time Richard Naylor tried to repeat his Yeovil heroics but headed wide from a Neil Kilkenny corner. On the stroke of half-time Leeds were lucky not to go behind when Scott Vernon broke into the box, but the striker, who had Stuart O'Keefe free to his left, lost his footing before tamely prodding the ball into the gloves of Shane Higgs. Then Max Gradel was high and wide with a first time effort in first-half stoppage time. The opening of the second-half saw both sides create half-chances but it was soon Leeds applying the pressure. However, the only threat they could muster was from Jonathan Howson who was denied by the keeper. There was unrest on the terraces and Jermaine Beckford was barracked and Simon Grayson made a double substitution after fifty-eight minutes bringing on Luciano Becchio for Jermaine Beckford and Bradley Johnson for Andy Hughes. Two minutes later United hit the lead. Stuart O'Keefe lost possession on the edge of the Leeds penalty area, Leeds moved the ball quickly upfield, with Luciano Becchio and Robert Snodgrass being involved, and then to Max Gradel on the left wing. He then cut inside and fired a low left-footed shot from fourteen yards which took a wicked deflection off Pat Baldwin before finding the bottom right hand corner of the net. United maintained the pressure and Neil Kilkenny shot over the bar and then Max Gradel had a shot blocked. United should have been 2-0 up but Steve Mildenhall pulled off a point blank save from a Robert Snodgrass header. Twelve minutes from time Bradley Johnson was booked for a shocking tackle on Jean-Francois Christophe, but was lucky not to get a straight red, and, having accumulated ten cards he would be out for two games, those at Carlisle and Gillingham. Southend responded with Francis Laurent at full stretch to head a Simon Francis free-kick off target. Luciano Becchio had been very impressive since coming on as a substitute and it was fitting that it was he that increased United's lead in the eighty-third minute. Max Gradel was the provider with an accurate cross from the left wing which just evaded Adam Barrett and perfectly picked out the head of the popular Argentinian, who scored with a powerful assured header from six yards, near the back post. Jonathan Howson should have made it 3-0 but shot straight at the keeper from twelve yards. However, 2-0 was enough to secure the three points, and with Swindon and Charlton losing and Norwich drawing, it was enough to send United into third place, nine points behind Norwich and one behind Millwall, but one in front of Swindon and three in front of Charlton with fifteen points still to play for.

United were happy with the recent performances of Max Gradel and Luciano Becchio in the striking role and Jermaine Beckford's indifferent form saw him relegated to the bench to make way for the big Argentinia. Shane Lowry came back on the bench for the suspended Bradley Johnson as United visited Brunton Park on 13th April 2010 in front of a crowd of 8,728, which contained the usual large contingent of Leeds supporters. United were searching for their third consecutive victory as they visited twelfth placed Carlisle United, who had former Leeds players Ian Harte and Tommy Taiwo in the starting eleven and Gavin Rothery on the bench. United started brightly with Jonathan Howson having the first shot of the evening as he put the ball wide after five minutes. Soon after, Max Gradel seized on a defensive error to latch onto a through ball from Neill Collins, but Carlisle keeper Adam Collin was able to block his shot at the expense of a corner. From that corner, taken by Neil Kilkenny, United had the ball in the net with a Richard Naylor header, after the Carlisle keeper had fumbled the cross. but the referee, Mark Halsey, disallowed it as he adjudged Luciano Becchio had impeded the keeper. After ten minutes, Max Gradel seized upon a mistake by Tom Aldred, but he was forced wide of the target and he squared it back for Robert Snodgrass who shot over. There were a couple of errors from Ian Harte as he was tormented by Max Gradel, which unsettled the Carlisle defence, but it was a goalkeeping mistake that proved more costly for Carlisle. After thirteen minutes, Jonathan Howson was chopped down just outside the box by Paul Thirlwell. Robert Snodgrass took the free-kick but Adam Collin appeared to catch it comfortably but as he hit the ground it spilled from his grasp and Luciano Becchio could not believe his luck as he tapped in the gift from five yards. It was a soft goal but it gave United the confidence they needed, and a couple of minutes later Luciano Becchio fired wide. Next Richard Naylor missed a great chance and when Robert Snodgrass put the ball back into the Carlisle box the big Argentinian steered the ball wide from three yards when it would have been easier to score. Carlisle were thwarted by Richard Naylor, when they attacked for the first time, and Leeds were straight back on the attack. A nervous looking Adam Collin failed to hold another free-kick from Robert Snodgrass, finally pushing it round the post as several United attackers closed in. Neill Collins headed wide from the corner. Shortly after the half hour Evan Horwood came to Carlisle's rescue when he blocked a move started by Max Gradel who found Jonathan Howson but he was foiled in the act of shooting. A risky header from Andy Hughes forced a swift reaction from Shane Higgs as Adam Clayton chased the loose ball. It was as close as the home team got until the forty-fourth minute. There were more uncomfortable moments for Carlisle as Evan Horwood cleared off the line from Max Gradel, and then Adam Collin was lucky to save with his feet after a needless header from Ian Harte fell well short and Max Gradel seized on the chance. Leeds had been by far the more dominant team, in possession and chances created, but one minute before half time that all counted for nothing. A foul by Richard Naylor on Adam Clayton thirty-five yards out presented Carlisle with a free-kick. Ian Harte made up for his defensive lapses by delivering a trademark set-piece-kick which found Richard Keogh in space and he made no mistake with a powerful header past Shane Higgs' desperate dive, to bring the scores level. Manager Simon Grayson looked on in utter disbelief, not only for the poor marking that allowed the goal, but soon after Jonathan Howson got free and crossed from the right and Robert Snodgrass stabbed a shot over an open goal. Fortunately he did not have long to wait for the unjust scoreline to be rectified. Two minute into the second half Leigh Bromby sent in a cross towards the edge of the Carlisle six yard box and Max Gradel appeared through a crowd of players to head the ball into the net. Three minutes later and United were 3-1 up as Luciano Becchio got his second and Leeds' third, when Max Gradel threaded the ball through for him to run on to and shoot strongly under a diving Adam Collin. After fifty-sx minutes Becchio had a great chance for a hat-trick, after Andy Hughes had sent over a good cross, but his header was too near Adam Collin and he was able to save. Shane Higgs had to make a save from Adam Clayton, just before the hour and Michael Doyle made a timely clearance after the Leeds keeper had punched away a corner. Carlisle threw on Marc Bridge-Wilkinson after sixty minutes but he soon missed a good oppurtunity. Shane Higgs saved from Gary Madine in between repeated Leeds attacks and as the game entered the final minutes the Leeds victoty looked more assured. With two minutes left Jermaine Beckford and Mike Grella replaced Luciano Becchio and Max Gradel, but it was a token gesture, as the two retiring strikers had already won the game for Leeds. Norwich lost, Millwall and Swindon drew and only Charlton won, so United moved back into second place, with their destiny back in their own hands, six points behind Norwich City, one point in front of Millwall and three in front of Charlton Athletic and Swindon Town, with four games left to play.

United were able to keep the same squad and run on eleven that had got the three points at Carlisle, when they visted the Priestfield Stadium on 17th April to face twentieth placed Gillingham, who were deep in relegation trouble. There was a crowd of 9,649 on hand of which over 2,241 were there to support Leeds. Gillingham already had Josh Gowling out of their side and after just four minutes they lost Barry Fuller and had to bring on Jack Payne from the bench. Leeds were rocked after nine minutes when Richard Naylor made a poor attempt at a defensive header and Adam Miller pounced on the loose clearance to calmly loop his shot beyond Shane Higgs to give the home side the lead. United responded immediately and Max Gradel forced Alan Julian to save after good work from Luciano Becchio. Soon after, the home team gave the Leeds defence another shock as Renee Howe rattled a post. The Leeds Central Defence of Richard Naylor and Neill Collins were clearly rattled and unable to cope with the lively home team forwards. Neill Collins was booked before the twenty minute mark as he hauled down the elusive Renee Howe, after he had got past him and threatened to break throug on goal. Robert Snodgrass sent a free-kick skidding through the home wall, but Richard Naylor failed to capitalize on the chance. The home side went 2-0 up on the half hour mark as United again failed to cope with another set-piece and an unmarked Mark Bentley was able to rise unchallenged to head home an Adam Miller free-kick from close range. Three minutes later and it was 3-0 in favour of the home team. Former Leeds player, Curtis Weston crossed the ball into the penalty area and Richard Naylergot his angles all wrong and his headed clearance came back off Leigh Bromby and past a stranded Shane Higgs. Leeds were clearly in trouble and in total disarray and were staring down the barrel of a disasterous defeat that would seriously dent their formerly impressive goal difference which had taken a battering since the turn of the year. They were handed a life-line and a ray of hope just before the half-time break when they pulled a goal back. It came from Luciano Becchio, when he received a ball from Andy Hughes and made a smart turn before coolly finishing by slotting the ball into the net to reduce the arrears to 3-1. The travelling Leeds fans realised that a come-back was possible and got behind the team for the second half. Max Gradel was the first to have a shot on goal in the second half but, after he had cut in from the left, his shot was blocked. Then Luciano Becchio headed wide as United started to get on top. There had been no goals in the first ten minutes of the second half and Simon Grayson made a double change, as Ben Parker came on for Andy Hughes and Jermaine Beckford replaced Robert Snodgrass, and Leeds went for a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Ben Parker, who had slotted into the left side of midfield, had a shot blocked as United maintained the pressure. As the game passed the hour mark, Neil Kilkenny sent a shot just over the bar after the home team could no properly clear a long-throw from Leigh Bromby. Then the United midfielder set up Ben Parker for a shot which was just wide. While United were dominating both in possession and attacking, they were posing little threat to the Gillingham goal as they could not put pressure on Alan Julian, with shots that were not on target. Good defending by the home side saw them stop Jermaine Beckford from playing in Luciano Becchio and when Neill Collins started a run down the wing, he was stopped by a firm challenge from Adam Miller. United just couldn't find the finesse to pose a meaningful threat on goal. With thirteen minutes left on the clock Simon Grayson had his final roll of the dice and sent on Arsenal loanee Sanchez Watt for Luciano Becchio. United were still unable to breach the Gillingham rearguard until with just five minutes on the clock, Jermaine Beckford was bundled to the floor in the penalty area by Mark Bentley. Referee Alan Wiley pointed to the spot. The striker took the penalty himself and drilled it low and hard into the net to make it 3-2 with just four minutes left. United poured men forward and Sanchez Watt inspired a move that was stopped for an infringement as both Michael Doyle and Jermaine Beckford looked to pounce on the bouncing ball. United clearly thought an equalizer would come and a Neill Collins cross was deflected to safety as two United men lined up for glory in the six yard box. Four minutes were added, which gave renewed optimism and Darren Dennehy was lucky to get away with manhanling Jermaine Beckford in the penalty area, but the final whistle came with United unable to get back on level terms. Against all the odds United remained in second spot as the other games on that weekend had seen Millwall lose 1-0 at Huddersfield Town, Norwich all but assure themselves of the Championship with a 1-0 win at Charlton Athletic and Swindon Town were held at home 1-1 by unfancied Walsall. So with three games left to play, United remained second nine points behind Norwich City and one point in front of Millwall, two in front of Swindon Town, three in front of Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield's win had kept them in contention six points adrift from United. Interestingly, United had to visit the Valley in their penultimate match and Swindon had to visit the Den on the final day.

On 24th April 2010 United entertained tenth placed, but injury riddled, MK Dons and there were three changes to the United line-up. Ben Parker was given his first start since being injured in the first game of the season, Sanchez Watt was given his run-on debut and Bradley Johnson returned after suspension. Leigh Bromby dropped to the bench as Andy Hughes moved to Right-Back to accomodate Ben Parker. Jonathan Howson was also a substitute as he made way for Sanchez Watt, who took the left flank of midfield with Robert Snodgrass moving to the right. Michael Doyle also warmed the bench after giving way to Bradley Johnson. Shane Lowry was omitted from the squad that had faced Gillingham. It was a vital encounter and United could not afford any slip-ups in such a hard fought battle for the vacant promotion spot. It took just twelve minutes for United to go 1-0 up, with a goal that was engineered by Sanchez Watt, who dispossesed Mathias Dombe in midfield and made a great run down the left flank, before slipping the ball to Luciano Becchio who finished so succinctly by tucking the ball beyond Willy Guert in the MK Dons goal. The lead only lasted for six minutes before MK Dons drew level. A long free-kick from Peter Leven arrived in the United six yard box and before any defenders could clear MK Dons skipper Dean Lewington poked the ball into the net from close range as a stunned Kop watched on in disbelief. United responded quickly and soon made the MK Dons defence decidedly jittery as they applied the pressure, but clear-cut chances were not easily created. Willy Gueret only just beat Max Gradel to a long through ball and after some enterprising play from Neil Kilkenny United regained the lead after thirty-three minutes. Max Gradel reacted quicker than the visitors defence, after they failed to clear their lines completely and he gratefully slammed the ball past Willy Gueret for his sixth goal of the season with a strong low drive. Two minutes before half-time the visitors cause was not helped when they were reduced to ten men after Mathias Doumbe was shown a straight red card for a shocking tackle on the fleet-footed Sanchez Watt. It looked as if MK Dons were in more trouble almost on half-time when their keeper slipped while collecting a harmless ball. The quick-witted Max Gradel was on to it like a flash and it appeared that the keeper had clipped his feet, but the Referee did not agree. However it was the keeper that came to his sides rescue when he blocked a Robert Snodgrass shot with his legs in first-half stoppage time. United were quickly on the offensive in the second half and Max Gradel saw two of his crosses cleared to safety. Lewis Gobern tested Shane Higgs on the hour but the unfortunate Ben Parker, whose season had already been ruined by injury, seemed to catch his studs in the turf and was helped off with what appeared to be a knee injury. He was replaced by Jonathan Howson, who took up the central midfield role as Bradley Johnson dropped back to Left-Back. After sixty-three minutes, the Dons keeper was again in action as he made a good stop to deny Sanchez Watt's low shot, after Max Gradel had featured strongly in the build-up. From another chance Richard Naylor headed over. After seventy-six minutes Simon Grayson made his first unenforced change and went for more strike power up front with Jermaine Beckford replacing Robert Snodgrass. It was an instant success as the striker scored three minutes later to put United 3-1 in front. Sanchez Watt, Luciano Becchio and Bradley Johnson all took part in the build up before the striker finished off the move with an athletic finish from the Argentinian's final pass. Five minutes later the striker was again in the thick of the action when he was hauled down by David McCracken, when clear through. McCracken received a straight red card and the striker scored from the spot for the second time in consecutive matches. Beckford almost had a hat-trick when, two minutes from time, he glanced a header just wide. United were still pressing for a fifth against the nine-men Dons and Jonathan Howson had a shot cleared off the goal-line. Two minutes into stoppage time, incredibly the visitors were reduced to eight men when Peter Leven was given another straight red for a lunge on Neill Collins. It was the final action as United moved within two wins of promotion. With Two games left to play, Norwich City finally confirmed themselves as Champions with a 2-0 home win over Gillingham, nine points in front of United. Millwall kept up the pressure with a 2-1 home win over Leyton Orient, one point behind United, Swindon dropped two more points when they could only draw 2-2 at relegation threatened Wycombe Wanderers and dropped to four points in arrears while Charlton Athletic could only draw 1-1 at Exeter City and dropped to five points behind and Huddersfield Town won 6-0 at relegated Stockport County to stay in the hunt six points behind.

United brought Shane Lowry in at Left-Back, in place of the injured Ben Parker and Michael Doyle was restored to Central Midfield, with Bradley Johnson moving to Left Midfield as Sanchez Watt dropped to the bench. United's task was clear. They had to win at the Valley and then, if Millwall lost at Tranmere Rovers they would be promoted in second place. So their destiny was in their own hands as they took the field on 1st May 2010 in front of a crowd of 23,198 of which at least 3,140 were there to support them. In the Charlton starting line-up were former United Captain Frazer Richardson, ex-Leeds loan-player Sam Sodje and Leeds-born Lloyd Sam. It was United who created the first chance of the game, as Max Gradel seized on some terrible home defending to get in a shot on goal, but Darren Randolph was able to save at the second attempt. The home side too, had an early attempt with Nicky Forster winning a corner after his shot was deflected. In the nineteenth minute Max Gradel got behind Frazer Richardson and Bradley Johnson was able to send a shot across the Charlton goal and Luciano Becchio was denied by a strong challenge, which left Max Gradel appealing for a penalty. as the game approached the half-hour mark Leeds started to get on top and the home defence did not look comfortable. After more good work from Max Gradel, Robert Snodgrass was able to get a shot on goal, but it was wide. However it was Shane Higgs who was called upon to make the first good save of the game when Deon Burton shot from an acute angle. The Leeds response was immediate as Max Gradel hooked a shot wide, before Neill Collins shot over from close range after he met a Bradley Johnson cross. There was little between the two teams as half-time approached bu there was a big roar as news came through that Millwall had gone behind at Tranmere Rovers, to a goal from ex-Leeds player Ian Moore-Thomas. United started the second half on the attack and the Charlton keeper, Darren Randolph, had to charge from his goal to collect under pressure from Max Gradel. United soon had some defending to do of their own, as the home team swung on the attack, as it was an open game with both sides prepared to attack but any serious attempts on either goal were few and far between. Darren Randolph collected easily after Robert Snodgrass hooked in a shot after Luciano Becchio got a cross in. At the other end Shane Higgs saved at full stretch after a Terry Racon shot was deflected off Nicky Forster. There was a real scare after sixty minutes, when only a goal-line clearance saved Leeds following an in-swinging corner from Gary Borrowdale and Sam Sodje held his head in his hands after his header went over the bar. Jose Semedo was pulled up for handball and then got a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. After sixty-four minutes Simon Grayson sent on leading goal-scorer Jermaine Beckford in place of Robert Snodgrass. Moments later there was another roar from the crowd, saluting Leeds loanee Andy Robinson having scored Tranmere's second goal against Millwall. Leeds continued to live dangerously. Substitute Akpo Sodje directed a seventy-second-minute header straight at Shane Higgs, and two minutes later the impressive Lloyd Sam skipped through the middle to send a shot rising over the Leeds crossbar. Simon sent on Sanchez Watt for Michael Doyle after seventy-four minutes as further proof that Leeds were committed to all out attack in search of the elusive goal, which stood between them an instant automatic promotion. There was some fine defending by Charlton to stop the ball getting to Jermaine Beckford as Sanchez Watt's extra speed and Neil Kilkenny's guile began to show. Simon Grayson went even further by sacrificing Andy Hughes for Mike Grella to give Leeds a four pronged attack. But still Leeds were not able to breach the Charlton rearguard and were leaving themselves open to a break or counter attack from the home side. Charlton too, were quite happy to attack and with two minutes remaining, Sam Sodje knocked a cross back at the far post and Akpo Sodje got enough on it to force it towards the Leeds net, but in an effort to save it, Richard Naylor succeeded only in diverting the ball away from his keeper and further into the net. If that was not enough, the Leeds fans had to watch in horror as Kyel Reid struck the inside of the right-hand post and it careered across goal to safety seconds later. With five added minutes, Leeds finally began to get forward and Jermaine Beckford side-footed wide at the near post before finally getting the chance of the match five yards out but his thunderous header was somehow saved by Darren Randolph. It was an incredible stop from near point blank range which he managed to push over the bar. So it was that Leeds once more showed they never did things the easy way. Norwich were out of sight twelve points clear. Millwall had lost at Tranmere 2-0 and were still one point in arrears, with a one goal worse goal difference to Leeds, Swindon had won and moved into third, equal on points with Millwall, but wuth a fourteen goal worse goal difference. Charlton were fifth with two points less and a goal diffence worse by eleven than United and still in contention, but hoping for a miracle, were Huddersfield Town, who had beaten Colchester United at home 2-1 and were three points and five goals behind Leeds. No matter what any of the other teams did, if Leeds won their remaining game, they would be promoted.

So the scene was set for the final game of the season on 8th May 2010, against ninth-placed Bristol Rovers, the team they had beaten 4-0 on their own ground back in October and there were no excuses, a win would mean promotion. United were forced to make one change as Richard Naylor had picked up an injury and was replaced by Leigh Bromby in Central Defence. Simon Grayson also made another change from the team that lost to Charlton Athletic, making the decision to bring back Jermaine Beckford in place of Robert Snodgrass, who dropped to the bench and Lubomir Michalik filled the vacant spot alongside him in the substitutes. In what was thought to be his last game for Leeds, Jermaine Beckford was given the Captain's armband. The teams came out to a capacity crowd of 38,234 and it was Leeds that began the stronger as the Bristol goal came under threat on several occasions. Good work by Jermaine Beckford on the left played in Bradley Johnson and his dangerous centre was palmed away by Rover's keeper Mikkel Andersen. Max Gradel got in a low cross and Luciano Becchio was inches away from touching the ball into the net. Bristol responded and forced a couple of corners, which came to nothing. Infringements were constantly slowing down the pace of the game and both sides were equally guilty as the players sought to repay for perceived transgressions. Leigh Bromby twice cleared for Leeds, the first from a Stuart Campbell corner and then a block on a Charles Reece shot, before Bradley Jihnson was also called on to clear from Stuart Campbell. on the twenty-three minute mark Andy Hughes put in a cross but Mikkel Andersen easily dealt with it. The tension was building as the crowd and Leeds players realised that things were not going to plan and it would be a long, slow and hard job for Leeds to get the goal they so desperately needed. The niggles and tit-for-tat fouls continued until the game blew up after thirty-five minutes when there was an altercation in the Bristol Rovers penalty area between Max Gradel and the Bristol defender Daniel Jones. Jones had flattened the Leeds striker with a heavy tackle just previously and the diminutive Ivorian stamped on his adversary's shin in retribution at the first chance. Jones immediately went into his dying swan act clutching his face and rolling on the floor and players from both sides confronted before the Referee showed a red card to Max Gradel and a yellow to Jones. The Leeds striker became incensed and clearly agitated and got into more problems as his Captain, Jermaine Beckford, and Michael Doyle tried to restrain him and get him to leave peacefully. It required the intervention of stewards to make the irate Ivorian leave the field. The Bristol defender was booed loudly ever time he touched the ball, but the visitors pressed strongly with their one man advantage, and Darryl Duffy was booked for a foul on Shane Higgs. United had more defending to do, but half time came with no goals to show and the referee and players left the field to a loud chorus of booing. There was a huge blow to United's chances just two minutes after the restart. Arch-villain Daniel Jones crossed from the left and it was hooked back by Joe Kuffor and Darryl Duffy was on hand to shoot home from close range, as the visitors went 1-0 up. Luciano Becchio went close for United and the Referee further endeared himself to the home crowd when he turned down an appeal for a penalty after a Bradley Johnson shot had been blocked. United went to a back three when they brought Jonathan Howson on in place of Shane Lowry after fifty-four minutes. He had not been on the field for five minutes when, after Luciano Becchio had played a Bradley Johnson cross back to him on the edge of the penalty area, he put in a curling shot which beat the Bristol keeper to hit the back of the net for the equaliser. Four minutes later the ten men took the lead. Bradley Johnson was again heavily involved with a surging run and cross from the left, which was partially stopped by a defender and the ball fell to Jermaine Beckford just six yards out and he smashed it into the net with an emphatic finish for his thirty-first goal of the season. United went looking for a third goal and this left them open to a quick break from the visitors and only a brave stop by Goalkeeper Shane Higgs saved them as he dived at the feet of the onrushing Joe Kuffor in the seventy-second minute. However it was United that went close to getting a third three minutes later when Neill Collins sent a header when bounced off the woodwork. Sanchez Watt came on for Luciano Becchio with two minutes left on the clock and then in the last minute Jermaine Beckford left the field to a standing ovation when he gave way to Robert Snodgrass, but the game was soon over and the supporters were able to celebrate the victory which, as usual, was obtained the hard way. The final day had seen Norwich City go down 2-0 at home to Carlisle United, so United finished nine points behind them. Millwall had won the game with Swindon Town 3-2 to trail United by one point, while Charlton Athletic had won 2-0 at Oldham Athletic to leapfrog Swindon into fourth place two points behind United with Swindon Town four points behind and the bubble burst for Huddersfield Town as they went down 2-1 at Exeter City to finish sixth six points behind United. In the play-offs Millwall came through to accompany United and Norwich into the Championship.

2010-2011:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

After finally gaining promotion from League One United were not expected to press for promotion with any real commitment but rather, they were expected to consolidate their new found promotion.

As expected the protracted Jermaine Beckford saga was brought to an end as he signed for Everton on a free transfer on 31st May 2010. He was soon followed by Angolan international defender Rui Marques, defender Jonathan Webb and goalkeeper Ryan Jones, whose contracts were not renewed on 30th June 2010. On 14th May 2010, former first-choice keeper Casper Ankergren did not have his contract renewed either and he left for Brighton and Hove Albion on 6th August 2010. Short-term signing Paul Dickov did not have his contract renewed and left to become Player-Manager of Oldham Athletic on 9th June 2010.

There were moves to strengthen the team as Kasper Schmeichel the son of legendary Danish keeper Peter, was signed on a two year deal from Notts County on a Free Transfer on 17th May 2010, as a direct replacement for his fellow Danish keeper. On 2nd June 2010 free-scoring striker, Billy Paynter was also signed on a free from Swindon Town on a three year deal and was expected to be installed as United's main strike weapon. Full Back Paul Connolly was the next recruit as he joined on a free from Derby County on a three year contract on 9th June 2010 and, when he was allocated the #2 jersey, it was expected he would become United's first choice right-back ahead of Jason Crowe and others. The recruiting continued as left-back Fede Bessone (Luna) also arrived on a free transfer from Swansea City on 16th June 2010 also on a three year deal. The recruiting continued as defender Neill Collins was a bought from Preston North End on 7th July 2010 for an undisclosed fee, after first signing on loan in March 2010 and playing his part in United's promotion push, he too was given a three year contract. Lloyd Sam, who was Leeds born, became the sixth new recruit when he joined from Charlton Athletic on a free transfer, two days later, on a two year deal. On 30th July 2010 Central Defender Alex Bruce, son of Steve Bruce, was signed from Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £300,000, on a two year deal with an option of a third. On 3rd August 2010 Sanchez Watt rejoined Leeds on loan from Arsenal for the whole season, having previously been on loan from 2nd February 2010 and playing his part in United's eventual promotion from League One. On 6th August 2010 Midfielder Adam Clayton had been signed from Manchester City on a one month's loan and on 31st August 2010 he signed permanently on a three year contract for an undisclosed fee. United's final close season inward transfer transaction came on 27th August 2010, when Striker/Winger Ross McCormack was signed from Cardiff City on a three year contract for an undisclosed fee that was believed to be around £350,000.

At the end of the previous season there was a farewell to several players who had joined United on Loan during that season. Mick Doyle, who was virtually a permanent fixture in the United promotion season was not signed by Manager Simon Grayson and was allowed to return to Coventry City. Also joining him at Coventry City was Gary McSheffrey, who had been on loan from Birmingham City and like Doyle had expected Leeds to sign him as his contact at St Andrews expired.

On 14th May 2010, Manager Simon Grayson had named several players as being surplus to requirements namely Alan Sheehan, Lubomir Michalik, Andy Robinson, Tresor Kandol, and they were placed on the Transfer list. Alan Sheehan moved to Swindon Town on a free on 31st August 2010, Lubomir Michalik went on loan to Carlisle United on the same day until 3rd January 2011. Andy Robinson, who had spent the latter part of the previous season on loan at Tranmere Rovers, could not find a club and he remained on the list until 1st December 2010 when his contract was cancelled by mutual coinsent and this led to his joining Tranmere Rovers on 27th January 2011. Tresor Kandol was formally released by United on 4th August 2010 and he joined Spanish Second Division side Albacete.

Australian Left Back Shane Lowry rejoined Aston Villa at the end of his loan period. Winger Sanchez Watt also returned to parent club Arsenal but on 3rd August 2010, Leeds were able to obtain his loan for the whole of the 2010-11 season. Young Scottish Under-Twenty-One goalkeeper, Alan Martin, who had spent time on loan with Barrow, was again loaned to them on 4th August 2010 until January 2011. After a successful loan period with Lincoln City, Davide Somma returned to the club and it was immediately announced that he would not be considered for any future loans as he was very much part of the Leeds first team squad. Striker Tom Elliot returned from being on Loan to Bury and it was hoped that he too would push for a place in the Leeds squad, but on 16th July 2010 he went on a six months loan to Rotherham United. After a successful loan period with Accrington Stanley for the 2009-10 season, Centre-Back Tom Lees returned to the club at the end of that season and, after several successful games in the pre-season friendlies, he was again loaned out on 3rd August 2010 to Bury for six months to gain further first-team experience.

United gave trials to two young Slovakians during their tour of that country as Tomas Brusko, a midfielder with MFK Dubnica, and Marian Jarabica, the twenty-one year old Slovakian Under-Twenty-One International central defender from Ceske Budejivice, were given permission by their clubs to train with and take part in United's first pre-season friendly with Slovakian Premier League side, MFK Ruzomberok. They both started in the game along with debutants Kasper Schmeichel, Neill Collins, Fede Bessone and Lloyd Sam, as United lined up for the first half: Kasper Schmeichel; Jason Crowe, Marian Jarabica, Neill Collins, Fede Bessone; Lloyd Sam, Jonathan Howson, Tomas Brusko, Aidan White; Mike Grella and Luciano Becchio. Neill Collins soon shone in defence, but Kasper Schmeichel showed uncharacteristic uncertainty as he failed to hold a low cross. Mike Grella was unlucky not to have won a free-kick as he looked to captalise on a good Leeds move, but the home side took the lead after sixteen minutes when Jan Chovanec was left alone to pick his spot and blast the ball past the surprised Leeds keeper. Leeds were lucky that he didn't double his side's lead but his shot was blocked. Leeds were showing rustiness against their better-prepared hosts as trialist Brusko shot wide after fine work from Lloyd Sam, who was becoming a threat to the homeside. Luciano Becchio got in a cross but it was too high for Mike Grella, who again failed to take advantage of good work and shot straight at the keeper. After thirty-three minutes United made their first change as Alan Martin took over in goal from Kasper Schmeichel and the young Scots keeper was soon in the action, firstly misjudging a cross which allowed Petger Styvar to head wide and then watched as Vladimir Kovac shot wide when well placed. As expected Simon Grayson made wholesale changes for the second half, giving debuts to Paul Connolly and Billy Paynter as they lined up: Alan Martin; Paul Connolly, Tom Lees, Leigh Bromby, Andy Hughes; Robert Snodgrass, Neil Kilkenny, Bradley Johnson, Max Gradel; Davide Somma, Billy Paynter. Davide Somma was soon in the action and almost equalised after being put through by Neil Kilkenny. At the other end Alan Martin was also making his mark, diving to push a powerful free-kick from Vladimir Kovacs round the post before blocking another shot in quick succession. United were now more in the game and Max Gradel had the ball in the net after good work from Neil Kilkenny but was adjudged off-side and Davide Somma was unfortunate not to earn a penalty after being brought down in the box. United were falling foul of the home offside trap as both Billy Paynter, who shot over, and Davide Somma were both flagged for offside in quick succession. Shane Higgs was given a chance in goal as he replaced Alan Martin on the hour and was soon in the action as he parried a low shot. As the game progressed into the final quarter it was Leeds that started to get on top with Max Gradel proving to be a constant menace on the left flank. In their effort to equalise United were unfortunate when Neil Kilkenny fired over when well placed before Robert Snodgrass rattled a post with a smart effort from just inside the box. With six minutes left on the clock Davide Somma had the ball in the net with a powerful shot after a fine run, only to be thwarted once more by the offside flag in the most marginal of decisions and that was United's final effort as they went down 1-0.

For their second game of the tour United faced a heatwave and Manager Grayson shuffled his team for the game with MFK Kosice. He gave the captain's armband to Neill Collins as his line-up was: Shane Higgs; Paul Connolly, Neill Collins, Leigh Bromby, Fede Bessone; Robert Snodgrass, Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson; Luciano Becchio, Davide Somma. Davide Somma was soon in the action, winning an early corner and Fede Bessone kept up the pressure with a good run and cross from the left. Robert Snodgrass maintained the pressure, as he forced the home keeper to save after fifteen minutes. The home side hit back and Fede Bessone was forced to deflect a cross over his own bar, while Shane Higgs was tested with a shot from outside the box. After twenty-two minutes Robert Snodgrass engineered an opening for Davide Somma to head narrowly over. Eight minutes later Jonathan Howson broke through but Davide Somma was again a victim of the offside flag and was soon another victim by the narrowest of margins. As half-time approached the home side struggled to cut out a fine cross from Fede Bessone with Robert Snodgrass waiting to pounce and then a good Bradley Johnson cross found no takers. The start of the second half saw Kasper Schmeichel take over from Shane Higgs in goal, Andy Hughes replace Paul Connolly and Aidan White replace Fede Bessone at full back, with Tom Lees coming on for Leigh Bromby in central defence, Max Gradel replacing Jonathan Howson in midfield and Mike Grella and Billy Paynter replacing Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma as strikers. Billy Paynter was soon in the action as he was thwarted by the home keeper as he sought to find Mike Grella after being put through by Bradley Johnson. After Robert Snodgrass had tested the keeper from distance, it was he that proved the provider for United's first goal, as his cross was headed on by Bradley Johnson for Billy Paynter to volley the ball first-time into the net, as he opened his goalscoring account for United. Grella and Gradel combined well to go close twenty minutes from time and it was Grella who won a penalty in the seventy-fifth minute after he had been brought down by the keeper. Robert Snodgrass claimed the penalty but his low shot was saved by the keeper. The keeper again thwarted United minutes later as he saved a fine shot from Max Gradel. Billy Paynter should have got a second in the eighty-fourth minute, after being played in by Mike Grella, but he shot well over. He also had a shot deflected wide before Tom Lees narrowly failed with a strong header, as the game reached its conclusion.

There was a visit to Gigg Lane as Bury were United's hosts in their first local friendly of the season. Billy Paynter, Richard Naylor, Jason Crowe, Lloyd Sam and Alan Martin were all unavailable from injuries as United started the game with: Kasper Schmeichel; Andy Hughes, Leigh Bromby, Neill Collins, Fede Bessone; Robert Snodgrass, Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson; Luciano Becchio and Mike Grella. Torrential rain had fallen for most of the day as United changed summer for the gloom of Lancashire but it was almost like a home game with almost two-thirds of the crowd having made the trip over the Pennines. United opened strongly with Jonathan Howson firing in from distance after good work by Mike Grella. The American thought he had scored after nine minutes, but after netting he was called back for an infringement. Bradley Johnson forced Cameron Belford, the Bury keeper, to save at the second attempt. The Leeds midfielder was not having any luck and after fifteen minutes he rattled the bar with a header from a Robert Snodgrass cross, before good defending from Phil Picken again denied him, while Neill Collins headed the ensuing corner over the bar. Luciano Becchio only just failed to connect with a Fede Bessone cross as they piled on the pressure. Bury should have done better in the thirty-fifth minute, after Steven Schumacher made the initial break which allowed David Worrall to play in Ryan Lowe, who shot wide. However, he made no mistake a few minutes later, when a cross from the right found him in space to shoot firmly into the top corner to give Bury the lead. It should have been 2-0 minutes later when Andy Haworth beat the offside trap, but Steven Schumacher missed with the goal at his mercy. With four minutes of the half left Jonathan Howson shot over with the last worthwhile effort of the half, which saw the rain return during the interval and the second half kicked off in a torrential downpour. Andy Haworth should have increased Bury's lead but his finishing was amiss. It was not all one-way traffic as Cameron Belford had to punch clear a free kick and the impressive Robert Snodgrass went close after fifty-three minutes and was soon the subject of a bad challenge from behind which had players of both sides involved in the ensuing fracas. The home side continued to press and Kasper Schmeichel was called upon to save from Ryan Lowe. After fifty-nine minutes Manager Grayson rang the changes, introducing Paul Connolly for Andy Hughes at right-back and Max Gradel for Luciano Becchio up front. It was a Bury substitute, Andy Bishop, who made the impact as he picked up a deflected ball to race through the middle to score and put the home side 2-0 in front. Cameron Belford only just managed to palm away a curling Robert Snodgrass free-kick and United made more changes after sixty-seven minutes with Tom Lees replacing Leigh Bromby in central defence and Aidan White coming on for Fede Bessone at left-back. A minute later, United had to thank an offside flag as David Worrall curled the ball past Kasper Schmeichel, before they brought on Davide Somma for Mike Grella. It had the desired effect as Davide Somma forced Cameron Belford into a fine save to keep him off the scoresheet. Tom Lees was also close ten minutes later when he rose to head in a corner but it was palmed away by the Bury keeper. The Bury keeper was well beaten minutes later but Bradley Johnson's fine effort cannoned off the upright. In the eighty-fifth minute the home side went three ahead when Danny Carlton created the space to force home a right wing cross. As the clock wound down Max Gradel almost created a consolation with his trickery, but Davide Somma was wayward with his header from his cross. The ball quickly found its way up the other end and Paul Connolly committed a foul in the penalty box and Andy Bishop stepped up to score from the spot to get his second and Bury's fourth of the night to leave the home team emphatic winners by 4-0. Shane Higgs remained unused on the bench.

There was a friendly with Blue Square North team Gainsborough Trinity, which gave squad members Max Gradel, Davide Somma, Richard Naylor, Tom Lees and Alan Martin a chance to get in some match practice. Outsiders Andy Robinson and Alan Sheehan were also on view trying to impress would be employers. There was more than a smattering of Juniors as United lined up: Alan Martin; Lewis Turner, Alan Sheehan; Will Hatfield, Richard Naylor, Tom Lees; Andy Robinson, Joe McCann, Davide Somma, Max Gradel, James Baxendale. Subs: Alex Cairns, Sanchez Payne, James Booker, Nathan Turner, Jonny Birbeck, Ross Killock, Charlie Taylor, Conor Qualter. Max Gradel gave an inpressive performance against inferior opposition, scoring twice with Davide Somma notching the third in a 3-0 win for United. Richard Naylor played the first half while both Gradel and Somma retired after sixty minutes. Davide Somma gave Leeds the lead shortly before half-time with a typical oppurtunist goal, while Max Gradel scored both his goals in ten minutes in the second half. His first came from an Andy Robinson free-kick which was only partially cleared and his second came from a set-piece. After the departure of the three main players the team, which otherwise consisted of a mixture of first and second year academy players, were able to close the game without conceding a goal.

After his side's 4-0 defeat at the hands of Bury, United Manager Simon Grayson still was without the services of Jason Crowe, Billy Paynter and now Fede Bessone, who had picked up a strain in training, but Richard Naylor warmed up with the team before the match, but was not included on the teamsheet as United visited Hartlepool United in their next friendly four days after the shock defeat. They lined up: Shane Higgs; Paul Connolly, Neill Collins, Leigh Bromby, Aidan White; Robert Snodgrass, Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson, Lloyd Sam; Luciano Becchio. Once more there was a large contingent from Leeds comprising well over a third of the crowd. They soon had something to cheer about as Leeds took the lead after just five minutes, when Shane Higgs made a long clearance and, with lone striker Luciano Becchio causing havoc in the home team's penalty area, the ball fell to Robert Snodgrass, who scored with ease. It was Luciano Becchio who twice went close just a few moments later, when, after Lloyd Sam won a corner, which he took, the Argentinian could not believe his luck as he twice had a header cleared off the line. Bradley Johnson, after a fine run, saw his cross sail across the face of goal after eighteen minutes and then, soon after, Neil Kilkenny forced home keeper Scott Flinders to react quickly as his corner was curling under the bar. It was all very one-sided but it was not until five minutes before the break that United made their superiority count. It was Lloyd Sam who did all the lead upwork and his fine cross saw Luciano Becchio score with a fine header. It was not, however, an end to the scoring in the half as a short free-kick by Neil Kilkenny was taken further by Paul Connolly, who found Jonathan Howson pushing forward, to deliver a good cross which Bradley Johnson rose to head in. The second half started in the same vein as the first with Neil Kilkenny having an early shot blocked. After good work by Aidan White and Lloyd Sam, Neil Kilkenny was again unlucky to see his shot deflected for a corner and then it was Robert Snodgrass who was denied after Scott Flinders could only parry a shot from Bradley Johnson. The inevitable fourth goal duly arrived after fifty-seven minutes as Lloyd Sam found Jonathan Howson, whose shot found the net after hitting the inside of the post. There was a temporary change to the incessant United attacks as the home side hit the bar, but it was short-lived. Simon Grayson brought on Andy Hughes at right-back for Paul Connolly after fifty-nine minutes, followed a minute later by Max Gradel replacing Lloyd Sam. The Ivory Coast man was soon in the action when he quickly won a free-kick and from it he tested Scott Flinders with a curling shot. He then combined well with Aidan White down the left, but Jonathan Howson could only shoot over the bar. Robert Snodgrass was then close as his left foot shot was just wide, and it was he that supplied the cross in the sixty-eighth minute for Luciano Becchio to get his second and United's fifth, with another fine header. This was the signal for a double substitution in the sixty-ninth minute with Davide Somma coming on for Luciano Becchio and Mike Grella coming on for Neil Kilkenny. Leeds-born Andy Monkhouse forced Shane Higgs to a good save with a long-ranged shot as the home side tried to find a consolation goal. However in the end there was nothing as Leeds looked the more likely to increase their lead as Bradley Johnson shot wide and Max Gradel caused the home side some anxious moments.

Simon Grayson stuck with his lone striker Luciano Becchio, but made four changes to the team that easily beat Hartlepool United for the trip to the Continent to play strong Norwegian side SK Brann. Richard Naylor came in at centre-back for Leigh Bromby who dropped to the bench. Fede Bessone returned in place of Aidan White at left-back, Kasper Schmeichel was in goal in place of Shane Higgs and Andy Hughes came in at right-back for Paul Connolly, with the three replaced players joining the bench. The Leeds line-up was: Kasper Schmeichel; Andy Hughes, Neill Collins, Richard Naylor, Fede Bessone; Robert Snodgrass, Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson, Lloyd Sam; Luciano Becchio. There was a turn out of 5,400 in Bergen to greet the two teams with Brann expected to test United to the limit as they were in mid-season. Brann soon showed it was going to be a physical encounter and picked up a booking in the first four minutes after two over the top challenges on Neil Kilkenny. From the last of the two free-kicks United won a corner and Neill Collins rose to force a terrific save from the Brann keeper, Jorgen Mohus. Continuing their bright start Lloyd Sam almost created a chance for Luciano Becchio. Leeds were playing some good free-flowing football and in the fifth minute Bradley Johnson won the ball in midfield to provide Robert Snodgrass with a chance, but his shot cleared the bar, and more good play led to Luciano Becchio missing a chance from close range. United deservedly took the lead after eighteen minutes when Lloyd Sam and Robert Snodgrass both played their part to allow Luciano Becchio to score with a powerful header for his third pre-season goal. There was bad news for United as Robert Snodgrass was the subject of an horrendous tackle which resulted in him being carried off on a stretcher, to be replaced by Max Gradel after twenty-five minutes. Undaunted, United pressed on and immediately increased their lead to 2-0 after a Neil Kilkenny cross was forced home by Lloyd Sam from close range at the far post. After Bradley Johnson had rattled the bar, Fede Bessone made good ground down the left for Neil Kilkenny to have similar luck as his shot hit the woodwork on the half hour. Luciano Becchio was unlucky not to earn a penalty after being brought down by the Brann keeper as he pounced on a loose ball after the keeper could only parry a Bradley Johnson shot just before half-time. Brann did cause Kasper Schmeichel to abandon his role as spectator to make a save from Cato Hansen in the forty-second minute but Neil Kilkenny, who had received a first half buffeting almost created United's third before the break but Luciano Becchio headed his corner wide. It was, however, the hosts that found the net as Cato Hansen found himself in space to score with ease just before the half-time whistle. No sooner had the second half got under way in torrential rain than Lloyd Sam was on the end of another bad tackle, but Leeds overcame both obsticles to continue to dominate and made the score 3-1 after fifty-seven minutes. It was Lloyd Sam who made the running with a charge down the right flank and squared to Neil Kilkenny who laid it in the path of Luciano Becchio who made no mistake to score his second of the night and Leeds' third. This was the signal for several changes by United, with Davide Somma coming on in the striking role for Luciano Becchio, Paul Connolly replacing Andy Hughes at right back, Leigh Bromby replacing Richard Naylor in central defence and Aidan White replacing Lloyd Sam on the left flank. It took a while for the new formation to settle but first Davide Somma almost connected with a Fede Bessone cross and then Aidan White saw his shot deflected wide. From the corner that resulted Jorgen Mohus made a poor attempt to cut it out but did enough to put Max Gradel off as he sought to capitalise. Mike Grella was sent on for Bradley Johnson after seventy minutes and soon tested the Brann keeper with a skidding shot from distance. United made their final substitution of the night as Tom Lees replaced Neill Collins in central defence, leaving Shane Higgs unused on the bench. They had a shout for a penalty after Davide Somma was brought down in the box, but it was not to be as United cruised to an easy victory.

United rounded off their pre-season build-up as they played hosts to the EPL team Wolverhampton Wanderers as team strength was increased by the signing of Alex Bruce from Ipswich Town but he was without Robert Snodgrass and Billy Paynter, who were both injured. Paul Connolly was restored to the right back spot in place of Andy Hughes, while Max Gradel started in place of Robert Snodgrass from the starting eleven that had won in Bergen. The line-up was Kasper Schmeichel; Paul Connolly, Neill Collins, Richard Naylor, Fede Bessone; Jonathan Howson, Neil Kilkenny, Bradley Johnson, Max Gradel; Luciano Becchio, Lloyd Sam. United had proved to be a free-scoring side in recent friendlies, but it was expected that the EPL side would provide the most searching of tests and so it proved initially as Richard Naylor was called upon to make timely clearances twice in the first ten minutes. It then became end to end with Jelle Van Damme doing well to clear a Lloyd Sam cross, whilst Steven Fletcher had a powerful shot blocked for Wolves. Jelle Van Damme conceded a free kick in halting Max Gradel's progress on the edge of the box. However, the first real chance fell to United as Neil Kilkenny got in a cross and Bradley Johnson's downward header fell for Luciano Becchio but he failed to connect from close range.It was another excellent delivery by Neil Kilkenny that resulted in Luciano Becchio being denied by the Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessy. There was a scramble in the home box from a Dave Jones corner when a Steven Fletcher header caused consternation. Bradley Johnson missed a good chance for Leeds as he shot wide after being put through by Luciano Becchio. At the other end Adlene Guedioura was just wide with a twenty-five yard snapshot in the twenty-third minute, and as Wolves kept up the pressure Kasper Schmeichel came to United's rescue after Matt Jarvis had latched onto a through ball from Steven Fletcher, but the keeper pulled off a fine save to keep out his strong shot. A Max Gradel cross from the right was headed for a corner. From that corner, taken by Neil Kilkenny, the ball was headed clear by Adlene Guedioura but only as far as the diminutive winger who promptly sent the ball into the net from twenty-five yards after thirty-three minutes. United continued to press for much of the remaining part of the half but Max Gradel shot wide and Lloyd Sam only just failed to find Jonathan Howson with his cross, but it was Wolves who were next to score. Just on the whistle for half-time, after Neil Kilkenny had fouled Steven Fletcher on the left, Matt Jarvis crossed the free-kick and his curling ball evaded everyone to creep inside the far post, although Sylvan Ebanks-Blake claimed to have got a touch. The second half saw the visitors have an early oppurtunity to take the lead but Kasper Schmeichel saved from a ferocious angled drive by Steven Fletcher. It was, however, United that took the lead four minutes after the restart when, after Max Gradel had made all the running, Lloyd Sam scored from his cross with a cheeky back-heel from six yard to make the score 2-1. Leeds continued the pressure and Wayne Hennessy could only save a shot from Luciano Becchio at the second attempt and then, after being played in by Max Gradel, Jonathan Howson was denied by the Wolves keeper. After an hour Richard Naylor suffered a thigh injury and after lengthy treatment on the touchline he was replaced by debutant Alex Bruce in the sixty-second minute and at the same time Shane Higgs took over in goal from Kasper Schmeichel and Davide Somma came on for Luciano Becchio. Soon afterwards United were denied a penalty claim after Jody Craddock handled a shot from Lloyd Sam. Another appeal for handball was rejected and then Shane Higgs saved from Kevin Doyle as Wolves created a rare chance. Simon Grayson then made more changes in the seventy-sixth minute with Andy Hughes replacing Paul Connolly at right back, Leigh Bromby was on for Neill Collins in central defence, Mike Grella replaced Max Gradel, while Aidan White came on for Lloyd Sam. After eighty-five minutes Bradley Johnson rounded off the scoring to give United a 3-1 lead when he rose to meet a cross from the right and placed a strong downward header past Wayne Hennessy. Shane Higgs was called upon to make a save in injury time but it did not change the fact that Leeds had comprehensively beaten an EPL team with relative ease to finalise their pre-season friendlies.

There was a further pre-season friendly for the fringe and Junior players when they took on Wakefield F.C and smashed five past the home side. It gave a chance to Alan Martin, Jason Crowe, Lubomir Michalik, Andy Robinson and Davide Somma to get in further game time as the Leeds XI lined up: Alan Martin; Jason Crowe, James Booker, Lubomir Michalik, Lewis Turner; Andy Robinson, Will Hatfield, Joe McCann, Charlie Taylor; Dominic Poleon and Davide Somma. Dominic Poleon scored the only goal of the first half but the floodgates opened after the interval as four more goals found the home team's net. Davide Somma and Andy Robinson both scored for Leeds and the home side contributed to their own woes by scoring two own goals. Jason Crowe was able to get in a full ninety minutes, his first since recovering from a lengthy spell sidelined with an ankle injury and Alan Martin, Lubomir Milichik, Andy Robinson and Davide Somma all played a full game. Reserve team Manager Neil Thompson commented "It was a difficult pitch, but it was a good battle and a good test. Some of the young lads performed well and will have taken plenty from it. These games are all about fitness, but you can't ask for much more than scoring five goals and keeping a clean sheet." He brought on Ross Killock for James Booker, Sanchez Payne for Lewis Turner, Jonny Birbeck for Joe McCann, Nathan Turner for Charlie Taylor and Simon Lenighan for Dominic Poleon to ensure all the Juniors got in game time.

Simon Grayson was happy with his team's pre-season form and looked forward to the first League fixture as United played host to Derby County for their first game in the npower Championship. He was able to field five of nine of his pre-season signings. Kasper Schmeichel, Paul Connolly, Fede Bessone, Sanchez Watt and Lloyd Sam, were all in the run-on eleven with Alex Bruce and loan signing Adam Clayton on the bench and Neill Collins played his first game since making his move to Leeds permanent with the other new recruit, Billy Paynter, and star performer Robert Snodgrass, unavailable due to injury. He settled on a 4-3-3 selection and the team was: Kasper Schmeichel; Paul Connolly, Richard Naylor, Neil Collins, Fede Bessone; Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson; Sanchez Watt, Luciano Becchio and Lloyd Sam. There were signs that Derby meant business as Chris Commons broke from midfield to get in a blistering drive which whistled past the home bar just a little too close for comfort. But, in keeping with their pre-season form United were soon on the attack in search of goals and both Luciano Becchio and Neill Collins went close as they mounted early pressure. Former Leeds favourite Rob Hulse was in the Derby side and it was he who scored the opening goal after thirteen minutes. Irish International Paul Green won possession in midfield and surged towards the Leeds goal as he ran at the Leeds defence before laying the ball off to the former Leeds striker, who crashed the ball into the net, but, as a mark of respect to his former team, he refused to celebrate. The lead did not last long as two minutes later Jonathan Howson rounded Robbie Savage and made a determined run from midfield before laying the ball off to Luciano Becchio, who hammered the ball past Stephen Bywater from close range to bring United back on level terms. It had developed into a ding-dong battle with play switching from end to end in an extremely open contest. There was solid defending by Leeds before play switched to the other end and Richard Naylor rattled the bar, but with Kris Commons, Paul Green and Tomasz Cywka all happy to run at the Leeds defence from deep, the signs were ominous. It was Tomasz Cywka who caused the next problem for Leeds as he surgedinto the box at pace, only to be upended in an ill-timed tackle by Lloyd Sam in the twenty-sixth minute. Kris Commons stepped up to take the ensuing penalty and sent Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way to score with ease and give Derby the lead. United were quick to reply and after a Neil Kilkenny free-kick, Neill Collins hit the bar with an header. Kasper Schmeichel kept Leeds in the game with two outstanding saves. The first from Paul Green as he stood tall to deny the Rams' midfielder after he had been put through by Kris Commons and the second at close range from Kris Commons after a Robbie Savage free-kick. United responded with a quick counter and Lloyd Sam saw his shot blocked. The opening half had been hectic to say the least, and the second half started in the same vein as Jonathan Howson tested Stephen Bywater with an early free-kick. There were appeals for a penalty as Robbie Savage blocked a shot with his body, but the referee ruled he had used his chest. Derby streamed forward in reply as the rain poured down and Kasper Schmeichel again was called upon to prove his worth, this time he spread himself to deny Paul Green who once more had penetrated the Leeds defence and had closed in to the six yard box. Schmeichel was not the only keeper under pressure as Stephen Bywater had made a good diving save from a long-range Bradley Johnson shot and was later called upon to keep out a Neil Kilkenny free-kick, as Leeds reapplied the pressure. Simon Grayson brought on Aidan White to replace Lloyd Sam on the left flank, after seventy minutes and seven minutes later there was a debut for Adam Clayton as he replaced Neil Kilkenny. But the son of the former Old Trafford legend was keeping United in the game and he produced a fine double save to thwart first Rob Hulse and then Shaun Barker from the rebound. But Leeds were not a spent force and were still pressing for an equaliser and a Bradley Johnson free-kick was deflected to safety before Neill Collins saw his downward header from a Jonathan Howson cornercleared off the line by by Gareth Roberts with ten minutes to go. United sent on Mike Grella to replace Jonathan Howson with four minutes left on the clock and although Kasper Schmeichel came up for corners to add to the aerial power of Neill Collins, Richard Naylor and Luciano Becchio, the game finished with Derby still in front by 2-1. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Andy Hughes and Leigh Bromby remained unused on the bench. It was the first time Leeds had lost their opening fixture since losing at Newcastle United in their promotion winning season of 1989-90, twenty-one years previous!

United had a First Round Carling Cup tie at home to Lincoln City to negotiate and Simon Grayson resisted the oppurtunity to make wholsale changes against weaker opposition and chose instead to give a debut in central defence to Alex Bruce, who swapped places with Richard Naylor, who dropped to the bench, in an otherwise unchanged line-up, had he not elected to name just six substitutes, with Adam Clayton being omitted as he was not allowed to play by his parent club Manchester City. United made the perfect start in front of a surprisingly large crowd of 12,602, with Lloyd Sam finding space on the left to send in a perfect cross for Jonathan Howson to score at the far post from close range after just two minutes. This was quickly followed, after just seven minutes, with a second as Bradley Johnson made an opening for Sanchez Watt to deliver a fine cross from the left for Luciano Becchio to score from close range. United were close to adding a third in the twentieth minute as first Lincoln keeper Joe Anyon raced off his line to deny Sanchez Watt and then repeating the save from the same attacker after good build-up work from Jonathan Howson and Lloyd Sam before defender Moses Swabu made a decisive block to deny Luciano Becchio. United continued to press and Jonathan Howson was the next to go close. A third goal was inevitable and it arrived after twenty-nine minutes, with Paul Connolly the main contributor with a fine cross from the right which was met by the head of Lloyd Sam to make the score 3-0. This effectively killed off the game and United cruised to half time with the game already won. Lincoln brought on former Leeds defender Jamie Clapham at left-back after the half-time break but there was little urgency in either side's play and Leeds made a double substitution after sixty-one minutes as Aidan White replaced Bradley Johnson on the left of midfield and Mike Grella came on for Luciano Becchio in the lone striking role. Lloyd Sam had been extremely lively and had constantly caused Lincoln problems throughout the game, and it was he that was brought down in an over-robust challenge by Paul Green and a penalty resulted. Neil Kilkenny calmly rolled the ball into the corner of the net to the right of Joe Anyon to make the score 4-0 after seventy-one minutes. It was further proof of United's dominance over Lincoln in a very one-sided contest and a minute later Andy Hughes came on for Jonathan Howson. United went close with a Fede Bessone header, which was cleared only as far as Lloyd Sam, but his shot was wayward and well over the bar. In the dying minutes Aidan White used his speed to good effect but shot wide of the target. Shane Higgs, Richard Naylor and Leigh Bromby remained unused on the bench as United eased into the Second Round.

Neil Thompson's team had played a 0-0 draw with Harrogate Town with suspended pair Davide Somma and Max Gradel both playing a half game while Jason Crowe pressed towards fitness with an hour's game time. His team next travelled to the Horsfall Stadium to play Bradford Park Avenue. Several first team players, who had not featured regularly on the pitch, were given the chance to get some game time. Leigh Bromby managed a full game and both Adam Clayton and Andy Hughes played all but twenty minutes along with Andy Robinson, who had featured for the full game at Harrogate the previous day. Fellow outsiders Lubomir Machalik and Alan Sheehan also featured along with a Honduran trialist, which turned out to be Ramon Nunez. There was time for Aidan White and Shane Higgs as United turned out 3-1 winners. It was Alan Sheehan that started the move for the opening goal, as he fed Max Gradel and an intelligent run by Ramon Nunez saw him rewarded as the winger's pass was headed into the net by the Honduran. Sheehan also featured in the second goal when he played in Davide Somma just on the hour. Two mimutes later Aidan White added a third to seal the win, but it was his tackle that resulted in Park Avenue getting a consolation from the spot as former Leeds Academy and Bradford City player David Brown duly converted in the last minute.

After their easy win over Lincoln City, United travelled to the City Ground to meet Nottingham Forest to play a side that it was expected would feature in the promotion race. United retained the same squad that had played in the two previous fixtures leaving the side as the one that went down to Derby County on the opening day, with Richard Naylor reverting to the starting eleven with Alex Bruce once more taking his position on the bench and Adam Clayton making up the substitutes to full force. Simon Grayson stayed with the 4-3-3 formation with Jonathan Howson, Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson in midfield and Sanchez Watt, Luciano Becchio and Lloyd Sam in attack. There were 4,240 Leeds supporters in the crowd of 24,986 and they saw the United defence soon tested as after two minutes Paul Anderson managed to get on the end of a cross from the right and it was Kasper Schmeichel to the rescue once more as he made a great block to deny the Forest player. This was quickly followed by an appeal for a penalty after Fede Bessone had challenged Chris Gunter but the referee decided in United's favour. The opening goal was not long in arriving as Forest took the lead after just nine minutes It was Chris Gunter who crossed for Dexter Blackstock to place his header beyond Kasper Schmeichel into the far corner of the net. It should have been 2-0 soon afterwards as Robert Earnshaw was through on goal, after good inter-play with Dexter Broadstock, but fortunately for United his hurried shot hit a post and bounced to safety. United were very much under pressure and it was not until the fifteenth minute that they mounted their first attack and Lloyd Sam saw his shot blocked after a sweeping movement. Forest were soon back and Paul Connolly came to United's aid as he made a timely tackle on Robert Earnshaw as he was about to shoot. The Leeds faithful were giving their usual vocal backing and this inspired the visitors and in the twenty-fourth minute Luciano Becchio was denied by Lee Camp as the Forest keeper was quick off his line to close him down, forcing the striker to shoot wide. Forest were still ausing United problems and after a quick break United were thankful for Fede Bessone's decisive block. United started to improve as the half wore on and in the thirty-seventh minute they equalised. Wes Morgan lost possession in his own half and the Leeds move culminated with Bradley Johnson suppling a cross from the left and Lloyd Sam got in a glancing header which beat Lee Camp to nestle in the bottom corner of the net. It was United's first on-target shot of the game. The goal lifted Leeds and they almost got a second three minutes before the break, when Lee Camp hesitated over a back-pass and Sanchez Watt almost made him pay before the keeper finally cleared. It was Leeds that were on the attack after the break and Bradley Johnson capitalised on a mistake by Forest in midfield to try his luck from distance, as Forest seemed to have lost their ascendancy and despite the home team's early dominance the game was now wide-open with Leeds looking the more assured and almost scored as Lloyd Sam's cross flew across the face of goal. Sanchez Watt had a shot blocked and from the rebound Lloyd Sam won a free-kick after being brought down by Ryan Bertrand. From that Free-kick Luciano Becchio forced a corner as he was on target with a header. Neil Kilkenny took the corner and Sanchez Watt got in a header but was off-target. Minutes later Fede Bessone forced another corner and Bradley Johnson was allowed time and space to get in his shot from distance which Lee Camp could only save at the second attempt. Next the Forest keeper suffered a cut above his left eye after an accidental collision with Richard Naylor, but was able to continue after treatment. Tempers flared in the seventy-ninth minute after Chris Gunter petulently stamped on Sanchez Watt's foot during a break in play. The referee booked both players but it was felt that the Forest defender was lucky not to have received a red card. United did make an appeal for a penalty when Bradley Johnson was impeded in the box, but the referee did not agree. Leeds continued to look like the team that were most likely to break the deadlock and on eighty-nine minutes Lloyd Sam had a shot blocked before Neil Kilkenny sent the rebound just wide. It was the winger's last contribution as he was replaced by Adam Clayton with one minute on the clock. That was soon increased as an additional six minutes were added for stoppages. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Mike Grella, Andy Hughes and Leigh Bromby all remained unused as with three minutes of added time left Sanchez Watt got in a dangerous cross but the Forest defence managed to clear and at the final whistle United had picked up their first point and stood sixteenth on the ladder.

United welcomed bitter rivals Millwall to Elland Road for their second home encounter of the season in front of a crowd of 25,067, which contained 550 Lions' supporters. Simon Grayson changed his formation from the previous games and went for a 4-4-2 line-up with a midfield of Lloyd Sam, Jonathan Howson, Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Jonson with Luciano Becchio and Sanchez Watt the two strikers. The only change was on the bench, where Leigh Bromby made way for Davide Somma. Sanchez Watt made a bright start, having a shot blocked and before being narrowly over as he tried to chip Millwall keeper David Forde from distance and then he found himself crowded out by the visitors defence after finding himself in a good position. United had most of the early pressure and the Arsenal loanee was a constant menace and he set up Luciano Becchio but the striker dragged the ball wide when well positioned. In Millwall's first attack it took a big clearance from Kasper Schmeichel to snuff out the threat from Kevin Lisbie as he chased a through ball from Danny Schofield and soon he was again quickly in the action as he saved at full stretch from James Henry. It had developed into an end to end game and United were totally surprised when Millwall took the lead after fifteen minutes. Steve Morison won possesion on the right flank and then held off the challenge of Fede Bessone to get his cross in. Richard Naylor leapt high above Kevin Lisbie but only succeeded in connecting with a bullet header which left his keeper with no chance as the Leeds skipper found his own net. There was a quick response from United and Bradley Johnson's header struck James Henry but the claims for handball were ignored by the referee. United applied the pressure but Luciano Becchio was guilty of a terrible miss when he blasted the ball high and wide of the target with the goal at his mercy from no more than six yards. A fine run by Jonathan Howson was not rewarded as he saw his shot strike the foot of the post, after twenty-five minutes. United were now dominating and it took an important one handed punch from David Forde to keep out a Lloyd Sam lob soon afterwards. After thirty-two minutes United's continued pressure brought the equaliser it deserved. It was Sanchez Watt that started the move as he slipped a through ball into the path of Luciano Becchio, who in turn played in Lloyd Sam for the winger to rifle the ball into the net past the outstretched hand of the Millwall keeper for his third goal of the season. The winger then had another effort cleared off the line by Darren Ward after his shot had beaten the keeper and the woodwork again saved the visitors from a Neill Collins header from a Neil Kilkenny corner. Leeds were now totally dominant and Sanchez Watt was twice denied by some brave goalkeeping by David Forde, while Jonathan Howson hit a post and Bradley Johnson went close from a corner. It had been United's best performance of the season and it did not seem fitting that they would go to the break with honours even. However there was a scare in stoppage time as Kasper Schmeichel came to the rescue to be quickly off his line to deny Danny Schofield. The second half started as a more even contest as Millwall looked to get a foothold in midfield. Substitute Darren Carter almost gave Millwall the lead after fifty-nine minutes, when he glanced a header from a James Henry cross only narrowly over the bar, but Leeds were starting to get on top once more and David Forde needed two attempts to hold a stinging drive from Jonathan Howson, but the keeper again came to his team's rescue as he was quick off his line to deny Luciano Becchio. Simon Grayson re-enforced his attack when he gave Davide Somma his first game of the season in place of left-back Fede Bessone in the seventy-fifth minute. It proved a master stroke as he had only been on the field for three minutes when the irrepressible Sanchez Watt controlled a cross from the right and sent the ball low into the middle for Davide Somma to gleefully hammer the ball into the net for his first Leeds goal to put them ahead 2-1. Leeds continue to press and Sanchez Watt again went close and David Forde clawed away a shot from Lloyd Sam that came back off the bar. At the other end Liam Trotter swivelled to hit a first time shot from a Darren Carter cross but Kasper Schmeichel tipped the ball over the bar as it looked destined for the roof of the net. The fourth official signalled four extra minutes and in the first of those United introduced Andy Hughes for Lloyd Sam, who left to a standing ovation. Millwall pushed for an equaliser and were caught out as a great cross-field ball from Jonathan Howson found Davide Somma, who hammered a rasping, rising angled shot to wrap up three deserved points in the final minute to push Leeds up to ninth spot on the ladder with a well deserved 3-1 win, as Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Mike Grella, Adam Clayton and Aidan White remained unused on the substitutes bench.

Simon Grayson gave a run to some of his normal bench players handing the goalkeeper's jersey to Shane Higgs with Kasper Schmeichel dropping to the bench. Alex Bruce was given another start, after playing in the previous round, as Richard Naylor dropped to the bench. Max Gradel was given his first game of the season, having served his four match suspension, as Lloyd Sam dropped out injured, while up front Davide Somma was also given his first start as he replaced Sanchez Watt, who dropped to the bench. On the bench Leigh Bromby replaced Adam Clayton as United lined up: Shane Higgs; Paul Connolly, Alex Bruce, Neill Collins, Fede Bessone; Max Gradel, Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson; Luciano Becchio, Davide Somma, for the visit of Leicester City in the second round of the Carling Cup in front of a crowd of 16,509. Max Gradel soon made his presence felt but Luciano Becchio narrowly failed to get a touch to his teasing through ball. The game was less exciting than the previous game with Millwall and while some decent football was being played there were no chances created by either side in the first twenty minutes. In fact it was the twenty-fifth minute before Shane Higgs was called upon to save a long-ranged shot. United were quick to respond as Davide Somma got past Jack Hobbs but an awkward bounce of the ball saw Joao Moreno step in to clear the danger. Alex Bruce got up well to a head a corner only just off target, after thirty minutes, and soon after that Max Gradel shot over. United got the first goal after thirty-two minutes. Shane Higgs sent a long clearance downfield and, after Max Gradel got in a cross from the right, Davide Somma rose majestically to score his third goal of the season with a fine glancing header. Shane Higgs made two saves in quick succession from Danny N'Guessan and Steve Howard, but it was Bradley Johnson who came closest, just on half-time when his speculative shot from distance was turned away for a corner. No sooner had the second half started than a typical bit of Max Gradel magic saw him open up the Leicester defence to force Conrad Logan to parry his shot and Luciano Becchio's follow up was also blocked and then cleared by Andy King. Leicester did apply some pressure but did not create any clear-cut chances and the next to go close were Leeds as Bradley Johnson headed over from a Neil Kilkenny cross after fifty-five minutes. Max Gradel was still causing the Foxes all kinds of trouble and was stopped by Conrad Logan as he weaved his way into the box. Leicester were looking to hit Leeds on the break, but Alex Bruce made a good block on Michael Lamey as he broke from midfield, and then the defence held firm when Frank Moussa returned the ball into the box. However the Foxes drew level in the sixty-sixth minute when Ritchie Wellens was able to capitalise on some casual defending by Bradley Johnson and easily beat Shane Higgs from close range. Almost immediately, Paul Connolly was on hand to hassle Steve Howard into missing after a cross from the right from Paul Gallagher. Then on seventy-one minutes it was Shane Higgs who came to United's rescue after Paul Gallagher had crossed a superb low ball which Steve Howard had directed towards goal. Leicester were now getting on top and Simon Grayson's answer was to send on Andrew Hughes for Jonathan Howson and Sanchez Watt for Luciano Becchio in the seventy-second minute. Both sides were searching for the winner and Davide Somma came the closest as he shot over after creating a chance for himself on the edge of the box. With twelve minutes remaining on the clock, Leicester were handed the result on a plate when Neill Collins was adjudged to have handled a bouncing ball on the edge of the box with no other player close to him. Steve Howard stepped up to put the ball in the bottom left corner of the net to effectively put Leicester into the next round. Kasper Schmeichel, Richard Naylor, Mike Grella, Leigh Bromby and Aidan White remained unused on the bench.

After their Carling Cup defeat by Leicester City, United were unchanged, from the starting team which beat Millwall, for their visit to Vicarage Road to take on Watford, however there were changes on the bench as new signing Ross McCormack replaced Mike Grella and Max Gradel replaced Aidan White. There were at least 2,199 travelling fans in the crowd of 14,039 which were on hand for the fourth League game of the season. Luciano Becchio forced the first save of the game as his firm header from a Neil Kilkenny corner was tipped over by former Leeds trialist, Scott Loach. From the resulting corner both Bradley Johnson and Jonathan Howson had shots blocked before Richard Naylor forced the ball into the net from close range after six minutes. The home side responded immediately but Marvin Sordell headed over. United were in lively form and Lloyd Sam gave Sanchez Watt a chance as he got in a good cross from the right, but the Arsenal loanee headed wide. As half-time approached Marvin Sordell played in Troy Deeney, who tested Kasper Schmeichel. The United keeper then spread himself to deny Marvin Sordell, but it was the Dane's powerful kicking that was causing the home side problems at the other end. The Hornets did get on top close to half-time but Kasper Schmeichel was equal to the task from a John Eustace header. Immediately after the half-time break Andy Hughes replaced the injured Fede Bessone at left-back, but there was little to enthuse about for either set of supporters. Kasper Schmeichel had to make a routine catch from a Troy Deeney header but had more trouble in smothering a low drive from distance from Jordan Mutch. Play was scrappy and strewn with infringements and from one free-kick Richard Naylor was called upon to head clear. Simon Grayson made his second substitution after sixty minutes when he sent on Max Gradel to replace Lloyd Sam on the right flank and it was he that had a shot blocked as United tried to raise their game. At the other end Kasper Schmeichel had to fly-kick the ball to safety after Don Cowie had got the better of Andy Hughes on the left. On seventy minutes Ross McCormack was given his debut as he replaced Sanchez Watt and quickly was in the action as he forced a save from Scott Loach. The keeper then saved from close range as the United newcomer looked lively and Becchio was crowded out when he tried to profit from the rebound. At the other end Kasper Schmeichel had to be alert to stop a Martin Taylor back-header. Richard Naylor and Neill Collins were both called upon to make good headed clearances but United were quick on the break and Ross McCormack had a deflected effort saved by Scott Loach after eighty-two minutes. The newcomer was having a bright start to his Leeds career and had a free-kick blocked as full-time approached before playing a part in setting up Bradley Johnson, but the midfielder was wide with his shot in injury time. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Adam Clayton and Davide Somma remained unused on the bench as United won their first away game of the season and their second in four as they moved into sixth spot.

United were up against stiff opposition when Swansea City were the next visitors to Elland Road, but lacked the services of Kasper Schmeichel because of a foot injury. This saw Shane Higgs stepping up to take the goalkeeper's spot, while Jason Brown was hurriedly loaned from Blackburn Rovers and took the deputy keeper spot on the bench. Max Gradel replaced Lloyd Sam on the right flank and he took his place on the bench. A crowd of 26,453 saw United start on the front foot as Luciano Becchio was presented with the first chance of the game in the seventh minute but saw his shot blocked by Garry Monk. He then headed a Neil Kilkenny corner over the bar and then Neil Kilkenny also headed over from a Bradley Johnson cross as United had the better of the opening spell. Swansea, who had not won away from home in seven games, were the team that opened the scoring, after thirteen minutes, when Richard Naylor misjudged a long ball forward from David Cotterill and Stephen Dobbie latched onto it to score when he slid the ball past the advancing Shane Higgs to score in the far corner of the net from an acute angle. The keeper was soon in action again and did well to deny Scott Sinclair who also had latched onto a defence splitting pass from David Cotterill with the United defence looking very vulnerable. United did respond and Swansea keeper Dorus De Vries totally misjudged a ball into the box and he was thankful to Alan Tate, who scrambled trhe ball to safety under pressure from Bradley Johnson. Leeds continued to press but Swansea always looked dangerous on the break. Neill Collins got in a header from a Neil Kilkenny corner but it was cleared by Alan Tate, while at the other end Nathan Dyer forced Shane Higgs to punch away his angled drive. He then pulled off an even better save to keep out Stephen Dobbie's curling drive from twenty yards at full stretch, before keeping out another long range effort from David Cotterill as half time approached. It was right on the stroke of half-time when Bradley Johnson thumped a strong left-footed shot against the crossbar from twenty-five yards, with the Swansea keeper, Dorus De Vries, comprehensively beaten. The second half started with Swansea on the attack but it was United who were next to get on the scoresheet. After fifty-five minutes, from a Max Gradel free-kick, Richard Naylor's powerful header was briliantly saved by Dorus De Vries but Bradley Johnson volleyed the rebound high into the roof of the net to score the equaliser. Simon Grayson made a tactical switch when he sent on Lloyd Sam for Sanchez Watt in the fifty-sixth minute. The moved paid off as the midfielder almost got his fourth goal for the club with a stinging shot that forced Dorus De Vries into another fine save, but in the sixty-third minute Max Gradel again provided the ball to Lloyd Sam to rifle in another rasping drive which the Swansea keeper could only parry at full stretch and Luciano Becchio followed up on Neil Kilkenny's shot which deflected off Jonathan Howson, to score from close range to put United 2-1 in front with his third goal of the season. Ross McCormack was United's second substitution in the seventy-ninth minute, when he came on for Neil Kilkenny and he was followed seven minutes later by Davide Somma coming on for Luciano Becchio. Swansea were now playing catch-up football and Stephen Dobbie went close with a shot from just outside the box before forcing Shane Higgs into a fine save with another long-range shot. Leeds were defending well and, after five minutes of stoppage time had been added, Ross McCormack almost added a third with a header which was saved by Dorus De Vries. Jason Brown, Alex Bruce, Adam Clayton and Andy Hughes remained unused on the bench as United picked up their second home win of the season and their third win in succession as they remained in sixth place and just three points behind early leaders, Queens Park Rangers.

As United visited Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium for another Yorkshire derby Simon Grayson rang the changes replacing injured full-backs Paul Connolly and Fede Bessone with Andy Hughes, from the bench, and Aidan White, while both Richard Naylor, who was replaced by Alex Bruce, and Luciano Becchio, who made way for Ross McCormack who was making his run-on debut, were rested and moved to the bench. Lloyd Sam dropped to the bench as Max Gradel took his place in midfield, moving from the striker's role to make way for Davide Somma. The return after injury of Robert Snodgrass saw Adam Clayton lose his place on the bench and the introduction of new man Amdy Faye filled the spot vacated by Andy Hughes. There were at least 3,297 United fans amongst the crowd of 13,293 which saw the home side take the early initiative as Billy Sharp should have done better after he got on the end of a cross from the Doncaster right wing, but Andy Hughes made a good block. There were three successive corners to the home side before Leeds finally broke away but Aidan White's cross was not accurate and gave Davide Somma no chance to add to the attack. It was the always impressive Max Gradel, who showed why he had been consistantly Leeds' best player as he tested former Leeds keeper Neil Sullivan with a shot which was going just inside the post before the keeper pushed it round for a corner. There was not a lot between the two teams as both gave maximum effort as the game ebbed and flowed from end to end. Davide Somma was looking good for Leeds and held the ball up well before giving Ross McCormack the chance of a shot, which was deflected for a corner. It was Davide Somma who next came close to scoring after twenty-two minutes, when Ross McCormack returned the favour by giving him the chance of a shot, but his well struck effort comprehensively beat the Doncaster keeper but rebounded back after hitting the bar, and as his fellow striker gave him a second chance and an equally well struck shot flew narrowly wide. The home team were quick to respond and Dean Sheils sent a shot across the face of the Leeds goal but well wide, as Shane Higgs watched it pose no threat. But the Doncaster midfielder was not kept out of the action for long and, after he had created space for himself, he curled in a superb shot which cannoned back off the post, after twenty-six minutes. Doncaster were having the better of the possesion and United had to thank Jonathan Howson for a timely block from one of a series of free-kicks awarded to the home team. However, United should have taken the lead after thirty-nine minutes when Bradley Johnson's precision pass gave Davide Somma a golden oppurtunity, but the veteran ex-Leeds keeper, Neil Sullivan, responded quickly and advanced to save the striker's shot with his legs. It was the home side that threatened after that and Alex Bruce did well to stop Billy Sharp as he threatened to score and from the resultant corner Simon Gillett had his shot blocked, but as the half came to an end it was Leeds who had the final say as Neil Kilkenny saw his shot deflected for a corner from which Neill Collins got in a header which was cleared. Two minutes after the restart Davide Somma was put through by Neil Kilkenny but shot wide when he really should have hit the target. Doncaster created a chance just on the hour mark, but Dean Shiels failed to connect properly with a header and it sailed harmlessly over the bar. Davide Somma tried to make up for his miss and cleverly played in Max Gradel. The Ivory Coast international got in a powerful shot on target but Neil Sullivan was equal to the task and was quickly called into action again as Ross McCormack forced him into another fine save with a powerful shot. After sixty-seven minutes Simon Grayson made his first substitution after Ross McCormack was injured and gave Robert Snodgrass his first action of the League season to the acclaim of the travelling fans. Seven minutes later those same fans thought they were cheering United's opening goal, but after Davide Somma had hammered the ball into the net from a rebound after Neil Sullivan failed to hold Bradley Johnson's shot from distance, they did not notice that the linesman was flagging for an offside infringement and the goal did not stand. With ten minutes left on the clock Leeds were getting on top and Doncaster made a double change, but it was United that had a claim for a penalty turned down after Davide Somma, who had been a constant thorn in the home team's side, seemed to be pushed to the ground in the area. With five minutes left Simon Grayson made his second change, as Sanchez Watt replaced Max Gradel, but it was Bradley Johnson who was out of luck as Neil Sullivan scrambled to push his deflected shot round the post. In the dying moments of the game it was Leeds defenders Neill Collins and Alex Bruce who played their parts with good blocks as the home side tried desperately to obtain maximum points, but after three minutes of added time the score remained 0-0 and Jason Brown, Richard Naylor, Luciano Becchio, Lloyd Sam and Andy Faye remained unused on the bench as the point gained temporarily took Leeds to sixth place.

New loan signing from Sunderland, George McCartney, was handed his debut as he took over from Aidan White, who dropped out of the squad for the third consecutive "Yorkshire Derby" with Sheffield United at Elland Road in front of a crowd of 33,622, the Championship's biggest crowd of the season to date. There were also returns for Lloyd Sam and Luciano Becchio, which meant Neil Kilkenny and Ross McCormack dropped to the bench. Surprisingly it was the Blades that went straight on the attack and had a couple of free-kicks, one from Ched Evans, blocked by the strong United wall, but it was the home side that dominated proceedings in the first twenty-five minutes without really threatening to score. Max Gradel was wide with a free-kick. Davide Somma looked unlucky not to have won a penalty as he was brought down and Lloyd Sam could not get onto a Max Gradel cross at the far post. On the half-hour United did create a goal-worthy chance when another Max Gradel free-kick did find Bradley Johnson who connected perfectly with a diving header but keeper Steve Simonsen reacted well to pull off a fine save at full-stretch. Max Gradel was as usual the main threat and after he played in George McCartney, Luciano Becchio could not connect properly with his header and the chance came to nothing. Leeds were starting to dominate but were not able to show anything for their superiority and as the game moved towards the break the visitors started to make isolated breaks and Shane Higgs had to make his first save of the game from a Stephen Quinn free-kick but Leeds soon retorted and, after George McCartney had been booked for a bad tackle, he then curled a right-foot shot over the bar. In the half-time break Lucas Radebe received a rapturous reception as he introduced to the crowd to publicise his autobiography. It was the visitors who start the second half in the ascendency and in their early pressure both Alex Bruce and Neill Collins were called upon to make timely tackles to avert danger. On the hour Simon Grayson made the first change when he sent on Robert Snodgrass for Lloyd Sam. Sheffield were still giving as good as they got and a free-kick brought a corner. Ex-Leeds man Richard Cresswell also won a corner but then infringed to relieve the pressure and allowed United to get forward at last. On seventy minutes they forced an opening only for Davide Somma to be halted by the offside flag. On seventy-two minutes Leeds made their second substitution as Neil Kilkenny came on for Max Gradel but tempers were beginning to fray and Jonathan Howson and Kyle Bartley were involved in an altercation. Simon Grayson made his third and final change when he sent Ross McCormack on for Davide Somma in the seventy-seventh minute. However it was Bradley Johnson who finally broke the drought and gave Leeds the lead in the eighty-fourth minute. Robert Snodgrass started the move as he picked up a loose ball on the right flank and squared the ball to Bradley Johnson who timed his run perfectly to thunder the ball home from close range. It was the end of the scoring but not the end of the drama, as with two minutes left on the clock, Robert Snodgrass was shown a red card for a seemingly harmless tackle on Leon Britton, who went to the ground clutching his face. Four minutes were added and the ten-man United had to defend stoutly. It was a close call as Jonny Ertle headed over Shane Higgs, but to United's relief it hit the crossbar and rebounded to safety as the keeper was able to recover and quickly smother the ball. It was the end of the chances but the referee still found time to make it a ten man game as he dismissed Jamie Ward for a stamp on Neil Kilkenny. Jason Brown, Richard Naylor, Amdy Faye and Sanchez Watt remained unused on the bench as the 1-0 victory saw United climb to fifth on the ladder.

United seemed to have an easy fixture against third from bottom Preston North End, who, after eight games had only amassed six points and trailed United by eight points. They named an unchanged starting eleven but Ross McCormack had picked up an injury and was replaced by on trial Honduran International Ramon Nunez, for his debut, and Adam Clayton came into the squad for the suspended Robert Snodgrass on the bench. United were rocked after just four minutes when Keith Treacy made a run down the left and Shane Higgs could only parry his shot and Jon Parkin had the easiest of tasks to tap the ball into the net from point-blank range. It took United until the fourteenth minute to draw level when George McCartney cut in from the left and his pinpoint cross was perfect for Luciano Becchio to powerfully head the equaliser, giving Andy Lonergan, the Preston Keeper, no chance. Preston came straight back and Shane Higgs was forced to save but, after Davide Somma had had two shots beaten away by the keeper, one after a brilliant back-heel from Luciano Becchio had played him in, United carried on their attacks and hit the front after just twenty minutes. From the second of the resulting corners the ball was crossed by Jonathan Howson but seemed destined to be cleared, but Sean St Ledger inexplicably headed the ball across the goal to leave Alex Bruce with the simplest of header to put United 2-1 up, with is first goal for the club. United were now well on top as Preston were rocked by the double salvo, with Lloyd Sam and Max Gradel constant threats down the wings and Davide Somma and Luciano Becchio combining well and looking dangerous every time the ball came through the middle. So it came as no surprise when Lloyd Sam set up Davide Somma for the third goal just seven minutes later, as the South African's shot took a deflection and left Andy Lonergan wrong-footed. It could have been four before the half-hour as Preston looked unsafe and could only just scramble away two crosses in quick succession. The home side were now in total control and it seemed just a matter of time before an avalanche of goals would ensue. There was a slight respite after thirty-five minutes when Preston had an isolated attack and Jon Parkin was only inches over the bar with his shot. United were quickly back on the attack and Davide Somma made an intelligent run down the left before cutting inside and giving Andy Lonergen no chance with an unstoppable shot to finish the move and it was 4-1 after just thirty-nine minutes. United must have been thinking of a double figure haul as they congratulated the South African's second goal and the scorer must have visions of a hat-trick. But, almost straight from the re-start Preston went down the other end for Jon Parkin to reduce the arrears as he ghosted in behind the Leeds back-line. Shane Higgs had to make a save low down as Preston tried to get back in the game and United had to concede several corners to keep them out and then, right on the half-time whistle, were reduced to a clearance off the line to deny Craig Morgan as he tried to reduce the margin even further. There was a lively start to the second half. United started an attack but were denied and then North End attacked to win a corner, while at the other end Luciano Becchio was crowded out as he sought to capitalise on Max Gradel's cross. The visitors narrowed the deficit to bring it back to 4-3 when Keith Treacy scored direct from an inswinging corner which eluded everyone, even Davide Somma, who made a valiant attempt to stop it crossing the line, after fifty-four minutes. Three minutes later they were level after George McCartney conceded a penalty for a foul on Paul Coutts. Callum Davidson smashed the ball left-footed straight down the centre from the spot. Preston complted a remarkable come-back to take the lead after sixty minutes as Jon Parkin completed his hat-trick when he showed good ball skills as he controlled a long throw-in by Callum Davidson to turn and score with a half-volley to give Shane Higgs no chance. The goal prompted Simon Grayson to make his first change as he sent on Neil Kilkenny for Lloyd Sam but it did not bring the necessary result as the game stayed at 4-5, and even the double substitution of Sanchez Watt for Luciano Becchio and Adam Clayton for Jonathan Howson in the seventy-fourth minute produced nothing until Davide Somma, still in search of his hat-trick, went close as he shot from long range in the seventy-sixth minute. But just three minutes later Preston put the game even further out of United's reach as they got their sixth. Billy Jones got in a cross and Ian Hume was in space to head in with ease as his header looped over a despairing Shane Higgs to nestle in the far corner of the net. United mounted some pressure after that but Andy Lonergan collected a corner with ease and set another visitors attack in motion. When United did get back on the attack Davide Somma shot wide and in the five minutes of added time Sanchez Watt was crowded out as he tried to get through on goal and Bradley Johnson was close with a header but the visitors were able to celebrate a remarkable victory. Jason Brown, Richard Naylor, Amdy Faye and Ramon Nunez remained unused on the bench as a crowd of 22,727 saw United drop to tenth in the ladder when they could have been equal second.

Ipswich Town were the next opponents and as United made the trip to Portman Road they were four places behind the seventh placed East Anglians but just one point in arrears. They had at least 3,000 supporters in the crowd of 23,175 as they made several changes after their shock home defeat by Preston North End in the previous midweek. Andy Hughes dropped to the bench, as Alex Bruce took the right-back spot which allowed Richard Naylor to come into central defence, as the two players faced their former club. Amdy Faye was given his debut and a spot in midfield at the expense of Max Gradel, who dropped to the bench, while Robert Snodgrass returned from suspension at the expense of Luciano Becchio, who dropped to the bench, as the Scotsman played the role just behind Davide Somma, the lone striker. Neil Kilkenny returned to midfield from the bench as Lloyd Sam was not included in the squad as Simon Grayson seemed to favour a 4-5-1 formation. There was an element of caution from both teams, who had both tasted defeat in the midweek, and there was little action in the first ten minutes as both sides won a corner and Richard Naylor came the closest to scoring as his goalbound header from the Neil Kilkenny's flag-kick hit Tommy Smith, but rebounded to safety. It was Neil Kilkenny who failed to capitalise on good work by Robert Snodgrass, scuffing his shot from the Scots cross and then almost profited from a goalmouth scramble as Leeds started to apply some pressure. However, they failed to take advantage and it was the home team that opened the scoring after eighteen minutes. Jake Livermore picked up the ball in midfield and ran at the United defence before playing in Jason Scotland, who rounded Shane Higgs to slot the ball home. United responded and gained a corner, which Richard Naylor was first to, but Davide Somma was unable to turn quick enough from his downward header and Ipswich were able to clear. Jason Scotland tried to get a second but dragged his shot wide then Jonathan Howson tried his luck from distance in the thirty-second minute but was too high. There was little to enthuse the fans but Leeds did manage to create a couple of half chances. Amdy Faye had a header cleared from a Neil Kilkenny corner and the Australian tested Morton Fulop in the Ipswich goal with another shot from long range and then the keeper was quick off his line to beat Davide Somma to a through ball. Leeds did have the better of possession as the game drifted to half-time but had first Richard Naylor and then Alex Bruce to thank for decisive tackle after sloppy play had let the home side have a sight of goal. United started the second half on top and Jonathan Howson got in a good cross from the right that just eluded the fast arriving Davide Somma, but the South African did have a half-chance in the fifty-fourth minute, but was crowded out in the six yard box as he tried to get a shot on goal. Jason Scotland should have done better but he blazed the ball over the bar from close range after a free-kick fell kindly for him but Bradley Johnson also wasted a good chance when he curled a free-kick way over the bar from near the edge of the penalty box. After sixty-three minutes Gareth McAuley headed wide but Shane Higgs had to be helped from the pitch with a hamstring injury as he stretched for the ball. Blackburn Rovers loanee Jason Brown made his debut as he came on as a replacement. Leeds were on top but could not make capital from it. Richard Naylor found himself booked for a foul on Jake Livermore but then managed to block a shot from Andros Townsend. When Ipswich started to press Jason Brown saved well from Jason Scotland and then Tamas Priskin shot wide for the Tractor Boys. After seventy-four minutes Simon Grayson made a double substitution to try and get back on level terms, sending on Luciano Becchio and Sanchez Watt to replace Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson to add more punch up front. Three minutes later the changes paid off as United equalised. Ipswich defenders, Tommy Smith and Gareth McAuley, both jumped for the same ball and got in each others way. From the mistake Davide Somma found Sanchez Watt at the far post, who duly found the unmarked Robert Snodgrass, who gleefully hammered the ball into the net from close range. Just two minutes later Leeds were reduced to ten men, as Alex Bruce received his second yellow card for one foul too many on the dangerous Andros Townsend. They were soon made to pay, as with seven minutes left on the clock, Richard Naylor seemed to be impeded and Tommy Smith was left unmarked and was able to meet a Carlos Edwards cross to head firmly beyond Jason Brown. Despite five minutes being added Leeds could not find an equaliser and with Max Gradel, Adam Clayton, Andy Hughes and Ramon Nunez remaining unused on the bench United went down 2-1 and could count themselves unlucky not to get a share of the points which saw them drop to tenth in the table.

United were again on the road for their next fixture as they visited Riverside the home of Middlesbrough desperate to turn the tide after two successive defeats. United had Jason Brown making his run-on debut in place of the injured Shane Higgs and the twenty-two year old Ben Alnwick, on a four weeks loan from Tottenham Hotspur took the Blackburn Rovers loanee's place on the bench. Paul Connolly returned after injury to take his place at right-back with Alex Bruce unavailable due to suspension. Sanchez Watt was elevated from the bench to replace Bradley Johnson, who dropped to the bench. Ross McCormack took the place of Ramon Nunez on the bench after recovering from injury and Leigh Bromby also made the bench. Simon Grayson reverted to 4-4-2 with Neil Kilkenny, who became a substitute, being replaced by Luciano Becchio, who joined Davide Somma as the twin strike force. A crowd of 23,550, which included over 4,000 Leeds fans, witnessed the kick-off, after there was a full minute of applause from all fans in recognition of Malcolm Allison, the former Middlesbrough Manager, who had recently passed on. The travelling faithful soon had something to cheer about as Jonathan Howson shot narrowly over from an acute angle in the first minutes and soon George McCartney had a shot blocked by Matthew Bates after some enterprising play from the visitors as it was Leeds on the attack and the home team looking to counter. It was Leeds who raised the spirits of their vocal fans after twelve minutes when Robert Snodgrass released Sanchez Watt on the left, and, after the Scot had been fouled in the process, the referee allowed Leeds to play the advantage and the Arsenal loanee's fine cross was met by Davide Somma with a left foot angled drive fron about fifteen yards to put it beyond Jason Steele in the Boro goal. The home fans were quick to show their frustrations, when Garry O'Neill shot wide after twenty minutes and Kris Boyd headed over a Mickeal Tavares cross from the right. Twenty-eight minutes had passed before Jason Brown was called into action and that was to field a tame long distance effort from Nicky Bailey and as Leeds mounted more pressure the home fans were displeased with the lack of possession by the home team. It mounted even as they created their best chance to date when Tarmo Kink sliced the ball into the box and Kris Boyd couldn't hit the target with his header. Simon Grayson was forced into his first substitution after thirty-five minutes as George McCartney, who had been suffering with an illness, had to be replaced by Andy Hughes. It got worse three minutes later as Sanchez Watt was forced to limp out of the game after a crude challenge by Tarmo Kink and had to be replaced by Bradley Johnson. The two quick changes disrupted the side, but they were still the next team to try a shot on goal as Davide Somma let fly from long range. United went to the break with a one goal lead to show for their dominance while the home time left with boos ringing in their ears from their embittered supporters. The home team started with renewed ambition in the second half forcing Leeds onto the back foot and Paul Connolly was called upon to prevent Kris Boyd from making a good connection when Tarmo Kink got the ball into the danger area. Better was to come for the home fans when after fifty-three minutes David Wheater made an excellent interception and advanced forward before transferring the ball to Matthew Bates on the right, well inside the Leeds half. He got his cross in, and Richard Naylor could not deal with it, and Kris Boyd was left in plenty of space to be able to stab the ball home from close range. From a position of comfort and strength United had lost their lead and the home fans were now starting to get behind their team. However, United lifted and had the home team on the defensive and they were unfortunate when the home defence managed to cut out a low cross from Davide Somma when Luciano Becchio was poised to pounce. But they did not have long to wait before they were back in the lead after sixty-three minutes. The home team twice failed to clear their lines effectively and Luciano Becchio got possession on the edge of the area and played in Bradley Johnson on the left. His left wing cross was controlled by the Argentinian, who showed good technique, to get in a volley which beat Jason Steele to nestle in the net after hitting the inside of the left-hand post. Just five minutes later it was the Argentinian who was desparately unlucky after showing some deft skills to rattle the cross bar with a superb shot from the right-hand edge of the penalty area. Gordon Strachan rang the changes for the home team but it had little effect other than to win Boro two corners in quick succession, but, when Scott McDonald tried his luck from distance, Jason Brown gathered with ease. After eighty-five minutes Leigh Bromby came on for a limping Amdy Faye, and became the third Leeds player to be introduced due to injury. Even though there were five minutes added for stoppages Leeds had little difficulty in gaining a 2-1 win which saw them move up to ninth in the table as Ben Alnwick, Max Gradel, Ross McCormack and Neil Kilkenny remained unused on the bench.

Next there was an Elland Road encounter with Leicester City, their conquerors in the Carling Cup, but langishing third from the bottom in the championship, a good eight points behind United. After their win at Middlesbrough, United retained the same starting eleven as their injured duo of Sanchez Watt and Amdy Faye had recovered from their injuries and George McCartney had recovered from illness to take their places in the midweek encounter, after all passed a late fitness tests just before the game. Alex Bruce was available after suspension and Leigh Bromby was omitted from the bench as the former Ipswich man took his place, while Ramon Nunez took over from Ross McCormack. There was a crowd of 22,775 on hand and they saw the visitors being the first to go on the attack with Jason Brown having to spread himself to stop Andy King from scoring as he advanced on goal. The visitors stayed on the attack and Martyn Waghorn should have done much better as he fired over after good work from Paul Gallagher and Andy King. Paul Gallagher volleyed wide after being set-up by Franck Moussa, who also headed over soon after. It then took an outstanding piece of goalkeeping from Jason Brown to turn a Bruno Berner shot over the bar after it took a deflection. In truth Leicester could have easily have been 4-0 up after just fifteen minutes. United had to wait until the twenty-sixth minute before they created their first oppurtunity as Neill Collins headed narrowly wide of the right-hand post. Sanchez Watt, who was showing signs of his weekend injury, was replaced by Bradley Johnson on the half hour, and played a more attacking role with Amdy Faye dropping back to play deeper, between the defence and midfield, which gave the ex-Northampton player the licence to break forward. He soon had a header, from a pinpoint George McCartney cross, and a shot just off target as the game approached half time. Leeds had got back in the game and indeed looked the stronger of the two teams. However, that was in the concluding minutes of the half, for most of which they had played second fiddle and were lucky to survive with a clean sheet. The second half soon saw Leicester back on the attack and Jason Brown had to stretch to cut out a cross and Amdy Faye got in a good blocking tackle. United came back and Richard Naylor headed wide from a corner but it was the Foxes that took the lead after sixty-four minutes. They had twice gone close before a missed tackle by George McCartney allowed Kyle Naughton to get in a long range shot which took a huge deflection off Neill Collins to loop over the stranded Jason Brown and into the net. Six minutes later in an effort to get back in the game, Simon Grayson made a double change, sending on Max Gradel and Neil Kilkenny in place of Robert Snodgrass and Amdy Faye, who had not looked fully recovered from injury. Seven minutes later Leicester also made a change sending on Steve Howard for Franck Moussa and unfortunately it was he that made the impact, just three minutes later, when Andy King took advantage of a defensive mistake to allow the substitute to fire past Jason Brown to make the score 2-0. This was too much for the home fans and they made for the exits in droves. Those that left missed Luciano Becchio heading his sixth goal of the season from a fine cross by Max Gradel to put Leeds back in the game. Leicester were forced to hang on and they defended in depth. Jonathan Howson had a shot blocked in the first minute of stoppage time and Max Gradel soon suffered the same fate. It was not quite all Leeds, as Jason Brown had to save from Martyn Waghorn, and although Bradley Johnson had a shot blocked, Leicester held on to deservedly claim the points which saw United drop to tenth as Ben Alnwick, Alex Bruce, Andy Hughes and Ramon Nunez remained unused on the bench.

There was a welcome return of Kasper Schmeichel, who had been sorely missed since his last game at Watford. United had played eight, winning three, drawing one and losing four, conceding seventeen goals in the process. He took over from Jason Brown, who dropped to the bench at the expense of Ben Alnwick. Richard Naylor and Sanchez Watt where both injured and that meant a recall for Alex Bruce, who moved up from the bench and Leigh Bromby replaced him there, and a recall from Bradley Johnson, also from the bench where he was replaced by Adam Clayton, as United welcomed high flying Cardiff City to Elland Road. The Welshmen sat on twenty-six points, five points in front of Watford in third spot and just two points behind runaway leader, Queens Park Rangers. The game was televised on Sky and that, coupled with United's recent poor form, may have been the reason for the relatively poor crowd of 20,727, which saw both teams give it their all in the first ten minutes as they fought for supremecy. United did have plenty of good moments as Gabor Gyepas had to head clear a Robert Snodgrass cross, Davide Somma almost got through and after Robert Snodgrass had forced a corner Alex Bruce glanced a header just wide, before Jonathan Howson sent a rasping shot closely wide. But despite all their near misses, they counted for nothing as Jay Bothroyd gave the Welshmen the lead after twenty-two minutes when Alex Bruce and Kasper Schmeichel hesitated in meeting a long ball forward from Tom Heaton and in the mix up the keeper spilled the ball and the forward had an easy task to tap the ball into an empty net from close range. Alex Bruce came to United's help when he made a fine tackle on Chris Burke who was looking menacing down the right with Jay Bothroyd in the middle ready to pounce. There were more good efforts for the visitors as Kasper Schgmeichel was called upon to save from Craig Bellamy and Seye Olofinjana had a shot blocked. United did press though and Jonathan Howson gave Bradley Johnson a chance but he could only send the ball across the face of the goal, but just the one goal separated the two teams at the break. George McCartney proved invaluable to United as Cardiff started the second half on the attack with Craig Bellamy whipping in a dangerous corner for Gabor Gyepas to get in a good goalbound header but the Sunderland loanee was well positioned on the line to head clear and in the next attack he did well to block a shot from Chris Burke. At the other end the Cardiff keeper, Tom Heaton, reacted well to push a Robert Snodgrass free-kick over the bar. Simon Grayson responded by sending on Ramon Nunez for his debut in the fifty-fourth minute as he replaced Davide Somma. The game suddenly took a new dimension as Cardiff profited from good fortune in the fifty-first minute when Michael Chopra seemed in an offside position as he latched on to a through ball from Mark Hudson, who had won a battle for possession with Amdy Faye in midfield, to beat Kasper Schmeichel with a low shot. Just four minutes later Leeds went three down as Jay Bothroyd scored his second of the night when Craig Bellamy, who had terrorised the Leeds defence all night, won possession in his own half and found Jay Bothroyd a little further upfield. He in turn played in the overlapping Chris Burke and was there to get on the end of the return cross from the by-line for a well executed goal. There was still no let up from the Bluebirds as they poured forward in attack and it came as no surprise when they added a fourth on the hour. There had to be a question mark over Kasper Schmeichel's lack of anticipation and mobility as it was again Craig Bellamy who fashioned the goal before leaving Lee Naylor to score from just outside the box with a good shot, with the keeper flatfooted. United had conceded three goals in just nine minutes and the crowd was stunned, but Cardiff still maintained possession for most of the half and Leeds hardly touched the ball for almost half an hour. Max Gradel was sent on for Bradley Johnson after sixty-three minutes, but it was the earlier substitute, Ramon Nunez, who went close in the seventieth minute but his shot was over the bar. Luciano Becchio did get the ball in the net two minutes later but was ruled offside. Adam Clayton replaced Amdy Faye with ten minutes to go, but it made no difference as Cardiff kept a clean sheet and the gulf in class was clear for all to see. Jason Brown, Neil Kilkenny, Andy Hughes and Leigh Bromby remained unused on the bench as United were comprehensively beaten and dropped to sixteenth on the ladder, as Cardiff joined Queens Park Rangers as runaway leaders of the division.

Recognising his team's defensive inadequacies, Simon Grayson loaned Harrogate-born Central Defender Andy O'Brien from Bolton Wanderers for a month. He went straight into the team as Neill Collins dropped to the bench and Leigh Bromby dropped out of the squad. There were also recalls for Neil Kilkenny and Max Gradel to the starting eleven as Bradley Johnson and Davide Somma dropped to the bench, with Robert Snodgrass moving into the striker's role along side Luciano Becchio and Max Gradel in a reshuffle and a switch to 4-3-3, which sometimes switched effectively into a 4-5-1. Billy Paynter was included on the bench for his first game in the squad for the season, after he had recovered from an injury sustain in the pre-season build-up, and Adam Clayton dropped out of the squad to accomodate him, as United travelled to Glanford Park to take on Scunthorpe United, who sat one place above them on the table with the same number of points. There were 2,164 travelling Leeds fans in the crowd of 8,122 and they soon saw new boy Andy O'Brien in action as he denied a certain goal with his first touch as Alex Bruce almost gifted the home team an identical goal to the one he had conceded in a mix up with Kasper Schmeichel against Cardiff, but the new Central Defender cleared off the line from Chris Dagnall. He quickly followed with an important challenge on the same player as he sought to get a shot on target. It didn't take long for Leeds to take the lead as Max Gradel scored his first goal of the season in the eighth minute, when he made the most of a through ball from Jonathan Howson to steer the ball wide of former United loanee keeper, Tony Warner. The game did not reach any great heights early on and was littered with interuptions from fouls and other infringements and if anything the home team was the better side and Kasper Schmeichel was called into action on several occasions, but without being unduly troubled. Freddie Sears made a run down the left but his cross found no takers. However, all that changed in the twenty-seventh minute, when United conceded a corner. From Michael O'Connor's flag-kick, Cliff Byrne climbed highest at the far post to head the ball into the top corner for the equaliser, as Andy O'Brien seemed to be impeded. Leeds hit back and Tony Warner was called upon to save a Robert Snodgrass free-kick and the keeper also reacted well to punch clear an Amdy Faye header from a corner and the teams went into the break on level terms. Neil Kilkenny shot over the bar soon after the restart but Leeds made their first change ten minutes into the second-half when Bradley Johnson came on for Amdy Faye. Just five minutes later United were in front for the second time in the match. Paul Connolly was allowed to make a good cross from the right and Jonathan Howson was unmarked at the far post to smash the ball into the net. It was almost 3-1 a couple of minutes later as another well struck shot was saved by Tony Warner but he couldn't hold on to it and it had to be scrambled clear and he was soon testing the keeper again in the sixty-sixth minute as Leeds started to get on top. The home side did sometimes threaten with Freddie Sears sending in a shot which made Kasper Schmeichel stretch to tip over and after two corners in quick succession Niall Canavan headed over from close range, but Max Gradel crossed to the far post after seventy-three minutes and again found Jonathan Howson waiting unmarked and this time he headed the ball home for his second and United's third. It was followed almost immediately by the midfielder completing his hat-trick as he ran through the home defence to unleash an unstoppable shot from just inside the box to send United 4-1 up. Five minutes later Billy Paynter came on to make his debut to the applause of the travelling faithful as he replaced Luciano Becchio, he was joined three minutes later by Ramon Nunez, who replaced Robert Snodgrass, and it was the Honduran who came close to making it five, with a good shot as Leeds pressed again. Billy Paynter also tested Tony Warner from an acute angle in the dying minutes as United sought to score more. Jason Brown, Neill Collins, Andy Hughes and Davide Somma remained unused on the bench as United moved up to twelfth with a welcome win.

United were again on the road this time at the Ricoh Arena, home of fourth-placed Coventry City and lacked the services of Kasper Schmeichel, who had become a father the previous day and Jason Brown filled his place with Shane Higgs coming in on the bench, while Neill Collins returned for Alex Bruce, who dropped to the bench. Lloyd Sam also made the bench instead of Billy Paynter. There was a crowd of 28,184 on hand, a record in the League for the ground that was opened five years previous, it did include at least 6,366 of the travelling fans from Leeds. They soon had something to cheer as followiong his hat-tick of the previous week Jonathan Howson opened the scoring in the fourth minute. After George McCartney's cross from the left had evaded everyone, he was again at the far post and after Robert Snodgrass had set him up he headed past Keiron Westwood with ease. Coventry mounted an attack and Lukas Jutkiewicz headed wide while when Leeds next attacked Neil Kilkenny shot wide. Former Leeds loanee Gary McSheffrey was on the end of a couple of heavy challenges and from a resulting free-kick the home side headed wide, but as he again got forward Paul Connolly stopped him in his tracks with a good block on his goalbound shot. After twenty minutes man-of-the-moment Jonathan Howson was again played in by Robert Snodgrass but this time his header was wide. On the half-hour United thought they had a good shout for a penalty when Robert Snodgrass appeared to be impeded by Martin Cranie as he tried to reach a Max Gradel cross. With ten minutes to go to half-time Lukas Jutkiewicz missed a golden oppurtunity to equalise when he found himself with only Jason Brown to beat but he was no quick enough and Paul Connolly forced him to shoot wide. In the fortieth minute United went 2-0 up Robert Snodgrass, who had been United's star performer, cut in from the right and curled a stunning twenty yard shot past Keiron Westwood, giving him no chance. As the game wound down to half-time Coventry tried their best to reduce the arrears and Lukas Jutkiewicz was denied by Neill Collins and then Jason Brown quickly dived on a ball which was moving goalwards after Richard Wood's shot had been partially blocked by the Leeds defenders. The second half started with United on the attack and Max Gradel looked as if he had been fouled while making a decisive break down the wing and then Robert Snodgrass won a corner which was cleared. While George McCartney was receiving treatment, Gary McSheffrey took advantage of the temporary advantage and the home team pulled a goal back in the fifty-second minute when Lukas Jutkiewicz headed home the knock back from his long centre from the Coventry right wing. The home team's hopes were raised even higher when in the next minute Gary McSheffrey had the ball in the net, but to the visitors' relief he was judged to be offside. In the sixty-first minute Max Gradel was brought down by Richard Keogh in the box and the referee, despite Coventry protests pointed to the spot. Max Gradel took the penalty himself and gave Keiron Westwood no chance to restore United's two goal lead. Simon Grayson made his first unenforced substitution as he replaced Amdy Faye with Bradley Johnson. While United were dangerous whenever they were on the attack, their defence always look vulnerable and just three minutes later Ben Turner was on hand to stab the ball home from a cross from the deep and the ball went beyond Jason Brown to make the score 3-2. It was end to end football and just three minutes later it looked as if Luciano Becchio was going to score as he rounded Keiron Westwood but Ben Turner proved his worth as he managed to get back and dive to divert the goal-bound effort from the Argentinian. After seventy minutes Max Gradel was forced to limp off and Andy Hughes came on as his replacement at left back with George McCartney moving forward into the left midfield spot. Coventry started to apply more and more pressure and Gary McSheffrey had a shot deflected for a corner and then Aaron Gunnarsson headed the flag-kick over the bar and into the crowd of Leeds fans behind the goal. Robert Snodgrass tested Keiron Westwood in a United breakaway, but Coventry were soon back with former Leeds loanee Marlon King failing to get a shot on goal after he had worked a shooting position for himself. Leeds brought on Davide Somma for Neil Kilkenny with six minutes left on the clock. With one minute left Jason Brown was tested with a curling Gary McSheffrey free-kick, but was equal to the task. Jason Brown also pulled of a couple of saves in the five minutes of added time, but United had withstood almost half an hour of pressure from the home team and not conceded. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Lloyd Sam and Ramon Nunez remained unused on the bench as United picked up three valuable points for their third consecutive away win and moved to eighth on the table in just one point from being in a play-off position.

After a series of games which had been classified as easy, against teams in the lower reaches of the League, United then hit a run of games against much stiffer opposition, which started against Norwich City at Carrow Road, and while United were in fifth spot and the Canaries in eighth spot, only one point separated the two teams and it was generally recognised that the home team would be one of those top teams with aspirations of direct qualification for promotion. After his hat-trick against Bristol City, Luciano Becchio was preferred to Davide Somma, with the South African dropping to the bench, and, apart from Shane Higgs replacing Jason Brown on the bench, United retained the same team that had secured maximum points against Bristol City. There was a crowd of 26,315 on hand, probably the largest since the stadium became an all-seater venue and that included at least 2,300 that had made the trip from Leeds and all points of the nation to support the visitors. It was Norwich that made the first shot on goal as Andrew Sturman's free-kick was headed over by Elliott Ward and then Alex Bruce was decisive as he cleared another early raid. The pace was fast and furious and Bradley Johnson and Jonathan Howson both tried their luck with shots from long range, while Max Gradel won a corner which was cleared. As the Canaries hit back both Alex Bruce and Andy O'Brien were looking assured in central defence while Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson were doing their job just in front of the defence and prompting good breaks as United came quickly out of defence. It was United that took the early lead after just twelve mimutes when Luciano Becchio was hacked down by Leon Burnett on the edge of the box, but the referee played the advantage and the ball broke to Max Gradel and his low, angled shot from twelve yards beat John Ruddy and nestled in the far corner of the net, for his third goal of the season. Leeds enjoyed a period of sustained pressure after that but neither side could carve out any clear openings. In the twenty-third minute Alex Bruce received lengthy treatment after his challenge on Grant Holt, which saw him get a yellow card as soon as the referee was able to show him it. Chris Martin took the resulting free-kick, but Kasper Schmeichel was able to smother his shot. Leeds responded but there was no one on hand as Max Gradel's cross went begging. At the other end Andrew Crofts should have done better when through on goal, his touch was poor and Kasper Schmeichel was able to collect as he tried to round him. Leeds broke quickly and Robert Snodgrass had a shot blocked which raised an unsuccessful appeal for a penalty. Max Gradel was then denied a second goal by Norwich keeper John Ruddy, who tipped over his twenty-five yard shot, after thirty-four minutes. Leeds were on top with their best first half display of the season but could not capitalise on their possession and there were no more goals before half-time, although Gradel had a shot blocked. Jonathan Howson, in a very attacking role, almost pierced the Norwich rearguard with a mazy run on goal, Luciano Becchio headed wide, and Alex Bruce could not get past Elliott Ward after Jonathan Howson had flicked the ball into his path. The game changed somewhat in the second half with Norwich coming back into the game and Andrew Crofts wasted the oppurtunity to set up Grant Holt from a quickly taken free-kick. Soon afterwards Alex Bruce made a good block to deny the Norwich striker and after the ball came back towards the Leeds goal, it was again Grant Holt who headed against a post. Down the other end Simon Lippin headed away to clear the next Leeds attack but Norwich were quickly back for Kasper Schmeichel to dive full-length to push a shot from Chris Martin round the post. Leeds looked dangerous on the break as Norwich attacked with more urgency which sometimes left space for Leeds to exploit but it was Norwich who next found the net in the sixty-fifth minute and in controversial circumstances. Leon Barnett climbed high to head home a David Fox corner, but clearly Kasper Schmeichel had been pushed to the ground by Chris Martin as the corner was being taken, but it went undetected by the officials. United were next to attack and George McCartney crossed from the left and John Ruddy was all at sea as he flapped at it but the home side were able to scramble the ball clear. Then Robert Snodgrass dribbled his way into the home box but could not link up with Jonathan Howson and later a cross from Max Gradel was cleared. A series of corners went the way of the visitors and from the third Andy O'Brien was in the action as John Ruddy seemed all at sea from the crosses. Alex Bruce was having an outstanding game in the Leeds rearguard and Kasper Schmeichel again got down well to save from Elliott Ward, but the keeper had Neil Kilkenny to thank when he blocked Simeon Jackson who was looking to beat the keeper to the ball. United were still not done as an attacking force and Robert Snodgrass almost gave them the lead in spectacular fashion as he shot from long range and watched his effort loop wide of the goal. Norwich showed they were not done either and Alex Bruce was forced to head clear under pressure from Grant Holt, while Kasper Schmeichel saved well from Elliott Ward and then Andrew Crofts shot wide. Manager Simon Grayson rang the changes in the final five minutes as Lloyd Sam replaced Max Gradel with five minutes on the clock, Ross McCormack was on for Neil Kilkenny three minutes later and then Neill Collins replaced Luciano Becchio just as the ninety-minutes ticked over. There were four minutes of stoppage time but the two teams could not find a winner and both earned a hard fought for point and both remained fifth and eighth respectively. Shane Higgs, Billy Paynter, Andy Hughes and Davide Somma remained on the bench as unused substitutes.

After gaining a good point at Carrow Road, United faced another trip to face another another likely promotion candidate when they visited eleventh placed Reading and while it may have looked to be against a lower team the reality was that the Berkshire team were just three points behind United and a defeat for United would have seen them behind their opponents. It came as no surprise that Manager Simon Grayson stuck with his winning formula which had now seen United undefeated in five matches and stuck with the same starting eleven but saw Amdy Faye included on the bench as Davide Somma dropped out. Former long-serving Leeds full-back, Ian Harte was in the Reading starting eleven as the teams ran out at the Madejski Stadium in front of a crowd of 23,677 of which at least 4,213 were Leeds supporters, with Luciano Becchio making his one hundredth League appearance. There was little to separate the two teams in the first twenty minutes and neither side was able to carve out an opening as Andy O'Brien and Alex Bruce both made a couple of defensive headers, while at the other end Leeds had two raids break down when the ball was lost in the area. In truth the game was tame and mundane with little entertainment, but finally Leeds did put a move together and created a half chance when Robert Snodgrass broke on the right but Luciano Becchio failed to connect properly with his header and it went wide. Andy O'Brien was on hand to clear when Simon Church's control let him down in front of goal. It wasn't until the thirty-first minute, when Adam Federici, who had trials with Leeds when Kevin Blackwell was in charge, had to save a free-kick from Robert Snodgrass. As the game edged towards half-time a Leeds break broke down and at the other end Max Gradel made an amazing back-heel clearance off the goal-line to deny Shane Long a goal after he had got in a header from a corner. Kasper Schmeichel had to tip an inswinging corner over the bar and Zurab Khizanishvili headed the resultig corner wide as Reading applied pressure at the end of the first half. Just before the players went off there was a flare-up between Max Gradel and Andy Griffin which finished with both players being shown the yellow card and during stoppage time Paul Connolly picked up his fifth yellow card which meant he would miss the following game at home to Crystal Palace. Alex Bruce was soon making a good tackle on Simon Church as the home team mounted the early pressure in the second half and Kasper Schmeichel also had to block a low free-kick from Ian Harte which looked goalbound. Robert Snodgrass won a corner after he tried to get behind the Reading defence and the game started to get more interesting and exciting. Max Gradel tested Adam Federici after he cut in from the left and just on the hour he smashed a ball low into the box but Reading scrambled clear as the momentum started to build. Reading then swung on the attack and Alex Bruce made a good stop, Kasper Schmeichel palmed away a cross, Paul Connolly made a vital block, while Andy O'Brien showed a cool head at the back as Reading mounted the pressure. United switched from lone striker to two up front with Max Gradel joining Luciano Becchio in the strike force. Robert Snodgrass tried to play in the big Argentinian but the striker lost his footing at the vital moment. After seventy-five minutes Leeds made a double substitution with Ross McCormack and Billy Paynter replacing Luciano Becchio and Max Gradel as Leeds looked to force a winning goal. However, it was Reading that came close four minutes from time when Michail Antonio hit a post from twelve yards and George McCartney did well to deny the home team in the ensuing scramble in the six yard box. In the eighty-eighth minute Lloyd Sam replaced Robert Snodgrass. Kasper Schmeichel made an important save from Noel Hunt as stoppage time approached and the Andy O'Brien made an important clearance as Reading pressed for a winner in the extra four minutes added for stoppages, but Leeds hit the home team on the break with Ross McCormack doing well to put Jonathan Howson into space and Adam Federici pulled off a fantastic save to push his goalbound shot round the post. So honours were even and Leeds slipped to sixth and Reading remained eleventh as United extended their unbeaten run to six with Shane Higgs, Amdy Faye, Neill Collins and Andy Hughes remaining the unused substitutes.

There was a visit from twenty-second placed Crystal Palace next on the agenda as Paul Connolly was suspended and Andy Hughes came into the team at right-back with Davide Somma taking the vacant seat on the bench as United were one of the few teams to beat the winter weather in the north where the majority of fixtures had been postponed. Like United, Palace had been experiencing a form revival, having won three of their last four games, but it was Leeds that were soon celebrating as Jonathan Howson latched on to a through ball from Max Gradel to score with ease, but the celebrations were quickly subdued as the goal was disallowed for offside, even though TV Replays showed there was no such infringement. United continued to dominate and Bradley Johnson had a free-kick deflected wide and Anthony Gardner blocked a Robert Snodgrass shot and after half an hour Julian Speroni pulled off a good save from a Jonathan Howson shot. Palace responded with a header from a set piece after thirty-five minutes as the contest livened up. United came back and Bradley Johnson had another shot blocked and Alasanne N'Diaye made an important clearance before, in the thirty-eighth minute, Luciano Becchio was unable to control a fine cut-back from Robert Snodgrass and then Max Gradel followed up but placed the ball wide. As half-time approached Leeds were well on top, but unbelievably just a minute before the interval it was Palace that took the lead. They broke quickly through Nathaniel Clyne and the full back sent across a low centre and Neil Danns was on hand to score from close range. Palace nearly increased their lead in added time as Kasper Schmeichel was forced to tip over a Darren Ambrose free-kick from twenty-five yards. United started the second half on the front foot and Julian Speroni reacted well to push an Andy O'Brien header over the bar, but it was a wasted effort as the referee had already blown for an infringement. On fifty-five minutes Lloyd Sam replaced Bradley Johnson and Ross McCormack came on for Max Gradel as United switched to 4-4-2. Lloyd Sam was soon involved and just two minutes later he set up Neil Kilkenny, whose shot from twenty-five yards was well saved by Julian Speroni. United continued to press and the Palace keeper made another good save to deny Luciano Becchio, who got in a good header from a Robert Snodgrass cross. Palace were still dangerous on the counter-attack and a James Vaughan shot at goal was blocked by Andy O'Brien and then after seventy-one minutes Neil Danns had a good chance but his shot hit the post before going wide. Leeds still continued to press and Lloyd Sam forced Julian Speroni to push his shot round the post at full stretch and then Ross McCormack latched on to a through ball to round the keeper and put the ball in the net, but once more the offside flag denied him. United were still searching for goals and in the seventy-seventh minute Billy Paynter was sent on for Andy Hughes as United went to 3-4-3 as they look for more fire power. Within moments Billy Paynter was given two chances but failed to capitalise on either, but he did feature in the United equaliser after eighty-one minutes, as he got on the end of a Neil Kilkenny corner, which had been headed on by George McCartney, and set up Luciano Becchio whose left foot shot put United back on level terms with his tenth goal of the season. After holding out for so long, Palace conceded again two minutes later when Ross McCormack was fouled but the referee played the advantage and the ball ran loose to Luciano Becchio and he gave Julian Speroni no chance to score his and United's second and fire them into the lead for the first time in the game. Palace fought back but even with four minutes added for stoppages, and although they put pressure on United, it was without success and it was Billy Paynter who almost extended United's lead but Julian Speroni denied him his first goal in United colours. Shane Higgs, Neill Collins, Amdy Faye and Davide Somma remained unused on the bench as United extended their unbeaten run to seven as they remained sixth in the table.

United next had to visit Turf Moor to play their nearest Lancashire neighbours in a "War of the Roses" aginst one of the fancied teams for promotion, who sat in eighth spot just two places and three points behind United with a game in hand. Paul Connolly returned at right back after serving a one week suspension and replaced Andy Hughes at Right-Back, with the utility defender dropping to the bench, and Neill Collins came in for the injured Andy O'Brien in Central Defence. The Turf Moor side were undefeated at home and United expected a tough game in front of Burnley's biggest crowd of the season, 20,453, which included at least 4,029 travelling Leeds fans. It was United who started the quicker and Max Gradel fired just wide before a combination of Bradley Johnson and Alex Bruce cut out a good cross at the other end and then, in the seventh minute, Jay Rodriguez shot wide with a speculator from distance before Kasper Schmeichel caught a curling free-kick, this time from Ross Wallace, after Bradley Johnson had committed a foul on the edge of the area. After fourteen minutes Robert Snodgrass picked out Max Gradel with a penetrating ball and the Ivory Coast man's chip was marginally over the bar and soon afterwards the little winger left Tyrone Mears in his wake but his shot went close, but wide. Burnley came back and after Jay Rodriguez had made a good run he found Wade Elliott and from his near post cross Chris Iwelumo forced Kasper Schmeichel to save at the expense of a corner. From the kick, by Ross Wallace after twenty-seven minutes, the home side took the lead when Andre Bikey's bullet header was stopped on the line, but Brian Easton reacted quickest and fired the ball into the roof of the net. Burnley were not content to rest on their laurels and Andre Bikey was only just wide with a strong, but ambitious free-kick from forty yards which sailed narrowly wide, but Kasper Schmeichel had it well covered. There was a reply from United with Luciano Becchio winning a corner and from it Robert Snodgrass' flag-kick was steered narrowly wide by Neill Collins. But it was the home side that doubled their lead in the thirty-seventh minute. Ex-united defender Clarke Carlisle turned defence into attack with a huge clearance and as Alex Bruce and Jay Rodriguez took off in pursuit, the United defender, seemed to have won the foot race but did not take the easy option of playing it back to the keeper and as he tried to clear his lines he lost his footing and left the Burnley man on his own. With only Kasper Schmeichel to beat he kept his composure to slide the ball under the advancing keeper and into the net. The goal coming just before half-time left United with a massive hill to climb in the second-half. Leeds made their intentions clear and started attacking from the restart. Their aggression paid off when Robert Snodgrass made good ground on the wing and fired across a fine looping centre. Luciano Becchio was the first to react and headed back to Max Gradel, who was in acres of space and hammered the ball home to reduce the arrears to 2-1 in the fifty-second minute. Burnley had the chance to restore their two goal lead but Chris Iwelumo wastefully headed wide from a Wade Elliott cross from close range. After sixty-four minutes Ross McCormack came on in place of Neil Kilkenny as United sought a more attacking formation and just two minutes later United were level. Paul Connolly made a surging run down the right and after he and Jonathan Howson had exchanged passes the full-back crossed for Luciano Becchio to slide in to score his twelfth goal of the season. Leeds were now very much on top and roared on by their large following they almost took the lead just two minutes later when Bradley Johnson's shot was just wide of the upright. Then it was Robert Snodgrass who sought to give them the lead as he cut in from the right to curl in a left-foot shot which beat Burnley keeper Lee Grant, but hit the crossbar and rebounded to safety. The Scot was again involved moments later when he pulled the ball back for Ross McCormack but his shot was blocked and deparately cleared by Andre Bikey. The game entered the final fifteen minutes and it was again Ross McCormack who saw his shot blocked after a free-kick on the edge of the box. Burnley reminded United that they were still in the game and forced Kasper Schmeichel to a punched clearance. With just five minutes left of normal time the United pressure paid off when Captain Jonathan Howson broke from midfield and took advantage of the Burnley defence not being willing to tackle him to stride forward and pick his spot to curl a clinical shot from twenty-two yards into the corner of the net, giving Lee Grant no chance. Ross McCormack could have increased the United lead but was denied by Lee Grant and as five minutes were added Burnley started to have attacking thoughts. United sent Amdy Faye into the fray in place of Luciano Becchio after ninety minutes. Burnley did have their chances, in fact, Steven Thompson had two chances, but his first shot was blocked and when Wade Elliott found him with a good cross he headed tamely wide. John Guidetti forced Kasper Schmeichel to push his shot round the post at full stretch. In the end Leeds deserved their victory and coming back from 2-0 down confirmed that they could be a threat to any team in the Championship as they moved up into fourth spot just two points away from the coveted second spot as Billy Paynter, Lloyd Sam, Shane Higgs, Andy Hughes and Davide Somma remained unused on the bench as United extended their unbeaten sequence to eight.

Once more United won the battle against the wintry conditions and were one of the few games to go ahead as the entertained the table-topping runaway leaders of the Championship, in Queens Park Rangers, who were six points ahead of United with a game in hand. The visitors had remained unbeaten until going down 3-1 to Watford in the previous game. United's starting eleven was unchanged from their win at Burnley, but Leigh Bromby came in on the bench in place of Andy Hughes. Rob Hulse faced United for the second time at Elland Road after having scored in the opening match of the season, before leaving Derby County for the visitors at the end of August. In front of a crowd of 29,426, it was the visitors who were first to attack and Kasper Schmeichel was getting down well to save a free-kick. Bradley Orr shot over the bar and Rob Hulse saw his header well saved by the Leeds keeper. United suffered a setback in the eleventh minute when Alex Bruce limped out of the game to be replaced by Leigh Bromby, but it was the home side that carved out the first real chance of the game and Paddy Kenny was forced to claw away a header from Luciano Becchio at full-stretch. At the other end Adel Tarrabi broke from midfield but shot wide and as Leeds responded it was Robert Snodgrass who also shot wide. The game was quite lively in the first twenty minutes as the ball moved from end to end with neither team getting the upper hand for long. But it was United that took the lead after twenty-five minutes. Robert Snodgrass started the move, showing good footwork as he created space for a cross on the edge of the box. His cross was met at the far post by Jonathan Howson who knocked it back for Max Gradel to rifle the ball home into the bottom corner from six yards. The visitors sought to counter straight away and Clint Hill had a header blocked by Neill Collins and, after a goalmouth scramble, Kaspars Gorkss managed to put the ball high over the bar from close range. The ball soon went up the other end where some good work by Jonathan Howson gave Max Gradel a chance but he too could not get the ball on target and it flew wide. Tempers flared as half-time approached after a challenge by Clint Hill on Paul Connolly, which saw players from both sides involved in a melee. There had been mistimed tackles by Bradley Johnson on Jamie Mackie as well as Clint Hill and Paul Connolly and Bradley Orr had been booked in quick succession. Four minutes were added to the half for stoppages as Leeds started to get on top and Robert Snodgrass forced Paddy Kenny to save. The second half saw both sides trying to get the next goal and United defended well to deal with a free-kick and Neill Collins again made a good block to stop Jamie Mackie's shot. Leeds came back and almost made it 2-0 as Luciano Becchio burst through and forced Paddy Kenny to push the ball round the post at full stretch, as he shot from twenty yards. Max Gradel also went close from a Robert Snodgrass cross in the fifty-third minute. The longer the game went the more Leeds looked like the likely winners, and after seventy minutes they doubled their lead as George McCartney released Max Gradel who raced from inside his own half to cut inside Fritz Hall and beat Paddy Kenny at his near post for his sixth goal of the season. It was starting to become one-way traffic and soon Neil Kilkenny fired a shot from distance which went wide and then Paddy Kenny was again called upon to keep his team in the game when he made a great save from Jonathan Howson, who had unleashed a superb strike from outside the box. the visitors made a double substitution in the seventy-fifth minute, one being former Leeds loanee Hogan Ephraim and Leeds responded by sending on Lloyd Sam for Max Gradel a minute later. As the game reached the final ten minutes Leeds were still pressing for a third and Luciano Becchio had a header cleared by Kaspars Gorkss and Robert Snodgrass shot wide as they underlined their supremacy over the League leaders. Just on time United made their third substitution with Billy Paynter replacing Luciano Becchio and they were completeely untroubled in the closing stages as they eased to a ninth successive game without defeat and moved into second place, just three points behind their opponents, who still had a game in hand. Shane Higgs, Amdy Faye, Davide Somma and Ross McCormack remained the unused substitutes.

On Boxing Day United had to travel to the Walkers Stadium to face Leicester City who had already twice been victors at Elland Road earlier in the season. Although the Foxes had struggled after a poor start to the season and languished in sixteenth spot, ten points behind the second placed United, they were bound to be stiff opposition for Leeds, who had Andy O'Brien back in the team after recovering from a thigh injury and he took over from Alex Bruce, who had been injured in the game with Queens Park Rangers but had recovered to take his place on the bench in preference to Davide Somma. The pitch seemed bone-hard in parts, where the underground soil heating had failed, but there was a crowd of 30,919, which included at least 3,318 from Leeds, to see the home team make the early running as a poor clearance by Paul Connolly resulted in Stan Howard being given a chance to shoot from twenty yards, but he was narrowly wide. Then both Andy O'Brien and Bradley Johnson each failed to clear their lines and this presented Darius Vassell with an opening but he could not control the ball and the chance was lost. After eighteen minutes, hesitation by Robert Snodgrass put Paul Connolly under pressure and the full-back was happy to see his clearance cannon off the back of Jack Hobbs, but to safety. Leeds had to face a couple of set pieces and then Richie Wellens tried to play in Andy King with an angled ball over the top, but overhit his pass. It was again Richie Wellens that was denied by some good defensive work by United as they soaked up the pressure before moving the ball quickly on the break. It was Leeds that hit the lead after twenty minutes when, after Neil Kilkenny had got in a sublime cross from the right, former Leicester player Max Gradel was allowed a free header in front of goal for Leeds to score with their first real oppurtunity, after his marker Kyle Naughton had slipped at the crucial moment. Leicester responded with a weaving run by Greg Cunningham and from his cross Stan Howard came within a whisker of getting his foot to it before Neill Collins got across to clear. It was followed by a period of pressure from Leeds in which they won a couple of corners, but on the half-hour the hosts almost responded, but Kasper Schmeichel reacted well to divert a cross to thwart Steve Howard who was waiting well-placed by the far post. The big striker was also off target as his shot was over the top after thirty-six minutes and as the dour half came to an end it was again the Foxes' striker who headed wide under pressure from Andy O'Brien, with the game finely poised as the teams went in for half-time. It was the home side that had the first shot on goal in the second half when Yuki Abe tried his luck, but Kasper Schmeichel easily caught his shot. United were getting men behind the ball but always had an eye for a quick attack and Neil Kilkenny had a shot blocked as they made a quick break, while Andy O'Brien made a decisive clearance when Leicester came back. It was United though that won a succession of corners and from the second of these Robert Snodgrass doubled United's lead with an extra-ordinary strike ten minutes into the second half. The corner was cleared, but it went only as far as the winger, who had taken the flag-kick, and he responded with a stunning first-time shot from the acutest of angles to give Chris Kirkland no chance. Ten minutes later the Scot almost carved out an oppurtunity for Luciano Becchio, but the Argentinian's shot was blocked. The winger was causing Leicester all kinds of problems and he tested Chris Kirkland with a low shot, which the keeper could only save at the second attempt. United were now in control, but that all changed in the seventy-second minute, when Kasper Schmeichel received a yellow card for bringing down Darius Vassell to concede a penalty and Paul Gallagher got the Foxes back in the game when he beat the Dane from the penalty spot with a well struck shot. Five minutes later the home side were back on level terms when Andy King equalised to make it 2-2, as he controlled a through ball very well and then crashed the ball home off the underside of the crossbar from twenty yards. The home side were now looking to get the winning goal and with Leeds showing equal resolve the game was now wide open. Manager Simon Grayson made a double substitution bringing on Ross McCormack for Jonathan Howson and Billy Paynter for Luciano Becchio after eighty-five minutes as Leeds looked for the winner. Almost immediately Max Gradel had a shot deflected and Chris Kirkland had to be alert to thwart Billy Paynter as the striker closed him down. Neill Collins had a header from a corner blocked on the line, as did Bradley Johnson whose header was kicked away by Paul Gallagher. There was danger for United after a free-kick had been pumped into the area from the halfway-line and the Foxes were appealing for another penalty as bodies from both sides were falling to the ground. In the final minute of normal time Amdy Faye came on for Neil Kilkenny. Then in the final moments of the game it was Leeds who were appealing for a penalty after there appeared to be a handball as Billy Paynter's shot was deflected for a corner then the ensuing flag kick saw Nell Collins send in a header that was marginally over. It was the final chance of the game, as United extended their unbeaten run to ten games, but dropped to third place behind Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City, who both had a game in hand. Alex Bruce, Lloyd Sam, Shane Higgs and Leigh Bromby remained unused on the bench.

For their final match in the 2010 calendar year Leeds entertained Portsmouth, who were sat in thirteenth position ten points behind United, but Pompey had a game in hand. They were looking to continue with their unbeaten run in front of a crowd of 31,556 and made two changes to the starting line-up from their Boxing Day clash two days before. There were starting debuts for both Billy Paynter and Ross McCormack who replaced Luciano Becchio, who had picked up a few knocks at Leicester, and Neil Kilkenny and both dropped to the bench where Andy Hughes replaced Leigh Bromby and Davide Somma took over from Amdy Faye. The visitors had a half chance at the Kop end, when Dave Kitson and David Nugent combined to put Jon Utaka in the clear, but Kasper Schmeichel threw himself to his left to save one-handed, but Leeds broke quickly with Paul Connolly having a good run and then crossing into the six yard box and when the ball was deflected, Billy Paynter got an important touch for Max Gradel to appear at the far post and steer a right footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net to score his fifth goal in four matches from close range to give United the lead after seven minutes. Three minutes later that lead was doubled as, after a brief attack from the visitors, Leeds broke quickly in a flowing move which featured Ross McCormack sweeping down the left flank then Robert Snodgrass flicking on his cross for Jonathan Howson to skip past former Leeds loanee Carl Dickinson and Aaron Mokoena to get in the clear before shooting the ball emphatically past Jamie Ashdown and into the net for his eighth goal of the season. Leeds were playing good football and clearly on top and Robert Snodgrass went close with an audacious shot from long range which went over the bar. He was also involved when a fine touch from Ross McCormack gave Billy Paynter a chance but the striker put the ball over the bar. Portsmouth had made little constructive contribution to the game but, after Neill Collins made an important headed clearance for a corner, from the resulting flag-kick Dave Kitson fired wide with an overhead kick. However, it was mainly United on the attack and Ross McCormack tested Jamie Ashdown with a stinging long range shot on the half-hour. Moments later he was back down the other end to make an important goal-line clearance and then Andy O'Brien had to clear from Jon Utaka as Pompey started to show some attacking intent. They continued to look good and reduced the arrears after thirty-three minutes when Richard Hughes made a break from midfield and crossed from the right to play in David Nugent who scored with a brilliant angled shot. Just before the break Robert Snodgrass almost restored the two goal cushion when he cut in from the right but his curling shot drifted just wide. Robert Snodgrass started the second half with a blistering angled shot which was superbly tipped over by Jamie Asdown. After that the game became more even, with Portsmouth showing improved play and the first fifteen minutes of the second half produced no more clear chances, but both teams wanted to attack. It was United who were the next to score in the sixty-second minute when Jamie Ashdown had to push the ball over for a corner to stop a Max Gradel header. From the Robert Snodgrass-taken corner the ball was headed out by a Pompey defender and Bradley Johnson volleyed home into the bottom corner with an unstoppable left-footed shot from just inside the box. The two goal lead lasted just one minute as Portsmouth replied straight from the restart as Nwankwo Kanu played in Richard Hughes, whose shot took a big deflection off Andy O'Brien to beat the stranded Kasper Schmeichel to make the score 3-2. After sixty-five minutes United sent on Luciano Becchio for Billy Paynter and he was soon in the action and his header was only foiled by a brilliant save at full stretch by the Pompey keeper. This was soon followed by a Robert Snodgrass shot that whistled over the bar from twenty yards. Ross McCormack had the ball in the net after sixty-seven minutes after Portsmouth had failed to clear a corner, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on the Pompey keeper. On seventy-two minutes Ross McCormack took a tumble in the box after a challenge from Ibrahima Sonka, but the referee waved play on. In the eighty-fifth minute Simon Grayson sent on Lloyd Sam for Max Gradel and he saw Robert Snodgrass weave his way into the box but lift his shot over the bar. At the other end Kasper Schmeichel saved from Robert Hughes two minutes later and as the ninety minutes approached the keeper was again in action when he reacted well to clear an under-hit back-pass from Bradley Johnson. Five minutes of stoppage time was signalled and in the second of those minutes a misunderstanding between Kasper Scmeichel and Andy O'Brien gifted Portsmouth an equaliser. Nadir Ciftci came from deep and his cross was turned into the net by Andy O'Brien who desparately tried to retrieve the situation but it was already in the net before Nwankwo Kanu made doubly sure. The stoppage time eventually lasted seven minutes but it brought no further goals and after twice leading by two goals United could not take advantage of Cardiff City's loss to Watford and slipped to fourth place albeit on goal difference from Cardiff, the second club, who had a game in hand, as did Queens Park Rangers whose lead was extended to seven points. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Neil Kilkenny, Andy Hughes and Davide Somma all remained unused substitutes as once again defensive errors had resulted in United dropping two valuable points but their unbeaten run continued their now eleven game run without defeat.

Middlesbrough, who were in dismal form in twenty-first spot on the ladder were the visitors to Elland Road on New Years Day. Andy O'Brien had signed permanently for United and made his first appearance as a full United player, while George McCartney's loan had expired and he returned to Sunderland. His absence meant a return to the team of Andy Hughes and his place on the bench went to Sanchez Watt, who had recovered from injury, while fully fit again Luciano Becchio took his place in the team with Billy Paynter dropping to the bench. Leeds were off to a good start but apart from Robert Snodgrass sending a volley over the bar in the eighth minute there was little to show for it in the first quarter of an hour. The visitors showed their danger as they won a free-kick in the Leeds half and it was floated in by Kevin Thomson only for David Wheater to fail to make contact and a good chance went begging. An excellent delivery from Julio Arca saw the ball get behind the Leeds defence but it was just out of the reach of Scott McDonald. United came back with Robert Snodgrass sending a left footed volley in from twenty-two yards which dipped just over the bar. Surprisingly Leeds fell behind after twenty minutes when Leroy Lita's angled drive was deflected for a corner. It was taken by Julio Arca and it was headed into the far corner of the net by David Wheater with a towering header after he rose between Luciano Becchio and Neill Collins at the front post. There was a quick reponse from the home team and Max Gradel got in an angled shot which flew over the bar after thirty minutes. It was again Julio Arca who almost punished United in the thirty-fifth minute when he was allowed to run and he took advantage of the space to fire in a low shot from just outside of the area and it went narrowly wide of the left post. Boro went close to increasing their lead when a Julio Arca shot was only just wide. Andy O'Brien also had to head clear a teasing cross from the same player as Boro appeared to be a far better team than the one beaten by United at the Riverside back in October. Indeed, it was again Julio Arca who continued his threat with a free-kick which he bent just over the bar, after Andy Hughes had fouled Martin Emnes, for which he received at yellow card, as half-time approached. It wasn't until the forty-first minute that the Boro keeper Jason Steele was brought into the action when he gathered a deflected shot from Jonathan Howson. However, on the stroke of time United did pull off a set-piece routine but Bradley Johnson's shot from the edge of the area was well wide. United started the second half on the front foot, but Boro broke on the rebound and both Paul Connolly and Neill Collins were called upon to clear their attacks. But United's frustrations were beginning to show and Captain Jonathan Howson was also booked for a foul on Scott McDonald on the fifty-second minute mark. After fifty-six minutes Simon Grayson introduced Lloyd Sam for Max Gradel and Neil Kilkenny for Andy Hughes with the Australian going into midfield and Bradley Johnson dropping back to left-back. Ross McCormack came close when he curled a free-kick just wide of a post and Lloyd Sam was also making his presence felt as he cut in from the left and got in a low shot which grazed the upright. United at last were looking a little sharper and one attack was ended when Barry Robson crudely brought down the flying Robert Snodgrass in full flight down the right wing. Neil Kilkenny took the free-kick, swinging it into a crowded penalty area but Neill Collins couldn't direct his header on target. Although Leeds were on top, they were given a scare when Joe Bennett weaved his way through the penalty area, but his finish was poor and flew harmlessly over the bar. Lloyd Sam was proving dangerous and often found space on the left flank and on this occasion he found Jonathan Howson free on the edge of the box but his shot went over the bar. Leeds made their final substitution after seventy-seven minutes with Sanchez Watt replacing Robert Snodgrass, who had been the subject of several fouls. His first touch was to head a cross from Neil Kilkenny wide of the mark then Ross McCormack was wide with a shot and Boro were often scrambling to clear their lines. In the eighty-ninth minute Sanchez Watt should have scored after the Boro keeper came for a cross but missed it, but he headed wide. He had another chance soon afterwards but was denied as Jason Steele atoned for his previous mistake as he spread himself well to save after the Arsenal loanee had been put through by Jonathan Howson and got in a good shot low to the keeper's right. United should have had something to show for all their pressure as the ninety minutes elapsed, but were given renewed hope when five minutes were added for stoppages. Justin Hoyle squandered a good chance to put the game beyond doubt after a quick break down the right by Martin Emnes in the first minute of added time. United responded immediately with Neill Collins and Ross McCormack involved in the build up before Luciano Becchio smashed the ball into the net fom fifteen yards, past Jason Steele after it had rebounded to him off the keeper, to make it 1-1. A minute later Ross McCormack almost made it 2-1, but his diving header from six yards was just wide after Sanchez Watt had delivered a good cross. United pressure mounted but the clock ran out on what would have been a remarkable turnaround but they had to be content with there third successive draw, which allowed their unbeaten run to stretch to twelve. It saw them move up to fourth but once again they failed to take advantage of others losses. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Billy Paynter and Davide Sommer remained unused on the bench.

United's next fixture was at the Cardiff City Stadium and with memories of a 0-4 hiding at Elland Road still fresh in their minds United could not have been looking forward to the trip. After being one of two breakaway leaders in the Championship, Cardiff had experienced a mini-slump since that emphatic victory and, after losing five of their last seven games, were now sitting one place and one point behind United, but had a game in hand and history said that it was twenty-seven years since Leeds had left the Welsh capital with a win. United made a couple of changes from their 1-1 home draw with Middlesbrough. Ben Parker had recovered from long-term injury and look over from Andy Hughes at Left-Back for only his second start in eighteen months, and Billy Paynter was given the nod over Luciano Becchio, who had a few niggling injury problems, as both of the replaced players dropped to the bench where Amdy Faye stood in for Neil Kilkenny, who was on Asian Cup duty with Australia. There were at least 1,800 Leeds fans in the 25,010 crowd, as the rain was falling on an already soddened pitch and United favoured a 4-5-1 formation but it was the home team that quickly got on the attack, forcing three corners in the first three minutes with Andy O'Brien making a couple of early clearances. However, it was United that got in the first shot on goal as Robert Snodgrass cut in from the right and fired an angled shot just wide. Unfortunately it was the home side that took the lead after eleven minutes when Craig Bellamy, who was on a year long loan from Manchester City, took advantage of slack Leeds marking to collect a short corner from Michael Chopra and played a one-two on the edge of the box with Peter Whittingham, and created himself enough space to advance and tuck the ball through Kasper Schmeichel's legs to score. Just two minutes later Ross McCormack, playing against his former club, won a free-kick on the edge of the area, but his delivery hit Craig Bellamy in the wall and was cleared. Kasper Schmeichel was called upon to make another save on the twenty minute mark as former Leeds player, Andy Keogh, ran unchallenged and had a shot blocked, but Chris Burke latched onto the rebound to force the United keeper to push his shot round the post. From the ensuing corner he was again in action to save a strong shot from Craig Bellamy after the flag-kick was only partially cleared. Lee Naylor, who had scored in the 4-0 win at Elland Road, lashed the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score. Cardiff were well on top and won a series of corners and then Kasper Schmeichel had to save a well struck long range shot from Peter Whittingham as the home side searched for a second goal. It could easily have come when Mark Hudson received the ball from the dangerous Craig Bellamy but he slipped as he turned and his shot was cleared. Slowly United started to turn the tide and two crosses from Robert Snodgrass caused problems for the home defence and from the second a corner was conceded from which Billy Paynter headed just over and as the sides went in for the break Leeds were still in the game. It was Cardiff who created the first chance of the second half when, after good work from Craig Bellamy,Mark Hudson shot straight at Kasper Schmeichel, and then the Leeds keeper had to claw away another cross from Craig Bellamy as Peter Whittingham was waiting to pounce. After fifty-seven minutes Simon Grayson sent on Sanchez Watt for Ross McCormack and Lloyd Sam for Max Gradel. They were soon in the action as Sanchez Watt made a surging run and fed Lloyd Sam, who beat two defenders, but his shot was well saved by Tom Heaton, however from the rebound, in the fifty-ninth minute, Robert Snodgrass scored with another of his speciality strikes from long range as he left Tom Heaton with no chance, for his fourth goal of the season. It was unfortunate that after pulling level and showing such a good recovery that Lloyd Sam was forced to limp out of the game in the sixty-fourth minute and Luciano Becchio came on in his place. Bradley Johnson did well to pick out Billy Paynter with a great ball, but the striker was crowded out as he shaped to shoot. Cardiff came back at United and Kasper Schmeichel was forced to save from Andy Keogh, but he did it with ease. At the other end Ben Parker cut in from the left and got in a shot which Tom Heaton saved. After seventy-five minutes there was a clash of heads between Sanchez Watt and Paul Quinn. The Leeds man was swiftly bandaged but the Cardiff man had to go off and was replaced by Darcy Blake. Four minutes later former Leeds midfielder, Stephen McPhail, came on for Chris Burke, and Cardiff scored to regain the lead after Michael Chopra ran onto an innocuous looking long ball from Peter Whittingham which caught the Leeds defence napping and the Bluebird striker was able to prod the ball with ease past Kasper Schmeichel and into the net. There was an immediate response from Leeds as Jonathan Howson forced a save from Tom Heaton and Robert Snodgrass won a corner after he had put in another dangerous cross, unfortunately his flag-kick was far too high and was wasted. Bradley Johnson was close to scoring as his strong shot from thirty yards was pushed round the post by Tom Heaton. Four minutes stoppage time was added, in which time Luciano Becchio headed wide of the far post for Leeds but at the other end United were indebted to Kasper Schmeichel after the home side countered and Andy Keogh was clean through on goal only to be outfoxed by the Dane. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Amdy Faye and Andy Hughes remained unused on the bench as United's unbeaten run came to an end and Cardiff reclaimed second spot, while United slipped to fifth.

For the second consecutive year the F.A. Cup draw had not been kind to United, as after having to play at Old Trafford and then White Hart Lane in the previous season United were paired with Arsenal at the Emirates, probably the hardest ground to visit in the Football League and were the perpetual qualifiers for the European Cup over the previous decade. Leeds made several changes from the team beaten in the principality, with Alex Bruce being re-instated for Neill Collins, in defence and Sanchez Watt, having been given permission to play by his parent club came in for Ross McCormack, and Luciano Becchio was preferred to Billy Paynter as all three replaced players dropped to the bench where the injured Lloyd Sam was replaced by Davide Somma and Leigh Bromby was preferred to Amdy Faye. United stuck with the 4-5-1 formation with Robert Snodgrass playing just behind Luciano Becchio. Arsenal did rotate some of their star players but it was still an extremely strong starting eleven and a bench worth many millions. There was 59,520 on hand to witness the kick-off and it included 8,500 Leeds fans in a sell-out of the available tickets and it was highly probable that it represented the largest attendance of away fans since the Emirates was opened. Such a following ensured that there was a fantastic atmosphere and it appreciated a bright start by United as Sanchez Watt made a good run and Luciano Becchio shot wide from distance and Robert Snodgrass threatened down the left. Arsenal started to show some of the slick passing movements for which they are famous, but United coped well and Kasper Schmeichel was not called upon to make a save until the eleventh minute when he spread himself well to deny Andrey Arshavin, who was clear through and heading towards the goal after a pass from captain Tomas Rosicky had split the Leeds defence. In reply United had a half-chance, after Robert Snodgrass had robbed Tomas Rosicky and fed Luciano Becchio, in a similar position to Jermaine Beckford when he had scored at Old Trafford in the previous year's tie, but he was denied by the Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who advanced quickly and saved at his feet. Kasper Schmeichel was in the action again as he parried an Andrey Arshavin angled drive and just after that, Sanchez Watt lifted his shot over the bar after cutting in from the wing. Tomas Rosicky then broke down the right and got in a good cross and great defending by Andy O'Brien denied Nicklas Bendtner what could have been a free header. Kasper Schmeichel saved a low shot from Andrey Arsharvin and Alex Bruce made a good interception to cut out a dangerous cross as Arsenal started to put on some pressure. Just before the half-hour Jonathan Howson was on hand to clear the ball off the line from a Sebastien Squillaci flick on, following an Arsenal corner and then Kasper Schmeichel turned a Denilson shot, from twenty-five yards, round the post and Andy O'Brien again denied Nicklas Bendtner when he threatened. Kasper Schmeichel saved a Marouane Chakmah header from a corner, after Alex Bruce had to concede it to cut out an Andrey Arshavin cross which would have left Nicklas Bendtner in a scoring position. United did have some time in the Arsenal half but just before half-time Nicklas Bendtner shot over after a good Arsenal build-up had left him with a clear chance, and the Arsenal striker was then thwarted by the Leeds keeper as he saved well at the near post after the forward had cut in from the right. Arsenal were soon on the attack when the second half started but an Alex Song cross intended for Andrey Arshavin was scrambled clear before Alex Bruce headed a Nicklas Bendtner cross for a corner as Arsenal again threatened. Leeds had defended well and hit Arsenal on the break to keep the tie wide open. It was on one of those breaks that Max Gradel won an undisputed penalty when he was brought down by Denilson in the penalty area. Robert Snodgrass took the spot-kick and buried it under Wojciech Szczesny to the rapturous applause of the Leeds fans and there were incredible scenes of jubilation both on and off the pitch as the Leeds players and fans celebrated. The goal after fifty-four minutes rocked Arsenal to the core and five minutes later Arsene Wenger, ruing the absence of some of his star players, sent on his captain and talisman, Cesc Fabregas, for Alex Song, to try and retreive the situation. Andy O'Brien was proving to be, along with Alex Bruce, a rock at the heart of the Leeds defence and it was he who again got a vital touch to deny Marouane Chakmakh, who would have been gifted a golden heading oppurtunity in front of the Leeds goal had Emmanuel Eboue's dangerous cross been allowed to reach him. At the other end Leeds were not resting on their laurels and Wojciech Szczesny had to turn an inswinging corner from Bradley Johnson over the bar and from the ensuing corner the Polish keeper had to make a great save to stop a fine point-blank Luciano Becchio header from hitting the back of the net. After sixty-eight minutes Arsene Wenger brought on another of his stars from the bench, as Theo Walcott came on for Marouane Chakmakh. The solid Leeds defence was constantly frustrating the home team and the visitors were looking good value for their lead and came close to adding to it in the seventy-second minute when Robert Snodgrass was not far off the target when he curled a twenty-five yard free-kick just wide of the upright. Simon Grayson re-enforced his defence in the seventy-sixth minute when he brought on Leigh Bromby for Sanchez Watt and three minutes later Arsene Wenger had his last roll of the dice when he sent on Carlos Vela for Tomas Rosicky. Arsenal were making little impression on the Leeds rearguard but Andrey Arshavin did head a Cesc Fabregas free-kick over the bar, but there was another timely Andy O'Brien clearance as Arsenal started to throw everything at Leeds in the last ten minutes. Kieran Gibbs did find space down the right but his cross was too close to Kasper Schmeichel and he saved with ease and followed that by collecting an effort from Nicklas Bendtner after Theo Walcott had supplied him with a good chance. United were still looking to attack and Luciano Becchio was denied by some good defending after Max Gradel had done well to present him with an opening. It was the Argentinian's last taste of the action as he was replaced by Davide Somma with five minutes left on the clock. Kasper Schmeichel saved well from Theo Walcott's first time shot and moments later Arsenal's claims for a penalty, as the Arsenal winger took a tumble in the penalty after a tackle by Alex Bruce, were subdued as, on the advice of his linesman, the referee gave an offside decision against Nicklas Bendtner. But, with just over a minute left on the clock, they did get a penalty when, while chasing a ball from Nicklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott was pulled back by Ben Parker. When things settled, Cesc Fabregas took the kick and drilled it straight down the middle off the goal to beat the Leeds keeper, who had started to dive to the left. Simon Grayson sent on Andy Hughes for Max Gradel as he looked to further strengthen his defence for the time added for stoppages. In that time added, Nicklas Bendtner had a chance to win the game but shot wide and then Denilson saw his fine shot palmed one-handed round the post by the Leeds keeper. Theo Walcott shot into the side-netting but Leeds defended well and deserved their draw as Shane Higgs, Neill Collins, Billy Paynter and Ross McCormack remained unused substitutes.

It was back to Championship football as Leeds entertained next to the bottom Scunthorpe United and, as they had previously won 4-1 at the Glanford Stadium at the end of October, they were looking to rekindle their promotion aspirations after losing at Cardiff in their previous League game. George McCartney had returned from Sunderland in an extension of his loan spell and he took the left-back spot with Ben Parker dropping to the bench to the exclusion of Andy Hughes. Despite their lowly position The Iron had a good away record but when the game kicked off, in front of a crowd of 25,446, it was Leeds that were immediately on the attack and goalkeeper Joe Murphy had to make his first save after a Robert Snodgrass shot took a deflection. After that it was a slow, uninteresting start, but Leeds took the lead after sixteen minutes as Sanchez Watt shook off Scunthorpe defender Paul Reid on the edge of the penalty area to see his left-foot shot beat Joe Murphy for pace and power as the keeper got his hand to it but could not stop it from nestling in the bottom-right corner of the net, for his first goal for the club. Just four minutes later the lead was doubled and again Sanchez Watt played his part when he won the ball in midfield and fed Robert Snodgrass on the flank. The Scot picked out Max Gradel with his cross and the diminutive Ivory Coast man showed neat footwork and speed to outpace the Sunthorpe defence before casually rounding the keeper and shooting into an empty net for his ninth goal of the season. Nine minutes later the crowd were on their feet once again, this time the tricky Robert Snodgrass was the instigator as he embarked on a mazy run but, after being brought down by two Scunthorpe defenders, the ball found Bradley Johnson on the edge of the box and he rifled an unstoppable left foot shot into the net for United to go 3-0 up. Leeds were now totally dominant and as half-time approached easily held all the possession without much effort. Max Gradel was at his tricky best to give Sanchez Watt a good chance, but Joe Murphy spread himself well to deny the Arsenal loanee. It wasn't until four minutes before the break that the visitors finally were able to have their first effort on goal when Martyn Woolford crossed from the left but Michael Collins lifted his shot high and wide. In first half stoppage time a Robert Snodgrass cross was fielded by Joe Murphy but that was the closest either team got as the first half came to an end. As Billy Paynter came on for Luciano Becchio, who had picked up a first-half knock, United were soon on the attack once more as the second half started and in the first minute Sanchez Watt, whose movement had been causing the Scunthorpe defence all kinds of trouble, forced Joe Murphy to pull off a fine save to palm away his right-foot shot to stop the score mounting even more. Billy Paynter was showing his skill at holding possession when United threatened again and then just on the hour George McCartney was showing his skills down the left flank, as he almost created an opening for Bradley Johnson, but the midfielder just failed to connect. The game tended to drift as neither team threatened to score and the possession that Leeds enjoyed was not making for an even contest, so Simon Grayson went to his bench in the sixty-eighth minute, and brought on Ross McCormack for Robert Snodgrass and the new substitute immediately cushioned the ball back to Max Gradel, whose shot hit a defender before deflecting to safety. Scunthorpe did create an oppurtunity in the seventy-third minute when Jonathan Forte capitalised on a Leeds mistake in midfield to break forward and fire in a shot which grazed the outside of the post. As Leeds continued to press Ross McCormack was denied by a good recovering tackle by Michael Raynes after he found himself in a good position. In the eighty-first minute Simon Grayson made his final change sending on Davide Somma in place of Sanchez Watt, but it was a Scunthorpe substitute, Jonathan Forte, who again threatened as he again went close as his shot was deflected off Alex Bruce onto the crossbar and finally to safety. United always looked the most likely to score and Billy Paynter was denied his first goal for the club when his low shot hit his own player, Ross McCormack, with the keeper well beaten. Max Gradel also teed up Davide Somma but the striker couldn't capitalise and at the other end Michael Raynes headed over from a corner. With Just one minute left on the clock United got their fourth. Max Gradel played in Davide Somma and the striker scored with aplomb. Four minutes of stoppage time was added and in that time Leeds were denied by the offside flag after Davide Somma had weaved his way through on the left before setting up Max Gradel. Shane Higgs, Leigh Bromby, Neill Collins and Ben Parker were the unused substitutes as United's easy victory saw them still in fifth spot on level points with third placed Cardiff, but having played one more game than the Welsh side.

It was back to the F.A. Cup for United as they entertained Arsenal, in front of a 38,232 crowd at Elland Road in the Third Round Replay, after their epic battle at the Emirates and there was a local derby at home with Huddersfield Town in prospect as an added incentive. George McCartney was ineligible and so it meant a return for Ben Parker and a place on the bench for Andy Hughes, while Billy Paynter came in for the injured Luciano Becchio and with Lloyd Sam recovered from injury he took his place on the bench. There was an electric atmosphere and United were charged up and attacked from the start with Max Gradel shooting wide and Jonathan Howson threatening in the early play. But it was Arsenal who took the lead with their very first attack in the fifth minute as Kieran Gibbs was prominent and Andrey Arshavin supplied the final pass as Marouane Chakmakh stepped over it to allow Samir Nasri to finish a flowing move with a fine run and shot to leave Kasper Schmeichel with no chance. Five minutes later the keeper was back in action to make a superb save to keep out Marouane Chakmakh, as he scooped his downward header from a corner off the goal-line. Arsenal were playing very attractive and penetrating football when in possession in the first twenty-minutes, while Leeds looked to play on the break. Marouane Chakmakh continued to be a thorn in United's side and made a penetrating run down the right and put across the perfect cross, but Andrey Arshavin somehow failed to turn the golden oppurtunity into the Leeds net. Nicklas Bendtner made an even more alarming miss when he too made an astounding miss from a pinpoint cross from Bacary Sagna. Leeds looked to the inventiveness of Jonathan Howson and the pace of Max Gradel and Sanchez Watt for their attacking options. However it was the Gunners who created the next chance in the twenty-seventh minute when Nicklas Bendtner came within a whisker of connecting with a low cross. Robert Snodgrass hit back for Leeds when he made Wojciech Szczesny make his first save of the night after half an hour, but the visitors went straight down the field and doubled their advantage, when Bacary Sagna, who was returning after suspension, finished off a move with a stunning strike with the outside of his right foot which sailed into the top corner of the net in the thirty-fourth minute. United hit back three minutes later when a Max Gradel cross was only half cleared and Jonathan Howson was able to tee up Bradley Johnson who scored with a stunning left-foot strike from fully thirty yards out, leaving Wojciech Szczesny clawing at thin air and which topped even Bacary Sagna's effort. It was a superb goal and the final ten minutes of the first half saw a renewed competitiveness from both sides with Leeds now having made it a close contest once more. Arsenal were soon on the attack as play recommenced after the half-time break and Kasper Schmeichel had to make two good saves inside the opening three minutes, one after Samir Nasri had made a well-disguised pass to Alex Song and then from a Samir Nasri free-kick. Then Robert Snodgrass made a brilliant tackle to stop a certain goalscoring oppurtunity, as he tackled back after Samir Nasri had sent Andrey Arshshavin in the clear. It was the Russian who again failed to take advantage of a good pass from Alex Song and his first time shot sailed high over the United bar and out of the ground. Leeds came back and after a good passing move it came to an end when Bacary Sagna made a decisive challenge to thwart Sanchez Watt. Just after the hour mark, Max Gradel got away down the right wing and the onrushing Billy Paynter only just failed to connect and send the ball goalwards. After sixty-six minutes, Andy O'Brien was forced to limp out of the game and Leigh Bromby came on to replace him and two minutes later Davide Somma was sent on to replace Billy Paynter and with his first touch he managed to get a good connection to a cross, but it went marginally wide. On seventy-one minutes the Gunners made a double substitution, introducing Ces Fabregas and Robert Van Persie for Marouane Chakmakh and Andrey Arshavin and both had an immediate impact. Cesc Fabregas released Nicklas Bendtner down the right and he swung over as perfect cross for Robin Van Persie to rise superbly to head home Arsenal's third goal after seventy-six minutes. Although Keiran Gibbs looked set to score his low shot trickled wide and the third goal proved to be the deciding factor and though they produced a gallant finish it was not good enough and Arsenal progressed to the Fourth Round and Leeds were left to concentrate on promtion. Shane Higgs, Neill Collins, Andy Hughes and Ross McCormack were unused on the bench.

There was a long trip to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth in United's next fixture. There were three changes to the starting eleven from the team that lost to Arsenal in the F.A. Cup in midweek. Luciano Becchio had recovered from injury and took over from Billy Paynter, who dropped to the bench. Leigh Bromby moved from the bench to the starting eleven to replace the injured Andy O'Brien. George McCartney returned at left-back after being unavailable for the Cup-tie to take over from Ben Parker, who dropped to the bench at the expense of Andy Hughes who had been released by the club and had signed for Scunthorpe United on an eighteen month contract. There were 20,040 on hand to witness the kick-off with a huge sell-out Leeds following and it saw chances at both ends in the first two minutes. Pompey were first on the attack but faltered as Nwankwo Kanu misjudged a low cross and at the other end Max Gradel forced Jamie Ashdown to make an unconvincing save from his shot from twenty-five yards, which the keeper could only parry before scrambling the ball away. Kanu was again involved in Pompey's next sortee and won a corner as the Leeds defence stood off him but managed to deflect his shot behind. From the flag-kick, taken by Liam Lawrence, Ibrahima Sonko rattled the crossbar with a firm header. There were two more Liam awrence corners both of which were met by Greg Halford headers which went close. Coming up to the ten minute mark Liam Lawrence fell to the ground in dramatic fashion after being dispossed by Robert Snodgrass, but the referee waved play on and ignored any penalty claims. Leeds settled down and started to play some good football but, as Portsmouth went on the attack, Paul Connolly was the first player to receive a yellow card, his ninth of the season, for a foul on Joel Ward and the home side had a free kick in a dangerous area. The ball was swung in from deep. Nwankwo Kanu held it up and played in David Nugent, but he squandered a great oppurtunity by shooting high over the bar. Moments later the forward again found himself in the clear after Ritchie La Laet had played a good ball forward, but again he missed the oppurtunity when he failed to control the ball. Portsmouth maintained their pressure and Luciano Becchio headed away successive corners before John Utaka shot wide of the post. The home team did take the lead after twenty-six minutes when Liam Lawrence cut in from the left and played in Joel Ward who scored with a right-footed first time long range shot, which went just inside the post. Portsmouth still kept pressing and John Utaka made ground down the left before veering inside to force Kasper Schmeichel to a fine flying save. United finally got on the attack and created a chance in the thirty-fourth minute when Max Gradel and Sanchez Watt combined to give Jonathan Howson an oppurtunity on the edge of the box, but his shot was wide. As the half-time break approached Max Gradel had a claim for handball after more good work from Sanchez Watt, but the referee did not agree. At the other end Alex Bruce headed clear in stoppage time. United were on the front foot from the start of the second half and after less than two minutes they were back on level terms. Former Leeds loanee, Carl Dickinson, handled just outside the penalty box and when Robert Snodgrass curled in a free-kick, Jonathan Howson created an opening and Luciano Becchio pounced to rifle home the equaliser for his fourteenth goal of the season. United kept up the pressure and Bradley Johnson smashed a free-kick over the bar. United were still on the attack and Greg Halford made an important header to clear a Robert Snodgrass cross when Leeds threatened again. Jamie Ashdown got down well to save from Jonathan Howson on the hour mark, but in the next minute the home side regained the lead against the run of play. Nwankwo Kanu headed the ball on into the area and John Utaka used his physical strength well to make the best of the through ball to put his shot wide of Kasper Schmeichel and into the bottom corner of the net. They did not have the lead for long as Leeds brought in Davide Somma for Sanchez Watt, immediately after the goal and just two minutes later with his first touch the substitute latched onto a Luciano Becchio throughball from the left to beat Jamie Ashdown from twenty yards with a shot into the bottom-right hand corner of the net to equalise for the second time, with his ninth goal of the season. United were now well on top and Max Gradel and Bradley Johnson combined well and Davide Somma was denied by some good defending, but he was only partially stopped and it fell for Max Gradel but he too was blocked. Robert Snodgrass worked himself a good opening but Carl Dickinson blocked his shot. In the seventy-fourth minute it was lights out and the referee had to call a halt. Several minutes ensued before the lights flickered and came on again. On the resumption Portsmouth went on the attack and Ibrahima Sonko was wide with a header. United came back and Ricardo Rocha was booked for a foul on Luciano Becchio as the Argentinian tried to make a run on goal. From the free-kick Robert Snodgrass swung the ball in and Jonathan Howson headed just wide. The Leeds captain then forced Jamie Ashdown to make a great save when he got in a strong shot from just inside of the penalty area and soon after Max Gradel shot over the bar from a corner. United continued to force the pace and Robert Snodgrass cut in from the wing to send his shot just wide of the post. With three minutes left on the clock the lights failed once again and when play resumed ten minutes later the referee was glad to blow the whistle as soon as possible to bring an end to the game which had become a farce. Shane Higgs, Neill Collins, Billy Paynter, Lloyd Sam, Ben Parker and Ross McCormack all were unused substitutes as United remained in fifth spot just four points behind leaders Queens Park Rangers, who had two games in hand.

United had a local derby with their Humberside neighbours Hull City at the KC Stadium for their next fixture. The home team sat in eleventh position, eight points behind United but had a game in hand and had already drawn at Elland Road earlier in the season, so no easy pickings were envisaged. United had several changes from the the side that drew at Portsmouth ten days before in the previous game. Andy O'Brien had recovered from injury and was restored to the team with Leigh Bromby dropping back to the bench, and Neill Collins dropping out of the squad. Sanchez Watt was injured and this meant Davide Somma was given another run and Neil Kilkenny, who was back from International duty, took his place on the bench. Neill Collins had left for Sheffield United on 31st January 2011, on the final day of the transfer window for an undisclosed fee. There was a crowd of 24,110 on hand to see the game. Hull were quickly out of the blocks and they almost scored after just thirty seconds when Robert Koren had a run down the right wing before James Harper and Matt Fryatt were also involved, but Aaron McLean managed to waste a golden oppurtunity from close range from the cross. Before the five minutes mark United threatened when Robert Snodgrass took a flag-kick and Bradley Johnson headed over. This was quickly followed by by George McCartney attacking down the left flank to create space for Max Gradel but the winger curled a shot over the bar. The Left Back was next to get a shot in, following good work by Davide Somma, and the Hull keeper, Brad Guzan, had to get down quickly to turn the shot from thirty yards round the post. From the ensuing corner Robert Snodgrass found Bradley Johnson but the midfielder's header went marginally wide. Luciano Becchio thought he had scored just before the fifteen minute mark, when Brad Guzan, whose feet were well inside the goal, grabbed a header, which the striker felt had crossed the line, and his claim was backed up by Robert Snodgrass, who was of the same opinion, but the referee ruled play on. The Leeds threat continued and Anthony Gerrard had to make a good header to keep Max Gradel cross from reaching the waiting Davide Somma but the home team replied and Kasper Schmeichel had to save from Robert Koren's long range shot with his fingertips. He was quickly pulling off another good save when Anthony Gerrard turned a powerful Robert Koren free-kick goalwards but the Dane palmed the ball, which was destined for the top corner, to safety. The free-kicks mounted and from one such infringement Corry Evans crept in with a header at the far post but it was put behind for a corner. The flag-kick was delayed while Robert Snodgrass received treatment for a head injury and when it was finally taken Aaron McLean headed wide. In sustained Hull pressure Andy O'Brien was booked for a foul on Aaron McLean. On thirty-three minutes Hull took the lead when a simple three pass move was decisive. James Chester brought the ball out of defence and found Aaron McLean in acres of room in the middle of the park and he turned and threaded the ball through to Matt Fryatt who fired his shot wide of Kasper Scmeichel and into the net. Seven minutes later it got worse for the visitors when Jamie Chester also found plenty of space to head in an Andy Dawson corner from close range to double the deficit. It only took United four minutes to reply, when after Davide Somma had won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, Robert Snodgrass stepped up to take the kick and curled the ball round the wall and into the net as Brad Guzan could only watch in amazement. In the remaining time in the half, Cameron Stewart threatened down the left flank but Max Gradel averted the danger when he got up to head his cross clear before right on the stroke of half-time Hull created another half-chance as Kasper Schmeichel had to scramble away a Matt Fryatt deflection. The second half commenced in subdued fashion and it wasn't until the fifty-fifth minute that United tested Brad Guran, when the keeper could only parry a shot from Robert Snodgrass. However, a minute later Leeds had drawn level. George McCartney launched a long throw into the penalty area, Davide Somma smashed the ball against the underside of the cross bar and Robert Snodgrass,who ran in to make sure, finished in the back of the net. The South African was quick to claim his tenth goal of the season and, as the Scotsman turned, he was the first to congratulate the striker. Moments later, United forced a corner after a Max Gradel free-kick was headed away by a Hull defender. Simon Grayson made his first change in the sixty-ninth minute when he sent on Lloyd Sam for Davide Somma, the Leeds-born midfielder was soon in the action but not in the attack. He was stood on the goal line for a home corner and found himself in the right place at the right time to block a goalbound header. As the last fifteen minutes approached the game was finely balanced and could have gone either way. Max Gradel was looking lively down the wing and was twice crowded out as he tried to come infield, while Jonathan Howson made a run from deep in his own half before being crowded out with his sight set on goal. At the other end Lloyd Sam was again called upon to clear off the line from another header from a corner and Bradley Johnson also had to head clear as Hull threatened. With four minutes of normal time left United brought on Billy Paynter for Luciano Becchio and this kept up the pressure on the home team. Hull came back at Leeds on the break and there was a long stoppage while Liam Rosenior was receiving treatment from five Medics and the Hull Pysio for seven minutes until the defender was eventually stretchered off. Leeds substituted Ross McCormack for Max Gradel in the last minute but there was a huge amount of time added for stoppages and in the tenth minute of added time George McCartney was booked for arguing with the referee and Lloyd Sam shot wide just before the referee called an end after more than eleven minutes. Shane Higgs, Neil Kilkenny, Ben Parker and Leigh Bromby were the unused substitutes as United finished with another draw, albeit one after being two goals down, which saw then drop to sixth on the table as they started to lose touch with the leaders.

United had an unchanged starting eleven and Ramon Nunez was included on the bench instead of Ross McCormack when they took on fifteenth placed Coventry City at Elland Road. The Midlanders had fallen from being a promotion contender to their current position because of a recent form slump which had not seen them win a game since early December. With former Leeds loanees, the unfortunate Stephen O'Halloran, in the run on side, and Gary McSheffery, on the bench, for Coventry, there was a crowd of 27,033 on hand to witness the game and it was the visitors that created the first chance when Richard Wood shot wide after Leeds had failed to clear a corner. There were some quite robust tackles in the early exchanges with Robert Snodgrass and Carl Baker on the receiving end in the first fifteen minutes. A Robert Snodgrass knockdown provided Davide Somma with a chance in the fourth minute, but he could not keep his shot down. Although Richard Wood was unlucky when his close range shot was deflected wide by Luciano Becchio, there was little excitement but Leeds almost took the lead after nineteen minutes when a quick release by Kasper Schmeichel allowed Paul Connolly to go racing down the right flank to feed Robert Snodgrass, who delivered a good cross from the right, but Luciano Becchio was just wide with his shot on goal, with Keiren Westwood nowhere to be seen. Max Gradel, who showed his trickery when he brilliantly cut inside Jordan Clarke but he too saw his shot drift wide and two minutes later the skilful winger again tied the same defender in knots before again shooting once more wide of the target, to the anguish of team-mates who were queing up to be played in. Despite his profligacy the diminutive winger was running the Coventry defence ragged and was again heavily involved in the build up to Luciano Becchio being inches wide from a George McCartney pass. Leeds continued to dominate with Max Gradel and George McCartney linking superbly down the left flank and Bradley Johnson felt he was justified in his penalty claim when his cross hit the hand of Coventry defender Jordan Clarke. George McCartney also showed his defensive capabilities with a timely clearance when Coventry mounted a rare attack, a few minutes before the half-time whistle but Leeds were soon back and a Paul Connolly cross found Robert Snodgrass, but his shot was blocked. On the resumption United were soon back on the attack with the Coventry rearguard hanging on grimly. However, after fifty-five minutes, their resolve was finally broken when moments later it was Robert Snodgrass who was the architect, winning the ball in midfield and creating space before playing in Max Gradel, who supplied a cross from the right, for Jonathan Howson to knock it back into the box and there was Davide Somma to stab the ball home from four yards. Coventry hit back almost immediately, and, just one minute later, Lucas Jutkiewicz showed the game was not over as his shot on the turn was narrowly over. Not too long after, Robert Snodgrass was unlucky when his shot was close to finding the net before Keiren Westwood pulled off a superb flying save, while the visitors did create a half-chance in the sixty-fourth minute when Aaron Gunnarsson, after being released by Clive Platt, went close as his low drive was just wide of Kasper Schmeichel's left hand post and then Clive Platt saw his goalbound shot diverted to safety by Alex Bruce. Davide Somma thought he had put the game beyond doubt in the seventy-second minute when he fashioned a superb twenty-five yard chipped finish, but was denied a second goal by an offside flag. Neil Kilkenny was sent on for Davide Somma in the eightieth minute. Even Alex Bruce almost got his name on the scoresheet after Coventry failed to clear a corner and the central defender turned on the edge of the penalty box to get in a great strike which went just wide. With ten minutes left on the clock Jordan Clarke tried to extract revenge for all the torment Max Gradel had put him through and was booked for a late challenge, which saw tempers flare on both sides. After eighty-three minutes Leigh Bromby came on for Paul Connolly. Leeds made their final substitution as Billy Paynter replaced Luciano Becchio with two minutes left on the clock. In the final stages Clive Platt forced a great save from Kasper Schmeichel but, in general, Coventry had offered very little in an attacking sense and had extended their losing streak to ten. Robert Snodgrass, who had been outstanding in his prelude to his expected debut for Scotland on the following Wednesday, almost added a second in the five minutes of stoppage time but the single goal proved sufficient for United to maintain pressure on the leading pack as they remained in fifth place but just three points behind second spot, having lost only one of their last seventeen League games, but had played two more games and were just one point in front of sixth placed Cardiff who had also played two games fewer. Shane Higgs, Lloyd Sam, Ben Parker and Ramon Nunez were the unused substitutes.

For the visit to Ashton Gate to face eighteenth-placed Bristol City, Neil Kilkenny was recalled to Simon Grayson's starting eleven, in place of Davide Somma, who dropped to the bench as he reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation which had served him well in the weeks leading up to Christmas. There was a debut for Eric Lichaj, the USA International full-back on a month's loan from Aston Villa, at Right-Back for the injured Paul Connolly and Ross McCormack had recovered from injury to replace Ramon Nunez on the bench. There was an almost sell-out crowd of 18,090, of which at least 2,000 were there to support Leeds. There was a frenetic opening few minutes with neither team able to retain possession for very long, but within the first five minutes United did create an oppurtunity but Neil Kilkenny had his shot from outside of the box blocked by a defender. There was also a half-chance for the home side after eight minutes when former United striker, Andy Keogh, headed a Jamie McAllister cross wide. However there were more glimpses of United's attacking promise when, firstly, Robert Snodgrass broke from midfield and then when Neil Kilkenny released debutant Eric Lichaj, who in turn played in Robert Snodgrass for the Scot to deliver a cross which just eluded Max Gradel and Luciano Becchio. Max Gradel was again in fine form and was a continuing threat and was again linking up well with George McCartney. It was United who took the lead after seventeen minutes, when Max Gradel released Robert Snodgrass and the Scot showed unbelievable skill to twist and turn until he worked himself an opening to slip the ball past David James. Moments later, Neil Kilkenny slipped the ball into the penalty box and Max Gradel only narrowly failed to get his foot on the pass and then Robert Snodgrass tested David James with a curling shot from twenty-five yards and the keeper had to tip the ball round the post. Fom that corner the Scot found Alex Bruce but he shot wide. The home side did get on the attack but Louis Carey shot over from twenty yards. In the first half hour, Midfielder Kalife Cisse was dishing out a couple of very heavy challenges, the first left Neil Kilkenny writhing and the second resulted in Jonathan Howson having to receive treatment. As the game wore on Leeds continued to look the better team while the home teams rare spells of possession came to nothing. It was not until two minutes before the break that they were able to make any meaningful threat and when they did it was a scrappy effort with Marvin Elliott putting the ball wide from close range, but they did finish the first half with a real spell of pressure but were unable produce a serious chance. They were back on the offensive on the resumption with David Clarkson firing into the side netting and both Martyn Woolford and Brett Pitman shot wide. But it was 2-0 after fifty minutes, Robert Snodgrass again worked his way in from the flank and, after his shot was blocked, Max Gradel got his foot on the ball, swivelled, and slotted the ball underneath David James from an acute angle. It could have been three a minute later as Bradley Johnson grazed the bar with a header from a pinpoint Robert Snodgrass cross. On the hour mark the home side had a great chance but Kasper Schmeichel got a decisive touch on an Andy Keogh shot and Alex Bruce was on hand to clear. United carved out another chance after sixty-three minutes as Jonathan Howson released Max Gradel onto the path to goal and the winger worked himself an opening to shoot but in lifting it over David James he also lifted it over the bar. Playing catch up football the home team left themselves open to Leeds attacking on the break, but a good chance went begging as Jonathan Howson allowed himself to get crowded as he pondered several options open to him. In the sixty-ninth minute Bristol did have a good chance to reduce the arrears when, after they had won a corner which Leeds failed to clear, David Clarkson forced Kasper Schmeichel to make a terrific block with his legs. Down the other end David James had to get down to a shot from Max Gradel after a good build up by the visitors. It was a mystery how the home side failed to score in the seventy-sixth minute. In a prolonged melee in the Leeds goalmouth, Kasper Schmeichel made a terrific save, then a shot from Albert Adomah hit the woodwork, and Marvin Elliott hit the underside of the bar before Leeds finally cleared. Despite having been in control of the game for fifty minutes Leeds were having to do some desparate defending as the home side pushed for a goal. Simon Grayson made his first change introducing Davide Somma for Neil Kilkenny after seventy-eight minutes. Two minutes later Kasper Schmeichel was again called into action as the big Dane got down well to a Brett Pitman free-kick which exploded through a ruck of players. Ross McCormack came on as the replacement for Luciano Becchio in the eighty-sixth minute. The home team were still pressing but time was running fast as Alex Bruce headed one cross away before Kasper Schmeichel raced off his line to smother the ball at the feet of David Clarkson. Alex Bruce also blocked a shot from Martyn Woolford as ninety minutes passed and four were added for stoppages, but it was United who carved out a chance in those final minutes but Davide Somma blasted a shot over the top. United were able to extend their unbeaten run to five, having lost only one of their last eighteen games. However, they still stayed sixth but the closeness of the contest was apparent as they were just two points behind the second club. Shane Higgs, Leigh Bromby, Ben Parker, Lloyd Sam and Billy Paynter were the unused substitutes.

Unsurprisingly United retained the same squad as they went into the vital promotion clash with Norwich City at Elland Road. Norwich had always been amongst the front runners and sat third, with United just two points behind, so there was everything to play for with just fifteen games left in the season. There were 31,601 on hand on a wintry day to witness the clash and though morning snow had threatened the game another magnificent effort from the Leeds Groundstaff ensured that the game would take place. United were quickly on the attack and in the fourth minute Jonathan Howson shot inches wide and, after Max Gradel had been fouled by Elliott Ward wide on the left, Luciano Becchio dived to head a Robert Snodgrass free-kick onto Norwich keeper John Ruddy's left hand post and the keeper gratefully pounced on the rebound. United again pushed forward and it took a good header by Elliott Ward to clear the visitors' lines after some good work by Jonathan Howson had allowed him to get in a good cross. It was Luciano Becchio who put Leeds in front after eighteen minutes when Robert Snodgrass headed a Max Gradel free-kick, from the left, towards the far post and the striker rose above Adam Drury to head his fifteenth goal of the season into the net. It was a perfect start for the home side but the Canaries soon came back at them and hit the post. United had the initiative and soon Robert Snodgrass was appealing for a penalty after he had been brought down by Adam Drury as he looked to get in a cross from just inside the box. The Scot had to receive treatment on the half hour but was soon back in the action. After thirty-five minutes Kasper Schmeichel had to make his first save as he pushed a twenty-five yard shot from David Fox round the post as he made a flying save to stop the ball from going into the top corner. United almost doubled their lead in the thirty-eighth minute when Eric Lichaj broke forward and got in a cross from the by-line and, after his first shot had been blocked by Russell Martin, Jonathan Howson saw his second attempt come back off the underside of the crossbar. Norwich responded immediately with a longe-range shot from David Fox going wide, but it was the Leeds Captain who threatened again as he only just failed to get on the end of a quick one-two that would have seen him clear through on goal. However, it was the visitors who equalised in the final minute of stoppage time at the end of the first-half, when Grant Holt headed down a cross from Andrew Crofts to Henri Lansbury and the on-loan from Arsenal youngster hit the ball into the net with a low first time shot. It was a blow for Leeds and a massive boost to Norwich who had played second fiddle to Leeds to that point. The second half started at a fast pace and it was the visitors who had a couple of half-chances but United came back with Neil Kilkenny shooting wide and both Jonathan Howson and Max Gradel both saw shots deflected wide. United Left-Back George McCartney had a shot smothered by John Ruddy and Wes Hoolahan had a similar effort fumbed away for a corner by Kasper Schmeichel, after being played in by Aaron Wilbrahim. In the fifty-fifth minute, Leeds produced the best move of the match when George McCartney Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass combined well to send Jonathan Howson into the clear, but his low drive was deflected agonisingly wide by Zac Whitbread. Three minutes later Max Gradel was off target with a volley. Both sides were looking to attack and Max Gradel tried his luck again and saw his shot deflected into the arms of goalkeeper John Ruddy. The post came to United's rescue, after sixty-five minutes as Grant Holt got in a good flick, but it was just one minute later that the visitors took a 2-1 lead. Andrew Crofts played Wes Hoolahan in on the wing and as he cut in he unleashed a fine low right-footed shot which beat Kasper Schmeichel and Eric Lichaj could only deflect it into the back of the net. United looked to respond quickly and after Max Gradel had been crowded out, Luciano Becchio was also denied by some good defending and Robert Snodgrass also had a shot saved. Simon Grayson looked to the bench in the seventy-fourth minute, sending on Davide Somma for Neil Kilkenny, and it was an inspired substitution, which, just like he had done at Portsmouth four weeks previously, he scored within a minute of coming into the action. The South African latched onto a Luciano Becchio flick-on header and delivered a great finish with right-foot volley into the bottom-left corner of the net to level the scores at 2-2 after seventy-five minutes for his twelfth goal of the season. The substitute was also denied by some good defending by Zac Whitbread after Bradley Johnson had got in a sublime cross from the left. As the ninety minutes approached United were throwing everything at the Canaries in their search for the winner, and after Billy Paynter was sent on for Luciano Becchio, three minutes were added for stoppages. It was the new substitute who was agonisingly denied a winner by a save from John Ruddy after he had played a neat one-two with Davide Somma. There was no winner and the spate of draws between the two teams continued as Norwich dropped to fifth while United remained at sixth as Shane Higgs, Lloyd Sam, Ben Parker, Leigh Bromby and Ross McCormack were unused on the bench.

After the epic struggle with Norwich, United had a home White Rose local derby with Barnsley on the following Tuesday night and retained the same starting eleven and the only change to the squad was the return of Sanchez Watt for Lloyd Sam on the substitute bench. Barnsley were sat in fourteenth spot but had won 5-2 earlier in the season at Oakwell and, in front of a crowd of 26,289, the visitors soon hit the lead, inside two minutes, when Keiran Trippier sent over a free-kick from well out, Danny Haynes got a decisive touch on it inside the box and Jason Shackell applied the finishing touch from close range, with the Leeds defence all at sea. It was a big blow for the home team and they were lucky not to fall further behind soon after as Danny Haynes was clear through on goal when the offside flag halted his coup de grace. United did get a half-chance after about ten minutes when Max Gradel rattled the woodwork with, for him, a rare header. The diminutive winger went even closer minutes later when Luke Steele had to count himself fortunate too keep his free-kick out. The keeper touched the kick onto the bar from where it rebounded onto the back of his head before going behind for a corner. It was Max Gradel who was again involved when he swung in a ball which Robert Snodgrass touched on for Luciano Becchio, who could only steer the ball wide. United drew level after twenty-three minutes when Luciano Becchio rose well at the far post to head in George McCartney fine cross for his sixteenth goal of the season. However Luke Steele was badly at fault as he totally misjudged the cross but to give credit to the striker he continued his run to take advantage of what should have been a routine catch by the keeper. It was Barnsley who created the next chance when England Under-Twenty-One International Keiran Trippier delivered a good cross from the by-line, but Garry O'Connor could not apply the finishing touch. When Leeds next attacked, Jonathan Howson tried his luck from distance, but it was easily collected by Luke Steele. Moments later, in the thirty-seventh minute, United were lucky to be awarded a penalty by the referee after he adjudjed that Max Gradel had been impeded by Matt Hill. He took the spot kick himself and cooly dispatched it to give United a 2-1 lead. It was almost 3-1 within three minutes when Barnsley failed to clear a corner properly and Bradley Johnson smashed a shot against an upright. Soon after Robert Snodgrass failed to thread the ball through to Jonathan Howson who had a clear path to goal. United were putting the visitors under heavy pressure as the game headed towards half-time and Barnsley welcomed the whistle to signal its end. The break certainly benefited the men from Oakwell, as they were able to get back on level terms just three minutes into the second half when Keiran Trippier played in Matt Hill, who took advantage of Eric Lichaj being out of position, and scored with a low drive. Two minutes later Leeds were reduced to ten men when Bradley Johnson was given a second yellow card for a foul on Jacob Mellis, which automatically ruled him out of the weekend promotion clash with Swansea City. United's response was from Alex Bruce, but his header from a Neil Kilkenny corner flew over the bar. Barnsley were still coming forward and Jim O'Brien tried a long range shot but it deflected off a team-mate. Simon Grayson made a double substitution after sixty-six minutes when he introduced Sanchez Watt and Davide Somma for Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio and the Arsenal loanee soon found himself having treatment after a clash with Jim O'Brien. He quickly recovered and got in a touch to release Max Gradel, who shot United into the lead with a great strike from distance. The little winger took the ball in his stride, created an opening and bent the ball home to make it 3-2. The Ivory Coast man was also involved when he started a move that ended with Davide Somma seeing his shot deflected for a corner. At the other end Kasper Schmeichel tipped a Diego Arismendi header ver the bar. In the eighty-first minute Barnsley equalised, when they came forward after a corner was not properly cleared by United, and won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. Keiran Trippier took it and tried his luck and with a tame shot beat the static and unsighted Kasper Schmeichel and scored, as the wall did not hold. After that both teams attacked in an effort to secure full points in the closing stages. There were five minutes of stoppage time added and it took some desparate defending from Andy O'Brien and Jonathan Howson to deny Danny Haynes in the first of the five added minutes. It was Barnsley who continued to apply the pressure and Eric Lichaj had to make a good clearance before Kasper Schmeichel came off his line to collect a long ranged shot. After five minutes of the added time, just on the final whistle, Garry O'Connor dragged a shot wide and another high scoring encounter between the two teams came to an end with Shane Higgs, Billy Paynter, Ben Parker, Leigh Bromby and Ross McCormack remaining unused on the bench, Leeds again stayed in sixth place five points adrift from second spot, after failing to win for an eighth time in midweek floodlit matches.

It was the moment of truth for United as they visited the Liberty Stadium to take on second placed Swansea City in a televised game which did not have any effect as the ground was packed to capacity in a crowd of 19,309, which included at least three thousand travelling Leeds fans, who had made the journey which had meant a 5 a.m. start for most, due to the early kick-off time of 12.45 p.m. The suspension of Bradley Johnson meant Simon Grayson was forced to make a change to United's regular line-up, bringing in Davide Somma as his replacement and the spare place on the bench went to Richard Naylor. There was a tentative opening, but after Alex Bruce had made an early block from Mark Gower, after Nathan Dyer had fed him and he got in a shot from the edge of the box. The dangerous Nathan Dyer created an opening and a deflection from a Stephen Dobbie low drive hit the post, before it was put behind for a corner. The two Swansea players were early threats as the home team looked to please their fans in the large crowd by putting Leeds under the maximum pressure and from the corner Mark Gower picked out Scott Sinclair in space but the winger's shot curled wide. It came as little surprise when the home team took the lead in the thirteenth minute with a goal from Scott Sinclair. After good play with Neil Taylor, he collected the ball on the left flank and cut in to play a neat exchange of passes which saw Luke Moore return the ball into his goalward path for him to apply the finishing touch for his twentieth goal of the season. Moments later it was again Alex Bruce to the rescue as he made a timely tackle on Nathan Dyer as United were forced to defend grimly. Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer were constant threats down the flanks, giving the Leeds full-backs a torrid time and Eric Lichaj was the first Leeds player to be shown a yellow card after a challenge on Scott Sinclair in the nineteenth minute. Stephen Dobbie also caused problems with a mazy run that ended with Joe Allen shooting high over the United goal. Leeds only had limited possession in the first twenty minutes but were not moving the ball quick enough to cause the home team any problems. Robert Snodgrass did finally test Darus De Vries after cutting in from the right flank, but Swansea broke quickly and Kasper Schmeichel had to save from Nathan Dyer before another effort by the home team was deflected for a corner. The hard-pressed Alex Bruce found himself on the end of a yellow card for another tackle on Nathan Dyer, despite appearing to win the ball cleanly and Robert Snodgrass was lucky not to suffer the same fate as he protested the decision to the referee. The home team could not possibly maintain their early pace but from a left wing corner from Mark Gower, Ashley Williams forced Kasper Schmeichel to push his header over the bar from a corner, but Andy O'Brien was able to clear the ensuing flag-kick. United were appealing strongly for a penalty after forty-one minutes when a Robert Snodgrass shot was blocked by Alan Tate. Television replays showed they had a case as the defender had clearly used his hands but Neil Kilkenny was booked for protesting too animatedly. Leeds were starting to look more agressive and Davide Somma threatened on the stroke of half-time when he had a header touched on to the bar and then Max Gradel had a shot blocked by Ashley Williams. United went to the break after a period of ascendency and this continued after the break. The second half was only three minutes old when George McCartney became the fourth player to be shown a yellow card after he fouled Nathan Dyer. Alan Tate had to make an early block, while Davide Somma was denied by an offside flag as United made an encouraging start to the second half but Kasper Schmeichel was soon called upon to save a Nathan Dyer header. Nine minutes into the second half the referee had no hesitation in awarding the home team a penalty after Max Gradel was adjudged to have brought down Nathan Dyer, just as he entered the penalty box after a marauding run down the right flank, with a clumsy tackle. Scott Sinclair stepped up to take the spot kick and beat the keeper to claim his twenty-first goal of the season as he shot the ball low and to Kasper Schmeichel's right hand side to make it 2-0, as the keeper went the wrong way. Swansea soon had another good chance as Stephen Dobbie played in Luke Moore but he was denied by Kasper Schmeichel's legs. United did have a chance to get back into the game on the hour but Dorus De Vries got his hand on a chip from Davide Somma when the striker was clear through on goal. On sixty-one minutes Leeds made their first change when Sanchez Watt came on for the hard-working Luciano Becchio and his first involvement was to win a free-kick, which earned Angel Rangel Swansea's first yellow card. Kasper Schmeichel was called back into action once more in the sixty-seventh minute when he had to get down low to get a decisive touch on a twenty-five yard Mark Gower free-kick. Scott Sinclair was within a whisker of getting his hat-trick after showing great skill as, when he advanced into the box, he turned and shot. There was a hope for Leeds from a quickly taken free-kick that saw Davide Somma look to latch onto a through ball but he was beaten to the ball by Dorus De Vries and Swansea immediately took the ball the length of the field to score their third goal in the seventy-second minute. Stephen Dobbie, who supplied an incredible reverse pass, was again involved and he played in Luke Moore who applied the finishing touch to get the ball past Kasper Schmeichel, just inside the post. Simon Grayson's response was a double substitution sending on Ben Parker for George McCartney, who had already been booked and was walking a tightrope each time he made a challenge, and Billy Paynter for Robert Snodgrass, in the seventy-fourth minute. The game wound down to its obvious conclusion, but Leeds did create an oppurtunity but Sanchez Watt was wide after good lead up work by Max Gradel and Billy Paynter. The Leeds supporters were unbowed urging on their team through the last fifteen minutes and it roared to a crescendo in the final minutes even when the position was totally beyond recall. Billy Paynter tried to give them something to hang onto in the final minutes with a shot on goal, but Dorus De Vries had his shot covered. Davide Somma also tried his luck but shot over. Two minutes were added for stoppage time, but it mattered little as United slipped to a defeat in a country which had provided them with little comfort in the past thirty years. Shane Higgs, Richard Naylor, Leigh Bromby and Ross McCormack remained unused substitutes as United lost their first game in eight matches but held onto sixth spot and Swansea remained second but the following pack were now closing in on United.

There was another "Yorkshire Derby" for United as they took on nineteenth placed Doncaster Rovers at Elland Road in their next fixture. Simon Grayson made two changes to his starting line-up with Bradley Johnson returning after suspension for David Somma, who dropped to the bench with Ben Parker being omitted from the squad and Leigh Bromby was preferred to Alex Bruce, who dropped to the bench, in central defence. There was a crowd of 27,027 on hand to see United go quickly onto the attack and Doncaster had keeper Gary Woods to thank as Max Gradel cut in from the left and got in a good low shot, he could only parry the shot, but when Jonathan Howson followed up he put his shot over the bar. Leeds continued to press the Doncaster defence and Wayne Thomas and George Friend were called upon to defend grimly and Robert Snodgrass also put an early effort over the bar. Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio linked up well in the ninth minute and it resulted in a clash of heads by the Argentinian and George Friend. Both players required treatment, with the Leeds player able to resume but the Doncaster player had to stay off for further treatment. Outplayed, the visitors did manage to create an half-chance when Franck Moussa worked hard down the left and got past Eric Lichaj to play a delightful ball into the path of Paul Keegan but the former Leeds trainee could only head over the bar. However, Leeds did take the lead after twelve minutes, while Doncaster were still with only ten men. In-form Max Gradel was the scorer after working himself into space after former Leeds Junior Sam Hird had slipped and allowed him to create an opening. He chose not to continue his surge on goal but decided to shoot the ball into the roof of the net past Gary Woods from the edge of the penalty box. Rovers tried to fight back and ex-Leeds loanee, John Oster played in Billy Sharp, but Andy O'Brien was quick into the tackle to block his progress. Max Gradel was back again moments later, when after a low cross from Eric Lichaj was put out for a throw-in, he was the man who put the ball over the bar after Bradley Johnson had flicked the ball on to him. United were well on top and threatening to put Doncaster to the sword. Neil Kilkenny was the next to go close when he had a shot saved by Gary Woods. The pressure continued as Luciano Becchio got in a low shot which was only marginally wide and then Bradley Johnson curled a shot wide. Robert Snodgrass had two crosses cleared only after some desparate defending and when he tried for a third time, after good work by Neil Kilkenny, he rounded Gary Woods but slipped as he tried to apply the finishing touch. It was one-way traffic, probably the most one-sided first half hour witnessed for many a year, and Max Gradel was again twice denied by blocks as Leeds sought to make their domination count with more goals. Gary Woods then had to save from Robert Snodgrass before Brian Stock broke up an attack when Max Gradel and George McCartney linked to make a good break down the left. Next Max Gradel cut the ball back from the left and Luciano Becchio side-footed the ball over the bar and as half-time approached Robert Snodgrass shot wide. Unbelievably, right on the stroke of half-time, Doncaster scored with their only attack of the half. Winger John Oster played a ball over the top and, after first being denied by Kasper Schmeichel, Billy Sharp got the ball in the net from the tightest of angles to make the score 1-1. Leeds responded immediately, but the ball was cleared off the line, with the last action of the half. United started the second half on the attack with Robert Snodgrass shooting wide, but then, amazingly, Doncaster took the lead after forty-nine minutes. Dean Sheils received the ball in midfield and flighted the ball over the Leeds defence and Franck Moussa was able to control the ball and shoot under Kasper Schmeichel. The lead only lasted seconds as Jonathan Howson dispossessed Brian Stock after the restart, powered through midfield, and sent a shot low into the corner of the net in the fiftieth minute. Kasper Schmeichel then had to make two good saves from Billy Sharp and Franck Moussa. However, it was Leeds that looked like getting their third goal after Paul Keegan made a hash of a clearance and Max Gradel seized upon the ball but the ex-Leeds player recovered enough to make sure the winger's shot was just wide. Gary Woods was the next to be called into action as he had to race from his line to deny Max Gradel who was in a lot of space after being put through by Jonathan Howson. Neil Kilkenny was also thwarted by Gary Woods as Leeds continued to put Doncaster under pressure. It was George McCartney who created the next Leeds chance, but Robert Snodgrass headed his cross over the bar. However, Leeds regained the lead after seventy minutes as Leigh Bromby chested down Robert Snodgrass cross to enable Luciano Becchio to slam the ball into the net. Doncaster tried to retrieve the situation and, after Max Gradel had been tackled while Leeds were on the attack, the visitors broke quickly to win a free-kick on the edge of the Leeds penalty area. Joseph Mills took the kick but it curled over the top. United came storming back and it was again Max Gradel that forced Gary Woods to make a good save with a right-foot shot. With ten minutes to go Billy Paynter replaced Luciano Becchio and two minutes later Max Gradel finally got his reward and gave United a two goal buffer when he made the score 4-2. After good work by Robert Snodgrass and Neil Kilkenny, Billy Paynter had a shot parried and the little winger stabbed the ball home from close range. Bradley Johnson had a chance to make it five but he headed over, whilst at the other end James Coppinger should have scored but could only shoot wide. There was a double substitution by United in the ninetieth minute with Richard Naylor replacing Andy O'Brien in central defence and Sanchez Watt coming on fror Max Gradel and there was also still time for Jonathan Howson to add a fifth before the final whistle went. Receiving the ball from near the halfway line he found himself with only Gary Woods to beat and remained composed to fire the ball into the back of the net as United eventually got the scoreline they deserved but remained in sixth position but with several teams not out of contention for the final play-off spot. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Davide Somma and Ross McCormack were the unused substitutes, while unused on the Rovers bench were former Leeds loanee keeper Ben Alnwick and former ace defender Matthew Kilgallon.

On the Tuesday after their victory over Doncaster, United had to travel to bottom club Preston North End, thirty-two points behind United, but although this seemed an easy game on paper, in reality there were many reasons to think this was another disaster waiting to happen. United had not won a midweek game for almost a year, so long ago that it was becoming source of severe embarrassment to their fans and, in the reverse fixture earlier in the season at Elland Road, United had led by 4-1 in a midweek fixture and finished on the wrong end of a 6-4 scoreline, so they faced the trip to Deepdale with some trepidation. There was just one change to the Leeds starting eleven from the weekend's game with Billy Paynter taking over from Luciano Becchio as main striker with the big Argentinian dropping to the bench. United had completed the loan signing of Barry Bannan from Aston Villa the previous day and he took his place on the bench with Ross McCormack dropping out of the squad. There was a crowd of 15,269 on hand of which at least 5,000 were there to support United and they saw Preston almost take the lead in the third minute, when Keith Treacy unleash a great strike which smashed against the underside of the bar only to rebound to safety with Kasper Schmeichel well beaten. Ian Hume also tried his luck from distance but shot over the bar. Chris Brown also went close but Kasper Schmeichel was able to gather his header. United threatened after ten minutes when Jonathan Howson seized upon a long punt downfield by Kasper Schmeichel but the Leeds Captain could not keep it down and his shot went over the bar. At the other end Kasper Schmeichel was tested by Eddie Johnson but he was able to make an athletic save from the well struck shot. He was soon in action again as he got down well to another low drive from Keith Treacy. There was a quick response from United as a Max Gradel cross evaded the North End keeper, Andy Lonergan before being cleared. In a lively opening Eddie Johnson again tried his luck but his shot flew wide. Jonathan Howson also tried his luck when he curled a shot straight into the arms of Andy Lonergan as both sides tried to gain ascendency. Preston had a let off in the twenty-sixth minute when Neil Kilkenny dispossessed Keith Treacy thirty yards out, the Leeds midfielder chose to shoot first time and it hit Andy Lonergan, who was able to gather at the second attempt. It was Leeds that took the lead after thirty minutes as Neil Kilkenny got a rare goal. Robert Snodgrass' intelligent cross was only partially cleared by Craig Morgan and Neil Kilkenny took control of the loose ball and hammered in a twenty yard shot beyond Andy Lonergan into the top right hand corner for Leeds to go 1-0 up. Five minutes later Jonathan Howson created a half-chance for Billy Paynter but the striker's low shot was deflected for a corner by Sean St Ledger. Play swung to the other end and Ian Hume sent over a fine cross finding Chris Brown just six yards out from goal but the striker failed to hit the target and missed a glorious chance to level the scores eight minutes before the break. On the stroke of half-time United came very close to getting a second when Billy Paynter raced clear but his angled drive scraped the wrong side of the post. In the time added for stoppages the hard working striker again pressed but the home team were able to clear their lines. The second half started with Leeds going straight on the attack, but it was the home side that created the first chance of the half and Kasper Schmeichel had to be alert to keep out a free-kick from distance from Keith Treacy. Soon after Kasper Schmeichel was equal to the task as he beat away an angled shot. Preston did get the ball in the net in the fifty-third minute when a Keith Treacy free-kick was flicked on by Billy Jones for Sean St Ledger to bury the ball from close range but his "goal" was ruled out by the linesman's flag. Leeds immediately broke and Max Gradel was close but wide with his shot. But, in the fifty-seventh minute United did make it 2-0, to great celebrations by the Leeds fans, when Billy Paynter picked up a pass just inside the penalty area and delivered a clinical finish for his first goal for the club. United were almost celebrating again as Ian Ashbee miscued a clearance of a Robert Snodgrass corner and the ball flew over his own bar. Preston reduced the arrears when Ian Hume scored a great individual goal from long range to bring his team back into the game in the sixty-third minute. Keith Treacy was able to pick him out with a good pass and the former Barnsley man smashed the ball into the top corner of the net. Three minutes later Leeds hit the woodwork, when Billy Paynter chased a poor backpass from Richardo Gardner and beat Andy Lonergan to it and stabbed it towards the empty net only for it to come back off the inside of the post and Sean St Ledger got back to clear. The Leeds striker was back defending minutes later and he headed away a free-kick before he was replaced by Luciano Becchio with fifteen minutes left on the clock. Preston were starting to apply pressure and Kasper Schmeichel saved from Nathan Ellington and then Leigh Bromby was on hand to clear a cross. As the game reached the final ten minutes of normal time it was Leeds who were having to defend but look solid under pressure. With seven minutes to go Eric Bannan was given his debut as he came on to replace Neil Kilkenny and as the clock ticked over the last minute Richard Naylor was sent on to replace Robert Snodgrass and add to United's defensive capabilities and he was soon showing the wisdom of the choice as Leeds played out time with no problems and gained three precious points to take them above Nottingham Forest into fifth place and give them breathing space from other teams with promotion aspirations, but they also moved to just three points behind Swansea City in second place, as Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Sanchez Watt and Davide Somma remained unused on the bench.

Leeds maintained exactly the same squad which had seen them break their midweek hoodoo by taking full points at Deepdale, for the visit of sixteenth placed Ipswich Town to Elland Road. Although the Tractor Boys had won at Cardiff City the previous weekend they had gone down at home to promotion hopefuls Reading in midweek and had lost three of their last four games but had beaten United at Portman Road earlier in the season. So there were mixed messages as the teams kicked off in front of a crowd of 27,432 and while it was not the most entertaining of starts United had some defending to do in the opening ten minutes with Keiron Dyer, Jimmy Bullard and Tamas Priskin prominent, but after twelve minutes Ipswich keeper Marton Fulop had to make his first save when he got down well to a Max Gradel shot from distance. The little winger also forced a corner off Carlos Edwards after some enterprising play by United which was started by a good strong run from Andy O'Brien and ended with a great cross from the right by Eric Lichaj. When Ipswich next threatened Kasper Schmeichel was called upon to to make a good block from Lee Martin and from the resulting corner from Jimmy Bullard he had to touch over a downward header from Gareth McAuley, after it took a wicked bounce off the pitch. On the twenty-three minute mark Max Gradel was narrowly over Marton Fulop's crossbar with a shot from thirty yards. On the half hour there was a controversial decision when Tamas Priskin stumbled to the floor in pursuit of the ball and Andy O'Brien, who was a good three yards away, was booked for a foul. On thirty-four minutes Billy Paynter headed wide as the home side again threatened. It remained a tentative game, even though Max Gradel almost scored in the thirty-seventh minute when he curled a shot just wide of the post and Billy Paynter was also denied by a good block by Carlos Edwards. Leeds thought they had a good case for a penalty just before the break when Gareth McAuley appeared to block an Andy O'Brien shot with his hands. After the second half started, it was Leeds who carved out the first chance, when Jonathan Howson volleyed his shot just wide at the far post after good work by Robert Snodgrass, who crossed from the right. The same two players then combined for Robert Snodgrass to go close, when he shot just wide of the post from the edge of the box. Leeds had started well and soon Billy Paynter also went close, after good Leeds inter-play, and his low shot was saved by Marton Fulop to his left in the fifty-sixth minute. Andy O'Brien next drilled a first time shot just wide of the left hand post from twenty yards, after he had been played in by Jonathan Howson. Leeds continued to look the more threatening of the two teams as the game headed into the last twenty minutes, but there were few chances of note. After seventy-six minutes Simon Grayson rang the changes with a double substitution as Barry Bannan replaced Jonathan Howson and Luciano Becchio came on for Billy Paynter and United continued to probe and Max Gradel cut inside from the right and forced Marton Fulop to save, with a shot from a tight angle. Eric Lichaj was denied by a brilliant block by Damien Delaney as he shot from three yards and the Ipswich defender somehow diverted the ball behind, as United found it difficult to find the elusive goal. Ipswich had offered nothing in the way of inventiveness during the whole of the second half, but just as the game went into stoppage time Leeds suddenly found themselves having to defend for the first time in the second half. Connor Wickham was denied by a George McCartney block. Three minutes into added time Leeds did mount one final push, but Ipswich held firm to grind out a point. For Leeds it was two points lost rather than one gained but they maintained fifth spot just two points behind second placed Swansea City, with nine games to play. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Richard Naylor, Sanchez Watt and Davide Somma all remained unused on the bench.

After their disappointing draw with Ipswich, United travelled to Bramall Lane to take on next to the bottom Sheffield United in another Yorkshire Derby, fully expecting maximum points from the already almost doomed Blades. Simon Grayson made two changes to his team giving Barry Bannan his full debut in preference to Neil Kilkenny who dropped to the bench while Luciano Becchio was restored to the striking role in place of Billy Paynter who took his place on the bench. Bramall Lane had been the scene of one of United's greatest triumphs. It was there that a United win ensured that they lifted the Championship trophy in 1992, however, they had not had many good results there since. There was a crowd of 23,728 of which no less than 3,600 were there to support Leeds and they saw their team favour the 4-5-1 formation. The game became a tight affair with too much at stake for either side, and former Leeds midfielder, Michael Doyle, signalled his aggressive intent as he caught Robert Snodgrass' temple with a leading elbow, inside the first minute. Kasper Schmeichel became the first goalkeeper to be called into action when he had to save a header from former Leeds player, Matt Lowton, which was directed straight at him, in the first five minutes. United's first attempt on goal did not come until the fifteenth minute, when Max Gradel curled in a shot which Steve Simonsen was able to collect. Moments later the little winger came close to opening the scoring, after Robert Snodgrass and Eric Lichaj combined well down the right wing but he headed the pin-point cross wide of the mark. However it was the Blades that had the majority of possession in the first half hour, but it was a scrappy affair and littered with free-kicks. After twenty-one minutes the referee penalised the home side when he failed to apply the advantage rule and called back play after a foul by Andy O'Brien on Stephen Quinn, when Daniel Bogdanovic was then in possession in the penalty area. Kasper Schmeichel came off his line to punch away one good delivery from the home team while Nick Montgomery sent a shot so wide that it went for a throw in. But the same player had the goalkeeper back-peddling with an audacious shot from long range. At the other end Max Gradel tried his luck from distance but was well wide of the target. The best chance of the half fell to Daniel Bogdanovic after great work down the right flank by Ched Evans and a clever back-heeled flick on. The former Barnsley man had time to pick his spot, but Kasper Schmeichel was quick to react to make a goal-saving block. Leeds responded immediately as Max Gradel made a good break but Robert Snodgrass dragged his shot wide. It was then once more Kasper Schmeichel who was called upon to make a good save six minutes before the break when he tipped a Stephen Quinn half-volley round the post. The keeper was again in action before the interval when he punched a Ched Evans strike over the bar, with what proved to be the final chance of the half. Leeds started the second half with a little more purpose and after winning an early corner, Barry Bannan sent a shot wide of the mark from thirty-five yards. Soon after Bradley Johnson should have done better as headed over from a Robert Snodgrass free-kick. Despite that it was Sheffield that took the lead just nine minutes into the half, when Stephen Quinn played in Leeds-born Nick Montgomery who whipped in a low cross and the unfortunate Eric Lichaj diverted the ball into his own net. There was little that the Aston Villa loanee could have done with home forwards lurking behind him. The goal was a hammer blow to Leeds, as although the home team had had the majority of possession, they had not really threatened to score. They came charging forward looking to level the scores and had claims for a handball in the area but the referee compromised by giving a free-kick on the edge of the box. The home team broke and Leigh Bromby did well to make a fine recovering tackle to avert a threat from Sam Vokes, the former Leeds loanee striker, who had almost got through, but had got the advantage as he appeared to be at least two yards offside. Barry Bannan came close to getting an equaliser when he was close with a good long range shot from twenty-five yards. After sixty-seven minutes Simon Grayson changed his striking option when he sent on Billy Paynter for Luciano Becchio, it worked as United started to press and the home team were called on to do some defending. However, United were giving up possession too easily and this caused their downfall as Stephen Quinnn won possession to feed Bjorn Helge Riise who was able to create enough space to fire hard and low from an acute angle to give the home side a 2-0 lead in the seventy-fourth minute. Leeds widen their attacking capabilities when the sacrificed George McCartney for Davide Somma after seventy-five minutes as Leeds faced an uphill battle to get back into the game. With ten minutes left on the clock they almost did but good defending by the Blades denied both Max Gradel and Leigh Bromby from close range after a corner had failed to be cleared properly. After eighty-three minutes Simon Grayson played his last card by replacing Robert Snodgrass with Sanchez Watt and the home team sent on former Leeds player Richard Cresswell for Ched Evans. As the clock ticked down, Leeds were showing a sense of urgency, but the home side were looking more comfortable as they got more men behind the ball. With one minute to go United's effective challenge came to an end as Billy Paynter was given a straight red card, following a goalmouth melee that involved players from both sides, but it looked to be former Leeds loanee, Shane Lowry who was claiming he had been stamped on. There were five minutes added for stoppages but it mattered little as, even though Richard Cresswell had a shot saved by Kasper Schmeichel, the home side strode to an important win for the club. As Leeds failed to score for the second consecutive game, and remained fifth but it would turn out that the three points dropped would prove to be vital in the final reckoning in the season. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Richard Naylor and Neil Kilkenny remained unused on the bench.

United faced a vital promotion clash with sixth placed Nottingham Forest at Elland Road, as anything but a win would mean that the closing pack might overtake the loser and open the play-off places to them, as Leeds stood just one point in front of Forest and four in front of Reading and Burnley, who both had a game in hand over the day's rivals at Elland Road. A crowd of 29,524 was on hand to see them do battle and while United kept the same starting eleven, the suspension of Billy Paynter meant a return to the bench for Ross McCormack and new loanee signing from Tottenham Hotspur, Jake Livermore, replaced Alex Bruce. United had the first shot on goal in the third minute when Max Gradel curled a free-kick just wide. Forest also had an early free-kick in a similar position which was taken by Lewis McGugan, after George McCartney had fouled Paul Anderson. It was blocked as the wall held firm. Then Luke Chambers shot over the bar and Joel Lynch came close to connecting with a header and when United broke quickly Lee Camp had to come off his line to cut out a Max Gradel cross by diving at the feet of Bradley Johnson when the referee played the advantage after Max Gradel had been fouled by Wes Morgan. Barry Bannan created space for himself on the edge of the box and also tested the keeper with a good shot. It was a lively opening and at the other end Radoslaw Majewski had a shot deflected wide by Bradley Johnson. Forest had a good chance in the twenty-second minute when Marcus Tudgay met a Lewis McGugan cross at the far post but managed to put the ball over the bar from almost point-blank range. Leeds responded with Robert Snodgrass creating an opening with some neat footwork to get past Luke Chambers but spoiled it by shooting straight at the Forest keeper and both sides looked to exploit any oppurtunity. Forest should have taken the lead after thirty-five minutes but after Radoslaw Majewski had wriggled clear of several challenges down the left side of the area and with Kasper Schmeichel stranded Marcus Tudgay could not make it count and his goalbound shot was blocked on the line by a Leigh Bromby. However, as George McCartney was trying to relieve the Leeds pressure with a typical run down the left flank he was the victim of a lunging two footed challenge from Chris Cohen and referee Mark Halsey wasted no time in showing the Forest player a red card. Typically the decision was met by a melee of Forest players round the referee and play was held up for three minutes before sanity again prevailed and in that time which was added onto the first half Kasper Schmeichel was called upon to make two saves. United were straight onto the attack after the restart and Max Gradel lifted a shot over the crossbar after a storming run from George McCartney and then Lee Camp collected an early cross from Robert Snodgrass under pressure from Luciano Becchio, who was closing in on the Forest keeper fast. Eric Lichaj was the provider when United took the lead in the fifty-first minute, after he latched onto a good ball from Robert Snodgrass and set up Jonathan Howson from close range at the near post, the Leeds captain took it in his stride advantaged one sep further and buried it with a crisp shot beyond the advancing Lee Camp. The Forest keeper had to save with his feet to keep out Bradley Johnson at the far post after a good free-kick from Barry Bannan. Seven minutes after the first goal it was 2-0 when Leigh Bromby got on the end of a Barry Bannan corner at the far post and headed it against the post and Luciano Becchio reacted quickly to head home from six yards for his eighteenth goal of the season. United were now well on top and Robert Snodgrass curled a shoot onto the bar as Leeds again threatened and Max Gradel also fired wide after Jonathan Howson had made a good break and played him in. Gradel, in fact had three chances in a very short time and failed to capitalise on any. Forest did come back though, and in the sixty-fifth minute Gareth McCleary turned inside Barry Bannan and scored with a stunning strike from just inside the penalty area, beating Kasper Schmeichel in the top right-hand corner to reduce the arrears. United had to defend as the visitors started to apply the pressure, and were indebted to Kasper Schmeichel who kept out a strong shot from Wes Morgan after he met a Radoslaw Majewski corner but the game was all over bar the shouting in the seventy-third minute, when, after Wes Morgan had been booked for a foul on Jonathan Howson, a free-kick was floated into the box from the deep, and Forest failed to clear, and Max Gradel was able to capitalise by lashing home a bouncing ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area for his fifteenth goal of the season. With eight minutes to go Forest did have a half chance when Nathan Tyson shot wide of the mark. After seventy-six minutes, Simon Grayson gave a debut to Jake Livermore when he replaced the hard working fellow loanee Barry Bannan as Leeds looked to ease towards victory. He quickly got into the action and forced Lee Camp to another fine save and then he denied Luciano Becchio but from the rebound it became 4-1, when in the eighty-seventh minute it was forced home by Max Gradel who got his second goal of the game and his sixteenth of the season. It proved to be the last bit of tangible action in the game and United had taken a giant step towards securing a place in the Play-offs as they re-enforced their fifth place and Forest lost their sixth spot to the fast finishing Reading. Shane Higgs, Richard Naylor, Sanchez Watt and Ross McCormack remained the unused substitutes.

After the vital win against Nottingham Forest, Leeds had gained some breathing space for themselves, but their remaining seven games were against teams who had still promotion aspirations or were in a dire fight against relegation and all were likelt to be tough matches. The first of those were at Millwall at the New Den and games over the last few years had always been intense with the balance slightly in favour of the Londoners, although United had won 3-1 at Elland Road earlier in the season. Paul Connolly returned at right-back for the injured George McCartney with Eric Lichaj switching to left-back. Jake Livermore was given his run-on debut as he came into midfield for Barry Bannan who dropped to the bench, where Alex Bruce replaced Sanchez Watt. There were at least 2,191 travelling Leeds fans in the capacity crowd of 16,724 as the game kicked off with the home side quickly forcing two corners, but the first hint of trouble to the opposing defence came when Jack Smith had to head clear a cross from Robert Snodgrass after Leeds had won an early corner. It was also David Ford who was the first of the two goalkeepers called into the action, in the thirteenth minute, as he brilliantly tipped a spectacular overhead kick from Max Gradel over the bar at full stretch, but the linesman's flag would have ruled out any real danger. In the sixteenth minute Tony Craig's sliderule pass was intercepted by Andy O'Brien, who unfortunately then slipped and allowed Steve Morison to gain possession. As the striker pressed on towards goal Leigh Bromby made a timely challenge, as the home striker threatened to bring the move to a halt, but on the whole it was a scrappy first fifteen minutes. There were three stoppages in those early encounters with Jonathan Howson, Andy O'Brien, Steve Morison and Paul Robinson all requiring treatment. It was Millwall that took the lead in the twenty-fourth minute when Kevin Lisbie was brought down from behind by Jonathan Howson, four yards outside of the penalty box, and James Henry curled the free-kick into the top corner of the net to beat Kasper Schmeichel, who could only get a touch with one hand but could not prevent it from hitting the back of the net. Just six minutes later things got worse for Leeds when Liam Trotter flicked home a teasing corner from Andros Townsend from two yards to double the home advantage to 2-0. Leeds responded immediately when first Robert Snodgrass tested David Forde then Eric Lichaj forced his way into a good position. Robert Snodgrass was shown a yellow card for his reaction to a challenge from Tony Craig. From the free-kick Neil Harris headed James Henry's kick over the bar. It was James Henry who got the next yellow card for a foul on Max Gradel, as United received a couple of free-kicks. It seemed as if United had reduced the arrears in the thirty-eighth minute when Max Gradel created an opening for Luciano Becchio, but the strikers shot was somehow turned past a post by Millwall defender Darren Ward. Bradley Johnson was also wide as Leeds made a good counter attack on the break. There were four minutes of added time to the first half and in that time there was a strong appeal, by both Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel, for a penalty for a handball but it was Millwall who were back on the attack as the half came to a conclusion with Kasper Schmeichel punching away from a corner. Simon Grayson sent on Davide Somma for Robert Snodgrass at the commencement of the second half as United took an attacking option. Home keeper, David Forde, was called upon to punch away a corner in the opening minutes as Leeds started on the attack. The spell was broken by a free-kick for a foul on Neil Harris and Kasper Schmeichel had to react quickly as Millwall made a speedy break. It was, however, the visitors who got the next goal, after fifty-one minutes, when they built a well constructed attack and Luciano Becchio finished off the sweeping move, which culminated in a perfect cross from Eric Lichaj, by the striker shooting past David Forde from close range to make the score 2-1. With almost forty minutes left to play the game was again wide open. Millwall responded and forced a corner when Kasper Schmeichel push a Steve Morison shot into the side-netting. At the other end David Forde had to get down quickly low to his left to stop Max Gradel from equalising after Kasper Schmeichel had launched a long kick downfield for Jonathan Howson to play the winger in. It was end to end stuff, and after Andros Townsend and Neil Harris had combined well down the left there was just too much pace on the final delivery and Steve Morison just could not apply the finishing touch. However, it was Millwall that gained a third goal in bizarre circumstances in the sixty-second minute. Neil Harris went down in midfield but the referee waved play on, and Millwall's James Henry continued downfield. His shot hit Andy O'Brien, and there were appeals for a penalty for handball, but amid all the claims Steve Morison reacted quickly to seize on the loose ball to nip in and put the ball past Kasper Schmeichel to make it 3-1. Five minutes later Millwall, after good play from Liam Trotter and Steve Morison, created another chance but James Henry's shot drifted harmlessly across the face of goal. After seventy-four minutes Simon Grayson made his second substitution sending on Barry Bannan for Paul Connolly, which necessitated several positional switches with Eric Lichaj going to right-back, Bradley Johnson dropping back to left-back and Barry Bannan taking his place in midfield. United continued to try and get back in the game, but it was Millwall that went close in the eightieth minute when James Henry crossed to the far post from distance but Neil Harris failed to hit the mark from six yards. Two minutes later Ross McCormack came on for Jake Livermore to give United three strikers for the last eight or more minutes. However, it was Kasper Schmeichel who had to make the next save, low to his right, to keep out James Henry's eighty-fourth minute free-kick and then, a minute later, Neil Harris headed wide a good cross from Andros Townsend. United still pressed, and Barry Bannan thought he had played in Ross McCormack, but the Scot was denied a shot by an off-side flag. Then, in stoppage time a pass from Max Gradel was just too strong to play in Ross McCormack. In the third minute of stoppage time Davide Somma headed over from a Barry Bannan free-kick, but United did get a consolation goal in the fifth and final minute of that time added, as Andy O'Brien got on the end of an Eic Lichaj long throw-in to head home United's second, but it was the final touch of the game. The final score flattered Leeds and the defeat saw United drop to sixth as they were overtaken by Reading. Millwall edged into seventh spot four points behind United and there were several others not yet out of contention with six games yet to play. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Richard Naylor and Neil Kilkenny were the unused substitutes.

There was a midweek night visit to Pride Park to play nineteenth placed Derby County, 2-1 winners at Elland Road on the opening day of the season, as the next game and United's forty-first League game of the season. There were two changes to the starting team from the side so easily beaten by Millwall at the weekend. Barry Bannan was preferred to Bradley Johnson in midfield and Neil Kilkenny also came into midfield for the injured Robert Snodgrass with Lloyd Sam taking the vacant place on the bench. United were much quicker on the attack than they had been at the New Den, in front of a crowd of 27,252. Max Gradel spearheaded one early raid which saw Barry Bannan have a free-kick headed clear and then crosses from the Aston Villa loanee and Paul Connolly, playing against his former club, had to be dealt with by the Rams' defence. Neil Kilkenny had plenty to prove and after winning possession he linked up with Jonathan Howson to set up a chance for Barry Bannan which he put wide. At the other end Kasper Schmeichel was quickly off his line to punch clear a free-kick as the game ebbed and flowed. Neil Kilkenny had a fierce drive blocked by Daniel Ayala and from the rebound the Australian International had a shot which went over the bar, while Eic Lichaj won a corner after he made a long over-lapping run down the left. Luciano Becchio was given a yellow card in the twenty-second minute after he handled a Barry Bannan cross, and then the livewire Scot curled a shot wide as United piled on the pressure. Max Gradel was the next to threaten, after Jake Livermore had dispossessed James Bailey and linked with Jonathan Howson to play the Ivory Coast International in, when he tested Brad Jones with a low drive from an angle. Jonathan Howson was revelling in the role just behind Luciano Becchio and tested Brad Jones with a stinging shot after a good strong run. On the half hour Barry Bannan curled a free-kick wide but, in a rare response by Derby, Kasper Schmeichel had to race out from his goal to gather a dangerous ball from Robbie Savage, as he stopped Jamie Ward getting in a header. Jonathan Howson required lengthy treatment, in the thirty-ninth minute, after being the victim of a lunging challenge from Daniel Ayala. Both Daniel Ayala and Stephen Pearson were booked for fouls in the moments before the end of the first half. Leeds had been well on top in the first half, but it was the home side that created the first oppurtunity of the second half, as Steve Davies released Stephen Pearson on the left for him to find Jamie Ward unmarked ten yards out but his hurried left-foot shot went wide of the mark. This was followed by Kasper Schmeichel having to catch a towering header from Shaun Barker. It was Leeds, though, who almost created the first goal, in the fiftieth minute, after a Neil Kilkenny free-kick, Max Gradel only just failed to apply the finishing touch. Then when the Leeds defence was caught napping by Ben Davies' low cross from the right, Stephen Pearson and Jamie Ward just failed to make contact with it. On the hour Barry Bannan had a good shot well blocked, after Leeds had brought the ball down the left. Leeds did get the opener in the fifty-eighth minute after Max Gradel picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area took it in his stride and rifled a twenty yard unstoppable shot into the net to put United 1-0 in front with a typical great piece of skill for his seventeenth goal of the season and his seventh in nine games. The home team were level just two minutes later when Jake Livermore lost possession and Daniel Ayala passed to Stephen Pearson and the winger found Jamie Ward with a low cross from the left and he guided the equaliser high into the net from six yards. Less than two minutes later Derby were 2-1 in front as, after a left-wing corner from Stephen Pearson, Ben Davies volleyed home a superb right foot strike from the corner of the penalty area which gave Kasper Schmeichel no chance. Simon Grayson made an immediate double substitution when he sent on Davide Somma for Luciano Becchio and Bradley Johnson for Jake Livermore in the sixty-third minute. Bradley Johnson wasted no time in getting involved when he headed a Barry Bannan cross just wide of the target as United looked to get back on level terms but Derby also went close when Jamie Ward scraped the woodwork with a thunderous shot. Simon Grayson made his final change in the seventy-second minute when he sent on Ross McCormack for Barry Bannan and the Scot soon won a corner. Three minutes later Derby had an appeal for a penalty waved away when Ben Davies went down in the area, then Steven Davies sent a shot fizzing just wide as the home team broke again. There were plenty of petty infringements as Paul Connolly was hauled back for a free-kick and both Robbie Savage and Theo Robinson were spoken to by the referee. Robbie Savage was then booked for needlessly trying to provoke Max Gradel. In the final ten minutes United attacked frantically as they piled the numbers forward and after the home team had scrambled the ball clear it broke to Jonathan Howson, who sent a shot flying over the bar. It was Max Gradel who next threatened and he forced Brad Jones to make a good save from a free-kick as Derby clung onto their lead with five minutes left on the clock. Andy O'Brien was now effectively an additional striker and when Neil Kilkenny whipped in a free-kick, Brad Jones partially saved before the ball was cleared off the line in some desparate defending. United's constant attack left them exposed at the back, but Kasper Schmeichel saved superbly from Ben Davies, when the Derby striker was released by Theo Robinson and should have had all the time in the world to put the game beyond doubt. There were five minutes added for stoppages and it gave United added hope as everyone pushed forward in pursuit of a Kasper Schmeichel free-kick in the first of those minutes. The keeper launched the ball into the danger zone, but the referee gave a free-kick to the home side after Brad Jones had spilled the ball and play was held up for almost three minutes while the keeper received tratment. Eventually the stoppage time lasted for almost nine minutes but there was no gain for United and this time, rather unluckily, they went down to their third away defeat in succession to remain in sixth spot five points behind fifth-placed Reading with seven teams well within striking distance eight points or less behind, as sixth spot started to slip from their grasp, but was still in their hands. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Richard Naylor and Lloyd Sam were the unused substitutes.

United had been 1-0 winners at Watford earlier in the season, but while a guide to the Elland Road encounter, it would not have wiped out the more vivid memory of a 3-0 defeat at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, in the play-off final for the right to gain EPL entry back on 21st May 2006. A crowd of 30,240 were on hand to cheer United in their latest quest to regain that exalted status, and Simon Grayson made four changes to the starting eleven compared to that used at Derby earlier in the week. Robert Snodgrass and George McCartney had both recovered from injury to reclaim their spots in the side and Paul Connolly and Barry Bannan dropped to the bench to make way, with Eric Lichaj making the switch from left-back to right-back. Davide Somma and Bradley Johnson were both brought into the team in place of Luciano Becchio and Jake Livermore who also dropped to the bench with Alex Bruce and Lloyd Sam the players to drop out of the squad. Watford, who came to Elland Road in eleventh spot and seven points behind Leeds, had still not given up thoughts of getting the coveted sixth spot which United presently held an unsurprisingly United went on the attack from the kick-off. However, despite early pressure, United had nothing to show for it, other than a Max Gradel overhead effort which crept wide, and there was a scare for them when Kasper Schmeichel had to snuff out a Watford threat after a defensive slip by Andy O'Brien, had caused him to hurriedly clear an overhit back-pass. The first twenty minutes passed without much incidents other than Max Gradel had a shot blocked and both Davide Somma and Robert Snodgrass failed to hit the target with shots, but Watford seemed to be getting on top. Danny Graham, a former Leeds loanee and the Championship's leading goalscorer, took advantage of a slip by Leigh Bromby, and, after skipping past Andy O'Brien, should have done better than shooting straight at Kasper Schmeichel. He was causing Leigh Bromby and Andy O'Brien problems by his physical presence but it was his partner up front, Troy Deeney, who next beat Leigh Bromby to a bouncing ball and played in Danny Graham, but his cross evaded everyone, particularly Marvin Sordell who only had to touch it to score but was not quick enough. After twenty-six minutes Eric Lichaj got in a good cross but John Eustace managed to prevent Jonathan Howson from getting a strike on goal. From the corner Watford only partially cleared but Neil Kilkenny shot wide. At the other end John Eustace headed over. After forty minutes United almost took the lead. Robert Snodgrass did well to play in Max Gradel, but the little winger saw his shot hit the crossbar from just two yards, but as Davide Somma tried to seize on the rebound, he was beaten to it by Martin Taylor who reacted just that little bit quicker. In the final minute of the half Max Gradel got up well to meet an Eric Lichaj cross but his header was wide of the mark. Soon after the start of the second half Robert Snodgrass found his way to goal blocked after he had made a good run. It was Andy O'Brien's outstretched leg which came to United's rescue as it sent a Danny Drinkwater shot flying just wide of the Leeds goal. After fifty-six minutes Simon Grayson made his intentions clear when he sent on Luciano Becchio to partner Davide Somma up front and Neil Kilkenny came off. The big Argentinian was soon in the action as he flicked on for Bradley Johnson to send a header just wide. After sixty minutes Max Gradel wasted a golden oppurtunity when he elected to shoot low but straight at Scott Loach when Robert Snodgrass was in a better position along side him, as Leeds broke quickly. In the sixty-second minute the post came to the home team's rescue when Don Cowie met Danny Graham's cross and the ball came back off the woodwork straight into the grateful arms of Kasper Schmeichel, after Leigh Bromby had allowed Danny Graham to evade his clutches. It was the Watford keeper, former United loanee trialist Scott Loach, who was next called into action when Robert Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson combined but the keeper pounced to prevent Davide Somma from getting in a shot. Simon Grayson took off Davide Somma and sent on Barry Bannan in the sixty-eighth minute. In the seventy-second minute it was United that opened the scoring when Barry Bannan fired over a free-kick and Luciano Becchio got up well to head past Scott Loach from three yards to make it 1-0 and notched his twentieth goal of the season. United kept pressing and Barry Bannan ended a move by shooting just wide of the mark and then Luciano Becchio shot over the bar after being played in by Bradley Johnson. The visitors drew level in the seventy-seventh minute when an innocuous free-kick from Don Cowie drifted its way into thev Leeds box and left-back Lee Hodson was unmarked and nipped in behind Leigh Bromby and rose to put a well-placed header into the net to level the scores at 1-1. There was an immediate response from United and Max Gradel was denied by some desparate defending after a Barry Bannan free-kick had caused consternation in the Watford defence. After eighty-five minutes Luciano Becchio limped from the field, with an injury sustained in a goalmouth melee after a Bradley Johnson header had been cleared off the line, and was replaced by Ross McCormack, but that was not the end of United's problems as ex-United loanee Danny Graham did well to hold off Andy O'Brien and cut into the box before squaring the ball to Andreas Weimann who scored with an easy tap-in to put the visitors 2-1 up, in the eighty-sixth minute. It only took United two minutes to restore parity when a corner came over from the right and Troy Denney sliced it past Scott Loach. There was little the keeper or anyone could do to prevent it the own goal and it was a piece of good fortune for Leeds so close to the ninety minute mark. There was a huge roar from the Kop as five minutes stoppage time was announced and United set about chasing their third goal. Two minutes into the added time there were loud calls for a penalty for handball as a Robert Snodgrass shot was blocked, but it was denied as were other United efforts and they had to settle for a draw to hang on to sixth position as the top five seemed to be finalised, but United were still under pressure from half-a-dozen clubs for the final play-off spot. Shane Higgs, Paul Connolly, Richard Naylor and Jake Livermore remained on the bench as the unused substitutes.

United were again at Elland Road for their next fixture aginst the form team of the Championship, in Reading, who had won their last eight games and this had seen them rise to fourth in the League table. When United kicked off in front of a crowd of 24,564 they had already lost sixth position to Nottingham Forerst who had won in an early kick-off game and Leeds needed to do better than draw to reclaim the sixth place, and with only four games left, things were getting desparate. Simon Grayson made four changes to his starting line-up with Paul Connolly coming in at Right-Back for the injured George McCartney, with Eric Lichaj switching to Left-Back to accommodate him. He also dropped Davide Somma to the bench while his normal replacement, the injured Luciano Becchio, was replaced by Billy Paynter, who had returned from suspension. Sanchez Watt claiming the spare place on the bench created by Paul Connolly's elevation. Richard Naylor was preferred to Leigh Bromby, who had had a nightmare match against Watford, and Jake Livermore was preferred in midfield to Neil Kilkenny, as both replaced players dropped to the bench. Former Leeds favourite Ian Harte was at left-back for the visitors and there was an expectation of attacking football based on the two teams records and they lived up to that as they looked to move the ball quickly. Reading had the first threat as good work from Shane Long played in Jobi McAnuff, who forced Kasper Schmeichel to save with his feet. Shane Long flicked a header to give Noel Hunt a decent sight of goal, but it rolled past the post for a goal-kick. Reading keeper, Alex McCarthy, was much more threatened and he had to pull off a brilliant save from United's first attack as Jake Livermore delivered a cross from the left and the keeper made a superb reaction save to claw away a Robert Snodgrass header. Reading had slightly the better of the possession in the first half-hour but few chances were created by either side with much of the play being centred around the midfield. Max Gradel dispossessed Zurab Khizanishvili and raced clear to get a shot on target. Alex McCarthy was again called into action after he made a mess of dealing with a Max Gradel shot, which he was pleased to see bounce just wide of the upright. It was United that also created the next chance when Billy Paynter made good ground down the left flank, but Jonathan Howson headed his cross weakly into the arms of Alex McCarthy. Matt Mills saw his header come off the back of Andy O'Brien late in the half, but neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval. Simon Grayson made a change at half-time with Neil Kilkenny coming on for Jake Livermore, who had already been booked and was walking a tight-rope of incurring a red card, and indeed had made a very clumsy challenge before the break and was decidedly lucky to remain on the pitch. After hwarting an early Reading attack it was United that went on the offensive as a Robert Snodgrass free-kick was diverted for a corner and Andy O'Brien headed just wide. Neil Kilkenny also had a shot blocked and won a free-kick after being caught in the face by the swinging arm of a Reading defender. Alex McCarthy had to take evasive action to deal with another Robert Snodgrass free-kick as Leeds threatened to take control. Reading did create an opening on the hour as Andy Griffin ghosted past Max Gradel and cut in from the right but his weak low shot went wide of the post. On sixty-seven minutes it was United that threatened as Bradley Johnson advanced from midfield and, after beating several players, he clipped the bar with his shot. With nine minutes left on the clock Simon Grayson made a double substitution as Sanchez Watt replaced Jonathan Howson and Davide Somma came on for Billy Paynter, but while they were waiting to come on United still maintained their pressure and Alex McCarthy was twice called upon to save. It was the visitors that created the next chance when Mikele Leigertwood sent a shot wide from long range to which United replied with another spell of sustained pressure in their search for the winning goal. Again Alex McCarthy was called upon to make two outstanding saves first from Max Gradel and then he managed to get back in position to save Robert Snodgrass' shot in the follow up. United deserved to be ahead as the game headed into three minutes of stoppage time, but the performance of Alex McCarthy was proving to be the difference between three points and one. In the first minute of time added Sanchez Watt did manage to get past the Reading keeper, but was unable to turn and get in the necessary shot when a goal was beckoning, and the ball passed harmlessly wide of the post. It proved to be the final oppurtunity of the game and United had to be content with just one point even though they had dominated for much of the game and had ended Reading's winning streak. Shane Higgs, Leigh Bromby, Barry Bannan and Ross McCormack remained unused on the subsitues bench as United slipped to seventh and for the first time in the year their destiny was out of their own hands, even if only by goal difference.

United's trip to Selhurst Park now shaped as a vital game for both teams with United being out of the six on goal difference and Crystal Palace in twenty-first position just one place above the drop zone and by just three points. Anything but a win would see their fates sealed as after this game there were only two left and United's were at home to ninth placed Burnley who were just three points behind Leeds with the finale at Loftus Road against the runaway Champions of the Championship. United stuck with the squad that were the better side against Reading in their last game. There was a 20,142 crowd on hand, of which almost 6,000 were there to support Leeds, as Selhurst Park was bathed in bright sunshine. The game could not have got off to a worse start for United as the home side scored inside seventy-five seconds. After Dean Moxey put over a low cross from the left, and after a couple of miscued attempts to clear by the visitors defence the ball fell to Neil Danns on the edge of the box. Though his shot was initially on target, it was the deflection of his shot by Andy O'Brien, through a crowd of players that wrong-footed Kasper Schmeichel and went into the bottom corner as the relegation strugglers had a quick-fire lead. United responded by winning a corner and Richard Naylor appealed that he had been denied the chance of a header from a Robert Snodgrass cross because of an infringement by Paddy McCarthy. The Palace defender was again involved when he headed a Robert Snodgrass corner clear and Wilfried Zaha showed his defensive qualities by dispossessing Robert Snodgrass as the Scot looked to get in a cross. There was a couple of early bookings for Leeds as first Paul Connolly and then Andy O'Brien, for a challenge on Steffen Iversen, saw yellow. United had plenty of possession in the first half-hour, without ever looking too threatening, while Palace defended solidly and were well organised and always looked to get forward on the break. Max Gradel tried to pick out Robert Snodgrass at the far post but Dean Moxey conceded a corner as he headed clear. Julian Speroni punched the ensuing flag-kick to safety. After thirty-four minutes there was almost a calamitous defensive mix-up when a Kasper Schmeichel clearance hit the back of Richard Naylor. As the keeper looked to retrieve possession, he conceded the ball to Steffen Iversen and had to follow the ball, and the Palace forward, towards the touchline but fortunately the Palace striker was unable to get the ball towards the unguarded goal. United responded and won a free-kick which Andy O'Brien narrowly failed to connect with. When Palace broke in reply Jermaine Easter missed a great oppurtunity when he could only get an off-target glancing header onto a good cross from the right. As the game neared half-time Jake Livermore had a twenty-five yard speculator, but it flew over Julian Speroni's bar, while at the other end Kasper Schmeichel saved at the feet of Jermaine Easter. Palace were defending strongly and making it difficult for United to get in many meaningful crosses, but Bradley Johnson had a shot deflected wide by Neil Danns after Robert Snodgrass was forced to lay the ball back to him. Jermaine Easter headed Palace's next chance over the bar from a Nathaniel Clyne cross and Kasper Schmeichel saved comfortably from Kagisho Dikgacoi. On the stroke of half-time Paddy McCarthy had to make a clearance in the six-yard box to deny Bradley Johnson from a tight angle after a free-kick. There was still time for Kasper Schmeichel to pull off a good save after the ball sat up nicely for Nathaniel Clyne to take a shot from the edge of the penalty area. At half-time Simon Grayson restructured his formation to 4-4-2 with a double substitution as Neil Kilkenny came on for Jake Livermore and Sanchez Watt for Paul Connolly, with Bradley Johnson reverting to left-back and Eric Lichaj switching to the right-back position. Sanchez Watt played down the right flank and Robert Snodgrass down the left, with Max Gradel and Billy Paynter as the twin strikers. Leeds won a handful of free-kicks, which they pumped into the Palace penalty box but the home side were resolute at the back. Robert Snodgrass floated a shot wide from long range and when Bradley Johnson also shot from twenty yards out in the fifty-fifth minute, Julian Speroni showed good hands to keep it out. It wasn't all Leeds, however, and Jermaine Easter lashed a twenty-five yard shot over the bar and Kagisho Dikgacoi headed Neil Danns corner weakly wide. The persistent Wilfried Zaha forced them to defend desparately and as they remained on the attack Steffen Iversen shot wide from an acute angle. A long ball over the top of the Palace defence almost caught them out, but after Max Gradel raced into the clear he could not get the connection he would have liked and Julian Speroni was able to save his low drive. A floating free-kick from Neil Kilkenny was cleared by Palace and Sanchez Watt had a shot blocked by David Wright after the home side failed to deal with a long throw. Sanchez Watt was denied again when he got in a header from a Robert Snodgrass cross as Leeds started to dominate possession, but Palace still got men behind the ball and defended grimly. After seventy-three minutes Simon Grayson made his final change as he threw on Davide Somma for Billy Paynter. With his first touch Davide Somma tested Julian Speroni after Sanchez Watt had burst through midfield to play him in. As the time ticked away in the last ten minutes Palace were pegged deep in their own half with as many as ten men behind the ball inviting Leeds to to try and break through for the equaliser. It was Davide Somma, though, who wasted United's best chance of the game when he shot straight at Julian Speroni when well-placed just fifteen yards out. Palace edged ever closer to claiming their three precious points as United failed to break them down. Palace won a corner in the last minute and there was the weird situation of no Palace players in the Leeds box, such was their paranoia of blanket defence. There were five minutes of stoppage time added and United threw nine men forward to lay siege on the Palace goal. Some desperate defending cut out a Jonathan Howson ball when Davide Somma looked well-placed to capitalise. Andy O'Brien was up playing auxiliary striker and finally Kasper Schmeichel added his height and weight when he came up for a free-kick, deep into stoppage time, but there was to be no equaliser for Leeds and, even though Neil Danns was red carded in the final minute for a second yellow card, Palace celebrated their almost certain safety from relegation, with United working out the mathematical probabilities as they slumped to ninth place but just three points behind sixth placed Nottingham Forest the only team that they could now catch. Shane Higgs, Leigh Bromby, Barry Bannan and Ross McCormack were the unused substitutes.

United entertained eighth placed Burnley at Elland Road in their penultimate fixture of the year and their final game of the season at Elland Road, with pride to play for and knowing that a win would take them above their opponents who only held a one point advantage. They had won 3-2 at Turf Moor in the reverse fixture just before Christmas and a double was in the offing, but the visiting fans took heart from the fact that their team had won three of their last four games. Simon Grayson tinkered with his team once again with George McCartney being available once more was included at left-back with Eric Lichaj reverting to right-back and Paul Connolly dropping to the bench and Barry Bannan, who had returned to Aston Villa, losing his place in the squad. Ross McCormack was promoted from the bench to partner Billy Paynter in the striking roles and Davide Somma lost his place in the squad, while Neil Kilkenny replaced Robert Snodgrass in midfield with the Scot dropping to the bench as Max Gradel moved into midfield with Jake Livermore dropping to the bench and defender Alex Bruce taking the the vacant substitute position. Both teams needed to win to keep alive any lingering chance of making the play-offs and anything but a win would virtually seal either of the sides' fate and the televised game kicked off in front of a crowd of 31,186. Ross McCormack was the first to get a sight of goal after Jonathan Howson found him with a good cross and he tested Brian Jensen for the first time, as he made the keeper stretch to keep out a delicate chip. Billy Paynter was inches wide when he drilled in an early shot, after good play from Max Gradel and Ross McCormack but Burnley also created a chance in the first ten minutes when Wade Elliott's shot was blocked by Richard Naylor after a surging run from Chris Eagles had created the chance. United had dominated the early play in terms of possession but had to listen to strong claims from Burnley for a penalty in the eighteenth minute after Andy O'Brien had climbed on the back of Chris Iwelumo and then it took a good block from Kasper Schmeichel to keep out the visitors just before the twenty minute mark, when Michael Duff got in an angled shot. Chris Eagles tried his luck from long range but was over the bar and United responded with Max Gradel testing Brian Jensen with a powerful drive. After twenty-seven minutes Ross McCormack sent a long range free-kick just wide of the post and then he got in a cross for Billy Paynter to get in a good header which had Brian Jensen scrambling across his goal to just push it round the post at full stretch. It was just reward when Ross McCormack scored his first goal for the club in the thirty-third minute, when he showed good pace to latch onto a ball over the top from Bradley Johnson and, with Andre Bikey playing him on-side, raced through to take on Brian Jensen and shoot low into the keeper's bottom right-hand corner. The visitors looked to respond immediately and George McCartney had to cut out a cross from Danny Fox at the expense of a corner. From that corner Chris Iwelumo should have done better, when presented with a headed oppurtunity. Ross McCormack was causing the Burnley defence all kinds of problems with his speed and mobility and Michael Duff saw yellow after he used foul means to stop him. Half-time came as Chris Eagles put a first-time effort over the bar but Leeds were well worth their lead at the interval. Leeds were soon on the attack after the break, but Billy Paynter shot straight at Brian Jensen, and moments later the striker also fired into the side-netting, after rounding the keeper. Just before the hour mark tempers frayed and players from both teams were involved in a melee after Chris McCann, who was shown a yellow card, had caught Max Gradel with a high challenge. Andy O'Brien forced Brian Jensen to a brilliant save with a header from the resulting free-kick. Ross McCormack then came within a whisker of adding a second as Brian Jensen pulled off another fine save to stop the ball going into the corner of the net, after the Scot had picked his spot through a crowd of players. Burnley were always second best, but Jack Cork served notice against complacency after he was allowed to run from midfield but his aim was wayward and the ball sailed over the bar from twenty-five yards. Burnley keeper Brian Jensen, who had stood between his team and a landslide, again was called upon to keep out a shot from Jonathan Howson, and in the follow up Max Gradel's shot flew across the face of goal before going wide. Ross McCormack also forced the keeper to another save when he saved with his feet from a powerfully struck free-kick. After seventy-six minutes United made their first substitution, with Robert Snodgrass coming on for Billy Paynter. There were further changes, in the eighty-ninth minute when Sanchez Watt replaced Max Gradel and one minute later Leigh Bromby came on for Ross McCormack. United had enjoyed most of the possession and created the better chances, but they still had defending to do in the closing stages and Kasper Schmeichel turned a Ross Wallace free-kick over the bar. Then a Wade Elliott shot was scrambled clear before Leeds broke quickly and Sanchez Watt fired high and wide of the target. Leeds deservedly took maximum points with their best display for a long time and moved up to seventh spot, but still three points behind Nottingham Forest who also held a six goal advantage in goal difference, with just one game left to play. Shane Higgs, Paul Connolly, Alex Bruce and Jake Livermore were the unused substitutes.

And so it came down to the final game of the season at Loftus Road, scene of United's final game of the 1973-74 season when United were crowned champions on that very ground, but this time it was runaway leader Queens Park Rangers turn to be celebrating as they were already uncatchable champions of the Championship. The equasion for United was quite simple, they had to win, Nottingham Forest had to lose at Crystal Palace and heavily as United also required a swing in the goal difference of six goals! George McCartney and Robert Snodgrass were not available due to injury and that meant that Paul Connolly came back into the team at right-back, with Eric Lichaj switching to left-back and Patrick Kisnorbo making a welcome return from a long-term injury to take a place on the bench and Davide Somma was recalled to the bench to take the place vacated by Robert Snodgrass. The game kicked of in a party atmosphere in front of a crowd of 18,234, including at least 1,792 Leeds supporters and it could not have got off to a worse start for United, as after less than thirty seconds they were a goal down. The home team advanced from midfield and Kasper Schmeichel could only parry a shot from Tommy Smith and Heidar Helguson tapped the ball home from close range. The Leeds keeper was tested again by Alejandro Faurlin and Heidar Helguson headed straight at the Dane as the home side confined United to their own penalty area. The early goal had severely dented any lingering hope United may have had of progrssing to the play-offs and as the game approached the half hour the home team were looking confident and content. Little was going United's way and after Billy Paynter looked to have been brought down on the very edge of the penalty area by Matt Connolly, the referee waved play on. As the Leeds striker was clear through on goal the home defender could have seen red if the referee so deemed. Kasper Schmeichel parried a shot from Wayne Routledge, but this time Heidar Helguson was unable to take advantage from the rebound. Tommy Smith also headed over the bar following a corner kick as the home team pressed. However after thirty-eight minutes United drew level when Richard Naylor launched a long ball upfield and Max Gradel nipped in to beat the Rangers keeper, Radek Cerny, before sending a superb chip into the unguarded net to level the scores at 1-1. Leeds had been slowly getting a foothold after their disasterous start and despite being outplayed in the initial first half hour they had now started to have the majority of possession as the game moved towards half-time. Right on the stroke of half-time, United first had a free-kick blocked and then Ross McCormack headed into the side-netting from the tightest of angles. It was United who carried on after the break in the same fashion as they had finished the first-half, however it was the home side who had the first shot of the half, as Akos Buzsaky shot straight at Kasper Schmeichel and a little later the Leeds keeper pulled off a fine one-handed save after the defence had failed to clear an attack properly. After sixty-five minutes Davide Somma replaced Billy Paynter and he had only been on the field for three minutes when he saw United take the lead. Ross McCormack did well to stay on his feet as he advanced into the penalty area and his shot took a huge deflection off Kaspars Gorkss which saw the ball loop over the hapless Radek Cerny who was left stranded and flat-footed. Davide Somma looked to add to the scoreline and had a couple of shots that went wide. Richard Naylor seemed to have a good claim for a penalty when he was forced to the ground in the penalty area when Leeds next threatened. United were now outplaying the home team and rather than sitting back to preserve their lead were actually looking to add to it. They dominated midfield and up front both Max Gradel and Davide Somma were looking dangerous. Paddy Kisnorbo was introdued in the seventy-ninth minute for his first taste of first team football since March 2010. He replaced club captain Richard Naylor who acknowledged the travelling fans in what was to be his final game for United. With four minutes left on the clock Simon Grayson sent on Sanchez Watt in place of Max Gradel, as he was due to return to Arsenal after a season-long loan and United wanted to sign off the season with an impressive away win. Kasper Schmeichel earned his keep when he made an important block three minutes from time and then Kaspars Gorkss headed the resulting corner wide of the mark. Sanchez Watt almost put the icing on the cake when his deflected shot had Radek Cerny stranded but it went just wide of the target. It proved to be the last action of any note and Leeds ended the season with a fine away win against the Champions and also completed a double over them and considering they had lost only six games all season, that was a real acheivement. Shane Higgs, Alex Bruce, Jake Livermore and Leigh Bromby remained unused on the bench as United finally finished seventh, sixteen points behind the Champions, twelve behind runners-up Norwich City but only eight points behind Swansea City and Cardiff City five behind Reading and three behind Nottingham Forest. They scored eighty-one goals, only two less than leading scorers, Norwich City, and ten more than Queens Park Rangers and had produced some fine football and great results, but one win in eight in December/January and two wins in six in February and a barren spell in March and April when just one game was won in eight marred their record which could have seen them in second spot if they could have equalled the winning record in the other months of the season, but none-the-less it was a record to be proud of.

2011-2012:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

When the 2010-11 season ended at Loftus Road with Leeds outplaying the top side in the Championship League and leaving their fans with the tantalizing thought that the team was quite capable of beating any side in that Division and with just a little investment in a couple of key positions that promotion to the EPL, while not a certainty, was well within the grasp of such a team. In Kasper Schmeichel they had one of the best goalkeepers outside of the EPL. Paul Connolly and Eric Lichaj were competent full backs, but Lichaj was on loan from Aston Villa. Centre backs Andy O'Brien and Richard Naylor were adequate in central defence particularly with Patrick Kisnorbo having recovered from a season long injury and Tom Lees benefiting from first team exposure while on loan for two seasons and Alex Bruce and Leigh Bromby to give cover at full-back or central defence. In midfield Max Gradel, Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Howson and Bradley Johnson were as good as any in the Championship, particularly with Scottish International Robert Snodgrass also available. Up front Ross McCormack was in fine goalscoring form and Billy Paynter seemed to have overcome his injury problems and there was always Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma, over who there was a fitness doubt to form a penetrating striking combination. Keeper Shane Higgs was released along with Richard Naylor and all loan players returned to their parent clubs, so no Eic Lichaj, Sanchez Watt and Jake Livermore. While Eric Lichaj would have been a good acquisition, no one would have missed Watt and Livermore whose contributions had been negligible. There was the added bonus that like Tom Lees, Adam Clayton had benefitted from loan spells and had returned to play a fuller role in the United midfield.

But those dreams and hopes were soon shattered as after Paul Rachuba had been brought in from Blackpool as Shane Higgs' replacement on 23rd June 2011, the heart was quickly ripped out of the team as Neil Kilkenny left for Bristol City on 24th June 2012, Kasper Schmeichel departed for Leicester City three days later and four days after that Bradley Johnson joined EPL newcomers Norwich City. Kilkenny and Johnson had both seen their contracts expire at the end of the financial year and had been unable to agree terms for their renewal. The twenty-five year old Australian International Kilkenny found the terms offered by Bristol City to be more to his liking and signed a three year contract. The twenty-four year old Johnson was similarly pleased to sign a three year contract with the Carrow Road club. The twenty-four year old Danish International Schmeichel still had one year of his contract with United remaining and was on record as saying that leaving the club was not on his mind. It appeared that the club was cashing in on an asset, which like Kilkenny and Johnson could have proved to be worth the investment of a mutually agreeable wage to ensure that their potentially long future careers could have been spent in helping Leeds attain their goal of returning to the EPL. Several of the Leeds Juniors had signed professional terms they were Alex Cairns, Will Hatfield, Joe McCann, Sanchez Payne, Charlie Taylor, Lewis Turner, Nathan Turner and Zac Thompson. Former captain Richard Naylor had been granted a free transfer on 9th May 2011 and on 9th July 2011 he joined Doncaster Rovers. Thirty-four year old Michael Brown had been signed from Portsmouth on a one year contract, with a further option of a year, on 11th July 2011 in an effort to bolster the midfield. There were still several players who were surplus to requirements, but who had contracts with a season still to run, notably Fede Bessone and Mike Grella, and this became obvious as the club started its pre-season games.

United's pre-season opened on 14th July 2011 at Falkirk Stadium and they were without the services of Davide Somma, Luciano Becchio, Andy O'Brien and Fede Bessone, who were all on the injured list. United started the game with a team that was almost its strongest XI available. In goal was new signing Paul Rachubka, with Paul Connolly and Ben Parker at full-back and Patrick Kisnorbo and youngster Tom Lees in central defence. The midfield comprised Adam Clayton and Michael Brown in the holding positions with Robert Snodgrass, Ramon Nunez and Lloyd Sam behind Billy Paynter in the striker's role. A one minute silence for former Leeds United President Lord Harewood and Falkirk's Craig Gowans was observed before the kick-off by a crowd of 2,065 which contained at least 772 Leeds supporters. After two minutes the Falkirk keeper had to save from a Robert Snodgrass corner, while at the other end Paul Rachubka saved low down from Stephen Kingsley and on twenty-four minutes the same player headed just wide. Robert Snodgrass shot into the side-netting as United started to mount attacks, one of which saw a Ramon Nunez shot cleared off the line by Bennett after thirty-three minutes. A strong cross from Ramon Nunez evaded the Falkirk defence but richocheted off Tom Scobbie stood at the far post and United had taken the lead after thirty-six minutes. Leigh Bromby, Alex Bruce, Aidan White, Jonathan Howson, Max Gradel and Ross McCormack came on for Paul Connolly, Tom Lees, Ben Parker, Michael Brown, Billy Paynter and Ramon Nunez at the start of the second half. Leeds soon increased their lead in the fifty-third minute as Robert Snodgrass rose above Tom Scobbie to head the ball into the net. Ten minutes later, there were more wholesale changes as Leeds sent on the youngsters in Alex Cairns, Zac Thompson, Nathan Turner and Lewis Turner for Paul Rachubka, Robert Snodgrass, Adam Clayton and Lloyd Sam and reintroduced Tom Lees for Patrick Kisnorbo. At the death Tom Scobbie almost made up forhis defensive mistake, with a powerful header that Alex Cairns did well to hold. Falkirk did not put out their strongest team, but Leeds were not extended and it gave the players match practice. It also showed that Ramon Nunez, Adam Clayton and Tom Lees were quite capable at this level, that Michael Brown was as competitive as ever and that Patrick Kisnorbo, fresh from signing a new two year contract, looked comfortable for the sixty-three minutes he was on the pitch.

Fir Park was United's next destination on their short Scottish tour, where they took on Motherwell on 16th July 2011 in front of a crowd of 4,798 of which at least 1,913 were Leeds fans. Once again United tried to give a taste of the action to as many players as possible and kicked off with: Paul Rachubka; Paul Connolly, Patrick Kisnorbo, Leigh Bromby and Aidan White; Jonathan Howson, Adam Clayton, Michael Brown and Lloyd Sam; Billy Paynter and Ross McCormack. It was a step up in class against the Scottish Premier League side but it was Leeds that created the first chance in the first minute as Lloyd Sam got in a cross which Billy Paynter got to but pulled wide, but Motherwell soon threatened and Paul Rachubka had to make a smart save at the near post after five minutes. The near 2,000 Leeds fans were making themselves heard as Jonathan Howson, aided by Adam Clayton and Michael Brown sitting tight in central midfield, was able to play a more advanced role. It was Clayton that seemed to have been the provider for the first Leeds goal, when Billy Paynter scored from close range, but the celebrations were cut short by the linesman's flag. Motherwell soon showed they were also a threat as Steve Hammell hit a post after cutting in from the wing. The rain had started falling and soon the conditions started to get greasy and in the thirty-fourth minute two Motherwell defenders sent Lloyd Sam sprawling in the box. Ross McCormack, a former Motherwell favourite took the kick and it was saved low to the left by Darren Randolph, a Motherwell retort saw Kisnorbo concede a free-kick on the edge of the box, but the resultant effort sailed harmlessly over the bar. After thirty-nine minutes the home side did take the lead when Chris Humphrey found space on the right and Jamie Murphy got on the end of his cross to slide the ball in just inside the post. McCormack had the ball in the net a minute later, as Lloyd Sam provided him with the oppurtunity, but the whistle had already gone for an infringement. Aidy White made an enterprising run of over fifty yards but his cross was cleared over the home team's bar by Shaun Hutchinson almost on the stroke of half-time. Manager Grayson made four changes at the break sending on Alex Bruce, Ben Parker, Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass for Leigh Bromby, Aidan White, Adam Clayton and Lloyd Sam as the rain started to pour down to greet the return of the two teams and it was the home side who went on the attack with Paul Connolly doing well to cut out one cross and Alex Bruce heading out from under his own bar from the corner. It was Bruce who went close at the other end as he saw his header turned over the bar, while Ross McCormack watched his shot turned wide. Zac Thompson came on for Michael Brown seven minutes into the second half to see a Robert Snodgrass header go close after Billy Paynter had charged down a clearance and fed Max Gradel who had given Snodgrass his chance. It was the little Ivorian who threatened again on the hour, but his shot was deflected straight into the arms of Darren Randolph and as Motherwell replied Paul Rachubka was quick off his line to fist the ball clear. Ramon Nunez replaced Billy Paynter after sixty-two minutes and four minutes later there was a double change as Tom Lees and Nathan Turner came on for Patrick Kisnorbo and Jonathan Howson. Zac Thompson started and finished a move which saw Ross McCormack return his pass but was denied by Darren Randolph, and the keeper also pushed the resultant corner over the bar under pressure from Robert Snodgrass. It was from that corner that United equalised with Randolph failing to collect cleanly and Alex Bruce was on hand to score from close range after sixty-eight minutes. Paul Rachubka saved a Michael Higdon header and Zac Thompson saw his shot deflected wide. Once more the home team failed to defend the corner conclusively but Randolph was able to stop Alex Bruce's shot with his legs. Lewis Turner came on for Paul Connolly after seventy-four minutes and just one minute later United took the lead with a stunning solo effort from Ramon Nunez as he weaved his way through the Motherwell defence to create an opening for himself to slip the ball past Randolph for a fine goal. Paul Rachubka and Ben Parker made good stops to thwart the Motherwell comeback. Max Gradel almost created a third but was denied by a good challenge as Ross McCormack waited for his final pass, but at the other end, Alex Cairns, who had just replaced Paul Rachubka in the eighty-fifth minute, got involved by collecting a free-kick and then pulled off another fine save a little later as United recorded their second successive victory in Scotland, with Ross McCormack being the only player to have played a full game.

United returned to England and moved across the Pennines to Spotland, Rochdale, for their next friendly on 20th July 2011 in front of a crowd of 3,935 of which probably half were Leeds supporters, and included three trialists in their squad. Jlloyd Samuel, the thirty year old former Aston Villa, Gillingham, Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff City defender, the twenty-three year old former Aston Villa trainee, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, Isaiah Osbourne, who were on the bench, and Alexandre Mendy, a twenty-seven year old French-born winger with experience in France and lately in the Czech top flight, who was given a role in the starting XI. United lined up with Paul Rachubka; Paul Connolly, Alex Bruce, Tom Lees and Ben Parker; Alexandre Mendy, Michael Brown, Jonathan Howson and Max Gradel; Ross McCormack and Billy Paynter. Patrick Kisnorbo, Robert Snodgrass and Lloyd Sam had picked up knocks while in Scotland and joined Somma, Becchio, O'Brien and Bessone on the injured list. McCormack was almost soon on target with a shot that fizzed wide and Alexandre Mendy made an enterprising run but his final pass to McCormack was blocked by the Rochdale defence, before he again showed his abilities with a chip which had the Rochdale keeper Matt Duke, frantically back-pedalling to tip the ball over the bar. After twelve minutes he again was prominent as he provided Ross McCormack with a chance to test the keeper. Rochdale retaliated but were caught offside after putting the ball into the net, but after eighteen minutes Andrew Tutte forced Paul Rachubka to push the ball over the bar as they again pressed. Like in Scotland, the heavens opened with a downpour as the half hour approached and the pitch started to become greasy. This may have contributed to Matt Duke fumbling a Max Gradel shot but moments later, on the half hour, it was the diminutive Ivorian who gave Leeds the lead with a low shot past the keeper. Leeds started to get on top and Mendy forced a corner, which Max Gradel took only for it to be cleared after several attempts by the home defence. Leeds were well on top but Alex Bruce was called upon to break up one promising attack and Paul Rachubka saved well from a shot from outside the penalty area. However it was Leeds and the impressive Mendy that almost doubled their lead as the winger almost set up Billy Paynter. Simon Grayson made five changes for the start of the second half with Lewis Turner replacing Paul Connolly, Leigh Bromby for Alex Bruce, Jlloyd Samuel for Ben Parker, Adam Clayton for Alexandre Mendy and Ramon Nunez for Ross McCormack. Leigh Bromby was soon in the action as he joined the attack to head the ball narrowly wide from a corner and Jlloyd Samuel set up a Leeds attack after making an interception in midfield. After sixty-one minutes Leeds replaced Max Gradel with Aidan White and captain Jonathan Howson with Isaiah Osbourne, with Michael Brown taking the captain's armband. They also switched to a 4-2-3-1 system with Ramon Nunez, Adam Clayton and Aidan White playing behind Billy Paynter. Nunez was particularly prominent as he forced a save from Matt Duke and then almost created an opening for Lewis Turner who had made a great run. Nathan Turner came on for Michael Brown after sixty-nine minutes as he passed the captain's armband to Leigh Bromby. United were well on top and Alex Cairns became the final substitute when he replaced Paul Rachubka after eighty-two minutes, leaving Tom Lees and Billy Paynter as the only players to complete the ninety minutes. Cairns did make one save but it preserved United's winning margin to leave them with their third straight pre-season victory.

There was a visit to Hillsborough on 23rd July 2012 for United's fourth pre-season friendly against Sheffield Wednesday, with Patrick Kisnorbo the only one of the injured to be ready for the action, but Lloyd Sam was on the bench. There was a further trialist, Twenty-nine year old Hungarian International left back/winger Boldiszar Bodor, who was named amongst the substitutes with Isaiah Osbourne, while Alexandre Mendy again made the starting XI as Simon Grayson seemed to have found his preferred team which lined up: Paul Rachubka; Paul Connolly, Patrick Kisnorbo, Leigh Bromby and Ben Parker; Adam Clayton and Michael Brown; Max Gradel, Ramon Nunez and Alexandre Mendy with Billy Paynter up front, in front of a crowd of 9,028, with the Leeds fans, as usual, well represented. United played in their new Black pin-striped away kit and were given an early scare when a long throw was hooked into the danger area for Chris Sedgewick to head against the cross-bar. In a quick response Alexandre Mendy released Max Gradel whose shot was deflected for a corner. It was Wednesday who did take the lead after just eight minutes when ex-Leeds favourite David Prutton cut in from the left to beat Paul Rachubka with a superb strike. Just four minutes later there was more bad news for United as Ben Parker limped from the action after being the subject of an over-robust challenge and this gave Boldiszar Bodor an early chance to impress. Mendy was again impressing and he linked up well with Adam Clayton, who had also shown up well in the friendlies to date. David Prutton seemed to think he had a point to prove to Simon Grayson, who had frozen him out of the picture while at Elland Road and won a free-kick on the edge of the Leeds penalty area, which Jermaine Johnson took and it was defended at the expense of a corner from which his second shot was also blocked. As the half hour approached Ramon Nunez watched his dipping shot beat goalkeeper Nicky Weaver only to pass over the bar, while Jermaine Johnson and Padraig Amond went close for the home side and Alexandre Mendy shot into the side-netting and Max Gradel saw his teasing cross scrambled away for a corner. With half-time approaching Alexandre Mendy crossed the ball from the right wing but Billy Paynter shot wide. There were only two half-time changes with Ross McCormack replacing Billy Paynter as striker and Lloyd Sam came on for Ramon Nunez. McCormack's first involvement ended with him shooting wide. But United almost levelled the scores after fifty-one minutes as Paul Connolly found Max Gradel who played in Lloyd Sam and the former Charlton and Wednesday man watch as his shot beat Nicky Weaver only to thump against the post and rebound to safety. The game then descended into a series of incidents which saw the referee first lecture Max Gradel and Jermaine Johnson, who had instigated a melee involving several players from both sides, and then Michael Brown and Jose Semedo were involved in another altercation which saw the referee calling up Patrick Kisnorbo, as the Leeds captain, to give the teams their final warnings. Isaiah Osbourne was introduced in place of Michael Brown after sixty-seven minutes and Max Gradel forced a good stop from Nicky Weaver and Jermaine Johnson headed clear as Alexandre Mendy crossed the ball back into the danger area. Aidan White replaced Alexandre Mendy after seventy-four minutes and one minute later it was Jermaine Johnson who was narrowly wide with a shot that had beaten Paul Rachubka and just over with another effort. However, with eight minutes left on the clock Max Gradel was upended in the box and after dusting himself down scored from the resulting penalty. Alex Bruce replaced Leigh Bromby after eighty-five minutes and Alex Cairns, Tom Lees, Nathan and Lewis Turner, Charlie Taylor and Zac Thompson remained unused on the bench as the draw preserved their four match unbeaten run in the friendlies.

On 25th July 2012 United signed Twenty-seven year old goalkeeper Andy Lonergan from Preston North End for £200,000 on a three year contract with a weekly wage of more than £10,000 and, as he couldn't make the trip to Norway, he went straight into an understrength United side at the Horsfall Stadium with Bradford Park Avenue in a friendly two days later. The game was designed to let Leeds Manager Simon Grayson have a look at his Juniors and other players who had not had much game time. Lonergan, Mike Grella and Boldiszar Bodor were the only players who were not Juniors as the team lined up: Andy Lonergan; Zac Thompson, Lewis Turner, Nathan Turner, Boldiszar Bodor; Conor Qualter, Sanchez Payne, Will Hatfield, Joe McCann; Mike Grella and Dominic Poleon. Midway through the first half Bradford took the lead as Aiden Savory beat Andy Lonergan with a well struck low drive. The same player was also involved as Park Avenue went 2-0 to the good before the break, when his pin-point centre found Richard Marshall who scored with a fine header. Leeds had put on a poor performance in the first half and Bradford thoroughly deserved their two goal lead. The visitors did improve in the second half as Dominic Poleon was twice denied and Mike Grella ended a mazy run by gaining a corner. It was Dominic Poleon who showed good strength to hold off two defenders before reducing the arrears as he touched the ball into the net. Andy Lonergan pulled off a couple of good second half saves as he showed his worth with a superlative save to deny Bradford a third.

There were home debuts for Andy Lonergan and Michael Brown in United's final friendly of the summer and Andy O'Brien made his first appearance of the season while Robert Snodgrass returned from injury for the visit of EPL side Newcastle United on 31st July 2012 and trialists Alexandre Mendy and Boldiszar Bodor were both included on the bench as United lined up: Andy Lonergan; Paul Connolly, Patrick Kisnorbo, Andy O'Brien and Ben Parker; Adam Clayton and Michael Brown; Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Howson and Max Gradel; Ross McCormack. In front of a 20,457 crowd, United were quickly on the attack and hit the lead after just five minutes as Robert Snodgrass took a free-kick with his left-foot and the Newcastle goalkeeper, Fraser Forster, could not safely gather and it spilled out straight to Patrick Kisnorbo who had a simple task of tapping the ball into the net to celebrate his first game at Elland Road since March 2010. Soon after Ross McCormack took advantage of a mistake by Steve Taylor but his cross was just behind Jonathan Howson as Leeds continued to press. There was action at the other end but Andy O'Brien denied Demba Ba, but the Newcastle striker was quickly to his feet and regain possession with only Andy Lonergan to beat, but Patrick Kisnorbo came from nowhere to dispossess him once more. On fourteen minutes Max Gradel headed home a free-kick but it was disallowed for offside. Six minutes later Joey Barton created a good chance for the Magpies but Ba could not make the vital contact. But Leeds were soon back on the attack and the Geordie keeper, Fraser Forster, had to be alert to tip over a Max Gradel shot. However, after thirty-five minutes the visitors were level as Steve Taylor scored at the far post following a corner, with the Leeds players appealing for a foul on Michael Brown. Approaching half time Max Gradel needed treatment after a lunge from Yohan Cabaye caught his thigh and soon afterwards United had a good shout for a handball in the box turned down. Leigh Bromby resumed for Andy O'Brien as Simon Grayson made his first substitution. Jonathan Howson was quickly onto the attack as the second half started but his shot was wide. Michael Brown had a shot from long range before Howson was again threatening, but his shot was deflected for a corner, then Leigh Bromby almost got his foot to a good cross from Adam Clayton. Tom Lees, Boldiszar Bodor and Lloyd Sam came on for Patrick Kisnorbo, Ben Parker and Robert Snodgrass after fifty-nine minutes, as Simon Grayson rang the changes. He also sent on Billy Paynter for Ross McCormack after sixty-five minutes, quickly followed by Ramon Nunez and Alexandre Mendy for Adam Clayton and Max Gradel after sixty-six minutes. The strategy worked as Lloyd Sam scored in the sixty-seventh, as the former Charlton winger won the ball on the by-line and then scored from the tightest of angles to make it 2-1. He almost created a third for the home side with the next attack but his cross was too powerful for Ramon Nunez to get a foot to it. At the other end Andy Lonergan was called upon to deny Joey Barton as Newcastle made a rare threat. However, after seventy-six minutes they equalised when Haris Vuckie beat Andy Lonergan with a powerful shot. But justice was done five minutes from time when Billy Paynter got up at the far post to head home a cross from the right. It was Paynter's first goal of the season and also his first goal at Elland Road and gave Leeds a well-merited win over Premiership opposition as Paul Rachubka and Aidan White remained unused on the bench.

United kicked off their 2011-12 season with a visit to St Mary's Stadium to take on newly promoted Southampton on 6th August 2011. There were debuts for Andy Lonergan, Darren O'Dea and Michael Brown and a run-on debut for Adam Clayton and another new boy, Paul Rachubka was on the bench as Leeds lined up: Andy Lonergan; Paul Connolly, Pastrick Kisnorbo, Andy O'Brien and Darren O'Dea; Adam Clayton and Michael Brown; Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Howson and Max Gradel; Ross McCormack. With Leigh Bromby, Lloyd Sam, Ramon Nunez, Billy Paynter and Paul Rachubka on the bench, which was now restricted to five for League games.There were a couple of fimiliar faces in the home line up with Frazer Richardson and Dan Harding occupying the full-back spots as the game kicked off in front of 25,860 of which at least 3,097 were Leeds supporters. Leeds soon settled into their 4-2-3-1 formation as Michael Brown led the charge as the fouls from both sides soon started to mount. Darren O'Dea found Jonathan Howson with one such resultant free-kick but he shot straight at Kelvin Davis. However, the Southampton goalkeeper was found wanting as he fumbled the ball but his defence quickly scrambled the ball clear. It was the home side that took the lead after just ten minutes as Dean Hammond was allowed to advance from midfield and beat Andy Lonergan with a low shot from twenty-two yards. There was a quick response from United and they forced a corner but the ensuing move broke down when Adam Clayton played in Max Gradel but the dimiutive winger had strayed offside. Soon after it was Gradel who sent in a cross to the far post and Adam Clyton's header was saved at the expense of a corner. In the twenty-second minute, a foul on Michael Brown gave Robert Snodgrass the chance to have a shot on goal from twenty-five yards but his shot was blocked. However the short period of Leeds dominance was broken, eight minutes later, when the home side doubled their lead, as Adam Lallana found space in the Leeds box to latch onto a Rickie Lambert pass and curl a shot past Andy Lonergan. It was almost three, moments later, when Lallana had an easier chance from six yards, when played in by Guly Do Prato, but was foiled by a fine save from Andy Lonergan, who spread himself well. Half time approached with the home side on top and Leeds dreaming that they might be able to come from behind as in previous games at the venue. The second half started with an appeal for a penalty after Gradel went down in the box and Ross McCormack was on target to test Kelvin Davis, but just seven minutes into the half the Saints increased their lead to three as once more they were given too much space and time in the Leeds box and David Connolly was the scorer. He interchanged passes with Adam Lallana, before slotting the ball into the far corner from the edge of the area. Simon Grayson's response was to go to a more attacking formation as Billy Paynter replaced Michael Brown in the fifty-fourth minute. He immediately had an oppurtunity after good work by Adam Clayton, but Kelvin Davis pulled off a good save, as the Leeds striker took too long to set his shot up. On sixty-two minutes Ramon Nunez replaced Ross McCormack and Max Gradel had another claim for a penalty turned down. At the other end Andy Lonergan was happy to see a header pass wide of his post, before Lloyd Sam replaced Robert Snodgrass in Simon Grayson's last roll of the dice after seventy-three minutes, but it was again the Saints that looked the more likely scorers as Aaron Martin had a free downward header which bounced over the bar. United did get on the attack and it was Ramon Nunez who shot wide from distance and Lloyd Sam forced a corner as he cut in from the right, but it was always Southampton who looked more likely to increase their lead and with five minutes left on the clock Richard Chaplow hit the post with a strong shot from distance. Four minutes were added for stoppages and in the final one United did get on the score sheet as they were awarded a penalty for handball in the area by Aaron Martin and Max Gradel scored a consolation goal. Leigh Bromby and Paul Rachubka remained the unused substitutes in a game where Sothampton were by far the better side.

Three days later United faced local-rivals Bradford City in the First Round of the Carling/League Cup at Elland Road in front of a 17,667 crowd There were several enforced changes from the season opener at Southampton as Max Gradel, Robert Snodgrass and Darren O'Dea were away on international duty. Lloyd Sam, Ramon Nunez and Ben Parker were elevated from the bench to fill their places, while Billy Paynter was also unavailable as he had picked up a knock and the four places on the bench were given to youngsters Zac Thompson and Charlie Taylor, Tom Lees and Alex Bruce as United chose not to nominate a seventh substitute as they lined up: Andy Lonergan; Paul Connolly, Patrick Kisnorbo, Andy O'Brien and Ben Parker; Adam Clayton, Michael Brown; Ramon Nunez, Jonathan Howson and Lloyd Sam; Ross McCormack. The bench comprised Alex Bruce, Tom Lees, Leigh Bromby, Zac Thompson, Charlie Taylor and Paul Rachubka. The game started at a frenetic pace with United mounting a couple of early raids, with Michael Flynn shooting over the bar for the visitors and Patrick Kisnorbo also shooting over from a low corner. The Bantams forced Andy Lonergan into making a save in the early minutes as Mark Stewart got a shot in and both he and Michael Flynn were also wide of the target. After twenty minutes Lloyd Sam crossed from the right but Adam Clayton was too high with his shot. It was Clayton again who beat the offside trap to create a good chance for Ramon Nunez, but the Honduran was too high with his effort, after being unmarked in front of goal. However, he was also the source of the next danger to the Bantams as he fired into the sidenetting. In an even game it came as no surprise when the visitors took the lead after thirty-one minutes Mark Stewart made a determined run down the left before crossing for Jack Compton to score from close range. United tried to press but half-time saw them still trailing by the only goal of the game. Only twenty-six seconds of the second half had elapsed when United equalised. Lloyd Sam and Adam Clayton both played a part for Ramon Nunez to score his first goal for the club with a shot from close range which went in off the underside of the bar. Bradford came straight back and Dave Syers picked up a loose ball and shot across the face of goal. Ross McCormack was quick to respond when he beat the offside trap before shooting wide. However, after fifty-seven minutes, Bradford regained the lead with a well constructed goal that saw Robbie Threlfall play the ball into the box for Michael Flynn to score with a first time left-footed shot from just inside the box. They could have increased their lead a few minutes later as Dave Sayer found himself in the clear but lost control as he bore down on goal and allowed Andy Lonergan to thwart him as he came out to narrow the angle. Simon Grayson made a double change after sixty-two minutes when he sent on Tom Lees, who was making his debut, and Leigh Bromby for Paul Connolly and Andy O'Brien as United started to chase the game with both Ross McCormack and Ramon Nunez threatening. It was McCormack who found the Leeds equaliser seven minutes after the double change, when he got up well to a fine cross from the right by Tom Lees to head home at the far post. Robbie Threlfall almost restored the Bantam's lead but Andy Lonergan pushed his shot over the bar. Five minutes after their first strike Leeds found themselves in front for the first time. A low cross from the right from Lloyd Sam was not dealt with by the Bradford City keeper, Oscar Jannson, and Ramon Nunez shot home his second goal from close range. The goal seemed to end the League Two side's resistance and Ross McCormack went close as United tried to put the game beyond doubt, as he firstly shot just wide before forcing the Bantam's keeper to save as his confidence built after his goal. Adam Clayton tried a shot from long range and then Guy Branston deparately blocked a Ross McCormack shot. In the dying minutes Charlie Taylor was given his debut as he came on to replace Ross McCormack and give him about three minutes of stoppage time to seek to impress. However at the end of five minutes stoppage time there was no further change to the score and Alex Bruce, Zac Thompson and Paul Rachubka remained unused on the bench as United gained their first win of the season to progress to the Second Round of the Carling Cup.

Robert Snodgrass, Max Gradel and Darren O'Dea were all back from International duty, but Simon Grayson went with Tom Lees in preference to Paul Connolly at right-back and Leigh Bromby in central defence in place of Andy O'Brien, while on the bench Zac Thompson and Aidan White were in for the injured Billy Paynter and the elevated Leigh Bromby. A crowd of 25,650 were at Elland Road to greet the visitors Middlesbrough on 13th August 2011 as United lined up: Andy Lonergan; Tom Lees, Leigh Bromby, Patrick Kisnorbo and Darren O'Dea; Adam Clayton and Michael Brown; Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Howson and Max Gradel; Ross McCormack with Aidan White, Zac Thompson, Lloyd Sam, Ramon Nunez and Paul Rachubka on the bench, as they looked to get their season back on track after the defeat on the opening day. They started on the right foot as they forced an early corner from which Tom Lees went close with a header. The visitors looked insecure as Michael Brown probed for openings wheras United looked solid when tested with Tom Lees and Leigh Bromby showing up well in the early play. Carl Ikeme, the Boro keeper, made a good save from Max Gradel after twenty-two minutes as United again threatened and Adam Clayton was scythed down by Rhys Williams as he broke from midfield. United were dealt a cruel blow in the twenty-sixth minute when Max Gradel received his second yellow card for a foul and was sent off. He had been involved in a melee which led to several bookings in the opening minutes and a foul saw his second yellow and his departure from the game. Boro used the ensuing free-kick to launch a high ball into the Leeds box where Andy Lonergan saved a Marvin Emnes header with his fingertips. Just after the half-hour mark Adam Clayton tried to bring off one of the most spectacular goals seen at Elland Road as he shot from the halfway-line but it brought an equally good save from the Boro keeper as he twisted in mid-air to push the ball over the top. At the other end Andy Lonergan was equally busy as he was called upon to twice save United, as he first had to be quick off his line to avert danger and then tipped a powerful drive from Justin Hoyte over the bar. Boro defender Stephen McManus made a vital headed clearance from a Robert Snodgrass cross as Jonathan Howson was well placed to take advantage. In the third minute of first-half stoppage time the referee even the numbers up as he delivered a second yellow card to Boro left-back Tony McMahon after a foul on Jonathan Howson. So the second half commenced as a ten-a-side affair and after Boro had forced a corner Leeds took temporary command as on forty-eight minutes Robert Snodgrass cut in from the right and passed square in the box to Adam Clayton who, in turn, put it in the path of Tom Lees but as he shaped to shoot both Joseph Bennett and Matthew Bates slid in to block his shot. Soon afterwards, Ross McCormack was denied firstly by some good defending and then by a foul. From the resulting free-kick it looked as though Tom Lees had headed Leeds into the lead, but Nicky Bailey somehow cleared off the line as the home supporters went up in celebration. Simon Grayson made his first change after fifty-five minutes when he replaced Michael Brown with Ramon Nunez. On the hour mark, after first giving a free-kick to Leeds, the referee then issued Leeds Captain Jonathan Howson with his second yellow card, on the advice of his linesman, who was further away from the incident than the referee, as the Leeds man protested that Marvin Emnes had dived. The numerical disadvantage soon began to tell and Leigh Bromby came to United's aid with a goal-line clearance to deny Barry Robson and in answer to a double change by Boro Simon Grayson also sent on Zac Thompson for his debut, in place of Robert Snodgrass, in the sixty-fifth minute. Boro took the lead in the sixty-seventh minute after Marvin Emnes cut inside from the left to score from an acute angle. From there on Boro looked to hold their advantage and dictate the terms of the contest by slowing the game down. Simon Grayson played his last card by sending on Lloyd Sam for Ross McCormack in the seventy-fifth minute, but it was Boro who were dictating the game and Leeds had to thank Andy Lonergan for making two more saves to deny Boro and then came out quickly to prevent Scott McDonald from capitalizing when he appeared free. In the final minute Adam Clayton made an opening which saw Nunez force a corner when his shot was blocked and even Andy Lonergan came up for the resultant corner but to no avail. Lonergan was back between his posts later to pull off another fine save after Julio Arca had rifled in a shot from distance. There were five minutes of stoppage time which saw a free-kick cleared by Boro and a Leigh Bromby throw-in was unceremoniously hacked away by the Boro defence, but as Aidan White and Paul Rachubka remained the unused substitutes, United remained twenty-third on the ladder with their second defeat.

United's two suspended players, Jonathan Howson and Max Gradel were both restored to the starting line-up replacing Michael Brown, who was out with a calf injury and Ramon Nunez, who dropped to the bench in place of Zac Thompson, where Andy O'Brien was preferred to Alex Bruce, as they travelled to Upton Park to take on West Ham United on 21st August 2011. There appeared to be at least 3,000 Leeds fans in the crowd of 28,252 that greeted the two teams as they entered the arena. It was the home team that started the game on the offensive with Matt Taylor heading straight at Andy Lonergan, who was soon in the thick of the action as he thwarted Carlton Cole twice, firstly from a long James Tomkins throw-in and then from the resultant corner. It was from another corner, taken by Matt Taylor, that the home side took the lead after just six minutes as Carlton Cole powered home a volley from close range. United made their first real threat after ten minutes when Adam Clayton broke from midfield and set up Max Gradel who saw West Ham goalkeeper, Robert Green push the ball round the post. Andy Keogh won a corner for United as his shot was deflected narrowly wide by Matt Taylor and then the Wolves loanee was just wide after being played in by Ross McCormack. United went even closer from their next corner as Robert Snodgrass rattled the Hammers' crossbar with an angled drive. Leeds were starting to get on top and Max Gradel led the charge as they broke from their own half but the West Ham defence regrouped to scramble the ball to safety as Leeds attacked in numbers. In the nineteenth minute West Ham laid claim to a penalty as Patrick Kisnorbo wrestled James Tomkins to the ground as they defended a corner. Adam Clayton was starting to dominate the midfield and Max Gradel was a major threat down the left flank. United should have been level as their pressure paid off when Matt Taylor handled in the box but from the resultant penalty Max Gradel shot tamely wide of Robert Green's right post. The Hammers had their own claims for a penalty on the half hour as Carlton Cole evaded the grip of Patrick Kisnorbo and theatrically went down under a challenge from Aidan White, but the referee was having nothing of it. Leeds responded quickly and Max Gradel tested Robert Green with a shot from distance and then forced the keeper to save at full extent as he fingertipped the ball away from the winger's pin-point centre as Andy Keogh waited to head the ball home. Darren O'Dea needed running repairs after clashing with Carlton Cole after thirty-seven minutes and as the half finished, Leeds could count themselves unlucky to still be in arrears after an enterprising half of football. Carlton Cole headed wide soon after the game recommenced but it was Leeds who were soon back on the attack and had shouts for a penalty when Aidan White was brought down in the box by Scott Parker as he surged forward. Andy Keogh found himself in the open and after his shot was blocked Ross McCormack put the rebound over the bar. It was not all Leeds and on fifty-six minutes Andy Lonergan got down well to smother a header from Jack Collison. There were more near misses for Leeds as Adam Clayton put Ross McCormack in with a chance, but his shot bounced back off Robert Green's chest and in the ensuing melee Andy Keogh went close before Ross McCormack claimed he was fouled in the six-yard box as he shaped to put the ball past Robert Green. He did get his reward in the fifty-ninth minute when he finished off a great move in which Robert Snodgrass and Andy Keogh also featured to produce a well-deserved equaliser, as Snodgrass made the final pass into the path of McCormack who swept the ball past the Hammers' keeper. However, barely two minutes later Julien Faubert got in a cross from the right and Patrick Kisnorbo, under pressure from Carlton Cole, diverted the ball past Andy Lonergan into the corner of the net. It was the second own goal United had conceded in two consecutive matches and it was a big disappointment as Leeds had been the better team. Ross McCormack put a free-kick over the bar and, after Ramon Nunez had replaced Ross McCormack after seventy-seven minutes, Patrick Kisnorbo had to concede a corner to keep out John Carew. From that corner Andy Lonergan was forced to tip a James Tomkins header over the bar and as the pressure continued he made a point-blank save from Winston Reid after James Tomkins had again got up well. As the game started to near its end, with about fifteen minutes left on the clock, Robert Snodgrass hit a free-kick straight into the Hammers' wall and moments later the game was almost beyond recall as Scott Parker, after fine play by the home team, hit the post. Ramon Nunez executed a fine free-kick and it was spoilt as Andy Keogh lifted the ball over the bar, but the linesman had already flagged for offside. Undeterred the Honduran forced Robert Green into a diving save with a shot from distance and at the other end Adam Clayton produced a fine last-ditch tackle to stop a Scott Parker run on goal. Lloyd Sam came on for Max Gradel with two minutes left on the clock, but it was Clayton who carried the Leeds hopes as he joined the attack only to see his shot from distance pass over the bar, However, he was on hand to force the ball home in the final minute after Jonathan Howson's cross from the right had hit the crossbar to secure Leeds a deserved equaliser. Paul Connolly, Andy O'Brien and Paul Rachubka remained unused on the bench as Leeds remained in thirteenth place.

United made several changes for the Second Round Carling Cup visit to Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday 23rd August 2011. Paul Rachubka took over between the posts as Andy Lonergan dropped to the bench. Paul Connolly and Andy O'Brien were restored to the defence as Tom Lees was rested while Patrick Kisnorbo dropped to the bench. Lloyd Sam, Ramon Nunez and Zac Thompson came into midfield as Robert Snodgrass, Adam Clayton and Max Gradel dropped to the bench. While Charlie Taylor and Lewis Turner made up the extra players on the bench. Former United Captain Richard Naylor, ex-loanee John Oster and ex-Leeds trainee Sam Hird were in the Doncaster line-up and another former trainee, James Baxendale and former keeper Neil Sullivan were on the bench, as a crowd of 8,505, contained at least 3,320 United fans saw United line up: Paul Rachubka; Paul Connolly, Darren O'Dea, Andy O'Brien and Aidan White; Lloyd Sam, Jonathan Howson, Zac Thompson and Ramon Nunez; Ross McCormack and Andy Keogh. With Patrick Kisnorbo, Lewis Turner, Charlie Taylor, Adam Clayton, Robert Snodgrass and Andy Lonergan on the bench, and Paul Rachubka and Zac Thompson making their starting debuts. There was plenty of noise from the large Leeds contingent but it was the home supporters who were soon celebrating as James Hayter nipped in ahead of Andy O'Brien to meet a Giles Barnes cross to beat Paul Rachubka and gave them the lead after just three minutes. The home side kept pressing and both Kyle Bennett and Richard Naylor went close. They almost doubled their advantage in the eighth minute when poor marking at a free-kick allowed them a chance which Andy O'Brien, fortunately, made a timely headed clearance. Kyle Bennett tested Paul Rachubka with a shot after twenty minutes after Leeds had lost possession in midfield and then was quickly down to foil Simon Gillett at the near post as Rovers continued to dominate the early play. They should have doubled their lead in the twenty-first minute as Kyle Bennett got his shot past Paul Rachubka only for it to come back off the inside of the post into the waiting arms of the relieved goalkeeper. The Leeds Manager changed to a 4-3-3 system and United finally got on the front foot soon after, when Jonathan Howson seized upon a Richard Naylor clearance to fire in a dipping shot from distance which was narrowly over the bar. They were level on the half-hour as Ramon Ninuez scored with a stunning volley struck first-time from outside the penalty area. A long ball was headed on by Andy Keogh and the Honduran let it bounce before rifling the ball goalwards which caught Gary Woods by surprise as he was comprehenively beaten. The goal livened up the game as half-time came nearer and in first-half stoppage time Ross McCormack was close with a shot which skidded just wide of the post. Doncaster were the first to go on the attack after the resumption as Paul Rachubka was forced to his knees to block a Kyle Bennett header after Mustapha Dumbuya had got in a good cross, and the Rovers' midfielder was again close almost immediately with a shot just over the United bar from twenty yards out. The visitors responded well with Andy Keogh shooting wide and then Ross McCormack was high and wide after a good build-up by United. Simon Grayson made his first change on the hour giving a second chance to Charlie Taylor, who came on at left-back to replace Aidan White. Four minutes later he also sent on Max Gradel for Ross McCormack and he had the ball in the net with a rare header after three minutes on the pitch, but it was disallowed for a previous infringement, but the lively winger was soon back weaving his way through the penalty area to shoot over. Patrick Kisnorbo came on for Andy O'Brien in the seventy-sixth minute and there was a lot of effort from both sides but few incidents of note as the game reached the final quarter, but Mark Wilson kept Paul Rachubka on his toes with a swirling shot from outside the penalty area. However it was another strike of stunning power that put Leeds in front after eighty-one minutes as Ramon Nunez got his and Leeds' second goal with a strong accurate shot from a Paul Connolly cross which gave Gary Woods no chance. It was the Honduran's fourth goal in the competition and with another in the pre-season's friendlies he was starting to build a reputation for spectacular goals on a regular basis. It left United with about ten minutes to withstand an onslaught from the home team as they sought to force extra-time and Leeds were indebted to Paul Rachubka who did well to save from a George Friend free-kick with three minutes of normal time left. He was beaten moments later by a terrific shot from Kyle Bennett, but for the second time in the game the young midfielder hit the post. There were four minutes added for stoppages and Max Gradel had an oppurtunity to settle the match when he broke from midfield but Gary Woods did magnificently to deny the winger. But Lewis Turner, Adam Clayton, Robert Snodgrass and Andy Lonergan were the unused substitutes as United eased into the Third Round.

After the midweek Carling Cup win over Doncaster Rovers had given Leeds the plum draw of Manchester United at Elland Road in the Third Round, Simon Grayson reverted to the team that had gained a draw at Upton Park and only made one change to the squad by including Zac Thompson on the bench in place of Paul Connolly, for their meeting with Ipswich Town at Portman Road on 27th August 2011. There was a torrential downpour preceeding the game and the crowd of 19,758 had their enthuisiasm dampened as the greasy conditions did not encourage good football as Leeds lined up: Andy Lonergan; Tom Lees, Patrick Kisnorbo, Darren O'Dea, Aidan White; Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Howson, Adam Clayton, Max Gradel; Ross McCormack, Andy Keogh, with a bench of Andy O'Brien, Lloyd Sam, Ramon Nunez, Zac Thompson and Paul Rachubka. It was Leeds who made the first opening as Tom Lees found Ross McCormack, but the Scot was foiled by Ipswich keeper David Stockdale, who was quick off his line to narrow the angle at the expense of a corner. Ipswich failed to clear the resultant corner and Robert Snodgrass was just off target with a shot that curled narrowly wide. Ross McCormack got up well to direct his header from Aidan White's cross just wide of the target. Leeds maintained their pressure and were the better team and after fifteen minutes Max Gradel was the next to shoot wide after a sweeping move by the visitors. On the eighteen minute mark David Stockdale pulled off another fine save from Ross McCormack after he had been given a chance by a good ball from Tom Lees. United continued to attack and next Patrick Kisnorbo just failed to keep his header down after a Robert Snodgrass corner and Ross McCormack narrowly failed to get on the end of an Adam Clayton through ball. It was not until the twenty-fourth minute that Ipswich had their first chance when Daryl Murphy put through Keith Andrews but the midfielder lost control of the ball and a good oppurtunity went begging. There was an immediate response from Leeds with Ross McCormack winning a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, and, when he took it himself, he saw it deflect off the wall for a corner. Leeds continued to apply the pressure and after Adam Clayton had won a free-kick, Max Gradel took it but curled a shot wide. It was all very-one-sided but Ipswich did create an opening for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to head over the bar at the far post. United finally got their reward after thirty-four minutes when Robert Snodgrass got in a cross from the right for Ross McCormack to ease the ball past the Ipswich keeper and into the net to put United into the lead. As the two teams disappeared down the tunnel Leeds could only reflect on their total domination and the slenderness of their lead. Four minutes into the second half the whole complexion of the game was changed as Leeds were reduced to ten men. Grant Leadbitter cleared a Leeds corner from the edge of the Ipswich penalty area and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas carried on the move by holding off Aidan White and was bearing down on the Leeds goal when the Leeds youngster brought him down on the edge of the Leeds box. The linesman flagged immediately and after consulting him referee Andy D'Urso produced a red card. Grant Leadbitter fired the resulting free-kick weakly into the Leeds wall. Leeds forfeited striker Ross McCormack in the fifty-third minute for defender Andy O'Brien after Ipswich had headed wide from a corner. Ipswich also made a double substitution which saw Jimmy Bullard and Josh Carson replace the injured Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Grant Leadbitter and the Ipswich crowd responded with more vocal support which in turn seemed to rouse the players and after fifty-five minutes as Keith Andrews extended Andy Lonergan with a shot from distance which the keeper pushed out for Andy O'Brien to clean up at the expense of a corner. United weathered the pressure and with thirty minutes left on the clock it was a matter of hanging on and not allowing their numerical inferiority have significance. Andy O'Brien was showing good form with his aerial ability and his head and a timely block from Adam Clayton preserve their lead as the game entered the final twenty minutes. On seventy-two minutes Ipswich introduced Jason Scotland for Mark Kennedy and six minutes later the move paid off as he received the ball five yards outside the penalty area and took it across a defender before hammering an unstoppable shot from the edge of the penalty area to beat Andy Lonergan and level the scores. It was not deserved on the balance of play but it left United with a mountain to climb to gain three points. It did set up a tense finale and Ipswich started pressing for the winner and Patrick Kisnorbo cleared and then Adam Clayton, Tom Lees and then Jonathan Howson all made valuable blocks. In the eighty-first minute Aaron Cresswell got in a fine cross but it evaded first Michael Chopra and then Josh Carson as they tried to make contact. Two minutes later Andy O'Brien was booked for a blatant pull on Michael Chopra. Leeds did also attack and a counter attack by Max Gradel ended with him being upended on the edge of the penalty area by Carlos Edwards and loud appeals for a penalty, which were turned down by the referee. In a separate attack Andy Keogh was thwarted by the Ipswich defence as he tried to combined with Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass hit a free-kick straight at David Stockdale. As the game entered its final minute Ipswich scored the winner. Jason Scotland flicked an Aaron Cresswell pass down the left into the path of Keith Andrews, who fired in a shot at goal. The shot took a cruel deflection off Adam Clayton and over Andy Lonergan into the net. It may have been an undeserved goal for a team who had not made a contest of the game until they had gained numerical superiority and the massive deflection only served to deepen United's woe. Simon Grayson sent on Lloyd Sam and Ramon Nunez for Tom Lees and Robert Snodgrass as the match entered stoppage time and Josh Carson was booked for a cynical foul as Leeds broke into an attack and then threw everything they had in one final assault on the Ipswich goal with even Andy Lonergan advancing to take part as United gained two late corners. The five minutes of stoppage time passed without any change to the score and Zac Thompson and Paul Rachubka remained unused on the bench as United slipped to nineteenth as they were left to reflect on what might have been, as they made their worst start to a League season in fourteen years.

During the fortnight's break for International games united had seen the mutual cancellation of two players' contracts. Mike Grella's contract on 26th August 2011 and his move to Brentford a few days later and Fede Bessone on 1st September 2011 and his rejoining his former club Swansea City soon afterwards, but more importantly four days later Max Gradel had been allowed to join French club St Etienne, another fine prospect, still only twenty-three, and with a contract not due to expire until the end of the season. A potential team of promotion seekers in 2010-11 was fast deteriorating into a team of no hopers as the 2011-12 season started to unfold as its fourth prime asset was allowed, or more likely encouraged, to leave before their contract could be renewed and their potential fulfilled. Mikael Forssell, the thirty-year-old injury suspect Finnish International had arrived on a short term contract on 8th September 2011 and was included on the bench alongside Luciano Becchio, who at last had recovered from his hamstring injury. Aidan White was not available for the home fixture with Crystal Palace on 10th September 2011 and this meant a run-on debut for young Charlie Taylor, while Michael Brown had recovered from injury and replaced the now injured Adam Clayton in midfield while Ramon Nunez was promoted from the bench to replace the departed Max Gradel on the left flank of midfield as Mikael Forssell took his place on the bench, alongside Luciano Becchio, who replaced Zac Thompson, and Leigh Bromby, who came in for Andy O'Brien. The Leeds line-up was: Andy Lonergan; Tom Lees, Patrick Kisnorbo, Darren O'Dea. Charlie Taylor; Robert Snodgrass, Jonathan Howson, Michael Brown, Ramon Nunez; Ross McCormack, Andy Keogh. Leigh Bromby, Lloyd Sam, Mikael Forssell, Luciano Becchio and Paul Rachubka were on the bench. A crowd of 23,916 were well pleased as United were off to a good start when Ross McCormack gave them the lead after just eight minutes. It came from a pinpoint cross from the left by Charlie Taylor which found Ross McCormack unmarked for him to firmly head past Julian Speroni. It was a well designed goal and Taylor reproduced his cross moments later but this time the Palace keeper was awake to its danger and came out to collect before Leeds could capitalize. The lead did not last long as four minutes later Palace equalized. Mile Jedinak took a free-kick and Paddy McCarthy bundled the ball home from close range with Leeds appealing that he had used his hand to control the ball before making no mistake with his emphatic finish. United replied quickly and after a free-kick from just outside the penalty area that Julian Speroni could only parry, Robert Snodgrass smashed the ball against a post, before going out of play. However, after twenty minutes the visitors took the lead. Jermaine Easter was the architect, when, after collecting from a throw-in, he made a storming run before getting in a low cross, which was easily converted with a tap-in from close range by Sean Scannell. Four minutes later United had some hard defending to do as the visitors looked to increase their lead, but Darren O'Dea was able to avert the danger initially before the ball was again sent back into the danger zone with a cross from Peter Ramage for Sean Scannell to head over with only Andy Lonergan to beat. Leeds struggled to get off the defensive as Palace continued to apply pressure and there was another scare before the interval when another low cross rifled across the face of the Leeds goal but fortunately for them there were no takers to apply the finishing touch. It had been Palace in charge and right on the stroke of half-time another good run from Jermaine Easter who found Walter Zaha who, in turn, forced Andy Lonergan into a superb save as he had to stretch to push his header over the bar. United tried to start the second half on the front foot but Sean Scannell again caused problems and won a corner as Palace were quick to retort. Unfortunately Walter Zaha wasted a good chance after his good work and after Scannell had next picked out Jermaine Easter, the midfielder's shot was turned round the post by Andy Lonergan. The Palace keeper Julian Speroni was called into action as Robert Snodgrass got in a cross which Ross McCormack forced him to save low-down and then a Robert Snodgrass free-kick was looping towards the top corner before he rose to touch it over. Simon Grayson made a double change in the fifty-eighth minute as he replaced Andy Keogh and Ramon Nunez with Mikael Forssell, who was making his debut, and Luciano Becchio as he changed to a more attacking formation of 4-3-3. Luciano Becchio was soon in the action and he helped Leeds to draw level with a goal in the seventieth minute as he rose to head in a free-kick from the left by Ross McCormack. Lloyd Sam replaced Michael Brown after seventy-six minutes as United went in search of the winner. It was, however, the visitors who created the next couple of chances with Glenn Murray, who had just replaced Jermaine Easter, shooting straight at Andy Lonergan and Matthew Zaha shooting over. It was Leeds that got the next goal, when, in the eighty-fourth minute, Mikael Forssell knocked down a cross straight into the path of Ross McCormack, who rifled the ball into the net for his sixth goal of the season to make it 3-2. Palace pressed for an equalizer as time ran out and United defended in depth with Robert Snodgrass getting back to make a superb clearance. Leeds found themselves facing four minutes of stoppage time to hang on to their full points, but despite a few anxious moments they did, and with Leigh Bromby and Paul Rachubka remaining unused on the bench they won their second consecutive home game to move up to twelfth on the ladder.

United were again at home as they entertained Bristol City on 17th September 2011, with Adam Clayton having recovered from his calf injury and Aidan White having served his one game suspension back in the United starting line-up, with Michael Brown, who dropped to the bench, and Charlie Taylor making way and Lloyd Sam being omitted from the bench. There was a quick return to Elland Road for Neil Kilkenny, who had joined Bristol City in the summer as a crowd of 22,655 greeted the two teams. United were off to a perfect start as Adam Clayton gave them the lead after only three minutes. Robert Snodgrass, who had impressed with a lively start, was the architect and after a good run down the right wing to the bye-line his pull-back was perfect for Clayton to strike left footed with an emphatic finish from twelve yards which gave David James in the Bristol goal no chance. Andy Keogh was crowded out as Leeds looked to add to their lead soon afterwards and scuffed his shot wide. Marvin Elliott then put a header wide in Bristol's first attack. Ramon Nunez had the Robins on the back-foot as he attacked from midfield but after he had put Andy Keogh with a chance on goal the striker was denied by David James. In the eleventh minute Neil Kilkenny proved he had come back to haunt United as he scored the Bristol equalizer. After a good run down the right by Cole Skuse, the ball was played inside to the ex-Leeds man, who kept his composure to score with a curling shot from the edge of the box that beat Andy Lonergan and went in the top right-hand corner of the net off the underside of the bar. In a quick reply United had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside as the frenetic pace continued. Ramon Nunez was not far over with a shot from distance when he chanced his luck from midfield straight out from goal. Ross McCormack was also close but Cole Skuse managed to slightly deflect it for a corner. From the corner, Darren O'Dea forced another save out of David James. The central defender was back at the other end soon afterwards and his poor back pass forced Andy Lonergan to be extra alert to rush out to deal with it as Albert Adomah almost got to it first. The striker tested Lonergan further with a stinging shot and winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce was inches over as he cut in from the right, but neither side were able to create further chances before they went into the half-time break still locked at 1-1. United created the first chance of the second half but Ross McCormack shot wide, but after good build-up play Robert Snodgrass lifted the next oppurtunity over the bar, but the Robins were having the better of the play. Looking for Luciano Becchio to have the same effect that he did in the previous game with Crystal Palace, Simon Grayson sent him on at precisely the same time, on the fifty-eight minutes mark, in place of Ramon Nunez. Unfortunately, there was no similar effect, in fact, in the sixty-fourth minute there was misfortune as Patrick Kisnorbo blatantly pulled down Nicky Maynard on the edge of the box and was promptly shown the red card. Although the incident took place on the edge of the box, the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot before dismissing the Australian. Maynard took the spot-kick and Andy Lonergan proved his worth to United as he pulled off a good save, with his legs, low to his left, to prevent Bristol from taking the lead. The dismissal saw Leigh Bromby brought on at the expense of Andy Keogh in the sixty-ninth minute as Grayson looked to bolster his defence, as Bristol started to pile on the pressure. Two minutes later he made his final change as he brought on Mikael Forssell for Robert Snodgrass. Bristol looked to make the most of their numerical advantage and began pumping balls into the Leeds goal area at the least oppurtunity. City midfielder, Marvin Elliott, was just wide with a twenty-five yard shot and then one header was straight at Andy Lonergan and another header was wide of the target, as City tried to make their advantage count. But then, to everyone's surprise, and to Bristol's dismay, it was Leeds who scored the next goal against all the odds with just four minutes left on the clock. A long ball into the box was flicked on by Luciano Becchio and Ross McCormack was on hand to stab the ball over the line to give United a 2-1 lead as he scored his sixth League goal and his seventh in total. Just before the end of normal time Tom Lees made a decisive clearance and they managed to see out the stoppage time to hang on for a slender victory, their second lucky home win in succession. Michael Brown and Paul Rachubka remained unused on the bench and the win took United up to eleventh on the ladder.

With Patrick Kisnorbo suspended Leigh Bromby was elevated from the bench to take his place and Luciano Becchio was included as Ramon Nunez dropped to the bench, along with the Finnish pair of Mikael Forssell and midfielder Mika Vayrynen, who had joined the club on a short-term contract a week previous, and the seven were completed by youngster Charlie Taylor, Andy O'Brien, Michael Brown and keeper Paul Rachubka for the Tuesday night encounter with Manchester United in the Third Round of the Carling Cup on 20th September 2011. There was a huge crowd of 31,031 for what amounted to a test of strength between the best Leeds could offer and Manchester United Reserves. It took some desparate defending from the visitors to deny first Andy Keogh and then Adam Clayton after Tom Lees had got up to head on a corner, which Ryan Giggs cleared off the line. The visitors did win a corner themselves which Leeds cleared and it was the home side that was trying to make the early running. But it was the visitors who took an early lead, after fifteen minutes, as Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov and Ji Sung Park combined well to give Owen the chance and although he scuffed his shot it crept through Tom Lees' legs and just inside the post. Adam Clayton cut inside and tried his luck from distance, but Ben Amos in the Manchester goal was equal to the task but it set the mode for the match with the visitors seeking to get men back in defence and break quickly to try and catch the Leeds defence on the break. This was exactly what happened in the thirty-first minute when the pace on the break led Mame Biram Diouf to push the ball inside to Michael Owen who got his and Manchester's second goal with a stunning shot from distance which gave Andy Lonergan no chance, as it flew into the top right-hand corner of the net. The Leeds keeper was soon in the action again when he was called upon to make a smart stop at the near post after the visitors had seized upon a loose ball in the Leeds half. The game was effectively over just on half time when Ryan Giggs weaved his way in from the left flank pushing the ball between Aidan White's legs and accelerating into the clear before easily beating Andy Lonergan via a shot with the outside of his foot, which deflected off Luciano Becchio, to make it 3-0. On fifty-two minutes Leeds made a double change bringing on the Finnish duo of midfielder Mika Vayrynen, who made his debut as a replacement for Luciano Becchio and Mikael Forssell, who replaced Andy Keogh. Soon after the visitors did create another chance when Michael Owen seized upon a defensive mistake but he lifted his shot just wide. After sixty-six minutes with the game drifting to its logical conclusion, Simon Grayson made his final change when he sent on Ramon Nunez for Ross McCormack. It made little difference other than Mika Vayrynen was denied by an offside flag and Adam Clayton shot over the bar, but otherwise the visitors never looked like losing their three goal cushion. United did have one chance, when in the final minute Ramon Nunez broke through but he shot wide in what proved to be the last action in the game. So Leeds tamely dropped out of the Carling Cup for another year in a game that emphasised the vast gulf between the Reserves of a Premiership club and a mediocre Championship side. Charlie Taylor, Andy O'Brien, Michael Brown and Paul Rachubka remained unused on the Leeds bench.

Former United player left-sided midfielder or defender, Danny Pugh, rejoined the club on 22nd September 2011 for £500,000 from Stoke City and he went straight into the team in place of Ramon Nunez as United travelled to the south coast to take on Brighton & Hove Albion in a Friday night match on 23rd September 2011. Patrick Kisnorbo was again available after serving his suspension and he took his place on the bench at the expense of Andy O'Brien, while Michael Brown and Charlie Taylor were the two substitutes from the Carling Cup squad to lose their places. It was United's first visit to Brighton's new Amex Stadium, which was a vast improvement on the previous Withdean Stadium, and they were greeted by a crowd of 20,646 of which at least 2,361 were Leeds supporters. Brighton were sitting second on the League ladder, having lost only one of their first seven League games and although freshly promoted had built up a reputation for dominating possession in games. They were the first to attack and Ashley Barnes shot over the bar after they had forced a corner. It seemed to be the Leeds plan that they would stifle Brighton's play by closing them down quickly in the early stages. The plan seemed to work in the first twenty minutes and allowed Leeds to occasionally go on the attack and Robert Snodgrass tried his luck with an angled shot but it was too high, but soon after Adam Clayton had a shot deflected wide. They were rewarded in the nineteenth minute when Andy Keogh got his first goal for the club. In a move started by Danny Pugh and Aidan White, a chance was created for Adam Clayton to get in a shot, which was again blocked, but after Ross McCormack had had an effort blocked, this time the ball fell kindly for the former Leeds trainee to score from close range. On balance it was a well-deserved goal but Brighton were soon reminding Leeds of the threat they posed as Craig Noone got in a cross that Craig Mackail-Smith just failed to get his head to. But five minutes after their opener Leeds doubled their lead when Ross McCormack created space by beating Liam Bridcott twenty-five yards out to get in a superb strike that left former United custodian, Casper Ankergren, grasping at thin air as the ball flew into the bottom right-hand corner of net. Leeds had worked hard to establish themselves and thoroughly deserved their two goal lead. They continued to create chances and Adam Clayton was at the centre of a good move which culminated with a cross into the box from the left by Danny Pugh unable to find any takers. United continued to press but finally in the thirty-ninth minute Andy Lonergan was called upon to make his first real save as he reacted quickly to smother a Craig Mackail-Smith effort after a corner fell kindly for him. The two sides came off at the half-time break with Leeds good value for their 2-0 lead. They found their lead reduced after just three minutes of the second half when Craig Mackail-Smith weaved his way in from the right, after being released by Ashley Barnes, before beating Andy Lonergan with a low drive. The goal gave Brighton a lift and they were soon pressing for an equalizer which saw Jonathan Howson booked and Tom Lees dealing with a dangerous free-kick. Leigh Bromby was finding Craig Mackail-Smith a handful and conceded a penalty as he pulled down the striker in the box, and on the hour mark Ashley Barnes stepped up to beat Andy Lonergan from the spot, firing into the top left-hand corner of the net to bring the scores level at 2-2. United went on the attack for the first time in the half and Ross McCormack won a free-kick on the edge of the box after he had been hauled down as he bore down on goal. He took the free-kick himself and it was deflected for a corner, which was subsequently headed over by Andy Keogh. Simon Grayson made his first change after sixty-eight minutes when he sent on Luciano Becchio for Andy Keogh. Twelve minutes later he introduced Mika Vayrynen in place of Danny Pugh as the game seemed top be heading for a draw, but four minutes later Casper Ankergren was quick off his line to beat Ross McCormack to a through ball and after gathering the ball he quickly released it to start a Brighton counter attack which resulted in Ashley Barnes getting in a low cross to the near post and Craig Mackail-Smith being on hand to convert a low cross to put the home team in front by 3-2. United made their final change with four minutes left on the clock when Mikael Forssell replaced Robert Snodgrass and just two minutes later United should have equalized when Mika Vayrynen's shot was only parried by Casper Ankergren and when Adam Clayton got to the loose ball he could not keep it down and he lifted the rebound over the bar. However, in almost the final minute of the game, after two minutes of the alloted four minutes of stoppage time, United did get the equalizer they deserved when Ross McCormack got on the end of a Jonathan Howson cross from the right to slot the ball home for a 3-3 draw. Patrick Kisnorbo and Paul Rachubka remained unused on the bench and Leeds moved up to ninth, but most teams had yet to play their weekend fixtures.

With Patrick Kisnorbo unavailable from illness, Simon Grayson switched Tom Lees from right-back to central defence as Leigh Bromby was demoted to the bench after a below par performance at Brighton and brought Paul Connolly back into the team at right-back in an otherwise unchanged United squad for the home game with struggling Portsmouth on 1st October 2011. Paul Connolly soon justified his recall when he almost carved out the first chance of the game when he got in a good cross from the right but Portsmouth left-back, Joel Ward, cleared the danger. Another cross from the right, this time from Robert Snodgrass, caused the visitors problems, and, after he had skipped past Tal Ben Haim, he set up Ross McCormack, who was denied at the expense of a corner by Greg Halford. It was not cleared and United went close at the expense of a second corner. Robert Snodgrass took it and with a well flighted delivery he found Danny Pugh who headed the ball home like a bullet into an empty net after fourteen minutes to give Leeds the lead. Robert Snodgrass was leading the Portsmouth defence a merry dance down the right flank and after his next mazy run he sent in a low shot which was not too far wide of the post. The first half-hour had been all Leeds and Danny Pugh went close again when his shot was deflected wide by Jason Pearce. The visitors did finally carve out an opening and Andy Lonergan was called upon to make a fine save when clawing away a Greg Halford header and when the ball was returned into the Leeds area Halford again got up well to rattle the woodwork with another header. United were soon back and Ross McCormack sent in a low cross which Tal Ben Haim cleared over his own bar at the expense of a corner. Leeds remained a threat throughout the opening half, with Robert Snodgrass and Ross McCormack being particularly dangerous, while Adam Clayton was impressive in the middle of the park and he was only just over as he tried his luck from distance. Portsmouth had offered little and Jason Pearce appealed for a penalty when he went down as the ball came into the box and Andy Lonergan did have to save one free-kick from Greg Halford which had managed to penetrate the Leeds defensive wall with cannonball force. The visitors started the second half brightly with Liam Lawrence looking lively on the right and Andy Lonergan had to save at the feet of David Norris, but Leeds were soon back on the attack and Jonathan Howson almost found Adam Clayton free in the box. Danny Pugh did carve out a half chance for Andy Keogh but the striker had to react quickly and his hurried shot under pressure went wide. After sixty-eight minutes Simon Grayson made his first change as he sent on Luciano Becchio for Andy Keogh, but the second half continued to be a war of attrition with neither side giving much away and few chances were being created as the game approached the final fifteen minutes, but Joel Ward did lift a shot over the bar as the visitors temporarily threatened. United made a double change after seventy-eight minutes with the two Finns, Mika Vayrynen and Mikael Forssell, taking the field in place of United's two best players of the day in Robert Snodgrass and Ross McCormack. Mikael Forssell and Luciano Becchio combined well for the Finn to force a great save from the Pompey keeper Stephen Henderson to save a certain goal. It was Forssell again that picked out Jonathan Howson who forced Stephen Hendersopn to get down well to stop the Leeds captain from scoring. At the other end Andy Lonergan had to scramble back to tip over an audacious chip from Liam Lawrence from finding its target and United had to defend the resulting corner before they could secure the victory with the first clean sheet of the season. Leigh Bromby and Paul Rachubka remained unused on the bench as United went to eleventh on the table but they were one of four clubs that had at least one game in hand.

United allowed midfielder Will Hatfield to go on loan to Accrington Stanley for a month on 14th October 2011 and United had Patrick Kisnorbo recovered from illness to take the place of Leigh Bromby on the Leeds bench for the Friday night away trip to the Keepmoat Stadium, home of Doncaster Rovers as Manager Simon Grayson celebrated his one hundred and fiftieth game in charge of Leeds United. There was a crowd of 12,692, which included at least 4,209 Leeds fans, as former Leeds captain, Richard Naylor, and former Leeds loanee John Oster were in the Rovers' run-on side, and ex-keeper Neil Sullivan was on the bench. United started the game well and were soon on the offensive. However, it was Rovers who created the first chance as Jon Parkin's low shot forced Andy Lonergan to make a sprawling save. Nine minutes had elapsed before Andy Keogh avoided the offside trap to create the first Leeds chance, but Ross McCormack could not find the space to convert his low cross. Doncaster tried the direct route to goal as their preferred option as they pumped the ball forward at any oppurtunity to try and use their target man big Jon Parkin, who had always caused trouble to the Leeds defence no matter which club he had played for over the years. But Leeds took the lead on the twenty minute mark when Danny Pugh got his second goal in as many games when Ross McCormack sent over a corner and the midfielder arrived in the box right on cue to volley the ball into the net. Leeds were now well on top and moving the ball well with Andy Keogh showing excellent movement and mobility and posing a real threat. Doncaster started to get frustrated and James Coppinger was booked after a clash with Adam Clayton and Simon Gillett was penalized for hacking down Robert Snodgrass. United were breaking quickly from midfield and putting Rovers under sustained pressure and one such move ended with Danny Pugh getting in a low cross from the by-line which evaded the advanced strikers. On thirty-seven minutes Doncaster keeper Chris Kirkland was tested by Ross McCormack, who drilled in a low free-kick which he had to be alert to gather. Shortly before half-time Rovers finally fashioned a chance, but Jon Parkin sent his header wide after another high ball into the box from James Coppinger. Despite Leeds dominating possession they went into the half-time break with just the single goal lead. Doncaster tried to get on the front foot at the start of the second half but after Andy Lonergan had collected a ball into the box, it was Chris Kirkland who was the first to be called into any real action as he got down to smother a low shot from Robert Snodgrass. It was soon 2-0, as six minutes into the second half Ross McCormack registered his tenth goal of the season when he showed great skill to lift the ball over the keeper and into the top right-hand corner of the net with an overhead kick from inside the area. United were in firm control and McCormack was causing the Doncaster defence all kinds of problems as they went in search of a third goal. It was not long in coming, as after sixty-three United gained a corner and Robert Snodgrass' precision flag-kick was met by the head of Tom Lees to power the ball into the net for his second goal of the seson to effectively put the game beyond recall. Simon Grayson made his first change after seventy-two minutes when he sent on Luciano Becchio for Ross McCormack. United were looking extremely comfortable and looking forward to maintaining another clean sheet but Simon Grayson wasted no time, when Andy Lonergan sustained an hand injury, in replacing him with Paul Rachubka in the seventy-seventh minute. United almost made it four six minutes later when Andy Keogh was through on goal but his shot came back off the underside of the bar. Mika Vayrynen replaced Adam Clayton in the eighty-fifth minute but the closing minutes were only a formality as United cruised to their first away win of the season to make it thirteen points from the last fifteen and send United temporarily into fifth spot, as Patrick Kisnorbo and Mikael Forssell remained unused on the bench.

United next had a home fixture with Coventry City, who were looking early contenders for relegation, and were without first choice keeper Andy Lonergan who had picked up a hand injury in the previous Friday night game with Doncaster Rovers and it had turned out worse than first thought when it was finally revealed that the hand was broken and would mean the enforced absence of the keeper for about six weeks. Deputy keeper Paul Rachubka took over between the posts and eighteen year-old Junior Alex Cairns filled the vacancy on the bench. A crowd of 21,258 was on hand to witness the clash on 18th October 2011 and as expected United were soon on the attack with Robert Snodgrass providing an early threat as he crossed for Ross McCormack in the sixth minute but his fellow Scottish striker couldn't keep his shot down. Andy Keogh overhit his cross when Leeds next threatened and moments later he came close after Paul Connolly had got in a good cross and soon it was Ross McCormack who was denied by some good defending after Danny Pugh had made a fine cross from the left. It was, however, Paul Rachubka of the two keepers on view that was called into action first as he made a good save low to his right to deny Sammy Clingan. Lucas Jutkiewicz picked up the rebound but his shot was high and wide. United were getting plenty of balls into the Coventry area but the visitors were getting men back in numbers and defending well as the game passed the fifteen minute mark. After twenty minutes Joe Murphy in the Coventry goal was called upon to make his first save when he had to get down well to push a Robert Snodgrass free-kick round the post. However moments later he could do nothing about a Darren O'Dea strike as the Irish central defender forced home the first goal of the game. It was Paul Connolly who supplied the cross which the Coventry defence failed to deal with and O'Dea remained cool to shoot the ball home. United were close to adding a second on the half-hour when Ross McCormack was denied and Darren O'Dea also headed an Adam Clayton cross wide as Leeds piled on the pressure. It was mostly Leeds but five minutes before the half-time break the visitors did get a shot on goal but Paul Rachubka collected the Sam Clingan effort with ease. Just on half time Leeds almost doubled their lead but Ross McCormack lifted his shot over the bar after Andy Keogh had done some great work in the build up. The second half started with more of the same as Coventry appeared intent on damage limitation as Leeds pressed for a second with Robert Snodgrass going close and Danny Pugh forcing a save from Joe Murphy with a header. Joe Murphy was again called into action as he made a vital save to stop Adam Clayton from scoring after Robert Snodgrass had featured strongly in the build-up. Then the former Manchester City youngster lifted his shot over the bar with his next effort. Simon Grayson made a double change to his strikers in the seventieth minute when he sent on Luciano Becchio and Mikael Forssell for Ross McCormack and Andy Keogh and the Finn soon made an impact as his powerful strike passed just wide of the post. Coventry rallied briefly when David Bell sent a long range effort over the bar but it was still mostly Leeds in charge. But as the game reached its final stages Coventry seemed to start to show some urgency and Cody McDonald grazed the bar with a header after good work from Chris Hussey, Indeed it was the visitors who were looking to finish strongly with Leeds getting men back behind the ball as they started to press. Mika Vayrynen had just replaced Robert Snodgrass and he was sitting deep in midfield as United tried to close the game down as the minutes ticked away. There were three minutes added for stoppages and in the final minute of the three Coventry stole an equalizer. Cyrus Christie pumped a high ball into the box and a back-peddling Paul Rachubka failed to hold it and it fell to Coventry's centre-back Richard Wood who gratefully scrambled the ball into the net for Coventry to salvage a draw in a game that they hardly competed in for the vast majority of the time. Patrick Kisnorbo and Alex Cairns remained unused on the bench as United dropped to eleventh on the table.

On 22nd October 2011 United had a lunch-time kick-off as they travelled to London Road to take on Peterborough United. They were without Robert Snodgrass due to injury and his place was taken by Mika Vayrynen, who made his starting debut with Lloyd Sam taking his place on the bench, where Ramon Nunez was selected to replace Mikael Forssell. Leeds were off to the best start they could have hoped for as Andy Keogh had opened the scoring inside four minutes as Adam Clayton played the ball into the box and the striker showed great skill to thunder a volley past Paul Jones into the top corner to fire Leeds into an early lead. He was soon back for more as he threatened again moments later, but this time he found his route to goal blocked by some good defending. United employed the same tactics that had been a feature of their previous successful away game at Doncaster where they had pressed and then closed down to such good effect. It also happened at London Road with Peterborough being denied space and time. But Peterborough were a better side than Doncaster and soon posed their own threats and in the thirteenth minute Mark Little sent over a good cross low from the right and George Boyd narrowly failed to get the necessary touch needed to score. Almost immediately Lee Tomlin should have done better after Emile Sinclair had broken through on the left and squared the ball back to him, but his shot was poor. United responded with Ross McCormack getting in an angled drive which went narrowly wide and Adam Clayton also could only send the ball across the face of the goal. But Peterborough were level in the twenty-third minute when Gabriel Zakuani rose well to head home a looping corner kick from Grant McCann at the far post. Andy Keogh quickly replied for United but Peterborough keeper Paul Jones spread himself well to deny the Wolves loanee. Paul Connolly found Mika Vayrynen in space in the box but the Finn was unable to control the ball and Paul Jones was able to collect and avert the danger. Peterborough were reduced to ten men in the thirty-seventh minute when Lee Tomlin was given a straight red for an atrocious tackle on Andy Keogh as he went straight through him with a tackle from behind, halfway between the edge of the Peterborough penalty area and the halfway line. Keogh needed treatment before he was able to continue. As the game edged towards the half-time break the home defence made a mess of an attempted clearance from a Paul Connolly cross and conceded a corner. Adam Clayton produced a good flag-kick but Paul Jones rose superbly to catch it with Andy Keogh waiting to pounce, but no chance ensued. It was again Paul Jones who came to the home team's rescue deep into first-half stoppage time whem he dived to get in a vital hand to a Ross McCormack effort that was about to creep into the far corner of the net. It was United that started the second half where they had left off and their first attack ended with Jonathan Howson getting in a powerful shot that was only just too high. Mika Vayrynen had taken a knock in the first half and Simon Grayson decided to replace him with Lloyd Sam after just four minutes of the second half had elapsed. He came on to see Darren O'Dea launch an effort from forty yards out which passed wide of the target. Adam Clayton put Leeds 2-1 up after fifty-four minutes with a fine goal. Danny Pugh found Lloyd Sam with a good cross and the former Charlton man rolled the ball across the edge of the Peterborough penalty area and the young midfielder controlled the ball before turning and side-stepping Grant McCann and picking his spot to fire the ball into the net well beyond the reach of the Peterborough keeper, Paul Jones. There had been a fiery element to the game which been bubbling below the surface with several bad tackles and the game had been punctuated by free-kicks. But Leeds were still trying to play attractive football and Ross McCormack was denied by some good defending after Paul Connolly had picked him out at the far post. The game reached the final quarter with Leeds still on top but yet unable to produce the vital third goal that might have sealed the game. United brought on Ramon Nunez for Ross McCormack in the eighty-second minute and Adam Clayton received treatment as the game reached its final stages. With two minutes left on the clock disaster struck for Leeds. Peterborough had pumped a high ball into the Leeds box and no one dealt with it, particularly goalkeeper Paul Rachubka, who appeared to get tangled up with his own defenders. Mark Little was first to the ball and stabbed it home amid a melee of Leeds defenders in the six yard box. Grant McCann went close to winning the game for Peterborough from a free-kick, which forced Paul Rachubka to pull off a good save, after Darren O'Dea had been the last defender when he brought down David Bell outside the box. It was Darren O'Dea who snatched the points for Leeds when he flicked a fine cross from Lloyd Sam against the underside of the bar in the fifth minute of stoppage time, with Luciano Becchio, who had just come on as a ninetieth minute substitute for Andy Keogh, on the line to claim the goal, but video cameras confirmed that the Irishman's shot had crossed the line before Becchio made sure. Patrick Kisnorbo and Alex Cairns remained unused on the bench and Leeds climbed to fifth on the League ladder as they stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with seventeen points fron the last twenty-one contested.

United next travelled to St Andrew's to take on Birmingham City on 26th October 2011, in a Wednesday evening game that had previously been postponed due to a period of civil unrest. Robert Snodgrass had recovered to take back his right wing spot from Mika Vayrynen, who replaced Ramon Nunez on the bench. Birmingham had been unable to play several early season fixtures and had as many as three games in hand on many of the clubs in this League, but they had an unbeaten run of six games to their credit and were, with United, one of the form teams in the Competition. There were more than 3,102 Leeds supporters in the crowd of 21,426 that witnessed Chris Burke on the Birmingham right wing as the first player to impress in a good start by the home team, but it was Leeds who created the first chance of the game in the eleventh minute in an impressive build up which featured Darren O'Dea, Andy Keogh, Danny Pugh and Ross McCormack, before Robert Snodgrass put a shot from fifteen yards just wide. At the other end Chris Burke again found space down the right, but Jonathan Spector was unable to get to his cross despite trying a diving header. While City seemed the better of the two teams, Leeds were creating the better chances and, after gaining two corners, Adam Clayton tested the Birmingham keeper, Boaz Myhill, with a powerful shot from distance which forced a fine one-handed save from the home keeper. Not long afterwards Ross McCormack had a shot deflected wide but the Blues replied and Jean Beausejour had a low shot saved by Paul Rachubka. However in the thirty-sixth minute Birmingham took the lead. Birmingham cleared from defence and Stephen Carr crossed the ball into the Leeds box from the right but it was not cleared. Instead Nikola Zigic was able to gain possession and scramble an untidy goal that was part blocked by Paul Connolly but just managed to cross the line to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Leeds did threaten before half time when Paul Connolly got in a cross from the right, that was deflected for a corner. Andy Keogh headed the flag-kick over the bar. Paul Connolly was alert at the other end to deal with former Leeds loanee Marlon King's cross as Nikola Zigic closed in. Zigic was denied by Paul Rachubka, with his feet, in first half stoppage time. Birmingham continued to have the majority of possession as the second half started and as the game passed the hour mark Leeds had still been starved of chances by a home side who worked hard and retained possession but created little themselves apart from when they moved the ball quickly from defence but on that occasion Nikola Zigic put his shot wide. Darren O'Dea booted a Marlon King corner to safety and Leeds started to show some urgency. Simon Grayson tried to give fresh legs to the team and sent on Luciano Becchio for Andy Keogh in the sixty-third minute followed ten minutes later by Lloyd Sam replacing Danny Pugh and made his final roll of the dice by sending on Mika Vayrynen for Adam Clayton four minutes later. But Leeds were merely hanging on to the game in the hope of salvaging something with a stroke of luck and Robert Snodgrass tried his luck in the eighty-second minute, but his shot was wide. Ross McCormack also got in a vicious drive which tested Boaz Myhill and forced him to palm the ball over the bar. There was a claim from the visitors for a hand ball when Darren O'Dea got in a far post header that was scrambled away. In the final minute Mika Vyrynen and Lloyd Sam combined but the Finn could not keep the winger's cross under the bar. Paul Rachubka made a great save to deny Nikola Zigic in stoppage time. With Patrick Kisnorbo and Alex Cairns remaining unused on the bench United's unbeaten run came to an end but they still retained their fifth place on the ladder.

Leeds were able to name an unchanged team for the visit of Cardiff City, who had former Leeds midfielder Stephen McPhail in their ranks, in a televised Sunday fixture on 30th October 2011 and announced three days previously that striker Billy Paynter had been allowed to join Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the year. There was a crowd of 20,270 on hand to see if Leeds could get back on the winning track against a side that over several decades had proved their bogey-team. It was Paul Rachubka that was the first goalkeeper to be called into action when he got down well to deny Aron Gunnarsson. Two former Cardiff players, Andy Keogh and Ross McCormack combined for United after eight minutes with goalkeeper David Marshall having to smother the ball at the Scotsman's feet. The keeper was again soon in the action when Andy Keogh tested him with a header from a corner kick. Leeds had started to get on top and create the more chances, but it was Cardiff that took the lead after seventeen minutes. It looked as though Joe Mason had given Darren O'Dea a nudge in the back which caused him to stumble as he tried to shepherd the ball back to the keeper and Mason took advantage of the situation to slip the ball past Paul Rachubka to give Cardiff the lead with the referee oblivious to the infringement. Leeds threatened in the twenty-third minute and David Marshall got down well to push a Robert Snodgrass header round the post after Andy Keogh had nodded on an Aidan White cross. The corner produced two good blocks before Cardiff were able to clear their lines. On the thirty-second minute mark Leeds made their first change of the game when Darren O'Dea complained of blurred vision and Simon Grayson sent on Patrick Kisnorbo to replace him. United went on the attack and Paul Connolly sent in a great cross from the right but both Andy Keogh and Ross McCormack failed to get a telling touch on the ball. Ross McCormack was denied by another good block and Mark Hudson also blocked a Jonathan Howson shot as Leeds mounted attacks in the lead up to the half-time break. United were straight on the attack as the second half started and David Marshall was twice called upon to cut out crosses and then after good work by Danny Pugh he pulled off a good save to deny Ross McCormack. After fifty-six minutes Luciano Becchio was sent on to replace Andy Keogh. The Cardiff keeper was by far the busiest player on the pitch and next Adam Clayton had him at full stretch as he got his fingertips to a good strike as United tried all they knew to equalize. The Leeds midfielder got in another shot soon after but it was deflected for a corner by a Cardiff defender. The corner was taken accurately by Robert Snodgrass and saw another fine save from David Marshall as he dived to his left to just get to a header from Jonathan Howson. The pressure finally paid off in the seventieth minute when Tom Lees joined the attack and got up well to a Patrick Kisnorbo free-kick to head it on and Robert Snodgrass nipped in to score from close range. Lloyd Sam came on for Danny Pugh after seventy-eight minutes as Simon Grayson tried to force the result that his side deserved on the balance of play. Ross McCormack was still causing the Cardiff defence problems, but Mark Hudson, who had been a rock at the heart of that defence managed to force him wide as the Scot looked to get another shot on goal. Tom Lees made a good headed clearance at the expense of a corner at the other end and Aron Gunnarsson headed the flag-kick over the bar thanks to pressure from Aidan White. There were three minutes added for stoppages but with Leeds applying their final pressure the game came to an end with Mika Vayrynen and Alex Cairns still unused on the bench as Leeds slipped to seventh place.

Darren O'Dea was given more time to recover from his head knock which had been sustained in the final minutes of the away game with Birmingham City and Australian International Patrick Kisnorbo was recalled to the starting XI and Andy O'Brien was restored to the bench in the only changes to the side which had been held to a 1-1 draw the previous Sunday as United welcomed Blackpool to Elland Road for a Wednesday evening fixture on 2nd November 2011 in front of a crowd of 22,423. There was little to excite the onlookers in the early exchanges and it took ten minutes before Patrick Kisnorbo was twice denied by Blackpool defenders' bodies as first goalkeeper, Matt Gilks, and then centre-back, Craig Cathcart, thwarted him after he met a Robert Snodgrass cross and tried to get his efforts on goal. That was the only attempts Leeds had on the visitors' goal before Blackpool started to launch their own attacks. Lomano Lua Lua gave Blackpool the lead after twelve minutes after Paul Rachubka could only parry a Jonjo Shelvey shot. Stephen Crainey had pounced on a poor clearance by Paul Connolly and fed Jonjo Shelvey who advanced through the middle before getting in his shot and Lomana Lua Lua was on hand to score from the rebound. United's main threat came from Robert Snodgrass and Paul Connolly with their crosses from the right. The Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks got up well to collect one such Snodgrass cross while Patrick Kisnorbo continued his aerial threat as he got his head to another cross, but there was no one there to capitalize on it as it bounced across the goal area. Robert Snodgrass fed Andy Keogh with another great cross but the striker had strayed slightly offside. Paul Rachubka was again at fault after twenty-five minutes when he failed to hold a cross and, when Ludovic Sylvestre looked to take advantage of the mistake, Tom Lees handled the ball to prevent a goal. This meant an immediate red card for the defender and a penalty for Blackpool. Jonjo Shelvey took the ensuing penalty and scored, but the referee ordered it to be retaken for encroachment. He kept his composure and it was 2-0 after twenty-six minutes, with Leeds down to ten men. Four minutes later it was 3-0 and Jonjo Shelvey had two goals to his name after Paul Rachubka failed to hold onto a scuffed speculator from Lomano Lua Lua and the Liverpool loanee picked up the rebound and rounded the Leeds keeper to shoot into an empty net. Simon Grayson showed his frustration and annoyance by immediately telling Alex Cairns to warm up. Ross McCormack did managed to get in one shot which went past the post but Leeds were glad to get to half-time without conceding any further goals in a disasterous period for the home team. Simon Grayson made two changes at half-time giving a debut to eighteen-year-old keeper Alex Cairns who replaced the shell-shocked Paul Rachubka and also replacing Andy Keogh with Luciano Becchio. Even in their reduced state United had to go on the attack to try and make a game of it, but it was always going to be an uphill battle doomed to failure. They did, however, go on the offensive as soon as the second half started, with Ross McCormack overhitting a cross and then Jonathan Howson having a shot blocked. Matt Gilks in the Blackpool goal even had to come charging off his line to deny Adam Clayton as Leeds tried to take the game to the visitors. Danny Pugh appealed for a penalty after a Ross McCormack shot had been deflected but the only reward was a corner, from which Jonathan Howson shot just wide. Adam Clayton again had the visitors scrambling to keep out one effort from him at the expense of a corner. But, inevitably, with Leeds committed to attack and being a man short, Blackpool were keen to expose the holes when they appeared and Ian Evatt sent a header from a corner just over the bar. Alex Cairns was not called upon to make his first save until the sixtieth minute, when he got down well to a low drive from just outside of the area by Jonjo Shelvey, but there was not much he could do when Lomana Lua Lua cut inside Paul Connolly to scored Blackpool's fourth and his second with a fine left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area after sixty-five minutes. Mika Vayrynen replaced Adam Clayton after seventy-one minutes. The fifth Blackpool goal came in the seventy-ninth minute when Jonjo Shelvey completed his hat-trick as he controlled a through ball from Martinez Angel and carried on down the middle to slip the ball past the advancing Alex Cairns. There was little the youngster could have done about either of the two goals, but he did react well by making two fine saves to prevent Blackpool extending their lead, with the second being a great block that prevented Martinez Angel from getting his name on the scoresheet. Andy O'Brien and Lloyd Sam were the unused substitutes as United dropped to eleventh on the ladder.

There was a Sunday visit to the King Power Stadium to play Leicester City on 6th November 2011 and Alex McCarthy who had been signed on loan from Reading the day after the Blackpool debacle made his debut in the Leeds goal in place of the banished Paul Rachubka, who was not even included on the bench, and there was a recall for Andy O'Brien, in the continued absence of Darren O'Dea, in place of the suspended Tom Lees as Leigh Bromby took his place on the bench where Michael Brown was preferred to Mika Vayrynen. Ex-Leeds keeper Kasper Schmeichel was in the Leicester City goal and former Leeds striker and cult hero Jermaine Beckford was included on the bench as the at least 3,319 Leeds fans made themselves heard in a crowd of 27,720. Leicester went straight on the attack with David Nugent escaping the clutches of the Leeds defence in the fifth minute but there was no one there to take advantage of his cross into the box. Kasper Schmeichel had to make the first save of the game when Robert Snodgrass tested him with a low shot from distance and Andy Keogh was also denied by some good defending when he tried to get in on goal. Debutant Alex McCarthy was called upon to make his first save after fifteen minutes when he tipped over a chipped shot from the edge of the area. There was not much in it in the opening twenty-five minutes and then, after a couple of good crosses from the right by Paul Connolly, Ross McCormack finished up on the ground after contesting a header with Matt Mills and appealed for a penalty, which was rejected by the referee. Danny Pugh tried his luck with a low shot but it was wide as the game passed the half-hour. At the other end Leicester took the direct route with a long punt out from Kasper Schmeichel but Paul Gallagher rushed his shot and was wide. He was wide again a short while later and then Aidan White made an excellent defensive header when another cross was launched into the area. David Nugent and Stan Howard combined well and found Richie Wellens bursting into the penalty area but he lost control and Alex McCarthy was untroubled to take the ball with ease. As half-time approached Leeds appeared to be the better organized team and the most likely to take the lead. There was little trouble for Alex McCarthy and it wasn't until forty minutes had passed that he was called upon to deal with a low shot from the edge of the box, but there were few oppurtunities being created by either side and it came as little surprise when the teams left for half-time scoreless. United enjoyed a period of possession at the start of the second half and Kasper Schmeichel presented them with a chance when he made a poor clearance straight to Andy Keogh, but he failed to curl the ball into the net. Next it was United's turn to do some defending and Andy O'Brien made two fine clearances despite appearing to need treatment for a knock. Leicester forced a corner but wasted it with a shot over the bar. After sixty-six minutes Ross McCormack again finished on the ground after a heading duel for a Paul Connolly cross but once more his claim for a penalty was waved away. But three minutes later Leeds reaped the reward for their hard work and good football when Adam Clayton latched on to the ball on the edge of the Leicester penalty area after Matt Mills failed in an attempt to cut out a Danny Pugh cross and unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot that beat Kasper Schmeichel to nestle in the top corner of the net to give Leeds a deserved lead. Seven minutes later Simon Grayson made his first change when he replaced Andy O'Brien with Leigh Bromby and a minute later Jermaine Beckford got a good reception from the travelling fans as he took the field for Leicester. Beckford's old striking partner Luciano Becchio was the next substitute to be called upon when he replaced the hard-working Andy Keogh after seventy-seven minutes. The long-kicking Kasper Schmeichel was using his main weapon to good effect and another route one punt from one box to the other almost found Jermaine Beckford but the striker lost control and Alex McCarthy gathered without much trouble. Leeds responded by working the ball forward and Robert Snodgrass made Kasper Schmeichel dive low to stop his well drilled shot from getting in at his near post. Leigh Bromby got his first touch when he made an important clearance from Jermaine Beckford in the box, but with Leicester pressing forward they were leaving holes at the back and Luciano Becchio almost profitted but was finally crowded out. United went even closer minutes later as Paul Konchesky was forced to hack away a Jonathan Howson cross as Ross McCormack was waiting to apply the finishing touch. After eighty-six minutes Simon Grayson sacrificed Ross McCormack to bring on Michael Brown to play the midfield anchor role as Leeds changed to 4-5-1 to secure full points. United could thank Patrick Kisnorbo for making a saving clearance after Jermaine Beckford appeared to be in the clear. From the corner that followed Luciano Becchio was back doing defensive duties to head away the danger. Five minutes of stoppage time were added but United had little trouble in hanging on to secure a deserved away win to move up the table to seventh and renewed hope, as Lloyd Sam and Alex Cairns remained unused on the bench.

After two successive away victories United were back at Elland Road for their 26th November 2011 with local rivals Barnsley. Tom Lees was restored to the starting XI with Darren O'Dea being unavailable due to suspension, while Luciano Becchio was preferred to loanee Andy Keogh in the striking role. Veteran former Birmingham City and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Maik Taylor had been signed on a short term contract on 24th November 2011 as cover for the injured Andy Lonergan and out of form Paul Rachubka, who had been allowed to go on loan to Tranmere Rovers on a month's loan on the same day, and he took the place of youngster Alex Cairns on the bench. Danny Pugh had recovered from injury but Lloyd Sam's display at Burnley had gained him preference in the starting team and the former Stoke winger took the place of Michael Brown on the bench, where Leigh Bromby took the spot vacated by Tom Lees. United had their fair share of possession in the early encounters but persistent rain and strong winds made it difficult to play good football. With some players finding the slippery surface not to their liking neither team was adventurous and few chances were created or taken. Ross McCormack did have a powerful long range left-foot shot but it did not trouble the Barnsley goal as he was well off target. It was Barnsley that took the lead after twenty-seven minutes and it was more by good luck than good judgement. A cross came over from the Barnsley right and Ricardo Vaz Te was able to get in a shot from close range which he appeared to mishit and the ball looped over Alex McCarthy and into the net. United did threaten after the half-hour and both Tom Lees and Patrick Kisnorbo had shots blocked after the Barnsley defence had failed to clear. Barnsley went on the attack as half-time approached and five minutes before the break Jacob Butterfield found Stephen Foster with a pinpoint free-kick but the central defender headed over at the back post. However, the visitors doubled their lead a minute later when Alex McCarthy could only parry a long ranged shot from Jacob Butterfield and Craig Davies pounced on the loose ball to score in the right-hand corner from close range. Robert Snodgrass did get in a shot before half-time but it passed over the bar and Leeds went into the break looking like a beaten team. Barnsley took the initiative straight from the restart with midfielder Matt Done bursting through the centre of midfield but much to the relief of the Leeds supporters he dragged his right-footed shot wide of the target. Ross McCormack did his best to revive his team's fortune's at the start of the second half as he went close with a shot and then Robert Snodgrass hit the far post with a left-footed shot on the turn. The Leeds fortunes were revived in the fifty-fith minute when United were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box and it was Ross McCormack who stepped up score with a superb curling right-footed free-kick that gave Luke Steele in the Barnsley goal no chance as it nestled into the top left-hand of the net. Two minutes later Leeds made their first change as they sent on Ramon Nunez for Lloyd Sam. United were now enjoying the majority of possession but the men from Oakwell were getting back in numbers to frustrate the Leeds attacks. After sixty-eight minutes United withdrew Luciano Becchio and sent on Andy Keogh. There were a couple of shouts for hand ball in the Barnsley penalty area, but that apart the visitors frustrated all United's attempts to get the equalizer. Simon Grayson made his third and final change when he sent on Danny Pugh for Ross McCormack in the seventy-fourth minute. It was, however, Barnsley who, three minutes later, went the closest to scoring when Jim O'Brien put in an excellent ball but Nile Ranger couldn't quite get a touch on it, and ten minutes from time Alex McCarthy was also called upon to make a vital save from a long range shot. United returned to the attack and Luke Steele had to palm away a misguided header from his own David Perkins which was heading for the top corner. It was the same David Perkins who brought down Adam Clayton on the edge of the Barnsley box to see the referee brandish his second yellow card followed quickly by the red as he left his side with only ten men two minutes from time. The free-kick was deflected wide and Barnsley gleefully hacked the corner to safety as Leeds strived to capitalize on their numerical superiority. Three minutes into stoppage time Ramon Nunez capped a good move from Leeds but his point-blank shot was blocked by the Barnsley keeper and it proved to be the last action of significance as Barnsley finished 2-1 winners. Leigh Bromby and Maik Taylor remained unused on the bench and Leeds remained fifth on the ladder.

There was a change of formation for the Tuesday night, 29th November 2011, visit to the City Ground to play Nottingham Forest, which saw United revert to 4-5-1 for the first time in the season. It meant that Luciano Becchio was the lone striker and that leading goalscorer Ross McCormack was dropped to the bench as Michael Brown came into midfield Lloyd Sam lost his place in the team as Danny Pugh was brought in at left-back with Aidan White being pushed forward into the left wing role. There were at least 3,597 Leeds fans in the 23,577 attendance that observed a one minute applause for the passing of United legend Gary Speed two days earlier. From the kick-off United went straight on the attack through Aidan White who broke down the left and from his cross Robert Snodgrass got in a shot that was just over. United continued to press and got quickly onto the attack with Wes Morgan cutting off one cross before Jonathan Howson tested Forest keeper Lee Camp with a low drive. Aidan White just failed to reach another cross from Robert Snodgrass as the chants for Gary Speed came from the Leeds supporters and increased in volume throughout the eleventh minute as another product of the Leeds youth system, Jonathan Howson, again tested Lee Camp with another good strike from long range. The chants for Gary Speed carried on and Robert Snodgrass fired the opening goal in the twentieth minute with a superb strike from outside of the box. Lee Camp had sent the ball out to the Forest left where it had hit Greg Cunningham on the head and rebounded to Guy Moussi, who lost it under pressure. Adam Clayton won the ball and quickly moved it on to Robert Snodgrass who buried the ball low into the net from the edge of the penalty area past a diving Lee Camp. United had the better of the opening half-hour and, although the contest was keenly fought Leeds again threatened when Robert Snodgrass and Aidan White pressed forward and Jonathan Howson and Adam Clayton gave their support from behind. Luciano Becchio looked to have broken free in the thirty-third minute but Joel Lynch recovered well to get back to dispossess him in the act of shooting. Robert Snodgrass also went close as he punished a mistake by Forest keeper Lee Camp by dispossessing him but his goal effort hit the legs of Wes Morgan and looped over the bar to land on the top of the net. It was Robert Snodgrass in the action once more in the fortieth minute, when he robbed Greg Cunningham to break down the right flank. His cross from the by-line was pulled back for the on-rushing Jonathan Howson, but his shot went wide. In the final minute of the half the two again combined and this time Jonathan Howson connected sweetly to send the ball into the top corner of the net with a superb finish from distance to double United's lead on the stroke of half-time. Only five minutes of the second-half had passed when Luciano Becchio got his second goal of the season when he headed in a Michael Brown cross to make it three and the Leeds fans took up the chant of "3-0 for Gary Speed". Leeds were good value for their 3-0 lead as the hour mark was passed. There was a Forest attack in the sixty-third minute which created a chance but Ishmael Miller headed straight into the waiting arms of Alex McCarthy. United put the game well and truly beyond recall in the sixty-seventh minute when Adam Clayton rifled the ball into the net for the fourth goal after an earlier shot from Jonathan Howson, who had created the chance by robbing Guy Moussi and then nut-megging Wes Morgan, had been blocked by the keeper. United made a double substitution in the seventy-fifth minute with Andy Keogh replacing Adam Clayton and Ross McCormack coming on for Luciano Becchio as they switched to 4-4-2. Forest were trying to salvage some pride and Joel Lynch skimmed the crossbar with a shot from long range. With a little over ten minutes left Andy Reid let his frustrations get the better of him and picked up his second yellow card and was sent off after an unnecessary foul to leave the home side to cope with only ten men including Joel Lynch, who was already limping. In the eightieth minute United sent on Ramon Nunez for Robert Snodgrass. David McGoldrick tried his luck from distance but Alex McCarthy made a good save and Leeds responded with a quick counter attack but the final shot from Ross McCormack skidded wide. Leigh Bromby and Maik Taylor remained unused on the bench as United retained fifth spot on the ladder after completely outclassing the home team with their best performance of the season.

The biggest crowd of the season, 27,161, was on hand as Leeds welcomed Millwall to Elland Road in a lunch-time kick-off on 3rd December 2011. No doubt many were there to pay tribute to former Leeds Legend Gary Speed, who was remembered by one minute's applause and the laying of wreaths by both Managers and some of Gary's former team mates, Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and David Batty. United kept to their winning formation of the previous game and the starting XI was unchanged but Lloyd Sam took the place of leading scorer Ross McCormack on the bench. Leeds started the game on the attack and the fans were soon taking up the chant of "Gary Speed". Luciano Becchio was close to getting an opening goal in the ninth minute when he headed an Aidan White corner just wide of the target and then United were thwarted by Jack Smith who kicked off the line after some good work by Robert Snodgrass. As they had done in midweek at Nottingham Forest, the Leeds fans took up the chant of "Gary Speed" in the eleventh minute and the contest continued to be played in an emotionally charged atmosphere as the chant rang round Elland Road for the next eleven minutes. It was not all United and the visitors got down the other end with Alex McCarthy forced to make two good saves and Aidan White had to concede a corner to keep the sheet clean. One of the saves that had the Leeds keeper at full stretch was from Millwall's best scoring chance, which fell to Darius Henderson who watched as his goalbound header from a Liam Feeney corner was fingertipped to safety. It had been a lively opening to the game and as the thirtieth minute approached both teams were still looking to get forward and no quarter was being asked or given. Michael Brown had been lucky to remain on the pitch for an awful tackle on Liam Trotter and Robert Snodgrass similarly had esaped punishment for a crude tackle on Jimmy Abdou after only five minutes. So it came as no surprise when Jonathan Howson was injured and had to receive treatment for a lengthy period. United battled on with ten men before it was decided that he could not carry on and Lloyd Sam came on as his replacement after thirty-six minutes. Worse was to follow as with five minutes left of the first half Michael Brown also limped out of the game and was replaced by Andy Keogh as United switched to 4-4-2, with Danny Pugh moving to the centre of midfield to take over Jonathan Howson's role. Lloyd Sam was soon in the game and almost made an immediate impact as he narrowly failed to get his head to a Robert Snodgrass cross into the box, but the sides went into the half-time break with the score still locked at 0-0. There was a further worry for Simon Grayson soon after the start of the second half as Tom Lees seemed to be limping. Leigh Bromby was immediately told to warm up as a precaution, but thankfully Tom Lees was able to continue. Millwall went straight on the attack as the second half got underway and Alex McCarthy was soon called upon to push away a Scott Barron free-kick after Patrick Kisnorbo, who had assumed the captaincy in Jonathan Howson's absence, had picked up a yellow card for a foul on the edge of the penalty area. When Leeds did get on the attack Lloyd Sam shot wide and the Robert Snodgrass sent in a low shot which skidded past the post. The lively Lloyd Sam was causing Millwall problems down the left flank and after he had weaved his way into the Millwall penalty area his shot was blocked by a visiting defender and there were shouts for a penalty as the Leeds winger maintained it had been handled. After the hour mark had passed, Leeds were slowly getting on top and Adam Clayton won a free-kick on the edge of the box. Robert Snodgrass stepped up to take it and delivered a superb strike that gave Millwall keeper Steve Mildenhall no chance as it curled into the top-right hand corner of the net. The Scot gave a gesture of recognition to his black armband for his sixty-third minute goal. Just two minutes later the Scot doubled United's advantage with his second goal of the afternoon, when he dived to perfection to head home a cross from Lloyd Sam, which Steve Mildenhall got a hand to but couldn't prevent from crossing the line, and United were finally in complete command. Robert Snodgrass was also was the provider as he combined well with Andy Keogh, but his cross into the box was too fast for the striker to get the touch needed to turn it into a goal. Leeds still continued to impress and Steve Mildenhall had to make a great save to thwart Luciano Becchio and he followed this, as he was again Millwall's saviour, when he pulled off a fine save from Lloyd Sam in stoppage time. The game ended in a comfortable win for United as they moved up into fourth position at the end of the game but slipped back to fifth as Middlesbrough won in a later kick-off and Leigh Bromby, Ramon Nunez and Maik Taylor remained unused on the Leeds bench.

United travelled to Vicarage Road to play Watford on 10th December 2011, lacking the services of their two vital cogs in midfield, Captain Jonathan Howson and anchorman Michael Brown. Manager Simon Grayson's solution was to revert to a 4-4-2 formation with Lloyd Sam coming in on the right side of midfield and Danny Pugh taking over Jonathan Howson's midfield role alongside Adam Clayton, with Robert Snodgrass moving to the left flank of midfield and Aidan White dropping back to fill the left back position. Andy Keogh replaced Michael Brown and took over the second striker's role in tandem with Luciano Becchio. There was quite a shake up on the bench with Andy Lonergan taking the deputy goalkeeper duties from Maik Taylor, Michael Brown, although not fully fit, swapped places with Lloyd Sam and Mika Vayrynen took over from Ramon Nunez while Darren O'Dea replaced Leigh Bromby and leading scorer Ross McCormack took the place vacated by Andy Keogh. There were more than 2,062 Leeds fans in the attendance of 13,573 as Patrick Kisnorbo led out the Leeds team as Captain in the absence of Jonathan Howson. The game started as an open contest with Watford getting in a couple of early balls into the box, with Marvin Sordell getting in the way of an overhead effort from Troy Deeney, while at the other end Robert Snodgrass found himself space on the edge of the box to get in a shot that was blocked. A shot from Robert Snodgrass was only half cleared by Lee Hodson and, in the eleventh minute, Danny Pugh lifted his shot over the bar after good lead-up play while Marvin Sordell shot wide for Watford at the other end. United came back and Robert Snodgrass again made space for himself but his shot from distance was wide of the mark. United forced two corners, both taken by Robert Snodgrass, and Tom Lees was close to connecting with the second one. Leeds remained on the attack and Andy Keogh was dispossessed by Aidy Mariappa in the act of shooting, but it was Watford who soon counter-attacked at speed and Michael Kightly was able to capitalize on some poor Leeds defending when he opted to cut inside and he beat Alex McCarthy with a well-placed low drive into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area. United had an oppurtunity to get back in the game after forty minutes, but Robert Snodgrass curved his shot wide of the goal with Watford keeper Scott Loach out of position, after a cross from Paul Connolly had looped over him, but there was a barrier of four Watford defenders on the goal-line. Luciano Becchio almost got on the end of a good cross from the right from Paul Connolly but was foiled by Nyron Nosworthy' backward header as the game approached half-time and then Andy Keogh went down in the box but play was waved on. The striker also made an opening for Lloyd Sam but the winger put the chance wide as the whistle blew for half-time. After the break there was still not much in it as both teams strived to get on top. Luciano Becchio had an ambitious shot from distance, after Scott Loach had scuffed a clearance to him, but his first-time effort sailed over the bar. At the other end Mark Yeates got in a shot that was deflected wide of the target and more sloppy defending by Leeds forced Alex McCarthy to get down well to save a low shot from Troy Deeney. Watford should have doubled their lead just before the hour mark as Alex McCarthy slipped as he was taking a goal-kick and the ball went straight to Marvin Sordell, who got past Paul Connolly and cut inside Patrick Kisnorbo but lifted his shot over the bar from twelve yards. After sixty-three minutes Leeds made a double change Mika Vayrynen replacing Lloyd Sam and Ross McCormack coming on for Andy Keogh. Ross McCormack soon got in a header from a Paul Connolly cross but otherwise it made little impact as Watford continued to look the better side. After their changes Leeds had pushed Robert Snodgrass and Aidy White forward on the flanks in an effort to get back on terms and Aidan White was thwarted after a good run down the left and, with fifteen minutes left on the clock, Robert Snodgrass was crowded out on the edge of the penalty area after a good run down the right. As the game passed though its closing stages Leeds showed little signs of being able to equalize and with less than five minutes to go a hasty Watford clearance did give Luciano Becchio a half-chance but his first-time shot from twenty yards was wide. With two minutes left Marvin Sordell was brought down in the Leeds penalty by Patrick Kisnorbo to give Watford a chance to seal the game with a penalty. Sordell took it but Alex McCarthy got his fingertips to his deliberate low shot to push it round the post. Moments later the Leeds keeper made another excellent save to keep his team in the game and three minutes were then added for stoppage time. In the ninety-fourth minute Mika Vayrynen was brought down in the Watford penalty area by Nyron Nosworthy and the referee pointed to the spot. Robert Snodgrass stepped up to the mark to drill the ball confidently into the net and with the last kick of the game saved a point for United. Darren O'Dea, Michael Brown and Andy Lonergan remained unused on the bench as United dropped to sixth on the ladder.

Reading were United's next visitors to Elland Road on 17th December 2011 and it meant that Alex McCarthy was unable to play against his parent club and this saw Andy Lonergan restored to goalkeeping duties and Maik Taylor took his place on the bench. Michael Brown was also restored to the starting team as Lloyd Sam was dropped to the bench as Danny Pugh moved out to the left of midfield with Robert Snodgrass reverting to the right, while Ross McCormack was also recalled to the starting XI with Andy Keogh dropping to the bench. 23,162 were in attendance as Andy Lonergan's first taste of the action was to pick the ball out of the net in the second minute after he had looked decidedly rusty in the preamble to it as Reading's Simon Church latched on to a long ball forward from Jobi McAnuff to produce a quality finish from twelve yards into the top corner of the net from the tightest of angles. United responded quickly to put Reading under immediate pressure but, despite Leeds having the greater possession, the visitors' defence held firm and it was they that created the next chance in the fifteenth minute when Jobi McAnuff cut in from the right but blazed his shot wide of the mark. Five minutes later Andy Lonergan was was called upon to make a good save low to his left as again Jobi McAnuff threatened and Aidan White cleaned up at the expense of a corner. On the half-hour mark Ross McCormack was upended on the edge of the Reading penalty area by Jobi McAnuff and from the resultant free-kick shots were twice blocked by the Reading defence. The visitors did go close after a Mikele Leigertwood free-kick was headed over the bar by Kaspars Gorkss, while Ross McCormack headed straight at Adam Federici in the final minute of the half. The opening minutes of the second half were just like the first half had been; a tight and closely fought contest with United unable to make significant headway against a well-organized Reading. In the fifty-ninth minute, Danny Pugh, Robert Snodgrass and Paul Connoly combined well before a cheeky back-heel from Adam Clayton was smothered by Adam Federici. United brought on all their available substitutes in the sixty-fifth minute with Andy Keogh replacing Adam Clayton, Lloyd Sam replacing Ross McCormack and Mika Vayrynen replacing Michael Brown. Andy Keogh was the first to have any involvement after Patrick Kisnorbo had headed on a Robert Snodgrass free-kick but his spectacular effort flew over the bar. Reading counter-attacked and Alex Pearce headed wide from just six yards. There was a goalmouth scramble at the other end in the seventy-fourth minute and both Luciano Becchio and Lloyd Sam were denied by good Reading defending. Reading keeper Adam Federici had to react quickly to clear from Robert Snodgrass in the eightieth minute and Danny Pugh followed up with a shot from twenty-five yards that was deflected wide for a corner by Alex Pearce. There seemed to be no chink in the Reading armour as the minutes began to count down and the final ten minutes passed without any undue worries to the visitors. Four minutes were added for stoppage time with the same result as Reading had no problems in taking the three points back home with them. Darren O'Dea and Maik Taylor remained unused on the bench as Leeds remained sixth in the table.

United travelled to Pride Park to take on Derby County in a Boxing Day fixture, their only game in the Christmas period. There was only one change to the starting eleven as Darren O'Dea returned and Tom Lees moved to right-back with Paul Connolly dropping to the bench, where Ramon Nunez was included as Lloyd Sam dropped out of the squad and Alex McCarthy replaced Maik Taylor as deputy keeper. There were at least 4,172 Leeds fans in the crowd of 33,010 as United looked to get back to winning ways after only picking up one point from their previous two games. Aidan White forced a corner in the first three minutes when he took advantage of a defensive mistake by John Brayford but Shaun Barker made a fine recovering tackle to keep him out. This was followed up by Darren O'Dea having his header blocked from the resultant corner before Michael Brown drilled a shot wide. In the fifteenth minute a kick from goalkeeper Frank Fielding found Jamie Ward on the left where he beat his man and squared to Nathan Tyson, whose first time shot was straight at Andy Lonergan. Ex-Leeds loanee Frank Fielding in the Derby goal was forced to punch clear after Robert Snodgrass whipped an early free-kick into the box. At the other end Adam Clayton did well to cut out a threatening ball into the Leeds penalty area. Danny Pugh also made a timely block to deny Paul Green as Derby threatened again and Nathan Tyson also had an oppurtunity but shot straight at Andy Lonergan. Frank Fielding was the next keeper to be called into action as he had to go full length to turn a long range effort from Ross McCormack round the post for a corner. It was a post that came to United's rescue when James Bailey found Jamie Ward who cut inside from the left and flashed in a low shot in the twenty-second minute. Paul Green could not control the rebound as it came back to him at speed and he was unable to divert it goalwards. Leeds were dangerous from set pieces and but Patrick Kisnorbo headed over when given a free header from a Robert Snodgrass free-kick. Andy Lonergan also had to save from Nathan Tyson after the Rams' striker got to a long ball forward out of defence by James Bailey and although forced wide by Tom Lees he managed to squeeze in a shot on goal. There had been an under-current of niggly fouls in the match. Tempers flared on the half hour after Derby thought they had grounds for a penalty when Jamie Ward was impeded and they were even more upset minutes later as Robert Snodgrass was awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the Derby penalty area in Leeds' next attack. It was again Robert Snodgrass who tried another great strike and Frank Fielding had to be at his best to tip the shot over the bar. From the resulting corner Luciano Becchio headed over. Five minutes before the half-time break Andy Lonergan was tested again when he had to save from a low shot by Jamie Ward. Tom Lees had to go off injured two minutes before half-time and Paul Connolly took over against his former club. Derby had a couple of early raids in the second half and John Brayford broke forward on the right and his crossfield ball found Jamie Ward wide on the left and both Darren O'Dea and Andy Lonergan made good stops before Gareth Roberts shot wide under pressure from Michael Brown. United replied and Patrick Kisnorbo sent in a glancing header that just grazed Frank Fielding's bar and soon after both Ross McCormack and Robert Snodgrass came within a whisker of getting their heads to a Danny Pugh cross. After some great work by Robert Snodgrass on the edge of the Derby box, Danny Pugh unleashed a stinging drive that again tested Frank Fielding as Leeds started to gain the ascendency on the hour mark and after sixty-five minutes they thought they had a good penalty claim for handball but the referee would have nothing of it. John Brayford and Craig Bryson started the move that found Jamie Ward in the Leeds box to gave Derby the lead after sixty-seven minutes when Andy Lonergan did well to stop his first effort but was powerless to do anything as the Derby man regained possession and drilled the ball into the far corner from an acute angle. United immediately sent on Andy Keogh to replace Luciano Becchio in the sixty-eighth minute and the loanee almost scored but Jason Shackell somehow managed to stop him, after Ross McCormack had released his strike partner. Ramon Nunez became United's third change when he came on for Aidan White in the seventy-fourth minute. The Honduran International was involved with the start of a move that finished with Adam Clayton lifting the ball into the Derby danger area and only some desperate defending kept United out. Robert Snodgrass next fired in a low shot which Frank Fielding got down well to save. United were throwing bodies forward in a desparate attempt to equalize and risked Derby hitting them on the break as the minutes ticked away until there were less than six left on the clock. A Robert Snodgrass free-kick was repelled and the Derby challenges became more and more robust in the final minutes. Frank Fielding was giving an inspired display and came up with two more good saves in the eighty-seventh minute to deny Leeds an equalizer as he first parried a deflected shot from Ross McCormack and then reacted well to deny Andy Keogh as he followed up and was glad to tip an Adam Clayton volley from twenty yards over the bar. He next tipped a shot from Ramon Nunez over the top before somehow a powerful downward header by Patrick Kisnorbo from a Robert Snodgrass corner was prevented from crossing the line by John Brayford. It was a game Leeds did not deserve to lose but Derby held on grimly to take full points. Mika Vayrynen and Alex McCarthy remained unused on the bench and Leeds slid further down the table to eighth.

On 31st December 2011 the New Years Eve game brought a trip to Oakwell to take on Barnsley. Leeds were in a form slump after failing to score in their two most recent fixtures and having gained just one point from the last three starts. So it came as little surprise when Simon Grayson rang the changes as Paul Connolly came into the side for the injured Tom Lees at right-back and Alex Bruce took his place on the bench. Mika Vayrynen came in for Adam Clayton who dropped to the bench, while Ramon Nunez moved from the bench to take over from Robert Snodgrass, who had had to have an appendix operation, and Lloyd Sam filled the vacant place on the bench and Luciano Becchio also dropped to the bench as Andy Keogh was preferred in the striker's role. He also reverted to the 4-5-1 system with Mika Vayrynen in midfield and Ramon Nunez and Ross McCormack filling the two wide roles. There were over 5,800 Leeds fans in the crowd of 17,499. After the opening sparring it was Leeds that got in the first shot on goal when Andy Keogh shot narrowly wide after Michael Brown and Ross McCormack had played their part in the build-up. Ramon Nunez's shot from twenty yards, after fifteen minutes, was just wide. A minute later the home side took the lead, when Ricardo Vaz Te, who had just come on for the injured Jacob Butterfield, scored with his first real touch as he took a short pass from Craig Davies and went past Leeds Captain Patrick Kisnorbo before delivering a brilliant low strike past a stunned Andy Lonergan from the just inside the box. The substitute was clearly relishing his introduction as he teed up a chance for Matt Done, but the midfielder lost control with only the goalkeeper to beat. Ramon Nunez was back again in the twenty-second minute and got in another shot from twenty yards which had the agile Luke Steele diving low to his left to make a superb save. Craig Davies was proving a handful and in the twenty-seventh minute Patrick Kisnorbo made a brave stop to stop his shot on goal. Ross McCormack, who had his shot deflected by Miles Addison for a corner, and Darren O'Dea were both thwarted as the game reached the half-hour mark, but the home side were also pressing and Ricardi Vaz Te wasted a good oppurtunity when he shot high over with a free-kick from twenty-five yards after thirty-four minutes. The home team continued to press and a minute later Craig Davies took a pass from Scott Wiseman but could only blast the ball over from barely ten yards. With three minutes to half-time Ramon Nunez found Andy Keogh with a peach of a cross and the striker's header forced Luke Steele to save low down and the keeper also had to save another long range shot from Ramon Nunez. Leeds made the first attack of the second half but it was Matt Done that got in the first shot, but it was deflected wide for a corner by Darren O'Dea. Ricardo Vaz Te was left in acres of space when he received the ball on the edge of the box following a Matt Done corner and he made no mistake as he shot unerringly past Andy Lonergan and Darren O'Dea on the line, into the far corner of the net, after fifty-one minutes. Leeds made a double change in the fifty-fourth minute with Adam Clayton replacing Mika Vayrynen and Luciano Becchio coming on for Andy Keogh. It got worse for Leeds seven minutes later when Craig Davies made it 3-0, when David Perkins charged forward and Danny Pugh could only direct his attempted clearance into the path of Davies and he rifled in a clinical strike which gave Andy Lonergan no chance. United were looking disjointed and very vulnerable as Barnsley looked to increase their advantage and Craig Davies went close in the sixty-fifth minute with a similar effort to his recent goal, but this time his shot passed norrowly off-target. Ricardo Vaz Te completed his hat-trick after seventy-two minutes when he found space on the left flank and cut in past Aidan White and Darren O'Dea, to angle the ball under Andy Lonergan for Barnsley's fourth as the game became a landslide for the home team. Leeds almost salvaged some pride soon after as Patrick Kisnorbo had an header clawed off the line and Darren O'Dea's follow-up skimmed the bar. However Andy Lonergan was called upon to make a good save from Miles Addison, who shot through a ruck of players. With three minutes left Ross McCormack forced Luke Steele to make a good save and deep into stoppage time Luciano Becchio headed home a free-kick but the game was long gone by then. Alex Bruce, Lloyd Sam and Alex McCarthy remained unused on the bench as United slipped further down the League table to tenth, after being totally outplayed by Barnsley.

United only had two days to recover from the drubbing before they had to face Burnley at Elland Road on 2nd January 2012. Simon Grayson had been placed on notice of the expectation of promotion by Chairman Ken Bates and that the team's fortunes needed to improve to acheive that. So the Manager again rang the changes as he brought in the previous day's new loan signing from Tottenham Hotspur, midfielder Andros Townsend, for his debut in place of Michael Brown, who dropped to the bench. With the loans of Alex McCarthy and Andy Keogh due to expire the next day he chose to pick the keeper but gave the striker's role back to Luciano Becchio, who had Ramon Nunez as his strike partner, leaving Ross McCormack on the bench, and bringing in Mikael Forssell to the squad as a substitute striker. Alex Bruce was elevated from the bench into the starting team for his first game of the season as Paul Connolly was omitted from the squad. Adam Clayton was recalled in midfield and young midfielder Zac Thompson also found himself brought into the side for his first League start of the season in place of Mika Vayrynen who also dropped out of the squad. A crowd of 27,295 was on hand as United lined up in 4-4-2 formation: Andy Lonergan, Alex Bruce, Patrick Kisnorbo, Darren O'Dea, Aidan White; Andros Townsend, Adam Clayton, Zac Thompson, Danny Pugh; Luciano Becchio, Ramon Nunez. With a bench of: Lloyd Sam, Michael Brown, Ross McCormack, Mikael Forssell and Alex McCarthy. Burnley were the first to carve out a chance as Charlie Austin seized on a misplaced Leeds pass but Aidan White got back to limit his options and avert the danger. Zac Thompson had a shot blocked before Aidan White got in a teasing cross and Patrick Kisnorbo lifted an effort over the bar following an Andros Townsend corner. Play was held up for a lengthy period after Patrick Kisnorbo had taken a bad tumble in clearing his lines and he needed treatment for a knee injury before it was decided that he was unable to continue. So after just fifteen minutes United had lost their Captain and Lloyd Sam came on as his replacement which necessitated quite a reshuffle as Alex Bruce took his place in central defence with Zac Thompson moving to right-back to allow the substitute to take up a role on the right of midfield with Andros Townsend switching to the left, and Andy Lonergan taking over the Captain's armband. The keeper and new Captain was quickly called into action as he turned a twenty-five yard shot from Charlie Austin over the bar and then he raced off his line to clear before Burnley's Jay Rodriguez could latch onto a long through ball. At the other end Zac Thompson got in two good crosses from the right and Andros Townsend shot wide after making a good attacking run. Burnley were reduced to ten men near to the half hour mark after Keiran Trippier had received his second yellow card, which both had come from fouls on Andros Townsend, who had been leading him a merry dance with his tricky footwork. As the game approached half-time Leeds started to get on top but in the four minutes that were added for stoppages Danny Pugh was shown a yellow card for a foul on Ben Mee. United took the game to Burnley at the start of the second half and Ramon Nunez twice got in crosses that caused Lee Grant problems before Andros Townsend went close after he had cut in from the right and put in a shot that was marginally over. The tricky Andros Townsend was causing the Burnley defenders all kinds of problems and Brian Edgar became the second player to be booked for a foul on him. Lloyd Sam was the next to try his luck with an acrobatic effort following a free-kick and soon after he got in a cross that caused consternation in the Burnley defence and saw Brian Easton head away from under the bar. Next Darren O'Dea saw his header deflected onto the top of the bar for a corner. Leeds continued to press with Andros Townsend contining to be a threat and Ben Mee reacted well to clear another of his low crosses on the hour. There was some desperate defending from the visitors as the numerical imbalance started to show and after a Luciano Becchio effort had been denied Ben Mee became the third player to be booked for a foul on Andros Townsend. From the resulting free-kick Lee Grant had to be at full stretch to keep out a curling effort from Ramon Nunez. Zac Thompson was the next United player to go close when he got in a first time shot from twenty-five yards which narrowly went past the post. Then in the sixty-eighth minute, totally against the run of play, Burnley took the lead when Charlie Austin latched onto a long ball from Dean Marney, which was headed on by Chris McCann, and with a half-volley on the turn he got in a low shot which gave Andy Lonergan no chance. United had totally dominated the second half and yet they were now playing catch-up football against the ten men from Turf Moor. In the seventieth minute Mikael Forssell replaced Luciano Becchio and five minutes later Ross McCormack was sent on for Ramon Nunez as Leeds chased the game and Burnley defended in depth to preserve their lead. Mikael Forssell shot over as the game entered the last five minutes. With two minutes left on the clock the Leeds fans finally had something to cheer when the Burnley defender, Brian Easton, somehow turned a corner from Adam Clayton into his own net to make the score 1-1. United sent everyone forward to try and get the winner and Zac Thompson had an effort deflected wide in the final minute of normal time. With five minutes added for stoppages, Andros Townsend won a corner after another of his tricky runs and Lee Grant had to leave his line to punch it clear. Four minutes of stoppage time had elapsed when Lloyd Sam went very close as his shot was just wide of a post. However, in the final minute of added time Lee Grant failed to hold on to a long distance shot from Andros Townsend and Ross McCormack was on hand to tap home his eleventh League goal of the season from close range as Leeds broke their barren spell. Michael Brown and Alex McCarthy were the two unused substitutes as United moved up two places to eighth in the table.

United travelled to the Emirates Stadium for the second year in succession to meet Arsenal in the Third Round of the F.A. Cup in a Monday evening kick-off on 9th January 2012 supported by at least 5,100 Leeds fans in a crowd of 59,615 and strangely there was only one player, Luciano Becchio, who had played in the fixture in the previous encounter. Zac Thompson who had moved to right-back in a reshuffle to cover for the injured Patrick Kishnorbo retained his place at the expense of Alex Bruce who dropped to the bench, while Tom Lees returned from injury to take over the injured captain's central defensive role, as goalkeeper started his first game as United skipper. Andros Townsend, who was "Man of the Match" against Burnley retained the right wing spot, while Mika Vayrynen was recalled to the central midfield role vacated by Zac Thompson. Maik Taylor came back to the bench as deputy keeper for the departed Alex McCarthy and Ben Parker was given one of the extra spots on the bench. Thierry Henry was a big drawcard on his return to his former club on loan from New York Bulls, but was named on the bench. Leeds were looking to repeat their great performance of the previous year but it was the home team that made the early running and Andrey Arshavin wasted a good chance after great work from Marouane Chamakh. It may have been a young Arsenal side lacking several star players, but they were still a force to be reckoned with and capable of playing possession football in the Wenger style, so it was not surprising that United were soon pulling men back behind the ball to thwart the young Gunners. Sebastien Squillaci did come within a whisker after fifteen minutes when he got up well to a Mikel Arteta ball but his header was not quite on target. Andros Townsend replied for United with a ball from the left wing but Wojciech Szczesny easily gathered at the near post. Aaron Ramsey found space as he surged forward but his shot was off target. Then Andy Lonergan thwarted him once more when he smothered at his feet, when he next threatened. It was Aaron Ramsey once more that had a shot deflected wide after Arsenal got behind the Leeds defence as they applied more pressure. It was all Arsenal and in the twenty-third minute Mikael Arteta was next to go close as he drilled in a shot just wide from distance. A few moments later Leeds did create a chance as Mika Vayrynen made a run down the left flank after Arsenal had failed to clear a free-kick and from his cross Luciano Becchio shot over the bar. As the game passed the half-hour mark Leeds did come more into the game and enjoyed some spells of possession and Andros Townsend looked dangerous on either flank. Arsenal won a corner just on half-time as Aidan White blocked an Aaron Ramsey shot and Laurent Koscielny headed Mikel Arteta's corner over the bar and Leeds went in to the break feeling pleased with their first-half performance and having held Arsenal goalless. Arsenal mounted the first attack of the second half when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got in a shot that went wide of the target and into the side-netting. Andrey Arshavin wasted another decent chance as he volleyed wide. Mikel Arteta next got in a side-footed shot which brought a fine save, low down, from Andy Lonergan, before Andrey Arshavin then shot across the face of goal and a header flew wide of the mark as Arsenal built up the pressure. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had another shot blocked and then Tom Lees was forced to head a cross over his own bar to safety with Marouane Chamakh lurking. Simon Grayson made his first change after one hour when he replaced the hard-working Mika Vayrynen with Michael Brown in the middle of midfield. Arsenal still pressed and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain exchanged passes with Aaron Ramsey to create an opening but Andy Lonergan saved well. With Thierry Henry and Theo Walcott waiting on the sidelines to replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Marouane Chamakh in the sixty-eighth minute, Andros Townsend created an opening for Leeds, but the score was still 0-0 when the biggest cheer of the day went up from the home supporters for the return of the legendary Frenchman. Ross McCormack replaced Luciano Becchio with fifteen minutes left and Leeds were still very much in the game, even though the shots on goal showed Arsenal twenty-eight as opposed to Leeds' one. Ramon Nunez doubled that when tried his luck from distance after a poor clearance from Wojciech Szczesny, but the goalkeeper recovered quickly to gather his shot. Arsenal's winner came in the seventy-eighth minute and it was a fairy-tale come true as it was Thierry Henry who finished off a flowing move when he took an Alex Song pass into his stride to slide a shot into the far corner of the net with a good finish to crown his Arsenal return with a goal. Leeds responded immediately with Michael Brown shooting from long range and then Ross McCormack having a header from an Adam Clayton cross saved by Wojciech Szczesny from eight yards. However it was Arsenal who were heading towards victory and Andrey Arshavin wasted a good chance to put the game beyond doubt with eight minutes left when he failed to test Andy Lonergan when he fired into the side-netting when well placed. Ignasi Miquel also wasted a good chance when he needed too much time to organize a shot. Mikael Forssell replaced Ramon Nunez after eighty-two minutes and Leeds were still not giving up as he forced Wojciech Szczesny into making a reaction save as the clock was almost showing ninety minutes gone. Danny Pugh tried a shot from distance in stoppage time but there was to be no equaliser and United slipped out of the F.A. Cup for another season. Ben Parker, Alex Bruce, Lloyd Sam and Maik Taylor remained as the unused substitutes.

It was back to the League fixtures on 14th January 2012 as United took on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park backed by at least 4,004 in a crowd of 17,796. United had signed Robbie Rogers from NSL side Columbus Crew on 11th January 2012, but he was still not available. There was a return to the starting team for Michael Brown and a return after an appendix operation for Robert Snodgrass, who started from the bench which meant there was no place in the squad for Mika Vayrynen. Leading goalscorer Ross McCormack also returned to the starting XI as Ramon Nunez dropped to the bench. Andy Lonergan was again Captain and he was in the action right from the start as in the second minute he had to save from Chris Martin after Jonathan Parr had found him with a cross from the Palace left. He also had to save from Jermaine Easter. However United were soon one goal down when Chris Martin picked up a ball in the middle of the park, to the left of the Leeds penalty area, and advanced before drilling the ball low into the bottom corner past Andy Lonergan with an angled shot after just six minutes. United responded by winning a corner which came to nothing as Danny Pugh lashed Adam Clayton's flag-kick over the crossbar from six yards and then Ross McCormack had a long range free-kick which he put over the top of the goal. Palace responded with Darren Ambrose cutting in from the right and delivering a thunderous drive that passed just over the bar. It was not a game that provided much excitement but Ross McCormack almost got on the end of a defence splitting pass but was denied by a quick thinking Julian Speroni after twenty minutes. United started to gain more of the ball and were more constructive when in possession and Andros Townsend was the next to send a shot wide. At the other end Tom Lees made a good block to stop Sean Scannell and Andy Lonergan mopped up the move. In the thirty-second minute Danny Pugh was close with a shot after a passage of play that was brought back following a foul on Adam Clayton on the edge of the box. Ross McCormack took the free-kick but it was deflected wide by the Palace wall. Julian Speroni twice denied Leeds with good saves, when he clawed away an Adam Clayton shot from inside the area and then he reacted superbly to smother a Tom Lees shot from close range in the thirt-sixth minute. Palace should have done better just before half time when Chris Martin blasted the ball over the bar when he had only Andy Lonergan to beat. For the second game in succession the opposition were reduced to ten men. This time Sean Scannell was sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Danny Pugh in the forty-fourth minute, after he had been previously booked for a foul on Andros Townsend. From Adam Clayton's free kick Luciano Becchio got up well but his header was well saved by Julian Speroni. United were the first on the attack when the second half started with Ross McCormack's close-range shot being blocked by Paddy McCarthy and Tom Lees having a header saved by Julian Speroni. At the other end Darren O'Dea did well to deny Jermaine Easter as he tried to force an opening. Robert Snodgrass was sent on to replace Aidan White after fifty-six minutes as Simon Grayson made his first change. Chris Martin was twice penalized after fouls on Michael Brown, but Leeds could not capitalize and Adam Clayton had a shot blocked from the second free-kick. But United were back on level terms after sixty-three minutes when Ross McCormack fed Robert Snodgrass and he swept the ball into the bottom corner of the net from six yards to make it 1-1. Andros Townsend next whipped in a dangerous cross from the left as Leeds started to make their numerical superiority tell. Robert Snodgrass threatened again after seventy-five minutes after Leeds had gained possession in midfield but his left foot shot was over the bar. Danny Pugh was the next to try his luck but his long range shot was just wide, while Adam Clayton was also off target with a long range effort. Luciano Becchio was replaced by Mikael Forssell after seventy-nine minutes as United tried to win the game, but the next chance fell to Palace substitute Wilfred Zaha, who had weaved his way through the United defence but his final contact was poor. It was Leeds who were looking to attack while Palace were looking to attack on the counter and Julian Speroni made yet another good save to prevent Mikael Forssell from scoring as the game went into stoppage time but as United applied all the pressure and Palace threw all their men behind the ball, the home team held out for a draw. Alex Bruce, Ramon Nunez and Maik Taylor remained unused on the bench as Leeds dropped to eleventh on the ladder, one point outside the top six.

United had brought Fabian Delph back to Elland Road on a month's loan from Aston Villa on 20th January 2012 and he went straight into the team in place of Michael Brown as Leeds took on Ipswich Town at Elland Road the following day in front of a crowd of 22,844. Delph's return was small compensation for the total lack of ambition shown by the club's agreement to sell one of its prize assets in the form of club captain, and product of the Leeds Academy, Jonathan Howson to Norwich City. There were several other changes as Aidan White dropped to the bench to allow Danny Pugh to replace him at left-back and Andros Townsend switched from right to left flank to accomodate the return of Robert Snodgrass on the right wing. Mikael Forssell was given his chance in the starting eleven for the first time as Luciano Becchio dropped to the bench to the exclusion of Ramon Nunez. Alex McCarthy made a quick return to Elland Road between the posts for Ipswich having been quickly snapped up by them on loan from Reading. The ex-Leeds loanee was soon in the action when called upon to save a Tom Lees header. The central defender was quickly back on defensive duties to close out Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who was trying to bear down on the Leeds goal. Daryl Murphy also had an effort blocked before Leeds broke from defence and Andros Townsend shot wide from an acute angle. The Tottenham loanee was also involved in another attack that saw Ross McCormack denied by some good defending. There were not many chances created in the first half-hour but Fabian Delph had settled back well into his midfield role but little headway was being made by either side. But on the half-hour Andy Lonergan was called into the action for the first time when he had to race off his line to deny Lee Martin who had broken the Leeds offside trap, but as the ball ballooned to Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on the edge of the area he blazed high over the bar. However, the Leeds keeper was at fault when Ipswich took the lead in the thirty-fifth minute when Andy Drury took a short corner to Lee Martin on the left and, after receiving a return pass, dribbled the ball to the edge of the box before he let go a low drive to the near post which the Leeds goalkeeper, Andy Lonergan, was unable to hold and allowed to slip into the net under his body. There was little excitement and no real chances as the game headed towards half-time, but Jay Emmanuel-Thomas did try his luck from twenty-five yards with a shot which evaded Andy Lonergan but clipped the angle of the left-hand post and bar. It was Ipswich that created the first chance of the second half with Andy Lonergan having to be alert to thwart Jason Scotland after the Ipswich striker had managed to latch onto a long ball forward. Manager Simon Grayson made a double change after sixty minutes sending on Aidan White for Andros Townsend and Luciano Becchio for Mikael Forssell. Aidan White was almost immediately involved in a move that resulted in Danny Pugh getting in a cross to the far post, where Robert Snodgrass only just failed to score. There was also a fumble from Ipswich keeper Alex McCarthy of another cross from the deep but Aidan White was unable to capitalize. Ipswich went on the attack and Ibrahima Sonko had a shot deflected wide but in the seventy-first minute Ipswich were reduced to ten men when Alex McCarthy inexplicably deliberately handled the ball at least three yards out of his area, after fielding an headed back-pass from Ibrahima Sonko, and was immediately red-carded. Ipswich had to sacrifice Jason Scotland to allow deputy keeper Arran Lee-Barrett to take over in goal. The young keeper was soon picking the ball out of the net as Leeds equalized in the seventy-third minute when Robert Snodgrass kept up his rich seam of goals by scoring from six yards to register his tenth goal of the season after Ibrahima Sonko had passed the ball straight to him as he failed to clear his line while under little or no pressure. Leeds kept pressing and Darren O'Dea got in a header which forced a good save from Ipswich's substitute goalkeeper. Arran Lee-Barratt was having a baptism of fire and he was at fault when he hesitated and then slipped in coming off his line to collect an Adam Clayton ball and Ross McCormack was able to seize the loose ball and accept the gift in the eighty-first minute to put the home side 2-1 in the lead. In the ninetieth minute the young Ipswich keeper prevented a third goal for Leeds when he dived at the feet of Luciano Becchio to save after the Leeds striker was through on goal. However the Leeds striker did make it 3-1 when he took advantage of Tommy Smith allowing the ball to bounce and got on the end of a long ball forward to tuck it past Arran Lee-Barrett to secure a 3-1 victory in stoppage time. Alex Bruce, Michael Brown and Maik Taylor were the Leeds substitutes that were not used as Leeds moved up two places on the ladder to ninth, now just one point out of the play-off places.

United had another home game when the entertained Birmingham City at Elland Road in a Tuesday night fixture on 31st January 2012, the day of the closing of the transfer window which saw United bring in Adam Smith on loan from Tottenham Hotspur but there was no place for him nor USA International Robbie Rogers in the Leeds team for the match. Young Alex Cairns had been loaned to Barrow for a month to gain first team experience after Maik Taylor had been given an extended contract to the end of the season on 6th January 2012. However, Simon Grayson had made two changes to his starting line-up with Luciano Becchio regaining his strikers' role from Mikael Forssell with the Finn being left off the bench in preference to Ramon Nunez and Aidan White regained the left-back spot from Danny Pugh. In front of a crowd of 19,628, Luciano Becchio was soon in the action as he headed an Andros Townsend ball at the goal and also a shot by Ross McCormack was blocked on the line and then scrambled clear. Then the Argentinian again had a great chance in the fourth minute as he latched onto a through ball forward from Ross McCormack but not only did he slide the ball past Birmingham keeper Boaz Myhill but also past the post. Leeds had made a very positive start and Boaz Myhill was soon called into action again when Fabian Delph found Robert Snodgrass with a great crossfield ball but the Birmingham keeper was again equal to the task. The visitors were reduced to playing on the counter and Chris Burke tested Andy Lonergan with a deft flick after he got in behind the Leeds defence. But in the nineteenth minute Leeds took a deserved lead when Ross McCormack showed great skill to work an opening for himself on the edge of the Birmingham penalty box as he skipped past Curtis Davies before comprehensively beating Boaz Myhill with a left-foot strike into the corner of the net. Despite not offering much trouble in the first half-hour Birmingham drew level in the thirtieth minute with their first serious raid when Nikola Zigic headed home a cross from Wade Elliott from close range, after losing his marker. United continued to be more of a threat with Fabian Delph, Andros Townsend, Robert Snodgrass and Aidan White all making good runs as Birmingham were forced to defend in depth and hang on. The visitors relied heavily on their wingers, particularly Chris Burke, as their main counter-attacking weapon down the right flank in the hope that he could supply the ammunition for the towering Nikola Zogic to use his height advantage to effect. That was the method they had used at St Andrew's, where Nikola Zigic had netted the winner, and again at Elland Road where the Serbian had repeated the dose. But the teams went in at half-time with one goal each, after what had been a final fifteen minutes devoid of chances as neither team seemed prepared to take the initiative. It did not take long in the second half for the visitors to provide the Serbian with a header which forced a good save out of Andy Lonergan. However, six minutes into the second half it was visiting keeper Boaz Myhill who came to his side's rescue when he pulled off a brilliant save from a Luciano Becchio header after Darren O'Dea had found the Argentinian with a good cross. Then, almost immediately, the keeper was called upon to make a good reaction save from the Leeds striker when he shot from thirty yards in the fifty-seventh minute. But, after sixty-one minutes, it was 2-1 to the visitors when Chris Burke once more attacked down the right flank and, after beating Aidan White, he pulled the ball back to Nikola Zigic, who scored with an unstoppable strike high into the net. Three minutes later it was 3-1 when Morgaro Gomis supplied a cross from the left and Nikola Zigic rose majestically and headed the ball into the net to complete his hat-trick. Things only got worse for United as three minutes after that it became 4-1 to Birmingham as Wade Elliott header forced Andy Lonergan to make a fine save at the expense of a corner. Nikola Zigic got his fourth of the night when he headed home from the resulting corner. The Serbian fell awkwardly and was substituted to a standing ovation from the visitors supporters. The game headed towards its inevitable conclusion as Leeds could not recover from conceding three goals in six minutes and seemed devoid of ideas. Simon Grayson could not even muster up a reason to put on any of his substitutes as Alex Bruce, Michael Brown, Danny Pugh, Ramon Nunez and Maik Taylor remained unused on the bench as Leeds slipped to tenth now three points out of the play-off positions. Simon Grayson paid for the defeat with his job as he was sacked after the game along with his Assistant Glynn Snodin and First Team coach Ian Miller leaving Youth Coach Keith Redfearn in charge.

Neil Redfearn kept an unchanged starting eleven and his only change to the squad was the inclusion of Ramon Nunez in place of Robbie Rogers on the bench as United welcomed Brighton and Hove Albion to Elland Road on 11th February 2012 in front of a crowd of 23,171. It was Neil Redfearn's first home game in charge and he hoped to maintain his one hundred per cent record knowing that he had been given three games at least at the helm. Brighton were managed by former Leeds Assistant Manager Gus Poyet, who had ex-Leeds loanee striker Sam Vokes making his debut for Brighton, while Ex-Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren was on the visitors' bench. United started brightly and the afternoon almost got off to a superb start but Luciano Becchio was denied with an early chance. Aidan White also linked up well with the Argentinian for an early attack, but Brighton were able to clear their lines. There was a huge shout for a penalty after Ross McCormack had been manhandled to the floor by Adam El-Abd but the referee thought long and hard before deciding to dismiss the appeals. It was Luciano Becchio again who headed wide following more good work and it wasn't until the twenty-fifth minute when Alan Navarro hooked a shot wide that Brighton mounted a serious attack. Gordon Greer then had an effort deflected over the top. But next Andy Lonergan had to be agile to fend off a powerful drive from long range by Liam Bridcutt as Brighton started to get a foothold in the contest. The Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan was forced get down well to scramble away a cross from Adam Smith, after he had been released by a deft pass from Robert Snodgrass, with what was Leeds' first attack that required the keeper's attention, in the thirty-second minute. United's first on target effort finally came six minutes later when Tom Lees headed a Robert Snodgrass corner into the hands of the Brighton keeper. As half-time approached both teams enjoyed spells of possession but chances were in short supply as both teams defended solidly. Leeds started the second half on the attack and Luciano Becchio was presented with an early chance when Peter Brezovan failed to deal with a low ball into the box from Robert Snodgrass and the Argentinian striker arrived at the far post, but was prevented by Joe Mattock from bundling the ball into the net. Brighton's Ashley Barnes brought out the best in Andy Lonergan, who was forced to save from close range after just four minutes of the second half. Joe Mattock was denied by Andy Lonergan after he had made a good run down the left flank. The United keeper also had to react well to pull off a good save from former Leeds loanee Sam Vokes, as the pressure from Brighton mounted. When Leeds next attacked it was Adam Smith who tried his luck and went close from distance. Ross McCormack then lifted his shot over the bar after he was played in by Adam Clayton. Robert Snodgrass got in a good cross into the box from a free kick and Tom Lees got up well but his forceful header was well saved by Peter Brezovan. It was the visitors that finally broke the deadlock when Vicente Rodriguez Guillén took a corner on the right and after an Ashley Barnes flick on at the near post, substitute Craig Mackail-Smith got on the end of it to stab the ball home from two yards at the far post after seventy-six minutes. Within two minutes Leeds had equalized when Luciano Becchio rose to head home an outswinging left wing Robert Snodgrass corner into the bottom right corner of the net from twelve yards with a powerful well-placed header. The equalizer was well-merited and United sought to press for the winner and two minutes later sent on Andros Townsend for Aidan White. Ramon Nunez was also sent on for Ross McCormack on the ninety minute mark as the fourth official signalled there would be four extra minutes of stoppage time. In the first of those minutes Liam Bridcutt won possession in midfield and played in Alan Navarro who found himself in space, twenty yards out, to shoot past Andy Lonergan, at his near post, after deflecting off Adam Smith, to give the visitors the lead once again. Leeds responded by winning a corner from which Tom Lees' header was saved by Peter Brezovan and there was no well-deserved equalizer as Brighton escaped with full points with Alex Bruce, Michael Brown and Maik Taylor remaining unused on the bench as United slipped to tenth four points away from the sixth spot.

Neil Redfearn stuck once again with the same team for his third game in charge, when United visited the Ricoh Arena to tale on bottom-of-the-table Coventry City in a Tuesday night fixture on 14th February 2012. There were over 3,214 Leeds fans in a crowd of 15,704 that saw former Leeds loanee Gary McSheffrey in the home team line-up and Andy O'Brien take the place of Alex Bruce on the Leeds bench. The home side had only managed three wins in their previous nineteen matches and Neil Redfearn would have been looking forward to getting full points in his bid to get Leeds into the play-offs. His team started brightly and soon created a chance which finished with the ball going wide of the target from a Ross McCormack shot, but his midfield was already showing signs of dominating in a fairly slow start to the game. They pressed the home team back on the defensive but this seemed to suit Coventry's strategy as they looked to counter attack rather than make the running. It was from one such counter attack that produced a good run from Alex Nimely and Danny Pugh brought him down as he cut into the box and ex-Leeds loanee, Gary McSheffrey, stepped up to and sent the ball wide of Andy Lonergan to score in his right hand corner of the net after twenty minutes. United responded immediately by going on the attack and Tom Lees sent a header over the bar. Adam Clayton made a good run in midfield but was stopped by a well-judged tackle from Oliver Norwood on the edge of the penalty area after he had left Martin Cranie trailing in his wake. Leeds got an equalizer after thirty-one minutes when Adam Clayton again forced his way into the area and there he nutmegged Richard Keogh to find Luciano Becchio, who in turn found Ross McCormack, who made no mistake as he tucked the ball into the net from twelve yards to make it 1-1. Leeds were unable to build on that goal as Coventry responded to it by applying a spell of pressure themselves and Andy Lonergan was forced to make a couple of saves as the game approached half-time. Carl Baker found Alex Nimely in the box but his half-volleyed shot went wide. In the thirty-eighth minute Oliver Norwood found Clive Platt on the edge of the area and he gave Gary McSheffrey the chance to get in a shot but it was straight at Andy Lonergan. Darren O'Dea had to make a good clearance after Clive Platt looped a header towards goal from eight yards after Carl Baker had found him with a good ball into the box. In the final minute of the half Ross McCormack was wide when he tried his luck from distance from a free-kick. United went straight on the attack at the start of the second half and Robert Snodgrass had a shot blocked and then Adam Clayton was just over the bar with an effort from thirty yards that dipped and swirled. But on the half hour the home team had a great chance to take the lead when Gary McSheffrey flicked the ball on for Carl Baker, but although he lifted his shot over Andy Lonergan it went sailing over the bar. There was a lull in the game while Fabian Delph received lengthy attention from the training staff after he picked up a knock. In the fifty-eighth minute Carl Baker should have put Coventry ahead after he had found Clive Platt on the edge of the area with his back to goal, but he was able to find Gary McSheffrey with a neat flick but after he had played the midfielder in, he shot over the bar when it seemed easier to score. Fabian Delph could not carry on and, in the sixty-second minute, had to be replaced by Michael Brown in Neil Redfearn's first substitution as a Manager. Ross McCormack then made a half chance for Aidan White, but his shot was blocked by the legs of Joe Murphy. The Scot was next to get in a shot but it went over the bar. Then in the sixty-third minute Robert Snodgrass beat Cyrus Christie on the edge of the area and fired a low shot towards goal but it was brilliantly saved by Joe Murphy in the Coventry goal. Both sides had chances to take the lead as Oliver Norwood drifted his free-kick narrowly wide and Ross McCormack blasted his shot over from a good position as the game moved into the final twenty minutes. After seventy-one minutes Cyrus Christie started a move that Carl Baker was able to continue and play in Alex Nimely but his shot was deflected into the safety of Andy Lonergan's arms. In the seventy-fourth minute Neil Redfearn had to make his second change when he sent on Andy O'Brien in place of Adam Smith who seemed to have picked up a knock. The game started to ebb and flow with Coventry trying to put Leeds under pressure but Michael Brown was doing a good job in midfield by breaking up play and keeping United moving forward. As the game moved into the final ten minutes the home side created two half-chances and Clive Platt should have done better from close range after Gary McSheffrey had squared the ball back to him fron the by-line. In the eighty-third minute Ross McCormack was replaced by Ramon Nunez. Two minutes later Gary McSheffrey had a chance to put Coventry in front but headed over at the far post after good work from Clive Platt, Alex Nimely and Carl Baker. With two minutes left Alex Nimely couldn't get a touch on a cross from Gary McSheffrey, who had done well to beat several Leeds defenders before crossing. Five minutes were added by the fourth official and this gave Coventry the chance to press and create the oppurtunity for a penalty when Adam Clayton brought down Alex Nimely, as he beat two Leeds defenders and cut into the box, and once again Gary McSheffrey stepped up to smash the ball into the net, this time by hitting it straight into the middle of the goal to secure full points for Coventry. Andros Townsend and Maik Taylor remained unused on the bench as United slipped to eleventh and ominously six points away from the play-off spot.

18th February 2012 saw the visit of the latest occupier of the Division's bottom place in Doncaster Rovers, but it also was preceeded by the appointment of Neil Warnock as Manager of Leeds United but temporary boss, Neil Redfearn, was in charge of the team for the final time. The new Manager met the players for the first time before the game and then repaired to the stand to assess his new players in action. There were several changes to the starting team with loanees Adam Smith and Fabian Delph not having recovered from injuries sustained at Coventry and their places had gone to Alex Bruce and Andros Townsend, whose places on the bench had been taken by Paul Connolly and Robbie Rogers, with Danny Pugh moving into Fabian Delph's midfield role to allow Aidan White to move to left-back to accomodate Townsend on the left of midfield. Mikael Forssell was recalled to the bench at the expense of Ramon Nunez. A crowd of 21,181 were on hand to witness Doncaster kick off with ten men as Pascal Chimbomda had been sent back to the dressing rooms to remove an ear-ring. Rovers did have former Leeds trainee Sam Hird in their team and former Leeds loanee, John Oster, on their bench. United started well with Andros Townsend at the centre of an early attack but, after Brian Stock had shot over the bar, it was Doncaster's Habib Bamogo who had the first real chance when he hit the post with a a back-heel flick from an El Hadj Diouf header. When Leeds responded Luciano Becchio had an header turned over the bar by the scrambling Doncaster keeper, David Button, after Adam Clayton had done well to play him in. It was largely an unentertaining first thirty minutes with neither side taking a grip on the game nor creating any worthwhile chances. Robert Snodgrass did create one chance for Adam Clayton but the midfielder's shot was charged down. However, after thirty-one minutes it was Doncaster that took the lead after Andy Lonergan had made a good save from James Hayter but the ball ran free to Mamadou Bagayoko who drilled it into an empty net. Leeds did come close to an equalizer in the thirty-seventh minute when Pascal Chimbomda almost headed into his own goal. It was, however, the visitors that should have increased their lead early in the second half when Giles Barnes found James Hayter in space and he got in a powerful strike on goal but his shot hit the bar and cannoned to safety. United quickly responded and Luciano Becchio headed a cross from Alex Bruce just over the bar. Doncaster took a 2-0 lead in the fifty-second minute when they again found plenty of space and Mamadou Bagayoko scored from close range after good work from El Hadj Diouf, who had received a ball from Tommy Spurr and squared the ball to the scorer, standing on the six yard line, for him to fire once more into the empty net. United pulled a goal back within a minute after Andros Townsend scored with a low shot from just inside the penalty box after Luciano Becchio had somehow got the ball to him. The Tottenham loanee went close to getting his second close to the hour mark when he tried his luck from distance but the shot flew wide of the target. He also got in a telling cross which was met by the head of Luciano Becchio only for Doncaster keeper, David Button, to save. In the sixtieth minute Neil Redfearn sent on Michael Brown in place of Danny Pugh in midfield. United were now starting to click and were pushing forward in search of an equalizer. Ross McCormack was the next to be foiled by the Doncaster keeper as he tried to dribble round him. USA International Robbie Rogers was introduced, for his debut, in the seventy-ninth minute in place of Andros Townsend as Robert Snodgrass switched wings, and it was the Scot who created the next chance as he found Luciano Becchio. Leeds pulled level in the eightieth minute when Adam Clayton got on the end of a good ball from Robert Snodgrass and scored with a well hit volley to make it 2-2. With United now in charge Doncaster tried to slow the game down and hang on for a point. As the ninetieth minute arrived, the fourth official's board showed five minutes of stoppage time but there was a bad clash of heads between Robbie Rogers and Tommy Spurr which caused the game to be held up for six minutes as worryingly both had to be stretchered off. Leeds sent on Mikael Forssell as a replacement. As the clock showed ninety-nine minutes Leeds were celebrating as Luciano Becchio latched on to a loose ball to smash it into the net from just inside the box for United to finish with the three points. Paul Connolly and Maik Taylor were the unused substitutes as Leeds moved back to tenth on the ladder three points away from sixth place.

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2009-2010 (Courtesy of Timothy Reynard)

Back Row: Andy Beasley (Goalkeeping Coach), Tresor Kandol, Andy Hughes, Patrick Kisborbo, Lubomir Michalik, Shane Higgs, Casper Ankergren, Enoch Showunmi, David Prutton, Davide Somma, Jermaine Beckford, Harvey Sharman (Head Physio).

Middle Row: Matt Pears (Fitness Coach), Paul Perkins (Assistant Physio), Mike Grella, Leigh Bromby, Ben Parker, Michael Doyle, Rui Marques, Chris Beasley (Kit Man), Darren Mowbray (Video Analyst).

Front Row: Ian Miller (First Team Coach), Neil Kilkenny, Aidan White, Bradley Johnson, Richard Naylor, Simon Grayson (Manager), Jonathan Howson, Robert Snodgrass, Luciano Becchio, Jason Crowe, Glynn Snodin (First Team Coach).

Inset:Alan Sheehan, Andy Robinson, Paul Huntington, Alan Martin, Tom Elliott, Josh Falkingham.

2009-2010 (Courtesy of Paul Gregson)

Back Row: Andy Beasley (Goalkeeping Coach), Tresor Kandol, Andy Hughes, Patrick Kisborbo, Lubomir Michalik, Shane Higgs, Casper Ankergren, Enoch Showunmi, David Prutton, Davide Somma, Jermaine Beckford, Harvey Sharman (Head Physio).

Middle Row: Matt Pears (Fitness Coach), Paul Perkins (Assistant Physio), Mike Grella, Leigh Bromby, Ben Parker, Michael Doyle, Rui Marques, Chris Beasley (Kit Man), Darren Mowbray (Video Analyst).

Front Row: Ian Miller (First Team Coach), Neil Kilkenny, Aidan White, Bradley Johnson, Richard Naylor, Simon Grayson (Manager), Jonathan Howson, Robert Snodgrass, Luciano Becchio, Jason Crowe, Glynn Snodin (First Team Coach).

2010-2011

Back Row: Harvey Sharman (Head Physio), Mike Grella, Neill Collins, Andy Hughes, Shane Higgs, Kasper Schmeichel, Alan Martin, Davide Somma, Luciano Becchio, Lloyd Sam, Andy Beasley (Goalkeeping Coach).

Middle Row: Paul Perkins (Assistant Physio), Matt Pears (Fitness Coach), Max Gradel, Robert Snodgrass, Paul Connolly, Leigh Bromby, Patrick Kisnorbo, Ben Parker, Billy Paynter, Chris Beasley (Kit Man), Darren Mowbray (Video Analyst).

Front Row: Ian Miller (First Team Coach), Jason Crowe, Aidan White, Bradley Johnson, Richard Naylor, Lee Thompson (Fan), Simon Grayson (Manager), Jonathan Howson, Alex Bruce, Federico Bessone, Neil Kilkenny, Glynn Snodin (First Team Coach).

2010-2011

Back Row: Harvey Sharman (Head Physio), Mike Grella, Neill Collins, Andy Hughes, Shane Higgs, Kasper Schmeichel, Alan Martin, Davide Somma, Luciano Becchio, Lloyd Sam, Andy Beasley (Goalkeeping Coach).

Middle Row: Paul Perkins (Assistant Physio), Matt Pears (Fitness Coach), Max Gradel, Robert Snodgrass, Paul Connolly, Leigh Bromby, Patrick Kisnorbo, Ben Parker, Billy Paynter, Chris Beasley (Kit Man), Darren Mowbray (Video Analyst).

Front Row: Ian Miller (First Team Coach), Jason Crowe, Aidan White, Bradley Johnson, Richard Naylor, Simon Grayson (Manager), Jonathan Howson, Alex Bruce, Federico Bessone, Neil Kilkenny, Glynn Snodin (First Team Coach).

2011-2012

Back Row: Harvey Sharman (Head Physio), Paul Connolly, Leigh Bromby, Andy O'Brien, Alex Cairns, Andy Lonergan, Paul Rachubka, Davide Somma, Luciano Becchio, Andy Beasley (Goalkeeping Coach).

Middle Row: Paul Perkins (Assistant Physio), Matt Pears (Fitness Coach), Tom Lees, Max Gradel, Robert Snodgrass, Ross McCormack, Lloyd Sam, Billy Paynter, Federico Bessone, Alex Davies (Video Analyst), Chris Beasley (Kit Man).

Front Row: Glynn Snodin (First Team Coach), Michael Brown, Alex Bruce, Aidan White, Jonathan Howson, Simon Grayson (Manager), Patrick Kisnorbo, Ben Parker, Adam Clayton,Ramon Nunez, Ian Miller (First Team Coach).

2011-2012: Gary Speed Tribute at Leicester City 6th November 2011.

Paul Connolly, Robert Snodgrass, Ross McCormack, Andy O'Brien, Adam Clayton, Patrick Kisnorbo, Alex McCarthy, Jonathan Howson, Andy Keogh, Aidan White, Danny Pugh.

2011-2012: Gary Speed Tribute at Nottingham Forest 29th November 2011.

Paul Connolly, Patrick Kisnorbo, Alex McCarthy, Tom Lees, Jonathan Howson, Aidan White, Luciano Becchio, Robert Snodgrass, Danny Pugh, Adam Clayton, Michael Brown.

2011-2012: Gary Speed Tribute v Millwall 3rd December 2011.

Paul Connolly, Luciano Becchio, Patrick Kisnorbo, Robert Snodgrass, Adam Clayton, Michael Brown, Alex McCarthy, Tom Lees, Jonathan Howson, Aidan White, Danny Pugh, Simon Grayson (Manager).

2011-2012: Gary Speed Tribute v Millwall 3rd December 2011.

Paul Connolly, Luciano Becchio, Patrick Kisnorbo, Robert Snodgrass, Adam Clayton, Michael Brown, Alex McCarthy, Tom Lees, Jonathan Howson, Aidan White, Danny Pugh, Simon Grayson (Manager).

Players/Managers:

Simon Grayson: Manager, Casper Ankergren , Mansour Assoumani , Barry Bannan , Luciano Becchio , Jermaine Beckford , Federico Bessone , Leigh Bromby , Jason Brown , Michael Brown , Alex Bruce , Alex Cairns , Tony Capaldi , Malcolm Christie , Adam Clayton , Neill Collins , Paul Connolly , Jason Crowe , Liam Darville , Fabian Delph , Paul Dickov , Michael Doyle , Carl Dickinson , Liam Dickinson , Jonathan Douglas , Tom Elliott , Hogan Ephraim , Josh Falkingham , Amdy Faye , Frank Fielding , Darryl Flahavan , Mickael Forssell , Max Gradel , Mike Grella , Will Hatfield , Shane Higgs , Jonathan Howson , Andy Hughes , Paul Huntington , Bradley Johnson , Ryan Jones , Tresor Kandol , Andy Keogh , Neil Kilkenny , Patrick Kisnorbo , Tom Lees , Eric Lichaj , Jake Livermore , Andy Lonergan , Shane Lowry , David Lucas , Jonathan Lund , Rui Marques , Alan Martin , David Martin , Alex McCarthy , George McCartney , Ross McCormack , Gary McSheffrey , Lubomir Michalik , Richard Naylor , Ramon Nunez , Andy O'Brien , Darren O'Dea , Ben Parker , Billy Paynter , David Prutton , Danny Pugh , Paul Rachubka , Frazer Richardson , Andy Robinson , Robbie Rogers , Lloyd Sam , Kasper Schmeichel , Alan Sheehan , Enoch Showunmi , Adam Smith , Robert Snodgrass , Sam Sodje , David Somma , Peter Sweeney , Charlie Taylor , Maik Taylor , Paul Telfer , Zac Thompson , Andros Townsend , Lee Trundle , Mika Vayrynen , Sam Vokes , Sanchez Watt , Jonathan Webb , Ian Westlake , Aidan White .

Part 5: Neil Warnock - Another new Dawn? 2012-2013

2011-2012:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

5th February 2012 saw the first game of the reign of Neil Warnock as they travelled to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth. They were without Andros Townsend who had returned to Tottenham Hotspur due to lack of first team oppurtunities at Elland Road and Fabian Delph who had returned to Villa Park for tratment on the injury he had received at Coventry City, neither were to return to Elland Road. Adam Smith was also unavailable due to injury and he too returned to White Hart Lane on 27th February 2012 for treatment and did not return. Danny Pugh dropped back to left-back with Aidan White moving to the right flank of midfield to replace Andros Townsend with Michael Brown being elevated from the bench to take over in holding midfield alongside Adam Clayton, with Robert Snodgrass in the middle of midfield and Ross McCormack moving to the left flank of midfield, leaving Luciano Becchio as the lone striker. Neil Warnock chose not to have a deputy keeper on the bench and Maik Taylor was replaced by Billy Paynter, who made a return to the fold after being on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion. Robbie Rogers was injured and replaced by Lloyd Sam while Paul Connolly was omitted from the squad in favour of Leigh Bromby and Zac Thompson took over the place on the bench vacated by Michael Brown. Portsmouth sat perilously close to relegation mainly due to having been deducted ten points for entering into administration earlier in the week which had dropped them into the bottom three. Neil Warnock also made another change to the former regime when he appointed Robert Snodgrass Captain in place of Andy Lonergan. In front of a crowd of 17,571, which included the usual large contingent of Leeds supporters who had made the long trip to the south coast, it was Andy Lonergan who became the first goalkeeper to be called into action as he saved a header and then pushed a corner from George Thorne over the bar, while at the other end Adam Clayton was wide with a shot. Alex Bruce picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Leigh Bromby after eleven minutes. It wasn't until the fifteenth minute that Leeds had their first shot on goal after Robert Snodgrass had had a shot deflected for a corner, which he took himself and Darren O'Dea flicked a low shot into the side-netting. In response Scott Allan was wide with a long range effort and Henry Mullins had a powerful strike deflected for a corner. But United soon broke out of defence to force a corner at the other end after some poor defending by the home team. Portsmouth skipper Jason Pearce was next to go close, but he should have done better with a free header from close range, following a corner and defender Tal Ben-Haim was wide with a wayward shot from thirty yards. There was more defending for United to do as Andy Lonergan clawed away a corner, but George Thorne relieved the pressure when he shot wide of the post. The home team's main threat was coming from set-pieces as they kept on picking up free-kicks in the Leeds half. One such foul saw Darren O'Dea receive a yellow card four minutes before half-time. But just before half-time Aidan White forced Portsmouth goalkeeper Stephen Henderson to make a diving save to turn his shot round the post. Portsmouth returned to the attack and half-time came with a chorus of boos for the referee as he left the field after rejecting the home team's appeal for a penalty as Tom Lees appeared to handle in first-half stoppage time. Portsmouth started the second half on the attack but it was Leeds who soon had the ball in the net. Ross McCormack rattled the underside of the Portsmouth bar with a powerful shot and Robert Snodgrass followed up with a header into the net to make sure, but the "goal" was disallowed for offside. Joel Ward had a long range effort blocked and then Andy Lonergan made a comfortable save from another long range effort from Henry Mullins. In the fifty-eighth minute, Luciano Becchio was denied by Stephen Henderson after he had broken through to beat the offside trap from a delightful through ball from Adam Clayton. United remained on the attack and Leigh Bromby was the next to be thwarted by Stephen Henderson, who saved with his feet from close range after the defender had got on the end of a set-piece. United continued to press with Adam Clayton being crowded out in their next attack. It was not all Leeds and they were reminded of that in the sixty-seventh minute when Andy Lonergan was called upon to deny George Thorne's shot from twenty yards and then Scott Allen sent in a free-kick just wide of the target as the game entered the final quarter. The game continued to go back and forth and Portsmouth were appealing for a goal when a Greg Halford throw-in went straight into the net unassisted by any other player. There were three minutes of stoppage time and Stephen Henderson had to push over a cross-shot from Aidan White, then collect a Darren O'Dea header after a throw-in before Michael Brown hooked a volley over the bar as the game finished in stalemate. Zac Thompson, Lloyd Sam, Billy Paynter and Mikael Forssell were all unused substitutes as Leeds remained tenth four points away from sixth place.

After a succession of games against relegation threatened clubs United next entertained top-of-the-table Southampton at Elland Road on 3rd March 2012 in a televised late kick-off in front of a crowd of 20,901. For his first home game in charge Neil Warnock had to make one enforced change when Leigh Bromby took over at right back from the injured Alex Bruce, and he recalled Paul Connolly to the bench as cover. He had been out and recruited Danny Webber, on a short-term contract on 28th February 2012. The striker had last played for Portsmouth, but had played under Warnock to good effect at Sheffield United, however he had been out of contract and had not played for quite a time and he took his place on the bench in place of Mikael Forssell, and Ramon Nunez was preferred to Zac Thompson on the bench. In the Southampton line-up former United right-back Frazer Richardson was in the team and former Leeds left-back Daniel Harding was on the bench. United started brightly and they had a huge claim for handball turned down in the first five minutes, when a Robert Snodgrass shot struck the forearm of Southampton defender Jose Fonte. Moments later Adam Clayton had his low shot deflected straight into the arms of the Saints' keeper, Kelvin Davies. Leeds continued to press and Jos Hooiveld made a smart block to deny Ross McCormack getting in a shot from two yards. After a positive start for Leeds it came as a surprise when the visitors opened the scoring in the fifteenth minute with what was their very first attack. Jack Cork picked up a ball in the Leeds half and his cross was headed down by Tadanari Lee into the path of Rickie Lambert, who placed an unstoppable volley into the net to give the Saints the lead. United's response was quick with Aidan White making a good run down the right wing before crossing for Robert Snodgrass to shoot over the bar. Ross McCormack was the next to go close as Aidan White set him up but the Leeds rhythmn was lost when for the second successive game Neil Warnock was forced to make an early change to his right-back as Leigh Bromby limped out of the game in the twenty-third minute to be replaced by Paul Connolly. United still remained on the attack and Ross McCormack got in a cross for Luciano Becchio to be denied by a fine save from Kelvin Davies. In the thirty-ninth minute Robert Snodgrass was just wide as Leeds continued to dominate the game right up to the half-time break. And with less than six minutes to go to the interval, Robert Snodgrass created United's best chance when he got past Frazer Richardson and his cross only needed a touch to find the net, but Aidan White failed to connect. Leeds started the second half in the same vein when a good ball from Robert Snodgrass allowed Luciano Becchio to go close after two minutes and then Adam Clayton had a fine drive blocked by Jos Hooiveld. Aidan White became the second injury victim of the game and he had to go off after fifty-six minutes which allowed Danny Webber to make his Leeds debut. It was all United and Luciano Becchio was denied by Kelvin Davies, who made an amazing double save to deny the striker an equalizer. Southampton responded with only their second serious attack of the game and Andy Lonergan had to make his first save of the match as he was quickly off his line to deny Ricky Lambert. The over-worked Kelvin Davies was immediately called into the action once more as Danny Webber and Luciano Becchio combined, but the Saint's keeper had to make a superb save to deny United's new man. The debutant was denied again moments later after he had got in a low strike and then United's Argentinian striker was also denied by the impressive Saints' keeper. After seventy-three minutes Neil Warnock sent on Lloyd Sam for Michael Brown to give a little more bite to the United attacking options as United searched for a deserved equalizer. Danny Webber was proving to be a real handful and he was again narrowly wide after more enterprising play from United. Saints' hung on and in the eighty-fourth minute they created an oppurtunity for Ricky Lambert to force Andy Lonergan to save at the expense of a corner, which Tom Lees cleared and sent United back on the attack. United were again unlucky as the game drew to an end when they hit the bar twice with headers after Southampton were unable to clear the first from Luciano Becchio, Darren O'Dea hit the bar with the second header. Southampton held on to take the three points but Leeds could take heart from the way they had totally outplayed the League leaders who had been saved by an unbelievable display of goalkeeping skills and good luck, a point borne out by the mass congratulations of the keeper by his teammates at the final whistle. Billy Paynter and Ramon Nunez remained the two unused substitutes as United remained tenth, six points away from sixth spot.

Neither Leigh Bromby nor Aidan White had recovered from their injuries and so Neil Warnock had to replace them with Paul Connolly and Danny Webber, who made his starting debut, as Leeds visited the KC Stadium to play Hull City in a Tuesday night match on 6th March 2012. Goalkeeper Paul Rachubka had been allowed to go on a month's loan to Leyton Orient to get match practice and Full-Back Paul Robinson had been loaned from Bolton Wanderers earlier in the day and was named in the substitutes along with Mikael Forssell to take the places vacated by Paul Connolly and Danny Webber. The crowd of 22,676 contained the usual good representation from Leeds as Luciano Becchio was the first player to threaten, when he hooked over the bar in the first minute after being played in by Paul Connolly and Robert Snodgrass wide in the seventh minute as Leeds pressed again. But it wan't all Leeds in the first ten minutes as Tom Lees twice had to make good clearances. Andy Lonergan was also called into action to collect ahead of Cameron Stewart who was trying to get on to a cross from the deep. Hull had their fair share of possession but Danny Webber got himself into a good position but a through ball never arrived. The Tigers created a good chance but Cameron Stewart could have done a lot better when he was unable to keep his shot down and the untroubled Andy Lonergan watched it sail harmlessly over the bar. Robert Koren also tried his luck from distance but he shot straight at the Leeds keeper. The home keeper, Vito Mannone, was called into action to save a Luciano Becchio header as the opening half-hour remained an equal contest. Ross McCormack was over the top when he had a shot on goal from a free-kick, while at the other end Andy Lonergan had to get down well to scramble away a shot and Aaron McLean headed wide, from an inswinging corner by Andy Dawson, for the home team. Andy Lonergan was called into action once more, in the thirty-ninth minute, with a terrific one-handed save low to his left from a fine shot on the volley from Corry Evans. Robert Koren also was also unlucky with a good left-footed shot from twenty-five yards, which beat the Leeds keeper only to hit the post. Hull were enjoying a good spell of pressure and Andy Lonergan had to make another good save just before the half-time break when Cameron Stewart was again on target. Hull continued on the attack after the break and Aaron McLean shot well over after latching on to a through ball in the forty-eighth minute. But the Tigers also were called upon to defend and had to clear their lines after Robert Snodgrass sent over a good flag-kick and a Ross McCormack free-kick had to be defended at the back post. Robert Snodgrass was suddenly finding more space down the left flank as United had started the second half brightly. By the time the hour mark had arrived the game was finely poised. United had defended solidly and Luciano Becchio had been denied a run on goal by an offside flag and Robert Snodgrass had been unlucky not to feed a good run into space by Danny Webber when the intended pass was intercepted. It was Danny Webber who created United's next opening, when clever footwork enabled him to pick out Ross McCormack, but the Leeds leading scorer could only shoot straight at Vito Mannone. Ross McCormack sent in a good free-kick that was partially cleared by the Hull defence and Adam Clayton's follow-up shot was blocked. United thought they had a good claim for a penalty when Luciano Becchio had latched onto a Robert Snodgrass ball into the box, when he appeared to be pushed over, but the offside flag had already been raised. Lloyd Sam replaced the impressive Danny Webber after seventy-eight minutes as Neil Warnock looked to give fresh legs to his push for victory. Leeds were finishing the stronger and forcing Hull onto the defensive, but Tom Lees had to get back quickly to his defensive duties after Hull made a quick counter-attack but he arrived back in time to deal with the danger. With four minutes left a Danny Pugh cross was not properly cleared and when it fell to Adam Clayton the midfielder's shot was wide. But there was time for Hull to retaliate and Matt Fryatt was thwarted by some good Leeds defending as his options were cut down after he seemed well placed. In stoppage time Andy Lonergan got down well to save from Paul McKenna. And, thanks mainly to a fine display in goal by Andy Lonergan, the points were shared as United played their second consecutive 0-0 away draw but they had now gone three games under Neil Warnock without scoring. Paul Robinson, Ramon Nunez, Billy Paynter and Mikael Forssell remained unused on the bench as United stayed in tenth spot five points behind the sixth club, who had two games in hand.

Leeds next travelled to the Riverside Stadium to play promotion contenders Middlesbrough in a televised early kick-ff Sunday encounter on 11th March 2012. There was a starting debut for Paul Robinson, who took over the left back spot from Danny Pugh, who dropped to the bench. Aidan White returned to the starting team after recovering from injury and he took over from Danny Webber who dropped to the bench in place of Billy Paynter, while on the bench Zac Thompson took over from Lloyd Sam. The crowd of 21,301 included at least 2,914 Leeds fans who knew United had to win the game to stay in contention as their promotion aspirations had diminished sadly in recent weeks with unexpected losses and draws to sides they were expected to take full points from. They started brightly with Robert Snodgrass sending a free-kick just over. Luciano Becchio held the ball up well before playing in Ross McCormack who shot wide. Leeds were again close as Robert Snodgrass and Ross McCormack combined well in a good move before Aidan White failed narrowly to get a touch on the final ball. Middlesbrough had their first attempt on goal after fifteen minutes when Marvin Emnes shot wide. But Leeds hit the front after eighteen minutes when Aidan White again made a good run to the by-line, after a long lofted ball out of defence by Darren O'Dea had put him in possession, and when he squared the ball back to Robert Snodgrass the Scot buried it into the net under the diving Jason Steele to register the first goal under the Neil Warnock regime. It was 2-0 nine minutes later when, after a bad miskick by Justin Hoyte, Ross McCormack went on a long run before pulling the ball back across the face of the goal for Luciano Becchio to smash the ball into the net. When the home team finally made a response, Andy Lonergan saved an effort from Barry Robson at the expense of a corner before debutant Paul Robinson did well to clear the resuting corner when he headed off the line. However it was United that almost got another goal before half-time when, after unselfish work from Ross McCormack, Aidan White shot over. Boro were just not in the game and the nearest they came to getting on the scorebord was in injury time when Lucas Jutkiewicz headed the ball into the net, but play had long been stopped by a flag for offside. Leeds had always been the better team in the first half and Boro would have been glad to hear the half-time whistle so that they could regroup after words of wisdom in the half-time break. However, it was still Leeds who called the tune as the second half started to evolve and Robert Snodgrass was the first to threaten when he shot into the side-netting soon after the restart. The home side did get on the offensive and Rhys Williams headed into the side-netting after a Barry Robson free kick from the deep found him free. Boro were getting a better share of the ball in the second half but were finding the Leeds defence to be solid and after Boro had received a free-kick within shooting distance Adam Hammill could only fire into the Leeds wall. The game was a little more even in the second half but Adam Clayton got in a shot that was wide and had another effort blocked and Michael Brown also saw his shot blocked after he had a tilt at goal when the home team failed to clear properly from a corner. As the game reached the final ten minutes, there was a lengthy stoppage after Adam Clayton had accidently caught Kevin Thomson with a kick to the head and the Boro man had to be eventually stretchered off to be replaced by Bart Ogbeche after eighty minutes. Curtis Main went close with a far-post diving header in the eighty-first minute and Bart Ogbeche had a good oppurtunity two minutes later but shot tamely straight into Andy Lonergan's hands. Ross McCormack had a golden oppurtunity to increase the lead for Leeds when he beat the offside trap after being played in by Luciano Becchio, with seven minutes left but good defending by the back-pedalling Seb Hines and the goalkeeper getting his angles right prevented a goal. Boro were reduced to ten men with four minutes to go Barry Robson reacted badly to a tackle from Adam Clayton and the referee gave him a straight red card. Leeds sent on Danny Webber for Ross McCormack after eighty-seven minutes and then Danny Pugh for Adam Clayton and Mikael Forssell for Luciano Becchio in the ninetieth minute. Seven minutes stoppage time was added and Middlesbrough did have a chance in the final minutes of stoppage time when Andy Lonergan parried a ball but Curtis Main failed to take advantage. Neil Warnock was rewarded for a good all round display by his team with another clean sheet and his first win since taking over. Zac Thompson and Ramon Nunez remained unused on the bench as Leeds stayed tenth on the ladder four points behind sixth placed Cardiff City.

On 12th March Goalkeeper Maik Taylor had been loaned to Millwall for the rest of the season and two days later Lloyd Sam had been loaned to Notts County under a similar arrangement as United took on third placed West Ham United at Elland Road on 17th March 2012 and it drew the best home crowd of the season. It was boosted by 3,000 travelling supporters from West Ham and with the Hammers standing thirteen points clear and one game in hand on United it was imperative for United's chances that they got full points, but while a point would please the visitors, they too really needed to get three if they were to challenge for an automatic promotion place. West Ham had ex-Leeds loanee George NcCartney at full-back and there was a charged atmosphere as the game kicked off and United showed their intentions by forcing two early corners. Tom Lees got in the first shot on goal but had his shot deflected. Robert Snodgrass tried to weave his magic but was stopped by a block from Abdoulaye Faye. The West Ham players were incensed by a tackle by Paul Connolly on Kevin Nolan that went unpunished but it was not until the twenty minute mark that Andy Lonergan was first called into action. He had to come off his line quickly to avert the danger as Nicky Maynard outpaced Darren O'Dea and tried to latch on to a long through ball, but his first touch was poor and the keeper was able to dive at his feet and halt his progress. United had started the better of the two teams but by the time the half-hour mark had been reached it was still looking like a very even contest with both teams trying to play good football. Robert Snodgrass was in good form and he played in Ross McCormack but Matt Taylor just got in in time to get possession. United did have a good chance to make something of a free-kick on the edge of the Hammers' box when Matt Taylor conceded a handball, but Robert Snodgrass powerful free-kick passed just wide of the post. Five minutes before half-time the visitors failed to deal with a Robert Snodgrass knock-down and Adam Clayton slid in but stabbed his shot just wide of the target. It got even closer as right on the stroke of half-time, Robert Snodgrass had the ball in the net, when he shot home from a flicked-on throw in, but it was disallowed supposedly for a push by Luciano Becchio. Leeds made a strong start to the second half with Aidan White sending a shot across the face of goal. The Hammers introduced Carlton Cole for Nick Maynard, who had been well held by Tom Lees and Darren O'Dea, and he made an immediate impact as he squared the ball across the six yard box, but there were no takers. Paul Robinson got in several telling tackles but the Hammers went close as Abdoulaye Faye headed wide from a corner and Andy Lonergan denied Gary O'Neil after a Jack Collison shot was not properly cleared. The entertaining competition continued as the hour mark passed with Leeds marginally holding the upper hand. The Hammers did have some sustained spells of pressure but there was nothing to choose between the two sides as they passed the halfway point in the second half. While Leeds defended strongly when the need arose Robert Snodgrass, in particular was looking lively and Leeds attacked with purpose against a strong visiting defence. Carlton Cole headed a Mark Noble free-kick over the bar before Leeds went close on the hour when Paul Connolly got his head to a Robert Snodgrass free-kick in the seventieth minute and forced the West Ham United goalkeeper, Robert Green, to claw it away to preserve the 0-0 score-line. After seventy-six minutes Neil Warnock made a double substitution when he sent on Mikael Forssell for Ross McCormack and Danny Webber for Aidan White. Just four minutes later it was Luciano Becchio who gave United the lead. A cross was clawed away by Robert Green and Paul Connolly headed it back against the crossbar and the Argentinian striker was on hand to head the rebound into the net. The lead lasted barely five minutes before Danny Collins headed home a Mark Noble corner kick to level the scores. There was four minutes of added time which gave United hope of grabbing the lead once again and Danny Webber shot wide in one Leeds raid but there were no more goals and the game ended in a draw. Danny Pugh, Zac Thompson and Ramon Nunez remained unused on the bench as United maintained tenth position five points adrift of the vital sixth spot with nine games left to play.

It was another must win situation as United entertained Nottingham Forest at Elland Road for a Tuesday night fixture on 20th March 2012 in front of a 21,367 attendance. The visitors were involved in the relegation battle and they too were desperate for the three points as they faced an unchanged United team as Billy Paynter replaced Ramon Nunez on the substitutes bench but having already beaten Forest 4-0 at the City Ground in November, Leeds were looking for a repeat performance to boost their challenge for promotion. As expected Leeds were straight on the attack, but it was Forest who created the first chance in the first minute when Dexter Broadstock was wide after good work down the right by Gareth McCleary. However, Ross McCormack threatened early and after just five minutes, he was brought down in the box by Adlene Guedioura. Robert Snodgrass stepped up and fired the spot-kick high into the top right-hand corner of the net to give United a 1-0 lead. The lead did not last for long as Adlene Guedioura made up for giving away the penalty by equalizing for Forest just two minutes later, as the Leeds defence backed off him he hit a speculative shot from twenty-five yards which beat Andy Lonergan to make the score-line 1-1. It was an explosive opening to a very open contest as both sides seemed intent on attack even though the chances they created were not plentiful. Forest did create one chance in the twenty-fourth minute, when Gareth McCleary found Andy Reid on the edge of the box but he shot tamely straight into the arms of Andy Lonergan. There were some heavy tackles from both sides and Paul Robinson saw yellow on the half-hour after one such tackle on Dexter Broadstock. Forest, who were now on top, did create some chances as the interval approached. After thirty-seven minutes Guy Moussi headed a Gareth McCleary cross wide and then Andy Lonergan felt he had been impeded, as Gareth McCleary volleyed his shot over the bar from twenty-five yards following a corner. Three minutes later it was again McCleary that sent a drive from eighteen yards over the bar after being set up by Guy Moussi. Leeds came close to going into the break in the lead when Robert Snodgrass crossed low for Aidan White to back-heel an effort just wide of Lee Camp's left-hand post. Finally it was Gareth McCleary who did give the visitors the lead right on half-time. Adlene Guedioura broke quickly following a Leeds corner and a cross-field ball found McCleary in space, and he scored with a deflected shot that looped over Andy Lonergan to send the visitors into the break with a 2-1 lead. Neil Warnock sent on Danny Webber for Aidan White at the start of the second half, as Forest began the second half again on the attack, forcing United to defend and Dexter Blackstock made it 3-1 when he got up well at the back post to head in an Andy Reid cross from the left in the fifty-first minute. But United soon hit back and in the next minute Luciano Becchio made it 3-2 when he was left unmarked in the penalty area to convert a cross from the right from Robert Snodgrass with ease. Two minutes later Leeds were back on level terms when Michael Brown got his first goal for Leeds, when a Paul Connolly throw-in was not cleared by the visitors and the ball fell to Brown who half-volleyed it into the net from eighteen yards to make the score 3-3. As the Leeds supporters were urging their team to take the lead they were sadly disappointed when just two minutes later Forest regained the lead. Gareth McCleary got his second and Forest's fourth when he chased down a through ball over the top of the Leeds defence and smashed the ball past the exposed Andy Lonergan from an acute angle to make the score 4-3. Two minutes later he had completed his hat-trick as it began to rain goals as Andy Reid played a low ball across the edge of the penalty area and Gareth McCleary tucked the ball into the net past a helpless Andy Lonergan to make it 5-3. Paul Robinson had been having a torrid time at left-back and on sixty-six minutes he was replaced by Danny Pugh. Despite the score it was an open game and a superb shot from Robert Snodgrass was beaten away by Lee Camp in the Forest goal and from the resulting penalty Danny Webber headed over. Seventy-one minutes had passed when Gareth McCleary got his fourth and Forest's sixth when he showed good skills as he made a run down the right before cutting inside to beat Andy Lonergan with a good left-footed finish to make the score an embarrassing 6-3. But worse was still to come when Dexter Blacklock got his second and Forest's seventh in the eighty-first minute when he beat the Leeds offside trap and calmly placed the ball in the bottom left-hand corner of the net to make the embarrassing score-line 7-3. Neil Warnock immediately sent on Billy Paynter to replace Luciano Becchio, but the game was well beyond anything that United could produce. After one minute of stoppage time Ross McCormack blazed over the bar from sixteen yards as Leeds slipped meekly out of any pretences that they may have had for promotion. Zac Thompson and Mikael Forssell remained unused on the bench and Leeds remained tenth, five points behind sixth placed Birmingham City, who had a game in hand on them, with just eight games left to play.

There were no wholesale changes by Neil Warnock after United's midweek humiliation at the hands of Nottingham Forest, but Alex Bruce returned from injury to take his place in the United side as Tom Lees moved to right back at the expense of Paul Connolly, who dropped to the bench at the expense of Danny Pugh for the trip to the New Den to visit Millwall on 24th March 2012. There was also a return to the bench for Robbie Rogers, who had recovered from his head knock and Billy Paynter made way for him. United keeper Maik Taylor, who had been loaned to Millwall for the rest of the season had been given permission to face his parent club, in a side that also included former United trainee and loanee Andy Keogh with former Leeds-loanee Shane Lowry on the bench. There were at least 2,163 United fans in the crowd of 14,309 as the game got off to a typically fiery start as the home crowd immediately singled out Robert Snodgrass for vocal attention and the Scot found himself getting a yellow card after only two minutes after a challenge on Jack Smith. It was a frantic first ten minutes as ball possession changed constantly and robust challenges were the order of the day and the free-kick count soon mounted. The home side had the first decent chances as Harry Kane headed a ninth minute James Henry free-kick straight at Andy Lonergan and then when Harry Kane crossed from the left and Darius Henderson headed over Andy Lonergan's bar. Adam Clayton got up to head a corner wide at the other end and Robert Snodgrass replied with a cross from the left flank but Luciano Becchio headed it over the bar. Robert Snodgrass had the beating of the Millwall skipper Paul Robinson but after going past him he found his way blocked. When Millwall replied Andy Lonergan got down well to save from Darius Henderson, who had been played in by Harry Kane, while at the other end Maik Taylor had to be alert to catch a deflected free-kick from Ross McCormack. The game passed the twenty-five minute mark without relenting with both sides locked in a tense struggle. Ross McCormack had another free-kick blocked while Darren O'Dea shot wide but had already been judged offside. Millwall were starting to make errors but while not wishing to commit themselves to a more attacking strategy Harry Kane was impressive and tested Andy Lonergan with a swirling shot. It was United that started the second half on the attack, winning two early corners and Ross McCormack forced Maik Taylor to make the first save of the half with a low shot. Millwall did get down the other end but when James Henry pulled the ball back from the right he had no support. Tempers were getting heated and both Jimmy Abdou and Jack Smith confronted Adam Clayton while play carried on with United on the attack. On the hour James Henry was booked for a dive in the penalty area as his team-mates screamed for a penalty. Moments later Luciano Becchio and Millwall's Paul Robinson clashed and were spoken to by the referee. In the sixty-second minute Neil Warnock sent on Danny Webber in the place of Aidan White. In the sixty-third minute Alex Bruce made a vital clearance as James Henry threatened and then the referee waved away claims by the home side for handball. Finally it was Leeds that took the lead in the sixty-fifth minute when Ross McCormack scored. Robert Snodgrass was the main instigator with a fine run down the left flank, after James Henry had over-hit a Millwall corner and the Scot had dispossessed the Millwall skipper, Paul Robinson, and he pulled the ball back from the by-line for the on-rushing Ross McCormack to score from the six yard line. Two minutes later Millwall had replied and Harry Kane had swept the ball into the net, but the referee had already blown for a penalty for a foul by Alex Bruce on Andy Keogh and so the penalty was awarded. Darius Henderson took the spot-kick with a well-hit shot but Andy Lonergan got down well to his left and pushed the ball round the post to make a brilliant save that preserved United's lead. Moments later Millwall had hit the woodwork when Paul Robinson headed a James Henry corner against the bar. At the other end Maik Taylor came to Millwall's recue when he spread himself well to deny Ross McCormack from point-blank range in the eightieth minute. There was plenty of effort from the Lions as they searched for the equalizer as the clock ticked down but Leeds were getting men back and were looking solid in defence and then ready to counter attack as soon as the oppurtunity presented itself. In the ninetieth minute Paul Connolly was sent on for Ross McCormack to reinforce the Leeds defence even more and close the game down so that they won a valuable three away points. Zac Thompson, Robbie Rogers and Mikael Forssell remained unused on the bench as United stayed in tenth place and just three points behind sixth club Blackpool with seven games left to play.

United were up against one of the form teams of the competition in Watford for their next game at Elland Road on 31st March 2012. The visitors had gained fourteen points from a six game unbeaten run as they sought to make a belated run for a play-off place. Leeds made one enforced change to their starting line-up as Darren O'Dea was suspended and Paul Connolly came in at right back with Tom Lees switching to central defence. There was movement on the bench though, as Leigh Bromby took the place vacated by Paul Connolly, while Ramon Nunez was preferred to Robbie Rogers. After the Nottingham Forest debacle in their last home fixtures the home fans in the 21,766 crowd would have been fearing the worst but hoping for the best as the game kicked off. Unfortunately their worst fears were realized as United got off to the worst possible start as the visitors went straight on the attack and had the better of the opening exchanges and created a good chance in the fourth minute. Mark Yeates played a throw-in by Lloyd Doyley back to the full-back and he got his cross in which found Chris Iwelumo, but the striker spooned the ball over the bar from eight yards. But that was only a warning of things to come and two minutes later the visitors scored the first goal. After Paul Robinson had slipped to let him get clear, Troy Deeney went on a good run and finished it by slipping the ball into the path of his strike partner Chris Iwelumo who shot the ball into the bottom corner of the net at the near post. United looked to respond immediately and Robert Snodgrass had a shot blocked by Jonathan Hogg and Alex Bruce headed the resultant corner over the bar. A free-kick also passed over the bar before Watford threatened again after twenty minutes, when Ex-Leeds loanee Carl Dickinson released Troy Deeney in space on the right hand side of the penalty area and the striker chose to hit his shot first time from a tight angles and Andy Lonergan spread himself well to deny him with a block at the near post. Watford were again on the attack in the twenty-fourth minute when Mark Yeates fed the over-lapping Lloyd Doyley who got to the by-line but Paul Connolly anticipated the danger and headed clear before it could reach Sean Murray. The football was not pretty to watch and play was scrappy with neither side able to take a grip on the game. Play was held up as the game approached half-time, when Aidan White took a knock to the ankle and received lengthy treatment before carrying on. No sooner than the Leeds man had finished his treatment Alex Bruce took a knock on the head in a heading duel with Chris Iwelumo and he too needed running repairs. The stoppages meant that there were four minutes added to the first half and in the first of those minutes Robert Snodgrass forced Tomasz Kusczak into making a good save before Andy Lonergan also made a fine save from Troy Deeney in the final minute. Aidan White did not return after half-time and Danny Webber came on as his replacement. The second half started with Adam Clayton picking up his tenth booking of the season, for a foul on Jonathan Hogg, and that meant that he would automatically miss the next two coming games with Reading and Derby County. A few moments later he foolishly kicked out at John Eustace after they clashed and was lucky that the referee saw fit to just sternly lecture him. The Watford keeper Tomasz Kuszczak pulled of two very good saves in the fifty-sixth minute to deny Alex Bruce's diving header, which he could only parry into the path of Robert Snodgrass, who seemed to need just a routine finish to score. But from within the six yard box the Leeds skipper could only strike the ball straight at the keeper who smothered to make it his second fine save in quick succession. But, by now, United were doing the attacking and pressing the visitors, but, as the game passed the hour mark, they still had nothing to show for their endeavours and Watford still looked potent on the break. Robert Snodgrass pulled a shot wide as Leeds chased the game. In the sixty-eighth minute Neil Warnock sent on Ramon Nunez in place of Adam Clayton to try and add more power to midfield and his attacking options and with his first touch the Honduran sent a shot curling just wide of the post from outside of the penalty area, with the Watford keeper well beaten. Alex Bruce then headed over in the seventy-second minute. The game continued to be scrappy and Robert Snodgrass had a claim for handball turned down after he had sent a shot against a Watford defender. Tom Lees was narrowly wide with a good shot from twenty yards in the eightieth minute. The game should have been put beyond recall by Watford in the eighty-second minute when a slip by Tom Lees allowed Troy Deeney to be through with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Andy Lonergan pulled off a fine save to stop him from scoring and Alex Bruce followed this up by getting back to clear off the goal-line and Andy Lonergan mopped up to stop the visitors from scoring. In the eighty-seventh minute Leeds sent on Mikael Forssell to replace Luciano Becchio However, in the end it was of little consequence as in the eighty-ninth minute Chris Iwelumo got his and Watford's second goal. After good work by Sean Murray, Troy Deeney was again given the chance to beat Andy Lonergan, but once again the Leeds keeper made a good save but could not complete it and the ball fell for Chris Iwelumo who side-foot the ball home from close range to make it 2-0. To make matters worse Paul Connolly was sent-off after receiving a second yellow card in the third minute of stoppage time and Leigh Bromby and Zac Thompson remained unused on the bench as Leeds stayed tenth, on goal diffence from Watford, six points adrift from sixth placed Brighton & Hove Albion with six games left to play.

Reading were the form team of the moment, sitting in second place on the ladder and looking like potential champions with twelve wins and a draw from their last fourteen fixtures. Going to the Madejski Stadium is always an intimidating prospect but with Leeds in such poor and inconsistant form nobody would have given them much chance but having taken into account injuries and suspensions their prospects would have been summed up as impossible at best! For television purposes the game had been given the early Friday afternoon kick off spot on 6th April 2012. In the Reading line-up was former Leeds favourite Ian Harte while on the bench was Alex McCarthy who had played six games for United earlier in the season when on loan to Leeds. The more than 3,126 Leeds supporters in the 22,775 crowd would have been scratching their heads at Neil Warnock's problems in piecing together a competitive team with Adam Clayton, Darren O'Dea and Paul Connolly all suspended and Aidan White having been added to an already long injury list. His answer was to take Leigh Bromby from the bench to replace Tom Lees in central defence as he switched to right-back to take over from the suspended Paul Connelly. Zac Thompson also came from the bench to replace the suspended Adam Clayton in midfield. Danny Pugh came in on the left flank as a replacement for the injured Aidan White. Robbie Rogers, Billy Paynter and youngster Charlie Taylor were brought on to the bench and Ramon Nunez was left out of the squad. Having made those changes the Manager then implimented a new formation to combat the Reading style, going for a 3-5-2 system and so the Leeds line-up was as follows: Andy Lonergan; Leigh Bromby, Alex Bruce, Paul Robinson; Tom Lees, Robert Snodgrass, Michael Brown, Zac Thompson, Danny Pugh; Luciano Becchio, Ross McCormack. With a bench of: Charlie Taylor, Robbie Rogers, Danny Webber, Billy Paynter and Mikael Forssell. Reading were looking to go top of the League and soon made their intentions clear as the attacked from the outset with Noel Hunt threatening in the first few minutes when he found space to head over the Leeds crossbar. Kaspars Gorkss also headed over inside the first ten minutes when he met an Ian Harte corner as United defended grimly. Michael Brown won the ball but then in his follow through took the legs of Mikele Leigertwood. This was not the first time he had done that but such tackles were becoming commonplace from both sides. If United had a hard task before, then it became even more impossible in the thirteenth minute when Zac Thompson was handed a straight red card after a crude lunge on Jobi McAnuff in a touch-line challenge near the corner flag. Reading looked to take advantage of their numerical superiority and with a bench of mainly strikers and untried youngsters there was little Neil Warnock could do of any consequence. The home team almost took the lead in spectacular fashion when Ian Harte tried his luck from near the touch-line and sent a curling shot into the goal and it thudded off the inside of the back post. Reading's Jem Karacan and United's Andy Lonergan both need treatment in separate incidents as the bruising encounter started to take its toll. Danny Pugh was particularly lucky not to have been given a yellow, and possibly a red, for the tackle on Jem Karacan which made no contact with the ball and left a hole in the Reading man's sock, but the referee did not even give a free-kick. In between the two incidents Ross McCormack had made a half-chance for himself but had shot wide. As the game edged towards half-time Jem Karacan again had to receive treatment, after he was on the end of another ball and all tackle from Michael Brown, but he was finally taken off after forty minutes and replaced by Hal Robson-Kanu. The second half started similar to the first and Luciano Becchio was soon grounded after an aerial challenge. The resulting free-kick saw Adam Federici getting down well to turn away Robert Snodgrass' shot and then Ross McCormack headed the corner, which followed, over the bar. Reading were soon appealing unsuccessfully for a penalty after Jason Roberts had been brought down in the box. This was followed by Paul Robinson being shown a yellow card for another challenge soon after. But the free-kick that was awarded for the offence was put into the goal area, but Robert Snodgrass hooked it clear. Danny Pugh was the next to see a yellow card brandished after another foul and the fiery encounter continued with heavy tackles coming from both sides. When Reading next pressed Alex Pearce headed over the bar, but the Leeds aggressive approach was breaking up the Reading rhythm and their play lost its fluency. With twenty minutes left on the clock the score was still 0-0 and Leeds were still in a finely balanced game and this showed as Ross McCormack went close when he shot wide after Reading had failed to clear a Leeds attack. Moments later it was Ross McCormack who carved out the best chance of the match for Robert Snodgrass, but Adam Federici in the Reading goal was equal to the task. The Reading keeper was being kept busy as he had to rush from his goal to beat Robert Snodgrass to a through ball and, with thirteen minutes left on the clock, after Robert Snodgrass had been brought down, Ross McCormack's skidding free-kick was saved at the second attempt by the Reading keeper. These incidents scared Reading into action and Leeds had to defend grimly as the home side mounted a sustained attack on the visitor's goal with Mikele Leigertwood sending in a left-footed shot over the bar. It looked as though Reading had finally broken the stalemate when Adam Le Fondre had the ball in the net following a fumble by Andy Lonergan, but it was disallowed for offside. But with six minutes left on the clock Reading did get a goal that counted. A long ball into the box from Jimmy Kebe was headed back across goal by Hal Robson-Kanu and Adam Le Fondre was on the goal-line to chest the ball into the net. It was the end of a wonderful rearguard action by ten men for the majority of the time and the grit and determination shown by those ten was a credit to them and the goal was the first conceded by them was the first in an away game under the Neil Warnock regime. The Leeds Manager immediately sent on USA International Robbie Rogers for Ross McCormack and followed this a minute later by Danny Webber replacing Robert Snodgrass and two minutes after that made his third and final change as Mikael Forssell came on for Luciano Becchio. Andy Lonergan made a good save from Mikele Leigertwood but it mattered little when, in the final minute, Adam Le Fondre got his and Reading's second, when he again score from close range to seal the game after good work by Jason Roberts and Mikele Leigertwood. Charlie Taylor and Billy Paynter were the unused Leeds substitutes as they remained tenth on the ladder six points behind sixth placed Brighton & Hove Albion, at the end of the weekend's fixtures with five games left to play.

For the Easter Monday home game with Derby County, United welcomed back Paul Connolly and Darren O'Dea from suspension and they replaced Leigh Bromby, who dropped to the bench and Alex Bruce, who dropped out of the squad. Ramon Nunez came into the team for the suspended Zac Thompson and Charlie Taylor dropped out of the squad as United switched to a 4-4-2 formation for the 9th April 2012 fixture which attacted a crowd of 21,363. United had all but given up any pretence of competing in the play-offs but Neil Warnock had put the players on notice that he was going to be checking for prospective first teamers for the 2012-13 season. Things had not improved since the appointment of Neil Warnock nor the exit of Simon Grayson, the main reason being that the players and attitude and level of skill remained the same and they had not won one home game in the four they had played under the new Manager and their home form was the main reason they did not figure in the play-off positions and were no longer spoken of as promotion prospects. Derby were the first to attack and, after Jake Buxton had headed on a Ben Davies free-kick and Andy Lonergan could only push the ball into the air, Nathan Tyson could only head the ball over the open goal. It was Tom Lees who came to United's rescue when he made a fine covering tackle on Nathan Tyson as the Derby striker met Theo Robinson's cross at the near post. United's first serious threat saw Ramon Nunez bundled to the ground in the penalty area but the appeals for a penalty were ignored. Andy Lonergan was quickly off his line as he dived at the feet of Theo Robinson, but then put his side in trouble as he misjudged a corner. Fortunately for Leeds Tom Naylor hooked the ball across the face of goal but Paul Green could not finish the move. Andy Lonergan was soon back in the action as he punched away an in-swinging cross and Nathan Tyson again threatened as he put an header over the top from a Jason Shackell cross. The first twenty-five minutes passed by without much to report but at that point Michael Brown was red-carded for a high tackle into the midriff of Theo Robinson and Leeds were reduced to ten men for the final sixty-five minutes still left on the clock. United did attack and Darren O'Dea forced a save from Derby keeper Frank Fielding as he got in a header from a Ross McCormack free-kick on the half-hour. But it was the Rams that took the lead after thirty-two minutes when Chris Bryson found enough space, after receiving the ball from Jake Buxton to shoot past Andy Lonergan from twenty-five yards. There were shouts for hand ball after a header from Jake Buxton had been blocked, but after consultation with the linesman, the referee dismissed the Derby appeals. It was not all one-way traffic and Frank Fielding made an excellent diving save to keep out a Ross McCormack header before Luciano Becchio was just wide with a glancing header. There was an angry clash between Darren O'Dea and Nathan Tyson, which went unpunished, and Ross McCormack went close as United pressed, but Derby came back and were on top as the teams went to the interval. Derby got off to an aggressive start to the second half and forced Leeds on the defensive. There was competitive edge to the game which sometimes went over the top and former Derby Captain Paul Connolly was yellow-carded on the hour. Ex-Leeds loanee goalkeeper Frank Fielding was brought into the action for the first time in the half when he had to get down well to scramble a Robert Snodgrass free-kick round the post. After sixty-five minutes Steven Davies linked well with Jeff Hendricks, who had his shot deflected, after a good block by Darren O'Dea, into the substitute's path, for him to pick up a loose ball and stroke the ball into the net right-footed from fifteen yards for Derby's second goal. Neil Warnock made his first change after seventy minutes when he sent on Billy Paynter to replace Luciano Becchio. Robbie Rogers came on for Ramon Nunez after seventy-seven minutes and six minutes later Danny Webber replaced Ross McCormack, but as the game reached the final ten minutes United had made no impression on the game and it started to be played out as a routine away win. Danny Webber did get in a shot with six minutes remaining, after he had been released through the middle by Robert Snodgrass, but it was wastefully wide. Derby should have made it 3-0 with a minute of normal time left, when Steven Davies crossed from the right but Jamie Ward's effort was saved by Andy Lonergan at point-blank range. The Rams also had a couple of near misses in stoppage time but it mattered little as they ran out easy winners by 2-0. Leigh Bromby and Mikael Forssell remained unused on the bench as United slipped to fourteenth, eighth points away from sixth-placed Cardiff City, but thoughts of promotion had long been purely academic although it was still mathematically possible.

Neil Warnock rang the changes for the penultimate home fixture of the season on 14th April 2012 when United entertained Peterborough United in front of a crowd of 19,469. He gave a chance to US winger Robbie Rogers, who was preferred to Ramon Nunez, who dropped to the bench, youngster Charle Taylor who came in at left-back with Paul Robinson dropping to the bench, striker Billy Paynter, who replaced Luciano Becchio, who also dropped to the bench and Leigh Bromby came into central defence at the expense of right-back Paul Connolly, which allowed Alex Bruce to come on to the bench. The suspended Michael Brown was replaced by Adam Clayton, who returned after suspension. Mikael Forssell lost his place on the bench as Leeds lined up: Andy Lonergan; Tom Lees, Leigh Bromby, Darren O'Dea, Charlie Taylor; Robert Snodgrass, Adam Clayton, Danny Pugh; Robbie Rogers, Billy Paynter, Ross McCormack. Alex Bruce, Paul Robinson, Ramon Nunez, Danny Webber and Luciano Becchio were on the bench. Leeds started brightly and Shaun Brisley was soon called upon to make a good block on Robert Snodgrass to stop him, while Billy Paynter was denied by Peterborough keeper, Paul Jones, in the first minute and had a header cleared off the line in the second minute. George Boyd missed two reasonable chances, once after Andy Lonergan had misjudged a cross and another when Charlie Taylor had slipped and lost possession, but he spurned both. After twelve minutes United's US International forward Robbie Rogers limped off the field to be replaced by Danny Webber after taking a knock on his ankle. Tyrone Bennett did well to get in a cross for the visitors which Paul Taylor headed wide after fifteen minutes as Peterborough were the first to threaten. Paul Taylor also took advantage of a defensive error to find George Boyd, but his shot went wide. Soon after, Tom Lees was called upon to deny Tyrone Bennett after a cross had got behind the Leeds defence. When United went on the attack Leigh Bromby headed against the crossbar and after half an hour Leeds were starting to get the better of what had been an even contest. However, it was Peterborough that took the lead after thirty-seven minutes, when Joe Newell took advantage of some poor defending by Charlie Taylor and created an opening before beating Andy Lonergan from an acute angle. George Boyd should have made it two soon after, but he could not make proper contact after Andy Lonergan had spilled a shot from Paul Taylor. The Leeds keeper was also called upon to make another good save before half time while Leeds won a couple of free-kicks in scoring positions but none were successful and the last one sailed over the bar. But, right on the stroke of half-time Billy Paynter equalized. The Peterborough goalkeeper, Paul Jones failed to hold a free-kick from Robert Snodgrass and the United striker pounced to score his first goal of the season to send the teams into the interval at 1-1. Neil Warnock replaced Charlie Taylor with Paul Robinson at left back at the start of the second half. In United's very first attack after the interval it was 2-1, as Ross McCormack scored with a weak shot after a Billy Paynter flick-on, from a Leigh Bromby long throw-in, had found him at the far post and he was just able to beat the Posh keeper from close range. Two minutes later it was 3-1 when Ross McCormack got his second goal when he got on the end of an Adam Clayton cross to finish off a well created goal, which saw good approach work from Robert Snodgrass, Danny Webber and Adam Clayton which left the Scot with a tap in from two yards. The explosive start to the second half had all but eliminated Peterborough from the contest with Robert Snodgrass starting to dictate the game in midfield and by the hour mark Leeds were in total control. Billy Paynter scored his second and Leeds' fourth in the seventy-second minute to make doubly sure, after good play from Leeds, a Tom Lees cross found him in a scoring position, twelve yards from goal and he clinically buried the ball in the net. He could have claimed a hat-trick in the eighty-fourth minute after a flick on by Adam Clayton had left him with a half chance, but he shot wide. Adam Clayton had a good shot well saved by the Peterborough keeper and Danny Webber curled an effort just wide and in the final minute Luciano Becchio replaced Billy Paynter, who was given a standing ovation as he left the field, as Leeds recorded their first home win of the Warnock era. Alex Bruce and Ramon Nunez were the unused substitutes as United moved up to twelfth, eight points behind sixth place Cardiff City with three games to play.

United travelled to Blackpool for their penultimate away fixture in a Tuesday evening game on 17th April 2012 and no doubt with some trepidation after having already been beaten 5-0 at Elland Road in November. Neil Warnock made two changes to his starting line-up with Paul Robinson returning in place of Charlie Taylor at left back and Paul Connolly, being preferred to the youngster on the bench, and Danny Webber took the place of the injured Robbie Rogers and Mikael Forssell was recalled to the bench. Once more the team were playing not only for pride but also for their propects for the next season. Blackpool were still very much in the hunt for a play-off place and there were over 2,076 Leeds fans in the crowd of 14,134 that saw Leeds start brightly. Adam Clayton had a shot that went over the bar and Darren O'Dea also put a header from a Paul Robinson cross over the top, after the home team had failed to clear a Leeds corner. Blackpool hit back with a high shot over the bar and a shot from Matt Phillips into the side-netting after ten minutes and after a quick break down the right, after giving Paul Robinson the slip, Thomas Ince also shot over the bar. Robert Snodgrass was back in defence and stopped Matt Phillips as he looked to cut inside after a good run down the left flank. Leeds keeper Andy Lonergan had to rush from his goal to thwart Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who was trying to capitalize on a through ball. Leeds had a sustained period of pressure, winning successive corners and laid siege to the home goal with long throw-ins and crosses. On the half hour Andy Lonergan saved well from Thomas Ince after he had cut through the Leeds defence after exchanging passes with Lomana Lua Lua and Danny Pugh and Darren O'Dea were both called upon to get in good blocks to deny the Blackpool attack. The game continued to ebb and flow with Matt Phillips heading over the bar after a cross goal header from Gary Taylor-Fletcher had given him the chance. Then there were strong appeals for a penalty from the Leeds players after Ross McCormack had fallen to the ground inside the area, after appearing to get the better of ex-Leeds full-back Stephen Crainey, but the referee waved play on. In the next attack by the sea-siders Darren O'Dea was shown a yellow card after commiting a foul on Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Andy Lonergan had to make a fine save from the ensuing free-kick from Lomana Lua Lua. After the ball was cleared United went on the attack and Danny Webber cut in from the left and had a shot pushed round the near post by Matt Gilks in the home goal. Half-time came and went with the score at 0-0 and Neil Warnock sent on Luciano Becchio for Billy Paynter in the fifty-second minute to add more bite to his attack. Andy Lonergan made a couple of good blocks, but Leeds were playing some good football and getting forward on a regular basis, but the Leeds keeper was called upon to save from Lomana Lua Lua, who had been played in by the tricky Thomas Ince as the clock moved past the hour mark with the game wide open. Ross McCormack tested Matt Gilks with a sixty-seventh minute free-kick that the Blackpool keeper had to scramble away and that was followed by a series of corners and Luciano Becchio got in a header, from a fine Adam Clayton cross, which went over the top. After seventy-nine minutes Nouha Dicko showed good skills to make an opening for himself and he forced Andy Lonergan to pull off an outstanding diving save. A minute later Blackpool took the lead when Nouha Dickov created space on the right and crossed towards Thomas Ince, but when he failed to control it quickly Angel Martinez provided the finishing touch to stab the ball over the line for the opening goal. Leeds had a great chance to equalize three minutes later when Robert Snodgrass got in a cross from the right but Danny Webber could not direct his header on target. After eighty-five minutes things got worse after Darren O'Dea was pulled up for another foul, this time on Nouha Dickov, and given his second yellow-card of the game that left Leeds with only ten men. Mikael Forssell came on for Danny Webber but there was no addition to the scoreline as the ninety minute mark was reached. United sent on Paul Connolly for Adam Clayton, but while Robert Snodgrass and Ross McCormack threatened there was no more change to the score-line and United went down 1-0. Alex Bruce and Ramon Nunez were again unused on the bench as United remained twelfth, eleven points behind sixth placed Cardiff City, with Blackpool in fifth place on the same points with two games left to play.

United travelled to Wales for their final away game of the season to play a team which had long been considered a "bogey" team for an early kick-off on 21st April 2012. There were 1,453 fans in the crowd of 25,109 and with Darren O'Dea suspended and Billy Paynter having a leg injury from the game at Blackpool Neil Warnock was forced to make changes to his starting line-up. Alex Bruce came off the bench to replace the suspended Darren O'Dea, who had now left the club, and Charlie Taylor was given a place on the bench. Luciano Becchio replaced Billy Paynter in the striker's role with Danny Webber dropping to the bench, Zac Thompson was brought into the starting eleven as United lined up: Andy Lonergan; Tom Lees, Alex Bruce, Leigh Bromby, Paul Robinson; Robert Snodgrass, Zac Thompson, Adam Clayton, Danny Pugh; Ross McCormack, Luciano Becchio. With a bench of: Paul Connolly, Charlie Taylor, Ramon Nunez, Danny Webber and Mikael Forssell. While Leeds had little to play for, the match was of great significance for the home side who were well in the race for a play-off place. Liam Lawrence was the first player to have a shot at goal but Andy Lonergan was able to watch the low attempt pass wide of the post. Robert Snodgrass showed the Cardiff defence some of his trickery as he went on a run down the right flank to win a corner, which Ross McCormack headed over. The home side replied and Joe Mason had a header which was saved and Kenny Miller had a shot blocked. Then, after good work from Peter Whittingham, Joe Mason shot wide. At the other end, on the fifteen minute mark Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall was called upon to punch clear from a Ross McCormack free-kick. The game had just passed the half-hour mark when Leigh Bromby went down when there was no one near him and he needed immediate medical treatment before being carried off on a stretcher. Paul Connolly came on as a substitute in the thirty-third minute and Tom Lees switched from right-back into central defence. Connolly was immediately involved as Cardiff attacked down their left flank and Tom Lees made a fine headed clearance from a Peter Whittingham cross. Three minutes before half-time the home side took the lead when a long ball out of defence from Peter Whittingham was latched onto by Joe Mason and he lifted the ball over the advancing Andy Lonergan into an empty net to make the score 1-0 to the home side. There were six minutes added to the first half for stoppages and in that time Cardiff should have made it 2-0, but Andy Lonergan pulled off a terrific block to save a certain goal to deny Kenny Miller, who had been on target with an eighteen yard angled drive. Leeds started the second half on the attack and in the first few minutes after the interval there was some good defending by the home defence to prevent Ross McCormack from capitalizing on a good Robert Snodgrass cross, then Zac Thompson had a strong shot blocked by Ben Turner, and this was quickly followed by Luciano Becchio heading over the bar from twelve yards. Leeds applied more pressure and Paul Connolly had a fine cross cleared, but Cardiff were also looking to attack and Mark Hudson headed a good chance over the bar as he joined the attack. As the hour mark arrived Neil Warnock brought on Danny Webber for Ross McCormack and Ramon Nunez for Adam Clayton to complete his substitutions for the game, but it was Andy Lonergan who kept Leeds in the game when he made an excellent save from a goalbound volley from Andrew Taylor. Leed retaliated and Danny Pugh was just wide with a shot from twenty yards and Ramon Nunez had a shot blocked. In the seventy-fourth minute Leeds were level when they attacked down the right and a cross from Paul Connolly was deftly glanced beyond Cardiff keeper David Marshall into the bottom corner of the net by Luciano Becchio for a deserved equalizer and a just reward for their high workrate and effort in the second half. The goal seemed to have visible effect on the home team and neither side could muster any real threat and the game was played out without any real threat to either goal, apart from Cardiff substitute Filip Kiss shooting wide from the edge of the penalty area ana a Peter Whittingham free-kick that was also off target. Charlie Taylor and Mikael Forssell remained unused on the bench as Leeds dropped to thirteenth, eleven points behind their hosts in sixth position, whose hold on that spot was not secure and they had to have a favourable result in the final game to make the play-offs.

For their final game of the season Leeds welcomed Leicester City to a gloomy and rainy Elland Road on 28th April 2012 and their were two ex-Leeds players in their ranks, Kasper Schmeichel in goal and striker Jermaine Beckford. With Leigh Bromby joining the injured list Paul Connolly received a recall to the starting eleven, with Tom Lees switching to central defence from right-back, and Andy O'Brien came onto the substitutes bench after not being considered for most of the season. Danny Pugh switched to left-back in place of the injured Paul Robinson, who had played his last game for United, to make way for the return of Michael Brown from suspension. Kasper Schmeichel was soon in action in the first five minutes to deny Leeds as Robert Snodgrass got in a volley and Luciano Becchio, who tamely chipped straight at him from ten yards. Leicester had a couple of efforts that did not really threaten the goal in the first twenty minutes as a Liam Moore cross passed across the Leeds six-yard box with no takers. The game settled down to what it was, an end of the season game with nothing for either team to play for. Leeds were the better of two poor sides and Alex Bruce and Robert Snodgrass linked up down the right for Adam Clayton to have a shot blocked by Danny Drinkwater. Jermaine Beckford won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and Andy Lonergan spectacularly turned away the resulting shot on goal from Ben Marshall. Not long after the visitors took the lead when Martin Waghorn capitalized on some sloppy defensive play. Michael Brown made a hash of a regulation high clearance by spooning the ball backwards towards his own goal and Danny Pugh should have easily cleared up but missed the ball and fell over. This gave Martin Waghorn the chance to dispossess him, and get through on goal to put the ball under the onrushing Andy Lonergan into the corner of the net. The game stayed at 1-0 to the visitors as the interval came and went and the game closely resembled the weather, gloomy and with no prospects of being brightened up. Early in the second half Andy Lonergan was called into action when Martin Waghorn was presented with another chance in front of goal, four minutes after half-time. Then Lloyd Dyer made a length of the field counter attack and was unlucky not to double Leicester's advantage, but Danny Pugh managed to deflect his final shot. At the other end Kasper Schmeichel had to react quickly to save as United pressed in an effort to get on level terms. After fifty-seven minutes Leeds sent on Danny Webber for Zac Thompson in an attempt to install more attacking options. As the game wore slowly on and into its later stages Leicester's Ben Marshall seemed the only player prepared to have a shot on goal and he had two efforts that passed harmlessly over the top and failed to seriously trouble Leeds keeper Andy Lonergan and the game, like the Leeds season, was about to fizzle out. Mikael Forssell was sent on for Luciano Becchio in the seventy-sixth minute and he did spark some life into the game when he tested Kasper Schmeichel when he turned and shot from twelve yards. Leicester responded with a shot of their own which sailed over the bar. Then on eighty-one minutes, Robert Snodgrass ran at the Leicester defence and exchanged passes with Mikael Forssell he clipped the ball over Kasper Schmeichel and, even though the ball would have gone into the net, Danny Webber made absolutely sure from one yard out into an empty net for his first goal for the club and the scores were level at 1-1. Adam Clayton did get in behind the Leicester defence but his cross was intercepted and then another late attack was concluded when Mikael Forssell over-ran the ball. However, there was still a twist in the story, when, in stoppage time Leicester substitute Harry Panayiotou scored a winning goal for the visitors which had a suspicion offside about it, as he touched in an effort from the edge of the box by Ben Marshall. So Leeds finished their season on a low with another home defeat as Andy O'Brien, Charlie Taylor and Ramon Nunez remained unused on the bench as Leeds finished in fourteenth position, fourteen points behind sixth placed Cardiff City and twenty-eight behind Champions Reading but twenty-one above the drop zone. The home record which contained a worst-ever eleven defeats was the reason that United struggled and whether it was under Simon Grayson, Neil Redfearn or Neil Warnock, it was basically with the same players with the same results. To be beaten 5-0 by Blackpool and 4-1 by Birmingham City, both play-off teams, and Champions and Runners-up, Reading and Southampton, after outplaying them was not unsurprising and par for the course, but to establish another all-time low and get beaten 7-3 by relegation contenders Nottingham Forest and perform extremely poorly and deservedly get beaten by poor sides such as Barnsley, Brighton & Hove Albion, Watford, Derby County and Leicester City was the difference between success and failure.

2012-2013:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

Manager Neil Warnock had given indication of his intentions as soon as his first season with United had concluded, when he placed six players on the transfer list and released a further five. Those transfer listed were Adam Clayton, Ramon Nunez, Billy Paynter, Paul Connolly, Andy O'Brien and Paul Rachubka. While those release were Alex Bruce, Lloyd Sam, Mikael Forssell, Danny Webber and Maik Taylor. The five soon found new clubs in Hull City, New York Red Bulls, HJK of Helsinki, Doncaster Rovers and Millwall respectively. In addition the contracts of Ben Parker, Mika Vyrynen and Darren O'Dea were not renewed. Vyrynen also joined HJK Helsinki and O'Dea, whose was loan not extended joined Toronto FC Canada in early August 2012. On 2nd May 2012 there had been good news when the Turner brothers, Nathan and Lewis had both been signed for a year to June 2013 with a further option until June 2014, while Ross Killock, Sam Byram, Simon Lenighan, Charlie Clamp and Dominic Poleon were each offered their initial first year contracts to June 2013.

It was always going to be a large turnover of players and Jason Pearce was the first to be bought for £500,000 from Portsmouth on a four year contract on 4th May 2012. There was further good news on 29th May, when Tom Lees signed an extension of his contract which would keep him at the club until June 2016. Adam Drury became the second acquisition on the 19th June, when he arrived from Norwich City on a free transfer and was given a two year contract effective from 1st July. Irish International Paul Green was the third arrival, when he signed the following day, also a free transfer, from Derby County, on the same terms as Drury. On 1st July Monty Gimpel was given his first one year contract to June 2013. Simon Grayson was quick to snap up the promising Adam Clayton and he left Elland Road for Huddersfield Town for £500,000 on 6th July, bringing in money to fund the purchase of other players. Long time Warnock favourite, goalkeeper Paddy Kenny became the fourth new arrival when he was reunited with his former several times Manager, when he was given a three year contract as £400,000 was paid to Queens Park Rangers on 11th July 2012. On 16th July Goalkeeper and one-time Captain, Andy Lonergan left the club for Bolton Wanderers for £300,000 to finance further purchases. After speculation that Aidan White might leave the club, he dispelled those fears when, on 20th July, he signed a new three year contract, which bound him to the club until June 2015. 23rd July was a busy day with three more players arriving. Andy Gray came on a free transfer from Barnsley, initially on trial but he later signed a short term contract for a year. Goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown also arrived on a free transfer, from Portsmouth, but was given a two year contract, while his former club mate Luke Varney cost £300,000 and also signed a two year contract. David Norris became the fourth player to migrate from Portsmouth when he arrived four days later, also on a free transfer, but was given a three year contract. On the same day Jamaican International Rodolph Austin became the ninth signing when he cost £300,000 from Norwegian Club SK Brann and he too was given a three year contract.

Amidst all the comings and goings and the mystery surrounding the euphoric news of a pending takeover that would rid the club of the drain on the club's finances that was the serial litigant and corporate malfeasor, the incumbent Chairman and admitted major shareholder, the pre-season games had already kicked off as United had visited Throstle Nest to play Northern Premier Division One North side, Farsley AFC, on 20th July 2012. They had fielded a strong first team eleven to start the game and exchanged that for a largely Juniors side and a few players who were in the transfer window. With Adam Drury, Luciano Becchio and Robert Snodgrass all missing with slight injuries, and Paul Connolly, Andy O'Brien and Paul Rachubka and long-term injured Leigh Bromby not considered. There were debuts for Paddy Kenny, Paul Green and Jason Pearce, while Andy Gray made his return debut and there was a trial for former Coventry City and Portsmouth defender Martin Crainie, as United lined up: Paddy Kenny; Tom Lees, Martin Crainie, Jason Pearce, Danny Pugh; Robbie Rogers, Paul Green, Michael Brown, Aidan White; Ross McCormack, Andy Gray. Leeds opened brightly and moved the ball well in the first ten minutes as they sought their rhythmn after the summer break. Trialist Andy Gray showed up well and was looking to be a danger but it was his fellow striker, Ross McCormack who had a strong free-kick blocked and Paul Green tried a header from a corner and both Robbie Rogers and Andy Gray had headers which failed to find the mark. The chances were starting to occur and Danny Pugh was wide and Robbie Rogers was just off target, while Tom Lees was showing up well with some good runs and crosses from the right. Andy Gray was linking well with Ross McCormack and, after the trialist had flicked the ball on, he sent a shot narrowly wide. Moments later, in the thirty-first minute, it was Andy Gray that opened his goalscoring account on his second spell with the club, when he beat Farsley keeper, Tom Guildford, thanks to a deflection off ex-United man Mark Jackson. He soon doubled the tally when he scored his second just three minutes later with a header. It was 3-0 a minute later when Robbie Rogers headed a Michael Brown cross past Tom Guildford, but despite more good play from United that remained the score as the teams left the field for the half-time break. A complete change of personnel saw United line up for the second half as: Alex Cairns; Lewis Turner, Ross Killock, Monty Gimpel, Charlie Taylor; Sam Byram, Zac Thompson, Simon Lenighan, Sanchez Payne; Ramon Nunez, Billy Paynter. Surprisingly, there was little change to the United dominance, as Ramon Nunez soon had two attempts on goal, Billy Paynter went close twice and Sanchez Payne and Simon Lenighan also got in shots. While Paddy Kenny had not been called into any serious action in the first half, Alex Cairns was called into action as the clock approached the hour mark, when he made a good save. There was little he could do moments later when Adam Muller pulled a goal back when his long range shot was deflected past the stranded keeper by Sam Byram. It did not take long for United to restore the three goal margin, when Billy Paynter scored with a fine header from a Ramon Nunez cross in the sixty-fourth minute. Four minutes later Farsley again reduced the arrears with another goal from distance as Ryan Watson scored from well outside the box. The game then seemed to loose its way but it finished on a high note when Sanchez Payne got a scintillating fifth goal for Leeds when he scored with shot from thirty yards, with just one minute left on the clock, to leave the final score 5-2 in United's favour. Dominic Poleon came on as a substitute for Simon Lenighan.

The following day, the Development squad travelled to Blue Square Bet Conference Premier side Alfreton Town at their Impact Arena Ground and the line-up was: Paul Rachubka; Sam Byram. Ross Killock, Trailist Faure, Charlie Taylor; Nathan Turner, Zac Thompson, Lewis Turner, Charlie Clamp; Dominic Poleon, Simon Lenighan. Substitutes: Eric Grimes, Monty Gimpel, Jordan Snodin, Sanchez Payne, Scott Harrison. The home side were quick out of the blocks and put United under pressure from early in the game, with Nathan Arnold being thwarted by the legs of Paul Rachubka from eight yards. Seven minutes later the keeper was forced into a fine save low down by a well-struck shot from the same player. But, after weathering that early storm Leeds, gradually got on the ascendancy and started to play some good football. Ross Killock went close with a good downward header from a Zac Thompson free-kick but it was narrowly over the bar and Half-Time came with the scoreboard still blank. Zac Thompson had a good chance to give Leeds the lead, after Darran Kempson had fouled Simon Lenighan in the penalty area, but Thompson failed to beat the Alfreton keeper, Phil Barnes who saved his penalty and then his shot from the rebound, after fifty-one minutes. But it was Dominic Poleon who fired Leeds into a deserved lead on the hour when he beat Darran Kempson on the right to cut in and give the Alfreton keeper no chance with a shot from ten yards. Eight minutes later Jordan Snodin replaced Charlie Clamp in midfield and two minutes after that Zac Thompson found Lewis Turner at the far post for him to sweep the ball into the roof of the net, giving the keeper no chance. Alfreton trialist Tom Denton tried to reduce the arrears but his shot hit the post and rebounded into the grateful arms of keeper Paul Rachubka. Monty Gimpel replaced Sam Byram after eighty-one minutes and Sanchez Payne came on for Simon Lenighan three minutes later but Leeds were good value for their 2-0 win as Goalkeeper Eric Grimes and Scott Harrison remained unused on the substitutes bench.

United started their tour of the South-West with a visit to Devon to play South West Peninsula League Premier Division side, Tavistock AFC at their Langsford Park Ground on 23rd July and a total of twenty-one players were used in front of a crowd of 2,500. Tom Lees being the only player to complete the full ninety minutes. Compared to their first game at Farsley, United welcomed back Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio to their squad and Adam Drury made his Leeds debut when all three had recovered from the injuries that had prevented them from playing in the opening game. There was a debut also for new goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown and first games for Dominic Poleon and Nathan Turner, but Billy Paynter, Alex Cairns, Ross Killock, Monty Gimpel, Charlie Taylor, Simon Lenighan and Sanchez Payne were omitted. While Leeds did not score until near the end of the first half they were by far the dominant team and were impressive in their neat passing and movement. Ross McCormack was close early on and Tom Lees was dangerous with his crosses from the right. Tavistock were lucky when a shot from Paul Green hit Robert Snodgrass when on its way into the net, after twenty minutes. Jason Pearce was close with a header and both Snodgrass and McCormack had half chances. But five minutes before the break Aidan White scored with a quality finish after getting on the end of a long through ball. Then right on half-time Ross McCormack took a free-kick and Robert Snodgrass helped it on, for Paul Green to finish off the move. United made several changes for the start of the second half, goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown took over from Paddy Kenny, Danny Pugh replaced Michael Brown on the left of midfield while Andy Gray came on for Luciano Becchio in a striking role. Once more United continued to dominate but failed at the final stages as passes went astray. On the hour they got their third goal with the help of the home team as Aidan White crossed from the left and a Tavistock defender, who was under no real pressure, sliced the ball past his own keeper. Ross McCormack was close after being put through by Robert Snodgrass but in the sixty-eighth minute Leeds made wholesale changes as Sam Byram replaced Martin Crainie, Zac Thompson took over from Robert Snodgrass, Dominic Poleon came on for Paul Green, Robbie Rogers replaced Aidan White and Ramon Nunez replaced Ross McCormack. Nunez was soon in the action having an early oppurtunity saved and then getting in a good cross which Dominic Poleon headed wide, but the fourth goal was not long in arriving and Robbie Rogers seized upon a poor clearance by the home keeper to rifle the ball into the net. After eighty minutes Nathan Turner replaced Jason Pearce and his twin brother Nathan replaced Adam Drury and Andy Gray twice went close before Dominic Poleon made it five after he cut in from the left before scoring with a clinical finish in the eighty-sixth minute. Tavistock were finding it hard to cope and Zac Thompson hit a sixth two minutes later as Leeds eased to a comfortable victory.

Robert Snodgrass was finally sold to Norwich City for £3 million on 26th July 2012 and the Tour of Devon and Cornwall came to an end the following day with a trip back to Devon to play League Division Two side, Torquay United at their Plainmoor Ground in front of a crowd of 3,925 of which 2,050 were from Leeds. The referee was Brendan Malone of Salisbury and he got the game started as a fine afternoon greeted the players as the sun shone on a bright summer's day. United were unchanged in their starting eleven. There were fears of an avalanche as United started off in goal hungry fashion. Ross McCormack scored two superb goals in the first quarter of an hour. His first came when he scored from distance with a low shot which gave the keeper no chance after just seven minutes. His second came direct from a free-kick outside the penalty area, when he curled the ball over the Torquay wall and into the net with a shot of precision. It looked like Torquay would do well to restrict the score from being a deluge, but they showed good resolve to restrict the margin to just the two goals by half-time. This was despite Leeds dominating for long periods and McCormack always looking a threat and he went close with another volley from distance. Andy Gray looked to maintain his early goalscoring form, but he failed to get enough power into his header after being set up by Tom Lees. Luke Varney burst down the left and squared a low pass for Paul Green, who wastefully blasted over from just inside the home penalty area. Torquay finally breached the Leeds defence with a terrific through-ball from Ian Morris, who started his football education at Elland Road, and Billy Bodin raced clear, but dragged his final shot well wide of Jamie Ashdown’s far post. He tried to make amends and went on a dazzling run through the Leeds defence but once more there was no result as Jamie Ashdown brought off a good save as he dived to his left. The half-time break saw Leeds replace Martin Crainie with Sam Byram and the home side replaced Michael Poke by Martin Rice in goal, Thomas Cruise came on for Kevin Nicholson at left-back, while in midfield Craig Easton replaced Damon Lathrope and Nathan Craig replaced Ian Morris, while Danny Stevens added punch to the forwards as he replaced Rene Howe. The home side made two more changes in the sixty-second minute when Ashley Yeoman replaced Daniel Leadbitter and Lloyd Mackin came on for Billy Bodin, which was designed to pep up their attack. Three minutes later Danny Pugh replaced Luke Varney and Dominic Poleon came on for Ross McCormack and the home team completed their substitutions for the game as Niall Thompson came on for Ryan Jarvis in the seventy-second minute and a couple of minutes later, as Lee Mansell was preparing to take a corner-kick, Kirtys MacKenzie replaced Aaron Downes. This had an immediate effect as with his first touch young defender MacKenzie pulled a goal back with a header from that corner, with Leeds complaining bitterly that Jason Pearce had been manhandled to the floor. Leeds immediately threw on Robbie Rogers for Aidan White and Zac Thompson for Michael Brown leaving Lewis & Nathan Turner unused on the bench. The goal was one that Torquay’s second-half display deserved and Danny Stevens almost conjured up an equaliser with a curling effort six minutes from time. Leeds responded with a swift break and Dominic Poleon forced an excellent save from Martin Rice. So in a game that looked initially like a landslide it turned out tha Leeds finished up almost with a draw.

The following day the Leeds United development squad went down to a 3-1 defeat at Welsh champions TNS. The team, managed by Neil Redfearn, was mainly made up from youngsters with just transfer-listed duo Paul Rachubka and Paul Connolly adding experience to the side. The Welsh side played their first team, naming the same side that had been beaten by Swedish champions Helsingborgs in their Champions League qualifier just days earlier. While United lined up: Paul Rachubka, Paul Connolly, Ross Killock, Monty Gimpel, Charlie Taylor; Jason Dodds, Jordin Snodin, Sanchez Payne, Charlie Clamp; Simon Lenighan, Jayden Jackson. At half-time Leeds replaced goalkeeper Paul Rachubka with Alex Cairns and brought on Fifteen year-old Lewis Cook for Sanchez Payne. United had trailed by a single goal but the youngster equalized for United on the hour. Luke Parkin took over from Jason Dodds and Lewis Walters replaced Jayden Jackson before the game was restarted after the equalizer. Fifteen minutes later Chris Dawson replaced Charlie Clamp but TNS scored twice in the final third of the game to run out winners against a side that finished with nine players eighteen year old or younger. The TNS substitutes were Goalkeeper George Deniz, defenders Steve Evans, Connell Rawlinson and Aaron Simms, Midfielders Scott Ruscoe and Tom Allen and forwards Alex Darlington and Scott Quigley.

The Development squad's next game took them to Bridlington Town on 31st July 2012. Their starting eleven showed three changes with Lewis Cook, Luke Parkin and Lewis Walters replacing Sanchez Payne, Jason Dodds and Jayden Jackson. Once again the team was bolstered by the transfer-listed Paul Rachubka and Paul Connolly but consisted in the main of young professionals or Academy players. They won quite easily with two goals from sixteen-year-old striker Luke Parkin, in the twenty-fifth and thirty-fifth minute, for United to take a 2-0 lead into the break. They made four second half changes, in the sixtieth minute, as the twenty-year-old French trialist, Kevin Gomez, replaced Jordan Snodin in midfield as did Sanchez Payne for Charlie Clamp and Chris Dawson for Lewis Cook, while Jason Dodds took over from Lewis Walters. Chris Dawson took just eight minutes to get his name on the scoresheet to extend the Leeds lead to three. Alex Cairns remained unused on the Leeds bench.

Andy O'Brien joined Vancouver Whitecaps on a free transfer on 1st August 2012 and the same day United went to Norway to play Sandefjord as their pre-season friendlies gathered momentum. Neil Warnock stuck to his preferred starting eleven, but not entirely, as he gave a debut to new signing David Norris in place of Michael Brown, who dropped to the bench. He also gave the captain's armband to Ross McCormack. He knew his charges were in for a tough test after safely negotiating a series of easy fixtures in their pre-season build up. The Norwegian team were sitting second in their League, the second tier of Norwegian Football, which was in mid-season. It was the second successive season they had played the fixture, with the previous result being a dour 1-1 draw. He would have been expecting a similar performance from the opposition this time, as United started with: Jamie Ashdown; Tom Lees, Martin Crainie, Jason Pearce, Adam Drury; Aidan White, David Norris, Paul Green, Luke Varney; Ross McCormack, Andy Gray. Leeds started the game well and both Adam Drury and Luke Varney went close in the opening quarter of an hour. Adam Drury had benefited after Ross McCormack led the home defence a merry dance and the full-back also got in a good cross which was sliced away by a home defender and finished not too far off target. Indeed it was United that took the lead after seventeen minutes when Jason Pearce headed home from a Ross McCormack corner. Luke Varney was close once more shortly after Leeds had taken the lead. Leeds kept pressing and Ross McCormack was again the provider as Andy Gray headed wide from one of his free-kicks, while new-boy David Norris was showing up well and almost released Andy Gray on goal. Just past the half-hour mark Luke Varney got in a good cross to Ross McCormack but the Scotsman's shot was blocked. As the game wore on, the home side started to dominate the midfield and Leeds were subject to much pressure as they pressed for an equalizer before the break. United made two changes in the half-time break with Danny Pugh coming on for Adam Drury at left-back and Michael Brown re-enforcing midfield in place of Andy Gray. Sandefjord had held back several of their first choice players and had goalkeepers Tomi Maanoja and Stian Johannessen, Central Defenders Peter Magnusson and Yaw Ihle Amankwah, Midfielders Kristoffer Normann Hansen, Tobias Jacobsen, Henrik Gustavsen, Peter Langensteiner, Christer Hansen and Erik Andre Lamoy and forwards Kristian Klepaker, Martin Brekke and Tobias Hem on the bench and like United they rotated their squad. The hosts got back into the game just seven minutes into the second half when Kristian Klepaker ran onto a very good through ball and scored with a great finish which gave Jamie Ashdown no chance. But, after the equalizer, the standard of football deteriorated noticably and poor challanges became frequent and chances were few and far between. After sixty-eight minutes Sam Byram replaced Tom Lees at right-back and Dominic Poleon came on for Ross McCormack. Jamie Ashdown was called upon to make one good save from Martin Torp with fifteen minutes left on the clock, and four minutes later Leeds made another double substitution with Robbie Rogers replacing Aidan White on the right-wing and Zac Thompson replacing Paul Green in midfield and then two minutes later they made their final change as Nathan Turner replaced David Norris in midfield. Goalkeeper Alex Cairns and Defender Lewis Turner remained unused on the Leeds bench. Dominic Poleon did pose a threat to the home goal when he got in a good strike on the turn but the home keeper was equal to the task and the score finished 1-1.

Lee Peltier became the tenth Warnock signing when he signed a three year contract and United paid Leicester City £800,000 for his services but he was not included in the Leeds line-up for the away friendly at Deepdale on 4th August 2012 for the game with Preston North End. However, Patrick Kisnorbo made his comeback for his first pre-season game and Paddy Kenny, who was appointed captain, and Luciano Becchio also came back after overcoming minor injuries. It meant that Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, and Andy Gray dropped to the bench, while Martin Crainie had not sufficiently impressed Manager Warnock and his services were dispensed with. Aidan White also switched from outside right to left back in a positional shuffle. There was a large Leeds contingent of over 2,500 in the 6,529 crowd as Darren Bond of Lancashire had the whistle and after a series of showers just before kick-off the game started in sunshine on a superb looking pitch. The Leeds starting eleven was: Paddy Kenny; Tom Lees Patrick Kisnorbo, Jason Pearce, Aidan White; Paul Green, David Norris, Michael Brown, Luke Varney; Ross McCormack, Luciano Becchio. There were two former Leeds players, Paul Huntington and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, in the home line-up. It was the home side that started brightly and United had to do some early defending, but it was Leeds who created the first opportunity when Luke Varney forced Thorsten Stuckmann to a good save after five minutes. Stuckmann got down well to save from Luciano Becchio and then had to stretch to turn a Ross McCormack shot over the bar. At the other end Paddy Kenny was called into action on several occasions as Preston proved to be United's strongest opposition to date in the pre-season, his best effort was when he saved low down from John Mousinho. Patrick Kisnorbo was withdrawn after thirty minutes, being replaced by Sam Byram, who took over the right-back spot as Tom Lees moved into central defence alongside Jason Pearce. Ross McCormack had a free-kick deflected for a corner, which was well saved by Thorsten Stuckmann, but chances were few in the first half hour. This changed in the thirty-first minute as Tom Lees showed great skill to control the ball just inside the penalty area before turning on the swivel and getting in a shot on the volley that beat the keeper. United showed good defensive skill and cohesion to keep the scoresheet blank as they went to the break one goal to the good. On the resumption, both sides chose not to make changes and the Preston keeper made an easy catch from Luke Varney as the half got underway and the home side started to pressurize the Leeds defence only for Jack King to fire a shot well off target. However, twelve minutes into the half John Mousinho scored with a good shot from just inside the area to level the scores. On the hour mark Leeds made a triple substitution with Danny Pugh replacing Michael Brown, Adam Drury coming on for Ross McCormack and Andy Gray taking the place of Luciano Becchio. A minute later Preston did the same as Jeffrey Monakana came on for Nicky Wroe in midfield and Sam Winnall replaced Jack King and Akpoeyere Sodje took over from Chris Beardsley as strikers. Just five minutes later Leeds were back in the lead as Sam Byram got his first Leeds goal with a strong shot after a good corner from Paul Green. Preston came back and almost equalized immediately but Paddy Kenny was equal to a header from Paul Huntington. After seventy nine minutes John Welsh replaced Keith Keane at right-back, but a minute later good work from David Norris, saw Aidan White beat keeper Thorsten Stuckmann with a fine shot. Leeds then sent on Dominic Poleon for Paul Green and Zac Thompson for David Norris. Five minutes later they sent on Robbie Rogers for Aidan White and with two minutes left Nathan Turner replaced Luke Varney. This left Lewis Turner and Jamie Ashdown unused on the Leeds bench and right-back Chris Robertson, left-back Bailey Wright, midfielders Matty James and Will Hayhurst and strikers Graham Cummins and Chris Holroyd unused on the Preston bench. Preston did not give up and Lee Holmes saw his shot deflected past the left upright and after John Mousinho had laid off Joel Byrom's corner, Jeffrey Monakana rattled the crossbar, but in the end Leeds held on to their two goal margin.

There were debuts for Lee Peltier and Rodolph Austin in the final pre-season friendly, on 7th August against one of Neil Warnock's former clubbs, Burton Albion, with Lee Peltier coming in at right-back and Tom Lees partnering Jason Pearce in central defence while Rodolph Austin joined David Norris in central midfield, with Patrick Kisnorbo and Michael Brown dropping to the bench, at the expense of the Turner twins and Zac Thompson, as they lined up: Paddy Kenny; Lee Peltier, Tom Lees, Jason Pearce, Aidan White; Paul Green, Rodolph Austin, David Norris, Luke Varney; Ross McCormack, Luciano Becchio. The home side had several trialists in their ranks and included young Derby County defender Chris Jones and midfield player Floribert N’Galula, an ex-Manchester United trainee who had played in Belgium, America and Germany, together with former Bristol Rovers centre half Byron Anthony and winger Dean Morgan, who listed Chesterfield among his previous clubs. Rodolph Austin was involved in the early stages of a move that saw Jason Pearce have a shot which seemed to take a deflection, but the referee did not agree. Luciano Becchio hit a pass a little too hard for David Norris to take advantage of it as Leeds started to dominate possession. They were close when Ross McCormack's well flighted corner was met by a firm header from Lee Peltier which was just off target in the twenty-fifth minute. Two minutes later the visitors finally took the lead when Luke Varney found space inside the home penalty area and despite claims for handball from the home defenders put the ball into the net. There were also claims that Varney had baulked Jones in a tussle at the far post, but referee Oliver Langford saw nothing wrong as the striker tucked a low shot inside the upright. Despite their dominance Leeds could not add to their lead before half-time and the hosts continued to put on a spirited show to thwart their efforts. Billy Kee tested Paddy Kenny with a twenty-five yard effort in the thirty-fifth minute and on the stroke of half-time the keeper was in the action once more as he saved from Dean Morgan who got in a low drive after a mazy dribble, but there was little else to whet the appetite of the crowd. Burton made the only change in the half-time break when they brought on Matt Paterson for Justin Richards in the striking role and the former Southampton striker immediately squandered a chance to put the home side level, when a rare lapse in the Leeds defence left him with a free shot twelve yards out, but he shot straight at Kenny. At the other end, Dean Lyness had to make an athletic save to spare Marcus Holness the ignominy of heading into his own net. Just past the hour mark the home side brought on Cleveland Taylor in the place of Billy Kee. The contest was starting to get more even, with Leeds being made to work much harder to protect their lead, but Jason Pearce went close to increasing that lead with a header in the sixty-second minute. A succession of substitutions soon followed when in the sixty-seventh minute Leeds sent on Jamie Ashdown for Paddy Kenny in goal, Patrick Kisnorbo for Lee Peltier and Sam Byram for Jason Pearce in defence and Andy Gray for Luciano Becchio and Michael Brown for Ross McCormack up front. While Burton sent on Nathan Stanton for Aaron Webster and Matty Palmer for Floribert N'Galula. In the seventy-second minute Danny Pugh came on for Rodolph Austin and seven minutes later Burton sent on young striker Evan Garnett forthe last thirteen minutes to try and make some sort of impression as he replaced Dean Morgan in a wide midfield position. Young substitute Sam Byram almost crowned his cameo appearance with a superb goal as he showed instant control down the right before cutting back inside Jones, now occupying the left back role, and volleying beyond the far post from just inside the box. With ten minutes left Robbie Rogers replaced Luke Varney for Leeds while Jack Green, another product of the home club's youth programme, made a late appearance replacing triallist Chris Jones with six minutes to go, which left goalkeeper Ross Atkins and defender Damien McCrory unused on the home bench. Although Leeds continued to press they could not score again and ended up winning the game courtesy of Varney's first half strike.

El-Hadji Diuof was a surprise signing before United's first competitive fixture on 11th August 2012 against Shrewsbury Town in the First Round of the League Cup, when he signed a short term contract after being freed by Doncaster Rovers. It was a surprise because there had been previous altercations between the Manager and player with the former calling the latter "a sewer rat", but it seemed as if Warnock had given him the chance to prove himself and fight for a longer contract. Diouf was one of eight players who would make their Leeds debut in this fixture. Tom Lees was sidelined by injury and this meant teenage defender Sam Byram came in for his debut at right back and new signings Lee Peltier and Jason Pearce, in central defence, Paul Green, Rodolph Austin, David Norris and Luke Varney, in midfield and goalkeeper Paddy Kenny all made their starting debut, while El-Hadji Diouf would debut from the bench, with Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury and Andy Gray would be unused on the bench. The Leeds line-up that started the season was: Paddy Kenny; Sam Byram, Lee Peltier, Jason Pearce, Aidan White; Paul Green, Rodolph Austin, David Norris, Luke Varney; Ross McCormack, Luciano Becchio. With Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Patrick Kisnorbo, Michael Brown, El-Hadji Diouf, Dominic Poleon and Andy Gray the seven substitutes. David Norris was given the captain's armband and the teams kicked off in front of an 18,194 crowd and Paddy Kenny was soon in the action as he first made an excellent stop to deny Mark Wright and then saved another from Jermaine Grandison right on the goal-line. Despite this it was Leeds that took the lead after twenty minutes, when a long distance shot by Rodolph Austin could only be parried by the Shrewsbury keeper Chris Weale and predator Luciano Becchio was on hand to slot the ball into the net for his, and United's first competitive goal of the season. It did not take Luke Varney very long to score his first Leeds goal, as six minutes later he showed similar predatory instincts as Ross McCormack saw his shot blocked but Varney picked up the scraps from close range. Leeds continued to play attractive football and towards the end of the first half Jermaine Grandison headed over as the League One side attacked, while Ross McCormack shot straight at the keeper and David Norris shot over the bar in response. The same two players each went close as the second half commenced. The Scottish International was looking sharp as he brought first young right back, Sam Byram and then Paul Green into the action, but Leeds put the game beyond doubt with two further goals in the sixty-fifth and sixty-ninth minutes. First David Norris punished the visitors for their inability to clear their lines when he picked up a downward header from Luke Varney on the edge of the penalty area and found himself enough space to hammer the ball home. The fourth goal came from the penalty spot as Ross McCormack easily beat the keeper after Paul Green had pressured the Shrewsbury defender, Michael Hector, into handling. Seven minutes later the two participants in United's fourth goal were part of a double substitution and the introduction of two more debutants, as Dominic Poleon replaced Ross McCormack up front and El Hadji Diouf came on for Paul Green in midfield. The visitors bolstered their defence as Asa Hall replaced Luke Summerfield and Aaron Wildig came on for Joe Jacobson three minutes later and with four minutes left on the clock Michael Brown replaced Luke Varney and Tom Bradshaw replaced Terry Gornell for the visitors. The Shrews did create a good chance but Marvin Morgan was thwarted by Paddy Kenny who finger-tipped his shot round the post. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Patrick Kisnorbo and Andy Gray remained unused on the bench as Leeds started their season with an emphatic and deserved 4-0 win.

13th August saw Billy Paynter find himself a new club in Doncaster Rovers as the list of "Warnock Unwanteds" diminished, but four days later Ross McCormack signed a new three year contract to June 2015 and this was extremely good news one day before United commenced their League campaign with a visit by Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were fresh from demotion from the EPL, to Elland Road. The only change to the Leeds starting squad was the return, after injury of Tom Lees, who took the place of Dominic Poleon on the bench and so there were the same eight players making their League debuts in the starting eleven as in the game with Shrewsbury. Lee Peltier had been appointed the Leeds Captain and he led his team out in front of an 23,745 crowd at midday to accomodate the whims of the television and soon United were on the attack and had opened up the visiting defence three times in the first five minutes, with Luciano Becchio seemingly impeded on the edge of the box in the third of those. As early as the ninth minute Leeds went close to opening the score when firstly Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme blocked a Rodolph Austin header, from a corner, on the line, with his feet, then Paul Green had a shot blocked and Sam Byram shot wide before Luciano Becchio and Ross McCormack found themselves clear only for Carl Ikeme to deny the latter. However, the first goal looked inevitable and it came in the seventeenth minute, as Paddy Kenny hoisted a long ball downfield and it was picked up by Ross McCormack wide on the right and his cross was measured to perfection as Luciano Becchio got in a superb diving header to score. The game continued at a quick pace with both teams looking to get on the attack. As half-time approached Paul Green picked up a knock on the knee and United were forced into bringing on El-Hadji Diouf to replace him, but United remained on the attack and Ross McCormack saw another shot blocked, but Leeds took a deserved 1-0 lead into the half-time break. Wolves brought on Slawomir Peszko for Anthony Forde after the half-time break. United were quickly back on the attack as the second half commenced, but David Norris could not generate enough power into his header from a Ross McCormack cross. Luke Varney had been showing up well for his new club but his first touch let him down as he was put through on goal and he was thwarted by the Wolves keeper, who was quickly off his line. At the other end Wolves had looked threatening as good ball from Karl Henry found Slawomir Peszko in space but the quickness of Sam Byram saw him clear the danger. Luke Varney continued to pose a problem to the Wolves defence and his shot was deflected wide of the goal. The visitors brought on Bjorn Sigurdarson for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the sixty-ninth minute. Leeds were showing that the best form of defence was to attack and despite a flurry of bookings to both sides the game continued to be entertaining. In the seventy-fifth minute Luciano Becchio had a shot saved before Manager Warnock reinforced his defence as he brought on Tom Lees to replace Ross McCormack, with Sam Byram pushing up into midfield. Wolves brought on David Edwards for Richard Stearman in the eighty-third minute and four minutes later it was the young Sam Byram who went close to opening his United goal-tally as his shot from distance shaved the goal-post. Although Ronald Zubar headed a Matt Jarvis corner against the bar and Slawomir Peszko set up Bjorn Sigurdarson only for the Icelander to shoot high wide and not very handsome, Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Patrick Kisnorbo, Michael Brown and Andy Gray remained unused on the Leeds bench as United played the final five minutes of stoppage time to record a good victory over a team who were installed as one of the favourites for promotion and they sat in eighth position after the first game.

United travelled to Bloomfield Road Blackpool for their second league game on 21st August and with Paul Green unavailable due to injury. It meant a reshuffle in the United team which saw Tom Lees step up from the bench into the central defensive role, alongside Jason Pearce, as Captain Lee Peltier went to left-back and Aidan White moved from that position to right midfield, with Danny Pugh taking up the vacancy on the bench. There were 1,656 Leeds supporters in the 14,315 crowd for the Tuesday evening kick-off, which saw the home side make their expected attacking start. Leeds keeper Paddy Kenny had to be quick off his line to deny Tiago Gomez after just ten minutes and Tom Lees found his name in the book after a crunching tackle on Blackpool's main striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher, but showed it had not affected his composure as he headed away the resultant free-kick. Midfielder Tiago Gomes was up with the attack again a few minutes later and after Paddy Kenny had pulled off a fine save, his quick clearing punt saw Blackpool defender Neal Eardley forced to head clear under pressure from Luke Varney. But it was Leeds that took the lead after seventeen minutes when Tom Lees rose to head the ball into the net when Blackpool failed to clear the pressure. Predictably the home side went looking for an equaliser and Thomas Ince soon threatened before Gary Taylor-Fletcher set up Kevin Phillips after twenty-three minutes only for Paddy Kenny to deny him, as he dived to his right to save. Craig Cathcart then pulled off a vital tackle on Aidan White, as Leeds sought to respond. Then, the new United keeper proved he was in fine form as he pulled off another fine save as he saved one-handed from Alex Baptiste. Former Leeds full-back Stephen Crainey then sent a shot narrowly over the Leeds bar as the home side pressed to restore parity. As half-time approached play was held up while Leeds Captain Lee Peltier received treatment and then it was again Stephen Crainey in the action as he played in Thomas Ince, but the winger sent his acutely-angled shot across the face of the Leeds goal, but wide. After the break the home side were soon on the attack and and just thirty seconds into the new half the post came to the aid of the visitors after Isaiah Osbourne had beaten Paddy Kenny with a powerful shot. It became end to end football as United came close to doubling their lead as Ross McCormack was narrowly wide and the Blackpool also went close as Thomas Ince lifted his shot over the bar. United seemed to be getting on top as the hour mark approached and Neil Warnock sought to improve their chances by introducing El-Hadji Diouf for Ross McCormack after fifty-eight minutes. Six minutes later Blackpool responded with a double substitution as Matt Phillips replaced Tiago Gomes and Nouah Dicko came on for Angel Martinez, but the home side were scrambling in the next minute as a Luciano Becchio header had the Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks saving one-handed at full stretch as the Argentinian almost doubled the Leeds lead. With fifteen minutes left to go the home side drew level when a low cross from Stephen Crainey across the six yard box found Nouah Dicko and the substitute was able to side foot the ball beyond the reach of Paddy Kenny. After the goal the home side sent on Ludovic Sylvestre in place of Kevin Phillips and four minutes later Neil Warnock sent on Danny Pugh in place of Aidan White. Then, a minute later the home side took the lead for the first time, with just ten minutes left on the clock. This time it was Matt Phillips who found himself unmarked at the near post to side-foot a low Tom Ince cross past the exposed Leeds keeper. Leeds had fought an excellent rearguard action until the two quickfire goals, from the two substitutes, so close to the end and it was as well that neither Ludovic Sylvestre nor Matt Phillips were able to convert half chances in the dying minutes as a the latter's free-kick just clipped the crossbar, with United unable to mount any late challenge in the four minutes of stoppage time. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Patrick Kisnorbo, Michael Brown and Andy Gray remained unused on the bench as United dropped to fifteenth on the table.

There were starting debuts for Adam Drury and El-Hadji Diouf as Leeds visited London Road to play Peterborough United on 25th August 2012, as Neil Warnock again shuffled his pack with Lee Peltier switching to right back to accomodate Adam Drury, while Sam Byram and Aidan White dropped to the bench where Dominic Poleon replaced Danny Pugh. There were approximately 3,800 United supporters in the crowd of 10,432 that greeted the players as United got off to a good start when they went on the offensive from the off and soon found holes in the home midfield with some good football which showed good movement and passing. After just five minutes, Luciano Becchio was pulled down by Shaun Brisley and from the resulting free-kick Ross McCormack forced the home keeper Bobby Olejnik to claw the ball away. Two minutes later Leeds took the lead when Ross McCormack found Luke Varney with a cross from the left and when the home side failed to clear Luciano Becchio slotted a left-foot shot into the net. It wa not until the thirteenth minute that the home side forced Paddy Kenny into action when he reacted well to clear the danger from a floated corner. But United were soon down the other end to win a corner and from that corner there were shouts for a penalty as Grant McCann seemed to handle as he deflected the ball away. The Posh were soon down the Leeds end and Shaun Brisley headed wide after the home side had won a free-kick. As the half-hour mark approached Leeds were the stronger team but, after El-Hadji Diouf had failed with a shot on goal, the home team broke and created an opening but Emile Sinclair found himself in the referee's notebook after chopping down Lee Peltier and been shown a yellow card. It was Lee Peltier who featured in the next Leeds attack and, after making good ground down the right his cross saw Ross McCormack head just wide. As half-time approached Leeds sought to capitalize on poor work from the home side but after they had gained a free-kick, Ross McCormack's resulting kick was blocked by the home defence. After the break it was again United on the attack and Peterborough were forced back on the defensive until a good save by the home keeper, Bobby Olejnik denied David Norris. The home side then went down the field and Paddy Kenny was forced to parry a shot from Lee Tomlin. But after five minutes of the second half United doubled their lead as the predatory Luciano Becchio was again on hand to head past the best efforts of Bobby Olejnik from close range. The home side responded with a free-kick but it was blocked and leeds broke to put the home side uinder more pressure. Peterborough made a double substitution after sixty-two minutes when Mark Little replaced Craig Alcock and Danny Swanson came on for Lee Frecklington and the two substitutes were involved in the build up to a move which ended in Paddy Kenny tipping a Lee Tomlin header over the bar. But, only two minutes after the double substitution, the home side made their final change as Paul Taylor replaced Emile Sinclair. Leeds were edging towards victory and a strong shout for a penalty was turned down after Ross McCormack had been flattened in the box. However the home side pulled a goal back with seventeen minutes left on the clock after the Leeds defence failed to clear and Michael Bostwick was given room to get in a volley from just inside the eighteen yard line which beat Paddy Kenny. Neil Warnock sent on Sam Byram in place of El-Hadji Diouf after seventy-six minutes and three minutes later Dominic Poleon was given his chance in place of Ross McCormack. The home side looked to find an equalizer but were off target and Sam Byram was just wide as he sought to put the game beyond the reach of the Posh. Leeds made their final substitution with three minutes left on the clock as Andy Gray was sent on for his first League game in sixteen years. Sam Byram was involved with the action at both end of the pitch in the closing minutes when he blocked a free-kick with a header in defence and then won a corner at the other end as he sought to round the home keeper. Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Aidan White and Michael Brown all remained unused on the United bench as the 2-1 win took United to seventh place after their third League game.

For the Second Round home League Cup tie with League Two side Oxford United, on 28th August, Neil Warnock gave several fringe players their chance to impress as Jamie Ashdown made his Leeds debut in goal in place of Paddy Kenny, while the defence was reconstituted with Tom Lees moving back to right back as Lee Peltier dropped to the bench and Jason Pearce took over as Captain as Patrick Kisnorbo was also elevated from the bench to central defence. In midfield Sam Byram, Michael Brown, and Aidan White joined Rodolph Austin as El-Hadji Diouf was pushed up front and Luke Varney dropped to the bench, while David Norris was rested and made way for Zac Thompson on the bench and striker Andy Gray partnered El-Hadji Diouf, as Ross McCormack and Luciano Becchio dropped to the bench. Oxford, who had former Leeds loanee Tony Capaldi in their starting eleven, had started the season with three straight wins and came into the game full of confidence in front of a crowd of 13,713. This manifested itself with Oxford's willingness to take the game to Leeds and this put the home team under immediate pressure. Jamie Ashdown was soon called into the action but he reacted well as he dived at the feet of Alfie Potter to smother the ball and avert the danger, after Tony Capaldi's shot had been deflected to the Oxford striker. There were shots from Sean Rigg and Adam Chapman as Oxford continued their lively performance and Jason Pearce had to head away one cross while Patrick Kisnorbo was called upon to block a shot from Alfie Potter. But it was United that took the lead after twenty-seven minutes as Aidan White, after a powerful run down the left, pulled the ball back on the edge of the box, El-Hadji Diouf allowed it to run to Rodolph Austin for the Jamaican International to rifle home his first Leeds goal. Six minutes later it was 2-0 as Sam Byram showed real quality, to skip past Jake Wright before adroitly chipping Ryan Clarke in the Oxford goal to score a goal of the highest class. It soon could have been 3-0 as Sam Byram was again involved as he fed El-Hadji Diouf, for the Senegalese International to be thwarted by the Oxford keeper as he managed to get a hand to the ball as El-Hadji Diouf tried to slip it past him. United went into half-time with a 2-0 lead and on the restart they were straight back on the attack, forcing Oxford to defend desparately and there were claims for a penalty for a foul inside the six yard box. Jason Pearce had a shot blocked and then Rodolph Austin rattled the crossbar with a thunderous shot from almost forty yards. It was a night for spectacular strikes and Sam Byram was the next to try his luck after Rodolph Austin had set him up for a volley which just cleared the crossbar. It was Adam Drury to the rescue at the other end, when Simon Heslop was looking to connect with a low cross as Oxford mounted a rare attack. United were soon on the attack once more and Michael Brown had a shot blocked, before the third goal came after seventy-three minutes, when El-Hadji Diouf sent in a cross from the right and Tom Lees powered a header past Ryan Clarke in the Oxford goal and the tie was beyond the visitors reach. Dominic Poleon replaced El-Hadji Diouf three minutes after the goal, and Oxford made a double substitution sending on Jon-Paul Pittman for Sean Rigg and Tyrone Marsh for Alfie Potter, in the eighty-first minute, before Zac Thompson came on for Rodoloph Austin with six minutes left on the clock. Oxford made their final substitution with Daniel Boateng replacing Adam Chapman with three minutes to go, while in the final minute Lee Peltier came on for Sam Byram for Leeds. Oxford did try to salvage some pride and Tony Capaldi was just wide with one effort but Leeds were always in control and could have scored more. Paddy Kenny, Luciano Becchio, Luke Varney and Ross McCormack remained unused on the Leeds bench as United easily progressed to the Third Round of the Competition.

On 1st September El-Hadji Diouf was given a contract until January 2013, when his situation would be reviewed and the news was made public just prior to the second League home fixture against another recently relegated from te EPL in Blackburn Rovers, who had former Leeds favourite, goalkeeper Paul Robinson, in their starting line-up. As expected, Leeds reverted to their usual format and started with: Paddy Kenny; Lee Peltier, Tom Lees, Jason Pearce, Adam Drury; El-Hadji Diouf, Rodolph Austin, David Norris, Luke Varney; Ross McCormack, Luciano Becchio. With Jamie Ashdown Sam Byram, Patrick Kisnorbo, Adrian White, Michael Brown, Andy Gray and Dominic Poleon on the bench and Lee Peltier led them out in front of a crowd of 24,411. The visitors were sitting in third spot and undefeated, so it came as no surprise that it was they that forced the pace initially and Paddy Kenny was the first goalkeeper called into the action when he beat away a shot from Morten Gamst Pedersen. After just ten minutes Blackburn lost Scott Dann to injury and had to replace him with Grant Hanley. A powerful shot from thirty yards from Rodolph Austin brought out a fine save from Paul Robinson in the seventeenth minute as proof that Leeds had weathered the early storm and were starting to get back into the game before the visitors took the lead in the nineteenth minute. It was Morten Gamst Pedersen who started the move, as he took advantage of Lee Peltier being out of position, with a diagonal defence splitting pass to Markus Olsson, who engineered some space and fired the ball past Paddy Kenny and into the bottom corner of the net for the first goal. Moments later the Leeds keeper was again in the action as he again had to save from the impressive Morten Gamst Pedersen. It, therefore came as no surprise that United fell two goals in arrears when Morten Gamst Pedersen and Markus Olsson again combined to give Nuno Gomes the chance to drill the ball past Paddy Kenny with the aid of a deflection. United tried to get back in the game and there was a chorus of appeals for a penalty as it was claimed that Ross McCormack had been dragged down by Grant Hanley, but the Preston referee Neil Swarbrick only signalled a corner. United continued to exert pressure and Blackburn were twice forced to clear the ball off their goal line but, two minutes before the break El-Hadji Diouf got his reward for perseverance, when he opened his Leeds scoring account as he stabbed the ball home from close range, after Paul Robinson had failed to cut out a cross from Luke Varney. Within a minute El-Hadji Diouf had almost equalized, after a Ross McCormack free-kick had not been properly cleared by the Blackburn defence, but his effort brought a stunning one-handed save from the ex-Leeds man Paul Robinson in the visitors goal. The former Leeds and England keeper also made another important save in the first half stoppage time as, after struggling in the first half hour, Leeds finished with a final fifteen minute period of dominanance which had the visitors defending grimly. As expected Leeds started the second half the way they had finished the first and Gael Givet made a good blocked as Luke Varney sought to square the ball across the six yard box. But at the other end Danny Murphy saw his first shot blocked before putting his second effort wide. Blackburn made their second change when Jason Lowe replaced Mauro Formica ten minutes into the second half but just two minutes later Leeds were back on level terms when Ross McCormack got on the end of a long ball forward from Adam Drury to hold off the challenge of Jason Lowe and volleyed the ball past Paul Robinson from the edge of the penalty area. Leeds were now on top and could have taken the lead soon after when David Norris lifted an El-Hadji Diouf corner into the box, but Luciano Becchio's header was blocked on the line by Markus Olsson. However, it was the Argentinian who gave Leeds the lead in the sixty-fifth minute when he headed home an El-Hadji Diouf cross at the far post for his fifth goal of the season. There were muted celebrations minutes later after Jason Pearce had headed home a Ross McCormack free-kick, but the referee disallowed it as he judged that the central defender had been guilty of pushing in the build up. Paul Robinson again proved his worth to Blackburn as he saved a stinging shot from Luciano Becchio. After seventy-six minutes Blackburn made their final change as Ruben Rochina came on for Nuno Gomes. With ten minutes left on the clock El-Hadji Diouf again went close, but four minutes later the latest substitute scored an equalizer for the visitors after they had been awarded a contentious free-kick. From the free-kick the ball was sent into the penalty box where Ruben Rochina scored with a back-heel effort through a crowd of players past an unsighted Paddy Kenny. United sent on Sam Byram for Luke Varney just two minutes after the referee had called for five minutes of stoppage time. In the added time United had another penalty appeal turned down, Dickson Etuhu shot wide for the visitors and in the last few seconds El-Hadji Diouf managed to create an opening for himself but then was just over the bar with what could have been described as "a sitter", as Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Aidan White, Michael Brown, Andy Gray and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the bench as the 3-3 draw left United still in seventh place while the visitors also hung on to third spot.

On 13th September Neil Warnock went to Stoke City and loaned his former Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonges until 23rd December. For the away game at the Cardiff City Stadium on 15th September, he took over from David Norris in midfield as United made three changes from their game with Blackburn, with Sam Byram replacing El-Hadji Diouf on the right of midfield and Aidan White replacing Luke Varney on the left of midfield. There were 1,800 travelling Leeds fans in the crowd of 23,836 but after only six minutes they had Ross McCormack carried off with an ankle injury, which saw him replaced by Luke Varney. After United had dealt with a couple of threats into the box by the home side, Sam Byram made an enterprising run down the right in the twelfth minute and from his cross Luke Varney's shot was blocked by a Cardiff defender. Neither side were able to get on top in the first half-hour and chances were at a premium, although Paddy Kenny did have to field a couple of balls that came his way, one being a shot from distance from Heidar Helguson which he dealt with comfortably. The first half had shown little fluidity and had been littered with stoppages. There were three minutes added and in that time Cardiff headed over, following a corner and Luke Varney tried to latch on to a long ball as Leeds broke, but that thankfully brought to an end a half devoid of entertainment. Leeds tried to inject some life into the game by replacing left back Adam Drury with El-Hadji Diouf after the half-time break, as Aidan White dropped back to left back and Luke Varney to left midfield with El-Hadji Diouf pushing up to partner Luciano Becchio as striker. While Leeds were holding their own, the game needed a spark to kick-start it. Paddy Kenny had to stop a close range effort from a Nicky Maynard volley at the start of the second half and then Jordan Mutch shot wide for the side before Craig Noone burst down the right wing to provide Peter Whittingham with a chance that was deflected away from the goal. When the home side next attacked Jason Pearce was on hand to avert the danger with a good block before the next two Leeds attacks were stopped for offside against Luciano Becchio and then El-Hadji Diouf. There was next another long ball into the area from the home side but as Leeds broke Luke Varney got in a cross into six yard box which hit Kevin McNaughton's foot and was cleared to safety as El-Hadji Diouf looked for a tap-in at the far post. Tommy Smith wasted the best chance of the game to date when he volleyed over from close range. Paddy Kenny was alert to save a Mark Hudson header which he tried to steer wide of him after being space in the box. The home side made their first change after sixty-three minutes when brought on Craig Bellamy in the place of Craig Noone. After sixty-six minutes Michael Tonges was booked for a foul and from the resulting free-kick Craig Bellamy gave the Leeds keeper Paddy Kenny no chance with a powerfully struck shot from the left edge of the area. Five minutes later and the home side doubled their lead after Tom Lees had conceded a penalty when he was adjudged to have bundled over Nicky Maynard in the box and Peter Whittingham cooly put his left foot shot into the net. One minute after Cardiff had made their second change with Aron Gunnarsson replacing Jordan Mutch, in the seventy-sixth minute, United did respond as Rodolph Austin scored with a long range free-kick reminiscent of the strike from Craig Bellamy just ten minutes before, as the Jamaican International picked his spot in the left hand corner of the net and drilled the ball past the despairing dive of Cardiff keeper David Marshall. The Cardiff keeper was back in action a few moments later, when he rose to cut out an Aidan White cross, as both Luciano Becchio and Luke Varney sought to get on the end of it. At the other end Paddy Kenny was earning his keep as he got down well to deny Tommy Smith who had got in a good low shot from distance. Cardiff made their final change as Don Cowie replaced Nicky Maynard with nine minutes left, two minutes later United played their last card by sending on Dominic Poleon for Luke Varney. Leeds did create a chance with five minutes to go as Rodolph Austin created space on the right and found Lee Peltier with a great cross, but although the captain got up well his header was just over. Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Michael Brown and Andy Gray remained unused on the bench as the five minutes of stoppage time elapsed and the Leeds "Cardiff hoodoo" continued and United dropped to ninth in the table.

Three days after their loss to Cardiff City, United entertained Yorkshire rivals Hull City at Elland Road on Tuesday 18th September in front of a 19,750 crowd. They had to make two enforced changes due to injuries, with El-Hadji Diouf replacing Ross McCormack in the strikers' role and Luke Varney replacing left back Adam Drury, with him filling the left midfield role, while Aidan White moved back from that position to left back to fill the vacancy. Danny Pugh and Zac Thopmpson took the vacant places on the bench. Alex Bruce was in the Hull City starting line up having joined them from United in the summer window. It was Leeds that threatened first as El-Hadji Diouf won a corner as United mounted the first attack. The first goal was not long coming and it came in the seventh minute from the penalty spot. Once more it was El-Hadji Diouf in the thick of the action that was brought down on the edge of the area by Hull City defender Joe Dudgeon. Luciano Becchio coolly put away the penalty for his sixth goal of the season. A period of Leeds ascendency followed and Rodolph Austin forced Ben Amos to save his low drive on the line in the ninth minute and El-Hadji Diouf was denied by keeper Ben Amos. Alex Bruce then marked his return to Elland Road by being booked after twenty minutes for excessive protesting, after vigourously contesting the penalty and then having a further difference of opinion with the referee over a Sam Byram challenge on Abdoulaye Faye. Hull got the equalizer after twenty-three minutes when Sone Aluko's pass was deflected by Jay Simpson, who had his back to goal, as he tried to lay off the ball to Robert Koren on the edge of the box, but Ahmed Elmohamady profited from a defensive mix-up when Aidan White and Michael Tonge both went to block the ball and it broke kindly for him on the right. This enabled him to take one more touch before putting the ball past Paddy Kenny into the far corner of the net to score with an easy finish. Six minutes later Hull took the lead when Abdoulaye Faye had plenty of space to rise and head home. A Robert Koren right wing corner had only been partially cleared to Jay Simpson, who then fed Eygptian Ahmed Elmohamady who in turn got in a precision cross to the far post where Abdoulaye Faye guided a brilliant header past Paddy Kenny. The game continued to be hard fought, but there were few chances created and Hull went to the break with a 2-1 lead. The first chance of the second half fell to Luke Varney but his near post header flew harmlessly wide. Next Rodoloph Austin got in a shot from distance, but after six minutes there was a lengthy hold up as Luciano Becchio received treatment for a knock on the ankle. It proved to be an injury that ended the Argentinian's participation in the game and he was replaced by Dominic Poleon. The United youngster soon made his presence felt with a couple of good runs and, after he had cut in from the left, he forced Hull keeper Ben Amos to make a good save. However Hull went further ahead in the seventy-sixth minute as Robert Koren finished off a sweeping move, which featured Corry Evans and Ahmed Elmohamady, by putting the ball into the net past Paddy Kenny at the far post. Seven minutes later Leeds made their second change as Andy Gray replaced Luke Varney with El-Hadji Diouf dropping back into midfield and with two minutes left on the clock Hull replaced goalscorer Robert Koren with Liam Rosenior and then in the last minute they replaced Jay Simpson with Aaron McLean. The third Hull goal had all but sealed the game for the Humbersiders but Leeds did rally towards the end as Ben Amos did well to save under pressure and Andy Gray paved the way for Dominic Poleon to get in a shot on goal. Indeed it was Andy Gray who reduced the arrears after one minute of stoppage time when he headed home a corner at the near post to set up a tense finish. Captain Lee Peltier tried his luck from distance as United tried to salvage a point, but the five minutes of stoppage time ran out before that could be achieved. Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Danny Pugh, Michael Brown and Zac Thompson remained unused on the Leeds bench as they slipped to thirteenth place on the ladder.

For the home clash with Nottingham Forest on 22nd September 2012, United welcomed Adam Drury back from injury and he took the left-back spot in place of Aidan White, who dropped to the bench, with Danny Pugh dropping out of the squad. Luke Varney was dropped to the bench, as Dominic Poleon was given his starting debut as striker and El-Hadji Diouf reverted to midfield and Sanchez Payne was included on the bench instead of Zac Thompson. Ex-Leeds full-back Dan Harding was in the Forest starting line-up and Andy D'Urso was the referee as the game kicked off in front of a crowd of 24,292. Forest were undefeated and seven places above Leeds in the ladder and after a 2-3 home defeat in midweek and memories of a 3-7 record home defeat by Forest in their most recent visit to Elland Road, Leeds had a lot of incentive to put in an improved performance. It was Rodolph Austin who got in the games' first shot as he tested Forest keeper Lee Camp from distance, but a good move from Forest soon saw Paddy Kenny brought into the action. Tom Lees went close as an header from a corner passed just wide. Then, after Luciano Becchio had been fouled twenty-five yards out from goal, Rodolph Austin fired the resulting free-kick into the Forest wall. Forest had the ball in the net following an Andy Reid corner, but the header was disallowed by Andy D'Urso for a foul, after both Lee Peltier and Danny Collins had also finished in the net. But it was Leeds that scored the first goal. It came after a cross from the right by El-Hadji Diouf, who had got round Daniel Harding, and was met at the far post by Sam Byram, who set up Luciano Becchio, who scored his seventh goal of the season when he made no mistake with a powerful rising shot into the roof of the net from ten yards in the fourteenth minute. Twelve minutes later it was the Argentinian that set up the second Leeds goal. It was his perseverance in harassing Daniel Ayala into a poor attempted clearance, as they tussled for possession of a through ball, that saw United's leading scorer get in a shot that was charged down. The ball broke perfectly for Dominic Poleon who took possession just outside the box and the young striker opened his Leeds goal account with a powerful shot which beat Forest keeper Lee Camp at the near post. Daniel Ayala almost made amends for his mistake as he sent a through ball to Simon Cox, who forced Jason Pearce into a clumsy challenge that conceded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. This gave Forest a chance to reduce the arrears, but Andy Reid's much fussed about set piece was inadequate and the ball sailed harmlessly, and far too high, over the Leeds crossbar. The home side could have increased their lead almost on half-time when Sam Byram rounded Daniel Harding once more, but from his cross Luciano Becchio failed to keep the ball low enough to hit the target. Forest made two changes at the half-time break with Lewis McGugan replacing Guy Moussi and Henri Lansbury coming on for Andy Reid, but the second stanza started evenly and there were a couple of early delays for United pair of Lee Peltier and Jason Pearce to receive treatment. Forest reduced the arrears after fifty-nine minutes when a Greg Halford long throw-in found Dexter Bradstock at the far post in the six-yard box and he was able to head the ball beyond Paddy Kenny and into the net. After sixty-six minutes Captain Lee Peltier was helped off and Luke Varney came on in his place. United made it a double substitution as Aidan White replaced Dominic Poleon and United made positional switches to maintain the same formation. It was Aidan White who was soon in the action as he had to defend against another long throw that ended with Paddy Kenny clawing away a shot. Leeds were forced to defend but the defence stood resolute and Forest were able to create no chances of note, apart from Lewis McGugan having a free-kick blocked and Tom Lees being called on to head clear on one occasion. In the eighty-fourth minute Forest made their final change as Billy Sharp replaced James Coppinger and as the game wound down Leeds introduced Andy Gray for Luciano Becchio in the final minute of normal time. Leeds were able to get more on the attack and forced a couple of corners, but the six minutes of extra time passed without any danger to their lead and Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Michael Brown and Sanchez Payne remained unused on the Leeds bench as the 2-1 win broke Forest's undefeated tag and took them to eleventh on the ladder.

There was a much-awaited clash with one of the leading EPL clubs in Everton to be faced in the Tuesday evening encounter in the Third Round of the League Cup on 25th September 2012 and Leeds were quite badly hit by injuries from the weekend encounter with Nottingham Forest with Paddy Kenny, Lee Peltier and Adam Drury all being unavailable because of injury. This saw Jamie Ashdown and Aidan White come in as goalkeeper and left back while Lee Peltier's unavailability was solved by San Byram going to right-back, Tom Lees switching to Central Defence and Danny Pugh coming in on the left of midfield, with Paul Rachubka and Zac Thompson filling the vacancies on the bench. Michael Brown was restored to midfield as El-Hadji Diouf moved up to striker and Dominic Poleon dropped to the bench. After two days of rain, a wet and windy evening had to be endured by the two teams and a crowd of 21,164 as Jason Pearce took on the Captain's Armband in the absence of Lee Peltier. The home team were off to a flying start when Rudolph Austin won the ball and fed Aidan White who showed great skill to beat two Everton men in the middle of the park and was then allowed to advance before unleashing a stunning drive to see the ball flash into the Everton net after just four minutes. Everton were clearly rattled by the strike and continued on the back foot as Leeds started to play some fine football to put pressure on the EPL side. The pressure saw United win a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box as the clock ticked towards the half-hour mark and Michael Tonge sent the shot at goal narrowly wide of the post. As the game approached the half-time break United broke through the Everton defence once more for Aidan White to force the Everton keeper Jan Mucha to make a good save. Jason Pearce was in the wars in a clash of heads in a heading duel and the game was held up while he had his head bandaged. In the first-half stoppage time Luciano Becchio thought he had scored but, after his header was not held by keeper Jan Mucha, but the ball was cleared off the line by Steven Naismith. David Moyes rang the changes at the half time break, as the rain continued to fall, with a double substitution as Phil Neville replaced Francisco Junior and Steven Pienaar came on for Magaye Gueye. Leeds were good value for their half-time lead and started the second half on the attack with El-Hadji Diouf leading the charge with a good low cross in the opening minutes, then soon afterwards Sam Byram was narrowly wide with a good shot after more good build up. For Everton, Victor Anichebe made good ground down the wing and his cross found Steven Naismith, but his header at the far post sailed wide, when he should have scored. Then, soon after, it was again Victor Anchabe who threatened as, after receiving a pass with his back to goal, he was able to turn his man and get in a good low shot which trickled wide of the goal. Everton made their final change after sixty-five minutes with Nikica Jelavic coming on for Steven Naismith. Three minutes later Leeds doubled their lead as Rodolph Austin won a free-kick on the edge of the box after being brought down by Seamus Coleman, and from the set piece Danny Pugh drilled the ball into the box and Rodolph Austin got the decisive touch as the ball finished in the back of the net. Everton responded with Marouane Fellaini shooting from distance to bring Jamie Ashdown into action for the first time as he pulled off a good save. However, it was Leeds that continued to press and Sam Byram won a corner. With ten minutes left, Everton needed a goal to give themselves any chance of saving the tie and it came in the eighty-first minute when Sylvain Distin sent a header which hit Danny Pugh before it looped over Jamie Ashdown, after Victor Anichabe had helped on a long ranged free-kick with a header on the edge of the Leeds area. Leeds did not use any of their substitutes and Paul Rachubka, Patrick Kisnorbo, Adam Drury, Zac Thompson, Luke Varney, Andy Gray and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the bench as Leeds deservedly advanced to the Fifth Round of the League Cup.

United travelled to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City, who had former Leeds midfielder Neil Kilkenny in their starting line-up on 29th September 2012. Lee Peltier resumed the captaincy as he and Paddy Kenny returned from injury to take over from Danny Pugh and Jamie Ashdown, who both dropped to the bench at the expense of Paul Rachubka and Zac Thompson, as Aidan White moved to the right side of midfield. Michael Brown was given his first League start of the season and David Norris returned to the bench in place of Patrick Kisnorbo. There were 2,069 Leeds fans in the crowd of 15,692, as the game got underway with both sides creating half chances in the first five minutes. But Bristol's Ryan Taylor went close when he must have been left to reflect that he should have done better as the home side broke quickly. After good work by Michael Brown, Luciano Becchio had a shot at goal, but it was blocked by Liam Fortune. Then after more good play from United Aidan White had a shot on goal. Bristol were starting to look vulnerable, particularly in defence but El-Hadji Diouf was unable to take advantage of a mix-up involving Liam Fortune. Bristol started to retaliate and Paddy Kenny was called into action after Jon Stead had a shot, from just inside the box, after he had been played in by Albert Adomah. On the half-hour mark Rodolph Austin took control of a long ball forward and got in a well struck volley which produced an equally good reaction from Bristol keeper Tom Heaton who brought off a good save. The home side retaliated as they carved out their own opportunity in the thirty-seventh minute when Martyn Woolford was just wide with a glancing header. The game was stopped for a lengthy spell as George Elokobi, who was making his debut on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, needed medical attention and had to be carried from the field with a fractured and dislocated ankle to be replaced by Joe Bryan a minute before half time. Three minutes were added to the half and in the last of those Albert Adomah forced Paddy Kenny to pull off a good save. No sooner had the second half started than El-Hadji Diouf sent in a free-kick which Rodoloph Austin headed against the crossbar. Moments later he was back again to repeat the feat, but this time his effort brought a fine save from Tom Heaton to deny the Jamaican International. Bristol's Joe Bryan did not have much of a chance to show his talents as he was forced from the field in the fifty-seventh minute after coming off second best in an aerial challenge with Rodolph Austin, being concussed, and had to be replaced by Louis Carey. But there was no denying El-Hadji Diouf in the sixty-fourth minute, when Sam Byram played a big part in the move when he supplied a fine low cross and the Senegalese International steered the ball into the far corner well out of the reach of Tom Heaton, for his first goal for Leeds. Bristol then made their third change when Jon Stead was replaced by Sam Baldock. The lead did not last long as, six minutes later, Richard Foster delivered a cross from the left and Albert Adomah scored for Bristol with a powerful diving header and this seemed to revive the home team and breathe life into what had previously been a flat performance. However, it was Leeds that next threatened as goalkeeper Tom Heaton managed to parry a good effort from Rodolph Austin and Aidan White was unable to get the ball into the net with his follow-up due to good defending. From the resulting corner Michael Tonge did manage to get the ball into the net but was disallowed for a foul within the six yard box. However Leeds did regain the lead in the eighty-first minute when El-Hadji Diouf got his second with a good finish after good work from Luciano Becchio. It was all over two minutes later when Michael Tonge unleashed a rocket of a shot from twenty-five yards which flew into the Bristol net giving Tom Heaton no chance for his first goal for the club. With one minute left on the clock Leeds made their only change as Andy Gray came on for Luciano Becchio. Bristol did manage to reduce the arrears in the final minute when an Albert Adomah corner was deflected into the net beyond the reach of Paddy Kenny by the head of Sam Byram to leave the final score at 3-2. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Luke Varney Danny Pugh, David Norris and Dominic Poleon all remained unused on the Leeds bench as the win sent them to ninth on the table.

El-Hadji Diouf was given the honour of being the Leeds United captain for the night, when they took on one of his former teams, Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on Tuesday, 2nd October 2012. The return of Adam Drury from injury saw Lee Peltier switch to right back and Sam Byram move to the right of midfield as Aidan White dropped to the bench, where Danny Pugh gave way to Zac Thompson. Former Leeds captain and goalkeeper, Andy Lonergan, was on the home team bench after his summer move to the Trotters, while Aston Villa loanee Stephen Warnock, who was to join Leeds later in the season, was at left back in the starting eleven and there were 4,000 Leeds fans in the crowd of 21,255 as Leeds looked to make it four wins on the trot and Michael Brown showed they meant business with a crunching tackle which left a Bolton player requiring treatment. However, it was Bolton that dictated the early play and their defence was soon called into action as Paddy Kenny parried a shot from distance and Adam Drury blocked the follow-up strike. Poor Leeds defending saw Kevin Davies give Bolton the lead in the fourteenth minute when he arrived at the far post unmarked to head home from a Chris Eagles corner. Bolton were well on top and Keith Andrews got in a fine shot which brought out the best in Paddy Kenny and then Chris Eagles hit the right-hand post with a curling shot from long range. Then Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe made space for himself and was clear through in a one-on-one with Paddy Kenny but while he lifted his shot over the keeper it was just wide of the post. It was not until the half-hour mark that United were able to fashion an opening and it was young full-back, Sam Byram, who cut in from the right but curled his rising shot just wide of the post. Rodolph Austin found Luciano Becchio in space but the Argentinian could not keep it under control and the chance went begging as Matt Mills reacted quicker than his goalkeeper Adam Bogdan to get in a safety-first clearance. As the game headed towards half-time Kevin Davies won a free-kick just outside the penalty area, but Chris Eagles' ensuing free-kick was wide of the mark. In the final minute of the first half, Leeds drew level when El-Hadji Diouf sent in a good free-kick and Sam Byram got a clever flick on it to divert it beyond the reach of Adam Bogdan in the home goal to nestle in the far corner of his goal. The second-half was only two minutes old when it was again Sam Byram that played a major part as Leeds took the lead when a good run of his was ended when he had his heels clipped by Matt Mills as he bore down on goal and referee Phil Dowd had little choice other than to point to the penalty spot. Luciano Becchio made no mistake from the spot as he rolled a precision shot into the corner of the net with the keeper wrong-footed. From being the better team the home side had gone from that ascendancy to underdogs in the space of two minutes and they were forced to to try to get back in the game. Keith Andrews forced Paddy Kenny to parry his shot and then smother the follow-up strike, while Zat Knight headed a free-kick wide. Paddy Kenny could only push away a Mark Davies shot and as Benik Afobe looked odds on to score from the rebound, Tom Lees produced the tackle of the night to force the ball away for a cornrer. Leeds retaliated and a cross from Adam Drury was cleared just as Luciano Becchio was about to supply the finishing touch. El-Hadji Diouf was leading by example and got in two good crosses in quick succession as United pressed for the third goal. The Senegal International next teed up a chance for Rodolph Austin but the Jamaican International was wide of the mark. Bolton made their first change after sixty-two minutes when Martin Petrov replaced Jay Spearing and followed by replacing Benik Afobe by Marvin Sordell ten minutes later. But it was Leeds who were looking the more assured side as the game ticked down to the last quarter of an hour as the home side were not providing much of a threat apart from set pieces as the Leeds defence seemed to have the game under control. However, it was a set piece that was United's undoing in the seventy-ninth minute when Kevin Davies again headed home a corner kick. The goal gave Bolton the encouragement they needed to try and take full points from the game and they threw men forward in search of the winner. Martin Petrov and Marvin Sordell both went close to giving Wanderers the lead and there were also shouts for a penalty as Matt Mills went to ground in the penalty area. There were three minutes added as Leeds hung on but it was the visitors who nearly broke the deadlock in the final minute of time added when El-Hadji Diouf found space to get in an angled drive which clipped the bar. Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, Zac Thompson, David Norris, Luke Varney, Andy Gray and Dominic Poleon had all remained unused on the Leeds bench as the draw kept United in ninth spot on the ladder.

There was a crowd of 22,569 on hand when Leeds next faced local rivals Barnsley at Elland Road on 6th October 2012 with a team that showed just one change as Aidan White was restored at left back and Adam Drury dropped to the bench, where United welcomed back Paul Green after injury at the expense of Zac Thompson. Former Leeds loanee Ben Alnwick started the game between the posts for Barnsley. The fellow Yorkshiremen had done the double over United in 2011-12 but only three points separated the two teams even though the visitors sat seven places below them in the table. Barnsley started on the front foot with a twenty-five yard shot from David Perkins flashing over the crossbar in the third minute and Jacob Mellis having an early chance with an angled drive as the visitors endeavoured to put United under pressure from the start and had the early dominance. Aidan White was United's main early threat as he used his pace to good effect and in the twentieth minute he almost set up Luciano Becchio but the big Argentinian was unable to find the space to turn in order to get a shot on goal. He had another chance a few minutes later, in the twenty-seventh minute, when El-Hadji Diouf gained good ground down the right but his cross was powerfully headed just over the bar by the Leeds leading goalscorer. Rodolph Austin was the next to grab the spotlight as he forced Ben Alnwick to react well to save his shot at the second attempt before the Jamaican midfielder then sent a cross-cum-shot over the bar. Barnsley then showed that they were also a threat and Craig Davies saw an effort from the edge of the penaty area well blocked by Tom Lees while Marlon Harewood made a good break before pulling his low shot wide. With three minutes of the half left an enterprising run down the right wing by Lee Peltier was brought to an abrupt halt by Stephen Foster on the edge of the penalty area. Referee Darren Deadman had no doubts and pointed immediately to the penalty spot, despite Barnsley's claims that the incident occured outside the area. Luciano Becchio stepped up and, just as he had in midweek, coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way this time with an audacious chip down the middle of the goal to give United the lead with his spot kick to take his tally for the season to nine. Barnsley brought on Bobby Hassell for Stephen Foster, who seemed to have a recurrence of his back injury, at the start of the second half and eight minutes later United were forced into their first change when Michael Tonge sustained a shoulder injury and was unable to continue and had to be replaced by David Norris, who had not played for seven games, since being injured. It was United that got in the first goalworthy shot of the second half as Rodolph Austin tested Ben Alnwick's reactions as he got in a fierce drive from distance. On the hour Thomasz Cywka had a good shot deflected wide and from the resulting corner from Jacob Mellis, Marlon Harewood's goalbound header brought out a fine save from Paddy Kenny at full stretch. Barnsley made their second and third change after seventy minutes with a double substitution when Kelvin Etuhu replaced Thomasz Cywka and Chris Dagnall came on for Marlon Harewood. Two minutes later it was Leeds that also made their second change as Andy Gray was given a chance against one of his old teams as he replaced Luciano Becchio. The two Leeds substitutes combined soon afterwards but David Norris' cross was just too far in front of Gray for the triker to make a decisive touch. Chances remained at a premium as the game drew to a close, but Paddy Kenny had to make a good save to thwart Jon Stones who had got on the end of a free-kick as it arrived in the box. There were four extra minutes for stoppages, but as Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Paul Green, Luke Varney and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench as United hung on for a 1-0 win which took them to seventh on the table.

Neil Warnock had added winger Ryan Hall to his squad on 18th October 2012 when he signed him on loan from Southend United until January. He went into the team for the Televised Friday Night clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on 19th October 2012. He replaced Dominic Poleon on the bench as Leeds were otherwise unchanged from their win over Barnsley after the international break. Ross Barkley, on loan from Everton, who later in the season had a spell on loan at Elland Road, was in the Wednesday starting line-up and there were 5,300 Leeds fans in the 28,582 crowd. There was not a great deal happening in the first ten minutes, but it was the home side who had the first attempt on goal after Paul Corry had found Michail Antonio with a fine crossfield ball, for the winger to make good ground down the left flank and from his cross Chris O'Grady got in a firm header but unfortunately it was straight at Paddy Kenny. Moments later Jay Bothroyd let loose a fierce left foot shot from twenty yards. It seemed that Paddy Kenny was beaten by it, as it slipped through his hands and came back off the bar, but he was able to gather it before further damage could occur. Wednesday seemed to be encouraged by that effort but their good approach work was wasted by a poor finish from Anthony Gardiner, who headed Jay Bothroyd's free-kick over the bar, with only Paddy Kenny to beat. Twenty minutes had elapsed before the home keeper, Chris Kirkland, was brought into the action and he responded well by when he tipped a well struck free-kick from Michael Tonge around the post. The Owls seemed to think they had a case for a penalty, when they claimed Luciano Becchio had handled a corner. The home side had started to get on top but Michael Tonge almost found Luciano Becchio with a cross but Miguel Leara just got in a fine tackle to thwart him. The home side had been in charge for most of the game but despite that Chris Kirkland did not seem very safe in goal and his team seemed vulnerable in defence. As half-time approached Wednesday were becoming increasingly frustrated with their inability to change their ascendancy into a more tangible result on the scoreboard. So they were lucky when, with two minutes to go to the half-time break, they took the lead from a long throw-in from Michail Antonio which ended with Jay Bothroyd placing a well-directed header past the diving Paddy Kenny. Neil Warnock made his first change at the start of the second half by taking off Rodolph Austin, who had been on international duty for Jamaica involving plenty of travel in the international break, and replacing him with David Norris. The home side had been showing plenty of physical aggression and picked up a couple of yellow cards for their indiscretions as first Daniel Jones and then Anthony Gardiner went in the referee's notebook. Michael Tonge almost punished them as he was only just over the bar, with the resulting free-kick for the latter offence, from the edge of the penalty area. The game went past the hour mark with not much entertainment and the game had become increasingly scrappy. Jay Bothroyd did not help matters when he failed to capitalize on a half-chance before Anthony Gardiner gained a corner, when his shot was pushed over the bar by Paddy Kenny. Leeds finally gave their fans hope in the sixty-fifth minute, when Michael Brown had a shot blocked and then, after David Norris had seen his shot blocked, there were appeals from the visitors for handball in the box. United were forced to make their second change after Captain Lee Peltier was unable to continue after a knock. He was replaced by Luke Varney which saw several positional changes in the sixty-eighth minute. Eight minutes later United were back on level terms as Michael Tonge scored with a fine unstoppable right-footed half-volley from twenty-five yards, after Aidan White had found him unmarked with a smart lay-off. At that point the game was marred by an incident in which a moronic so-called Leeds supporter assaulted the Sheffield Wednesday keeper Chris Kirkland. There is no place in football for such behaviour. Sheffield made a double substitution in the eighty-fourth minute, with Danny Mayor replacing Paul Corry and Gary Madine coming on in place of Chris O'Grady, as the game petered out. There was little in the way of excitement after the Leeds goal and even five extra minutes for stoppages failed to break the stalemate. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Paul Green, Andy Gray and Ryan Hall all remained unused on the Leeds bench as they moved temporarily into sixth place, having played a game more than the rest of the teams with the bad tempered 1-1 draw in which the home team were dominant for long periods.

Leeds made four changes to their starting line-up as Charlton Athletic visited Elland Road on 23rd October 2012 for a Tuesday night fixture. Rodolph Austin and Captain Lee Peltier were absent due to injury, while Aidan White and Michael Tonge were relegated to the bench. They were replaced by Paul Green, Luke Varney, Adam Drury and David Norris, with Sam Byram switching from midfield to right back and Jason Pearce taking over the role of captain. Danny Pugh and Patrick Kisnorbo took the vacant places on the bench. The ongoing negotiations for the takeover of the club, which had been dragging on since July, seemed no closer to coming to a conclusion as Jason Pearce led the home team out in front of a crowd of 17,484. The first chance of the game fell to the Leeds stand-in skipper, Jason Pearce, in the eleventh minute but his header went over the bar. David Norris was the next home player to have the goal in his sights, but his shot was blocked by Leon Cort, as he showed good skill as he tried to take advantage of a poor Charlton clearance. There was little to enthuse about from the play of either team as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark. So it came as a welcome relief when El-Hadji Diouf started a move which ended with him trying to force a way through the packed Charlton defence. This seemed to regalvanize the home team and it was they that took the lead after thirty-six minutes when Luke Varney got up well to head down a Michael Brown cross into the box from a free-kick and David Norris was on hand to pick up the loose ball and swivel to shoot home from inside the box past Charlton keeper Ben Hamer. The Addicks had not offered much of a threat to that point but as the minutes ticked down to the half-time break Leeds were lucky not to concede as a Johnnie Jackson corner hit Tom Lees and deflected onto the crossbar with the defence all at sea. Charlton drew level after just four minutes of the second half with their first shot of the game. It came as Lawrie Wilson flicked the ball to Dorian Dervite who shot first time from outside of the box and the ball fizzed through a crowd of players into the net just inside the far post, with Paddy Kenny seemingly unsighted. Not long after, Charlton created another chance but Salim Kerkar failed to make a good connection from within the penalty area after a good cross had found him in space. The game was now becoming more open as both teams looked to find the edge that might bring a winner. El-Hadji Diouf forced a couple of corners for Leeds and Sam Byram headed over after a good move, while Charlton looked at their most dangerous when they attacked down the wings and got some good crosses into the box. After sixty-five minutes Leeds made a double substitution as Aidan Whie came on for Paul Green down the right flank and Michael Tonge replaced Luke Varney on the left of midfield. Real chances were rare but Paddy Kenny had to be alert to save from Chris Solly when Charlton next threatened, and Salim Kerkar shot wide in another attack. United made their final change in the seventy-seventh minute when they sent on striker Andy Gray for Luciano Becchio, against one of his former clubs and nine minutes later Charlton made their first change of the evening when former Leeds favourite Rob Hulse was replaced by Bradley Wright-Phillips. It was the substitute that caused Leeds the most problems as Paddy Kenny was forced to spread himself to make a fine save as he tipped the ball over the bar when the striker got himself on the end of a low cross into the box. The visitors made their second change when Danny Hollands came on for Salim Kerkar in the final minute of ordinary time and both teams continued to press during the stoppage time, with El-Hadji Diouf forcing the visiting defence to hack the ball away uncerimoniously from his corner while at the other end Paddy Kenny had to pull off another fine save in the third minute of injury time. Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Danny Pugh and Ryan Hall remained unused on the Leeds bench as the point took Leeds to seventh on the table.

United were again at home on Saturday 27th October and the injured Lee Peltier and Rodolph Austin had recovered and replaced Michael Brown and Paul Green, while Danny Pugh was preferred to Adam Drury at left back and Michael Tonge to Luke Varney, who as ill and dropped out of the squad, at left midfield. The other three replaced players all dropped to the bench where Patrick Kisnorbo dropped out. In another positional switch Tom Lees went to right back with Lee Peltier joining Jason Pearce in central defence. Birmingham had two former Leeds loanees in their starting eleven in central defender Steve Caldwell and striker Marlon King. There was a crowd of 22,152 in attendance to see the visitors have the first threat on goal after eleven minutes, as Curtis Davies headed an in-swinging Nathan Redmond free-kick wide of the target. The visitors continued to look the better of the two teams with Steve Caldwell shooting over the bar with a volley and Marlon King was twice thwarted by last ditch tackles from Lee Peltier. Sam Byram gave Leeds some hope with a good early run and Birmingham keeper Jack Butland had to react quickly to collect a misplaced header from one of his own defenders. The young Byram was in the action on the twenty minute mark after El-Hadji Diouf and Michael Tonge combined well to play him in, but Jack Butland was quick off his line to beat him to the ball. The Birmingham keeper was fortunate to block a powerful swerving long range shot from Jamaican International Rodolph Austin with his legs, after Danny Pugh had played a good ball forward to him. The two teams continued to play some good football as half-time approached with Leeds just shading their opponents, but there were few chances created by either side. Leeds started the second half on the attack and El-Hadji Diouf saw David Murphy do well to clear his dangerous cross away as the visitors defended grimly. The Senegalese International continued to be Leeds' main threat as first Hayden Mullins stopped his advanced run and then David Murphy came to the visitors rescue after the Leeds striker had chased a long ball forward from Paddy Kenny before controlling it and getting in a shot that was goalbound before the defender's intervention. Birmingham made their first change in the sixty-eighth minute when Chris Burke replaced Nathan Redmond. El-Hadji Diouf was again close in the seventieth minute when he rose to get in a powerful back-post header from a Sam Byram cross and Jack Butland, after pulling off a brilliant one-handed save from Diouf, needed quick reactions as Luciano Becchio sought to follow up. But five minutes later Birmingham took the lead when Leroy Lita flashed a shot from thirty yards past the surprised Paddy Kenny. The goal was set up by a good dummy, which wrong footed Lee Peltier, from Marlon King, who also rattled the Leeds crossbar with another fine effort. Leeds made a double substitution after eighty-two minutes when there was a debut for Ryan Hall as he came on for David Norris in midfield and Aidan White replaced Tom Lees, which required a reshuffle that saw Sam Byram go to right back to accomodate White in midfield. Former Leeds loanee Marlon King came off three minutes into stoppage time to be replaced by Jonathan Spector as the visitors second and final change. Leeds continued to press but hopeful long balls into the box were easy pickings for the Birmingham keeper. So with Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Paul Green, Michael Brown and Andy Gray all remaing unused on the bench Leeds surrendered the three points and their seven match undefeated record with barely a whimper and slipped to eleventh on the table.

EPL side Southampton were the opposition at Elland Road on Tuesday 30th October in the Fifth Round of the League Cup. The visitors chose to make wholesale changes from their normal EPL starting eleven, while Neil Warnock chose to rest Paddy Kenny and give Jamie Ashdown a run in the starting eleven as he had done in previous League Cup fixtures. Luke Varney had recovered from illness and replaced Luciano Becchio in the strikers's role and Aidan White was preferred at left back in place of Danny Pugh and Michael Brown in place of David Norris in midfield, as the replaced players dropped to the bench at the expense of Ryan Hall. There was a crowd of 17,002, as Leeds started the contest brightly, forcing the visitors to defend in the early stages, as Luke Varney was denied by a linesman's flag and both Aidan White and Sam Byram had crosses cut out. After fourteen minutes it was Luke Varney that should have opened the scoring. Aidan White had sent a chip to the far post and it was hooked back by El-Hadji Diouf to present the lurking Luke Varney with a perfect chance from just two yards out, but incredibly he stretched out a boot and could only square the ball across the goalmouth to a startled El-Hadji Diouf who scuffed his shot wide. Two minutes later Michael Tonge sent a header over the bar and this was followed by an effort which went into the side-netting and then in the twenty-eighth minute Luke Varney went close after a great ball from Sam Byram had played him in, when he cut in from the left and forced Kelvin Davis to save at full stretch. Luke Varney must have been wondering what he had to do to score, after he had capitalized on a defensive error to put in an almost perfect chip only to see it bounce back off the bar. However he did have a hand in the first Leeds goal in the thirty-fourth minute, when his shot was only partially cleared and Michael Tonge was on hand to drill the ball into the right hand corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area. The first half came to a close with Leeds on top and leading on merit against a disappointing Southampton. The second half kicked off in a similar vein with Leeds looking to double their lead but not creating as many chances as they had in the first half. Luke Varney was providing a regular threat, with El-Hadji Diouf also a problem to the Southampton rearguard. Joe Hooiveld needlessly pulled back Luke Varney, but El-Hadji Diouf made a mess of the centrally positioned free-kick from just twenty yards out by ballooning it yards over the bar. After sixty-six minutes the visitors introduced two new faces as Luke Shaw came on for Tadanari Lee and Lloyd Insgrove replaced Steve De Ridder in an attempt to inject some life into their performance, but Michael Brown had done a fine job in front of the back four and Jason Pearce and Tom Lees had been solid in central defence. With five minutes left on the clock Leeds got the goal that their supremacy deserved when Rodolph Austin surged forward leaving two tacklers in his wake and although his shot was blocked by Kelvin Davis, El-Hadji Diouf was on hand to pick up the scraps and drive the ball low into the middle of the goal from close range. The goal sealed the game for Leeds, who introduced Danny Pugh for Lee Peltier and Luciano Becchio for Luke Varney in the final minute of normal time. In stoppage time Michael Tonges was brought down by Luke Shaw in the penalty area and Luciano Becchio stepped up to wrong foot Kelvin Davis with a well struck ball to the keepers right. This made the victory even more emphatic as Leeds progressed to the Sixth Round and a place in the Quarter Finals, just two steps from the Wembley Final. Leeds sent on Andy Gray deep into time added as Paddy Kenny, Adam Drury, Paul Green and David Norris remained unused on the Leeds bench.

Paddy Kenny was back between the posts with Jamie Ashdown returning to the bench, while Ryan Hall joined the bench in place of Adam Drury as United travelled to the South Coast to take on Brighton & Hove Albion in a televised Friday evening game which saw 2,062 travelling Leeds fans in the crowd of 26,402. United were the first to have an opportunity after Will Buckley was booked for a foul thity yards out from goal, but Rodolph Austin's free-kick was wide of the mark. Tom Lees was alert at the other end as he blocked a shot from Ashley Barnes when Brighton broke quickly. After a good run and cross from Wayne Bridges, it was again Ashley Barnes who sent a shot wide. The free-kicks started to mount and the home team were appealing for one on the edge of the penalty area when Craig Mackail-Smith went to ground after a tackle by Jason Pearce, but a few minutes later Michael Brown was guilty of a foul on the edge of the box and Andrea Orlandi's free-kick was deflected to safety. The home side were handed their chance to open the score in the fifteenth minute when Referee Lee Mason adjudged Lee Peltier to have tripped Will Buckley inside the box and he pointed immediately to the spot. Craig Mackail-Smith, who has scored in every game that he has played against Leeds, smashed the ball straight in the middle of the goal as Paddy Kenny committed himself prematurely. The Brighton striker almost netted a second three minutes later, but his shot from the edge of the box was deflected on to the post. Brighton should have added to their lead but Andrea Orlandi passed up a gilt-edged chance as Brighton piled on the pressure in the first half-hour. It was on the half-hour that play was held up as Tom Lees received treatment for a facial injury sustained in an aerial challenge near the half-way line. United were given a life-line five minutes later when Luke Varney went down in the box after an apparent off the ball incident involving Bruno Saltor and El-Hadji Diouf stepped up to place the ball wide of the diving Thomasz Kuszczak for it to nestle in the net in the far corner to the keeper's right for his fifth goal of the season. The home side soon hit back as Craig Mackail-Smith led another assault on goal, but, fortunately for Leeds, Lee Peltier was alert enough to anticipate the danger and cut it off. Four minutes before half-time Tom Lees could not continue and Neil Warnock was forced to replace him with Danny Pugh, who went to full back with Lee Peltier moving to central defence. It was United who were next on the attack, as the home side managed to clear an El-Hadji Diouf cross but the home side were soon back on attack with danger man Craig Mackail-Smith just wide with a first-time shot as the sides went to the break locked at 1-1. Two minutes into the second half it came as little surprise that Brighton took the lead through Craig Mackail-Smith, when after a throw-in he finished off a good bout of play to score with an angled shot after Will Buckley had squared the ball back to him. Brighton kept pressing and Bruno Saltor sent a free-kick just over the bar after Michael Brown had been punished for a foul on the edge of the box. It was all Brighton as the home team threatened to overwhelm Leeds and Jason Pearce had to make a good clearance as they threatened again. After sixty-one minutes Craig Mackail-Smith almost got his hat-trick, but this time Paddy Kenny was able to keep out his eighteen yard drive. United broke the siege when Aidan White made a charge down the left flank only to see his shot deflected wide. Luciano Becchio came on as substitute for Luke Varney and was immediately involved in United's equalizer. The goal came out of the blue in the sixty-fifth minute when Michael Brown struck a fierce shot from the edge of the box which gave Tomasz Kuszczak no chance. Luciano Becchio wanted to claim the goal as his, as hit had taken a slight deflection off him, but the goal was awarded to Michael Brown officially in an after the match decision. Eight minutes later Brighton had the chance to retake the lead after Craig Mackail-Smith when down in a Sam Byram challenge and the referee pointed to the penalty spot, for the third penalty of the night. Fortunately for Leeds Paddy Kenny was equal to the task on this occasion and made a great save as he dived to his right. Sam Byram made a good run on goal and forced Tomasz Kuszczak to make a good save. Brighton made a double substitution in the seventy-eighth minute with Andrew Crofts replacing Dean Hammond and Gary Dicker coming on for Andrea Orlandi. Two minutes later Leeds made their third change when David Norris replaced El-Hadji Diouf, while in the eighty-second minute the home side made their final change as Stephen Dobbie replaced Ashley Barnes. Former United keeper Casper Ankergren remained unused on the bench for the home team. In the games' closing stages Craig Mackail-Smith spoiled a good move when he handled the ball at a crucial moment and then soon afterwards Stephen Dobbie put a shot over the bar. There were five minutes added for stoppages and three minutes into stoppage time Michael Brown won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Michael Tonge was narrowly wide with the kick. Then in the final minute it was Paddy Kenny who once more came to United's rescue as he made a fine diving save to push away an effort from Andrew Crofts and Will Buckley was also off target with a shot from twenty-five yards. Jamie Ashdown, Paul Green, Andy Gray and Ryan Hall all remained unused on the Leeds bench as the point gained took Leeds temporarily to tenth spot but they had played a game more than the rest of the teams.

United were again on the road for the Tuesday night fixture with Burnley, which attracted 14,470 to Turf Moor on 6th November 2012. They were without Tom Lees, who hadn't recovered from an eye injury and this saw a recall for Adam Drury at left back, coupled with a reshuffle which saw Lee Peltier moving to central defence, Sam Byram to right back and Aidan White to right midfield and Patrick Kisnorbo taking the vacant place on the bench. There was also change of striker with Luciano Becchio returning as Luke Varney dropped to the bench. Paddy Kenny had been outstanding at Brighton in keeping Leeds in the game with a string of fine saves and he was soon in the action as he made a double block from Ross Wallace and Dean Marney and then Jason Shackell volleyed just over the bar in the first ten minutes. El-Hadji Diouf was the first United player to get in a shot on goal, but it was deflected for a corner, which came to nothing as Michael Brown's flag-kick provided easy pickings for Lee Grant as he came from his line to collect. Burnley were looking good when they attacked down the wings, but it was Leeds that came nearest to scoring when El-Hadji Diouf shot went over the bar after thirty minutes. The home side replied with a similar effort as Martin Paterson tested Paddy Kenny from long range and then Dean Marney fired into the side-netting after being put through by Brian Stock, but in general here was little to cause excitement from either side in an even opening half. Paddy Kenny brought off a good save when he tipped a strong long range shot from Keiran Tipper over the bar and Charlie Austin also went close as his shot was deflected wide as the home side forced Leeds to defend in the time leading up to the break. The second half saw Leeds start in a more aggressive fashion by taking the attack to the home side in the initial stages but Burnley responded and after Rodolph Austin had conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box, Paddy Kenny was again firm as he collected the well struck shot from Charlie Austin after a good build up from Ross Wallace and the keeper was alert to the striker's threat as tried to head home a cross from Dean Marney. However, it was Leeds that were now looking the better side and after good work from El-Hadji Diouf, Aidan White got in a strong shot on goal from the edge of the area which Burnley keeper, Lee Grant, could not save at the first attempt and Michael Brown also saw his effort blocked by home defender Jason Shackell. Burnley made their first change on the hour when Danny Lafferty replaced Ben Mee, who had to limp off with a foot injury after a heavy tackle. Five minutes later they brought on former Leeds loanee Sam Vokes for Brian Stock. Rodolph Austin tested Lee Grant from outside the box in the sixty-eighth minute but as the game entered the final fifteen minutes it was Sam Vokes that was posing a threat and it took good defending to deny him. Then Paddy Kenny brought off a good block, as Burnley were starting to get on top. After eighty-one minutes Danny Pugh replaced Adam Drury and in the next minute Burnley opened the scoring. Keiran Tipper made good progress down the right wing and from his cross Charlie Austin rose to head home his twentieth goal of the season in just seventeen games, directing his well placed header into the bottom corner of the net. Three minutes later Luke Varney replaced Aidan White, but although United tried to apply the pressure their only chance arose when Lee Grant was left exposed in a crowded goalmouth as Jason Pearce got on the end of a Michael Brown free-kick but the ball was hacked away. Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Paul Green, David Norris and Andy Gray all remained unused on the Leeds bench as the one goal defeat saw Leeds slump to fifteenth spot on the ladder and Burnley had got their first win over United in six games.

United were at home to Watford on 10th November 2012 and for the game Neil Warnock made several changes to his line-up as Paul Green was promoted from the bench as he replaced Michael Brown in the defensive midfield role, with the former Blades midfielder staying on the bench. Sam Byram and Aidan White were in the two full-back positions as Adam Drury was injured and dropped from the squad with the young Chris Dawson taking his place on the bench, while David Norris also earned a recall to the starting eleven in midfield, and Luke Varney was preferred to Luciano Becchio, who dropped to the bench. Tom Lees had recovered from injury but was on the bench alongside Ryan Hall, as Danny Pugh and Andy Gray were dropped from the squad. There was an attendance of 19,104, as United were the first to go on the attack with Rodolph Austin and Sam Byram both featuring in a move that saw David Norris have a shot that was deflected to safety. But Leeds were soon back and Jason Pearce got his head to an El-Hadji Diouf free-kick in the penalty area. Watford went close in the twentieth minute, but Leeds responded and El-Hadji Diouf created a chance for Luke Varney, but Manuel Alumnia reacted well to deny the Leeds striker. Leeds had been looking the better of the two teams, but it was the visitors that took the lead after twenty-seven minutes when Matej Vydra beat the Leeds offside trap after he chased a through ball from Alex Geijo in a fast move forward and tucked the ball past the advancing Paddy Kenny, from the edge of the penalty area, after being too fast for Lee Peltier. Watford could easily have doubled their lead a couple of minutes later when Almen Abdi shot straight at Paddy Kenny before he bamboozled Jason Pearce but dragged his shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. It got worse, as on the stroke of half-time Vice-Captain Jason Pearce was shown a straight red card after El-Hadji Diouf sold him short with a poor pass and after Matej Vydra had nipped in to steal the ball he could do little other than to stop him by any means possible and Referee Trevor Krttle had little choice other than to send him off. Neil warnock responded by sending on Tom Lees and forfeiting Paul Green. The Leeds Manager then used his two remaining substitution alternatives by sending on Ryan Hall in place of El-Hadji Diouf and Michael Brown for Aidan White for the commencement of the second half. It got worse. Rodolph Austin went down in agony, clutching his ankle and after immediate attention he had to be stretchered from the field after just two minutes play after the break. This reduced Leeds to nine men, with almost half of the game still left to play. Watford doubled their lead on the hour when Almen Abdi scored from twenty yards with a shot into the bottom corner of the net as they started to exploit the numerical imbalance and the extra space it created. Soon after Watford too, lost one of their players to a freak accident as Almen Abdi was also stretchered off with a shoulder injury. He was replaced by Jonathan Hogg after sixty-eight minutes. Six minutes later Watford went further ahead as Mark Yeates curled a free-kick beyond the reach of Paddy Kenny. Leeds still were causing some worries to the visitors and with thirteen minutes left on the clock Ryan Hall got in a good free-kick and forced Manuel Almunia to get down and pull off a good save. But the end was inevitable, even after Luke Varney had been brought down by Joel Ekstrand in the box and Michael Tonge had scored from the spot, as he sent Manuel Almunia the wrong way, for his fourth goal of the season with ten minutes to go. The visitors soon restored their three goal cushion as, two minutes later, Matej Vydra broke through to collect a good ball from Iketchi Anya and lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net to make it 1-4. Ten minutes stoppage time was added, which was not unreasonable considering the length of time involved with the stretchering off of the two seriously injured players, and after four minutes Watford made it 1-5 when Sean Murray tucked the ball into the far corner of the net from twenty-five yards as once more the numerical imbalance was taken advantage of. It became 1-6 after eight minutes of the extra period as Troy Deeney tucked the ball away from just inside the penalty area as the Leeds humiliation was complete. Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Luciano Becchio and Chris Dawson remained unused on the Leeds bench as they dropped down to seventeenth in the table.

There was a visit to the Den to play Millwall on Sunday 18th November at a venue where they had rarely come away with the points. Without the injured Rodolph Austin and the suspended Jason Pearce, United gave a starting debut to Ryan Hall and were happy to welcome Ross McCormack back from a long injury spell. They made several changes with Tom Lees, also recovering from injury to take Jason Pearce's place in central defence, while Adam Drury also returned to the squad at left-back with Aidan White dropping to the bench. Luke Varney dropped back into midfield for David Norris who dropped to the bench, while Ryan Hall replaced the injured Rodolph Austin and Luciano Becchio was restored to the striker's role. Danny Pugh and Andy Gray replaced Michael Brown and Chris Dawson on the bench and Ross McCormack was also on the bench. Millwall had three ex-Leeds players or loanees in their starting eleven with Adam Smith at right back, Shane Lowry at left back and Andy Keogh in the forwards and in addition, a fourth, goalkeeper Maik Taylor, was on the bench. There were plenty of Leeds supporters in the crowd of 13,117 that saw the 3-15pm kick-off and it was Leeds that threatened first and El-Hadji Diouf was brought down by Mark Beevers, who was shown a yellow card for the offence, on the edge of the penalty area, but Michael Tonge's free-kick was blocked by the wall. United continued to take the game to Millwall, attacking strongly down the wings, Tom Lees was called upon to make two timely interventions as Millwall went on the attack, one when Mark Beevers got up well to head a Chris Taylor cross goalwards, but Luciano Becchio was crowded out and Sam Byram had a shot blocked. But gradually the home side came more into the game but they were equally unable to finish properly as first Chris Wood could no reach a ball and then Liam Trotter charged through the Leeds defence but could not get a shot in. At the other end Ryan Hall was showing up well with some tricky footwork and forced David Forde into making a good save. It was Millwall, though, that started to get on top as the half-hour mark was passed and half-time approached. Chris Woods was unable to get his header on target after he got up well to a cross and then saw another header from a corner cleared, while Ex-Leeds man Andy Keogh shot wide. On the stroke of half-time it was Leeds that threatened with Michael Tonge having a shot blocked by Josh Wright and then Luke Varney headed over and Millwall keeper David Forde needed two attempts to gather the ball as leeds failed to capitalize on the loose ball. The second half had barely started, when Leeds were reduced to ten men as Luke Varney was shown a straight red card by referee Mark Halsey for use of an elbow in the forty-seventh minute, after Adam Smith was left writhing on the floor after the striker had backed into him in the Millwall penalty area.The numerical advantage gave Millwall more imputus and Chris Woods was soon firing in a shot that sailed over the bar, quickly followed by Chris Taylor curling a shot just wide of the post and James Henry, who had come on for Liam Feeney in the fifty-ninth minute, also went close. Leeds made their first change in the sixty-fifth minute when Ross McCormack came on for Ryan Hall. His first involvement came when he took the free-kick after James Henry had fouled El-Hadji Diouf on the edge of the box. Millwall were enjoying the majority of possession but seemed unable to create any real chances as the game entered the final ten minutes. Millwall did get the ball over the Leeds goal-line in the eighty-second minute, but Paddy Kenny had been barged into dropping it as he collected Liam Trotter's cross and Mark Halsey duly signalled for the free-kick. A minute later Millwall made their second change as Dany N'Guessan replaced Chris Taylor. But the Millwall goal came in the eighty-fifth minute, when a ball was floated into the box by ex-Leeds loanee Shane Lowry and Chris Woods this time made a good connection as he stooped to head the ball into the Leeds net. It turned out to be the only decisive moment in the match, but Michael Tonge did curl a free-kick wide in the first minute of stoppage time and James Henry was also wide for the home team. Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Aidan White, Danny Pugh, David Norris and Andy Gray remained unused on the Leeds bench as they dropped towards the relegation area in eighteenth place on the table.

The long awaited take over by the Dubai based GFH Capital was finally announced in the week in the run-up to the game with League leaders Crystal Palace on 24th November 2012. The takeover was programmed to be finalized in December but the Dubai contingent of Directors and hangers-on led by David Haigh and Salem Patel, all suitably bedecked in Krasneresque Leeds scarves, were there to inspect their new investment and the latest acquisitions (on loan, of course!) in Swansea centre-back, Alan Tate, and West Bromwich Albion midfielder, Jerome Thomas, who had finalzed their loan moves on 22nd November, with Thomas scheduled to stay until 26th January 2013 and Thomas until 2nd January. Lee Peltier moved to left back, with Adam Drury dropping from the squad, to accomodate Alan Tate in central defence, while Ryan Hall dropped to the bench to give Jerome Thomas the wide right spot in midfield. David Norris came in to midfield in place of the suspended Luke Varney and Dominic Poleon and Michael Brown came in on the bench for Aidan White and Danny Pugh. United were off to a bright start in front of the 20,964 crowd as David Norris got in an early attempt on goal and new man Jerome Thomas showed his obvious talent as he took on the Palace defence only to see his low cross booted to safety by Damian Delaney. Luciano Becchio was the first to pressure the Palace keeper, Julian Speroni, as he got in a good header from a Sam Byram cross from the right after eight minutes. Then, in the thirteenth minute, the keeper was again in action as he got down well to save from David Norris and Leeds continued their dominance with Jerome Thomas going close. It was not until later that Palace troubled the Leeds defence, as, after good work from Wilfred Zaha, Owen Garvan forced Paddy Kenny to make a good save. This was followed by Damian Delaney heading an Owen Garvan corner wide and efforts from Jonathan Parr and Glenn Murray both being denied by the in-form Paddy Kenny as Palace came more into the game. Both sides were looking to attack and that saw a keenly fought contest, which produced the best football of the season to date at Elland Road. As half-time approached Wilfred Zaha took a tumble in the box and tempers flared, but the referee, David Coote of Nottingham, saw no foul and waved play on and there was no score at the half-time break. Joel Ward had the first chance of the half for Palace, but mishit his shot wide of the goal. However, Leeds continued to attack as soon as the second half had commenced and deservedly took the lead six minutes into the second half. Lee Peltier sent over a cross from the left and Paul Green got up at the far post and headed the ball down and, when the Palace defence failed to clear, Luciano Becchio pounced to score from close range for his eleventh goal of the seeason. Just after the hour mark Michael Tonge went close to adding to the Leeds lead, but his curling shot from just outside the penalty box was narrowly wide. United continued to dominate with Jerome Thomas having a fine game. He showed great skill to weave his way through the Palace defence, but after he was brought down on the edge of the box the referee waved play on. David Norris almost capitalized when he took advantage of Palace's inability to clear their lines by getting a shot in. Palace made two changes, the first in the sixty-sixth minute when Andre Moriitz replaced Owen Garvan and two minutes later as Jermaine Easter came on for Yannick Bolasie. It made little difference as Leeds did get their second goal in the seventy-sixth minute, when, after David Norris had been fouled on the halfway line, Alan Tate's free-kick was deflected by Mile Jedinak and Paul Green took his chance to get in a first time volley from the edge of the penalty area and it gave Julian Speroni no chance, as he scored his first goal for United. After Dominic Poleon had replaced Jerome Thomas in the seventy-fifth minute, he and El-Hadji Diouf were nearly rewarded for some good play as the Palace keeper almost miscued a clearance into his own net. In the eighty-second minute El-Hadji Diouf gave way to Ross McCormack, who was making a welcome return after a long lay-off due to injury, but three minutes later the visitors did, however, reduce the arrears when Peter Ramage got in a diving header from a Kagisho Dikgacoi centre. The goal gave Palace a glimmer of hope and Leeds sent on Michael Brown for Dominic Poleon in the final minute, to shore up the defence and Palace showed their determination by sending on striker Aaron Wilbraham for right-back Joel Ward as five minutes of stoppage time was declared. It ensured a tense finish as United had to defend a free-kick after Wilfried Zaha had again gone to ground and Michael Tonge was on hand to boot the ball to safety with a clearance from off the goal-line as the visitors applied the pressure. But United hung on for a well merited win to knock Palace from the number one spot and inch themselves into sixteenth spot as Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, Andy Gray and Ryan Hall remained unused on the Leeds bench.

United had another home fixture, this time with third placed Leicester City, on Tuesday evening of 27th November, on the first anniversary of the death of Gary Speed. They stayed with the same successful starting eleven as for the previous game and the only change to the squad was on the bench where Adam Drury took over from Dominic Poleon. There was a 17,717 crowd on hand to see the game and former Leeds goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel was in the Leicester City goal as Leeds were off to a flying start and in the third minute Jeff Schlupp brought Sam Byram down in the box, and the former Leeds custodian was picking the ball out of his net after Luciano Becchio had scored his twelfth goal of the season with another well executed spot kick. United stayed on the attack and only an offside flag denied them from increasing their lead. In the eleventh minute the Leeds supporters started to chant "Gary Speed" in recognition of the first anniversary of the former Leeds legend and championship winner, and kept up the chant for eleven minutes. The visitors first opportunity came when Richie De Laet managed to get in a shot from an acute angle but Paddy Kenny had it covered. Leeds were the better of the two teams and for the second game Jerome Thomas was showing great skill and was a constant threat down the left wing. In the twenty- seventh minute Luciano Becchio created another great chance with a cross from the left and Paul Green got in a fine shot but Kasper Schmeichel pulled off a great save to deny the Irish International midfielder. Six minutes later Leicester showed they could also be dangerous on the attack as Tom Lees could only partially clear and, after a Ben Marshall cross from the left, Martyn Waghorn got in a good volley from an acute angle which flew across the face of the Leeds goal and glanced off the crossbar. A minute before the half-time break Jamie Vardy should have done better when he failed to hit the target after Tom Lees had blocked Andy King's first effort. Luciano Becchio, the lively El-Hadji Diouf and Jerome Thomas were all proving to be a problem to the Leicester defence and the West Bromwich Albion loanee seemed to be chopped down in the box by Richie De Laet, but Referee Mick Russell was right on the spot to adjudicate that the challenge was a fair and a goal-saving one. It had been a good first half for the home team and they deserved their one goal lead at the break. It was Leicester, however, who threatened early in the second half and it was the Leeds Captain and former Leicester player, Lee Peltier, who came up with the vital block that halted Martyn Waghorn after he had made a good run on goal. United continued to press and Jerome Thomas again should his skills before getting in a shot that curled just wide. Leicester City made a double substitution after fifty-seven minutes as Anthony Knockaert replaced Ben Marshall and Marko Futacs came on for Jamie Vardy. It was Anthony Knockaert that forced Paddy Kenny into his first real save of the game as he got down low to his right to push his shot away. United made a change after sixty-one minutes with Michael Brown replacing Jerome Thomas, who had received a knock, and the former Sheffield United midfielder came within a coat of paint as his well struck shot passed narrowly wide after the visitors had failed to clear their lines an El-Hadji Diouf cross had been teed up for a shot by Luciano Becchio. At the other end Marko Futacs, who had just come on, sent a shot just wide of the post and then Paul Green did well to get the ball clear while under pressure from Lloyd Dyer. Leicester made their final change in the seventy-eighth minute when Jesse Lingard replaced Martyn Waghorn. United had the ball in the net after eighty-four minutes, when Luciano Becchio rounded Kasper Schmeichel and side-footed the ball home, but the linesman's flag ruled the effort out for offside. David Norris had been United's best player and, with three minutes left on the clock, he should have got his reward but his speculative first-time shot from distance passed narrowly over the bar. The referee added four minutes for stoppages and, in the third of those minutes, Paddy Kenny had to tip a long range effort from Kasper Schmeichel over the bar. The keeper stayed up for the resultant corner as United brought all their players back into defence and it was Tom Lees that made a vital block in the final action of the game to preserve United's lead. Jamie Ashdown, Adrian White, Adam Drury, Ryan Hall, Ross McCormack and Andy Gray remained unused on the Leeds bench as Leeds moved up to fifteenth on the ladder.

After two wins against top class opposition, United were rightly optimistic for their local derby visit to the Galpharm Stadium to take on their nearest neighbours Huddersfield Town on 1st December 2012. Town were managed by former Leeds Manager Simon Grayson and included former Leeds midfielder Adam Clayton. Ross McCormack was given a place in the starting eleven with El-Hadji Diouf dropping to the bench, while Jason Pearce had served his suspension and came back on the bench in place of Adam Drury. Mike Dean was the referee and there was a good Leeds contingent in the crowd of 20,372. It was Leeds that made the early running on a pitch with a playing surface that did not encourage good football, but Ross McCormack almost found his way through on goal and both Luciano Becchio and Jerome Thomas were able to find themselves in space. It was the home team, however, who took the lead after twelve minutes as some neat approach play from Danny Ward and Adam Clayton saw the Leeds defence open up and Adam Clayton provided Chris Atkinson with a perfect ball as he ghosted behind the visitors defence to slip the ball past Paddy Kenny and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. Huddersfield were basing their game plan on moving the ball quickly and incisively, whereas Leeds were more studied in their build-up and slower in their approach, particularly in the home penalty area. Paul Green and Michael Tonge were working hard in midfield, but it was Sam Byram that created United's first real chance on the twenty-five minute mark when Ross McCormack saw his header blocked by Town defender Peter Clarke. At the other end Paddy Kenny had to be alert to pull off a fine save after Chris Atkinson got in a shot when Huddersfield broke from defence with a quick counter attack which almost caught United off guard. United drew level in the thirty-fifth minute when Paul Green made another good attacking run for his cross to find Luciano Becchio, who headed the ball back into open space for Michael Tonge to place a low side-footed shot which Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies failed to hold and the ball went under his body and into the net, with the goalie claiming his sight had been hindered by the dazzling sun. Two minutes later United took the lead when Michael Tonge fed Ross McCormack and the Scottish International laid the ball back for his strike partner Luciano Becchio to blast the ball wide of the Town keeper with a strong shot into the top corner of the net for his thirteenth goal of the season. Huddersfield were back on level terms two minutes before half time when Referee Mike Dean gave the home side a penalty after Luciano Becchio was deemed to have pulled back Huddersfield skipper Peter Clarke as he went for a Danny Ward free-kick as it was swung into the box. Ex-Leeds man Adam Clayton made no mistake as he hit his spot kick hard and low into the bottom corner of the net, to send the two teams into the half-time break level at 2-2. Prior to the Huddersfield equaliser Leeds had been looking the better of the two teams, but as the second half got underway it was the home team that carved out the first chance of the second half which Alan Lee headed over the bar. Leeds quickly responded with Jerome Thomas lifting a shot over the bar. Ross McCormack was the next to test Alex Smithies before playing a part in the build-up for Jerome Thomas to go close with a shot. The Scottish striker was again involved, when his corner was met by Sam Byram but the young full-back's header was cleared off the line. After fifty-seven minutes Huddersfield made their first change as Calum Woods replaced Joel Lynch and seven minutes later their second change saw James Vaughan come on for Alan Lee, while on the sixty-three minute mark Leeds had made their first change with Ryan Hall replacing Jerome Thomas. After a sustained amount of pressure, with Huddersfield packing their defence with as many as nine defenders, United took a 3-2 lead when Ryan Hall beat his man on the edge of the box before playing in David Norris who stroked the ball home with his left-foot from twelve yards just inside the left-hand post. Substitute Ryan Hall came very close to getting a fourth when he was denied by the fingertips of Alex Smithies after Ross McCormack had featured prominently in the approach work and again the Town keeper was their saviour as he saved a glancing header from Paul Green. Town made their final substitution after seventy-six minutes when they sent on Adam Hammill in place of Scott Arfield. With four minutes still left on the clock Leeds sealed the game after a move down the left wing finished with a cross from Ryan Hall which Luciano Becchio rose to guide the ball past Huddersfield custodian Alex Smithies for his fourteenth goal of the season to make the score 4-2 and seal the victory for Leeds. Leeds sent on Michael Brown for Michael Tonge and Andy Gray for Luciano Becchio in the final minute, and it was Michael Brown who almost added to the winning margin when his shot was just over. After four minutes of stoppage time the 4-2 win was confirmed as Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Adrian White and El-Hadji Diouf remained unused on the Leeds bench as they rose to tenth in the table, with their third consecutive win.

With three wins behind them United visited Sixteenth placed Derby County at Pride Park on 8th December 2012 with high expectations. Understandably Neil Warnock stuck to his revent winning formula, but injury had robbed him of the services of West Bromwich Albion loanee Jerome Thomas, which meant a return to the starting eleven for Ryan Hall with Luke Varney back from suspension to take his place on the bench. For Paul Green, it was a return to his former club, who he had left in the summer and he was made captain for the day. With Leeds having won their previous three games compared to Derby's one win in the last five, he would have been confident of marking his honour with a victory. There was a Leeds following of over 4,000 in the crowd of 25,034 and Scott Mathieson of Cheshire was the Referee as the home side started well and gained two early corners and in the ninth minute Conor Sammon chased his own flick-on and saw Paddy Kenny's hurried clearance hit one of his defenders and bounced wide of the unguarded goal. From the resulting corner Theo Robinson headed Michael Jacob's flag-kick goalwards but the ball was deflected over by a Leeds defender. Leeds had to wait until the fourteenth minute before they had their first shot on goal as Ross McCormack floated a free-kick wide. But two minutes later the home side took the lead when Theo Robinson took a quick free-kick to Will Hughes who threaded a pass to Conor Sammon who controlled the through ball on the edge of the box before rounding Lee Peltier to wrong foot Paddy Kenny with a low shot into the net. The home side were well on top and Paddy Kenny had to use his feet to block an effort from a tight angle by Theo Robinson, who had been put through by Conor Sammon as as they capitalized on their pressure. The visitors had Tom Lees to thank for denying Conor Sammon as he sliced a Will Hughes cross from the left into the sidenetting. Unfortunately, some of the challenges were getting a bit feisty and Jeff Hendrick was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card after a bad high foul on Ryan Hall. While Derby had been the better of the two sides in the opening half and dominated possession, Leeds were lucky to go to the half-time break on level terms as they equalised in the final minute of the first-half. After good work on the left flank by Lee Peltier, his cross was headed down by Luciano Becchio, and it was Captain for the day, Paul Green, who capitalized on the knock down to nip in to apply the finishing touch from close range. It was a perfect boost for Leeds and they came out for the second half with a flying start, in which Ross McCormack fired in a low shot which hit Adam Legzdins to gain a corner in the first minute of the second half and then continued to apply all the early pressure. Derby were forced to defend desparately and only an headed clearance by Michael Jacobs saved a goal as Ross McCormack was ready to pounce, after a Ryan Hall free-kick had only been partially saved by Adam Legzdins. The home side weathered the opening pressure and by the hour mark they were trying to use Conor Sammon's pace by sending long balls through the middle. Paul Coutts made a good run but Conar Sammon shot wide from a half chance. Will Hughes tried to vary that by shooting from distance but his shot was blocked before Paddy Kenny reacted well to beat away another of his efforts as, after a mazy run, he cut in from the right. The home side continued to attack and Tom Lees made a good headed clearance from the six yard area after John Brayford had got his head to a Michael Jacobs corner in the sixty-fifth minute. However, from the resulting play Derby took the lead in the sixty-sixth minute when after another Michael Jacobs corner the ball was not cleared and it went back to him to cross for a second time from the left and this time it was only cleared as far as Richard Keogh who shot first time and it was turned into the net by Jake Buxton from close range. Now it was the visitors turn to put the pressure on as they searched for an equalizer and David Norris moved onto the ball to get in a shot from the edge of the penalty area which was denied by a fine instinctive save by Adam Legzdins, the Derby goalkeeper. After sixty-eight minutes Neil warnock made his first change when he brought on Luke Varney for Ryan Hall and then Paul Green, who was having a fine game against his former club, kept on driving Leeds forward from midfield. Neil Warnock made his second change in the seventy-fourth minute when he replaced a subdued Ross McCormack with El-Hadji Diouf as United tried to find a way through the Derby defence. It was El-Hadji Diouf who supplied a good cross from the right for Tom Lees to get in a fine header, but it came off the inside of the post before being hacked away to safety by Richard Keogh. After seventy-nine minutes Leeds made the third and final substitution when Aidan White replaced David Norris and Derby made their first change with Mark O'Brien replacing the injured Jake Buxton. The most recent Leeds substitute was soon showing his pace and it was he that supplied El-Hadji Diouf with a cross that he connected with on the volley but was just wide of the mark. On the eighty-two minutes mark Derby made their second change when Ben Davies replaced Theo Robinson. Then with six minutes left on the clock the Senegalese International sent a shot just wide of the post. United continued to press for the elusive equalizer and in the final minute Paul Green thought he had a good claime for a penalty after he had been brought down in the box, but Referee Scott Mathieson waved play on. The referee then signalled four minutes of stoppage time and in the first of those minutes Derby made their final change as defender Keiron Freeman replaced Will Hughes. It was in the last of those minutes that Ben Davies wrapped up the game for the home team when Paul Coutts won possession and quickly found him unmarked on the right for the substitute to cut inside before unleashing a fine curling shot from twenty yards to steer the ball into the far corner of the net. Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Michael Brown and Andy Gray remained unused on the Leeds bench, while former Leeds loanee goalkeeper Frank Fielding remained unused on the home bench, and the loss saw Leeds drop to fourteenth in the table.

There was a home game against twentieth placed Ipswich Town for United's next game on 15th December 2012, which seemed like another chance to improve their position in the League standings. After some good performances, El-Hadji Diouf had earned an eighteen month contract and he was reinstated in the starting eleven in place of Ross McCormack who dropped to the bench. Jerome Thomas had recovered from injury and was able to take his place at the expense of Ryan Hall, who dropped to the bench as Andy Gray dropped from the squad. Oliver Langford of Birmingham was the referee in front of a crowd of 19,185. El-Hadji Diouf was the first Leeds player to threaten the Ipswich goal in the tenth minute after Paul Green had got up well to flick a ball to him in the box, but the Senegalese International was denied by the quick reactions of the Ipswich goalkeeper, Stephen Henderson who managed to turn his shot away. The keeper looked less assured soon after when he fumbled an El-Hadji Diouf cross under pressure from Luciano Becchio and his own defender Luke Chambers. The Ipswich defence was not looking sound under pressure and, as El-Hadji Diouf continued to be a threat, one of his crosses was flicked on by Paul Green and Bradley Orr was happy to hack the ball to safety from the edge of the six yard box. However, from the resultant corner from the right by El-Hadji Diouf in the eighteenth minute Leeds took the lead, when Tom Lees got up well to head the ball goalwards and Jerome Thomas was on hand to apply the finishing touch with a backheel, for his first goal for Leeds. Moments later it could have been two when, after great work by Michael Tonge, David Norris' header was kicked off the line by Aaron Cresswell, as Leeds continued to dominate with El-Hadji Diouf particularly conspicuous. Ipswich rarely threatened, but on the rare occasions they did they either shot wide or on another occasion Tom Lees was there to head a cross to safety. With four minutes of the half left Luciano Becchio had a golden chance to double the Leeds lead. He found himself totally unmarked as Sam Byram got over a perfect cross from the right, but he somehow managed to head the ball over the bar when he had all the time in the world to pick his spot from ten yards. Finally, just before the break, the visitors did pose a threat as Carlos Edwards forced Paddy Kenny to make a good save when he managed a low hard shot. With the start of the second half Leeds were back in positive fashion and forced Ipswich back on the defensive and the Tractor Boys scrambled one effort to safety. After sixty-two minutes Ipswich made the games' first change as Michal Chopra replaced Dudley Junior Campbell. But it was Leeds who stole the limelight just five minutes later when they scored to double their lead with a classic counter attack. El-Hadji Diouf started the break when he found David Norris, who in turn got the ball to Jerome Thomas, who pulled the ball back for Luciano Becchio to leave it for Paul Green, who was better placed, to rifle in his second goal in two weeks. In the seventy-third minute Ipswich made their second substitution when Jay Emmanuel-Thomas replaced Daryl Murphy. Leeds made their first change in the eighty-first minute when Ross McCormack replaced El-Hadji Diouf and three minutes later Michael Brown replaced Jerome Thomas. With four minutes left on the clock Ipswich made their third change when Elliott Hewitt came on for Bradley Orr and in the final minute Leeds made their third change when Luke Varney replaced Luciano Becchio. As the game wound down Paddy Kenny had to make a couple of excellent saves, the second of which was a close range block from Michael Chopra. Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Ryan Hall and Aidan White remained unused on the Leeds bench as they claimed their fourth win in five games to climb back up to twelfth in the ladder.

There was a 33,816 crowd on hand to witness the rainswept Wednesday night encounter with Chelsea at Elland Road in the League Cup Quarter-Final on 19th December 2012. Leeds made several changes from their usual team with Paddy Kenny being rested in favour of giving Jamie Ashdown game time in goal, while loanee Alan Tate was not available or rested with Jason Pearce taking his place and with David Norris being rested to give Michael Brown game time, David Somma and Andy Gray came on to the bench with Ryan Hall being omitted from the squad. Andre Marriner of Birmingham was the Referee. It was United that immediately went on the attack with El-Hadji Diouf getting behind the Chelsea defence but the visitors' quality was soon evident as an incisive move saw Juan Mata picked up a misplaced pass by Michael Brown and set up Victor Moses who forced Jamie Ashdown to beat away his first-time shot for a corner. The fixture had always had a history of being fiery encounters and after Michael Brown had been involved in an early altercation with David Luiz, Frank Lampard became the first player to receive a yellow card for an over-robust challenge on El-Hadji Diouf. Petr Cech had to be alert to deny Jerome Thomas after some sloppy work from his defence in which a Branislav Ivanovic back pass was underhit. Shortly afterwards Jason Pearce headed wide from an inviting El-Hadji Diouf free-kick, while at the other end Jamie Ashdown was forced into a fine save low down by the dangerous Victor Moses. In the twenty-fifth minute Juan Mata beat his man in the penalty area and sent a curling shot towards goal, but Jason Pearce denied him with a brave block. However, it was Leeds who were on top and another good attacking move saw Petr Cech smother a far post header from Paul Green. It came as little surprise when Leeds took the lead in the thirty-seventh minute as David Luiz misplaced a pass and Michael Tonge picked up the ball and played it out to Jerome Thomas who then made a good run down the left wing to deliver a fine low cross which Luciano Becchio stroked into the goal from close range to get his fifteenth goal of the season. As was expected this spurred Chelsea into a quick response and Juan Moses had a strike ruled out for offside. Even then Leeds should have doubled their lead before the break, after Cesar Azpilicueta was pressured into conceding a corner, central defender Tom Lees was unable to keep his header down from a good cross from El-Hadji Diouf and it sailed over the bar. However, Chelsea still had time to threaten the Leeds goal once more when Frank Lampard sent in a dipping and swerving free-kick from distance but once more Jamie Ashdown aquitted himself well to get his hand to it and save one-handed and pull off his third fine save of the game to send United into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead. It did not take Chelsea long to equalize once the second-half got underway. Within a minute Fernando Torres and Victor Moses combined well to give Juan Mata the chance to get in shot from long range which beat Jamie Ashdown as it snaked its way inside the keeper's near post. The game continued in its open fashion and United still continued to take the game to Chelsea and only a fine defensive header by Ryan Bertrand prevented Luciano Becchio from getting a simple head in. But the visitors were equally prepared to attack and another breakaway saw Fernando Torres meet Cesar Azpilicueta's cross to force Jamie Ashdown to pull off another good save to deny him. Chelsea made their first change in the sixty-first minute when Eden Hazard replaced Marko Marin. The Leeds keeper was being kept busy and Frank Lampard forced him to another good save. There was nothing the Leeds keeper could do to prevent Branislav Ivanovic from scoring as he met the ball at the near post to head home from a good Frank Lampard corner in the sixty-fifth minute to give the visitors the lead. It was 3-1 just a minute later when Juan Mata found Victor Moses, who did well to manoeuvre an opening and fire in another long distance shot from the edge of the box which gave Jamie Ashdown no chance. Neil warnock made his first change two minutes later when he sent on Aidan White for Jerome Thomas. He soon used up his quota as David Norris replaced Michael Brown four minutes later and a minute after that Ross McCormack came on for El-Hadji Diouf. A minute later Chelsea made their second change as Ashley Cole replaced Ryan Bertrand. Leeds still had not given up and kept pressing, which resulted in them being susceptible to the quick breaking Chelsea and, with nine minutes left on the clock, Eden Hazard was able to latch on to a through ball from David Luiz to pick his spot to send the ball into the net beyond Jamie Ashdown and put the tie beyond doubt. Two minutes later Fernando Torres made it 5-1 at the second attempt after Frank Lampard's powerful shot had been parried by the keeper, Jamie Ashdown, but only as far as Eden Hazard, who unselfishly squared the ball to the Spaniard who tapped the ball into the net. With four minutes on the clock Chelsea made their final change as Paulo Ferreira came on for Juan Mata. The 5-1 scoreline in Chelsea's favour was not a fair reflection on the game and Leeds could pride themselves on being in with a good chance of winning the game in the first hour. Paddy Kenny, Luke Varney, Andy Gray and Davide Somma remained unused on the Leeds bench as their Wembley dream came to an end.

There was a reshuffle of the side beaten by Chelsea in the League Cup as Paddy Kenny, Alan Tate and David Norris all returned to take the places of Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce and Michael Brown, while Andy Gray dropped from the bench for the home game with Middlesbrough on 22nd December 2012, one day after GFH Capital had confirmed their 100% buy out of the club. There was a crowd of 25,406 to see a Boro side that were sat in third position and included former Leeds stalwart Jonathan Woodgate, who was playing only his second game at Elland Road since his departure in January 2003 for £9 million, while Paul Tierney from Lancashire was the Referee. It was the visitors that took the early initiative with Marvin Emnes producing the first shot before Lukas Jutkiewicz shot into the side-netting from the edge of the box and a few minutes later the same player rose to meet a Josh McEachran cross from the right, but his header from eight yards was wide of the mark. Conditions were a little treacherous after heavy overnight rain had continued earlier in the day and the referee only declared the pitch playable ninety minutes before the kick-off. It made for a tentative start by both sides but United's first shot on goal came from a Michael Tonge free-kick which was blocked. It wasn't until the twentieth minute that the Boro keeper, Jason Steele, had to make his first save when he managed to just get his fingertips to the ball with a one-handed save to scramble away a fine header from Sam Byram after a good cross from El-Hadji Diouf. But eight minutes later it was Boro that took the lead when Lukas Jutkiewicz scored at the second attempt with an angled shot from fourteen yards that deflected off Alan Tate to beat Paddy Kenny, who had parried his first shot from a similar position. Leeds were quick to respond as Sam Byram went close with a twenty yard volley before Jerome Thomas latched on to a long clearance from Paddy Kenny, but while his shot beat Jason Steele it went across the face of his goal and wide, when an easier option might have been to pass to El-Hadji Diouf, who was in a better scoring position. Leeds were now having the better of the possession and while Sam Byram did get in one telling cross it was easily cleared by the Boro defence who were defending well and giving little away. A minute before half-time, United were back on level terms when for once the Boro defence were unable to clear their lines after a period of strong pressure from the home team and Luciano Becchio picked up the loose ball and hammered the ball first time beyond the reach of the keeper and in off the inside of the keeper's right-hand post with a right-footed strike for his sixteenth goal of the season. Paul Green had started the game even though he was ill and at half-time he was replaced by Aidan White, who went to left-back with Lee Peltier switching to right-back and Sam Byram moving to Paul Green's spot on the right of midfield. Aidan White was soon in the action and featured in United's first attack of the half, but Lukas Jutkiewicz should have given Boro the lead when he broke free but shot wide. Tom Lees was also on hand with a quick reaction to deflect a goalbound shot from Richard Smallwood. But it was becoming a close run race with both teams creating openings when first El-Hadji Diouf went close and then at the other end Paddy Kenny was called upon to spread himself to deny Marvin Emnes. After sixty-nine minutes David Somma was brought on for Jerome Thomas and made his first appearance since May 2011. This saw a spell of intense Leeds pressure with Luciano Becchio getting in a fine header from a good El-Hadji Diouf cross only to see Jason Steele pull off a fine reaction save to tip the ball over the bar. But he was unable to do much from the resulting corner as the Argentinian rose magnificently to head the ball goalwards from eight yards to take a deflection off Richard Smallwood and give Leeds the lead and give the South American his seventeenth goal of the season in the seventy-second minute. This saw Boro make a double substitution in the seventy-sixth minute as they brought on Stuart Parnaby for Justin Hoyte and Emmanuel Ledesma for Richard Smallwood, while Leeds made their final change two minutes later when Jason Pearce replaced Lee Peltier and with ten minutes to go Boro also made their final substitution when Andrew Halliday came on for Scott McDonald. Three minutes later there was some desparate defending from Leeds as both Aidan White and Michael Tonges made vital clearances as Boro pressed for an equalizer. But this led to the inevitable breakaway by the home side and Davide Somma was crowded out as El-Hadji Diouf was ready to strike. The visitors returned to the attack and Marvin Emnes was wide with his next effort but Leeds held on to make it five wins from six in their recent League games as they moved to eighth on the ladder as Jamie Ashdown, Luke Varney, Michael Brown and Ross McCormack all remained unused on the home bench.

United travelled to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, 26th December 2012 in a 12.15pm kick-off and after Michael Tonge's loan spell had ended he was replaced by Michael Brown, who also took over as Captain in the absence of Lee Peltier who was injured and had to be replaced by Adam Drury, while Rodolph Austin was deemed to be recovered from injury and was preferred to David Norris, who dropped to the bench. There were 3,235 United supporters in the crowd of 26,670 and Tony Bates of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent was the Referee. United were off to an excellent start and in the twelfth minute Paul Green, who had recovered from his illness, gave them a well deserved lead with his fourth goal of the season. It came from a Jerome Thomas cross and, with Luciano Becchio and El-Hadji Diouf also on hand, the United midfielder stabbed the ball into the net from close range past Forest keeper, Lee Camp. With Michael Brown and Rodoloph Austin commanding the midfield Leeds looked to be in charge of the opening phase of the contest. Both Jerome Thoamas and Paul Green were looking to attack and the mobile El-Hadji Diouf was giving the Nottingham defence plenty to think about. Half an hour had already passed before Paddy Kenny was called upon to take part in the action as he got down well to produce a fine save to ensure the ball passed safely past the post after Wade Elliott had got a flick from a free-kick. Michael Brown had been making some heavy challenges in midfield and it came as little surprise when his name was the first in the referee's notebook after thirty-three minutes. Forest started to take the initiative as the game headed towards the half-time break but Leeds were still able to pack their defence and make effective blocks and challenges. It was in that period that the home team had two shouts for a penalty, the first for hand ball against Sam Byram and the second for a possible tug of the shirt by Alan Tate on Billy Sharp. A minute before the break Forest did get a penalty when Tom Lees was adjudged to have committed a foul on Billy Sharp by referee Tony Bates, although Neil Warnock was well aware of the striker's ability to gain penalties from his days with Sheffield United. However, he was soon up and made no mistake from the spot as he sent Paddy Kenny the wrong way to equalize. They could have gone in front right on the whistle to end the first half when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and Paddy Kenny was equal to the task when he made sure the ball was pushed wide of the post. The second half started with Forest on the attack and five minutes into the half Dexter Blackstock headed a good chance over the bar. But ten minutes into the half the home side took the lead when Billy Sharp took possession of a long ball down the middle to round the advancing Paddy Kenny and slot the ball into an empty net. It looked as if Sharp had registered his hat-trick, with an header from an Alan Hutton cross, but he was pulled up by a linesman's offside flag soon after. But only two minutes after the Forest second, it was 3-1, when Rudolph Austin turned an Elliott wade cross beyond the reach of Paddy Kenny. Worse was to follow just four minutes later when Dexter Blackstock got a fourth when his powerful header from an Andy Reid cross beat Paddy Kenny. The four goals in sixteen minutes had effectively killed off the match with almost half an hour left on the clock. However, Leeds still chased the game and sent on Davide Somma for El-Hadji Diouf in the sixty-fifth minute and this was quickly followed by Jason Pearce for Rodolph Austin, who was still patently not match fit after his long lay-off, a minute later. They did continue to show plenty of effort and had a couple of shots blocked. Forest made their substitutions with Guy Moussi for Radoslaw Majewski in the seventieth minute and Simon Cox for Billy Sharp seven minutes later. But it was Forest that remained the more incisive of the two teams and it was Simon Cox who worked himself an opening but lifted his chipped shot over the crossbar. United made their final change by sending on Ross McCormack for Sam Byram in the seventy-ninth minute while Forest did likewise and sent on Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury for Andy Reid four minutes later. Paddy Kenny stopped any further increase in the score by making a fine save from Alan Hutton when he tried his luck from distance. Leeds' persistence paid off in the final minute of normal time, after some good work by Ross McCormack which culminated in a perfect cross, Davide Somma was able to stab the ball home from close range for his first goal in over eighteen months and made the score 4-2. Daniel Harding, the former Leeds player remained unused on the home bench while Jamie Ashdown, Luke Varney, David Norris and Aidan White remained unused on the Leeds bench as they slipped to ninth on the ladder.

After their capitulation at Nottingham Forest it came as no surprise that there would be wholesale changes for their trip to the KC Stadium to face second placed Hull City on 29th December 2012. There was also a change to the teams formation as they changed to three centre backs and two wing backs, three in midfield and two strikers. Jason Pearce was the third centre back as he replaced midfielder Rodolph Austin, who dropped to the bench. Sam Byram moved from right back to right-wing-back while Aidan White came in at left-wing-back for left-back Adam Drury, who dropped to the bench. Michael Brown, who gave the captaincy to vice-captain Jason Pearce, and Paul Green retained their places in midfield and were joined by David Norris, who was preferred to Jerome Thomas, who dropped to the bench. Ross McCormack and Davide Somma, who was making his first start in nineteen months took over the strikers' roles from Luciano Becchio, who dropped to the bench and El-Hadji Diouf, who dropped from the squad as Ryan Hall took the vacant place on the bench. There was another mid-day kick-off as the the teams lined up at 12.30pm and Sunderland Referee Geoff Eltringham started the game in front of a crowd of 23,453, with the Leeds formation in response to the usual Hull line-up. It was a positive start by Leeds as they moved the ball quickly and with confidence to create space for their off the ball running, with Aidan White's pace and Ross McCormack's mobility causing the home team problems while United had them on the back foot. In this time Leeds did create a couple of half-chances and one shot was deflected wide. However the home side were soon into gear and started to attack and Paddy Kenny had to be agile to cut out a Robbie Brady cross on the twenty minute mark. Hull were now on top and applying the pressure and after Leeds failed to clear their lines properly another Hull attack saw Abdoulaye Faye rise at the far post to get in a good header, but it went into the side-netting. Leeds did have breakaway attacks and Michael Brown tried his luck from distance, while Aidan White sent over a cross that Davide Somma failed to control at the far post. The game was held up on the half-hour while Ahmed Elmohamady received treatment for a foul by Aidan White which saw him pick up his fifth yellow card of the season and an automatic one game ban. Hull went straight on the attack after the stoppage and they produced their best chance of the match to date, from which Robbie Brady really should have scored, after receiving a low near post cross. Ahmed Elmohamady showed he had recovered as he received a cheeky back-heeled pass from Robert Koren and sent over a cross which went across the face of the goal and Robbie Brady hooked wide. Leeds came back in the period leading up to the half-time break but produced little and Ross McCormack was so starved of possession that he came back in to midfield in search of the ball and got himself booked for a rash challenge on Robbie Brady. Michael Brown was the next to get a yellow card for failing to leave the pitch for treatment for a facial injury. Neil Warnock sent on Luke Varney for Davide Somma at the start of the second half but it was Hull who went immediately on the attack and with the first attempt of the second half Sone Aluko sent in a long range shot which went wide. Paddy Kenny was forced to get down well to get a hand to a shot from David Meyler. Then Sone Aluko got in a low shot-cum-centre across the face of goal but David Meyler failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy. But seven minutes into the half the Tigers finally took the lead when Corry Evans came in from the right wing, took a sublime pass from Robert Koren in his stride, and drilled home a diagonal shot past Paddy Kenny into his far corner of the net. Just three minutes later the home team doubled their lead when David Meyler headed home from a Robbie Brady corner. Stephen Quinn had a good chance to make it 3-0 in the sixty-third minute, but this time Paddy Kenny pulled off a great save to deny him. Leeds sent on Rodolph Austin for David Norris in the sixty-eighth minute and nine minutes later the Tigers made their first change when Nick Proschwitz came on for Robert Koren they made further changes in the eighty-third minute when Liam Rosenior replaced Ahmed Elmohamady and in the final minute when Jay Simpson came on for Sone Aluko. Leeds had been outplayed for all but the first twenty minutes of the action and could count themselves lucky to have escaped with just a 0-2 defeat. Indeed, Paddy Kenny was still keeping the score down in stoppage time when Nick Proschwitz got a low header on target. The Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic could rarely have had an easier game. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Jerome Thomas, Luciano Becchio and Ryan Hall remained unused on the Leeds bench as they remained ninth on the ladder.

After Leeds had signed Ryan Hall for £150,000 on a three year contract from Southend United, after deciding to make his loan permanent, New Year's Day 2013 saw the visit of Bolton Wanderers to Elland Road and more changes in the ranks as Neil Warnock recalled Luciano Becchio, El-Hadji Diouf, Rodolph Austin and Captain Lee Peltier to the starting eleven as Leeds switched to a 4-3-3 formation with the two strikers replacing midfielder Michael Brown and striker Davide Somma, who both dropped to the bench, while the Leeds captain replaced the suspended Aidan White and the Jamaican moved into midfield at the expense of defender Tom Lees, who dropped to the bench, where Andy Gray took the place of Luke Varney and Jerome Thomas, who had returned to West Bromwich Albion. There was a crowd of 22,386 and Philip Gibbs of Birmingham was the Referee and former Leeds keeper, Andy Lonergan was on the Bolton bench as the game got underway at 3.00pm. Leeds were in desperate need of points after two straight loses they had dropped to ninth in the table just above the Trotters who were fourteenth but just three points behind. It showed the closeness of the competition and accentuated that a loss could almost put them in the drop zone while a win was imperative to stay in touch with the clubs vying for a play-off spot. So it was pleasing that United started the game positively with Luciano Becchio lifting his shot over the bar and Bolton defender Zat Knight coming to their rescue when he deflected a Rodolph Austin free-kick around the post, in the twelfth minute. It was twenty minutes into the game before Bolton created any chance of note, but fortunately for Leeds Chris Eagles' finishing did not match his approach work. After Darren Pratley had dispossessed Alan Tate in the centre circle and combined well with Kevin Davies, before playing in the former Burnley winger, whose shot hit the outside of the post before going behind. Soon after good work from El-Hadji Diouf won Leeds a corner. But as the game headed towards half-time it was descending into a poor affair, but on the half hour mark Paddy Kenny was called into action to make a good save as Bolton did get a shot on target, when Darren Pratley again played in Chris Eagles, whose thirty-five yard shot was tipped round the post by Paddy Kenny. But, in general, it was just a war of attrition confined to the midfield area and the teams went to the half-time break goalless. It was United that mounted the first attack of the second half, but Sam Byram was quickly closed down as he looked to advance. Bolton replied with Chris Eagles shooting wide and Marcus Alonso shooting over from long range. Neither side seemed capable of holding possession for long but around the hour mark Leeds finally started to keep possession and apply pressure to produce their best spell of the game. This culminated in Tyrone Mears pulling down Ross McCormack in the penalty area after a series of good fortune. Rodolph Austin had made a good run down the right wing and his cross was not cleared by the Bolton defence. David Norris mishit his pass, but it still found Ross McCormack who was unceremoniously upended by the Bolton full-back. Up stepped the reliable Luciano Becchio to convert the spot kick in the sixty-sixth minute to notch his eighteenth goal of the season and give United the lead as for the second time this season he sent Adam Bogdan the wrong way from the penalty spot. Soon after, El-Hadji Diouf made a good break but Ross McCormack could not keep his shot down and the ball flew over the bar. The Argentinian goalscorer also got up for a header from an El-Hadji Diouf corner in the seventy-fourth minute but put it over the bar. Two minutes after the goal Bolton made a double substitution as David N'Gog replaced Darren Pratley and Benik Afobe came on for Chung-Yong Lee and it was David N'Gog who had a chance to level for the visitors but he too lifted his shot over the bar, after finding himself unmarked in the Leeds box. After seventy-nine minutes Bolton made their final change as Jacob Butterfield replaced Liverpool loanee Jay Spearing. But it was United that took the game to Bolton and with seven minutes left on the clock Adam Bogdan in the Trotters' goal was called upon to collect a deflected header from Paul Green as United searched for a second goal to put the game beyond doubt. David N'Gog appealed for a penalty after a challenge from Alan Tate but the referee was unsympathetic. There were no further chances as the game went into injury time and two minutes into time added Leeds sent on Andy Gray for El-Hadji Diouf. Paddy Kenny reacted quickly to deny Kevin Davies and United had to defence well in the final count down with David Norris making one vital challenge. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Tom Lees, Michael Brown, Davide Somma and Ryan Hall remained unused on the Leeds bench, as did Andy Lonergan for Bolton, as Leeds moved to eighth on the ladder, three points behind the sixth club, Watford.

The draw for the Third Round of the F.A. Cup had given United a home tie with fellow Championship League rivals Birmingham City on 5th January 2013. The build up to the game had been dogged by a virus which had swept through the Leeds camp and Manager Neil Warnock was one of its victims and his place on the touchline was taken by first team coach Ronnie Jepson, while Assistant Manager, Mick Jones, observed from the stands. It was usual for Jamie Ashdown to take over from Paddy Kenny to get game time in the Cup competition and this game was no exception. But that was just one of the six changes made for the match. Tom Lees came in at Right-Back as Sam Byram dropped to the bench and similarly Adam Drury was given a run at Left-Back in place of Captain Lee Peltier, who handed the Captain's Armband to Jason Pearce, with Aidan White and Ryan Hall on the wings. Michael Brown also came into the midfield to join David Norris as Paul Green, Rodolph Austin and El-Hadji Diouf took their places on the bench, while Andy Gray had been released by the club and would join Bradford City four days later, and Danny Pugh replaced him on the bench. The game kick-of in front of a crowd of only 11,447 with Chris Foy of St Helens the referee and former Leeds loanee, Stephen Caldwell, at the heart of the Birmingham defence. Jamie Ashdown was soon in the action as he got down low to make good saves from Chris Burke, Ravel Morrison and Nathan Redmond in the first quarter of an hour. The pace of Ravel Morrison and Nathan Redmond was bothering the Leeds central defence. However, it was Leeds who went close after fourteen minutes when Jason Pearce got up well to get on the end of a Ross McCormack free-kick but his header came back off the crossbar. However, he really should have scored as it was a free header from just six yards out. While there were few shots on goal the game was open with both teams prepared to attack and particularly on the break. The speedy Birmingham forwards were still causing Leeds problems and Birmingham were twice allowed to advance from offside positions as first Nathan Redmond and then Ravel Morrison with Redmond in support, they seemed destined to score. Fortunately for United their finishing was extremely poor and Redmond somehow contrived to put the ball six yards wide from only ten yards out. After thirty-three minutes, however, it was the visitors that took the lead when Wade Elliott advanced from his own half and manuoevred enough space to get in a dipping, swerving shot from long range and it flew into the top corner of the net. It was a fine goal and Birmingham deserved their one goal lead as the teams went in for the break. The two Leeds wingers had had a terrible first half and, from his sick bed in Cornwall, Neil Warnock made two changes before the second half got under way as Sam Byram came on for Ryan Hall and El-Hadji Diouf replaced Aidan White and the second half started as the first half had finished with both teams willing to go on the attack. Luciano Becchio seemed to be yards offside but was allowed to carry on early in the second half, but like his Birmingham counterparts he couldn't capitalize on his good fortune and he shot straight at the Birmingham keeper, Colin Doyle. Jamie Ashdown and Tom Lees combined well to deny the visitors who also put one effort over the bar. But Leeds were back in the game on the hour mark when Luciano Becchio took his tally for the season to nineteen. David Norris did well to feed the Argentinian with a good through ball and the striker made no mistake as he coolly slotted the ball into the net past the on-rushing keeper for the equalizer. There was a six minute hold-up in the game in the sixty-seventh minute when Will Packwood was stretchered off with his leg badly broken in two places after an innocuous collision with Luciano Becchio. He was replaced by Mitch Hancock. Birmingham had a great chance to restore their lead on the seventy minute mark when Nathan Redmond worked himself into the clear but his shot was off target. Leeds made their final substitution after seventy-nine minutes when they sent on Davide Sommer for defender Alan Tate, who had been given the run around by the fast Birmingham forwards, in an effort to win the game, with Sam Byram dropping back to right back and Tom Lees switching to central defence. The South African made little impression and it was Chris Burke that should have won the game for the visitors but he shot wide when well placed. There was no real chances in the final ten minutes as the game headed towards a replay but Luciano Becchio did go close with a header in the first minute of stoppage time. Paddy Kenny, Lee Peltier, Luke Varney and Danny Pugh remained unused on the Leeds bench as the game ended in a 1-1 draw and the replay was to take place at 7.45pm on Tuesday 15th January 2013, but few would have given Leeds much hope on the balance of play in this match.

On 11th January 2013 Leeds had signed Everton's young midfielder Ross Barkley, who had already had a loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday, on loan until 12th February 2013 and a day previous they had paid Stoke City £200,000 and given Michael Tonges a three year contract to re-sign with the club after his previous loan spell. Both players went straight into the team to take on Barnsley at Oakwell on 12th January 2013. Paddy Kenny returned in place of Jamie Ashdown, who dropped to the bench, in goal, with Sam Byram and Lee Peltier coming back into the starting eleven in place of Tom Lees, who dropped to the bench, and Adam Drury, who dropped out of the squad because of illness. Barkley and Tonge came into the midfield at the expense of Aidan White, who dropped to the bench and Michael Brown, who was left out of the squad. Only David Norris remained of the midfield quartet as Rodolph Austin returned and Ryan Hall was omitted from the squad. Up front El-Hadji Diouf returned to partner Luciano Becchio as Ross McCormack was relegated to the bench. Luke Varney and Davide Somma kept their spots on the bench and were joined by Paul Green who replaced Danny Pugh. In all seven changes were made, but coincidently their major weakness in the F.A. Cup tie, the pairing of Jason Pearce, who passed the captaincy back to Lee Peltier, and Alan Tate in central defence was left intact. Managerless bottom-placed Barnsley had former Leeds loanee Ben Alnwick as deputy keeper on their bench and there were 4,800 Leeds fans in the crowd of 13,999 as Craig Pawson of Sheffield refereed the game. Oakwell had long been a bogey ground for Leeds and as the last two encounters had been won by the home side, it would have tempered United's vision of an easy three points. Indeed the home side re-enforced those misgivings as they went straight on the attack and the Leeds keeper had to make a double-handed save to his left to keep out a shot from Jim O'Brien that had been deflected just over a minute into the game. The visitors then had to make two vital defensive blocks and survive an appeal from Stephen Dawson for a penalty after he had appeared to be fouled by Luciano Becchio on the edge of the box. United did respond and the big Argentinian went close after he had been released by a good ball from Lee Peltier. However, Barnsley were soon back and Paddy Kenny had to parry a good effort from Stephen Dawson before Marlon Harewood hit the inside of Paddy Kenny's right-hand post. New boy Ross Barkley seemed to settle in to his new surroundings and soon impressed with his strength in the tackle and his crisp passing and it was he that almost worked an opportunity for Luciano Becchio after twenty minutes, but the striker's header was glanced wide of the target. At the other end Rodolph Austin came to United's rescue when he headed a Jim McNulty header off the goal-line. It was, however, the home side that continued to dominate and look the better and more dangerous side, and, after Jason Pearce had made a good challenge at the expense of a corner, Martin Crainie headed the ensuing flag-kick inches wide of the upright. Paddy Kenny was again in the action when he saved from Jim O'Brien as the Barnsley pressure continued. Unfortunately, the lively Barnsley midfielder r eceived a nasty injury after a full-blooded challenge from Leeds captain, Lee Peltier, and, after a long suspension of play, he was stretchered off and replaced by Jacob Mellis after thirty-two minutes. A little later, after Leeds had lost the ball in midfield, Chris Dagnall sent a shot across the face of the United goal. Half time came with the game scoreless but with Barnsley looking the more likely to break the deadlock. Neil Warnock rectified two of his selection mistakes by sending on Paul Green for David Norris, in midfield, and Ross McCormack for El-Hadji Diouf, in attack, for the start of the second half. It looked like a good move as United went on the attack in a positive start after the break and Ross Barkley worked an opening for himself before sending in a low drive from twenty-five yards which went just wide. Minutes later the Everton loanee was most unlucky to see his next effort, a vicious volley from six yards, rattle the underside of the bar in the fifty-seventh minute. After such bad luck it was the home side that took a deserved lead in the sixty-third minute, when Chris Dagnall was upended in the penalty area by Sam Byram and referree Craig Pawson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The Barnsley striker picked himself up, dusted himself down, dissuaded both Stephen Dawson and Marlon Harewood from taking it, and smashed the ball past Paddy Kenny from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way. Three minutes later it was two as Chris Dagnall latched onto a good pass from Marlon Harewood to get his second with a good finish into the corner of the net, low to Paddy Kenny's left. Leeds tried to get back into the game, as Ross Barkley tried his luck once more from distance but the ball flew over the bar, but it was the Tykes that looked more likely to increase their lead rather than the visitors getting back into the game, as Ross McCormack and Paul Green each put the ball over the bar and Marlon Harewood watched a shot go wide after he had sprinted past Jason Pearce. After eighty-eight minutes Barnsley made their second change bringing on Striker Danny Rose for Midfielder Jacob Mellis and two minutes later made their final change when striker Reuben Noble-Lazurus replaced goalscorer Chris Dagnall. Ben Alnwick remained unused on the Barnsley bench while Jamie Ashdown, Tom Lees, Aidan White, Luke Varney and Davide Somma remained unused on the Leeds bench as another dismal result saw United slip to eleventh place on the ladder, five points adrift from the sixth club, Watford, as the dominant Barnsley was rewarded by them being replaced at the foot of the table by Bristol City and the fans had reacted by chanting "Warnock, time to go!" in the middle of the second half.

Few people showed any interest in the Third Round F.A. Cup Replay at St Andrews on Tuesday 15th January 2013, even though the prize was a home tie with the mighty Tottenham Hotspur, as after their poor form in the initial game at Elland Road, where they had been fortunate to get a draw, came another abysmal performance at Oakwell to lose to the Division's bottom club. This had only extended their equally poor form since Christmas, which had seen Leeds outplayed and beaten by both Notts Forest and Hull City and the only win in that time had been an unconvincing 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at Elland Road courtesy of a Luciano Becchio penalty. So even boosted by 1,547 travelling Leeds fans the crowd was a poor 8,926 for the evening game and Andy Woolmer of Northampton was the Referee. As was usual in Cup matches Jamie Ashdown came in for Paddy Kenny, who dropped to the bench. Adam Drury returned to the left back spot after illness with Lee Peltier switching to central defence with Tom Lee, who was preferred to Alan Tate, who dropped to the bench, as did Jason Pearce. In midfield Michael Brown and Luke Varney were recalled along with Paul Green as David Norris dropped to the bench. Ross Barkley and Michael Tonge were not available and so Ryan Hall took the vacant spot on the bench. Luciano Becchio fell victim to illness and Ross McCormack took his place in the front line. Ex-Leeds loanees Stephen Caldwell, Paul Robinson and Marlon King were in the Birmingham starting line-up. The travelling Leeds fans who had braved a freezing cold night were warmed by a positive start from United, with Rodolph Austin trying a couple of wayward efforts as his team enjoyed possession. Leeds were forced into a change after just ten minutes when Adam Drury picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Aidan White. The new substitute soon made his presence felt as he got in a good cross and Luke Varney managed to head it goalwards, but wide. The home side had their first attempt on goal in the fifteenth minute when Wade Elliott got in a shot from twenty yards, after good work by Marlon King, and soon afterwards Chris Burke shot wide from distance. But, as the half hour approached, it was the defences that were on top and few changes were being created. Leeds won the first corner of the game and this created a scramble in the home area but Birmingham managed to get the ball away and, not at the first attempt, launched a counter-attack in which Marlon King tested Jamie Ashdown for the first time with a low shot. However, in the thirty-sixth minute it was they that took the lead when, after being released by Marlon King, Nathan Redmond had outpaced the Leeds defence with a run down the right wing, and his cross created a chance for the unmarked Wade Elliott to score from close range. Leeds immediately responded and with El-Hadji Diouf finding Luke Varney unmarked at the near post they should have scored but his header was wastefully wide of the mark. Ross McCormack was also wide with a free-kick as the game approached half-time. United started the second half in positive fashion, immediately putting the home side under pressure and Rodolph Austin forced Birmingham keeper Colin Doyle to make a save low down. Leeds were showing an improved performance compared to the first-half and starting to cause the home side problems. Paul Green and El-Hadji Diouf both worked good openings and Luke Varney was showing more interest in creating chances as the Leeds pressure mounted. The pressure finally paid off in the seventieth minute when a cross from Paul Green found El-Hadji Diouf at the far post and he laid the ball back in to the path of Ross McCormack who easily beat Colin Doyle from eight yards to bring the scores level. Leeds continued to apply the pressure and after Luke Varney had suppled a good cross, Paul Green forced a good save from the Birmingham keeper, Colin Doyle. In the seventy-fifth minute Leeds went ahead after Birmingham defender Paul Robinson handled a Rodolph Austin cross and, with regular penalty-taker, Luciano Becchio, not playing, El-Hadji Diouf stepped up to easily beat Colin Doyle with the spot-kick chipping the ball into the net as the keeper dived prematurely to his right. After seventy-six minutes Birmingham made their first substitution when Peter Lovenkrands came on for Ravel Morrison, but Leeds still continued to apply the pressure and after being denied an appeal for a further penalty, Paul Green hooked the ball over the bar. In the eighty-second minute the home side sent on Nikola Zigic for Nathan Redmond and a few minutes later the Serbian had a header kicked off the line by Aidan White and not long after Birmingham's other substitute, Peter Lovenkrands, forced a great finger-tip save from Jamie Ashdown. United responded by sending on Jason Pearce for El-Hadji Diouf in the final minute of normal time, and, although three minutes of stoppage time were added United held on to win the plum home tie with Spurs in the Fourth Round, which with TV coverage would swell the Elland Road coffers by £200,000. Paddy Kenny, Alan Tate, David Norris, Ryan Hall and Davide Somma remained unused on the Leeds bench.

Fresh from their F.A. Cup victory, United would have been hoping for maximum points from their Elland Road clash with bottom club Bristol City on 19th January 2013. It was a much changed side from the one that had raised hopes with the 2-1 F.A. Cup win at St Andrews. Paddy Kenny was reinstated in goal after his usual Cup rest and the team went into a 4-2-3-1 formation, as White came into the starting eleven at Left-Back in the place of the injured Adam Drury as Alan Tate dropped out of the squad. In midfield Ross Barkley and Michael Tonge were back after being ineligible for the Cup tie, although in the case of the former Stoke City man, he started on the bench. The two strikers in the midweek Cup tie El-Hadji Diouf and Ross McCormack both dropped back into midfield to accommodate Luciano Becchio as the sole striker, which meant that Paul Green and Luke Varney were relegated to the bench, where Ryan Hall was the one to miss out. Surrey Referee, Darren Sheldrake, was in charge of the game and the crowd was 18,156. Former United midfielder, Australian International Neil Kilkenny was in the Bristol City starting line-up and he was involved in a quick free-kick in the opening minutes which saw Liam Fortune try to get in on goal but Sam Byram was alert enough to repel the danger. However, the former Leeds man soon found his name in the book for a foul on Tom Lees, but Ross McCormack was wide of the mark from the ensuing free-kick. El-Hadji Diouf made a good run down the right wing in the fifteenth minute but although his well flighted cross was well met by Ross Barkley, the Everton loanee could not get enough power into his header to trouble Bristol keeper Tom Heaton. Neil Kilkenny was showing up well but Cole Skuse squandered a good chance when he shot wide from the edge of the penalty box. There was very little else to enthuse about as the game approached half-time and while both sides showed plenty of endeavour neither could manage to take a grip on the game nor create any worthwhile chances. The only action of note was that an El-Hadji Diouf shot went over the top, the only shot on target was when Tom Heaton had to make a save from Ross McCormack and at the other end Paddy Kenny had to save from Paul Anderson. Then right on the stroke of half-time Ross Barkley got in a low cross and Tom Heaton saved at the second attempt after Ross Mcormack had sent the ball goalwards. Soon after the second half got underway Paddy Kenny had to make agood save after Tom Lees had diverted a Richard Foster cross towards the Leeds goal. United responded and both Sam Byram and Ross Barkley had attempts on goal. The young full-back was causing the visitors trouble down the right flank as United sought to force the issue. Bristol City made their first substitution in the sixty-fourth minute when Jon Stead came on for Paul Anderson. But it was Ross Barkley that made the most telling contribution, when he too made good yards down the right before delivering a great cross for Ross McCormack to get up well above Richard Foster at the far post to head home his second goal in as many games to give Leeds the lead in the sixty-seventh minute. Moments later Rodolph Austin almost made it two as he drilled in a low shot across the face of goal but it was just wide. Bristol made their second change when they sent on Wes Burns for former Leeds man Neil Kilkenny in the seventy-second minute and this was followed six minutes later by their final substitution when Steve Davies replaced Stephen Pearson. United made their first substitution in the eighty-first minute when Paul Green replaced Ross Barkley and their second was eight minutes later with Michael Tonges coming on for Ross McCormack. In the final minutes United had some defending to do as the visitors forced a couple of corners and the game was held up on a couple of occasions while injured players were attended to. Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Luke Varney, David Norris and Davide Somma remained unused on the Leeds bench as the win saw United remain in eleventh spot, but five points away from Watford in sixth place.

United's Fourth Round F.A. Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road was televised on Sunday 27th January 2013 and it still managed a crowd of 29,943 and with Leicester Referee Kevin Friend officiating, there were plenty of ex-Leeds players on view in the Tottenham squad, with former Leeds winger Aaron Lennon in the starting team and ex-loanees Andros Townsend and Jake Livermore on the bench. United reverted to the team that had won at Birmingham in the Third Round as they went back to 4-4-2. Jamie Ashdown took over from Paddy Kenny in goal, while the back four remained intact from the game with Bristol City. With Ross Barkley unavailable there were places for Paul Green and Luke Varney in the starting eleven and Michael Tonge dropped to the bench, while El-Hadji Diouf partnered Ross McCormack as strikers, with Luciano Becchio omitted from the squad entirely, as a move away from Elland Road seemed immenent, and Ryan Hall and teenage Welsh player Chris Dawson came in on the bench. Michael Brown was made "Captain for the day" against one of his former clubs. Spurs arrived at Elland Road as clear favourites for the clash and as one of the form sides in the EPL and few would have given Leeds any chance of survival in the knock-out competition. As was expected Tottenham started the game on the offensive and looking to put the home team under pressure from the kick-off. Their main weapons were their two wingers Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale and Aidan White and Sam Byram had been tasked with the specific job of keeping them quiet. Sam Byram had just signed a new three-and-a half-year contract and he soon showed that he was up to the task. In the early exchanges Clint Dempsey dragged a shot wide of the mark and Gylfi Sigurdsson headed straight at Jamie Ashdown. To everyone's surprise it was the home team that took the lead after just fifteen minutes as United broke quickly and Luke Varney raced down the left wing before cutting in and unleashing a terrific curling right-footed shot past a bemused Brad Friedel. The goal obviously shook the visitors but they were unable to make any headway as they looked for a response. Their best effort was a shot from Tom Huddlestone from twenty yards in the twenty-ninth minute which was well saved low down by Jamie Ashdown. They even swapped wingers Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon as they tried to get back in the game but all was to no avail and when Gareth Bale did finally find himself in space United covered well and the chance was gone. Even though Spurs had the majority of possession they were unable to create anything of consequence as Leeds were resilient and tackled like terriers and just before half-time it was Leeds who came closest to scoring but Ross McCormack was denied by some quick thinking from Brad Friedel. The second half started with Sam Byram forcing an early corner and Luke Varney was only denied by a fine defensive tackle. It came as little surprise when Leeds doubled their advantage five minutes into the new half when El-Hadji Diouf sent a great ball over the top of the Tottenham defence for Ross McCormack to run on to and the Scottish striker left Steve Caulker in his wake before he composed himself to deliver a superbly placed left-foot shot into the top corner of the net to double the Leeds lead. Clint Dempsey should have reduced the arrears soon afterwards, but, after Aaron Lennon had squared the ball back to him from the by-line, he scuffed his shot wide. Eight minutes after the second Leeds goal Tottenham reduced the arrears when Clint Dempsey found enough space to head home a cross after good work by Gareth Bale and straight away they made a double substitution with Jonathan Obika replacing Tom Huddlestone and Mousa Dembele coming on for Gylfi Sigurdsson and eight minutes after that they made their final change with Kyle Walker replacing Kyle Naughton. Ross McCormack was troubling the Spurs defence with his movement and he almost created an opening for a third Leeds goal but the EPL side managed to clear their lines. Indeed, Tottenham were having to defend and Paul Green got behind them but his cross was cleared and then Ross McCormack broke through but Brad Friedel repelled him this time after he had narrowed the angle. But Tottenham were doing their share of attacking too, and Tom Lees did well to cut out one Spurs effort and then a Moussa Dembele foul on Michael Brown in the Leeds box eased the pressure, but the next time Tottenham pressed forward Sam Byram got in a good block as Clint Dempsey shaped to shoot. It was not pretty as Leeds took the ball into corners to try and wind the clock down but they almost paid for it in the final minute when Jonathan Obika latched onto a long through ball from Benoit Assou-Ekotto and looked like scoring before a fine last-ditch tackle from Sam Byram stopped him and Leeds beat their EPL opponents and there should have been few complaints. In the final minute Jason Pearce came on for El-Hadji Diouf and Davide Somma replaced Ross McCormack as United sought to reinforce their defence and wind down time, which had been extended by four minutes. Spurs were handed just one final chancw when Michael Brown hacked down Scott Parker, but after Spurs had poured all their players, including Brad Friedel forward, the free-kick evaded them all and the whistle was blown for full-time, as the ball was booted away downfield by Rodolph Austin and it bounced into an unguarded net soon after the whistle had blown. Paddy Kenny, Ryan Hall, Chris Dawson, David Norris and Michael Tonge were left unused on the Leeds bench as Leeds advanced to the Fifth Round for a date with Champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

After disposing of one of the top six clubs in the land in the F.A. Cup, United's next task was to dispose of the top club in the Championship as they took on Cardiff City in their next home game on 2nd February 2013. On 28th January 2013 Sam Byram had signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with the club, which would see him under contract until June 2016. Neil Warnock had also signed Stephen Warnock on a two year contract on a free-transfer from Aston Villa on Thursday 31st January 2013 and on the same day had picked-up Steve Morison on a three-and-a-half-year contract and £200,000 in exchange for Luciano Becchio from Norwich City, but the new striker had a thigh injury and not available for Cardiff's visit. On the same day Habib Habibou had been signed on loan for the rest of the season from Belgian club SV Zulte Waregen and both he and Stephen Warnock were included on the Leeds substitutes' bench. The game also saw the return of Paddy Kenny in goal with Jamie Ashdown reverting to his normal role on the bench and the return of Ross Barkley to midfield, after being ineligible for the Cup-tie, in place of Paul Green, who dropped to the bench. Ryan Hall, Chris Dawson and Davide Somma all dropped from the squad to make way for the newcomers and Lee Peltier resumed the captaincy after Michael Brown had taken on the mantle for the visit of his former club as Mike Dean of Wirral was the Referee in front of a crowd of 19,236. Cardiff City arrived as the runaway leaders of the Division but it was Leeds who called the shots with a bright start and Luke Varney had the first shot on goal, but he lifted it over the bar. Ross McCormack was the next to lead the charge down the left flank but Cardiff defended well. United continued to dominate possession and by the twenty minute mark it had been all Leeds and Mark Hudson had done well to clear a Sam Byram cross and a free-kick had been deflected behind for a corner. Referee Mike Dean added to the visitors woes when after twenty-three minutes he awarded Leeds a free-kick from just twelve yards out after he adjudged that Aron Gunnarsson had passed the ball back to goalkeeper David Marshall and both the goalkeeper and Craig Bellamy finished up with yellow cards after showing their frustration at his decision. Former Cardiff player Ross McCormack saw his free-kick deflected for a corner, which came to nothing. After thirty-four minutes El-Hadji Diouf sent over a good free-kick, which was headed on by Ross McCormack to Ross Barkley unmarked at the far post, but the Cardiff goalkeeper, David Marshall, was forced to pull off a good save when he blocked the Everton loanee's shot with his legs. Then, after a shot by Rodolph Austin had been deflected into his path, Ross Barkley put his shot wide. It was not until just before the half-time break that Cardiff threatened for the first time but even then Craig Bellamy spoiled the move by getting caught offside as he ran on to Tommy Smith's knockdown before slipping the ball into the net. There was an impromptu team talk from Neil Warnock as the United team were left waiting on the pitch awaiting the arrival of the Cardiff team for the start of the second half. It had the effect of Leeds continuing the second half as they had finished the first half. On the attack, with Michael Brown sending a shot wide soon after the restart. The visitors, though, started to come more into the game and had their own period of pressure as the game started to become more equal. Cardiff made their first substitution, after sixty-two minutes when Fraizer Campbell replaced Kim Bo-Kyung. After Luke Varney had seen his shot blocked, play swept to the other end and it was the visitors that snatched the lead, in the sixty-fourth minute, when Craig Conway seized upon a mistake by Sam Byram and he played in Craig Bellamy whose shot on goal fell to Fraizer Campbell who got a touch on the ball to guide it past Paddy Kenny and into the net. Now, after United had dominated the game for long spells they were on the backfoot and when they made their response Rudoph Austin saw his shot blocked. Leeds made their first change in the seventy-third minute when newcomer Habib Habibou came on for El-Hadji Diouf, while six minutes later Cardiff made their second when Heidar Helguson came on for Craig Conway. A minute later, with ten minutes of normal time remaining, United came within a whisker of equalizing, when David Marshall made an excellent point-blank save to deny Tom Lees' goalbound header and soon after there were claims of handball against Cardiff Captain, Mark Hudson, from the Leeds players as Cardiff hacked the ball to safety. United continued to apply the pressure and Cardiff equally defended with dogged resistance, but even with three minutes added for stoppages United were unable to find the net for what would have been a richly deserved equalizer. But, no matter what, Cardiff, even though outplayed, departed with the points and United dropped to twelfth, six points adrift from the sixth club. Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock, Paul Green, David Norris and Michael Tonge remained unused on the Leeds bench.

United next made the trip to Molineux to play Wolverhampton Wanderers on 9th February 2013 and the side showed four changes to the starting line-up from the unlucky loss to table-toppers Cardiff City. New signings Stephen Warnock and Steve Morison were given their debuts in the run-on side in preference to Aidan White and El-Hadji Diouf, with the full-back dropping to the bench and the Senegalese International dropping from the squad. The other changes were made in midfield with Paul Green and David Norris returning in place of Ross Barkley, who dropped to the bench, and Rodolph Austin who was rested after returning late from International duties with Jamaica and Ryan Hall took up the vacant place on the Leeds bench. Roger East of Wiltshire was the Referee in front of a crowd of 23,463. United started the more determined of the two teams and in the first minute they carved out their first opportunity when a David Norris shot was deflected onto the roof of the home teams net and two corners were won in quick succession. The continuing Leeds pressure exposed the Wolves nervousness in defence and Ross McCormack sent a shot just wide and Paul Green was similarly narrowly wide of a post. The home side, however, did also start to attack and Kevin Doyle almost took advantage of a defensive mistake, but Paddy Kenny pulled off a good save. Newboy Steve Morison was the next Leeds player to pose a threat to the Wolverhampton goal as he sent a header just over the bar from a Ross McCormack floated free-kick. The home side was looking dangerous on the break and had the ball in the Leeds net just before the twenty minute mark, but Sylvain Ebanks-Blake's effort was ruled out by the linesman's off-side flag. But Leeds were still the more impressive of the two teams and Steve Morison's movement and workrate in the first half-hour had made him a constant danger to the home side. However, while Wolves still showed their defensive frailties they remained dangerous on the break and Paddy Kenny was called upon to save from Bakary Sako and then Danny Batth had a gilt-edged chanced but he failed to keep a close range header from going over the bar. United carved out a good chance on the half-hour mark when good play from Michael Brown and Paul Green allowed Ross McCormack to get in a shot on goal, but it passed wide of the right-hand post. As the game approached half-time Leeds continued to dominate but had nothing to show for it as the teams went into the break scoreless. It was the home side that started the second half on the front foot and, three minutes into the half, Jamie O'Hara headed wide from close-range. Wolves continued to press and took the lead in the fifty-fourth minute, when Stephen Ward got in behind Sam Byram and squared the ball across the Leeds six yard box and Lee Peltier could do little but divert it into his own net. United made a quick response but David Norris sent his shot over the bar. As United started to chase the game they left themselves wide open to quick counter attacks and close to the hour mark they were twice almost caught out but Paddy Kenny pulled of two good saves within two minutes. The first was a save low down from Kevin Foley and the second was another fine save from a searing drive from Bakary Sako. But the United policy of attack paid dividends as they equalized in the sixty-fourth minute when Ross McCormack made an inch perfect pass to Luke Varney who took the ball in his stride and beat the Wolverhampton goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, with a fine curling shot. Wolves were quick to respond and United had to thank Paul Green for being in the right place at the right time as he blocked a Christophe Berra header on the goal-line. Luke Varney seemed thirsty for a second and, as the chances came thick and fast for both sides, he forced Carl Ikeme to dive and push his effort round the post. Bakary Sako was guilty of fouling Sam Byram as he pulled him back in the penalty area in the seventy-seventh minute and this allowed Ross McCormack to step up and calmly give United the lead from the penalty spot as he gave the keeper no chance. Wolves made their first change in the seventy-ninth minute when Bjorn Sigurdarson replaced Tongo Doumbia as they were forced to play catch-up football as the clock wound down, and in the pressure Tom Lees and Sam Byram were both forced to make vital defensive headers. After eighty-seven minutes the home side brought on David Edwards to replace Karl Henry and seven minutes later Leeds replaced Ross McCormack by Ross Barkley but, after four minutes had been added for stoppages, Wolves got themselves back on level terms in the second of those minutes when Danny Batth managed to get in a diving header that beat Paddy Kenny from a debateable corner. Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Aidan White, Michael Tonge and Ryan Hall remained unused on the Leeds bench and the point, which most people saw as two lost, saw Leeds ease one place higher to eleventh and five points behind the sixth team.

United travelled to the Riverside Stadium to play Middlesbrough on 12th February 2013, in a Tuesday night encounter, in a fixture that was postponed from 26th January due to the F.A. Cup taking precedent. Middlesbrough were in the vital sixth position in the race for the play-offs and it was seen as a game vital to United's hopes of attaining that position by the end of the season. The United starting eleven was unchanged from their weekend encounter at Molineux and the only changes were on the bench where Ross Barkley's loan period had expired and El-Hadji Diouf and Rodolph Austin were recalled to the expense of Ryan Hall. Keith Stroud of Gillingham, Dorset, was the Referee and there were 2,099 Leeds fans in the crowd of 18,388 and former Leeds star defender, Jonathan Woodgate, was at the heart of the home defence. Boro, who were in the middle of a poor spell, not having won any of their previous five League games, were the first on attack and Rhys Williams was up in attack to volley a Grant Leadbitter free-kick over the bar but Leeds soon responded and moments later David Norris was wide with a shot from long-range. There was some enterprising play from Leeds as they created a good build up for David Norris to test the Middlesbrough keeper Jason Steele with a shot that brought out a great save from the custodian. This was soon followed by another build up which featured Steve Morison and ended with Luke Varney shooting wide and, as the game reached the half hour mark, it was the Leeds midfielder who again went close. United should have taken the lead when a long ball forward from Paul Green was misjudged by Jason Steele and found Ross McCormack and with the goal at his mercy, just six yards out, but Jonathan Woodgate was able to get back and clear off the goal-line. But, just before the half-time break it was the home side that opened up the Leeds defence when Josh McEahran got in a defence-splitting pass and Faris Haroun was through on goal but Paddy Kenny was able to close him down quickly to make a brilliant block on the edge of the penalty-area. The second half started with Steve Morison having a header cleared off the line but United were also called upon to make a good clearance. They also had to defend two corners in quick succession and Paddy Kenny also made a good save before Tom Lees was able to clear. The open contest continued well into the second half and United went close as Ross McCormack sent in a free-kick but Paul Green could not get on the end of it. After sixty-six minutes, Andrew Halliday replaced the injured Jonathan Woodgate. Midway through the second half Boro also went close as Grant Leadbitter's long-range free-kick from outside the Leeds penalty box box was too close for comfort. It was again Paddy Kenny to Leeds' rescue as he pulled off a fantastic double save to keep the game scoreless, as he dived to his right to deny Rhys Williams before combining with Sam Byram to block the follow up and then the keeper somehow managed to get to the ball to save Josh McEachran's header from point-blank range when a goal seemed a foregone conclusion. It continued in ding-dong fashion as United responded and Steve Morison headed goalwards from a Luke Varney cross but it only flew safely into the hands of Jason Steele. Ishmael Miller replaced Josh McEachran after seventy-four minutes. The goal finally came in the eighty-second minute. It went to the home side, as an Ishmael Miller cross found Curtis Main in acres of space at the far post for him to send a looping header out of the reach of Paddy Kenny. However the goalscorer's luck soon ran out as he quickly incurred two yellow cards and was sent off by Referee Keith Stroud. After eighty-for minutes Leeds made a double substitution with El-Hadji Diouf replacing Paul Green and Rodolph Austin replacing David Norris. With one minute left on the clock Habib Habibou became United's third change, and made his debut, as he replaced Michael Brown as Boro also made their final change when Nicky Bailey came on for Mustapha Carayol. The Leeds newcomer almost made an instant impact but his header was brilliantly saved by Justin Steele. United tried until the end but it was another costly away defeat, their first ever since the Riverside Stadium had opened in 1995, which saw United remain in eleventh spot but now eight ponts behind sixth club, Middlesbrough and there were more chants of "Warnock, Time to go". Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Aidan White and Michael Tonge remained unused on the Leeds bench.

United were the decided underdogs as they travelled to the Etihad Stadium to face EPL Champions, Manchester City, in the televised Match of the Day in the Fifth Round of the F.A. Cup on Sunday, 17th February 2013. There was about 6,000 Leeds fans in a crowd of 46,849 and Mark Clattenburg of Newcastle-on-Tyne was the Referee and ex-Leeds England International, James Milner, was in the starting eleven for the home side. Neil Warnock made four changes to his starting line-up, some enforced but others, such as the rotating of Jamie Ashdown in goal for Paddy Kenny, a situation usual for Cup matches, and the injured Paul Green being replaced by Aidan White on the right of midfield, whereas Rodoph Austin was now fully rested after International duties and replaced David Norris, who dropped to the bench, while El-Hadji Diouf stepped up from the bench in preference to Steve Morison who in turn joined Ryan Hall who was recalled to the bench. The game started at a fast pace and Sergio Aguero was almost in on goal for the home side when he nearly intercepted a Leeds back-pass. It did not take long for the hosts to take the lead and there was just five minutes on the clock when David Silva started the move when he linked up with Yaya Toure, who exchanged passes with Carlos Tevez before he forced his way through the Leeds defence to round Jamie Ashdown and fire into an empty net. Michael Brown, a former City player, had spent most of the game to date irritating his opponents by being constantly at their heels, and Referee Clattenburg had words of wisdom for him after he had clashed with Yaya Toure. City were soon threatening once more as Sergio Aguero got on the end of a through ball but the Leeds defence managed to crowd him out. The home side continued to apply the pressure and Stephen Warnock and Lee Peltier combined to avert the danger. The pressure continued as Pablo Zabaleta released Sergio Aguero, who continued to be a menace, and this time he chose to give a chance to Carlos Tevez, who shot into the side-netting. Aguero continued to be the main source of trouble to the Leeds defence in the first quarter-of-an-hour and it was he that was fouled by Tom Lees as he tried to pull him back when he tried to get through on goal. He took the penalty in the fifteenth minute and placed it in the top left hand corner of the net to give Jamie Ashdown no chance and double the home side's lead. It took United almost half-an-hour before they enjoyed any significant possession and it was Aidan White that almost fashioned a chance for Tom Lees, but the central defender could not quite make a good connection. As the clock approached the thirty minute mark United found themselves again under threat when Aleksandar Kolarov's free-kick was flicked narrowly wide of the target by Matija Nastastic, before Javi Garcia got forward to glance a header across the goal from an inswinging Aleksandar Kolarov corner. City continued to dominate and Yaya Toure almost got his second goal of the game, but his long range shot was met by a great save by Jamie Ashdown, who tipped it over the bar. Just before the half-time break, United managed their first shot on goal when a Ross McCormack free-kick was palmed away by Costel Pantilimon. Neil Warnock sent out David Norris for Michael Brown and Steve Morison for Ross McCormack for the start of the second half. City were soon threatening the Leeds goal once more and after fifty-two minutes they got their third goal when, after the menacing Sergio Aguero had once more showed great skill to dribble his way through the Leeds defence he teed up Carlos Tevez who was left with an easy finish. The goal killed off the tie and Leeds had only pride to play for in the final half hour. David Norris tried a speculator from long-range but it flew harmlessly over the home team's crossbar. On the hour mark the home side made their first change when Jack Rodwell came on for Javi Garcia and four minutes later came their second as Maicon replaced Carlos Tevez. The Leeds goal lived a charmed life and in the sixty-fifth minute Jamie Ashdown pulled off another fine save to deny Yaya Toure and substitute Jack Rodwell headed against the underside of the crossbar, after keeper had parried the shot. Five minutes later it was United's turn to threaten the opposing goal but Aidan White's cross was headed over Costel Pantilimon's crossbar by Luke Varney. City made it 4-0 in the seventy-fourth minute when Sergio Aguero beat the Leeds offside-trap to turn David Silva's cross into his second goal of the game, as he shot home from fifteen yards. United made their third Change three minutes later when Michael Tonge came on for Rodolph Austin and with nine minutes of normal time remaining City also made their final substitution as Edin Dzeko replaced Sergio Aguero. It was City's final substitute that almost took advantage of some lapse United defending in the eighty-fifth minute but his shot brought another fine save from Jamie Ashdown. That proved to be the last meaningful action of the tie and Leeds slipped quietly out of the F.A. Cup for another season. Paddy Kenny, Jason Pearce, Ryan Hall and Habib Habibou remained unused on the Leeds bench as Leeds slipped to twelfth in the Championship race still eight points adrift of the vital sixth spot.

United returned to the League competition with a Wednesday night visit from fourteenth-placed Blackpool on 20th February 2013, in what was increasingly becoming a forlorn hope of promotion. Once more Neil Warnock rang the changes against a background of increasing opposition to his Managership by the Leeds fans as he called for more support from them as there was a crowd of 25,532 due mainly to the reduction of the price of tickets. He chose the change to a 4-3-3 system This saw Paddy Kenny return in goal for Jamie Ashdown after the usual change for Cup matches. Paul Green returned from injury to the right of midfield, where he replaced Aidan White, who dropped to the bench, while Michael Tonge replaced Michael Brown, who dropped to the bench, and David Norris came in for Rodolph Austin in the other midfield positions. Steve Morison was preferred to El-Hadji Diouf, who moved to the bench, in a striking role as Luke Varney moved up from midfield to join him. Former Leeds left-back Stephen Crainey was in the Blackpool starting eleven and Hull Referee Carl Boyeson was the man in charge of the game. Luke Varney was the first Leeds player to threaten the Seasiders' goal but his shot was over the top in the fifth minute. He then had another shot which went wide and Paul Green and David Norris both were denied by strong defending by the visitors. Steve Morison was the next Leeds forward to threaten and, in the eleventh minute, after he had seized upon a mistake by Kirk Broadfoot, his shot was cleared and it narrowly eluded Ross McCormack, who was waiting to pounce. United had started brightly and the Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks was called upon to save from Luke Varney after good work from Paul Green and David Norris. Twenty minutes had elapsed before Blackpool made a serious threat on the Leeds goal but when they did Paddy Kenny was able to narrow the angle to make a good block from Thomas Ince. United replied with more good attacking football which culminated in Ross McCormack sending a volley just wide of the post. Then after good work from Luke Varney and a classy back-heel from Steve Morison, Ross McCormack was denied by the body of Matt Gilks. While Leeds were proving to be the more dominant side, Blackpool were also playing some good football and Paddy Kenny was twice called upon to save from Tom Ince as the half hour mark went by, and then pulled off a great save to deny Ludovic Sylvestre. United were soon back for Luke Varney to head over after the lively Steve Morison had found him with a great ball into the area. But Blackpool, too, were still a threat and proved this when Paddy Kenny hads to make a great save to claw the ball away from a goalbound shot from Matt Phillips. The Leeds keeper, however, was relieved to see the linesman flag for offside after Gary Taylor-Fletcher had netted from his parry. United started the second half positively and Luke Varney was again close, when he hit the outside of the post after being put clear by a great ball from David Norris. But it was the Leeds midfielder, David Norris, that put United in front after fifty-seven minutes, when he made no mistake as he fired United into a deserved lead from a shot from just inside the Blackpool penalty area. The visitors did respond but Gary Taylor-Fletcher could not quite make connection with the final low centre into the box. Steve Morrison extended the Leeds lead in the sixty-first minute after former Leeds defender Stephen Crainey could only succeed in directing a David Norris header into his path for the striker to calmly drill home his first Leeds goal. It was just reward for his movement and workrate in a game which had seen him be a threat to the seasiders all night and Leeds looked comfortable as the game headed towards its conclusion. After seventy-one minutes Blackpool brought on Nathan Delfouneso for Gary Taylor-Fletcher and four minutes later Matt Derbyshire for Isaiah Osbourne. After eighty-four minutes United made their first change as Michael Brown replaced Michael Tonge and in the nintieth minute they made their second substitution when Jason Pearce came on for David Norris. Blackpool's Alex Baptiste did head a free-kick over the bar, but Leeds looked solid in defence and composed in attack as three minutes stoppage time was added which the home side negotiated quite easily. Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, El-Hadji Diouf, Habib Habibou and Ryan Hall all remaimed unused on the Leeds bench as the victory took Leeds to ninth on the ladder six points and a game in hand behind sixth placed Middlesbrough.

Ewood Park was United's next destination to take on eleventh-placed Blackburn Rovers in a game Leeds would be looking to take all three points if they were to cling on to the hope of a play-off position as United to to their 4-3-3 formation for the game on 23rd February 2013, with an unchanged starting line-up and squad. There were an estimated 3,500 United loyalists in the crowd of 18,467 as Iain Williamson of Reading was the Referee. It was Leeds that applied he opening pressure that resulted in them getting the first attempt on goal and it was Grant Hanley who came to the home team's rescue as he blocked a good effort from Ross McCormack, at the expense of a corner, after the Scot had made room for himself to get in a shot from within the Blackburn penalty area. United continued to apply the pressure and Tom Lees rose to a header from a corner which forced the Blackburn goalkeeper, Jake Kean, to pull off a fine save. Blackburn weathered the opening storm by Leeds and made a couple of raids of their own but Leeds were soon back and Luke Varney was the next to try an attempt on goal, but his long-range shot did not trouble the Blackburn keeper as the ball flew wide of the home side's goal. With the half-hour mark fast approaching Blackburn fashioned their first significant attempt on goal and Paddy Kenny saved well, low to his left, after Colin Kazim-Richards had collected a pass from Danny Murphy and got a shot on target. But Blackburn soon found their own goal under threat once more as Leeds attacked in numbers a short while later and all that was missing was a shot on goal. Leeds had enjoyed the better of the first half, had created the better chances and had looked solid in defence, all they had lacked was a goal. Minutes into the second half that goal almost came. Good work by Luke Varney and Steve Morison created an opening for Ross McCormack but the Scot fired his shot into the side-netting. Blackburn made an opening on the hour mark after a Leeds defensive mistake and Justin Rhodes was just wide of the post. The home side sent on Morten Gamst Pedersen for Colin Kazim-Richards after fifty-four minutes in the game's only substitution. With twenty minutes still on the clock the game remained wide open with both teams seeking to attack at every opportunity but the Leeds midfield were denying the home side the space and time they needed so that with ten minutes left the game was still finely balanced. Michael Tonge was playing his best game in a Leeds shirt, while Paul Green and David Norris were both putting in workmanlike performances. Luke Varney was the next to make an attempt on goal but his shot was well saved and held by Jake Kean but soon after the same Leeds striker was back but once more the keeper was equal to the task after good build-up play by Leeds. After Lee Peltier had been dispossessed by Danny Murphy, Blackburn were able to get behind the Leeds defence but Justin Rhodes could not take advantage and shot into the side-netting. Paddy Kenny stood firm after Justin Rhodes had turned and shot on the edge of the Leeds penalty area and the same player was back minutes later to head over as the home side pushed for the winner. In the seventy-second minute, Blackburn centre-back Scott Dann almost put the ball in his own net when he miscued a Ross McCormack cross and conceded a corner. There were chances at both ends as first Michael Tonges and then Justin Rhodes went close. Late in the game Luke Varney spurned a good opportunity when the ball fell to him just inside the box, but the striker did not realize the amount of time and space he had and scuffed his shot and the ball trickled into the grateful hands of Jake Kean. Both teams carried on the search for the winning goal as the game went through injury time but it was all to no avail and the game ended goalless which meant that Leeds remained ninth and were still six points shy of the vital sixth spot as the season was fast coming to a conclusion, with just thirteen games remaining, and the calls for Neil Warnock's departure increased. Once more Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Aidan White, Michael Brown, El-Hadji Diouf, Habib Habibou and Ryan Hall all remaimed unused on the Leeds bench.

Neil Warnock named the same squad for the third successive game in a row as thirteenth-placed Millwall were the next visitors to Elland Road on 2nd March 2013 as United looked to gain maximum points to cling on to the dream of a play-off place. Mick Jones of Chester was the referee in front of a crowd of 19,002 and Millwall had ex-Leeds loanee Shane Lowry at left back and ex-Leeds players, striker Andy Keogh and goalkeeper Maik Taylor, on the bench. The visitors were the first to attack and they created the first shot on goal after five minutes when Martyn Woolford ran onto a header from John Marquis but shot wide. Soon after it was Woolford that fired in another shot but this time it went into the side-netting. James Henry went even closer when he latched onto a throw from Alan Dunne before he side-footed a shot past Paddy Kenny but it rebounded off the post in the thirteenth minute and Lee Peltier was on hand to deny the Millwall man as he again threatened moments later. Leeds finally responded and a fine cross from Stephen Warnock was headed narrowly wide by Luke Varney, and after more good play from the Leeds left back Michael Tonge sent his shot wide of the target. United should have taken the lead approaching the half-hour mark after Sam Byram was needlessly upended in the box fifteen yards out by Castleford-born Martyn Woolford but the Millwall keeper, David Forde, saved Ross McCormack's penalty attempt when he pushed the ball onto the post. The Scotsman's spot-kick was well placed but lacked the power and Forde did well to save. Soon after the Scot tried to make amends and sent a good ball into the box but although Luke Varney got up well he was unable to hit the target. Millwall remained a threat and John Marquis keep Paddy Kenny alert, but David Forde had been the busier of the two goalkeepers and he was thankful for Danny Shittu's defensive work a few minutes before half-time when he made a good block from Luke Varney after good work by Steve Morison. United started the second half well but both David Norris and Steve Morison were pulled up for infringements when looking to score. Luke Varney was also brought down after a good run, but Millwall were able to deal with the resultant free-kick. A good intervention from Sam Byram saved United as John Marquis shaped to shoot in the fifty-eighth minute. Michael Tonge was the next to threaten and did so twice in quick succession. His first shot swerved away at the last minute and passed wide of the target but his second effort brought out a fine save from David Forde as he beat his shot away. David Forde came again to his side's rescue when Ross McCormack's deft flick had created a chance for David Norris, but the keeper saved the day with a sliding save as the hour mark approached. After sixty-six minutes the visitors made a double change bringing on Ex-Leeds player Andy Keogh for John Marquis and Nathan Tyson replaced Benik Afobe, and the two new substitutes almost combined to produce the first goal seconds later. However, the stalemate was finally broken six minutes later when Ross McCormack was brought down in the box by Alan Dunne. Instead of stepping up to take the spot-kick himself he handed the responsibility to Stephen Warnock who blasted the ball left-footed down the middle of the goal past David Forde to make it 1-0 and score his first goal for the club. Three minutes later United made a double substitution, bringing on Michael Brown for David Norris and El-Hadji Diouf for Ross McCormack, but it was the visitors who now went on the attack. They won a series of corners and Leeds had to defend desparately but it was David Forde that saved the day for the visitors with seven minutes left on the clock, when he raced off his line to deny the advancing Luke Varney. Sam Byram was a little fortunate not to concede a penalty when an Alan Dunne shot hit him on the arm. A minute later Millwall made their final substitution when they brought on George Saville for Josh Wright and as the minutes ticked down there were several hold ups to play. In the final minute of normal time Millwall lost James Henry through injury and Michael Tonge also required treatment. There was also another lengthy delay while Luke Varney was treated after he had accidentally been caught by Stephen Warnock in a challenge and that resulted in him being carried from the field on a stretcher and Jason Pearce came on as his replacement. This resulted in nine minutes of stoppage time being required and James Henry reappeared just as the signal was made. Leeds hung on to secure full points which will come in handy, as there were visits to other promotion rivals Leicester City and Crystal Palace in the near future. Maik Taylor remained unused on the Millwall bench and Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, Habib Habibou and Ryan Hall on the Leeds bench as United maintained ninth spot and still six points adrift from the sixth position with just twelve games remaining.

The Leeds United pay-off credentials were about to be tested with two away fixtures against rival promotion contenders and first-up came the Tuesday evening visit to King Power Stadium to play fifth-placed Leicester City on 5th March 2013 and for the fourth consecutive game Neil Warnock named an unchanged squad. The game was refereed by Paul Tierney of Lancashire in front of a crowd of 22,660 of which 2,600 were travelling Leeds fans and former Leeds goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, was in the Leicester City starting eleven. The first chance of the game fell to Anthony Knockaert who made space for himself on the edge of the box after Paul Konchesky had teed him up but his shot was wide of Paddy Kenny's post. After ten minutes Leeds twice had to thank Tom Lees after Ritchie De Laet had made good progress for Leicester on the right flank. The Leeds stopper first blocked Andy King's volley after a Chris Wood knockdown and then headed a Harry Kane cross to prevent it reaching David Nugent. United had to wait until the fifteenth minute before they had their first effort on goal and it came after Stephen Warnock got in a cross for Sam Byram to head the ball towards the goal but the former Leeds custodian was equal to the task. The keeper was called into the action again shortly after when David Norris tested him from distance but the keeper again saved comfortably. He again featured in the action when Sam Byram again got in a header from a corner which was turned away by the keeper. The home side responded and Paddy Kenny fumbled a shot from long-range, David Nugent who was following up could not take advantage. On the thirty minute mark Harry Kane tried his luck from long-range but watched as his shot went narrowly wide. The home side were now enjoying a period of pressure and Chris Wood was the next player to try his luck from distance and his shot from just outside the penalty area looked like it was heading for the United net, but Paddy Kenny got his hand to it to push it over the bar. With five minutes to go to half-time it was United that could have taken the lead as David Norris met Sam Byram's cross but his shot scuffed the ball wide with the goal at his mercy. Leicester had the final chance of the first half but Anthony Knockaert saw his free-kick saved by Paddy Kenny. Leicester introduced Lloyd Dyer for the injured Paul Konchesky for the start of the second half. It was the home side that also created the first chance of the second period but it was Leeds that broke the deadlock in the fifty-second minute when Sam Byram was at the back post to slam the ball right-footed past Kasper Schmeichel from a Ross McCormack corner which flicked off the head of a defender and fell invitingly for the young full-back to score his third goal of the season. Leeds continued to press and there were shots from David Norris and Ross McCormack for Kasper Schmeichel to face but the Dane stood firm. The home side made their second substitution after an hour when Ben Marshall replaced Anthony Knockaert and another chance came the way of the visitors when Paul Green's shot was saved at full stretch by Kasper Schmeichel as he dived to keep it out. Then with nine minutes still on the clock they made their final change when Martyn Waghorn came on for David Nugent. The home side started to see more of the ball in the final ten minutes but Leeds defended well and blocked several shots at goal. David Norris tried to double the lead for United but after finding himself with only Kasper Schmeichel to beat the keeper did well to keep him out and when the ball ran loose to Norris, Michael Keane cleared his second attempt off the line. Four minutes of stoppage time was signalled as Leeds made their first change as they bolstered their defence by sending on Jason Pearce for Ross McCormack and Leeds continued to hold out with Paddy Kenny making a great save from Andy King by tipping the ball over the bar, as Leicester were pouring all available bodies forward, even Kasper Schmeichel. But right on time it was Michael Keane that snatched a dramatic equalizer for Leicester City when he headed home from a Martyn Waghorn corner in the final minutes of injury time. Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, Michael Brown, El-Hadji Diouf, Habib Habibou and Ryan Hall remained unused on the Leeds bench as United slipped to tenth spot and still six points adrift from the sixth position with just eleven games remaining.

Fourth-placed Crystal Palace were United's next challenge as they travelled to Selhurst Park still clinging to fast disappearing hopes of a play-off spot in the second of two six-pointer away games on 9th March 2013. They had an unchanged starting eleven for the fifth successive game, but Rodolph Austin replaced El-Hadji Diouf, who was ill, on the bench and Dean Whitestone of Northampton was the Referee as there were 2,984 travelling Leeds fans in a crowd of 19,976. Considering the importance of the match there was little atmosphere in the crowd or by the two teams as a tentative opening by both sides ensued. Kagisho Dikgacoi got in an early header for Palace and Steve Morison replied for Leeds by turning a corner past the post. After Leeds had lost possession in midfield Wilfried Zaha crossed for Glenn Murray to get in a header which was well saved by Paddy Kenny. United replied by forcing two corners, the first of which was deflected over the Palace bar. But after twenty minutes Palace were starting to get control of the midfield and Leeds were forced back on the defensive. The home team took full advantage of this and they took the lead after twenty-seven minute when Glenn Murray rose unmarked at the far post to head home a looping cross from Jonathan Williams. The home side kept up the pressure and Paddy Kenny was called upon to get down well to save a good left-foot shot from Jonathan Parr and as they grew in confidence the more United were called upon to defend with equal resilience. It was not all Palace as Steve Morison controlled the ball and played in Paul Green after forty-two minutes but his shot was stopped by the leg of Palace keeper Julian Speroni but it fell to Luke Varney who was then denied by three Palace defenders, with Mile Jedinak being the one to clear the ball off the goal-line. The home side started the second half well with Wilfried Zaha breaking through the Leeds defence onto a ball from Stephen Dobbie but he could only shoot wide of the target as Paddy Kenny narrowed the angle. Moments later it was Dobbie who put the ball over the bar when well positioned. United responded and won a free-kick in shooting range but Ross McCormack was wide with his attempt on goal. But they came back to equalize twelve minutes into the second half, when Stephen Warnock got in a cross from the left and Steve Morison was able to control it with his right foot and his left-footed shot for goal, beat the diving Julian Speroni and hit the back of the net in the bottom corner. Palace tried hard to regain their lead and Stephen Dobbie almost succeeded but his effort from just outside the penalty area was wide of Paddy Kenny's post and moments later he repeated the effort with the same result. However, the goal had given United confidence and it was they that took the lead in the sixty-ninth minute and it was again Steve Morison that got the goal, as he latched on to a long clearance from Paddy Kenny to deliver a cool finish on the half-volley to make the score 2-1 and register his third goal since joining the club. United had a chance to make it 3-1 a few moments later when Steve Morison was again involved but it was Ross McCormack who had the final shot on goal and he fired just wide of the target. Palace made their first change when the sent on Kevin Phillips for Yannik Bolasie in the seventy-fourth minute but while Leeds were on top Palace were still a threat and Stephen Dobbie twice went close. A minute after they had made their second change with Andre Moritz replacing Stephen Dobbie in the eighty-third minute, Palace got the equalizer with six minutes left of normal time when, after poor defending by Paul Green and Stephen Warnock, striker Glenn Murray again found himself in space at the far post and volleyed a Damien Delaney cross into the net. A minute later Palace made their final change as Aaron Wilbraham replaced Jonathan Williams as they strived for a winner with all out attack. United responded a minute later by making a double substitution with Rodolph Austin coming on for David Norris and Ryan Hall for Ross McCormack. In the final minute they made their final change as Habib Habibou replaced Steve Morison. But, while both sides tried to get the winner in the added stoppage time neither side could find a way through and the game ended in a draw. Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Aidan White and Michael Brown remained unused on the Leeds bench as they remained in tenth position still six points away from the sixth spot with only ten games to play, but with the next few games against clubs in the lower reaches it was a task which was still within their reach, but they would have been far better off if they could have clung to the lead in their last two games, rather than let in late goals with games being stolen from their grasp.

United now faced what appeared to be two easy home games against clubs deep in the relegation mire with the first against next-to-the-bottom side Peterborough United in a Tuesday night encounter at Elland Road on 12th March 2013. For the sixth successive League game Neil Warnock named the same starting eleven, while on the bench El-Hadji Diouf had recovered from illness and replaced Ryan Hall. Thanks to some price reductions, there was a crowd of 24,240 and Simon Hooper of Swindon was the Referee. Unbeaten in five games as they went into the match, United started well and Michael Tonge had the first shot of the game, low from distance, but it was easily saved by the Peterborough keeper Robert Olejnik. The visitors were quick on the break and were causing trouble to the Leeds defence and Dwight Gayle rattled the Leeds crossbar with a well-struck volley in the thirteenth minute. It came as no major surprise when the visitors took the lead two minutes later when Dwight Gayle again used his electrifying pace to run onto a long ball from his goalkeeper rounded defender Lee Peltier and easily beat Paddy Kenny with a rising left foot shot, which went in the top right-hand corner of the net. Lee Tomlin was the next Peterborough player to worry United as he swerved inside Luke Varney and then Michael Tonge before shooting from twenty-five yards to make Paddy Kenny dive at full stretch to keep the ball out. United received a further setback in the twenty-sixth minute when Tom Lees was injured, and after treatment, he had to be replaced by Jason Pearce. Consequently it took United almost half-an-hour to take charge of the game, and in their first spell of pressure it was Ross McCormack that had a shot blocked. However, Peterborough were still moving the ball well and hitting Leeds on the break and the Leeds defence was lucky to clear from Kane Ferdinand with Paddy Kenny stranded after missing his punch. After Stephen Warnock had gone close with an angled volley, Leeds wasted a good chance a few moments later when Jason Pearce headed over from close range after good work by Ross McCormack, which ended with his pinpoint centre. Steve Morison was also wide after he dragged a shot just before the interval. Neil Warnock sent on El-Hadji Diouf for Steve Morison, who had not been fully fit since joining the club, at the start of the second half. It was Peterborough who had the first chance of the second half when once again it was Dwight Gayle who outpaced Lee Peltier and found the space to lead a quick break but his shot went wide of the upright. But it was Leeds who were creating most of the chances with Luke Varney heading a Sam Byram cross straight at Robert Olejnik and Stephen Warnock being off target from a free-kick. Eleven minutes into the second half and Leeds were back on level terms and it was Sam Byram who arrived late at the back post to apply the finishing touch to an inswinging corner from Stephen Warnock for his fourth goal of the season. The equalizer was well deserved as Leeds had been the more dominant team but the visitors always remained a threat with their quick breakaways and as the game approached the final twenty minutes it was finely balanced. On the sixty-three minute mark Peterborough made their first change as Grant McCann replaced Danny Swanson. But Leeds continued to attack and both Michael Tonge and Ross McCormack had shots blocked and there were several appeals for penalties as the ball spent a lot of time in the visitors penalty area, but Stephen Warnock was lucky only to see yellow when he blatantly fouled Kane Ferdinand. With fourteen minutes still to go, Luke Varney did get the ball in the net after he rounded off a good move to stroke the ball past the Posh keeper, Robert Olejnik, but it was disallowed for offside. The visitors made their second change in the seventy-eighth minute when they sent on Tyrone Barnett for Kane Ferdinand and two minutes later Leeds made their final change when Rodolph Austin replaced David Norris. Paddy Kenny came to United's rescue, with just eight minutes to go, when he made a terrific save from Dwight Gayle after the Peterborough man had taken advantage of a defensive error. Lee Tomlin was hauled down just outside the penalty area and was just over the top with the ensuing free-kick, while at the other end Luke Varney had a good run inside the box before shooting wide. Four minutes of stoppage time were added and Jason Pearce was agonizingly wide with a header from a Paul Green cross in that time and Leeds were the team applying all the pressure in the closing minutes but the visitors had men back in numbers and got them behind the ball to make several vital blocks and hang on to the point they merited. Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, Michael Brown and Habib Habibou remained unused on the Leeds bench, as they hung on to tenth position five points behind sixth placed Nottingham Forest, but the draw represented two more points lost and their changes of a play-off spot was still distant and fading with just nine games remaining.

There was a local derby with eighteenth-placed Huddersfield Town at Elland Road on 16th March 2013 in a mid-day kick-off and anything but full points would see Leeds all but out of the race for a play-off position. After six matches unchanged, Neil Warnock was forced into making three changes to his starting line up with both Ross McCormack and Steve Morison injured and David Norris also not fit enough to make the starting eleven. United lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with El-Hadji Diouf and Habib Habibou, who made his run-on debut, taking the strikers' roles and Rodolph Austin taking over from David Norris, who dropped to the bench, in midfield. Ryan Hall and Chris Dawson took the two vacant places on the bench. There was a crowd of 23,814 and Andre Marriner of Birmingham was the referee as the visitors had former Leeds players Adam Clayton in midfield and Jermaine Beckford on the bench. It was United that started on the offensive and in the third minute Luke Varney had a header cleared off the line by Town Captain, Peter Clarke, after he connected perfectly with an inswinging corner from Stephen Warnock. The Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies pulled off a brilliant one-handed save to deny El-Hadji Diouf in the tenth minute and then Luke Varney scooped a shot over the bar after a free-kick had not been totally cleared by the Town defence. The Terriers were on the back foot from the opening Leeds pressure, but they soon showed that they were also there to attack and should have scored in the twenty-first minute when James Vaughan headed against the woodwork from a Danny Ward cross, after he found himself in space, with the whole goal to aim at. As the game approached the half hour mark it slowed a little but neither side were able to settle on the ball for long. The visitors went close as the first half was drawing to a close and Paddy Kenny had to pull off a good save to deny Danny Ward. Nine minutes into the second half Huddersfield took the lead with a goal from Neil Danns with a low shot from an acrobatic volley from the edge of the box after receiving an header from James Vaughan and after Leeds had only half-cleared from the loanee's shot. Five minutes later Leeds made a double substitution as Aidan White replaced Paul Green and Ryan Hall came on for Habib Habibou. This had an instant effect with Aidan White scoring his first League goal for the club, and his second in his career, with his first touch of the game as he arrived at the far post to head the ball into the net right in front of Jack Hunt in the sixtieth minute, with the Huddersfield defence unable to cope with a long punt forward from Tom Lees. It was the signal for Leeds to go all out to look for a winner and Town keeper Alex Smithies was beaten by a powerful shot from twenty yards by Rodolph Austin, but it crashed into the crossbar, hit the keeper's back and rolled to safety. After seventy-five minutes the visitors made a double substitution when Sean Scannell replaced Oliver Norwood and Ex-Leeds man Jermaine Beckford came on for Danny Ward. Alex Smithies was again Town's saviour to keep out an effort from Ryan Hall as the game headed towards the final stages. But it was the away side that took the lead with just four minutes remaining of normal time when James Vaughan kept his cool to take a Jack Hunt through ball into his stride and side-footed home past Paddy Kenny to put Huddersfield 2-1 in front. In stoppage time a Ryan Hall corner left Sam Byram with a chance in the penalty area but he blazed wildly over the bar. It proved to be the last meaningful action of the game, although Huddersfield made their final substitution with Calum Woods replacing Oscar Gobern in the final minute and Huddersfield were glad to get the three points to ease their fight against relegation but the loss virtually ended United's thoughts of a play-off place as Jamie Ashdown, Jason Pearce, Michael Brown, David Norris and Chris Dawson remained unused on the bench and although they remained in tenth spot they were now seven points adrift with eight games remaining.

After the International break United faced a trip to Portman Road to play eighteenth-placed Ipswich Town on 30th March 2013 with no real interest remaining in promotion short of a mathematical possibility. United went to a 4-5-1 formation as Steve Morison was fit enough to return as striker in place of El-Hadji Diouf. Michael Brown and David Norris returned to midfield in place of Rodolph Austin and Habib Habibou who dropped to the bench, while Ross McCormack had recovered sufficiently from injury to take the place of Ryan Hall on the bench. James Adcock of Nottingham was the Referee and the crowd of 20,402 included 1,823 travelling Leeds supporters. Scott Loach, the Ipswich goalkeeper had spent time at Elland Road on trial in the 2007-08 pre-season in which he played several games. The game took place in bitterly cold conditions, with a biting wind and snow in the air and so there was little wonder that the game got off to a slow unimpressive start. The game was held up early on when Tom Lees required treatment for a nose-bleed after an aerial clash with David McGoldrick. However, Ipswich did manufacture a half-chance for David McGoldrick to head a cross wide of the target, but it was Leeds who went close to opening the scoring in the eleventh minute, when an inswinging corner from Stephen Warnock came back off the post and Paul Green's follow-up shot from the six-yards line was cleared off the line by Andy Drury. Moments later Scott Loach, the Ipswich goalkeeper, was called upon to save from David Norris, after good play by Steve Morison. The Ipswich custodian was a busy man during this spell and had to pull off further saves to stop Paul Green by pushing the ball out to his right and seconds later from David Norris, once more, from the edge of the penalty area, which Luke Chambers completed at the expense of a corner, as Leeds continued to apply the pressure. After nineten minutes Daryl Murphy got in his side's first shot on goal, but the ball struck David McGoldrick, who was in an offside position. Luke Varney sent a volley wide of the mark after he had been played in by Sam Byram in the twenty-fifth minute. The Ipswich keeper continued to be put under close inspection as he got down well to save from Luke Varney, two minutes later, before beating away a Steve Morison header from the resultant corner. Luke Chambers was again on hand to block a shot from Michael Tonge. Michael Brown also went close in the thirty-first minute when he glanced a header from a Stephen Warnock cross over the bar. The whole complexion of the game changed, however, just one minute later when Tom Leeds was shown a straight red card, without hesitation by referee James Adcock, following a challenge on Jay Tabb in the middle of the park. He became the fourth Leeds player to be sent off at Portman Road in the club's recent history and followed Kevin Nicholls, Alex Bruce and Aidan White, who made the same early walk. The Tractor Boys soon made use of their one man advantage and Daryl Murphy found David McGoldrick on the edge of the box, but he shot tamely straight at Paddy Kenny and then Ipswich Captain Carlos Edwards unsuccessfully tried his luck from long range. Despite having to reshuffle their team, with Sam Byram going to central defence and Paul Green dropping back to right-back, surprisingly Leeds still maintained the upper hand and David Norris was denied once more and Steve Morison lifted a shot his shot from a low Luke Varney cross from the left over the bar, when it seemed easier to hit the net. It was the home side, however, that had the final say in the half, when, in stoppage time, David McGoldrick opened the scoring with a header from close range after Luke Hyam had headed against the woodwork. Neil Warnock brought on Jason Pearce for Paul Green after the half-time break to give United more strength in central defence which had been lacking since the departure of Tom Lees. But just four minutes into the second half David McGoldrick got his and Ipswich's second goal when Luke Hyam cut in from the left and squared it back to him. He found himself in plenty of space to shoot on the half-turn from twelve yards and the effort was helped by a deflection from a Leeds defender which wrong-footed keeper Paddy Kennny. Leeds tried to respond immediately but Steve Morison was denied by Scott Loach, who saved with his legs. At the other end Paddy Kenny had to save from David McGoldrick in the fifty-sixth minute, after Luke Hyam was again prominent, but it was United who again went close as, after Luke Chambers had been booked for a foul on Luke Varney, Sam Byram's effort from the resulting free-kick, was blocked on the line by a diving Scott Loach. In the sixty-first minute, it was Sam Byram who was again went close with a powerful header from a corner, but this time he was denied when it hit his own teammate, Michael Brown. After sixty-four minutes Jay Emmanuel Thomas replaced Carlos Edwards and just four minutes later the new substitute drilled the ball home from inside the area after great build up play from Aaron Cresswell. Straight after the goal Leeds made a double substitution with Aidan White coming on for Michael Tonge and Ross McCormack replacing Luke Varney. But there was no way back for Leeds after the goal and the final twenty minutes were played out as if the game was all over. Ipswich did make a double Substitution in the seventy-eighth minute when Michael Chopra replaced David McGoldrick and Frank Nouble came on for Daryl Murphy. Jay Emmanuel wasted a great change to add a fourth and Paddy Kenny made a couple of saves and Stephen Warnock pulled off a good block to deny Michael Chopra. David Norris did have another effort for Leeds but they had had their spirit knocked out of them by the third goal and they slipped to their second successive defeat as Jamie Ashdown, Rodolph Austin, Habib Habibou and Chris Dawson remained unused on the bench as United slipped to eleventh position, eight points adrift and with seven games to play.

United's next fixture was a televised Easter Monday with twelfth-placed Derby County at Elland Road at 5.05pm on 1st April 2013. Leeds started with a 4-5-1 formation and there was a starting debut for United's talented Welsh teenager, Chris Dawson who took over at the centre of midfield from Michael Tonge, who dropped to the bench. There was also a recall for El-Hadji Diouf and Rodolph Austin in place of Michael Brown and David Norris in midfield as both players took their places on the bench, while Jason Pearce made a return in place of the suspended Tom Lees. Roger East of Wiltshire was the Referee in front of a crowd of 21,384 and Derby, who included Frank Fielding the former Leeds loanee goalkeeper in their starting eleven, were considered to be a "bogey" side, having won the last eight encounters between the two sides. So there was little surprise when the visitors saw the majority of possession in the first ten minutes and United's first attack ended with Richard Keogh making a decisive challenge on Luke Varney. It was not until the eighteenth minute that Derby keeper, Frank Fielding, was called into the action as he came off his line to punch away a Stephen Warnock free-kick. There were few real chances created in that tentative opening period, although Luke Varney did shoot wide after good approach play and while Derby looked constructive in their build-up, United appeared solid at the back. The Rams were the first to make a change, after thirty-three minutes, when Michael Jacobs replaced Craig Bryson. Then, United came the closest to scoring in the forty-first minute when Paul Green rattled the crossbar with a powerful drive from the edge of the box, after good approach work by Chris Dawson and Luke Varney. Derby responded with Chris Martin and Conar Sammon making a quick break which took them past Jason Pearce and forced Paddy Kenny to come off his line and make a block with his legs. Half-time came and went with the game still scoreless and after Paddy Kenny had saved a powerful strike from Ben Davies from the edge of the box, in the fifty-fifth minute, and then Lee Peltier cleared to prevent Chris Martin from making something of the rebound, United responded with Rodolph Austin shooting wide. Neil Warnock made his first change after fifty-seven minutes when he sent on Ross McCormack for Chris Dawson. It looked like the Rams had taken the lead just on the hour mark when Conar Sammon appeared to get the final touch, but the effort was ruled out by an offside decision. Others said it was Lee Peltier put the ball in his own net when trying to cut out a Chris Martin cross, with Conor Sammon one inch closer to the goal-line than him. Leeds made their second change as Aidan White came on for El-Hadji Diouf after sixty-five minutes and the move produced an immediate effect as United took the lead in the next minute, when Derby failed to clear a corner and Ross McCormack took his chance from the edge of the penalty area to score with a powerful curling shot that beat Frank Fielding in his top corner of the net. The Scot soon went close to doubling United's lead but his shot curled wide. Derby drew level in the seventy-second minute when Jason Pearce conceded a penalty after pushing Chris Martin to the floor. From the spot-kick, Conar Sammon hit the post as Paddy Kenny dived the wrong way and Paul Coutts followed up to score easily. There was some debate regarding whether Coutts had encroached in the penalty area before the kick was taken but the goal stood and the sides were once again equal. Derby should have had a second penalty when Aidan White brought down Micael Jacobs six yards inside the area, but the referee only awarded a free-kick. Paddy Kenny made a good save to deny Ben Davies from that free-kick, but from the resulting corner, two minutes before the end of normal time, Jake Buxton got free of his marker to head the ball home. Despite four minutes of stoppage time, in the second of which Derby wasted time by sending on Valentin Gjokaj for Ben Davies, there was no further change to the score and Derby made it nine wins on the trot against United as Jamie Ashdown, Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, David Norris and Habib Habibou remained unused on the Leeds bench as United dropped to twelfth, eight points adrift from sixth spot but just five points above the drop zone and without a win in their last five games. The crowd had taken up the chant of Warnock, time to go and that was exactly what he did falling on his sword that evening and handing over temporary charge to Neil Redfearn until a replacement could be found. His Assistant, Mick Jones, and first team coach, Ronnie Jepson, also left.

There was a crowd of 18,900 at The Valley on Grand National Day, 6th April 2013, of which 2,956 were from Leeds as United played their forty-first match of the League season and no doubt the fory-sixth would be a welcome sight as Neil Redfearn took over as caretaker Manager assisted by his co-Academy coach, former United Captain, Richard Naylor. They switched back to 4-4-2 and Michael Tonge, David Norris and Aidan White were restored to midfield as Rodolph Austin and El-Hadji Diouf dropped to the bench and Chris Dawson dropped out of the squad with Dominic Poleon coming in on the bench. Ross McCormack returned to partner Steve Morison with Luke Varney dropping to the bench. Former Leeds United stalwart, Andy Hughes was in the home team's starting line-up at right back and Stuart Atwell of Nuneaton was the referee as United got off to a good start and created the first chance of the game in the fifth minute when Aidan White's cross was met by Steve Morison in the Charlton penalty area but his first-time shot was easily saved by the Charlton Athletic goalkeeper, Ben Hamer. Both teams looked to attack in the first ten minutes and Leeds had an unconvincing shout for a penalty after Paul Green took a tumble in the box and moments later David Norris narrowly failed to connect with a cross but Paddy Kenny was twice called upon in quick succession to defend his line. His first save was in the twelfth minute from Jason Pearce, who sliced a cross into the air towards his own goal, and then he saved an acrobatic scissors kick from Yann Kermorgant. The Leeds keeper was again in the action when he saved well from Bradley Pritchard and then Michael Morrison blasted the rebound high over the bar from close range after a Dorian Dervite shot had only been parried by the Leeds keeper. Sam Byram made a great tackle inside the box to prevent Callum Harriott from getting a shot in, while at the other end Ben Hamer was untroubled by a glancing header by Steve Morison from a Paul Green corner. It was Leeds, however, that almost took the lead as the half hour mark approached, but Paul Green's shot was narrowly over Ben Hamer's bar. A few minutes later it was the home side that tried to break the stalemate with a header from Yann Kermorgant and then a shot from distance by Callum Herriott but both efforts were wide of the target. The home side threatened again with a Bradley Pritchard raid down the left wing but the cross passed across the United goal untouched. As half-time approached it was the home side that were starting to dominate, but, as yet, they had only created half chances and the Leeds defence was looking solid and it remained scoreless at the break. The second half was only one minute old when Andy Hughes' long range shot was kindly deflected into the path of Johnnie Jackson who scored from close range to give the home side the lead. United tried to respond immediately but the hour mark had passed before Michael Tonge got in a shot on target, but then watched as it was well blocked by Dorian Dervite. They were not able to clear the ball completely and Steve Morison was able to get in a shot which hit the outside of the post. Neil Redfearn made United's first change after sixty-six minutes when he sent on Luke Varney for Aidan White and eleven minutes later the Addicks also made their first change as Salim Kerkar replaced Richardo Fuller. United continue to apply the pressure and, after good approach work from Paul Green and Sam Byram, Michael Tonge's shot went over the bar. The Leeds pressure finally paid off in the eighty-second minute when Leeds were awarded a free-kick just inside the Charlton half after Yann Kermorgant had fouled Ross McCormack. Stephen Warnock fired the free-kick into the Charlton box and, after the home side had failed to clear their lines, substitute Luke Varney was able to pick up a loose ball just inside the box and score the equalizer. Charlton made their second change in the eighty-sixth minute when Jonathan Obika came on for Callum Harriott and just two minutes later Leeds responded by sending on Michael Brown for Michael Tonge. The ball continued to move from end to end as the even contest wore on and with just minutes remaining of normal time Leeds Captain Lee Peltier made a vital block from a Chris Solly shot. The two sides were still locked at 1-1 when normal time expired and four extra minutes were declared. It was in those final moments that the Leeds Captain was injured and had to be replaced by Rodolph Austin and with the home side pressing Leeds became disjointed by the enforced change and the home side were able to take advantage and their substitute, Jonathan Obika, headed the winner in the fourth minute of injury time from a Rhoys Wiggins cross. Jamie Ashdown, Dominic Poleon, El-Hadji Diouf and Habib Habibou remained unused on the Leeds bench as United slipped to sixteenth ten points away from the play-offs but still only five points above the drop zone as they suffered their fourth succesive League defeat and eleven games since their last away win.

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2012-2013

Back Row: Paul Perkins (Assistant Physio), Andy Gray, Danny Pugh, Lee Peltier, Luke Varney, Davide Somma, Robbie Rogers, Sam Byram, Chris Beasley (Kitman).

Middle Row: Harvey Sharman (Head Physio), Mick Jones (Assistant Manager), Tom Lees, Jason Pearce, Patrick Kisnorbo, Paddy Kenny, Jamie Ashdown, Lucino Becchio, Rodolph Austin, Leigh Bromby, Ronnie Jepson (First team Coach), Andy Leaning (Goalkeeping Coach).

Front Row: Chris Short (Head Fitness Coach), Dominic Poleon, Michael Brown, Adam Drury, Paul Green, Neil Warnock (Manager), Ross McCormack, David Norris, Aidan White, Zac Thompson, Alex Davies (Video Analyst).

2012-2013

Back Row: Paul Perkins (Assistant Physio), Andy Gray, Danny Pugh, Lee Peltier, Luke Varney, Davide Somma, Robbie Rogers, Sam Byram, Chris Beasley (Kitman).

Middle Row: Harvey Sharman (Head Physio), Mick Jones (Assistant Manager), Tom Lees, Jason Pearce, Patrick Kisnorbo, Paddy Kenny, Jamie Ashdown, Lucino Becchio, Rodolph Austin, Leigh Bromby, Ronnie Jepson (First team Coach), Andy Leaning (Goalkeeping Coach).

Front Row: Chris Short (Head Fitness Coach), Dominic Poleon, Michael Brown, Adam Drury, Paul Green, Neil Warnock (Manager), Ross McCormack, David Norris, Aidan White, Zac Thompson, Alex Davies (Video Analyst).

2010-2011: Team with Bodmin Town players before kick-off at Bodmin Town 25th July 2012.

Back Row: Neil Warnock (Manager), Aidan White, Tom Lees (part hidden), Andy Gray, Adam Drury, Jamie Ashdown, Michael Brown, Luke Varney, Jason Pearce.

Front Row: Martin Crainie, Ross McCormack, Paul Green.

2012-2013: Gary Speed Tribute v Leicester City 27th November 2012.

El-Hadji Diouf, Jerome Thomas, Sam Byram, Luciano Becchio, Paul Green, Tom Lees, Paddy Kenny, Michael Tonge, David Norris, Alan Tate, Lee Peltier.

2012-2013: Juniors

Back Row: Lewis Walters, Lewie Coyle, Unknown, Daniel Atkinson, Eric Grimes, Brad Dixon, Smith Tiesse, Alex Purver, Kalvin Phillips.

Front Row: Chris Dawson, Corey Roper, Jake Skelton, Alex Mowatt, Luke Parkin, Lewis Cook, Eoghan Stokes, Tyler Denton.

Players/Managers:

Neil Warnock: Manager, Jamie Ashdown , Rodolph Austin , Ross Barkley , Luciano Becchio , Leigh Bromby , Michael Brown , Alex Bruce , Sam Byram , Alex Cairns , Adam Clayton , Paul Connolly , Chris Dawson , El-Hadji Diouf , Adam Drury , Mikael Forssell , Paul Green , Habib Habibou , Ryan Hall , Paddy Kenny , Patrick Kisnorbo , Tom Lees , Andy Lonergan , Ross McCormack , Steve Morison , David Norris , Ramon Nunez , Andy O'Brien , Darren O'Dea , Ben Parker , Billy Paynter , Jason Pearce , Lee Peltier , Dominic Poleon , Danny Pugh , Paul Rachubka , Paul Robinson , Robbie Rogers , Lloyd Sam , Robert Snodgrass , David Somma , Alan Tate , Charlie Taylor , Maik Taylor , Jerome Thomas , Michael Tonge , Zac Thompson , Luke Varney , Mika Vayrynen , Stephen Warnock , Danny Webber , Aidan White .

Part 6: Brian McDermott - Yet another new Dawn? 2013-2014

2012-2013:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

Brian McDermott had been appointed Leeds Manager forty-eight hours previous to their meeting with Sheffield Wednesday in the Yorkshire Derby on 13th April 2013 and was charged with resurrecting the club from its increasingly woeful League position. His position was not helped by Tom Lees still being suspended and club captain and cental defender Lee Peltier not being available either, due to injury. He solved the absence of Peltier by appointing Stephen Warnock as captain and moving him to central defence with Adam Drury taking the vacant left-back spot. He reinstated Rodolph Austin and Luke Varney to midfield in place of Michael Tonge and Aidan White, who both dropped to the bench. Ryan Hall and Davide Somma took over as substitutes from Michael Brown, who was suspended, and Habib Habibou. Neil Swarbrick of Preston was the Referee and there was a crowd of 23,936 and former United midfielder David Prutton was in the Sheffield Wednesday starting eleven. It was a typical derby opening, with neither side retaining possession for long, but it was United that carved out the first real chance after ten minutes when Steve Morison miskicked in front of an almost open goal from close range and the visitors were able to scramble the ball clear. Rodolph Austin had an early shot at goal but his effort was wide of the upright, but otherwise there was little action on the goal areas in the first twenty minutes. It was the Jamaican International that had the next attempt on goal but his free-kick was wide and his shots from distance were wild and wasteful. The visitors responded by testing Paddy Kenny for the first time but there was little to enthuse about in a game that was littered with free-kicks. It was Wednesday that took the lead after twenty-seven minutes, when a long punt forward from keeper Chris Kirkland was flicked on by Jeremy Helan and allowed to bounce by Jason Pearce and with his defensive partner, Stephen Warnock, ball-watching Jermaine Johnson nipped in between the two of them and he lobbed the advancing Paddy Kenny to score. United responded and should have had a penalty when Adam Drury was tripped by Stuart Holden in the box, but despite action replays showing the offence had taken place a yard inside the box, the referee gave a free-kick on the edge of the box. But Ross McCormack's kick was headed off the line by Miguel Llera at the expense of a corner. Leeds soon gained a second free-kick, which was again taken by Ross McCormack and saw Jason Pearce put his free header wide of the target. Sheffield could easily have been reduced to ten men but the referee took a lenient view of Giles Coke, who had already been booked, tripping of Paul Green. Leeds keeper, Paddy Kenny, was called upon to make a couple of saves just before the half-time, as Wednesday went into the break leading by the single goal. Wednesday took the wise decision of substituting Keiran Lee for Giles Coke and Brian McDermott introduced El-Hadji Diouf for David Norris at the start of the second half. The Senegal International immediately breathed life into a Leeds team that previously had no inspiration. Steve Morison was through on goal, after Miguel Llera had slipped, but he dallied too long and eventually fell over when Reda Johnson chased him down. Then Ross McCormack was denied by the Wednesday keeper, Chris Kirkland, after some good play from El Hadji Diouf, the custodian spilled his save but Luke Varney and Paul Green combined to fail to make use of the rebound with the goal wide open and the ball was scrambled clear by Anthony Gardner. Wednesday made their second change in the fifty-third minute when Steven Howard replaced Jermaine Johnson and on the hour mark Leeds also made their second substitution when Aidan White replaced Steve Morison with Luke Varney being pushed up front to partner Ross McCormack. The latter exchange had quick consequences and United drew level in the sixty-third minute when Ross McCormack got in a sensational cross and Luke Varney rose to head the equalizer off the underside of the bar, with the help of an up-with-play linesman. Six minutes later Leeds were in front with Ross McCormack again being prominent in the approach work. He made an intelligent run down the right before delivering another great cross into the box for Luke Varney to send the ball into the far corner of the net with a firm header for his sixth goal of the season. With United now in front it caused Wednesday to try harder and it was they that started to apply the pressure and they made their second change in the seventy-third minute with Chris Maguire coming on for Stuart Holden. Both Steven Howard and Leroy Lita went close to equalizing for Wednesday and Jason Pearce also came to his team's rescue when he scrambled the ball clear after more pressure from the Owls. With five minutes left on the clock United made their third and final change when Michael Tonge came on for Stephen Warnock, who passed the Captain's armband to Jason Pearce. United managed to weather the storm through the remaining minutes which included three extra for stoppages. Jamie Ashdown, Dominic Poleon, Davide Somma and Ryan Hall remained unused on the eeds bench and the win took United up to eleventh spot, with just four games remaining, still eight points adrift of sixth spot but thankfully six clear of the drop zone.

For Brian McDermott's second game in charge United had a Tuesday night home fixture with fourteenth-placed Burnley on 16th April 2013 with just four games of the season remaining. He was able to welcome back Tom Lees from suspension and Stephen Warnock continued as Captain as he moved from central defence to his more usual left-back spot as Adam Drury dropped to the bench and Steve Morison was injured and omitted from the squad. Michael Tonge and El-Hadji Diouf were restored to midfield, taking the place of the injured David Norris and Luke Varney, who moved into the striker's role left vacant by Steve Morison. With both teams still not clear of relegation worries it made for a tense battle and, while new Manager Brian McDermott had lead his charges to a first game win, another win on the night would ease any further thoughts of relegation. There was a crowd of 16,788, the lowest of the season, and the game was refereed by Fred Graham of Stanford-le-hope, Essex and Burnley had ex-Leeds loanee Sam Vokes in their starting team. Burnley did managed one early shot on goal, a curling effort from Chris McCann, which was wide of the mark, but the first fifteen minutes was devoid of any goalmouth action until Leeds forced two successive corners which failed to threaten the Burnley goal. But Leeds were slowly beginning to take charge of the game and Ross McCormack tried his luck with a volley from the edge of the box. After thirty minutes Jason Pearce came the closest to scoring when he saw his header from a Stephen Warnock corner cleared off the goal-line by Burnley Captain Jason Shackell and then from the rebound Luke Varney's headed the ball against the crossbar. The visitors created a couple of half-chances just before the half-time break as Ross Wallace drilled the ball just wide of the post with a shot from outside the penalty area and Martin Paterson put his shot into the side-netting from an acute angle. Burnley were forced to make their first change in the final minute of the first half when Danny Lafferty replaced the injured Ben Mee. Leeds started the second half on the front foot and Luke Varney was twice involved. First he made a hash of a good opportunity created by El-Hadji Diouf's right wing cross and then went close once more as from a Ross McCormack free-kick he got in a far post header but Lee Grant pulled off a good save to deny him by tipping the ball over the bar. Burnley made their second change in the fifty-fourth minute when Junior Stanislas came on for Martin Paterson. After sixty-three minutes the deadlock was finally broken when El-Hadji Diouf anticipated Rodolph Austin's forward run and slipped him an inch perfect pass for him to shoot first time and beat the advancing Lee Grant to score from ten yards. Burnley made their final change three minutes later when Danny Ings replaced Ross Wallace. United kept pressing forward and enjoyed the majority of possession but could not improve on their lead with a telling finish. The best that they could do was for Ross McCormack to get in a free-kick which Lee Grant palmed round the post for a corner, which the Burnley defence dealt with safely. With fifteen minutes to go Burnley did pose a threat to the home goal, but Chris McCann's shot from the edge of the penalty area drifted wide. At the other end Ross McCormack went close also as his free-kick curled to hit the outside of the post as United maintained the pressure. With five minutes left of normal time United made their first change as Davide Somma came on for an injured Ross McCormack. There were four minutes added for stoppages and the visitors looked to draw level, but the United defence stood strong, as both Danny Ings and Sam Vokes shot wide, and recorded their second successive home win. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Aidan White, Habib Habibou, Dominic Poleon, and Ryan Hall all remained unused on the home bench as United consolidated eleventh position, six points away from the sixth spot and seven above the drop zone with three games still to play.

For his first away game as Manager of United he took his side to St Andrews to play Birmingham City, for the fourth time this season on 20th April 2013. City were lying thirteenth in the Division, one point and one position behind United and he chose the same starting eleven as had beaten Burnley in midweek. However, on the bench Lee Peltier and Steve Morison were included after injury and Michael Brown returned after suspension which meant that Ryan Hall, Dominic Poleon and Davide Somma were omitted. The game was refereed by Simon Hooper of Swindon and there was a crowd of 17,666. Leeds were playing 4-4-2, with a diamond midfield, with Ross McCormack at the head of the diamond, and El-Hadji Diouf and Luke Varney as the two strikers. It was the home side that had the first shot on goal as Ravel Morrison got in a shot from inside the penalty area which beat Paddy Kenny, but hit the bar, before rebounding back into play. A short while after Leeds responded with Rodolph Austin getting in a shot from distance which Birmingham keeper, Jack Butland, could not hold but Luke Varney's follow up shot was well blocked by the home defence but the Birmingham were soon back on the attack with Shane Ferguson shooting wide from just outside of the penalty area. Both teams were making good use of the ball in the first twenty minutes and a good move by Leeds saw Michael Tonge have a twenty-yard shot tipped over the bar by Jack Butland. Chances were coming thick and fast at both ends and it took a brave block by Jason Pearce to prevent Ravel Morrison from giving the home side the lead just on the half-hour mark. Five minutes later Ravel Morrison was also involved in an attack by the home side and he finished the move with a shot from long-range which passed wide of Paddy Kenny's left-hand post. Hayden Mullins really should have scored when he picked up a rebound from a Paddy Kenny save but could not hit the target from eight yards out. There was some good approach work from Leeds and Ross McCormack found himself with the ball just inside the Birmingham penalty box but though he got in a good shot, Jack Butland was again in form to pull off a good save as half-time approached. The second half carried on in the same vein as the first with both sides creating chances but not being able to capitalize. It was again Ross McCormack who went close, this time his shot clipped the bar as it went over. He was back again and created two chances in as many minutes. The first being blocked by Wade Elliott and the second drifting just wide for a goal-kick to the home side. On the hour mark it was Leeds that went close again, this time Jack Butland fumbled a Ross McCormack cross but Sam Byram could only put the loose ball into the side netting from an acute angle. Both sides made their first changes on the hour mark. Birmingham sent on Chris Burke for Shane Ferguson and Leeds Lee Peltier for Michael Tonge, with Sam Byram pushing up into midfield to accomodate his captain who took the armband. United began to put the pressure on the home side with twenty minutes left to go with Ross McCormack playing a major role. Against the run of play in the seventieth minute it was Birmingham that took the lead. Hayden Mullins scored when he followed up to collect the ball and beat Paddy Kenny from six yards after the keeper could only parry a strong shot from Nathan Redmond. United went straight onto the attack in chase of the equalizer and Rodolph Austin struck with a long-range shot but Jack Butland dived to save one-handed to save the day. United made their second change in the seventy-fourth minute when Steve Morison replaced El-Hadji Diouf and this was followed by their final change nine minutes later when Adam Drury came on for Rodolph Austin. As the game wound down with just five minutes to go it was the home team that came close to doubling their lead but substitute Chris Burke shaved the crossbar. Three minutes of stoppage time was signalled and Ross McCormack moved up to make it a three man strike force up front but it was Luke Varney who was nearly through before being denied by good Birmingham defending. Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, Michael Brown and Habib Habibou remained unused on the Leeds bench as the defeat saw Leeds drop to thirteenth on the ladder eight points behind sixth position and seven above the drop zone with just two games to play.

United faced Brighton & Hove Albion in their final home fixture of the season on 27th April 2013. They would have had an unchanged starting line-up but YEP Player of the Year, Sam Byram, suffered a slight injury in the warm-up and Lee Peltier, who resumed the captaincy, was restored to the starting team and Ryan Hall took the vacant spot on the substitutes' bench. Former Leeds keeper Kasper Ankergren was on the bench for the visitors, Graham Scott of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was the referee and the crowd was 24,904. On the Leeds bench Alex Cairns took over from Jamie Ashdown as deputy goalkeeper and Dominic Poleon replaced Habib Habibou. It was not a good start to the game for United and Brighton were soon on the attack from the kick-off and not half-a-minute later Leonardo Ulloa broke free on the right and crossed for Andrea Orlandi to scramble the ball against Paddy Kenny's post from close range. Brighton took the lead after just ten minutes with a goal from Will Buckley. He received the ball after a weak backpass from United central defender, Tom Lees, left him in space and he took it in his stride before shooting past Paddy Kenny and into the far left corner of the net. Stephen Warnock claimed that the Brighton scorer was in an offside position before Lees' pass reached him, but it fell on deaf ears. It got worse when, just two minutes later United midfielder, Rodolph Austin, was shown a straight red card following an off the ball incident with Ashley Barnes. The Jamaican International had been the subject of a robust challenge from the Brighton man and after he picked himself up he took the law into his own hands by pushing his arm into Barnes' chest. The Brighton man collapsed as if he had been poleaxed, clutching his face and feigning a death rattle, thereby helping the referee come to his decision. This led to a further reshuffle for United and it was not until the half hour mark that Leeds found any fluidity in their game and were able to mount any pressure. Brighton were made to defend for a while and twice forced to clear their lines and United also had two shouts for a penalty rejected by the referee, firstly for handball and then when Luke Varney went down in the box as he and David Lopez went for a high ball. El-Hadji Diouf also had a penaty claim waved away as he was felled by Marcos Painter. Despite the lack of numbers, United were the better team as the half neared its end and Ross McCormack was close with an overhead effort. Brighton had the first shot of the second half when their goalscorer Will Buckley turned well before shooting wide of the mark. He was back to shoot wide once more from a quick break a few minutes later and while Leeds were getting their share of possession, it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous as an attacking force. Just after the hour mark Paddy Kenny was called upon to make a good smothering save after David Lopez had tried his luck with a low strike through a crowd of players. After sixty-two minutes United made their first change with Steve Morison replacing Luke Varney and four minutes later Brighton made their first change sending on Vincente for Will Buckley and just two minutes later they made their second change with Inigo Calderon for the injured Bruno Saltor. Just six minutes later the substitute Spanish defender fouled El-Hadji Diouf in the box, and the referee immediately brandished a red card and pointed to the spot. The Senegal International stepped up and firmly planted the ball in the net from the spot-kick shooting hard and low into the corner of the net to beat Thomasz Kuszczak's dive for the equalizer. Not content with that, the serial offender decided to let the Brighton supporters know what he thought of them and included an obscene gesture to them in his celebrations and the referee let him know this was not allowed and brandished his second red card in a couple of minutes and his third for the game. Leeds made their second change in the eighty-fifth minute when Michael Brown came on for Michael Tonge, but two minutes later Brighton made their numerical superiority count when Leonardo Ulloa headed them into the lead once more from a good cross from Andrea Orlandi. The nine men still pushed forward as the game went into stoppage time and Jason Pearce had a good header tipped over the bar by Thomasz Kuszczak and the keeper also kept out an header from Tom Lees. There were five minutes of stoppage time but neither side could take advantage of the open spaces created by the red cards and with Kasper Ankergren, on the Brighton bench, and Alex Cairns, Adam Drury, Ryan Hall, Aidan White and Dominic Poleon, on the Leeds bench, remaining unused United went down 1-2. This left them in sixteenth position, nine points away from the play-offs and just four points above the relegation zone with one game left to play.

The final game of the season took United to Vicarage Road on 4th May 2013 in a game televised by Sky TV, to play third-placed Watford, who needed a win to give them a chance of going straight into the EPL. They were without the injured Sam Byram and the suspended Rudolph Austin and El-Hadji Diouf, who had both received a three match ban which would mean them both missing the first two games of the 2013-14 season. After Zac Thompson, who had returned from loan with Bury, had initially been picked in midfield, Michael Brown came in, in his place, with Ross McCormack dropping back to the head of the diamond in midfield and Steve Morison joining Luke Varney in the strikers' roles. Adam Drury was brought in at left back in place of Stephen Warnock, who dropped to the bench. On the bench Ross Killock took the vacant place and Simon Lenighan was found a place after Zac Thompson dropped out. The home side too had their late changes with goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who pulled his left hamstring in the warm up, having to be replaced by Jonathan Bond with Jack Bonham coming on to the bench. Graham Salisbury of Lancashire was the referee and there were 1,999 travelling Leeds fans in the crowd of 16,969. There was an early worry for United when Steve Morison had to receive tratment for an elbow to the face from Joe Ekstrand, which culminated with him having to be replaced by Dominic Poleon after only ten minutes. Two minutes later, neat build-up play from Fernando Foresteri and Troy Deeney gave Jonathan Hogg the chance to charge into the area, where he seemed to have been bundled over by Michael Brown. It seemed like the referee had missed it as he waved play on. Watford had the better of the opening exchanges and had started to get on top during the first twenty minutes but the Leeds defence had looked sound and blocked all crosses and goal attempts by the home side. Midway through the f irst-half the home side had to make a change in goal after Jonathan Bond collided with his defender, Ikechi Anya, with Dominic Poleon also involved and after a ten minute hold up the keeper was replaced by Jack Bonham, the Academy goalkeeper who was making his debut, after thirty-three minutes. Dominic Poleon received a yellow card for his part in the incident as he appeared to have pushed Ikechi Anya into the goalkeeper. After the game resumed the first attack from Leeds brought the first goal of the game as Dominic Poleon took advantage of a defensive mixup after Joel Ekstrand's attempted had hit him in the chest and as the defender and keeper collided the Leeds striker smashed the loose ball into the empty net after forty-three minutes for his second goal of the season. It was the first time Leeds had scored in the first half of a League game in over one thousand minutes, since Paul Green had managed the feat at Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day 2012. Nathaniel Chalobah got in a shot from twenty-five yards a minute before the first-half was schediled to end but it was comfortably saved by Paddy Kenny. The first half went for a staggering sixteen minutes of stoppage time. Six minutes into that stoppage time the home side equalized when after some good approach play, Nathaniel Chalobah played a good ball to Ikechi Anya on the wing and he cut inside and played in Almen Abdi, who scored with a superb curling shot from the edge of the penalty box. Marco Cassetti headed an Almen Abdi free-kick just wide in the tenth added minute and Luke Varney put the ball wide of the post a couple of minutes later. It was United that had the first shot of the second half when Ross McCormack was wide with a shot from distance. The home side came to life about the hour mark when goalscorer Almen Abdi almost worked a scoring opportunity but Jason Pearce was alert and blocked his shot. Moments later Leeds responded and Luke Varney found Paul Green with a good pass on the edge of the box but it was Watford's turn to get in a block. The home side received a blow to their promotion prospects when Troy Deeney received his second yellow card of the game after a foul on Michael Brown and got his marching orders. Leeds made their second substitution in the sixty-fourth minute when Aidan White replaced Michael Brown and Watford followed suit sending on Matej Vydra in place of Ikechi Anya. Leeds were looking the side most likely to score and six minutes after coming on Aidan White crossed for Luke Varney to get in a header, but it was well saved by Jack Bonham. With ten minutes left on the clock Paddy Kenny was called into action to make a fine diving save from Matej Vydra, who got in a shot from the edge of the area. Watford made their third and final substitution with eight minutes left on the clock when Mark Yeates replaced Jonathan Hogg. Paddy Kenny twice denied Watford in quick succession with five minutes remaining as he saved from Almen Abdi and Nathaniel Chalobah and Fernando Foresteri sent a shot into the side-netting. In the final minute United made their third change as Ryan Hall replaced Paul Green and as the home side pushed for a winner United were able to build a counter attack and Aidan White found Ross McCormack who performed a delicate chip that totally deceived the young keeper and went over his fingertips and into the net for Leeds to get the winner. Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Ross Killock and Simon Lenighan remained unused on the Leeds bench as United finished thirteenth in the table seven points out of the play-offs and seven point above the drop zone, having once again spoiled a teams celebration on the last day. This was small consolation for the Hornets' 1-6 drubbing inflicted at Elland Road in the reverse fixture. It was the end of a season of further misery for the supporters with few highlights.

2013-2014:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

Once more the Elland Road faithful looked forward with the usual mixture of hope and blind faith as they faced their tenth season since the club's sad demise and ultimate departure from the EPL at the end of the 2003-2004. By now their annual feeling of hope and blind faith was wearing thin and this year was boosted only by the thought that the yoke that had been placed round the club's neck had been lifted by the departure of the club's former owner. However, they were fast becoming aware that they were still being fed the same old stories which were long on promises and short on delivery. Manager Brian McDermott seemed very cautious with his new players in comparison to the previous year when Neil Warnock had tried to replace the whole playing staff! It soon became obvious that the purse strings were pulled tight closed.

Davide Somma, Sanchez Payne, Leigh Bromby and Patrick Kisnorbo had all been released on 3rd May 2013 and centre-forward Matt Smith had joined from Oldham Athletic on a free transfer on 10th June 2013, before Patrick Antelmi was allowed to go to Wigan Athletic on a free transfer on 1st July. Luke Murphy became the first player to warrant a fee as United paid £1 million to Crewe Alexandra as he was signed on a three year contract before McDermott went back to his old club Reading to sign Noel Hunt on a free transfer and a two year contract two days later.

United kicked off their pre-season friendlies on 6th July 2013 with a trip to Farsley AFC at Throstle Nest. Apart from the injured Jamie Ashdown, Sam Byram, El-Hadji Diouf, Chris Dawson, Rodolph Austin and Ryan Hall United gave a run to as many potential first-team players as possible fielding two distinct teams which played in either half. In the first half the team was: Paddy Kenny; Lee Peltier, Ross Killock, Jason Pearce, Danny Pugh; Michael Brown, Paul Green, Michael Tonge, Ross McCormack; Matt Smith, Dominic Poleon. Alex Cairns, Nathan Turner, Luke Parkin, Charlie Taylor, Luke Murphy, Lewis Walters were on the bench. While in the second half, Alex Cairns; Lewis Turner, Tom Lees, Stephen Warnock, Adam Drury; David Norris, Zac Thompson, Simon Lenighan, Aidan White; Luke Varney, Noel Hunt, started with the substitutes being Nathan Turner, Luke Parkin, Charlie Taylor and Lewis Walters, who remained unused and Luke Murphy who replaced Simon Lenighan in the seventy-sixth minute. In the fourth minute Dominic Poleon picked up a through ball from Michael Tonge and easily beat Tom Morgan in the home goal. On the twenty minute mark, however the keeper was alert to deny a header from Matt Smith, who had been put through by Ross McCormack. But two minutes later the United debutant got his first goal for Leeds, after good work from Dominic Poleon, with a close range header and he doubled his tally five minutes later with another header this time from a corner. Michael Brown then hit an upright with a strong shot from thirty yards and Matt Smith almost had his hat-trick on the thirty-six minute mark bit his chip shot bounced back from the crossbar. Noel Hunt only needed five minutes to open his account. After coming on at the start of the second half his header beat the home keeper who made a valiant effort to stop it but it was too well-placed. The fifth goal came twelve minutes later when Aidan White burst into the penalty area and scored with a fine left-footed shot. After that Farsley defended well and almost got a consolation goal when Paddy Miller saw his shot go narrowly wide. Newcomer Luke Murphy was given a chance to show his skills when he played the final quarter of an hour. The crowd was estimated at 2,000 and Brian McDermott would have been pleased with the 5-0 win against mediocre opposition.

The team then embarked on a tour of Slovenia and on 10th July 2013 they faced a Slovenian Select XI. They again picked a team for each half with the starting eleven comprising Paddy Kenny; Lee Peltier, Tom Lees, Danny Pugh, Charlie Taylor; David Norris, Paul Green, Luke Murphy, Aidan White; Matt Smith, Noel Hunt. Luke Murphy, Matt Smith and Noel Hunt, were all included in the starting line-up and Smith, after ten minutes, and Hunt half-an-hour later gave United a two goal lead at the break. It could easily have been more as Hunt had a goal disallowed and Aidan White hit the woodwork. United started the second half with Alex Cairns; Zac Thompson, Ross Killock, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, Adam Drury, Ross McCormack; Luke Varney, Dominic Poleon. They built on their 2-0 half-time lead when Dominic Poleon added a third after sixty-six minutes, while Damjan Grah pulled a goal back for the home side three minutes later, but Leeds cruised to an easy 3-1 victory against a team selected from the the Pomurje region and comprising players from the Third Division. There were 300 Leeds fans in the crowd and they made their presence heard.

Three days later they took on FC Domzale and for the first hour the Leeds team was: Paddy Kenny; Lee Peltier, Tom Lees, Danny Pugh, Stephen Warnock; David Norris, Paul Green, Michael Brown, Adrian White; Noel Hunt, Dominic Poleon. Then there was a complete change for the final thirty minutes when the team was: Alex Cairns; Zac Thompson, Ross Killock, Jason Pearce, Adam Drury; Rodolph Austin, Luke Murphy, Michael Tonge, Ross McCormack; Luke Varney, Matt Smith. United troubled the home side with the pace of Aidan White and Dominic Poleon, with the latter hitting the post. It was he who gave United the lead approaching the half hour mark when he shot home after a twenty-five yard Paul Green effort could only be parried by the home keeper, Ajdin Mulalic. In the fifty-fifth minute a shot rattled the underside of Paddy Kenny's crossbar but with the radical switch of the whole team United's performance deteriorated markedly. The 400 travelling Leeds fans saw a notable lift in the home team's game and Alex Cairns was soon under pressure. He did well to save from Slobodan Vuk but had to concede a corner. It was from that corner that the home team drew level as Slobodan Vuk found himself alone at the far post and accepted the easy header offered to give Alex Cairns no chance in the seventy-ninth minute. The Leeds keeper pushed another shot over the bar but with two minutes left on the clock there was little he could do when a weak effort from Vuk struck Ross Killock's leg and rolled into the net with the Leeds defence helpless.

On 16th July United took on the Hungarian side Ferencvaros in Murska Sobota and with Noel Hunt being unfit, with a groin strain, the Leeds team was: Paddy Kenny; Zac Thompson, Lee Peltier, Jason Pearce, Adam Drury; Rodolph Austin, Michael Tonge, Luke Murphy, Ross McCormack; Luke Varney, Matt Smith. In the sixty-third minute Leeds made eight changes with only Paddy Kenny, Zac Thompson and Luke Varney playing the full game as Tom Lees replaced Lee Peltier, Danny Pugh came on for Jason Pearce and Stephen Warnock replaced Adam Drury in defence, while the full midfield was changed as Paul Green came on for Rodolph Austin, David Norris came on for Michael Tonge, Michael Brown for Luke Murphy and Aidan White for Ross McCormack, and up front Dominic Poleon came on for Matt Smith. The kick off was delayed due to trouble between a three hundred strong Ferencvaros supporters and riot police, but the game was played in a much calmer atmosphere. United should have gone ahead after eight minutes when Luke Varney got up well to create a chance for Matt Smith, who lobbed the ball just over the crossbar. Paddy Kenny showed good form to save a shot from Sandor Hidvegi, and was quickly tested again by Brazilian striker, Somalia, in the eleventh minute. As the half came to an end Ross McCormack's curling free-kick forced a diving save out of goalkeeper Levente Jova and United were denied a penalty after Vladan Cukic brought down Rodolph Austin. In the second half Ross McCormack was close once more but sliced wide from ten yards and then, after five minutes, Luke Murphy's volley was fumbled by the keeper, who saved at the second attempt. However, it came as a surprise and against the run of play when Daniel Bode beat Paddy Kenny with a looping shot eight minutes after the restart. David Norris had a chance to equalise late in the game but ballooned the ball into the grandstand. Aidan White had a shot blocked and a foul on Stephen Warnock went unpunished in the penalty area.

The Under-Twenty-one side kicked off their pre-season games with a visit to Boston United on 20th July 2013. United lined up: Eric Grimes; Lewie Coyle, Charlie Taylor; Simon Lenighan, Ross Killock, Lewis Turner; Nathan Turner, Luke Parkin, Lewis Walters, Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt. Tyler Denton replaced Luke Parkin, Afolabi Coker took over from Lewis Cook and Chris Dawson came on for Alex Mowatt in the sixtieth minute and then Smith Tiesse came on for Lewie Coyle in the seventy-second minute. Eoghan Stokes, Alex Purver and Brad Dixon remained unused on the bench. United started the game strongly with Nathan Turner skimming the crossbar but it was Boston that took the lead after twelve minutes when Marc Newsham, who had just returned from Russia where he had represented Great Britain in the World University Games, latched on to a through ball from Ben Fairclough to beat Eric Grimes, the Leeds keeper with a low shot. United were soon level as nine minutes later Lewis Cook ghosted into the penalty area to beat Ashley Timms in the Boston goal with a looping volley. Soon afterwards Leeds almost took the lead when Lewis Walters outmuscled Scott Garner to beat Timms, only to see his shot rebound from the crossbar. Leeds remained on the attack with Charlie Taylor, Lewis Walters and Luke Parkin all going close and just before the break Alex Mowatt thought he had scored with a curling shot but Ashley Timms acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar. Lewis Walters had his shot deflected by Conor Marshall, but Scott Garner went close and Marc Newsham saw an eighteen yard speculator disappear into the crowd. With just two minutes left on the clock trialist Billy Bennett won the game for the home side when he beat Eric Grimes from fifteen yards.

The Senior squad was back in action on 21st July 2013 when they visited League One side Walsall at their Bescot Stadium. The Leeds line-up was: Paddy Kenny; Lee Peltier, Tom Lees, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Paul Green, Michael Tonge, Luke Murphy, Ross McCormack; Noel Hunt, Matt Smith. The crowd was 3,900 of which 1,707 were from Leeds and the Referee was Oliver Langford (West Midlands). The game started at a good pace with both sides giving no quarter. But it was the home side who struck the first blow when former Leeds Academy player James Baxendale accepted a through ball from Adam Chambers to square the ball to Craig Westcarr, who scored with a tremendous volley while in full flight, after eleven minutes. It was twenty-five minutes into the game before Leeds created their first chance and defender Tom Lees was denied by the home goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell, who pushed his firm header onto the crossbar after he had met Stephen Warnock's well flighted corner. Ross McCormack failed to beat the keeper from close range and Matt Smith had a shot cleared off the line by James Chambers, while at the other end James Baxendale wasted a good chance when he curled his shot wide of the post after thirty-five minutes. Dominic Poleon soon made his presence felt at the beginning of the second half, after replacing Matt Smith after the break, but should have done better than hit the goalkeepers chest just three minutes after coming on and Noel Hunt let the home side off the hook when he headed wide from ten yards. O'Donnell again frustrated Leeds as he parried away a goalbound shot from Michael Tonge but Walsall too had their frustrations with Ashley Hemmings failing to make a connection after James Baxendale had served him a ball which left him with only Paddy Kenny to beat after sixty-three minutes and when James McQuilken set up Ben Pukiss he volleyed over an open goal. United made two further changes with Luke Varney coming on for Noel Hunt after seventy-three minutes and Danny Pugh replacing Jason Pearce after eighty minutes. Aidan White had a chance to equalise in the final stages but sent a spectacular volley into the crowd. The Unused Leeds Substitutes were: Alex Cairns, Michael Brown, David Norris, Zac Thompson, Adam Drury.

Two days later the team had a chance to redeem themselves when they visited League Two side Stevenage FC. Leeds lined up: Paddy Kenny; Zac Thompson, Tom Lees, Danny Pugh, Adam Drury; Paul Green, Michael Brown, David Norris, Aidan White; Luke Varney, Dominic Poleon. The Referee was Mick Russell (Hertfordshire) and the crowd 2,751. Neither side could get on top in the early exchanges as defences dominated and both sides gave little away. It was fifteen minutes into the game before the home side created the first opening of the game, but as quickly as Luke Freeman created it, Tom Lees closed it with a decisive block and five minutes later the same player was on hand to make a perfect challenge as Oumare Tounkara threatened. It took twenty-two minutes before Paddy Kenny was called into action to make a fine save to deny Jon Ashton. There were thirty minutes on the clock before United threatened when Dominic Poleon played in Paul Green but he was too high for the target. Soon afterwards Aidan White went on a twenty yard dribble, in which he beat three men, but Dominic Poleon could not get to his cross. In the last play of the first half Michael Brown forced Chris Day to make a great save to keep out his free-kick. United started the second half brightly and more good work from Aidan White saw David Norris shoot narrowly over. United were now starting to get on top and, after ten minutes of the second half, a Zac Thompson through ball found Dominic Poleon, but his shot was saved. More United pressure saw Luke Varney head narrowly wide. The introduction of Rodolph Austin and Ross McCormack in place of Paul Green and David Norris in the fifty-ninth minute sparked United into life even more. Good play by Zac Thompson saw Rodolph Austin continue the move and cross the ball for Luke Varney to gave United the lead with a header in the seventy-first minute. He doubled his tally five minutes later when he was put through and calmly slotted the ball past Day for United's second. He completed a nine minute hat-trick when he scored from the penalty spot after he had been brought down in the box in the eightieth minute. He left to a standing ovation when he was replaced by Noel Hunt in the eighty-first minute. Luke Murphy replaced Ross McCormack in the eighty-second minute, when he went off after taking a knock. Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Lee Peltier, Michael Tonge and Simon Lenighan remained on the bench as unused substitutes.

On 25th July 2013 the Under-Twenty-one side had a convincing 9-0 win over West Yorkshire League side Shelley FC at their Storthes Hall Park home on the outskirts of Huddersfield. Alex Mowatt helped himself to five goals, Lewis Walters bagged a brace and Chris Dawson and Luke Parkin completed the scoring.

The first team squad returned to action with a home friendly against German Bundesliga side FC Nurnberg on 27th July 2013. United lined up: Paddy Kenny; Lee Peltier, Tom Lees, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Paul Green, Luke Murphy, Ross McCormack, Aidan White; Luke Varney, Dominic Poleon. Referee Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear) started the game in front of a crowd 9,455. Both teams were off to a fast start, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the third minute as Daniel Ginczek turned a free-kick from Hiroshi Kiyotake into the goal and despite Luke Varney appearing to have saved the day by kicking off the line, the referee declared it to be a goal after consulting a linesman. United went on the attack and forced two quick corners, but they came to nothing and the visitors were soon back on top and Paul Green thwarted Daniel Ginczek. After thirty minutes a cushioned header by Luke Varney provided a first real chance for Ross McCormack but his shot went wide. United came back into the game as the half was coming to an end and good build up play by Luke Murphy and Luke Varney gave Ross McCormack the chance to cross to the far post, but it was too high for Paul Green to connect. Just on half time a defensive mix up in the United defence let in Daniel Ginczek but his shot sailed well over the bar. Leeds started the second half well but it was the visitors that created the first opening of the half in the fiftieth minute but Paddy Kenny made a fine save from Markus Feulner. Five minutes later United made their reply and Ross McCormack made Raphael Schafer pull off a great one-handed save at full stretch. After that play became more fiery with several aggressive challenges and off the ball confrontations and it looked like the Referee was loosing his grip on the game but in between the hacking Daniel Ginczek hit the post and Lee Peltier had a header kicked off the visitor's goal-line. Leeds sent on Adam Drury for Stephen Warnock, Michael Tonge for Paul Green and Noel Hunt for Luke Varney in the sixty-third minute. Nurnberg replaced Horacio Javier Pinola with Marvin Plattenhardt a minute later and then sent on Josip Drmic for Hiroshi Kiyotake five minutes later. The dangerous Daniel Ginczek sealed the win for the visitors when he headed home from point-blank range from Berkay Dabanli's accurate corner. On seventy-five minutes Matt Smith replaced Dominic Poleon and Timo Gebhart was replaced by Mike Frantz for Nurnberg. The visitors replaced Markus Feulner by Niklas Stark in the eighty-first minute and four minutes later Robert Mak gave way to Alexander Esswein. With less than ten minutes left on the clock there was another mix-up in the Leeds defence which almost gave Nurnberg a third goal but Niklas Stark's poor effort went just wide and in the dying minutes Timothy Chandler fired in a shot which Paddy Kenny pushed round the post to keep the final margin down to two. Alex Cairns, Danny Pugh, Michael Brown, David Norris, Zac Thompson, Ryan Hall and Simon Lenighan remained unused on the United bench.

Although Rodolph Austin was no available for the first team due to suspension for the first two games, he was included in the mostly reserve and Academy team that went across to Dublin to take on Shelbourne on 29th July 2013 which also included newcomers, Noel Hunt and Matt Smith. United lined up: Alex Cairns; Zac Thompson, Adam Drury, Ross Killock, Charlie Taylor; Chris Dawson, Rodolph Austin, Ryan Hall, Alex Mowatt; Noel Hunt, Matt Smith. Referee Paul Tuite of Dublin got the game in motion in front of a crowd of 2,177, and Captain Rodolph Austin was outstanding in the middle of the park both in constructive attacking and breaking up the Irish attack as a defender. Zac Thompson sent over several fine crosses which Matt Smith appreciated and Alex Mowatt and Chris Dawson showed much promise in midfield. A fine through ball by Rodolph Austin saw Noel Hunt open the scoring with a great finish after a quarter of an hour. Ryan Hall showed good form scoring the second goal in the twenty-eighth minute and in scoring the final goal eleven minutes from the end. Ross Killock got the third goal just before the hour mark with a fine header from a well-placed corner. It was at that point that Lewis Walters replaced Noel Hunt and ten minutes later Lewie Coyle took over from Chris Dawson. Matt Smith could consider himself unlucky for not being able to get his name on the scoresheet and both Zac Thompson and Chris Dawson went close in the second half. Eric Grimes, Lewis Cook and Luke Parkin remained on the United bench as unused substitutes as United ran out 4-0 winners with two goals in each half.

The Under-twenty-one squad took on Nortern Premier League Division One North side Ossett Town at the Ingfield Ground on 2nd August 2013 and lined up: Eric Grimes; Lewie Coyle, Charlie Taylor; Simon Lenighan, Ross Killock, Tyler Denton; Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt, Ryan Hall; Luke Parkin, Lewis Walters. The impressive Alex Mowatt gave Leeds the lead after a quarter of an hour and Lewis Cook came close to doubling the lead soon afterwards but his shot struck a post. However, Leeds found themselves in arrears by the break and it took a penalty from Ryan Hall to equalise midway through the second half. It came after Luke Parkin had been brought down in the box. The Leeds sustitutes were: Dan Atkinson, Afolabi Coker, a Trialist and Alex Purver.

The final pre-season game took place on 13th August 2013, when the Leeds United Under-twenty-one side travelled to Colwyn Bay and started with: Alex Cairns; Lewie Coyle, Tyler Denton; Simon Lenighan, Ross Killock, Charlie Taylor; Alex Mowatt, Luke Parkin, Lewis Walters, Lewis Cook, Kalvin Phillips. Their substitutes were: Dan Atkinson, Smith Tiesse, Eoghan Stokes, Alex Purver and Luke Booker. The Referee was Martin Trigg (Rhyl). Pascal Chimbonda was able to play but Ade Akinbiyi was still not fit enough from his hamstring injury to be risked by Colwyn Bay, but Rob Hopley was on the bench for the first time and Mike Lea captained the side. An early Bay corner was cleared. Then, after a nice build up, Steve Connor sliced his shot wide from the edge of the area. Josh Ollerenshaw made a fine save to tip a diving header by Luke Parkin over the bar for Leeds' first corner, which was cleared. Tyler Denton's long range shot fizzed just over the Bay bar as Leeds started to settle into their game, but the Bay continued to cope well. Ross Killock went close for Leeds, when he headed against a post from a free kick and Parkin's follow up shot was brilliantly blocked by Tom Smyth, who threw his body in the way to deflect the ball over the bar. Colwyn Bay created a half chance for Gaz Evans, but he fired into the sidenetting from a narrow angle. Danny Taylor made a good interception but conceded another corner which was cleared. Colwyn Bay went on the attack and from Jamie Ellison's lay off, Paul Ennis rifled a shot just over the bar. Half-time came with the score Colwyn Bay 0 Leeds United 0. The Bay had done well with Pascal Chimbonda at the back and Paul Ennis playing more of a central role rather than an outright winger. There was another let off for the home team from a corner as Ross Killock headed narrowly wide from two yards out. Colwyn Bay came back and Jamie Matthews worked an opening for himself, but his shot was half blocked and the keeper easily gathered. Alex Mowatt next shot straight at Josh Ollerenshaw. Another couple of Leeds efforts were high over the bar. Rob Hopley was winning some good balls in the air and looked sharp. Clever play by him sent Jamie Matthews on a run into the area, but his shot was well blocked by the keeper. At the other end Lewis Walters tried a shot on the turn but it was straight into Josh Ollerenshaw's waiting arms. It had developed into a good end to end game now. A strong run by Rob Hopley ended with a shot from twenty-five yards that went just wide. Chris Sanna made a flying save, tipping a fierce shot from Luke Parkin over the bar. Ross Killock headed wide from the ensuing corner. Colwyn Bay took the lead after seventy-eight minutes, when a great cross by Jamie Matthews saw Leeds defender Lewie Coyle turn the ball into his own net under pressure from Cameron Darkwah. Paul Ennis then fired just wide after strong run by Cameron Darkwah. The Seagulls had played some really good football at times and Cameron Darkwah was unlucky as one inter-passing move saw the ball bounce up and hit his hand as he broke clear. With a minute of normal time left Alex Mowatt brought the scores level when he scored with a sweetly struck free kick past the diving Chris Sanna.

The season opened on 3rd August 2013 with a home game against Brighton and Hove Albion in front of a packed Elland Road with a crowd of 33,432 and James Adcock of Nottingham as the referee. Neither Rodolph Austin nor El-Hadji Diouf were available for selection due to suspension, but Brian McDermott took the opportunity to give debuts to two of his new signings, Noel Hunt and Luke Murphy, and found a place on the bench for Matt Smith. Lee Peltier retained the Captain's armband in Austin's absence as they lined up: Paddy Kenny; Lee Peltier, Tom Lees, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Paul Green, Luke Murphy, Michael Tonge, Ross McCormack; Noel Hunt, Luke Varney. Substitutes: Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Aidan White, Michael Brown, Dominic Poleon and Matt Smith.The crowd was very vocal in favour of the home team and this spurred them on in the early stages, but it was Paddy Kenny who was the first of the two goalkeeper to be called into the action after five minutes as Andrea Orlandi found the space to get in a drive from twenty yards, which the United keeper saved with confidence. United soon returned to the attack and both Ross McCormack and Luke Murphy saw goal efforts blocked. United had appeared the better side in the opening exchanges but it was Brighton that took the lead after thirteen minutes. Brighton full-back, Bruno Salter, was heavily involved in the build-up and after a good run he found Leonardo Ulloa in the United box and the striker held off a challenge from Tom Lees to beat Paddy Kenny and give the visitors the advantage. Their lead only lasted five minutes as Michael Tonge did good work on the flank before his cross, which was headed on by Luke Murphy found Ross McCormack free in the penalty area. The Scots striker showed great composure, first making space for himself before firing unerringly into the net for United's first goal of the new season. United sought to take advantage of their dominance and Luke Murphy almost got a second when his shot from beyond the penalty area skimmed the crossbar. He quickly followed this up with another long range shot from a well-worked corner, which was narrowly over the bar. Good work from Luke Varney made a chance for Noel Hunt but the debutant saw his shot saved by Tomasz Kuszcak, after thirty-five minutes. Paul Green, Noel Hunt and Ross McCormack all combined to make an opening for Luke Varney, but the forward was thwarted by good defending in the final attack of the half. United were soon on the front foot at the start of the second half and both Lee Peltier and Stephen Warnock created chances that brought goal scoring opportunities. Ten minutes into the second half United broke with Luke Murphy leading a counter attack and the new White fed Luke Varney whose shot went narrowly wide. Brighton made their first change after fifty-seven minutes when Kemy Agustien replaced David Lopez in midfield. Paddy Kenny was forced into action on the one hour mark and pulled off a great double save to prevent first Andrew Croft and then Inigo Calderon from scoring. The visitors made their second change after sixty-three minutes when Will Buckley came on for Ashley Barnes on the left flank and McDermott made his first change as he replaced Noel Hunt with Dominic Poleon four minutes later. The Leeds substitute was soon in the action and nearly gave United the lead when he showed good control and inventiveness inside the box but his shot was marginally wide of the target. Minutes later he was given another chance but he could not connect with a cross from Ross McCormack. Leeds made their second change when Adam Drury replaced Stephen Warnock at left back after eighty minutes. With eight minutes left on the clock both sides made their final changes as Matt Smith was given his debut in place of Luke Varney, while Kazenga Lua Lua replaced Andrea Orlandi. United continued to dominate and with only minutes left they were again close. This time Dominic Poleon found space but his shot was parried by the Brighton keeper. Paul Green seized the loose ball but could not hit the target and the ball flew over the bar. As the game came to its conclusion the action became increasingly frantic and Paddy Kenny was called upon to pull off the best save of the afternoon when he saved from Will Buckley at point blank range. The injury time was coming to a close when new-boy Luke Murphy scored the winner for Leeds after four minutes had elapsed, when he broke from midfield and took control of a bouncing ball in the Brighton penalty area. He remained cool, calm and collected as he rifled in a shot which went into the net off the inside of the post to go towards justifying his £1 million price tag. The referee James Adcock refused Brighton's claims that he had used his hand to control the downward header from Matt Smith which had put him in the clear. Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, Michael Brown and David Norris remained unused on the Leeds bench, as did former United custodian Casper Ankergren on the visitors' bench. United sat joint third on the ladder at the end of the day, a position they never bettered for the rest of the season! However, at the time with Sam Byram, El Hadji Diouf and captain Rodolph Austin due to strengthen the team all in the garden was rosey, even though a fine performance by Paddy Kenny had been a major part of the first game victory.

United had home advantage once more for the second game of the new campaign as they entertained League Two side, Chesterfield in the First Round of the Capital One Cup, the latest name for the League Cup. As is usual in such fixtures, United took the opportunity to give games to fringe players and there was a start for new-boy Matt Smith, Zac Thompson, Adam Drury, Aidan White, Michael Brown, David Norris and Dominic Poleon in place of Luke Varney, Lee Peltier, Stephen Warnock, Ross McCormack, Luke Murphy, Michael Tonge and Noel Hunt, while the bench comprised Jamie Ashdown, former Under-eighteen captain, Alex Mowatt, Ryan Hall, Luke Murphy, Ross McCormack, Noel Hunt and Luke Varney. Carl Boyeson of Hull was the referee and the ceowd was 17,466. In the abscence of Rodolph Austin and Lee Peltier, Paul Green assumed the role of Captain. United were quickly into top gear and created the first chance of the game in the first minutre when Matt Smith held the ball up well and then played in Dominic Poleon but his shot was close but wide of the goal. However United continued to dominate and the two strikers remained dangerous. Adam Drury worked Dominic Poleon into space on the left flank but the Chesterfield defence blocked his progress. Depite United's obvious superiority, it was Chesterfield that took the lead in the seventeenth minute. The visitors right-back, Drew Talbot created space on the flank and Eion Doyle headed his cross into the net. United made a quick reponse with Dominic Poleon again prominent, but once more his cross was smothered by the visitors' defence. While Leeds were looking to attack, it was Chesterfield that created the next chance as Jimmy Ryan tested Paddy Kenny from distance but the home keeper was equal to the task. In the twenty-eight minute United drew level, after Adam Drury and Aidan White had figured in the build up, Michael Brown found himself with an opening two yards outside the penalty box and he unleashed a superb shot that gave the Chesterfield keeper, Tommy Lee, no chance. Three minutes later United deservedly took the lead through the ever dangerous Dominic Poleon. The striker had Matt Smith in support as he broke through the Chesterfield defence, but used him as a decoy as he dispatched the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Five minutes before the interval the visitors went close to equalising after their midfielder, Tendayi Darikwa, outpaced Jason Pearce and then rounded Paddy Kenny but Jason Pearce had recovered well and cleared his shot off the line. Leeds continued to press and just before the half-time whistle Michael Brown advanced but his final pass was again smothered by the Spireites defence. It was the visitors who started the second half on the offensive and won a free-kick just outside the Leeds penalty area but Michael Brown blocked the ensuing shot by Jimmy Ryan. Paddy Kenny was called into action after ten minutes of the second half, but was once more equal to the task. On the hour mark United shuffled their pack as Ross McCormack replaced Aidan White and Luke Murphy came on for David Norris. It was Ross McCormack that created United's next threat on goal when he crossed for Matt Smith to head just over the bar and moments later. The striker linked with Matt Smith a few moments later but Tommy Lee made a blocking save. Chesterfield made three substitutions, Jay O'Shea replacing Tendayi Darikwa in midfield after sixty-four minutes, Striker Armand Gnanduillet for Eoin Doyle, three minutes later and Marc Richards for Ritchie Humphreys ten minutes after that. Fifteen minutes from time Luke Murphy forced Tommy Lee to save his long range shot and moments later a Ross McCormack through ball played in Dominic Poleon but the Chesterfield keeper also denied him. It was Poleon that featured in United's next attack but though Matt Smith connected with his cross, the referee was of the opinion that he had fouled a defender in the process. In the final minutes of normal time the Spireites began to get on top and after some intricate combinations the visitors' Drew Talbot got in a shot which Paddy Kenny saved. Five minutes of stoppage time were added and at the beginning of that extra time Jimmy Ryan got in a shot from long range which again Paddy Kenny saved. In the final minute Nathan Smith found himself in space in the United area but the defender's shot hit a post and rebounded to safety as United again had Paddy Kenny to thank for their victory, which in this case saw them progress to the Second Round of the Capital One Cup. Jamie Ashdown, Alex Mowatt, Ryan Hall, Noel Hunt and Luke Varney remained unused on the United bench.

For their first away game of the campaign United had to travel to Leicester City on Sunday, 11th August 2013 to play what was going to be one of their hardest games of the season against one of the favourites for promotion. United welcomed back skipper Rodolph Austin and apart from him replacing Michael Tonge in the starting line-up the team was the same as for their opening fixture with Brighton. It was: Paddy Kenny; Lee Peltier, Tom Lees, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Paul Green, Luke Murphy, Rodolph Austin, Ross McCormack; Noel Hunt, Luke Varney. The substitutes were: Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, Aidan White, Dominic Poleon, Matt Smith. Former Leeds keeper Kasper Schmeichel was in the Leicester goal in front of a crowd of 22,725, of which 2,851 had travelled to support Leeds. Keith Stroud of Gillingham, Dorset, was the Referee. United surprisingly went straight on the attack and were the better of the two sides in the opening ten minutes. In a period of play where Rodolph Austin showed he was on song, the Jamaican firstly had a shot charged down and then carved out an opening in the sixth minute that left Noel Hunt in plenty of room on the wing and his cross found Jason Pearce who, despite pressure from Wes Morgan, got in a header which flew over the crossbar, but it was a bad miss from only six yards. The former Portsmouth centre-half also was struggling against the pace of Jamie Vardy and was booked for manhandling him but he quickly redeemed himself by making a good tackle to stop the progress of David Nugent. However, the initial pressure by United had to wane and when it did the home side settled and before long were in the ascendency by without much threat to Paddy Kenny's goal. The closest they came was a shot from distance which was easily blocked by the United defence. As the half hour came and went there was little to separate the two teams and it settled into an even contest which was played out mainly in the midfield. Just before half-time it was Leeds that pressed for an opening goal, gaining two corners in quick succession and from one of those corners Luke Varney got up well to head just wide of the goal. Five minutes after the interval the home side created their first chance of the game. A long throw in by Liam Moore found the head of Wes Morgan but he was narrowly over the target. There was still nothing between the two sides as the hour mark approached and both sides went to the bench to try and break the deadlock. After fifty-seven minutes Leicester brought on veteran winger Lloyd Dyer for right right sided defender Ritchie De Laet as Leicester switched formation from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2, and five minutes later replaced Matty James by Anthony Knockeart in midfield, while in the sixty-fifth minute Dominic Poleon came on for Noel Hunt in the striking role. Earlier in the half Jamie Vardy had seen a header deflected over the bar but in the sixty-sixth minute a Liam Moore pass from the left found Danny Drinkwater and though well-placed he hit the ball high and wide of the target when it should have been easier to score. Dominic Poleon's infusion almost instantly paid dividends as he was soon on the ball in the penalty area but was crowded out by Wes Morgan and the home defence, who stopped him from getting his cross in. Undeterred Poleon was soon back and Ross McCormack seemed to have given him a route to goal but a last-ditch tackle by Liam Moore prevented him from getting a shot in. He was also unlucky not to win a penalty when he was held back by the shirt by Zak Whitbread, but as he refused to go to ground the referee was not aware of the foul. With seventy-five minutes gone striker Jamie Vardy twice forced Paddy Kenny to save before he became Leicester's third substitution as he made way for Chris Wood. Two minutes later United sent on Matt Smith for Luke Varney, however, it was the latest Leicester substitute that finally beat the Leeds keeper but his low shot hit the left-hand post with ten minutes left on the clock. In the last minute Leeds made their third change as Michael Tonge replaced Paul Green. As four minutes of stoppage time was announced Stephen Warnock floated over a cross from the left and the towering Matt Smith got in a fine header but unfortunately for Leeds even though it beat a desperate grab by their former keeper it went into the side-netting and prevented Leeds from gaining full points. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Michael Brown and Aidan White remained the unused Leeds substitutes as United stood eighth on the ladder and undefeated after two games.

Dominic Poleon was rewarded for his efforts in Sunday's draw at Leicester by being included in the starting eleven, with Noel Hunt dropping to the bench, where he was joined by El-Hadji Diouf who was now free of suspension and injury, as Aidan White was omitted from the squad for the Yorkshire derby with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, 17th August 2013. Former United favourite David Prutton was in the Sheffield starting eleven. There was a 12.15 kick-off for the game that was telecast live on Sky, which may have restricted the attendance, which was a disappointing 23,766 with barely 1,062 there to support the visitors and Roger East of Salisbury, Wiltshire was the Referee. The Leeds fans were at their usual vocal best as the game soon developed into a typical local derby with heavy challanges coming all over the pitch. Luke Murphy got in the first shot of note from a free-kick to the left of the penalty area which the Sheffield keeper, Chris Kirkland, was happy to palm round the post. Dominic Poleon's pace was troubling the visitors' defence as United started to get on top, but it was Tom Lees, with a downward header, that next forced a save from the Wedneday keeper. But it was not all Leeds and in the twenty-sixth minute David Prutton released Liam Palmer for the visitors first shot on goal, but his angled drive flew harmlessly across the face of the goal. Then Athde Nuhui got up well to head a Chris McGuire corner goalwards, but Paddy Kenny saved without too many problems. Half-an-hour had elapsed before Leeds threatened the Wednesday goal with any real danger. Ross McCormack was put in possesion just outside the penalty area and beat his man to create a space for his shot, which brought a fine save from Chris Kirkland in the Wednesday goal, as he tipped the deft chip over the bar. It was Wednesday that took the lead after thirty-six minutes, after Michail Antonio had headed a deep Jeremy Helan corner towards the Leeds goal for Kamil Zayette to send in another header which looped over the diving Paddy Kenny. The visitors started to look the more threatening in front of goal as they almost doubled their lead, again with a header from a corner, this time from Chris McGuire, but Michail Antonio's effort was wide of the target. Brian McDermott brought on Michael Tonge for the injured Paul Green for the start of the second half. Ross McCormack created the first chance of the second stanza when he set up Luke Murphy, but the midfielder was over the bar with his shot. However, it was the Scotsman who scored the solo goal that levelled the scores after fifty-six minutes. He picked up the ball just inside his own half before beating Kamil Zayette for skill and pace to take him beyond the Wednesday defence to beat the advancing Chris Kirkland with a fine shot under his dive. United then applied the pressure and were rewarded with two corners in quick succession. Wednesday's answer to the pressure was to call for re-enforcements as Reda Johnson replaced Chris McGuire, after sixty five minutes, and the substitute announced his presence with a teasing ball into the middle but Jason Pearce rose well with a fine defensive header to stop any chance of the beanpole Atdhe Nihiu threatening. Jacques Maghoma came on for Atdhe Nuhiu in the sixty-ninth minute, while United's response was to bring on Matt Smith for Luke Varney after seventy-two minutes. As the game reached the final quarter of an hour Michail Antonio forced Paddy Kenny to make a great save with a stinging low shot from distance, while at the other end fine work by Dominic Poleon and Michael Tonge carved an opening for Ross McCormack but his shot was deflected wide. It was Michael Tonge who was next to threaten by his shot was charged down and Chris Kirkland was able to clear. However, the visitors still threatened, and with eight minutes to go, Jacques Maghoma's close range shot was charged down and kicked to safety by the home defence. With five minutes on the clock, United made their final substitution when El-Hadji Diouf came on for Dominic Poleon. Soon after that Luke Murphy tried his luck from distance but Chris Kirkland saved proficiently. There were five minutes added for stoppages and in the second of those United won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, but Ross McCormack's kick was stopped by the Wednesday wall. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Michael Brown and Noel Hunt remained unused on the United bench as United remained undefeated but slipped to ninth on he ladder.

United travelled to Ipswich on 24th August 2013 for their fourth League encounter of the new season with Noel Hunt restored to the striker's role instead of Dominic Poleon who replaced him on the bench, where new signing from Manchester United, Scott Wootton, who was picked ahead of Michael Brown, took his place. A crowd of 18,322 which included at least 1,675 Leeds supporters saw the game kick-off with Mike Dean (Heswall, Wirral) as the Referee. United were looking for their first victory since 2001 at Portman Road, on a ground which has rarely been a happy hunting ground for them. It looked like they were in for a continuation of their recent results there when Aaron Cresswell fired in a low cross and, after David NcGoldrick had mis-hit his shot, Jay Tabb put the ball in the net from close range after seven minutes, but they were relieved when the referee adjudged him offside. Their good luck did not last long as four minutes later David McGoldrick was allowed all the time he needed to control the ball leave Tom Lees on his backside and then shoot with clinical accuracy into the net off the inside of the post. The home side certainly had the better of the opening exchanges and this continued and only a wayward pass from David McGoldrick stopped him from setting up Darryl Murphy for a second goal and then Aaron Cresswell hit the woodwork from twenty yards before Jay Tabb fired the rebound into the side-netting. The home side continued to press and Tom Lees had to head a corner from Carlos Edwards over his own bar in defence of the Leeds goal. United's time as an attacking force had been limited, but as the half hour mark approached Luke Varney equalised. He found himself alone and well-placed from a kind deflection off Scott Chambers and he capitalised on his good fortune to hammer the ball past former Leeds loanee Scott Loach into the Ipswich Town goal, after twenty-eight minutes. The goal, which was against the run of play, not only levelled the scores but proved an imputus to Leeds and the rest of the half was a more even contest although it produced no further goals. The second half was only three minutes old when Ross McCormack gave Leeds the lead with the first attack of the half. The Scottish international took advantage of some good combinations by the Leeds midfield and let fly from just outside the Ipswich penalty box and, thanks to a slight deflection off midfielder Cole Skuse, the low shot beat Scott Loach in the home goal from twenty yards. As with the first Leeds goal it changed the tone of the game and it was Leeds that gained the upper hand for the first time. While they still were occasionally called upon to defend, they generally assumed command and controlled the rest of the match. Ipswich brought on Paul Anderson and Ryan Tunnicliffe for Carlos Edwards and Jay Tabb after sixty-five minutes and then as Leeds brought on Dominic Poleon for Luke Varney, ten minutes later, they replaced Darryl Murphy with Frank Nouble. Noel Hunt was in action at both ends in quick succession when after a Luke Hyam corner, he blocked a Luke Chambers' header on the line with his chest and at the other end he fired in a shot which Scott Loach did well to keep out with eleven minutes left on the clock. It proved to be his last action in the game as he was withdrawn in favour of Michael Tonge with five minutes left. Ipswich did threaten with around ten minutes remaining as Luke Hyam fired into the side netting and then Cole Skuse had a shot that defected off Tom Lees for a corner and Tommy Smith headed the resultant corner over the bar. Dominic Poleon always threatened danger, but the Leeds defence also looked sound and was rarely troubled as they eased towards their first away win of the season and remained unbeaten. Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Scott Wootton, El-Hadji Diouf amd Matt Smith remained unused on the Leeds bench as United went to fifth on the ladder at the end of the day, two points behind leaders Blackpool.

United had to travel to the Keepmoat Stadium to fulfill their Second Road Capital One Cup encounter with Doncaster Rovers on the following Tuesday night of 27th August 2013. There were the usual number of changes for League Matches as the fringe players were given their chance. There was a start for new signing Scott Wootton as well as Academy graduate Alex Mowatt who took the places of Tom Lees and the injured Paul Green. Adam Drury took over from Stephen Warnock at left back, while Michael Tonge took over from Luke Murphy, who dropped to the bench. In the striking positions Matt Smith and Dominic Poleon took over from Luke Varney and Noel Hunt. Alongside Luke Murphy on the bench were Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, Ryan Hall, El-Hadji Diouf and Noel Hunt. Ex-Leeds striker Billy Paynter was on the Doncaster bench, but another, Paul Keegan missed the game due to suspension, as the game kicked off in front of a crowd of 10,890 of which 3,770 were travelling Leeds supporters. Scott Mathieson of Stockport, Cheshire was the Referee. Scott Wootton was immediately into the action and proved his worth by clearing off the goal-line in the first minute as the home side started with all guns blazing and Chris Brown soon went close with a shot from the edge of the area that went over the bar. Five minutes later Richie Wellens fired low through a crowded area but Paddy Kenny saved well. It was all Doncaster for the first ten minutes before United Alex Mowatt broke from midfield to create a chance for Ross McCormack to get in a shot from thirty yards, but it sailed over the crossbar. A minute later United were back on the attack with Michael Tonge sending in a cross which Matt Smith headed goalwards but straight at Ross Turnbull, the Doncaster keeper. Ross McCormack seemed to figure in most Leeds attacking movements and could have given them the lead after fifteen minutes when he picked up a loose ball in the home penalty area, after Ross Turnbull had punched away from the heads of a group of Leeds players, but once more his shot was much too high. Alex Mowatt was getting involved from midfield and he found Matt Smith with a through ball into the Doncaster penalty area but the striker failed to take advantage. Both sides created good headed chances close to the half-hour mark. First United's chance came when again Alex Mowatt made a fine crossfield pass that found Matt Smith at the far post, but his header did not have enough venom to beat Ross Turnbull, who saved with ease. Then at the other end James Husband crossed for James Coppinger to get in a good header, but it was well saved by Paddy Kenny as he was forced to dive low at full stretch to his left. AS the game reached within ten minutes of the half time break, Leeds looked to be getting on top but it looked as if the threat from a corner had subsided until Dominic Poleon got in a cross from the left which was met with a header by Matt Smith that Doncaster could only clear as far as Lee Peltier, who shot wide from twenty yards. The deadlock was broken after forty-one minutes and the impressive Alex Mowatt was at the centre of the move when he supplied the cross into the penalty area for Matt Smith to head across the goal for debutant Scott Wootton to head home. United were now on top and there was still time for Dominic Poleon to get in a shot that went wide before the end of the first half. After Doncaster had made their first substitution with Mark Duffy replacing the injured James Coppinger, the second half continued the same as the first when after just five minutes after the break Ross McCormack again broke through on the right hand side of the Doncaster penalty area but Ross Turnbull got his angles right to save the low shot. As the clock ticked towards the one hour mark good play by Dominic Poleon created a chance but he was forced wide and his shot was deflected into the side netting. From the resulting corner Matt Smith got up well but his headed effort was over the bar. Ex-United striker, Billy Paynter, took to the field in place of Theo Robinson after sixty minutes and within three minutes he had got the equaliser. David Cotterill crossed from the left and the striker scored with a glancing header into the corner of the net. United responded well to the Doncaster equaliser and within five minutes Matt Smith almost restored their lead when he controlled the ball well in the Doncaster area to turn and shoot but Ross Turnbull was equal to the task and made a good save. Alex Mowatt, who had given a tremendous debut display, was replaced by Luke Murphy after seventy-four minutes. Just three minutes later Matt Smith gained his reward for persistency when he finally got the goal he deserved when he headed a cross from Lee Peltier past Ross Turnbull, the Doncaster keeper who had previously thwarted him on several occasions. Three minutes later Leeds put the game beyond doubt when Dominic Poleon was brought down in the box after he had beaten two defenders for speed. Ross McCormack made mistake from the spot to make the score 3-1. Doncaster made their third substitution in the eighty-fourth minute when Harry Forrester came on for Dean Furman. Rodolph Austin fired in a shot from distance but that was the final action in the game and United progressed to the Third Round as Jamie Ashdown, Aidan White, Michael Brown, Ryan Hall, El-Hadji Diouf and Noel Hunt remained unused on the United bench and United stood sixth on the Championship ladder after all teams had played four games.

United were back at Elland Road on 31st August 2013 to face high flyers Queens Park Rangers who were in fourth position but on ten points, the same as leaders Nottingham Forest and Blackpool and Leicester City. They reverted to almost the same starting eleven that had won at Ipswich the previous game, with Scott Wootton, who had impressed on debut in the League Cup at Doncaster and was now to make his starting League debut after being preferred to Tom Lees in central defence, who dropped to the bench, which was otherwise unchanged. The crowd was again a little disappointing at 23,341 but a meagre 673 had been brought by the visitors. Stuart Attwell of Nuneaton, Warwickshire was the Referee. Both teams were so far unbeaten in their four game League campaign, but Rangers had been beaten 0-2 at home in midweek by Swindon Town in the League Cup. There was a 12-15pm kick-off but it did not take long for the home side to create the first chance of the game. Ross McCormack, who had signed a new four-year contract with the club on the Friday, played in Paul Green but the midfielder's shot was just too high. United had started the game the better of the two teams but it was the visitors who had the ball in the net first. On the eight minute mark Joey Barton took advantage of an astute pass from Gary O'Neill and slotted the ball past Paddy Kenny but the referee gave him offside, although replay cameras later showed that both Lee Peltier and Scott Wootton had played him onside. With the game approaching the twenty minutes stage each side had half chances as Rodolph Austin tried his luck from distance and then Shaun Wright-Phillips watched his header trickle past the post. Halfway through the half Ross McCormack got a fortunate mis-hit pass from a Ranger's defender but was unable to capitalise as Nedum Onuoha stayed with him and blocked his attempted shot. Much of the game was being played out in the midfield and consequently there were few goal chances as Austin and Green restricted the visitors to the odd half chance and the game petered out to a goalless first half. Paddy Kenny was soon called into action at the start of the second half when Rangers' striker Charlie Austin cottoned on to a throughball with only the United keeper to beat, but Paddy Kenny saved well at his near post. Five minutes into the second half Leeds appeals for a penalty were waved away by the referee, after the ball appeared to strike the arm of Rangers forward Danny Simpson as he was back helping out in defence. United made a double substitution in the fifty-seventh minute when Matt Smith and Dominic Poleon replaced Noel Hunt and Luke Varney as strikers. The new strike force almost had an immediate impact as Matt Smith glanced a header into the path of Dominic Poleon but his shot went straight at Robert Green in the Rangers' goal. Rangers made their first substitution after sixty-four minutes when Junior Hoilett replaced Gary O'Neill and then eight minutes later they made their second change when Alejandro Faurlin replaced Karl Henry. With a quarter of an hour remaining Rangers again threatened the Leeds goal as Charlie Austin once more got in a shot but Paddy Kenny was equal to the task. But moments later the visitors finally broke the deadlock and took the lead through defender Clint Hill. It came when Rangers were awarded a free-kick and after Joey Barton lofted it into the Leeds goalmouth the defence failed to clear the ball and it fell to Clint Hill who didn't hesitate to strike it into the roof of the net. Brian McDermott did not hesitate to immediately send on El-Hadji Diouf in a striking role in place of the midfielder Paul Green in the seventy-ninth minute. With five minutes remaining Matt Smith and Dominic Poleon again combined as Smith's backward header found his strike partner who went on to round Richard Dunne only to shoot straight at Robert Green. Minutes later United had another chance when a cross from Lee Peltier found Jason Pearce but his header went wide. Rangers made their third substitution with two minutes left when Jermaine Jenas replaced Andrew Johnson. Five minutes were added for stoppages and as they were deep into that period Ross McCormack was played through by Lee Peltier but his shot was deflected and looped over the bar. There was just time for one final act of desperation by United as Rodolph Austin struck from thirty yards and it seemed as if he might have rescued a point as the shot beat the goalkeeper but it hit the junction of the bar and upright and with it went United's last hope of retaining their unbeaten record.Jamie Ashdown, Adam Drury, Tom Lees and Michael Tonge remained unused on the Leeds bench as they slipped to tenth spot on the ladder.

after the International break United resumed their League campaign with a trip to the Reebok Stadium on 14th September to face Bolton Wanderers in their sixth game of the season. There was only one change to the starting line-up, with Michael Tonge taking over Paul Green's midfield position with the Irishman dropping to the bench where Alex Cairns replaced Jamie Ashdown as deputy keeper and the impressive Alex Mowatt took the place of Adam Drury. The Bolton bench featured ex-Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and former iconic striker Jermaine Beckford. Andrew D'Urso of Billericy, Essex was the Referee and there were at least 4,800 Leeds supporters in the crowd of 19,622. The travelling fans were in good voice in the opening minutes and their strong vocal support was rewarded within six minutes as United took the lead. Inited had gained a corner after good work from Noel Hunt and Jason Pearce. It was taken by Luke Murphy and his cross was perfectfor Luke Varney to rise and score with a glancing header to beat Adam Bogdan in the Bolton goal to make it 1-0. The goal silenced the home crowd and the Bolton side looked low on confidence as they were still searching for their first win of the season. Bolton trie to quickly get back on terms and Chris Eagles skidded a shot wide from distance and then David Ngog's effort trickled across the goalmouth and past the post. Twenty-five minutes had elapsed and very little goalmouth action had been seen at either end but Leeds were generally in control with a high percentage of possession. The Trotters seemed ill at ease and received little encoragement from the crowd and the central defensive pairing of Zac Knight and Matt Mills lacked communication. Indeed Matt Mills miscued a clearance in his own area with the ball looping high in the air and only an infringement by Luke Varney releived the pressure. Full back Alex Baptiste repeatedly conceded possession and twice was guilty of aimless balls which Paddy Kenny was able to pick up without duress. The home side created their first meaningful chance on the half-hour when David Ngog held up play well in the United area before putting the ball in Darren Pratley's path but the midfielder shot wide. However, this was the sign for the home team to come more into the game as half-time approached but it was Leeds who were next to feature on the attack when Noel Hunt put pressure on Zak Knight as he tried to play out of defence. The Irishman finally dispossessed him and played in Ross McCormack who returned the ball to Hunt, as he had found a better position, but his shot went wide of the post. The final action in the half saw Luke Varney come close to doubling his tally. Ross McCormack gained possession after Jay Spearing had slipped on the ball in a midfield mix-up and found the on-rushing Luke Varney and while his shot from just outside the penalty area beat the keeper as it curled towards the far post, it skimmed the outside of the post and went harmlessly for a goal-kick. Early in the second half temoers frayed and several Bolton defenders lost the plot. Matt Mills was booked for a terrible lunge on Ross McCormack and Jay Spearing soon followed him for a cynical tug of the shirt on the half way line. Next Marc Tierney squared up to Noel Hunt. Eight minutes into the second half United were a dealt a blow when Lee Peltier was injured and had to leave the field. However, they had a ready-made replacement on the bench and Tom Lees was sent on as a substitute. Bolton were frustrated by their inability to raise the tempo and so They sent on Jermaine Beckford for Zak Knight in the sixty-first minute. It had the desired effect and the game sparked to life. It was Luke Varney, however, who raised the tempo when he got in another fine shot but was thwarted by an equally fine save from Adam Bodan. In the sixty-seventh minute the home side sent on Robert Hall for Chris Eagles and the winger soon found the skill to create a move which saw Jermaine Beckford getting in a shot, but his near post strike was blocked by Jason Pearce for a fruitless corner. Soon afterwards Leeds were awarded a free-kick to the right of the Trotters penalty area and from the kick Tim Ream went close to putting the ball in his own net. With ten minutes remaining United were back on the attack and Luke Murphy got his head to a Tom Lees cross but failed to keep it low enough to trouble the Bolton keeper. A minute later he was back for another attempt on goal, but this time it was his shot that was too high. David Ngog and Jermaine Beckford combined in the area with five minutes to go but Ngog's shot went wide. Bolton made their final substitution as Medo Kamara replaced Marc Tierney with five minutes on the clock. More pressure from the home side followed and in the final minutes David Ngog twice threatened Paddy Kenny's goal with shots from distance. Five minutes of stoppage time were added and United were forced to hang on to their slim lead. With three of the five minutes gone Bolton came the closest to levelling the game as Darren Pratley hit a post, but that was the final threat to the Leeds goal and Leeds took the points. Alex Cairns, Alex Mowatt, Paul Green, El-Hadji Diouf, Matt Smith and Dominiuc Poleon all remained unused on the Leeds bench as Leeds rose to sixth on the ladder.

United were on the road again for the seventh League fixtures as they visited the Madejski Stadium for a Wednesday night fixture with Reading on 18th September 2013. With Lee Peltier sidelined with injury Leeds Brian McDermott brought in Tom Lees at right back and Aidan White was restored to his place on the bench and while Noel Hunt return to face his former club, former Leeds loanee goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was between the posts for the home team. The referee was Neil Swarbrick of Preston, Lancashire and an amazing 3,268 Leeds fans travelled to support their team and boosted the crowd to 21,167 for the 8pm kick-off. The game was only three minutes old when the game was held up for a long time as Reading midfielder, Jem Karacan, was seriusly injured and had to be stretchered off and replaced by Hope Akpan. He sustained his injury whilst fouling Ross McCormack and Leeds had the first shot on goal as a result, with Rodolph Austin blazing high over the bar from thirty yards. They also had the first meaningful attempt on goal when Luke Varney found himself space to the left of the Reading box but his cross evaded everyone except the onrushing Tom Lees at the far post but he snatched at the chance and mistimed his shot. It was not long before the home side forced Paddy Kenny into action as he saved at full stretch from a long range shot by Danny Williams. Midway through the half Reading threatened again after Hal Robson-Kanu found himself in space within shooting range but he shot straight at Paddy Kenny. Rodolph Austin came close to opening the score in the thirtieth minute when after beating three Reading players in quick succession he got in a shot from the edge of the penalty area only to see it pass narrowly over the bar and hit the stanchion behind the goal. Reading went even closer in the fortieth minute when, after Jason Pearce had conceded a free-kick within shooting range, Danny Gutherie took the kick and Sean Morrison rose well and directed his header on goal, but it passed narrowly over the bar. Minutes later an almost identical situation arose, but this time it was Royston Drenthe that delivered the kick but Sean Morrison produced the identical conclusion. Because of the injury to Karacan there were four minutes added to the half but it ended goalless. The second half started much as the first half had finished when Sean Morrison headed over for the third time, this time again from a Royston Drenthe corner. While Leeds started the second half positively they were unable to create any chances against a solid home rearguard and on the hour mark Brian McDermott spiced up his attack by sending on Dominic Poleon for the ineffective Noel Hunt. Five minutes later the new striker's persistence created a chance for Ross McCormack leaving him in space on the edge of the penalty area but he shot just over the bar. The home side then raised their game and a Nick Blackman drive seemed goalbound before it took a deflection off Stephen Warnock. Hal Robson-Kanu then missed the best opportunity of the match when he chose to shoot from twenty yards rather than pass to the better-placed and unmarked Nick Blackman. Robson-Kanu blazed over the bar while Blackman shook his head in disbelief and dismay. Reading made two further substitutions in a short period of time with Adam Le Fondre replacing Hal Robson-Kanu in the sixty-sixth minute and five minutes later Garath McCleary came on for Nick Blackman. With just on ten minutes left in the game there were chances at both ends but Luke Varney headed over from a Ross McCormack free-kick then Hope Akpan tried a shot from distance but Paddy Kenny saved low to his right. United made their second substitution with Matt Smith replacing Luke Varney with seven minutes left, but the final ten minutes was played mostly in midfield and neither goal was threatened, and the game was still scoreless when four minutes of stoppage time was announced. The four minutes passed like the previous ten but just as it was coming to an end Leeds almost won it. From a Ross McCormack free-kick Jason Pearce rose at the far post to win the header but he could only turn it wide of the target. But then the game turned to the home side's advantage, with six minutes of extra-time having been played, Stephen Warnock made an ill-judged and ill-advised challenge on Adam Le Fondre that warranted a free-kick and saw him receive his second yellow card, which meant a dismissal. From the ensuing free kick by Royston Drenthe the ball was touched on and Adam Le Fondre was able to head the ball into the net and win the game for Reading. It saw Reading leapfrog United and go seventh while United dropped to eleventh. They also inflicted Leeds' first away defeat of the season. Alex Cairns, Aidan White, Paul Green, Alex Mowatt and El-Hadji Diouf remained unused on the bench

It was back to Elland Road for their eighth League game this time against another of the high flyers in Burnley, who sat in fourth spot on the ladder just three points behind the leaders, Queens Park Rangers. The suspended Stephen Warnock was replaced by Aidan White, while Sam Byram had at last recovered from injury and took over from Tom Lees who dropped out of the squad. El Hadji-Diouf was given his first start of the season in preference to Noel Hunt, who dropped to the bench. Michael Brown filled the vacancy on the bench. Former Leeds loanee Sam Vokes was in the visitors starting line-up as Lee Probert of Wiltshire was the referee and the crowd was 26,465, which included 1,036 from across the Pennines. Paddy Kenny needed to be at his best right from the kick-off as the visitors tested him three times in the first five minutes, the first two came from Scott Arfield and Dean Marney and were routine, but the third, being from Sam Vokes, forced the experienced keeper to pull off a fine save. After ten minutes United began to settle and El-Hadji Diouf was showing all his experience by keeping possession and holding up play well and bringing others into play. The home team's first chance came after fifteen minutes after a crossfield pass from Luke Murphy had brought Ross McCormack into the action on the right flank. The Scot crossed perfectly for Luke Varney to get in a header, but it went over the bar. Soon after the visitors attacked through Kieran Trippier down the right wing and it was from his cross that Scott Arfield got possession near the far post, but it seemed that Sam Byram had averted the threat when he tackled the winger, but he was persistant and eventually got a shot on target that beat Paddy Kenny and finished in the United net after seventeen minutes. United fought back and in the twenty-second minute Luke Varney turned and shot from ten yards but Tom Heaton pulled off a fine point blank save. More good play by United led to their next shot on goal. This time Luke Varney was the creator when he made a piercing run into the Burnley area and from his cross Ross McCormack headed just wide of the target. As half-time approached it looked like the visitors would go to the break with a one goal lead by sam Vokes doubled that margin. A controversial free-kick decision saw the visitors win a throw in and this led to the second goal. A cross from Michael Kightly reached Sam Vokes and he got in a shot only for Paddy Kenny to parry it, but the ex-Leeds loanee followed up and put the loose ball in the net beyond his reach. Just before the interval United appealed for a penalty after Aidan White had been tackled in the box, but the referee could see nothing wrong. United started the second half on the attack looking to pull back the deficit, but it was Burnley who almost made their lead three. Danny Ings was put through on goal and despite pressure from Rodolph Austin he got in a shot from long range but fortunately for United their captain was able to deflect it over the bar. After fifty-six minutes Leeds rang the changes introducing Paul Green and Dominic Poleon for Sam Byram and Luke Murphy, with Paul Green going to right back and Dominic Poleon taking on the right midfield role, with Ross McCormack moving to the left wing. The Scot soon found himself on the end of a cross to the back post but his header back across the goal went wide. On the hour mark El-Hadji Diouf had a chance to put United back into the game, but his downward header forced Tom Heaton to make a superb save. After seventy minutes Burnly made their first change, sending on David Edgar to replace the injured David Jones, who had to be stretchered off after a late tackle by Dominic Poleon had seen the Leeds man booked. Five minutes later Ross McCormack opened the Burnley defence and played in Dominic Poleon whose shot was well saved by Tom Heaton and the danger was cleared. Leeds then made their final change when Matt Smith replaced Luke Varney. Following Matt Smith's introduction Leeds had two chances on the Burnley goal. The first was a clever flick by Michael Tonge which Jason Shackell unwttigly deflected inches wide and then a shot from distance by Ross McCormack which also went wide. In the seventy-ninth minute United were back in the contest when substitute Matt Smith scored his first Leeds goal in the League. It came from an El-Hadji Diouf free-kick with the big striker rising the highest at the back post to head into the net. With seven minutes left Burnley made their second change with the more defensively solid Brian Stock replacing Michael Kightly as Leeds did their utmost to equalise. The fourth official indicated six minutes of stoppage time and United continued to press with Rodolph Austin being presented with a chance but once more his shot was high above the cross bar. But the sustained United pressure failed to produce any goals and they slumped to their third League defeat. Alex Cairns, Michael Brown, Alex Mowatt and Noel Hunt remained unused on the Leeds bench as Burnley moved into second spot and Leeds dropped to twelfth.

United took a huge army of supporters with them, 5,961 to be precise, when they travelled to St James' Park to take on Premiership side, Newcastle United in the Third Round of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday, 25th September 2013. Mike Jones of Chester was the referee and the crowd numbered 36,220. United gave another chance to Alex Mowatt to reproduce the form he had shown in the pre-season as he replaced Luke Murphy in the starting line-up and Stephen Warnock, having served his one match suspension, was restored at left back in place of Aidan White, who dropped to the bench along with Luke Murphy, while in the strikers' roles Dominic Poleon and Matt Smith were given the nod ahead of El-Hadji Diouf and Luke Varney, the former taking a place on the bench and the latter dropping out of the squad. The game kicked off at a lively pace with both teams creating chances, but good defending by Scott Wootton prevented Papiss Cisse getting in a shot from close range after the late replacement for Loic Remy had the chance made for him by Academy graduates, Paul Dummett and Sammy Ameobi. Ross McCormack created the United chance when he broke from midfield and, spotting Tim Krul off his line, went for the lob. It was well directed but, although it beat the keeper, it struck the left top corner of the woodwork. As the clock reached the eleventh minute, both sets of fans chanted Gary Speed's name in tribute to the former White and Magpie. The chants were still in progress when Matt Smith was on hand to prevent the home side taking the lead. Fabricio Coloccini sent a header goalwards from a corner but the Leeds striker was back defending and cleared off the line. In the twentieth minute Cheick Tiote had to throw himself in the path of a goal-bound shot from Alex Mowatt to preserve the home goal. Midway through the half Sammy Ameobi crossed for Youan Gouffran but his header was weak and wide of the goal. On the half-hour it was Leeds that created a chance. Ross McCormack crossed from the left and found Matt Smith, but the tall striker, although mistiming his shot, was still on target and Tim Krul was forced to pull off a great save to keep the scoresheet blank. However, in the thirty-first minute Newcastle did open the scoring when Sammy Ameobi beat Sam Byram and made progress down the left wing and his pinpoint cross was met perfectly by Papiss Cisse and his header from the vacinity of the penalty spot gave Paddy Kenny no chance. Leeds quickly responded and a crossfield pass from Sam Byram put Ross McCormack in possession but the Scotsman's shot went narrowly wide. There was more pressure from the home side as the half was coming to a close but Leeds were sound in defence and there were no further goals before the break. The second half started similar to the first, with both sides creating a chance. The Leeds effort was the better of the two with Matt Smith getting his head to a cross but it went straight into the arms of Tim Krul. After an hour it was again Matt Smith who got in a header but it was wide of the mark. Soon afterwards, in the sixty-third minute United made a double change with El-Hadji Diouf coming on for Michael Tonge and Aidan White replacing Dominic Poleon. Three minutes later the home side double their lead. Yoan Gouffran took possession of the ball just outside the Leeds penalty area and, after turning, he unleashed an unstoppable shot to beat Paddy Kenny. In the seventy-first minute the home side brought on Gabriel Obertan in place of Papiss Cisse. The French striker was soon in the action and bearing down on goal, but the brave Paddy Kenny came out fast from his line to save. With ten minutes to go Dan Gosling was sent on to replace Vurnon Anita and finally four minutes later the home side's final change saw Haris Vuckic on for Yoan Gouffran. The final ten minutes were played out without any real threat to either goal, but Gabriel Obertan did once more almost get through but once more Paddy Kenny closed him down in injury time. Leeds had given as good as they had got for long periods and Matt Smith had proved a handful for Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Willamson in the home central defence. Alex Cairns, Luke Murphy, Paul Green, Michael Brown and Noel Hunt remained unused on the Leeds bench as Leeds were elimated from the competition.

United's ninth League fixture of the season took them to the New Den to face Millwall on 28th September 2013 with the home side lying seventeenth on the ladder but just three points away from twelfth placed United. After an impressive game at Newcastle Alex Mowatt was handed a starting place in the League for the first time. While Luke Murphy and Luke Varney were restored to the starting eleven and there was a return after injury for Lee Peltier at right back as United adopted a tactical change with Luke Varney alone up front, with Alex Mowatt, Ross McCormack and Michael Tonge in support and a back four of Lee Peltier, Jason Pearce, Scott Wootton and Stephen Warnock, with Luke Murphy and Rodolph Austin anchoring midfield. The bench was comprised of Alex Cairns, Paul Green, Sam Byram, El-Hadji Diouf, Noel Hunt, Dominic Poleon and Matt Smith. Former Leeds midfielder Shaun Derry and ex-striker Andy Keogh were on the home bench, but there was no place for Steve Morison, who was not eligible to play against his parent club. Chris Foy of St Helens was the referee and a sell-out 2,081 Leeds section helped to swell the crowd to 13,063. There was an early chance for Leeds captain Rodolph Austin but his shot on the run went narrowly wide of the left hand post. It soon evolved into a scrappy game with little goalmouth action and Stephen Warnock was booked in the eighteenth minute for a cynical foul on Martyn Woolford as he broke forward. During the first twenty-five minutes Leeds enjoyed the better of the possession and played some nice football but never threatened David Forde in the home goal. But, in that minute, Alex Mowatt received a chipped through-ball from Michael Tonge and attempted a hooked shot but his effort was saved by David Forde. However, it was the home side that went closest as the half hour approached and a poor attempted clearance gave Martyn Waghorn the chance to have a shot at goal but he struck the upright but the rebound was rifled high and wide by Martyn Woolford from eight yards. Three minutes later a Martyn Waghorn corner from the left saw Danny Shittu head wide of the goal. In the thirty-seventh minute Luke Varney made a break down the right wing and squared for Luke Murphy to shoot from the edge of the penalty area but the ball passed just over the crossbar. Soon after Luke Varney made a spectacular attempt on goal but his overhead kick flew over the bar. There were shouts for a penalty from the home side after Rodolph Austin had chased Scott Malone back into the Leeds penalty area but the referee waved the appeals away. Jason Pearce, who had pushed forward in attack during first half injury time, skied a ball, which Ross McCormack had cut back to him, over the bar under prssure from the home defence. Soon after the second half had started Liam Trotter tried his luck from distance but like the rest he was wayward in his accuracy. United had a chance to take the lead when Alex Mowatt broke through several challenges down the left to cross for Ross McCormack to glance the ball goalwards but his effort just skimmed the outside of the post. Millwall made their first change four minutes into the new half when Lee Martin replaced Jermaine Easter. The game continued to be a scrappy affair but after sixty-five minutes the home side took the lead as the injection of Lee Martin as substitute had an immediate effect when he joined in a good passing movement and it was his shrewd slide-rule pass that left Martyn Woolford with time and space in front of goal and the winger's curling shot gave Paddy Kenny no chance. Brian McDermott made two immediate changes replacing Michael Tonge with Sam Byram and Luke Varney with Matt Smith. He also changed the formation, with Ross McCormack partnering Matt Smith in attack and Sam Byram on the right of a four man midfield. The change of tactics did not work and the home side doubled their lead in the seventy-sixth minute when a good passing movement left Scott Malone free in the area and he easily slotted the ball past Paddy Kenny. United quickly responded but when Ross McCormack shot from long range, David Forde punched the ball away. At the other end it required a fine save from Paddy Kenny to stop the home side increasing their lead. However, Leeds were soon attacking the home goal and went close to reducing their deficit when pressure from Ross McCormack and Sam Byram nearly forced an own goal by the home defence. In the eightieth minute United replaced Stephen Warnock with Paul Green and a minute later Millwall made their second change when ex-Leeds Academy player Andy Keogh came on for Martyn Waghorn. With seven minutes left of normal time, only brave goalkeeping by David Forde stopped United from scoring after Ross McCormack had put the ball in the path of Rodolph Austin as he came through at speed but the Millwall keeper dived at his feet and blocked his onslaught. Minutes later the home side broke in counter-attack as United were dispossessed while on the attack and Martyn Woolford finished with only Paddy Kenny to beat, but chose to chip him and his attempt came back off a post. The game ended with United going down 0-2 and United suffered their third consecutive defeat in the League and the fourth in the last four games as Alex Cairns, El-Hadji Diouf, Noel Hunt and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench and the result took the home side just one place below United's latest place of fifteenth, with only goal difference separating them as Leeds' hopes of promotion were fading fast.

After three successive defeats in the League United were in dire need of a win to put their season on an upward curve. Their tenth game was on Tuesday 1st October 2013 when they welcomed AFC Bournemouth to Elland Road in an evening kick-off in front of a crowd of 21,749, which understandably only contained 363 who had made the long trek from the south coast. Brian McDermott made several changes in an effort to revitalise his team, which saw Tom Lees, Paul Green and Noel Hunt return to the side in place of Scott Wootton, Luke Murphy and Luke Varney, the latter two taking their places on the bench and the first dropping out of the squad. Ross McCormack moved up into the striker's role alongside Noel Hunt as United reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. Former United full back Ian Harte, who had just joined the club, was at left back for the visitors, while former Leeds loanee goalkeeper, Darryl Flahavan, was on the bench. David Coote of Newark, Nottinghamshire was the referee. Bournemouth had never won a game at Elland Road and United were hoping that the sequence would continue as they faced a team that were in tenth spot, two points better of than their hosts. Ross McCormack had a chance to open the scoring in the first few minutes but his shot was tame and easily dealt with by the Bournemouth goalkeeper. His partner up front, Noel Hunt also had an early chance but his header was not on target. With new boy Alex Mowatt pulling the strings in midfield United were running the game and Ross McCormack was causing the Cherries defence all kinds of problems with his pace and trickery. After fifteen minutes Michael Tonge had a shot from distance but it was well blocked by the visitors' defence. United's dominance continued and after twenty-five minutes Lee Peltier crossed and caused consternation in the Bournemouth box with several players failing to clear. The ball fell to Rodolph Austin and he got the ball to Ross McCormack, but the striker's shot was brilliantly saved by Ryan Allsop to prevent United taking the lead. Three minutes later the visitors had their first shot on goal when Lewis Grabban fired in a shot from long range but it sailed over the bar. On the half-hour more United pressure led to Noel Hunt winning a penalty for United. There was a race for the ball between the United striker and the Bournemouth goalkeeper which saw the ex-Reading man get the first touch and then the keeper brought him down to prevent his progress. As the keeper had prevented a goal scoring opportunity he was shown a straight red card. The sending-off meant that Bournemouth had to sacrifice midfielder Ryan Fraser to allow their deputy goalkeeper on. So it was the ex-Leeds loanee that faced Ross McCormack's spot kick. The deputy keeper saved well, as the ball was struck firmly low to his left, for his first touch of the ball. The away goal led a charmed life in the closing stages of the first half as United peppered the target with Lee Peltier, Rodolph Austin, Ross McCormack and finally Tom Lees all having shots on goal as the ten men defended desperately. They could not stand firm forever and seven minutes into the second half their resolve was broken as Alex Mowatt released Stephen Warnock down the left flank and his precision cross found Ross McCormack who passed the ball into the net. United continued to dominate and Rodolph Austin tried his luck from distance but Darryl Flahavan saved one handed at full stretch just inside the far post. The away side sent on their second substitute when Andrew Sturman replaced Marc Pugh in the sixty-second minute. The away side did rally a little and West Ham United loanee, Jack Collinson, got in a shot from distance which the almost unemployed Paddy Kenny saved with ease before resuming his spectator role. United withdrew Noel Hunt and sent on Dominic Poleon after seventy two minutes. But the away side produced their best football for that ten minute rally which included the Bournemouth forward Lewis Grabban silencing the Elland Road crowd when he got on the end of an Eunan O'Kane headed ball forward and smashed the ball past Paddy Kenny from close range to equalise after seventy-three minutes. Three minutes later the visitors made their final substitution with Brett Pitman replacing Tokelo Rantie. United responded to the equaliser with two shots in quick succession from Ross McCormack which were blocked by the away defence and then United went even closer as Dominic Poleon's shot was brilliantly saved by Darryl Flahavan. However the Leeds substitute was not to be denied and he restored United's lead in the eightieth minute. Alex Mowatt sent over a deep cross and Jason Pearce sent a looping header back across the Bournemouth goalmouth and the ball fell perfectly for the United striker to blast the ball past the keeper for his first goal of the season. The final ten minutes of the game saw plenty of goalmouth action as United looked to attack on the counter, but the Leeds defence held firm and in the five minutes of stoppage time Leeds looked the more dangerous team as no real threat came from the ten men of Bournemouth. Alex Cairns, Sam Byram, Luke Murphy, El-Hadji Diouf, Matt Smith and Luke Varney all remained unused on the Leeds bench as United broke their losing sequence to climb above their visitors into tenth position on fourteen points but trailing table-toppers Burnley by nine points.

Leeds were hoping their win in midweek was the start of better things as they travelled to Pride Park to face Derby County, in their eleventh League game of the season, on Saturday 5th October 2013. However, common sense told any observer that their recent record against the Rams was nothing short of abysmal, Derby having won every game since 2006, but while the home side sat in fourteenth spot, two points below United, they were expected to improve under Steve McClaren, who was managing the team for the first time in this game. For their part United stuck to the same squad and starting eleven that had gained full points from their game with AFC Bournemouth. Leeds had once more sold their full allocation of tickets and there were 3,693 supporters in the Leeds section of the crowd of 26,204. Geoff Eltringham of Sunderland was the referee and former Leeds loanee Adam Smith was at right-back for the home team. There was little in the early exchanges but following a defensive mix-up Will Hughes tried chipping Paddy Kenny but was too high. In the tenth minute Alex Mowatt sent Stephen Warnock careering down the left flank with an astute pass and the left back's cross was mistimed by the Derby keeper Lee Grant and the ball fell to Rodolph Austin, at the back post, who was able to get in United's first shot on goal, but it flew over the bar. The United strikers combined well for United's first corner. From Ross McCormack's flag kick Noel Hunt rose well but could not get his header on target. Although United had had the better of the opening exchanges, it was the home team that took the lead in the twentieth minute. Craig Bryson and Chris Martin combined well to beat the United defence and Chris Martin was left ten yards out with only Paddy Kenny to beat, which he did by blasting the ball past him and into the net. It was only two minutes later that Derby doubled their lead as an attack down the right wing endeded with Will Hughes passing to Chris Martin, who back-heeled to leave Johnny Russell free in the box to finish off the move with a superb strike which gave Paddy Kenny no chance. United weathered the storm and began to settle back into the game and there were half chances for Alex Mowatt and Michael Tonge, who both forced Lee Grant to save. Alex Mowatt in particular was causing the home side problems and he created a chance for Ross McCormack as the half wound down, as he beat three players before crossing for the onrushing striker, who could not quite reach it. But in the final minute of the half United did pull a goal back. Alex Mowatt was again in the play as he whipped in a free kick from the right that was partly cleared but only as far as Lee Peltier, who crossed to the far post for Paul Green to nod the ball back across the goalmouth and Jason Pearce headed the ball into the net. The second half saw end to end football for the first fifteen minutes. Rodolph Austin had the best chance for Leeds but good defending kept his shot out. Johnny Russell had a chance for the home team after Craig Bryson and Chris Martin had combined to make space for him, but his shot was wide. Brian McDermott freshened his attacking options by introducing Matt Smith and Dominic Poleon for Noel Hunt and Paul Green in the sixty-second minute. Derby made their first change in the sixty-eighth minute when Mason Bennett came on for Jamie Ward. With twenty minutes still to play United were looking the more dangerous side and Lee Grant was troubled by a Ross McCormack shot that took a hefty deflection, but luckily for him the ball bounced just wide. United's final substitution came after seventy-six minutes when El-Hadji Diouf replaced Michael Tonge, while, three minutes later, Derby made their second change with Conor Sammon replacing Chris Martin. United, despite their pressing, fell further behind as the home side made the score 3-1 in their favour in the seventy-eighth minute when, after being played in by Craig Bryson, Will Hughes dribbled right through the Leeds defence from midfield before sending an unstoppable shot past Paddy Kenny. The goal knocked the fight out of Leeds and their run of losses to the Rams continued. Derby made their final substitution with a minute to go as Jake Buxton replaced Craig Bryson and Alex Cairns, Sam Byram, Luke Murphy and Luke Varney remained unused on the Leeds bench as Derby leapfrogged them on the ladder as they slipped to thirteenth place twelve ponts behind leaders Burnley.

Following the international break United had a televised Sunday 1-15pm kick-off for their twelfth League encounter as they took on Birmingham City at Elland Road. They would have been hoping for a morale-boosting win against a team who had not shown any good form and were languishing in twentieth spot just four points above bottom place Yeovil Town. After United's defeat at Derby, Brian McDermott made several changes as he changed his formation to 3-5-2. Out went Lee Peltier, Michael Tonge, who dropped to the bench and Paul Green and Noel Hunt who didn't make the squad. United fielded Tom Lees, the returning Scott Wootton and Jason Pearce as the back three. While Sam Byram returned on the right of midfield along with Luke Murphy to join Alex Mowatt, Rodolph Austin and Stephen Warnock as the midfield five and Matt Smith replaced Noel Hunt as Ross McCormack's strike partner. There was also a return on the bench for Danny Pugh and Michael Brown where they joined Alex Cairns and Dominic Poleon and the demoted Lee Peltier, Michael Tonge and Luke Varney. Paul Tierney of Wigan was the referee and Birmingham brought a meagre 514 supporters which added little to the poor attendance of 21,301. United were soon on the attack as Rodolph Austin released Sam Byram down the right wing but a strong tackle halted his progress. After eight minutes United had a great chance to take the lead as Stephen Warnock curled a cross into the path of Ross McCormack, as Dan Burn failed to cut it out, but Darren Randolph in the Birmingham goal managed to block the shot with his body. United kept pumping balls forward trying to take advantage of the perceived weakness and the away team's vulnerability to McCormack's pace, but the visitors' defence held strong. However, Jason Pearce did get in a header from a corner but it was just over the bar. Rodolph Austin played in Ross McCormack but once more Darren Randolph thwarted him. The visitors created a chance of their own after fifteen minutes when Chris Burke was put through to the right of the goal but he shot wide. In the eighteenth minute the United pressure told when Ross McCormack finally converted one of his chances into a goal. Rodolph Austin created it by dispossessing Darren Randolph but, after dragging the keeper out of the penalty area as he tried to retrieve the situation, the Leeds skipper squared the ball to his main striker, who curled the ball into an empty net. Minutes later Birmingham had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out as Lee Novak was ruled offside. Then on the half-hour they were gifted a chance by a poor clearance by the United defence. Once more it was Chris Burke who received the chance and once more he failed to hit the target as his shot went wide of the right hand post. Although Birmingham had started to gain the better part of the possession, it was Leeds that doubled their lead in the thirty-third minute. This time it was the Scotsman that laid the ball on for his captain when he crossed for Rodolph Austin to head the ball home from close range. United were well on top as the break approached and right on half time United added a third goal by the impressive Matt Smith. The towering forward had been a menace to the visitors throughout the first half and when Darren Randolph could only parry a shot from Ross McCormack he was on hand to play the ball perfectly into the net from close range. Birmingham made a double substitution before the start of the second half when Nikola Zigic and Andrew Shinnie took over from Lee Novak and Dan Burn. Shinnie almost had an immediate impact but his shot from just outside the penalty area went wide. On the one hour mark United had the chance to go four up when Ross McCormack released his captain once more but Rodolph Austin was stopped by the legs of the Birmingham keeper as he shot. But a few minutes later at the other end Tom Lees made an excellent goal-line clearance to save the day and preserve the three-goal lead for United. It was not until the sixty-fifth minute of the game that Paddy Kenny was called upon to make his first save of the game. Nikola Zigic got in a good shot from the edge of the box but the keeper rose to the occasion to tip the ball over. The United goal continued to be under threat and minutes later David Murphy's free-kick hit a post. The seventieth minute saw chances at both ends as Chris Burke had another effort cleared off the line and at the other end Darren Randolph pulled off an unbelievable save to deny Matt Smith. But in the seventy-fourth minute Matt Smith had the final word when he double his tally for the afternoon to make it 4-0. Rodolph Austin and Alex Mowatt combined well for the eighteen-year-old to cross for Matt Smith to meet it with a thunderous header which powered past the keeper and into the net. The remaining quarter of an hour passed by without incident as Leeds had killed off the game with their fourth strike and though Michael Brown made a token appearance in the final minute in place of Rodolph Austin, Alex Cairns, Lee Peltier, Danny Pugh, Michael Tonge, Luke Varney and Dominic Poleon remained unused as United rose to ninth on the ladder, still a dozen points adrift from the leaders, Burnley.

A "Yorkshire Derby" with nearest neighbours Huddersfield Town awaited United in their thirteenth game of the season at the John Smith's Stadium on 26th October. They started the game five places and three points above the fourteenth placed Terriers and would have been looking to repeat their 4-0 midweek win over Birmingham City as they retained the same starting line-up as they strengthened their squad by the loan of Dexter Blackstock from Nottingham Forest and he took the place of Danny Pugh on the bench, while there was no place for United's other new loanee, Marius Zaliukas. Once more there was a sell-out following of 3,981 in the Leeds section of the 18,309 crowd and they soon made their presence felt as the referee, Neil Swarbrick of Preston, Lancashire got the game underway at 12.30pm. The volume of their cheering was soon repaid as United could not have got off to a better start when Matt Smith got them off to the perfect start with a goal after just two minutes. Firstly he won a corner when he forced Alex Smithies to tip his firm header round the post. Then the goal ensued from a deep corner by Alex Mowatt which the big striker powered into the net at the back post for his fifth goal of the season. The goal gave United control of the game and they continued to enjoy the majority of possession. However, after nine minutes the home side hit back to level the contest. Their goal also came from a corner, won by Keith Southern and this was played by Adam Hamill to the edge of the box where Danny Ward took one touch before hitting a powerful left-footed shot past Paddy Kenny. There was little between the two sides after that as the game was played mostly in midfield but the home side started to get on top as the half hour approached and Paddy Kenny had to be at his best to keep out Adam Hamill from giving Town the lead. The winger cut inside and had a shot at goal which the keeper palmed over the bar. That apart, half-time came without further incidents. After the home side had started the second half by substituting Sean Scannell for Duane Holmes, it continued in similar mode as the first, with little goalmouth action. Efforts from distance from Luke Murphy and Matt Smith did not really trouble Alex Smithies in the home goal. Right-back Jazz Richard's deep cross was headed wide before Matt Smith dispossed Paul Dixon at the other end but hos low shot was off target. However, on the hour mark Leeds had a good chance to retake the lead. There was good build-up play involving Rodolph Austin and Matt Smith which left Luke Murphy with a chance at the far post with only the keeper to beat, but the midfielder was wide of the mark. United were made to pay for their missed chances when in the sixty-third minute Tom Lees turned an Adam Hamill cross into his own net as he tried to divert it with his head. The home side should have doubled their advantage minutes later when Jon Stead was put through on goal, but after rounding the keeper the striker took the ball too wide and could only hit the outside of the post as he tried to score from the acute angle. The seventy-second minute saw United make their first substitution as Dexter Bradstock was called into the action in place of Luke Murphy, while Town also took the opportunity to bring on Calum Woods for Jazz Richards. The Nottingham Forest loanee was an instant success and he headed the equaliser with his first touch in a Leeds United shirt. The goal came from a corner, taken by Alex Mowatt, and the new striker's glancing header found the back of the net. United's celebrations were short-lived, however, as Jon Stead restored the home side's lead four minutes later. Good work on the right wing by Sean Scannell led to Jon Stead receiving the ball in space in the United box and he coolly slotted the ball past Paddy Kenny. Town made their final change in the seventy-ninth minute when Oscar Gobern replaced Adam Hamill. In the eighty-fifth minute Sam Byram found himself in space after he had been played in by Ross McCormack and the full-back managed to send a perfect ball to the far post, but Matt Smith, under pressure, could not get his header on target. In the four minutes added for stoppages, United searched for the equaliser and the home side survived a penalty appeal after Rodolph Austin had been brought down in the box, but the referee pointed for a goal kick and not a penalty. Alex Cairns, Lee Peltier, Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, Luke Varney and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench as they slipped to tenth on the ladder one place below Huddersfield who moved ahead of them on goal difference, but they were now fifteen points behind leaders Burnley.

Now sitting eighth on the ladder, United still had to put together a decent run if they were to make a meaningful bid for promotion. Their fifteenth game of the season took them to London and a visit to Charlton Athletic at the Valley on Saturday, 9th November 2013. With the Addicks sitting in seventeenth place, six points behind United, with a game in hand, it was apparent just how close the race had become, but also how easy three points could send a team up and down the ladder. Once again the United fans had taken their full application of tickets and a massive 3,200 were in the Leeds section of the 17,601 crowd. Due to heavy rainfall in the capital, Referee Keith Stroud of Gillingham, Dorset, made a pitch inspection and the ground was deemed playable and the game kicked off thirty minutes late. With Stephen Warnock and Alex Mowatt both unavailable due to injury there were first games of the season for Danny Pugh and Michael Brown in the starting eleven and Dexter Blackstock was given his starting debut, as Ross McCormack's strike partner, in preference to Matt Smith, who dropped to the bench. There Paul Green, Zac Thompson and Dominic Poleon also took their places at the expense of El-Hadji Diouf and Luke Varney. Former Leeds loanee goalkeeper, Ben Alnwick, was on the bench for Charlton. The home side were soon on the attack and Callum Harriott got in a curling shot from the edge of the box that went wide. As the tenth minute arrived the striker was again close as his shot passed wide of Paddy Kenny's right-hand post. The sodden Valley turf was not condusive to good football as both sides lost possession due to the conditions rather than the skill of the opposition. United made light of the conditions and took the lead in the seventeenth minute when Ross McCormack picked up a superb Dexter Blackstock knockdown in full stride and went on to outpace the home defence before coolly beating Ben Hamer in the home goal. Charlton came close to equalising in the thirtieth minute when Simon Church ran on to a superb through ball, but his shot hit the post. Just before half-time United almost scored after Luke Murphy did well to get in a cross from the right and his floated centre was met by a header from Lee Peltier which skimmed the crossbar. But there was a quick response from the home team as Simon Church got in a shot from close range, but somehow Paddy Kenny pulled off a fantastic save to preserve the United lead. Charlton kept pressing as the half was coming to a close and they were rewarded in the final minute with a wonder goal from Cameron Stewart when the Charlton youngster got hold of a United clearance and fired in an excellent shot from just outside the penalty area. In first-half injury time the home side were unlucky not to have taken the lead as Tom Lees made a goal-line clearance and a Callum Harriott shot from distance went close. Scott Wootton had struggled through the first half after taking a knock and he was replaced by Marius Zaliukas for the second half. Within three minutes of the restart United were awarded a penalty after Danny Pugh had been pulled down by Callum Harriott in the area. Ross McCormack confidently stepped up and smashed the ball straight down the middle and into the roof of the net for his second of the afternoon that took his tally for the season into double figures. But Charlton did not take things lying down and ten minutes into the second half Paddy Kenny was called upon to make another great save when he pushed the ball over the bar to deny Callum Harriott an equaliser and Dorian Dervite also shot wide following a corner. United quickly replied and Ross McCormack crossed for Dexter Blackstock but the loanee striker could only watch as his shot went wide of the goal. Charlton made their first subsitution in the sixty-seventh minute when Yann Kermorgant replaced Callum Harriott. The home side drew level in the seventieth minute after Simon Church had battled to create an opening for Johnnie Jackson, the Charlton captain, to equalise when he scored from close range. The home team's joy was short-lived as United reclaimed the lead three minutes later when Dexter Blackstock headed the ball into Ross McCormack's path for the Scot to hammer the ball home with a first-time shot to complete his first hat-trick for the club. Three minutes later Leeds made their second change when Matt Smith replaced Dexter Blackstock and with less than five minutes left of normal time the home side completed their quota of substitutions by introducing Marvin Sordell and Bradley Pritchard for Cameron Stewart and Lawrie Wilson. The home side pressed forward in search of a third equaliser as time was fast running out, but it was United that had a great chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area, after Rodolph Austin had been tripped, as the game went into four minutes of stoppage time. Ross McCormack completed a fantastic afternoon when he sweetly struck his shot past the Charlton keeper to make it four for himself and four for Leeds with his twelfth goal of the season and his sixth in the last two games. Alex Cairns, Michael Tonge, Paul Green, Zac Thompson and Dominic Poleon were unused on the Leeds bench as United remained in eighth spot just one point behind the sixth-placed Reading and eleven behind leaders Burnley.

After the November International break United recommenced their League campaign with their sixteenth game, this time at Elland Road against Middlesbrough on Saturday 23rd November 2013. The visitors were lying in sixteenth place seven points worse off than United and their starting line-up contained two former Leeds favourites in Jonathan Woodgate and Frazer Richardson. United made two changes to their starting line-up with Alex Mowatt returning from injury to replace Michael Brown, who dropped to the bench, and Marius Zaliukas, who came in for the injured Scott Wootton, and whose place on the bench was taken by Sam Byram. Luke Varney also returned and Paul Green and Zac Thompson both dropped out of the squad. Middlesbrough had brought 2,043 supporters with them and this helped to swell the crowd to 30,367 and Phil Gibbs of Birmingham was the referee. There was a charged atmosphere as both teams created half chances in the opening five minutes. United were the first to go on the attack when Alex Mowatt found Danny Pugh free on the left flank, but the move was stunted as Ross McCormack had wandered offside. Middlesbrough's chance was when they were given a free-kick just twenty yards from goal, but Grant Leadbitter drove his shot into the Leeds wall. United had another good chance as the ten minute mark was reached but Jason Pearce headed the loose ball wide. The home crowd paid their tribute to Gary Speed as the eleventh minute was reached. The visitors then enjoyed a good spell of possession and the Leeds defence was called upon to make several last-ditch headers and blocks to keep them at bay. Boro were lucky not to concede a twenty-first minute penalty when the referee saw Daniel Ayala use his hand to stop a ball getting to the lurking Ross McCormack, who could not beleive that the referee adjudged it to be outside the penalty area. The striker had a second claim for a penalty when Marvin Emnes shouldered him in the box. Midway through the half Rodolph Austin let go a shot from distance but the Middlesbrough goalkeeper, Jason Steele, got his body behind it to save with ease. Ross McCormack made space for himself on the flank which enabled him to cross for his strike partner, but Dexter Blackstock was off target with his shot which passed just outside the left post. Danny Pugh almost gave Leeds the lead on the half hour as he unleashed a shot which brought out a point blank save from Jason Steele at the expense of a corner. However, it was that corner that brought the first goal of the game as Ross McCormack made his current haul seven in three games. A floated corner made its way to the back post where Tom Lee rose to head back across the goalmouth and there was McCormack, six yards out at the near post, to head emphatically into the net. Middlesbrough made their task all the harder when they were reduced to ten men two minutes before half-time. Dexter Blackstock had latched on to a bad backpass by Daniel Ayala, getting to the ball before the keeper could. Jason Steele had little option than to bring down the United striker, which left referee Gibbs with no option either, and he produced the red card as the Boro custodian was, in his view, the last man and prevented a goal scoring opportunity. Marvin Emnes was the player that Boro chose to sacrifice so they could bring on their deputy keeper Jayson Leutwiler. United started the second half in confident manner but were surprised when the undermanned visitors drew level after seven minutes. Albert Adomah broke free down the left flank and crossed perfectly for the onrushing Mustapha Carayol to score with a first-time shot which gave Paddy Kenny no chance. United responded well to the setback and Rodolph Austin had a shot blocked and then a great save from Jayson Leutwiler kept out a good effort from Alex Mowatt. But United were soon back and this brought their second goal, when Jason Pearce rose well at the back post above Frazer Richardson to head home in the fifty-seventh minute. Middlesbrough made their first unforced substitution in the sixty-seventh minute when they replaced Mustapha Carayol with Curtis Main and moved Kei Kamara to the left wing. The goal had settled United and they took control of the game and with twenty minutes left they twice went close to extending their lead. Danny Pugh got in a great cross for Alex Mowatt to go within inches of his first goal for United and then Rodolph Austin was marginally wide after he had outjumped the Boro defence at the back post. The visitors replied in the seventy-eighth minute with their first effort on goal since Leeds had regained their lead as George Friend cut inside but his shot flew over the United bar. United made a double substitution in the eighty-first minute with Sam Byram replacing Danny Pugh and Matt Smith coming on for Dexter Blackstock. Boro made their final change two minutes later when Lukas Jutkiewicz replaced Richard Smallwood and Leeds complted their quota four minutes later as Michael Brown replaced Luke Murphy. The ten men of Middlesbrough were looking more of a threat as the game went into an extra five minutes of stoppage time and their last substitute sent in a long range shot which Paddy Kenny got his body behind to hold the ball safely. It proved to be the visitors final throw of the dice and United secured their third consecutive League win as Alex Cairns, Michael Tonge, Luke Varney and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench. The win took United into sixth spot, nine points behind leaders Burnley.

United were now trying to build on their recent string of three wins which had lifted them into sixth position and their seventeenth fixture took them to Ewood Park on Saturday 30th November 2013 to take on fourteenth placed Blackburn Rovers, who trailed them by six points. An injury to Dexter Blackstock had forced Brian McDermott to make an enforced change which saw Luke Varney restored to the starting eleven and, as Stephen Warnock had now recovered from his injury, he took his place on the bench. Former Leeds defender Matthew Kilgallon was on the bench for the home side. United took their biggest away following of the season, 6,727, which helped to swell the gate to 20,267. Craig Pawson of Sheffield was the match referee. The game saw Ross McCormack make his one hundredth start for Leeds. The home side were soon on the attack and David Dunn controlled a long throw before hitting a volley from twenty yards and forced Paddy Kenny to push the ball round the post for a corner after five minutes. This was followed by ten minutes of good possesion by United but they could not get a shot on Jake Kean's goal. However the momentum swung in the direction of the home side, but they, like United, could not convert their possession into threats on goal. Chris Taylor was lively in the early stages and it was his flick that sent Todd Kane scurrying down the right flank in the sixteenth minute but his shot was well saved by Paddy Kenny. Another long throw from Tommy Spurr caused havoc in the United defence as the half hour approached. Once again it fell for David Dunn but from outside the box he could only shoot wide. However, after thirty minutes United did manufacture an opening when Tom Lees sent a long ball forward and it was played into the path of Ross McCormack, who in turn found Danny Pugh but his shot was saved by Jake Kean with his legs. As the half came towards a conclusion Chris Taylor forced Paddy Kenny to pull off a fine save, after Todd Kane had broken down the right flank, Josh King crossed for Chris Taylor to control and shot with his left-foot all in the one movement and the Leeds keeper made a fantastic saved to ensure the game remained goalless. But it was not the last action of the half and United conceded a corner deep into injury time. The corner which was taken by David Dunn, was met by Leeds born Tommy Spurr who finished well with a header which went into the corner of the net well wide of Paddy Kenny's left hand to give the home side a one goal advantage at the break. The home side started the second half the better side and continued the pressure that had given them their half-time lead. Alex Mowatt made a valuable interception to halt the progress of David Dunn ten minutes into the new half as he bore down on the United goal from midfield. After fifty-eight minutes United made a double substitution when Sam Byram replaced Lee Peltier and Matt Smith came on for Luke Varney. In the sixty-second minute Blackburn made their first change when David Dunn gave way to Ben Marshall. After sixty-three minutes United once more had Paddy Kenny to thank when he made another great save. This time Josh King shot from the edge of the penalty box but the United keeper rose spectacularly to push the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner the ball eventually found Josh King who crossed for Grant Hanley but the big defender's header was over the bar. With twenty minutes left on the clock United began to pile on the pressure and it seemed as if Matt Smith had been pulled to the ground as he stretched to meet a Danny Pugh cross, but the referee only gave a goal kick. This was quickly followed by Rodolph Austin sending a powerful shot wide into the side-netting with sixteen minutes remaining. Leeds made their final change in the eighty-first minute when Dominic Poleon replaced Luke Murphy as United searched for the equaliser. The home side made their second and final change three minutes later when DJ Campbell replaced Jordan Rhodes. Chances kept coming United's way and Ross McCormack shot wide from long range with minutes remaining. There were four minutes of stoppage time but the home side continued to withstand the United pressure and hung on to their slender lead as Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Michael Brown and Michael Tonge remained unused on the bench and United's run of victories came to an end as they slipped to eighth in the table, two points behind sixth placed Reading and twelve behind new leaders Leicester City.

F.A. Cup holders, Wigan Athletic, who were not finding life in the Championship all that easy as they languished in fourteenth spot, but only four points behind United, with a game in hand, were the visitors to Elland Road for United's eighteenth game of the season on Wednesday night, 4th December 2013. Brian McDermott made one change to his starting line-up with Matt Smith replacing Luke Varney up front, with the latter dropping to the bench in an unchanged squad. Former United goalkeeper Scott Carson was in goal for the visitors as they brought a meagre 775 supporters with them but there was a reasonable crowd for a midweek that numbered 25,888. Graham Scott of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was the referee. On a cold December evening it was United that started as the better side as the showed good combination and pressured the Wigan midfield, who resorted to a long ball game. Luke Murphy was the first to make an attempt on goal from just beyond the penalty area but it was straight at Scott Carson. After ten minutes an Alex Mowatt cross to the far post was met by Jason Pearce but he was wide. The United pressure paid off, after fifteen minutes, when Alex Mowatt took a well flighted corner, which Jason Pearce knocked down to Ross McCormack, who passed the ball into the net from within the six-yard box. The goal gave United confidence and they started to play good football. Midway through the half Jason Pearce was again in the action when he released Danny Pugh down the left flank with a fine ball out of defence. Wigan stopped his advance but only at the expense of a corner. That corner almost brought a second United goal as Luke Murphy's flag kick was met by Matt Smith's downward header but the Wigan defence intercepted it before it could reach Ross McCormack, who was unmarked at the far post. Just before the half-hour mark Wigan had their first chance of the night when James McArthur broke through from midfield but his shot from the edge of the penalty area was quickly blocked by Tom Lees. However, it rebounded to Will Keane and only a brave save from Paddy Kenny denied the Manchester United loanee. It was Paddy Kenny to the rescue once more, a short while after, as a point blank save again stopped the striker from scoring. After those two threats on goal United again got back on top as the half drew to a close and while there was sustained attack there was no direct threat on goal until Alex Mowatt picked up a loose ball and had a shot from distance, which passed narrowly wide of the post with minutes left on the clock to the break. Wigan, too, did get a chance before the half was complete when, after Marius Zaliukas had stopped Nick Powell's header at the expense of a corner, Jean Beausejour's corner saw Emmerson Boyce's first-time shot fly just over the bar. After the break United continued to have the upper hand and Marius Zaliukas and Tom Lees both saw shots blocked while Ross McCormack shot just wide. Ten minutes into the half Wigan made a double substitution as James McClean replaced Jean Beausejour and Grant Holt came on for Will Keane. This temporarily gave them a boost and Nick Powell headed Ben Watson's corner just over. In the sixty-seventh minute the visitors made their third change as Callum McManaman replaced Nick Powell. With twenty minutes of the half remaining Matt Smith rose superbly to meet a fine cross from Danny Pugh but unfortunately he did not connect as well as he would have liked and Scott Carson was untroubled. Then, minutes later the towering striker, whose height and heading ability had caused Wigan problems all night, had another chance to increase the home team's lead, when he pounced on a mistake by Ivan Ramis in the centre circle. With the visitors' defence caught out of position, the striker was through with only Scott Carson to beat and had support either side of him in the shape of Ross McCormack and Luke Murphy. He chose to ignore those options and Scott Carson thwarted him as he denied him with his legs. The second goal did come, however, in the seventy-seventh minute and it was Ross McCormack, with his second goal of the match, which brought his recent tally to nine in five games, that got it. The striker took a free kick from the left and sent it high into the goalmouth where there was a suspicion of the merest of touches from Jason Pearce, as the ball nestled in the top corner of the net. The goal settled the game and the visitors seemed to be content to retain possession rather than threaten the home goal and after three minutes of stoppage time United secured the points. They did not use any substitutes and consequently Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Sam Byram, Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, Luke Varney and Dominic Poleon remained on the bench purely as observers. The win, their fifth on the trot at home and the fourth in their last five games, took United to seventh on the ladder, two points behind sixth placed Blackpool, and nine points behind the leaders, Leicester City and Ross McCormack advanced his season's tally to fifteen.

United were back at Elland Road three days later for their nineteenth fixture of the season against Watford on Saturday 7th December 2013. Their opponents were twelfth on the ladder, five points in arrears. Sam Byram was called into the starting eleven for the injured Tom Lees and he operated on the right of midfield five, while Lee Peltier dropped back into the back three, while Adam Drury was brought on to the bench to fill the vacancy. Trevor Kettle of Berkshire was the referee as Watford brought 809 supporters with them in a rather disappointing 23,445 crowd. United were quickly on the attack and after three minutes Ross McCormack and Matt Smith combined well to fashion a chance when the Scotsman created space to cross for his strike partner from the left but the tall forward's header was saved by Jonathan Bond. It was Ross McCormack that also created United's second attempt on goal soon afterwards when his dangerous free-kick was headed over by Marius Zaliukas. It was the visitors that created the next chance, after ten minutes, when Troy Deeney, too, could only head over the bar. The game continued at a fast pace and the chances kept coming at a similar rate. A great through ball released Rodolph Austin on the right but his shot was parried by Jonathan Bond and from the rebound Luke Murphy blasted the ball over the top, with an open goal yawning. Paddy Kenny kept up his usual form and pulled off another fine save from Ikechi Anya. Unfortunately there was nothing he could do to stop Troy Deeney from scoring in the twelfth minute. Lewis McGugan beat several Leeds defenders in the penalty area before he put the ball in Troy Deeney's path and he scored with a first-time unstoppable shot from ten yards. The goal slowed the game down but the chances were still being created by both sides. Matt Smith had a penalty claim when he was brought to ground, but the referee did not agree, then he shot wide. Lee Peltier headed just wide and Rodolph Austin had a good attempt from an acute angle saved, while at the other end Ikechi Anya was just wide of Paddy Kenny's post. As the half hour approached United looked dangerous in attack and Sam Byram got in a great cross for Matt Smith to apply a simple touch for the equaliser but the ball was cut out by a great last ditch interception. Minutes later the tall striker did make a good connection from just outside the penalty area, but this time his shot went inches wide. There was little threat to either goal in the next quarter of an hour after the game had been held up for a blooded nose to George Thorne after he clashed with Matt Smith. However the visitors doubled their lead in first half injury-time. After an Alex Mowatt free-kick, the Leeds attack broke down and Hector Bellerin quickly took the ball forward towards the home goal in a lightening counter attack and as the Leeds defence hesitated he played a ball to the feet of Cristian Battocchio and the midfielder found space to get in a shot which went in off the inside of the post. United started the second half on the front foot and within a minute of the restart they had a great chance to reduce the deficit. Matt Smith had a header pushed over the bar and, from the resulting corner, the tall striker had an even better chance when Alex Mowatt's flag kick was met by him at the back post. However, his powerful header scraped the crossbar when it would have been easier to score. United's good start was rewarded in the fiftieth minute when from a cross from Ross McCormack, Danny Pugh picked up a loose bouncing ball in the penalty area. He worked his way to the back post before finishing superbly with a shot from a tight angle on the left of the six-yard area. Six minutes later the crowd went wild as United equalised when Lee Peltier broke forward after robbing Ikechi Anya in midfield and then played in Ross McCormack leaving him in space on the right wing. The Scot took his time and crossed for Matt Smith to make no mistake with a powerful header into the net from two yards. United clearly had the visitors rattled by the intensity of their onslaught and they had a great chance to take the lead on the hour, when Rodolph Austin was through on goal but Jonathan Bond stood tall and held his ground and was able to make the save. Moments later Alex Mowatt had a shot that rattled the crossbar after taking a deflection. It was all Leeds but on a counter attack Paddy Kenny had to make a good save. United were back on the attack just after the hour mark when Ross McCormack and Matt Smith combined well to give Rodolph Austin to get in a powerful shot from distance, but it was blocked. After sixty-six minutes Watford made their first substitution when Sean Murray came on for Lewis McGugan. In the seventy-third minute Watford made their second change when Marco Cassetti replaced Marco Davide Faraoni. A quarter of an hour from the end Ross McCormack thought he had completed the United comeback when he had the ball in the net after Matt Smith had got up well to head the ball into his path, but the linesman had flagged for offside. But just four minutes later the Scotsman got one that did count to give United the lead. Luke Murphy played a magnificent ball through to him which left him with only the goalkeeper to beat and he kept his nerve to slot the ball past the oncoming Jonathan Bond for his sixteenth goal of the season and his tenth in six games. It also meant that he had scored in six successive home games. Unfortunately for Leeds, it was not to be the final goal of the game. George Thorne struck a low shot from distance, forcing Paddy Kenny to make a save that he couldn't hold and Troy Deeney was on hand to put the ball into the net with four minutes of play left in the half and totally against the run of play. Watford made their final change in the last minute of normal time when Fitz Hall replaced Cristian Battocchio. Three minutes were added for stoppage time and both teams strived for the winner. It was Watford that came the closest with just seconds remaining and only a fine challenge by Marius Zaliukas prevented Joel Ekstrand from getting a goal from close range. United did not make any substitutions and Alex Cairns, Adam Drury, Stephen Warnock, Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, Luke Varney and Dominic Poleon were unused as Leeds were disappointed to see their fine comeback thwarted by the late equaliser. The draw saw them drop to eighth, one point behind sixth placed Reading and nine behind leaders Burnley, when a win would have seen them in fifth spot.

United made their second trip of the season to the Keepmoat Stadium, this time to fulfill their twentieth game of the season, on Saturday 14th December 2013, with twentieth placed Doncaster Rovers who lagged ten points behind United on the League ladder. They made just one change to the starting eleven as Tom Lees returned from injury to replace Sam Byram, who dropped to the bench in place of Adam Drury. Brian McDermott stuck with his 3-5-2 formation with Lees joining the back three and Lee Peltier pushing up into the right flank spot in midfield. There was another sell-out crowd of 4,319 in the Leeds section of the 12,192 crowd as former Leeds Academy produced Martin Woods was in the home starting team and former United striker, Billy Paynter, sat on the home bench. Phil Dowd of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire was the referee. The strong wind made keeping possession a hard task in the first fifteen minutes. Doncaster to have a shot on goal from distance by Dean Furman but Paddy Kenny saved after the ball had taken a deflection. Ross McCormack received the first good chance of the afternoon when Matt Smith knocked the ball down to him from a corner, but his first-time header went over the bar. Moments later, in the nineteenth minute, Leeds took the lead after the first good movement of the match. It started with Dean Furman breaking up a Leeds attack but only at the expense of a yellow card for himself and a free-kick for Leeds. Alex Mowatt floated the free-kick into the box and Matt Smith took advantage of his height to stoop and head emphatically and low past Ross Turnbull. Ross McCormack was the next to create a chance as the half hour approached. He raced unopposed from midfield but his shot passed narrowly over the bar. It was not all Leeds and they soon had some defending to do as the home side went on the counter attack, but Marius Zaliukas was proving strong in defence and was mopping up any long balls that were coming his way. Next the home side forced several corners in quick succession but the Leeds defence stood strong until Alex Mowatt finallycleared. As the first half was five minutes from its conclusion Danny Pugh was released down the left flank and from his cross Alex Mowatt had a shot on goal but Ross Turnbull saved well. Following that, Rodolph Austin hit a speculator over the bar, while at the other end after being put through on goal by Richie Wellens, Theo Robinson was high wide and not so handsome with a shot that went high into the crowd behind the Leeds goal. In the final action of the first half Leeds almost increased their lead as once more Matt Smith and Ross McCormack combined well, with the move ending with the tall striker sending a glancing header just over the bar from his partner's cross. As the game restarted for the second half it was the home side that went on the attack and enjoyed a good spell of possession. In the fifty-first minute they were almost rewarded when Richie Wellens breached the United defence but his curling shot was just wide of the target. In the fifty-fifth minute the midfielder was back again and this time his well-struck shot forced Paddy Kenny to save well down to his right. On the hour Theo Robinson had the ball in the Leeds net but controversially the linesman raised his flag extremely late to cancel it out for offside. Just after the incident, the home side also had a long range shot go wide. The home side made their first change in the sixty-sixth minute sending on Mark Duffy in place of Dean Furman. With the home side starting to get on top Brian McDermott brought on Michael Brown in the seventy-third minute to replace Alex Mowatt and bring a little more bite into midfield. It was only three minutes later that the move paid off when United doubled their lead with their first meaningful attack on the home goal in te half. It was a solo effort from Ross McCormack for his seventeenth goal of the season as his rich seam of goals continued. He received the ball wide on the left and proceeded to beat two home defenders and then cut in on goal to slot the ball into the home net from an acute angle. United threatened to get a third as the game moved into the final ten minutes. Michael Brown hit a high ball out of defence and looked as if he had won the chase for the ball with only the keeper to beat, but Enda Stevens received a yellow card for bringing him down from behind. Doncaster made their second change in the eighty-third minute when James Coppinger came on for Federico Macheda. With five minutes still on the clock Paddy Kenny was called into the action when it seemed he had been beaten as a shot was about to creep into the net, but the keeper was quick enough to dive and push the ball round the post for a corner. Two minutes later and the game was over as a contest as Leeds got their third. Ross McCormack crossed the ball, but it evaded Matt Smith but Rodolph Austin emerged at the far post to smash the ball into the net. Dominic Poleon came on in the final minute in place of Ross McCormack as Leeds ran out easy winners, leaving Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Sam Byram, Michael Tonge and Luke Varney unused on the Leeds bench. While the easy win flattered them, after the home side had dominated the second half, it took United to sixth on the ladder, nine points behind new leaders, Queens Park Rangers.

The following Saturday 21st December 2013, Barnsley brought 1,118 fans with them to boost the good pre-Christmas crowd to 31,031 for United's twenty-first fixture of the season, at Elland Road. They were in a good run of form accumulating seventeen points from their last seven games which had taken them to a play-off position and still well within striking distance of the top clubs. They would have been expecting to boost that tally to twenty from eight as they took on the bottom club, who were eighteen points behind United, but were probably well aware of their South Yorkshire rival's recent excellent record in clashes between the two clubs. For the "Yorkshire Derby" United kept the same starting line up as in their previous week "Yorkshire Derby at Doncaster, but there was a return to the squad for El-Hadji Diouf who replaced Luke Varney on the bench. Keith Stroud of Gillingham, Dorset was the referee. Matt Smith was presented with a great chance for a sensational opening in the first minute when he chested down a long ball through from Jason Pearce, but the Barnsley keeper, Jack Butland, made a fantasric point blank save to deny him. Ten minutes later the tall forward found himself in a scoring position, this time from a through ball from Ross McCormack, after holding off Peter Ramage, and while his shot was well directed it did not have the power to beat Jack Butland, who pulled off a good save. United continued to cause the visitors problems and Matt Smith, in particular, was winning anything in the air and Ross McCormack and Rodolph Austin were also troubling them with their pace. However it was the away side that were next to go close. Bobby Hassell collected a clearance from Jason Pearce and advanced on goal to hit a long shot that passed just over the bar with keeper Paddy Kenny having it well covered. Barnsley started to get on top after the half-hour and produced two half-chances. Jim O'Brien had a shot that went wide and this was soon followed by Marcus Tudgay watch his header from a Bobby Hassell free-kick saved by Paddy Kenny. With five minutes of the half left Marcus Tudgay beat Marius Zaliukas to a long punt forward but the forward hit his shot wide, with the Leeds defence in disarray. Right on the half-time whistle Matt Smith rose well to get in a powerful header to a floated cross from Jason Pearce but he was just over. United made a double change for the start of the second half with Lee Peltier and Alex Mowatt making way for Sam Byram and Michael Tonge. Danny Pugh quickly showed United's intensions with a superb shot from out on the left flank, but the ever-alert Jack Butland, pushed the ball over the bar to safety. Then Michael Tonge announced his arrival with a shot from twenty yards which was once again saved by Jack Butland. Minutes later good play by Ross McCormack gave Danny Pugh the chance of a shot, but it was blocked by the defence. United's assault on the Barnsley goal carried on until the hour had passed and Ross McCormack had the two best chances. His first a shot, being saved by the keeper and then a quick reaction header was brilliantly saved by Jack Butland. Rodolph Austin was the next to threaten with a curling effort from the left wing, but again the keeper excelled. Barnsley made their first change in the sixty-third minute when Stephen Dawson replaced Bobby Hassell. Then in the sixty-seventh minute Kelvin Ethudu replaced Tomasz Cywka for the visitors. With twenty minutes left the visitors finally created their first chance of the half, which arose from a defensive mix-up by the Leeds defence which resulted in Jacob Mellis having a sight of goal, but he shot into the side-netting. But the visitors were back again soon after when Jim O'Brien's shot was well saved by Paddy Kenny. Barnsley made their final change in the eighty-third minute with Jason Scotland replacing Jim O'Brien. But Leeds were back on attack and good work by Matt Smith saw him have a shot which for once beat the keeper but was narrowly wide. United made their final change in the seventy-ninth minute when Dominic Poleon replaced Luke Murphy. In the eighty-fourth minute Barnsley had Marco Tudgay sent off for a terrible challenge on Marius Zaliukas. United threw everything at the ten-man Barnsley but despite six extra minutes of stoppage time they were unable to puncture the visitor's defence. Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Michael Brown and El-Hadji Diouf remained unused on the Leeds bench as the point took Leeds into fifth position nine points behind the leaders, Burnley.

United's twenty-second match of the season took them to Bloomfield Road on Boxing Day, 26th December 2013 to take on Blackpool, who had been experiencing a slump after a good start to the season. After loosing their last four games, they sat in tenth spot just three points behind United and Brian McDermott made two changes to his when he brought in Michael Brown and Michael Tonge in midfield for Alex Mowatt and the suspended Luke Murphy, which meant a place on the bench for Luke Varney, who replaced El-Hadji Diouf, new signing Gboly Ariyibi and Scott Wootton, who returned after injury. Former Leeds loanee keeper Tony Warner was on the seasiders' bench and once more United supporters had taken their full allocation of 1,696 to help the crowd reach a disappointing 15,552 as the referee Scott Mathieson of Stockport, Cheshire set the game in motion for the 5.15pm kick off. There was an even start to the game and very little goalmouth action. The home side had generally begun to get on top until twenty-five minutes had passed by and Leeds took the lead. Michael Tonge started the move and held up the pace of his advance until Danny Pugh had overlapped down the left flank before releasing him with a good pass. The left back took the ball in his stride and then crossed the ball to the back post, where Lee Peltier got in a looping header back across the goal. It beat the Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks for him to score into the left hand corner of the net. It was the full-back's his first ever goal for Leeds and give them the lead. Danny Pugh was again in the action minutes later, when the home side had a good chance to equalise. From a corner the ball was headed towards the Leeds goal, but the left back proved he could also defend and good defensive work from him blocked the effort. It was another corner, in the thirty-fifth minute that gave the home side a further chance. Tom Ince took the flag kick and Kirk Broadfoot met the cross with a header but it flew over. The United defence were in good form in the first half with Marius Zaliukas and Tom Lees especially notable for keeping out the Blackpool attackers. However it was Leeds that made the final threat of the half in the dying minutes, when Ross McCormack was released but he was met by two defenders and the threat was crowded out. Blackpool seemed short of ideas and Michael Chopra was receiving little support as Leeds looked good value for their 1-0 lead at half-time. Early in the second half Jason Pearce was able to elude his marker and get a touch on a corner from Michael Tonge but it went wide. Kirk Broadfoot did have a chance but he was way off target, as the hour mark approached. Both sides then had chances. First Jack Robinson had a superb thirty yard shot which, fortunately for Leeds, passed over the crossbar, then Rodoloph Austin capitalised on a home defensive error to get a shot in on goal but he was wide. After sixty-three minutes Blackpool made their first substitution when Nathan Delfouneso replaced Dan Gosling. Two minutes later they drew level, somewhat fortunately, after they had been awarded a free-kick a couple of yards outside the Leeds penalty area. Barry Ferguson floated the ball into a packed goal area, but United managed to clear the ball. However, Tommy Ince was on hand to pick up the clearance and hit a left-footed half-volley goalwards. From there it took a deflection off Marius Zaliukas' head and finished up in the net, with Paddy Kenny wrong-footed. United went straight on the attack and Ross McCormack was brought down by Kirk Broadfoot, who was fortunate to be merely shown a yellow card, close to the penalty area. The Scottish striker took the kick himself but could only hit the wall and then fly over the top. The game had now become more end to end and with fifteen minutes remaining Tommy Ince threatened to double his tally when he cut in from the wing but he shot wide of Paddy Kenny's left-hand post. As the game went into the final ten minutes the home side were on top, but it was Leeds that created the next chance when Ross McCormack used his speed to intercept a poor back-pass to Matt Gilks but the goalkeeper just managed to clear the ball. In the eighty-second minute Blackpool made their second change when Steve Davies replaced Michael Chopra. The home side was reduced to ten men in the final minute of normal time when Kirk Broadfoot was given a straight red card for an extremely bad tackle on Marius Zaliukas. Alex Cairns, Scott Wootton, Stephen Warnock, Sam Byram, Gboly Ariyibi, Dominic Poleon and Luke Varney all remained unused on the Leeds bench as United dropped to sixth spot, ten points behind leader Leicester City, having been undefeated in the five games in the month of December.

United reached the halfway stage of the season when they played the twenty-third game of their campaign with the final game of 2013 when they travelled to Nottingham Forest to meet them at the City Ground on Sunday 29th December 2013. The two teams started the match in fifth and six positions, with Forest just one point in front of their visitors. United made one change to the starting line-up with Luke Murphy returning after a one game suspension in place of Michael Tonge in midfield. Tonge dropped to the bench with Scott Wootton losing his place in the squad. Former Leeds loanee Eric Lichaj was at left back in the home starting eleven and former Leeds full-back Daniel Harding was on their bench as once again the Leeds allocation of seats had been sold out and they had 1,968 in a good crowd of 26,854. James Linington of Newport, Isle of Wight was the referee. There was an early scare for Leeds when Greg Halford collided with Paddy Kenny as he chased a poorly directed back pass from Tom Lees to the Leeds keeper, but after treatment the custodian was able to continue. United created a couple of chances in the opening ten minutes, with Danny Pugh, whose shot from the edge of the area was blocked, having the best. But it was Forest that were the better side and Jamie Mackie should have done better when played in by Andy Reid, but he failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy. Michael Brown was booked after bringing down Andy Reid for the second time in a short period and as the lively opening continued and the first goal came after twenty-three minutes. It was scored by the home side and came from a contentious free-kick, which was taken by Andy Reid who floated his kick to the far post where Greg Halford rose highest to head the ball over Paddy Kenny and into the net. The home side sought to press home their advantage and a minute later it was Andy Reid who broke through from midfield, but his shot was just over the crossbar. On the half-hour mark a Luke Murphy corner placed the home goal under threat to give United a good chance to level the scores. He floated a great ball towards the far post and Tom Lees was on hand to get in a powerful header, but it was deflected behind. Matt Smith also had a chance a few minutes later but hid header went wide. The home side retaliated and minutes later they had a good chance when Radoslaw Majewski was played into space by more Andy Reid good work and he forced Paddy Kenny to push the ball round the post for a corner as the shot was aimed just inside the near post. The final chance of the first half also fell to Forest when good play left Jamie Mackie free at the back post, but he squandered it by shooting wide. Andy Reid was running the midfield and Rodolph Austin was also booked as he struggled to contain him. There was little between the two teams early in the second half and Brian McDermott took off the already booked Michael Brown and sent on Gboly Ariyibi to liven things up in the sixtieth minute. Soon after Paddy Kenny was again in the action after Jamie Mackie had broken forward and passed to Djamal Abdoun, who shot for the inside of the near post, but the Leeds keeper was again equal to the task. Forest made their first change after sixty-eight minutes when Matt Derbyshire replaced Djamal Abdoun and almost immediately afterwards Leeds replaced Lee Peltier with Sam Byram. The young full-back had an immediate impact and Gboly Ariyibi had a half chance, but his inexperience showed as he snatched at his shot and it finished near the corner flag. Three minutes later Forest replaced Radoslaw Majewski with Nathaniel Chalobah. The new substitute was quickly into the game and set up a chance for Andy Reid to get in a powerful drive from twenty-five yards which rebounded off a post. The home side were well on top and seemed to be cruising towards victory but, in a rare Leeds breakaway, started by Sam Byram, saw the young full-back career down the right flank and get in a cross which the home defence tried to block. However, the ball rebounded to Ross McCormack, who was able to bundle the ball into the net after the usually solid Forest rearguard had failed to clear. It was his eighteenth goal of the season. Forest completed their changes in the eighty-third minute when Simon Cox came on for Jamie Mackie and the Leeds joy was short-lived. From the restart Matt Derbyshire was put in possession on the right and he was able to advance on the Leeds goal and choose his spot with a superb shot from twenty-five yards which flew past Paddy Kenny to re-establish the home side's lead. Two minutes later Leeds made their final change when Dominic Poleon replaced Ross McCormack. The young striker soon had a chance when he arrived late at the back post but his header was off target. Even though there were five minutes of stoppage time Forest were able to contain United in their own half and therefore they were restricted in any attacking thoughts and with Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Michael Tonge and Luke Varney unused on the bench, United slipped to their first defeat in December and dropped to seventh spot, on goal difference to the now sixth place Ipswich Town and thirteen points behind the leaders, Leicester City.

United started the New Year with their twenty-fourth fixture of the season with an evening kick-off against Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on New Year's Day 1st January 2014. the visitors came into the game in twelfth spot four points behind United and still harbouring promotion ambitions. United had recalled youngsters Alex Mowatt and Sam Byram back to the starting eleven in place of Michael Brown and Lee Peltier who dropped to the bench, with Michael Tonge being omitted from the squad. Scott Wootton was also restored to the bench in preference to Stephen Warnock. Former United defender Matthew Kilgallon was on the visitors' bench. The visitors had brought 1,010 fans with them in a good crowd of 30,145. Anthony Taylor of Wythenshawe, Manchester was the referee. The game started at a quick pace with United taking the early initiative, with a Rodolph Austin shot being deflected for a corner after little more than ten seconds, but there were early warnings for the home side as Blackburn showed they were strong opposition and a Tom Cairney corner saw Grant Hanley put a header just over the bar. Then, in the thirteenth minute Jordan Rhodes beat the Leeds offside trap to latch onto a through ball from Tom Cairney, who was on loan from Hull City, the club that took him on after he was released by Leeds at the age of sixteen as being too small, and the former Huddersfield striker guided the ball into the net to give the visitors an early lead. Soon after Lee Williamson was unfortunate to see his effort on goal deflected into the side-netting. United quickly replied as Alex Mowatt found space to get in a shot from just outside the penalty area, but Simon Eastwood saved. However, Blackburn soon returned to menace the Leeds goal when Ben Marshall evaded a challenge on the edge of the penalty box but saw his shot deflected for a corner. The resulting corner gave Blackburn another chance but the ball was just too high for Scott Dann to get a good connection. The half was near the halfway mark when Matt Smith was inches from connecting with a Danny Pugh cross with only the goalkeeper to beat. In the twenty-fifth minute Tom Lees came to the rescue, when he cleared off the goalline after the ball was rolling towards the net after Paddy Kenny had only partially stopped a shot from DJ Campbell. United had a short period of ascendency, but after thirty-six minutes the visitors doubled their lead. Tom Cairney had a succession of corners which caused United problems. Grant Hanley missed a good chance, but eventually the pressure told as Rudy Gestede rose high to get in a powerful downwards header that beat a packed defence and goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. It could easily have been three shortly afterwards when Tom Cairney sent a great pass to Rudy Gestede, but with only Paddy Kenny to beat it took a magnificent recovering tackle from Luke Murphy to deny him after he had tracked back to prevent the striker from shooting. However, there were claims for a penalty, as the tackle came from behind, which were brushed aside by the referee. Brian McDermott made his first change before the start of the second half when he replaced Luke Murphy with Gboly Ariyibi, who went to the left wing with Sam Byram going to the right wing. They started the second half on the front foot and created an early chance but Matt Smith hit his shot across the face of the goal and wide of the post. They continued on the attack and a Danny Pugh cross gave Gboly Ariyibi a golden chance to score right in front of the Kop, but his shot went just over the bar. The early pressure was rewarded when United reduced the arrears eight minutes into the second half when Matt Smith scored. Ross McCormack played a major part in the build up but appeared to have lost control of the ball. Tommy Spurr was ushering the ball back to his goalkeeper but he failed to notice that his keeper was not going to get to the ball before Byram, but it was too late and the youngster played the ball into the centre and the tall striker swept the ball into an empty net, as Eastwood failed to intercept Byram's pass. Blackburn still probed for openings as Tom Cairney went close with a half-volley, and then Jordan Rhodes was just wide with a lob. On the hour United were again fortunate to clear a Blackburn strike on goal from off the goal line. This time it was Matt Smith, who was back helping out in defence, that headed off the line when Grant Hanley had got in a header at the far post. Once more Blackburn felt aggrieved when DJ Campbell appeared to be tripped by Marius Zaliukas as he chased a wayward back-pass. Once again the referee saw nothing wrong. Soon after it was Ross McCormack, who appeared to be dragged down by Lee Williamson, who was appealing for a penalty. The referee appeared to be losing control of the game and an altercation between Scott Dann and Ross McCormack saw them both booked. United's second half come back was almost complete when once more Sam Byram raided down the right and again found Matt Smith waiting, but this time his shot went just wide. Blackburn made their first change in the sixty-fifth minute when Josh King replaced DJ Campbell. After seventy minutes United went even closer to getting on level terms when a Matt Smith shot rebounded to Alex Mowatt, who controlled the ball before getting in a fine shot which beat the Blackburn keeper but rebounded back off the crossbar. As United continued the pressure Brian McDermott made his third and final substitution, with thirteen minutes left on the clock he sent on Dominic Poleon for defender Tom Lees, which saw Poleon go to the right flank with Sam Byram dropping back to the right of defence. With ten minutes to go United survived a scare when Blackburn attacked and from a cross into the box Jordan Rhodes outjumped the United defence but his header hit the bar. The penalty appeals were reaching farcical proportions and Matt Smith was the next as he was crushed in the box, but it too did not receive the referee's approval.Blackburn pushed up and tried to play in the United half for the rest of the game and even though five minutes were added for stoppage time they were successful and with Alex Cairns, Scott Wootton, Lee Peltier and Luke Varney confined to the bench Leeds fell to their second consecutive defeat in their first game of the New Year. It saw them fall to eighth place on the ladder just one point above their conquerors, who rose to tenth, ,with Leedsjust one point behind sixth placed Ipswich Town but sixteen behind leaders Leicester City.

There was a Third Round F.A. Cup tie for United on Saturday 4th January 2014. It entailed a trip over the Pennines to take on League Two high flyers Rochdale at Spotland. Once more United had taken their full allocation of tickets and 3,413 fans were in the Leeds end of a crowd of 8,225. There were two changes to their line-up with Scott Wootton returning to the central defence at the expense of Tom Lees, who took his place on the bench, and Lee Peltier came in at right back as Sam Byram was pushed up into midfield in place of Alex Mowatt who was rested, while Michael Tonges was restored to the bench and there was also a place for Noel Hunt in preference to Luke Varney. Mike Jones of Chester was the referee. There were a couple of early scares for Leeds in the opening ten minutes and the home side had the ball in the Leeds net after seven minutes. Joe Bunney broke the Leeds line but the linesman had already flagged for offside. The home side were soon on the attack once more and Ian Henderson twice got the ball across but on on the first occasion Scott Hogan's header was off target and with the second the cross evaded several Rochdale players that were straining to get their heads to it. In the thirteenth minute Matty Done used his pace to beat a Leeds defender before squaring the ball across the Leeds goalmouth where Peter Vincenti narrowly failed to get his head to it as the ball flew past the Leeds goal and through to Ian Henderson on the right flank. His return cross was cushion headed back to Paddy Kenny by a Leeds defender. A minute later United did finally get on the attack and it almost brought the first goal. Matt Smith got in a header from a free-kick but had to watch as his goalbound header was kicked off the line by Matty Lund at the expense of a corner. From that corner Marius Zaliukas connected with a header but his effort was first blocked and then cleared by the home defence. Rochdale continued to show why they are one of the leaders in the League Two promotion battle and after some good football Paddy Kenny was called into action, making a great save one-handed diving save from Scott Hogan but needing Lee Peltier to complete the clearance. At the other end, after Matt Smith had knocked down a Danny Pugh corner, Scott Wootton made a hurried shot on goal which went over the bar. Leeds had started to get on top but it was the home side that created a great chance on the half-hour mark. Scott Hogan found a space in the Leeds defence and advanced on goal but Paddy Kenny was quick off his line to nullify the danger. Minutes later Ian Henderson advanced down the right wing but his shot was wide. As the half was drawing to a close it was the home side that looked the likelier of the two to break the deadlock. More good football by the home side saw Ian Henderson in possession on the edge of the penalty area and his shot brought another good save from Paddy Kenny and just after the keeper was again tested, this time by Scott Hogan, but he saved easily. Two minutes into first half injury time it was the home side that took the lead. With seconds remaining, a ball was crossed by Peter Vincenti into the penalty area and Scott Hogan got in a glancing header that nestled in the top left hand corner to give the League Two side a deserved lead as the teams went in for half time. United immediately went on the attack at the start of the second half and Matt Smith was again denied and his header was kicked off the goal-line by Joe Bunney. Leeds had to attack in an effort to retrieve their situation, but though half chances arose, they were unable to get any meaningful attempts on the Rochdale goal. As the seventieth minute approached good chances occurred for both teams. Ian Henderson seemed to be through on goal but Paddy Kenny was alert to his advance and was quickly off his line to smother his further progress. At the other end Ross McCormack had a good effort from the edge of the box but was inches wide of the post. Rochdale made their first change in the seventy-first minute when Graham Cummins replaced Joe Bunney. Danny Pugh broke forward and advanced down the left but Josh Lillis in the Rochdale goal palmed his effort round the post for a corner. Brian McDermott sent on Noel Hunt for Scott Wootton in the seventy-sixth minute but the following few minutes saw two great chances fall to the home side. However, neither Peter Vincenti nor Scott Hogan could hit the target and both shot wide when well placed, but the two combined for Scott Hogan to give Peter Vincenti another chance which was denied by Paddy Kenny who brought off a great save. The home side were looking the better team and deservedly increased their lead in the eighty-fourth minute when Ian Henderson scored with a well-flighted volley that beat Paddy Kenny and went into the top corner of the net settled the game. United made their final change with five minutes remaining as Dominic Poleon was sent on for Lee Peltier, but the game had gone as Alex Cairns, Tom Lees, Michael Brown, Michael Tonge and Gboly Ariyibi remained unused on the Leeds bench and Rochdale went in search of a third and only keeper Paddy Kenny could stop them as he pulled off another fine save to push another Ian Henderson effort, which was destined for the top corner of the net, over the bar. Rochdale remained in control of the final five minutes as United were eliminated from the F.A. Cup.

It was back to the League for their twenty-fifth game of the season which meant another "Yorkshire Derby" with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday 11th January 2014. United would have been fancying there chances against a side that was struggling in twentieth position, thirteen points worse off than United but with a game in hand. There was a 12.15pm kick-off as once more United had sold out their 3,068 ticket allocation in a crowd of 21,224 and Lee Probert of Hilperton, Wiltshire was the referee for the televised game. United had been busy on the transfer front and Cameron Stewart of Hull City and Jimmy Kebe of Crystal Palace had been loaned for the rest of the season. Both players were given their debuts with Sam Byram and Matt Smith dropping to the bench at the expense of Gboly Ariyibi and Noel Hunt. There were also returns for Tom Lees and Alex Mowatt as Scott Wooton and Luke Murphy dropped from the squad and Stephen Warnock regained his place on the bench, and Luke Varney returned as a substitute at the expense of Michael Tonge. The game was disrupted in the early minutes as a strong tackle by Lee Peltier left Jacques Maghoma the worse for wear. When the forward had recovered he was presented with a good chance to put the home side ahead but lost his footing and the chance was missed. Jason Pearce was the first Leeds player to have a chance to open the score but his header, from a Jimmy Kebe cross, was wide of the mark. Just before the twenty minute mark Connor Wickham also had a chance but he shot wide from the edge of the box. But the home side immediately took the lead when Connor Wickham'sfree-kick was not cleared, Kieran Lee beat the Leeds offside trap when he cleverly chipped a pass into the United area which left Reda Johnson with only Paddy Kenny to beat. He kept his cool and slid the ball into the corner of the net, albeit off his shin. Wednesday continued to play he better football and it was they that forced Paddy Kenny to make a fine diving save at the near post from a shot by Chris Maguire from twenty-five yards. United did start to get into the game as half-time approached but it was Wednesday that struck again before the break. After Connor Wickham had dispossessed Rodolph Austin he ran for thirty yards before passing to Kieran Lee who played the ball into the six yard box for Atdhe Nuhiu to slide the ball into the net at the back post. Wednesday could have put the game beyond recall soon afterwards when the impressive Keiran Lee released defender Liam Palmer into the box, but he could only shoot into the side-netting. Brian McDermott opted for attack and introduced Matt Smith for the second half in place of Tom Lees. His job was made nigh impossible when the tall striker was shown a straight red card in the first minute of the second half for a foul on Reda Johnson. Their situation worsened after just five minutes of play in the second stanza when Wednesday got their third goal. After a lucky bounce ogg Jacques Maghoma, Sunderland loanee, Connor Wickham lost his marker and managed a low left-foot shot from the left of the penalty area and that effort beat Paddy Kenny and went in off a post. Wednesday were now dominating play and Wickham soon had another chance but his shot was too high. In the sixty-fifth minute Wednesday made their first change when Caolan Lavery replaced Atdhe Nuhiu and they scored in the next minute when a Chris Maguire free-kick deflected off Rodolph Austin in the Leeds wall to leave Paddy Kenny stranded. This prompted Brian McDermott to make his second and final substitution by replacing Jimmy Kebe with Sam Byram. Wednesday made their second substitution in the seventy-third minute when Jermaine Johnson replaced Jacques Maghoma. Rodolph Austin sent in United's first shot of the half, which was by then half over, but his long range shot caused the Wednesday goal no problems and it was Wedneday who were again celebrating in the eightieth minute, when they got their fifth goal of the afternoon. Substitute Caolan Lavery was able to gain possession in midfield and set off on a probing run which split the Leeds defence before finishing with a good shot which easily beat the Leeds keeper. In the next minute Wednesday made their third and final substitution when Jeremy Helan replaced Chris Maguire. It could have been much worse for Leeds as substitute Jermaine Johnson hit the post with a stinging shot and a goalbound shot from Connor Wickham was deflected over the bar by Jason Pearce. As the time wound down it was all Wednesday and when four minutes were added for stoppages it only prolonged the Leeds misery and another defensive mistake led to Caolan Lavery getting his second and Wednesday's sixth of the afternoon when his curling shot left Paddy Kenny helpless with two minues left of stoppage time. Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Michael Brown, Dominic Poleon and Luke Varney remained unused on the Leeds bench as they were humiliated and the dejected faces of the ten men as they left the field said it all. With barely half of the season gone their chances of promotion were vanishing fast as they had failed to win any of their last six matches, including another humiliation in the F.A. Cup. A look at the table showed them in eleventh spot, four points behind sixth placed Brighton and Hove Albion and nineteen behind leaders Leicester City, who were their next opponents.

For their twenty-sixth game of the season on Saturday 18th January 2014, Leeds played host to runaway League leaders Leicester City in a 12-15 pm kick-off before a poor crowd of 22,678 which included 1,243 in the visitors' section. Ross McCormack was handed the Captaincy for the rest of the season instead of Rodolph Austin, former United keeper Kasper Schmeichel was in goal for the visitors and both teams and the crowd paid their respects to Bobby Collins, who had passed away during the week at the age of eighty-two. As would be expected from a side that had suffered two humiliating defeats in their last two games there were several changes in the Leeds line-up. First there was the enforced absence, for the first of three games, by Matt Smith for his suspension after his Hillsborough sending-off. This saw the return of El-Hadji Diouf to the bench. In the run-on eleven there were recalls for Sam Byram, Michael Brown, Stephen Warnock and Luke Varney, who were elevated from the bench in place of Lee Peltier, Alex Mowatt, who dropped to the bench, and Danny Pugh and Marius Zaliukas, who were omitted from the squad in favour of Scott Wootton and Luke Murphy, who filled the vacancies on the bench. It also saw the abandonment of the 3-5-2 system in favour of a 4-4-2 system with Cameron and Jimmy Kebe being used as wingers. With Mike Dean of Heswall, Wirral, as the referee, United started the televised game on the attack and Rodolph Austin and Michael Brown showed up well in midfield. Both sides had attempts on goal in the first ten minutes with Ross McCormack hitting the post with a header after good play from Luke Varney in the build up. Then minutes later Leicester forward Jamie Vardy showed good pace to beat the Leeds defence before his shot hit a post. Before the first ten minutes had elapsed Ross McCormack was back at the heart of the United attack and his chipped shot had to be headed off the line by Matty James and it was quickly followed by another as the Scot forced the Leicester keeper to make a great one handed save with a goalbound shot from the rebound. United kept up the attack and next it was Jimmy Kebe that almost marked his home debut with a goal. Rodolph Austin got in a good cross from deep and United had players lining up at the far post, but it was Kebe that took it but he headed into the sidenetting. Still the United pressure continued and it was again Ross McCormack who found himself with just the keeper to beat, after Paul Konchesky had made a bad mistake with a backpass to the keeper, but the big Swede stood his ground and as the Scot tried to chip him he was able to parry the shot to safety. United continued to dominate the League leaders and midway through the half Tom Lees should have given them the lead. After a United corner had been cleared, Stephen Warnock sent over a cross into the penalty area which Tom Lees met in the six yard box, but his header went narrowly over the bar, with an empty net gaping. Just after the half hour Leicester broke away on the counter and Ritchie De Laet fed Anthony Knockaert who got in a shot from the edge of the box, but his rising shot went over the crossbar, but it was a reminder of the threat the leaders posed on the break. As Half-time neared Leicester started to come more into the game but it remained goalless at the break. However, Leeds were back on the attack as the second half got under way and Ross McCormack, from a free-kick, and Michael Brown, with a shot from the edge of the area, both got in shots on goal which were both repelled by the Leicester defence. As the half continued Leicester showed the attacking side of their game with good spells of possession after the initial Leeds onslaught. Leicester's best effort came from Matty James, whose shot curled just wide of Paddy Kenny's post. Cameron Stewart showed good pace when he had two shots just after the hour mark. The first was blocked by Wes Morgan and the second went for a corner after being partially blocked. Minutes later Leeds had a shout for a penalty turned down after Ross McCormack and Jimmy Kebe had combined in the Leicester area. Leicester made their first change after sixty-four minutes when Ritchie De Laet was replaced by Marcin Wasilweski. After seventy-five minutes Leicester made their second change with Jami Vardy being replaced by the forty-year-old Kevin Phillips. Four minutes later Leicester made their third and final substitution with Andy King coming on for Lloyd Dyer. Leicester had a good chance with ten minutes to go as veteran Kevin Phillips was found at the back post and, rather than shoot he chose to pull the ball back for Andy King, whose first-time shot just went over the bar. Leeds made a double change in the eighty-fifth minute with Lee Peltier replacing Jimmy Kebe, while Sam Byram was pushed forward to the right wing and Cameron Stewart switched to the left, and El Hadji-Diouf came on for Luke Varney as Ross McCormack's strike partner. A minute later the deadlock was broken when the visitors took the lead with just three minutes of normal time left on the clock. Liam Moore got in a cross, which Kevin Phillips stepped-over it and allowed David Nugent to beat Tom Lees to the ball and stab it past Paddy Kenny for the only goal of the game. The defeat was cruel on Leeds, who restored their pride with a much-improved display before being left to rue a host of missed chances particularly in the first half. Alex Cairns, Scott Wootton, Alex Mowatt, Luke Murphy and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench as they lost their fifth consecutive gasme, including the F.A. Cup defeat, and had now gone seven games without a win. It saw them drop one more place to twelfth, six points adrift from sixth placed Reading and twenty-two points away from leaders Leicester, conversely they were only eleven points clear of Doncaster Rovers in the relegation spot of twenty-second.

United were without a game the following week as they had been eliminated from the F.A. Cup and their twenty-seventh game of the season was a Tuesday night encounter with Ipswich Town at Elland Road on 28th January 2014. The visitors were sat in seventh spot four points ahead of United but having played one game more and so a win was of great importance if they were to remain in contention. The club continued to be in turmoil both on and off the pitch and before the match Brian McDermott appealed for an end to the uncertainty over a proposed take-over of the club. There was plenty of Leeds involvement within the Anglian team with ex-loanee Adam Smith in the starting eleven and Former Leeds Captain Frazer Richardson now on loan with them was on the bench together with former trialist goalkeeper Scott Loach. United made just one change to the side that impressed against leaders Leicester City in the previous game, with Luke Varney, said to be ready to sign a loan transfer with Blackburn Rovers, being omitted from the squad and his place in the starting eleven being taken by El-Hadji Diouf, who made only his second start of the season, while Danny Pugh took over the vacant spot on the bench. David Webb of Stanley, Co. Durham, was the referee in front of a poor crowd of 20,461, 500 of which had made the trek from East Anglia. Ten minutes soon passed without either side creating any excitement as each struggled to gain ascendency. after fifteen minutes Jimmy Kebe showed a glimpse of what he could do as he used his pace and trickery to beat an Ipswich player but his cross into the box was cut out by the Ipswich defence. It was Ipswich that created the first goalscoring opportunity. From a throw in Darryl Murphy played a ball forward that found David McGoldrick at the back post but rather than control it, he chose to hit it at goal first-time and his strike was well wide of the mark. As the game approached the half an hour mark Ipswich gained two corners on the right in quick succession and from the second Colin Skuse saw his shot deflect off Christophe Berra. A minute later Jay Tabb crossed from the left across the Leeds penalty area and Paul Anderson, who was just beyond the far post, headed the ball downwards and into the path of David McGoldrick but his shot had no power behind it and Jason Pearce was on hand to clear. In the next minute David McGoldrick played in Ryan Tunnicliffe and Tom Lees, wearing a bandage on his head on a cut to his head, made a great last ditch tackle on the Ipswich man to thwart the Ipswich attack as they hit on the break. The visitors continued to be the better side and from the resulting corner, the ball was partially cleared as far as Paul Anderson, who set up Ryan Tunnicliffe for a shot from twenty yards. Paddy Kenny was called into action to make a double save firstly from Tunnicliffe which made him dive at full stretch to his right and then blocked the follow up from Darryl Murphy and eventually the attack finished as Luke Chamber headed over the bar. However, United weathered the storm and after thirty-five minutes created a chance of their own. Rodolph Austin gained possession just in the Ipswich half and carried the ball forward before unleashing a long range shot which bothered Dean Gerken and he had to dive to push it round the post. As the half was just about over United created a second chance when, after good play by El-Hadji Diouf and Stephen Warnock in the build up, the full back crossed for Ross McCormack but it was too high for him to reach. Ipswich had a great chance to take the lead in the opening minute of the second half when Ryan Tunnicliffe seized upon a poor clearance but he hurried his shot and sent it wide. United had a chance of their own shortly afterwards when Cameron Stewart cut in from the wing but his shot went over the bar. The second half was being played at a faster pace and the deadlock was broken in the fifty seventh minute. The visitors started a move just inside the Leeds half and the ball found its way to David McGoldrick who carried on further before unleashing a shot from twenty-yards to surprisingly beat Paddy Kenny at his near post to give Ipswich the lead. United responded well and just on the hour mark they were awarded a penalty after Cameron Stewart had been brought down by Luke Chambers in the box. The United captain, Ross McCormack, took on the responsibility and he beat Dean Gerken comprehensibly to his right to level the scores after sixty-two minutes. Leeds made a double substitution in the sixty-third minute when youngsters Alex Mowatt and Dominic Poleon replaced the older legs of Michael Brown and El-Hadji Diouf. United took control of the game after they had equalised and Ross McCormack had a further chance minutes later. He picked up a loose ball in the visitors penalty area and for a moment it looked destined for the back of the net but was deflected behind for a corner. On the seventy minute mark he fashioned another chance but his shot from outside the box brought a fine save from Dean Gerken. Ipswich made their first change when Frank Nouble came on for Paul Anderson in the seventy-second minute. With the game heading into the final ten minutes Stephen Warnock played a fantastic ball across the Ipswich six yard box, but unfortunately it had too much pace on it for any of the United forwards, Ross McCormack, Dominic Poleon or Jimmy Kebe, to get a touch to it. Brian McDermott made his final change when he sent on Lee Peltier to replace Sam Byram in the eighty-eighth minute. While United did most of the pressing in the final ten minutes there were no real chances created by either side and even after four further minutes for stoppages the game finished 1-1, which was probably a fair result. Alex Cairns, Scott Wootton, Danny Pugh and Luke Murphy remained unused on the Leeds bench as Leeds maintained twelfth spot eight points adrift of sixth placed Reading and twenty-seven points behind leaders Leicester City, who had played a game more.

The lead up to United's twenty-eighth game of the season, the "Local Derby" with Huddersfield Town at Elland Road on Saturday 1st February 2014, was by no stretch of the imagination remotely ideal as Brian McDermott's plea to the owners for a quick resolution of ownership seemed to have fallen on deaf ears and, if possible, had only worsened. There was confusion amongst the owners as to who owned the club and consequently there were duplicated orders both in conflict with each other. No matter what was the background turmoil it was Nigel Gibbs that was sat on the Leeds bench as caretaker manager, just who was responsible for the names on the teamsheet for the game was unknown, but the final version saw just two changes to the line up from the midweek clash with Ipswich Town, with Alex Mowatt starting ahead of Michael Brown, who dropped to the bench, while Luke Murphy was brought in from the bench to replace El-Hadji Diouf, who was omitted from the squad, with Jimmy Kebe up front with Ross McCormack, and Noel Hunt and Michael Tonge taking their places on the bench as Danny Pugh dropped out of the squad. With Town just two points and one place behind Leeds on the ladder the scene was set for Leeds to drop even further down the table should they lose. The Terriers had brought 2,602 fans with them in the crowd of 31,103 as Referee Graham Salisbury of Preston got the game in motion at 3pm, with former Leeds midfielder Adam Clayton in the visitors starting team. The game, as expected in such a local derby, was off to a flying start with both teams fighting hard to gain the ascendency. it was Leeds that created the first chance of the match after less than five minutes following superb build up from Ross McCormack, Jimmy Kebe and Rodolph Austin, with the Jamaican sending a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Cameron Stewart, but the winger shot wide. As the first quarter of an hour passed by United were again on the attack and Luke Murphy played a magnificent through ball to the onrushing Ross McCormack, who tried to bring Cameron Stewart into the play, but his pass was just too high for the winger to control. It was then Huddersfield's turn to threaten and only a fine last-ditch tackle from Sam Byram prevented Danny Ward from getting in a shot on goal. There was a further warning sign for United when Oliver Norwood got possession twenty yards out from goal. His shot appeared to be covered by Paddy Kenny but it rebounded off the post. Town now looked to be on top and in quick succession Sam Byram intercepted a pass which would have had goalscoring intentions and then Town fired into the side-netting. So it was not surprising when the Terriers took the lead after twenty-five minutes. Bad marking left Danny Ward alone at the back post from a looping pass and he had little trouble in getting the ball into the net to give Town the lead. Huddersfield continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides and an overhead kick by Murray Wallace was cleared off the Leeds goal line as the half-hour was reached. United had responded well to the pressure and ten minutes later they had a chance to level the scores when Rodolph Austin crossed from the wing to find Ross McCormack in the box, but although the Scot got up well, his header was off target. In injury time of the first half both teams had a chance. First Nakhi Wells was through on goal with just Paddy Kenny to beat but he sent the ball wide under pressure from the keeper. Then Ross McCormack had a shot on goal from just outside the area but he too was wide. But the Leeds striker was soon back and with seconds to go in two minutes of injury time, he was the quickest to react in a scramble in the Huddersfield box as he got possession to slam the ball into the back of the net for his twentieth goal of the season. Within five minutes of the restart United had forgotten all their troubles both on and off the field and turned to game on its head. After a good start to the half they came forward in numbers and a clever back-heel from Ross McCormack led to some brilliance from Jimmy Kebe, who took the ball round one defender before giving Alex Smithies no chance with a powerful shot from six yards. Minutes later United nearly extended their lead and again Ross McCormack was at the centre of the action but his cross was just too fast for Cameron Stewart. The Terriers had a chance of their own a couple of minutes later but Nakhi Wells missed his kick and Paddy Kenny was untroubled. On the hour mark Town had a further chance but Danny Ward put it wide. Moments later the same player fired over after getting into a good shooting position. Huddersfield made their first substitution after sixty-one minutes when Sean Scannell came on for Oscar Gobern. Town were made to pay for their misses in the sixty-second minute when United got their third of the game as Rodolph Austin made a powerful run forward to bring Sam Byram into the play down the right flank. The full-back played a precision cross which found Ross McCormack only too pleased to turn the ball into the net for his twenty-first of the season and also his half-century in all games for United. Leeds went close to getting a fourth soon after when Rodolph Austin fired in a great shot which forced Alex Smithies into a great save as he dived to turn it round the post. In the sixty-ninth minute Town brought on Joe Lolley in place of Paul Dixon, but four minutes later Leeds did get their fourth as Ross McCormack registered his hat-trick for the game, his twenty-second for the season and his fifty-first for the club. The United pressure was beginning to tell on the visitors and it was Cameron Stewart pace and trickery that created the chance, as the winger beat his marker, advanced into the box and crossed to the back post where Ross McCormack was waiting to drill the ball past Alex Smithies to make the score 4-1. Two minutes later the Terriers made their third and final substitution when Martin Paterson replaced Nakhi Wells. But United were still not finished and in the eighty-second minute Alex Mowatt was able to register his first League goal for the club when Alex Smithies and Anthony Gerrard collided as they got themselves mixed up in defending against a long through ball. The youngster latched onto the ball and kept his composure to lob Alex Smithies in front of his adoring fans in the Kop to make it 5-1. With five minutes left Adam Clayton broke through for the visitors but although he managed to get in a good shot, his deflected effort bounced back off the crossbar. With three minutes to go Michael Tonges became United's first substitution when he replaced Alex Mowatt. Their second change came in the final minute of normal time as Michael Brown replaced Rodolph Austin and Alex Cairns, Lee Peltier, Scott Wootton, Noel Hunt and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench. So all was well that ended well as after being outplayed for most of the first half United were able to recover to seal an emphatic win and finished the day in eleventh place eight points behind sixth placed Reading and twenty-seven behind leaders Leicester City. But in the aftermath of the game it was revealed that they had gained the three points despite the shambolic administration of the club by its mishmash of owners. It transpired that Brian McDermott had in fact been sacked on the Friday night by Massimo Cellino, however, as his proposed take over had not been finalised, he had no right to do so. McDermott, who had been in Manager of the club since taking over from Neil Warnock, nine months previously, was given a three year contract, which obviously still had well over two years to run. Obviously no one was happy with United's recent run of losses, particularly against supposedly inferior opposition and for that it is equally obvious that NcDermott was culpable. It was reported that Cellino had been meddling in the affairs of Leeds United having tried to have his man, Gianluca Festa, on the bench for the home game with Ipswich Town the previous Tuesday, a clear undermining of Brian McDermott's authority, which he refused. This was accentuate on the Friday by McDermott being told that he would be getting "a number of Italian signings". On Friday evening McDermott received a phone call from lawyers representing the Cellino family informing him that he had been dismissed and would receive the details in writing. Festa was apparently to take charge of the team against Huddersfield along with academy coach Neil Redfearn, but McDermott's assistant Nigel Gibbs arrived at Elland Road and it was understood he and Redfearn would manage the Leeds side, with Festa's involvement unclear. The club issued a statement ahead of the game with Huddersfield stating "Following recent media reports and speculation, GFH Capital would like to confirm that it has agreed to sell a 75% stake in the club to Eleonora Sport Ltd, a company owned by the Cellino family, who have many years' experience in football and who plan to invest substantially in the club and the re-acquisition of Elland Road. Eleonora will be working on completing the required Football League approval. The Cellino family is a well-known Italian sports family, who have owned Seria A side Cagliari since 1992. They come to English football with an ambition to support Leeds United financially to take it to the Premier League and a belief that the club can sustain top-flight status. Since the agreement, Leeds United is in discussion with Eleonora Sports Ltd on a number of issues concerning club matters, including the structure of the management of the first team." The Leeds fans let their feelings be known in no uncertain terms with demonstrations at the match and constant chanting for Brian McDermott. Despite not being at the game on Saturday, McDermott has now been told that he is still the manager of Leeds and that the Solicitor working for the company was not actually on the pay roll. A statement by the club read: “The club would like to make it clear that Brian McDermott remains our first team manager. He has not been dismissed from his post as has been suggested and we look forward to him continuing in his role with us in taking Leeds United forward.” Nigel Gibbs said that he only found out at 12.15 pm on the day of the match that he was taking charge of the team instead of McDermott and then said " It was his team, his performance, his victory", adding, "The statement is good news, we all wanted him to stay. The team played for Brian, absolutely. I've spoken to him and he was delighted with the result and the performance" and so Brian McDermott was given a temporary stay of execution, but the mixed messages continued unabated and all were beyond the control of Brian McDermott and the fans were still left to figure out the true situation among all the duplicity. For Brian McDermott he still held the poisoned chalice and had to play out the rest of his term with the cards he had been dealt and had only his coaching skills to mould the players he had into a winning team. If not the sword of Damocles would fall from his Italian Master so that he could walk a mile in his shoes.

Yeovil Town were rank bottom of the League when Leeds paid them a visit in their twenty-ninth game of the seaon on Saturday 8th February 2014. They were nineteen points worse off although they had played two games less. They had only won two and drawn two of their twelve home games and they were just the kind of team that United needed to boost their flagging spirits. There was understandably an unchanged starting eleven after the good result against Huddersfield in the previous fixture, but with Matt Smith having served his three match suspension he returned to the bench in place of Dominic Poleon, while Danny Pugh replaced Michael Tonge. There was another sell out crowd in the Leeds section as at least 2,053 of the 7,984 were supporting Leeds. There had been appalling weather in the area in the previous week and there was doubt over the fitness of Huish Park to stage the televised match. But Referee Paul Tierney of Wigan got the game away to a 12-15pm kick-off with Leeds playing into a very stiff wind and it was Ross McCormack who tried his luck from distance in the first few minutes but his effort was over the bar. The wind was having a big effect on United's progress and Paddy Kenny was having trouble getting any distance on his kicks, particularly from goal-kicks. It didn't help when after ten minutes the heavens opened and down came the rain to make conditions even worse. Both sides created good chances after the fifteen minute mark. First was Leeds with Alex Mowatt, on the break, releasing Ross McCormack and after the Scot had his progress stopped by a tackle, the ball ran loose to Cameron Stewart, who took the ball into the area before he passed inside to the Scot who had kept pace with his run, but his shot was wide of the mark. The home side replied by taking advantage of the wind to breakaway and their attack ended with Kieffer Moore sending his shot wide of the post. The attrocious conditions were affecting both sides as the wind limited United's progress while it tended to make the ball outrun the Yeovil attack. Leeds seemed to be mastering the conditions the better of the two as they tried to keep the ball on the floor, but it was the home side that took the lead in the thirty-second minute. The goal came from an inswinging corner by John Lundstram and Ishmael Miller got up the highest, to outjumping Rodolph Austin, and get a powerful header past Paddy Kenny and into the bottom corner of the net. The home side almost increased their lead a minute later when the Yeovil scorer beat the Leeds offside trap, but fortunately for Leeds the wind took the ball through to Paddy Kenny. This was quickly followed by Joel Grant timing his run to perfection and Paddy Kenny's saving fly-kick rebounded off the attacker and the ball flew just over the bar. Five minutes before the interval, Leeds had a good chance to equalise. Sam Byram made a dash down the right flank and squared it into the path of Ross McCormack, who tried to chip Marek Stech in the home goal but he could not get enough elevation and the keeper saved. Yeovil should have doubled their just before the interval when Sam Byram brought down Kevin Dawson in the penalty area. Ishmael Miller stepped up to try to double both his and his club's tally for the afternoon, but the big striker tried to smash the ball down the middle and only succeeded in clipping the bar as the ball disappeared into the Leeds crowd behind the goal. United sent on Matt Smith for the second half, replacing Alex Mowatt. It took just forty seconds of the second half for United to get back on level terms, as Ross McCormack got possession on the edge of the home penalty area and the Scot made a stunning strike which went into the top corner of the net, giving Marek Stech no chance, for his twenty-third goal of the season. Leeds were a little unfortunate not to take the lead in the fiftieth minute, when Rodolph Austin let go a thunderous drive from distance and only a fantastic save from the home goalkeeper prevented this. United with the wind now behind them were starting to get on top and it was Cameron Stewart that had the next chance. He broke forward and had options in the box but he chose to disregard them and shoot himself, but his effort was deflected behind for a corner by Joe Edwards. Seventeen minutes after the start of the half United completed the full turnaround of the game when they took the lead. Stephen Warnock used the windy conditions to his advantage when he struck a thirty-five yard free-kick goalwards and the onrushing Marek Stech was completely deceived by the flight of the ball which sailed over his head and into the net. Soon after that setback the home side tried to hit back as they attacked in numbers, but this time Stephen Warnock became United's saviour when he took the ball off Joel Grant's toes before clearing the ball to safety. After that point it was all Leeds for a long period as they camped in the Yeovil half. It started when they had four successive corners but with ten minutes still on the clock Rodolph Austin again had a shot from distance but was wide and moments later Ross McCormack played in Jimmy Kebe but the winger could not compose himself and his rushed effort was blasted over the bar. Yeovil made a double substitution in the eighty-third minute with Tom Lawrence replacing Kevin Dawson and Adam Morgan coming on for Joel Grant. Matt Smith and Ross McCormack combined well for the Scotland international to get a shot on goal but Marek Stech pulled off a good save to thwart the top marksman. The home side made their final change with a minute to go as James Hayter replaced John Lundstram. Alex Cairns, Lee Peltier, Scott Wootton, Danny Pugh, Michael Brown and Noel Hunt remained unused on the Leeds bench as United secured the points to go tenth on the ladder five points behind sixth placed Reading, with a game in hand and a massive twenty-five points behind leaders Leicester City.

After two successive victories, disregarding the opposition, there had been a boost to United's flagging promotion chances, but to keep their ambitions on track they faced a stiffer challenge with a Tuesday night fixture at Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex Stadium for their thirtieth game of the season on 11th February 2014. Due to the distance to travel in midweek, it made sense, but was an unusual thing, that the club had not taken their full quota of tickets but they did have 1,960 fans in a crowd of 27,700. United sat two places, but just one point, behind the home side, who occupied eighth spot on the ladder. It was a game they need a result from if their ambitions were to be taken seriously. United made one change from the side that had won at Yeovil with Danny Pugh coming into the starting eleven at the expense of Cameron Stewart, who was unavailable due to a break in his loan spell and this meant a return to the squad for Michael Tonge. Darren Deadman of Cheshunt, Cambridgeshire was the referee as the game kicked off at 7-45pm and it was the home side who started the game the brighter. They put United under pressure and had three shots blocked in the first few minutes. The home side created a good opportunity on the ten minute mark when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the Leeds penalty area, after Andrea Orlandi had linked up well with Inigo Calderon and then had his progress halted illegally by Rodolph Austin. Andrea Orlandi took it but he blasted it into the crowd behind the Leeds goal. Solly March again found David Rodriguez in space but the Spaniard fired over. Leeds then came more into the game and enjoyed a good spell of possession but were unable to create any clear-cut chances. United continued trying to hit the home side on the break and their best chance came when Luke Murphy released Ross McCormack. The striker held the ball up well but when no options were provided for him he was forced to shoot and his effort was saved by Tomasz Kuszczak. Neither side could keep possession for long and the only danger to either goal came when Leonardo Ulloa got in a shot that hit the side-netting on the half hour. The same player later had a shot that was wide of the mark but as the game went into first half injury time United looked the stronger team as the game remained goalless but Brighton had created the more first-half chances and Leeds had found it hard to cope with Solly March and Andrea Orlandi down the flanks. Leeds started the second half strongly with Alex Mowatt seeing his shot saved by Tomasz Kuszczak, who also punched clear from a Ross McCormack free-kick, as Gordon Greer cleared the danger. Brighton made their first substitution in the fifty-seventh minute when Kazenga Lua Lua replaced David Rodriguez. Seven minutes later the substitute was involved when the home side took the lead in the sixty-fourth minute. It was Leonardo Ulloa that stabbed the ball home from close range after the substitute's cross was deflected to him. Soon afterwards Paddy Kenny had to make a fine save when a shot from Solly March was deflected but he managed to adjust to block it. This was followed by the same striker firing into the side-netting. United respondedwith Alex Mowatt forcing Tomasz Kuszczak to save low down. The home team's second change came in the seventy-third minute when Will Buckley came on for Solly March. Leeds made their first chamge in the sixty-eighth minute when Matt Smith replaced Danny Pugh. After seventy seven minutes United made their second change with Noel Hunt replacing Alex Mowatt. Brighton's final change saw Jonathan Obika replace goalsorer Leonardo Ulloa after eighty-one minutes. As the game wound down to its conclussion Leeds were unable to make any meaningful impression on the Brighton defence and as Alex Cairns, Lee Peltier, Scott Wootton, Michael Brown and Michael Tonge all remained unused on the bench, United's mini-revival came to an end and they slipped to eleventh place on the ladder, five points behind sixth placed Reading, with Brighton just one point behind the Berkshire team in seventh spot.

For their thirty-first game of the season, United were again on their travels for the third consecutive time as they visited the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough in a 12-45pm kick-off on Saturday 22nd February 1914. Middlesbrough were sat one place behind Leeds in twelfth place with three points separating them and Boro having played a game more, so it would help either side if they could gain the full points. United's cause was not helped by both Paddy Kenny and Sam Byram being unable to play due to injury, with the keeper's injury likely to leave him absent for several weeks and United covered that eventuality by loaning Jack Butland from Stoke City for the rest of the season. So he made his debut and Lee Peltier was recalled at right back, with Marius Zuliakas taking his place on the bench. Tom Lees was also absent for family reasons and Scott Wootton took his place while Dominic Poleon came onto the bench. Cameron Stewart was now, once more, available and he took Alex Mowatt's position and the youngster dropped to the bench, while Noel Hunt came into the starting eleven in place of Danny Pugh, who was omitted from the squad. For the second consecutive game Leeds failed to take up their full allocation of tickets, but there was still a healthy following of 3,159 in a crowd of 20,424 as Referee Anthony Taylor of Wythenshawe, Manchester got the televised game under way, with ex-Leeds favourite Jonathan Woodgate and ex-Leeds loanee Danny Graham in the home side's starting eleven. The home side were soon on the attack and the first fifteen minutes saw United fighting to survive and keep them at bay. However, while Boro threatened on several occasions, one being when Jacob Butterfield shrugged of a Leeds tackle to play in Kei Kamara but his shot from twenty-five yards out was about a yard wide of the far post, but Jack Butland in the Leeds goal had no real pressure to face or any saves to make. After thirteen minutes Jimmy Kebe played in Lee Peltier, who had advanced down the wing, cut inside and then squared the ball to Ross McCormack, but former Leeds stalwart, Jonathan Woodgate arrived in the nick of time to block his shot with a well-timed sliding tackle. Then after eighteen minutes, Jimmy Kebe featured in midfield showing good touches before playing in his right winger Cameron Stewart, but the flankman's cross just evaded the onrushing Noel Hunt who claimed he had been inpeded by Kenneth Omeruo, but the referee waved play on. The game was scrappy and little quality play was shown by either team as the game progressed towards the break. Boro did create a chance on the half hour when Nathaniel Chalobah found Kei Kamara outside the penalty box, but he was closed down and never got the chance to shoot. However, the closest either side came towards a goal was five minutes from the interval when Jimmy Kebe advanced after receiving the ball from a free-kick to find Noel Hunt, who in turn found Luke Murphy, who sent a good shot just wide of the upright after some good pressure from United. Ultimately, the home side did finally test Jack Butland with little time left in the half when Jacob Butterfield tried his luck from distance. The new loanee keeper showed his class by effortlessly palming the ball over the bar. After just three minutes of the second half United almost gave the lead to the home side when Jacob Butterfield released full-back George Friend to the bylineand he sent a low cross to Danny Graham but Stephen Warnock intercepted and forced Jack Butland to stop the full-back's touch from going over the line with a point-blank reflex save. Minutes later United had a half-chance as Lee Peltier joined the attack and crossed from the right, but Jimmy Kebe's glancing header was wide of the target. Middlesbrough too were creating their own chances with former Leeds loanee Danny Graham going for a spectacular overhead kick after Kei Kamara had misshit his shot and it fell kindly for Graham, but once more the new Leeds keeper was equal to the task. As the game approached the hour mark it was again Danny Graham who had a chance to break the deadlock but this time the forward's angled shot flew over the bar. Middlesbrough made their first change in the sixty-seventh minute when Lee Tomlin came on for Kei Kamara. In the seventieth minute Leeds had livened up matters with some great attacking play from Cameron Stewart, who opened up the home defence when his deflected cross was picked up by Luke Murphy, but the midfielders shot was blocked. This was quickly followed by Ross McCormack getting in a powerful shot that went narrowly wide. The second home substitution came in the seventy-second minute when Albert Adomah came on for Curtis Main. Boro's final substitution came five minutes later when Emmanuel Ledesma replaced Jacob Butterfield. A minute later Jack Butland was called into action once more after Boro's substitute Albert Adomah broke the Leeds offside trap and was through on goal, but, although it seemed certain he would score, once more the new Leeds keeper pulled off a fantastic save to deny him. In the eighty-second minute Leeds made their first change when Matt Smith replaced Noel Hunt. United applied the pressure and of the two teams seemed the more likely to score as the minutes ticked slowly away. They just could not make the final pass to create a scoreable chance. Leeds hit the woodwork in the eighty-third minute when, after a long throw from Lee Peltier, Ross McCormack forced Shat Givens to push the ball onto the post. However, the whistle had already gone for a foul on Jonathan Woodgate. There was always a danger of a home team breakaway, and this happened as the clocked had almost reached ninety minutes. United were fortunate that Grant Leadbitter blazed his final shot over the bar as Jason Pearce put him under enough pressure to make his effort hurried. There were three minutes of stoppage time, but once again while Leeds attacked, it fell to the home time to have the chance to score but this time it was Albert Adomah's shot that went wide of Jack Butland's near post and the game ended in stalemate with Alex Cairns, Marius Zuliakas, Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, Alex Mowatt and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench. United remained in eleventh spot but Boro had to concede their spot to Watford, as United were now seven points behind sixth placed Reading, even thought they still had a game in hand, and so far behind the top three that any thoughts of automatic promotion had long disappeared.

For United fourth consecutive away game they visited fourth-placed Queens Park Rangers in their thirty-second League encounter of the season at Loftus Road on Saturday 1st March 2014. Once more the game was a 12-15pm kick-off as it was featured on TV but despite that United had sold their full allocation of 1,794 in a crowd of 16,448. United were trailing Rangers by thirteen points and, despite Rangers being in a mini-slump, would not have been optimistic about their chances of returning North with three points. During the week Leeds had secured the loan of striker Connor Wickham from Sunderland and he started the game as Ross McCormack's strike partner at the expense of Noel Hunt who dropped to the bench, while Tom Lees was again available and replaced Scott Wootton, who dropped to the bench. Sam Byram returned to the bench, which saw Marius Zaliukas, Michael Tonge and Dominic Poleon lose their places in the squad. The Referee was Chris Foy of St Helens, Lancashire. The defences ruled in the early stages of the game, but after three minutes Rangers should have done better as an Armand Traore cross went begging as none of the home forwards could get a touch on it as it passed through the danger area. It was even worse for United as after ten minutes they had a great chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty after Richard Dunne had brought down Ross McCormack in the area. The Scot picked himself off the turf and took the spot kick, but Robert Green pulled off a fine save to deny him when the shot was too tame and too close to him. However, the Scot made amends soon afterwards when Leeds were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area after Armand Traore had recklessly upended Rodolph Austin twenty-five yards out. This time his shot beat the Rangers keeper for Leeds to take the lead in the fourteenth minute. It was McCormack's twenty-fourth goal of the season. Rangers were fortunate from United's next free-kick when Cameron Stewart took it and opted for placement rather than pace from thirty yards out. The shot had the keeper in trouble and he spilt the ball in the six yard box but no United forwards were on hand to reap the benefits. United continued to look good in possession and the new strike partnership combined well in the box to give Ross McCormack a chance to get a shot in on goal, but it was deflected wide for a corner. This was followed by the two strikers again combining well and this time it was Connor Wickham, on the half-hour mark, that had the shot which went wide of the mark. It was clear that the pair had quickly built up an understanding and were causing the Rangers rearguard all kinds of problems. The home side came more into the game as half-time approached and Junior Hoilett shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. Then Armand Traore had a shot blocked and Jermaine Jenas should have done better when he had an opportunity from close range but his headerr looped harmlessly into the arms of Jack Butland. Kevin Doyle was playing his part as the focal point of the attack. It was after some good hold-up play by him that Jermaine Jenas was able to find enough space in the area to shoot for goal. His shot beat Jack Butland to bring the scores level with a minute to go to the break. Rangers began the second half as they finished the first and went very close to taking the lead in the first minute of the second half. Ravel Morrison had started the second half well and he played Armand Traore through on goal and it took a great save by Jack Butland to prevent that from happening. But after that the game deteriorated and was punctuated by free-kicks and stoppages which ruined the fluency of the match. One of the few bright spots was provided by Connor Wickham, who came close to regaining the lead for United but, after good play by Cameron Stewart, his shot across the goal missed by a whisker. The home side made their first change in the sixty-second minute when Manchester United loanee Will Keane replaced Junior Hoilett. Leeds made their first substitution in the seventieth minute when Alex Mowatt replaced Cameron Stewart. United's second change saw Michael Brown come on for Luke Murphy ten minutes later. Rangers followed immediately by making their second change by sending on Tottenham loanee Tom Carroll in place of Jermaine Jenas a minute later. The home side made their final change in the eighty-fifth minute when Yossi Benayoun replaced Ravel Morrison and in the final minute Leeds sent on Sam Byram for Jimmy Kebe to complete their changes. With not long to go of the ninety minutes Connor Wickham brought Robert Green into action when, after a free-kick, he got in a header on target. The Rangers' keeper could only manage to parry it, but Wickham's follow up from the rebound was blocked on the line. The game went into stoppage time and after three minutes the home crowd erupted as Clint Hill had the ball in the net for what seemed like the winner. However, the linesman, quite correctly as the replay showed, cancelled it out for offside. It was the final action of the match and while Alex Cairns, Scott Wootton, Matt Smith and Noel Hunt remained unused on the Leeds bench, United finished with a well-earned and unexpected point. However, while Rangers' mini-slump continued, the point was not enough to stop United dropping below Watford into twelfth place on the ladder, eight points behind Wigan Athletic who now occupied sixth place.

For their thirty-third game of the season United welcomed Bolton Wanderers to Elland Road on 8th March 2014. The visitors brought 1,186 fans with them to make the good-sized crowd 28,904. The Trotters were not having the best of seasons and they were six places and six points behind United in eighteenth spot, and had played one game more. There were home debuts for the two England Under-Twenty-One loanees but also one enforced change with Jason Pearce missing his first game of the season as his wife gave birth to their first child. This meant a return to the starting eleven for Scott Wootton and a return to the bench for Marius Zaliukas. Former United goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was on the visitors' bench but there was no place in the squad for ex-leeds hero, Jermaine Beckford, who had recovered from injury. Keith Hill of Royston, Hertfordshire, was the referee. United had the majority of possession in the opening stages but never really threatened the Bolton goal. The visitors did have a chance but Mark Davies shot wide, after Neil Danns had carved out an opening for him. Connor Wickham was the first to have a sight of goal for the home side, but his shot was charged down. Luke Murphy had started the game off well, making some good tackles and generally controlling midfield. It was he that picked up the ball on the corner of the penalty box but his curling shot passed the wrong side of the post. As the middle of the first half approached neither team were able to create any clear-cut chances and they resorted to trying their luck from distance. Neil Danns having a go for the Trotters and Lee Peltier for United but both keepers gathered with ease. Leeds seemed unable to retain control of the game as their passing lacked accuracy, while initially Bolton where unable to put Jack Buland under any kind of pressure. The closest either side came was with five minutes before the break, Joe Mason shot into the side-netting and at the other end Stephen Warnock shot high and wide. Just when it seemed that the two teams would go to the break deadlocked at 0-0, Bolton caught Leeds with a counter attack right on half-time. Neil Danns played in Joe Mason, through a gap as large as the Grand Canyon in the Leeds defence, leaving him with only the goalkeeper to beat. The striker kept his composure and, although Butland spread himself well, the Swansea loanee slid the ball past him to give the visitors a half-time lead. It was obvious that Leeds were missing the calming influence of Jason Pearce in defence, as the dejected Leeds players left for the break with the boos of the crowd ringing in their ears. Brian McDermott did not address that problem but did make one change at half-time replacing Lee Peltier with Sam Byram, designed to give better service to winger Jimmy Kebe. Although United started the second half well it was the Trotters that increased their lead after just seven minutes. Rodolph Austin was booked for pushing Medo Kamara twenty-five yards out from goal. Jay Spearing took the resulting free-kick and floated a cross that was perfect for Lukas Jutkiewicz, who got in a powerful header that gave Jack Butland no chance. The visitors further increased their lead just four minutes later and more slack marking by the Leeds defence was evident when Jay Spearing again floated a speculator forward from another free-kick. The United defence were unable to deal with it and Zat Knight was able to weave a path through the box and bundle the ball into the net. United rallied for a while and Ross McCormack went close from a free-kick, which went just wide. United made a double change in the sixty-fourth minute with Matt Smith replacing Cameron Stewart and Alex Mowatt coming on for Jimmy Kebe. The move almost had an immediate impact. Rodolph Austin had a shot on goal, which Adam Bogdan in the Bolton goal could only parry. Tom Lees then saw his shot raise appeals for a handball as it deflected towards Matt Smith, whose header was saved by the Bolton keeper. Bolton made their first change in the seventieth minute with Liam Trotter replacing Joe Mason. More slack marking by the United defence was again punished in the seventy-second minute, when once more Bolton broke on the counter attack and Lukas Jutkiewicz's cross was missed by the United defence and Mark Davies had an easy task to head the ball into the net for the visitors to lead 4-0. The Trotters then made their second change in the seventy-fifth minute when Lee Chung-Yong replaced Mark Davies. The substitute was soon involved when he set up Lukas Jutkiewicz, but his shot was well saved by Jack Butland. Bolton's final change came in the eighty-second minute when Andre Moritz replaced Jay Spearing. It was the latest substitute that increased the visitors' lead in the eighty-ninth minute when his powerful shot went in off the underside of the bar. United did manage to reduce the deficit two minutes into stoppage time when Matt Smith headed a Ross McCormack cross past Adam Bogdan, but it was nothing more than a consolation and the final whistle went two minutes later. Alex Cairns, Marius Zaliukas, Michael Brown and Noel Hunt all remained unused on the Leeds bench as did Andy Lonergan on the visitors' as United were overwhelmed but remained in twelfth spot, eight points behind sixth place Reading with a game in hand. It was a game that United were expected to win and one that would have increased their possiblity of a play off place, but that chance was passed up for a humiliating home defeat which seriously questioned United's ability to even rank in the top dozen let alone the top half-a-dozen.

Just three days later, on Tuesday, 11th March 2014, United were again at Elland Road for their thirty-fourth game of the season against sixth placed Reading, who they trailed by eight points, but had one game in hand. It was a must-win game as defeat would signal the end of their promotion aspirations for the season with still a dozen games left to play. Predictably United made five changes to the team that surrendered so meekly to Bolton Wanderers in their previous game. Jason Pearce was once more available and with Brian McDermott reverting to a 3-5-2 system he took his place in the back three instead of Scott Wootton, who dropped to the bench. Marius Zaliukas joined him and Tom Lees in the defence. Sam Byram and Danny Pugh were both restored to the wing-back roles as Lee Peltier and Stephen Warnock dropped out of the squad. Alex Mowatt was preferred to Jimmy Kebe, who also did not make the squad. Cameron Stewart dropped to the bench to accomodate Marius Zaliukas, but Dominic Poleon was restored to the bench. The 7-45pm kick-off had to be postponed by half-an-hour due to traffic delays on the M62 which had delayed officials and fans. Oliver Langford of Birmingham was the referee and Ex-Leeds loanee Alex McCarthy was in goal for the visitors, who were formerly managed by Brian McDermott and the game got underway before a poor crowd of 19,915, which understandaby only included 456 who had made the long trip from Berkshire and other points to support Reading. Both teams got off to an exciting start. They Royals were soon into their stride and Jobi McAnuff was not too far off the target when a Royston Drenche shot was blocked and rebounded to him. It was Connor Wickham that claimed the first shot on target after strong play helped to create space for him to shoot, but Alex McCarthy was equal to the task and held the shot well. There remained little between the two sides as the midway stage of the first half approached, but after twenty-five minutes that all changed. Following a back-pass by Marius Zaliukas there was indecision between Jason Pearce and keeper Jack Butland, as they left it for each other, which allowed Garath McCleary to nip in and steal the ball before passing it into an empty net. Ten minutes later Reading had the chance to go further ahead as they hit United on the break. Jobi McAnuff released Garath McCleary down the right wing and the winger found Hal Robson-Kanu with a cross-field pass. The forward controlled the ball and immediately shot at goal, which brought a magnificent save from Jack Butland at the expense of a corner, which fostered another chance, but Alex Pearce headed wide as he was left unmarked at the far post. After forty minutes Reading were forced to make their first change when goalscorer, Garath McCleary, took a knock and, though he tried to play on, he had to be replaced by Nick Blackman. United did have a half-chance as half-time approached. Connor Wickham did good work before playing in Sam Byram, who had advanced down the right wing. The wing back crossed for Alex Mowatt to get in a looping header but it failed to trouble Alex McCarthy who caught the ball just under his bar, to the ironic cheers from the crowd who had had little to cheer in the half. A minute after half-time Reading gained a free-kick on the very edge of the Leeds penalty area and former Real Madrid man Royston Drenthe took the kick. His free-kick curled over the wall to beat Jack Butland in the top left hand corner and give the visitors a two goal lead. Just two minutes later they were three up when their substitute, Nick Blackman was left free in the six yard box to head home a Danny Guthrie free-kick. It got worse, as United slid four goals behind in the fifty-fourth minute. Hal Kanu-Robson chased a hopeful ball forward out of the Reading defence and his speed told as he was able to outpace the Leeds defence to leave himself with just the keeper to beat and he gleefully smashed the ball into the net from an acute angle. On the hour United made their first change as Matt Smith came on for Marius Zaliukas as United changed to a more attacking formation. United created a chance after good work from Ross McCormack, who brought Jason Pearce into play and the defender got in a good high cross which Rodolph Austin beat the Reading defence to get in a header, but unfortunately it was straight at Alex McCarthy. Undeterred United kept at it and in the sixty-third minute they got their reward when substitute Matt Smith was at the far post and was able to get a touch on Jason Pearce's header to guide it into the net. Less than a minute later they had got themselves back in the game with a chance when Rodolph Austin let go a powerful shot from thirty yards which beat Alex McCarthy for pace. The two goals had breathed some confidence back into a demoralised United and they started to enjoy more possession of the ball and started to push forward looking for a third. Reading made their second change in the seventy-eighth minute when Michael Hector replaced Royston Drenthe. United risked being caught on the counter as they continued to push forward and with ten minutes to go Chris Gunter broke down the left wing and found Nick Blackman. However, fortunately for Leeds his shot went just wide. The visitors made their final change with five minutes left on the clock as Hal Robson-Kanu was replaced by Shaun Cummings. United continued to press even at the risk of being hit on the counter and Ross McCormack went close to grabbing a third. Alex Mowatt got in a cross from wide on the left flank and it proved just too high even for Matt Smith and the Leeds goal-machine was caught unawares and his effort went wide. There were four minutes added for stoppages, but though Leeds tried hard and always looked the more likely to get the next goal they were unable to and so a grandstand finish was avoided. Alex Cairns, Scott Wootton, Michael Brown, Cameron Stewart, Dominic Poleon and Noel Hunt remained unused on the Leeds bench. United slipped to thirteenth on the ladder, eleven points behind Reading with a game in hand, but realistically they had passed up their last chance to push for a play-off spot and dreams of promotion were over for another season. As the proposed take over was turning into chaos so too on the pitch the team the performance of the team had become shambolic with goals being conceded at an alarming rate as the fans patience was tested to the extreme.

For their thirty-fifth match of the League season United could not have asked for a harder task as they travelled to Turf Moor on Saturday 15th March 2014 to take on second placed Burnley, a team that they trailed by twenty-five points and eleven places and who had not been beaten at home in the League this season and presently on a run of thirteen games without defeat. With United having gone five games without a win no one would have thought of the game as anything but a home banker. Brian McDermott had reverted to a conventional 4-4-2, with Marius Zaliukas dropping from the squad and Matt Smith, as a reward for his recent good scoring record from the bench, being restored to the starting eleven, while Stephen Warnock came on to the bench. Former Leeds loanee Sam Vokes was in the Burnley line-up as a striker and Simon Hooper of Swindon, Wiltshire, was the referee as the game kicked off at 3 pm in which United, while not taking their full quota, still numbered 3,587 in a crowd of 18,109.Both teams received good vocal support from their fans as the game got underway and it was Leeds that created the first chance in the early stages. It was Matt Smith who had first sight of the goals but Burnley keeper Tom Heaton saved comfortably. Ross Wallace had the first real chance after five minutes, when he cut in from the right wing but his shot was wide of the mark. Shortly afterwards Dean Marney's ball skills won the home side a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box, but David Jones curled it just over the bar. THis was folloed by a chance for the visitors when Matt Smith played in Ross McCormack, but Tom Heaton saved his shot low down. In the tenth minute Leeds came the nearest to opening the scoring when Ross McCormack broke through and only had the goalkeeper to beat. The Scottish International chose to chip the onrushing keeper but while he beat Tom Heaton the ball came back off the inside of the post and Jason Shackell bravely blocked the rebound and was able to scramble it to safety. While Leeds had created the better chances, there was little between the two teams as the first half reached its halfway stage. But it was Leeds that took the lead after twenty-seven minutes through leading goalscorer Ross McCormack. Connor Wickham, who had been operating on the left wing, took a throw in that was flicked on by Matt Smith, who found the Scotsman lurking at the far post to place a superb header into the top corner of the net with Tom Heaton helpless for his twenty-fourth League goal, and a total of twenty-five overall, of the season. Burnley quickly retaliated and Ashley Barnes headed over Kieran Trippier's cross just over the bar. They also tried a shot from long range but Jack Butland was untroubled. However, the home side drew level in the thirty-eighth minute. Kieran Trippier was released down the right wing by Dean Marney and the right back crossed into the penalty area where Jason Pearce, under pressure from Sam Vokes, turned the ball into his own net. It was Burnley that finished the half the stronger side, but both teams had their half chances as the half approached its conclusion. After Sam Vokes had gone close for Burnley, only a great tackle by Ben Mee prevented Ross McCormack from having a shot on goal from within the penalty area. The opening stages of the second half saw the game once more evenly contested with both teams seeking to get the upper hand. Burnley may have had good possession but it was Leeds that were creating the better chances, with Connor Wickham shooting from wide left to force Tom Heaton to make a good save and then Ross McCormack sending a cross from the right which found Alex Mowatt, who miscued his shot before Matt Smith had a shot from close range blocked as the hour mark approached. Burnley were the first side to go to the substitutes' bench as they brought on Junior Stanislas in place of Ross Wallace on the hour mark. After sixty-six minutes United made their first change with Alex Mowatt making way for Dominic Poleon. United were made to pay for their missed chances when Burnley took the lead in the sixty-seventh minute. Ben Mee crossed from the left for Scott Arfield but United managed to block the winger's first attempt but the ball rebounded back to him and the winger found the net with a hard shot into the bottom corner. After taking the lead Burnley continued to look dangerous on attack but the Leeds defence were strong enough to repell them. With fifteen minutes left on the clock United started to get on top and applied pressure to the home goal, gaining three corners in quick succession. It was Matt Smith that had the best chance but his header went over the bar but on seventy-seven minutes a Luke Murphy corner resulted in both Matt Smith and Jason Pearce failing to make contact from a few yards out. But it wasn't just United that were misfiring, with ten minutes to go Junior Stanislas crossed to Ashley Barnes, who could only head wide. United piled on the pressure in the closing stages but couldn't find a way through the Burnley defence. The home side made their second change two minutes into stoppage time when Keith Treacy came on to replace Ashley Barnes, as Burnley held on to complete the double over Leeds for the first time since 1926/27. Alex Cairns, Scott Wootton, Stephen Warnock, Michael Brown, Cameron Stewart and Noel Hunt remained unused on the Leeds bench. The defeat saw United drop to fourteenth on the ladder, thirteen points behind sixth place Nottingham Forest, but Leeds had a game in hand.

United's thirty-sixth game of the season saw them playing hosts to Millwall at Elland Road on 22nd March 2014. The Lions only brought 260 fans with them but there still was a reasonable crowd of 23,211 to see United take on the team that languished in twenty-first place in the League, and who trailed them by seven positions and twelve points, having played one game more than Leeds. For once Brian McDermott was able to name an unchanged starting eleven and his only change to the squad was to bring back Michael Tonge in place of Michael Brown on the bench. Stuart Attwell of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was the referee that started the 3pm kick-off and Shane Lowry, a former Leeds loanee, was in the Millwall defence, but United loanee Steve Morison was not available to his present employers in the game against his parent club. Jack Butland was soon called into action to deal with an Ed Upson free-kick. The Millwall midfielder had floated his kick into the Leeds goal area and it came off Jason Pearce and looked destined for the net before the keeper made a briliant reaction save to push the ball round the post for a corner in the fourth minute. In the seventh minute Jason Pearce was on hand to stop Fred Onyedinma getting a shot on target as Ed Upson crossed low from the left. In the tenth minute it was Tom Lees that rescued United when he blocked a shot from John Marques. The visitors were on top in the early stages but it was Leeds that took the lead in the nineteenth minute with their first real chance of the game. Connor Wickham, who was playing on the left wing, took a trademark long throw-in and it found Matt Smith in the Millwall penalty area, and the tall striker sent in a well-placed looping header that deceived Millwall keeper David Forde to finish up in the empty net for his tenth goal of the season. There was no real goalmouth excitement for the next quarter of an hour even though the football was exciting and evenly balanced. The next real chance came in the thirty-fifth minute when a good move by the visitors left Martyn Woolford with a sight of goal. However, Jack Butland got his body behind the winger's shot and saved well. Not long afterwards the keeper was again in action to pick up a tame header from Leeds-born Mark Beevers. In the thirty-fifth minute Ross McCormack when his header from an Alex Mowatt free-kick was scrambled behind. But Leeds were back to score their second goal four minutes before the break. A crunching tackle by Tom Lees sent the ball into space on the right flank. Ross McCormack showed great pace and determination to latch on to it. David Forde, the Millwall keeper, initially came for the ball but when he realised he was second best he retreated to his near post to narrow the angle, but Ross McCormack's shot went through his legs and into the net for the Scotsman's twenty-fifth League goal of the season and his twenty-sixth in all games. There was a further chance for United before the break but Tom Lees' shot was blocked by the Millwall defence. In the first three minutes of the second half there were chances at both ends of the pitch, with Jack Butland once more thwarting Mark Beevers by saving his low twenty-yard shot and then denying Martyn Woolford following a goalmouth scramble. Matt Smith went close with a header for the home side. Millwall were soon back again and Jack Butland made a brave save as he dived at Scott McDonald's feet to make a smothering save. Millwall made their first substitution after fifty-seven minutes when John Marquis was replaced by Stefan Maierhofer but just two minutes later they made a further double substition with Ed Upson making way for DJ Campbell and Fred Onyedinma giving way to Simeon Jackson. As the hour mark approached United started to dominate and they started to create chances, the best of which fell to Luke Murphy, but his volley from twenty yards out was narrowly wide and a similar fate befell Ross McCormack when, after he had been put through by Luke Murphy, he shot wide after shaking off Shane Lowry and creating space for himself to shoot from inside the penalty area. However in the seventy-second minute Millwall got themselves back into the game when substitute DJ Campbell scored with a superb twenty-five yard drive into the top corner of the net. Two minutes later they were almost level but once more it was Jack Butland to United's rescue as he saved well at his near post after Simeon Jackson had fed Stefan Maierhofer whose low shot was kept out by the keeper's feet. Leeds made their first change in the eighty-fourth minute when Michael Tonge replaced Alex Mowatt. This change saw Rodolph Austin move deeper to protect the defence and this gave United more defensive stability for the rest of the match. Two minutes later their second change saw Noel Hunt replace Connor Wickham and four minutes later Scott Wootton came on for Sam Byram. There were five minutes added for stoppages, but United were able to prevent any further shots from Millwall, while Matt Smith should have increased United's score but dragged his shot wide from twelve yards and Ross McCormack saw a shot kicked off the line by Shane Lowry. Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Cameron Stewart and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench and after a spell of six games without a win, the three points, even though at the expense of a relegation threatened team, helped to take Leeds up to thirteenth on the ladder, twelve points behind sixth placed Reading, with a game in hand.

On Tuesday 25th March 2014 there was a long trip to the south coast to fulfill United's thirty-seventh game of the season when they travelled to Goldsands Stadium, formerly known as Dean Court, the home of AFC Bournemouth. Bournemouth were two points ahead, having played one game more but it put them two places higher on the ladder in twelfth place. So three points would see United climb the ladder. Dean Court had always been a happy hunting ground for United and in recent home and away games with Bournemouth their record stood at eight wins and two draws in their last ten games. Despite the length of the trip and the fact that it was a midweek match United once more took their full allocation of tickets and there were 1,388 Leeds supporters in the the away section of the 10,109 crowd. James Adcock of Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire was the referee of the game, which kicked off at 7-45pm. Sunderland had recalled Connor Wickham back to the Stadium of Light and therefore his loan to Leeds had ended and this forced Brian McDermott to bring Noel Hunt into the starting eleven. Stephen Warnock and Dominic Poleon were omitted from the squad which left three places on the bench which were filled by Marius Zaliukas, Aidan White and Lewis Walters. United's European days were recalled by the inclusion of Ian Harte at left back in the home starting eleven and former Leeds loanee Adam Smith was on their bench. The home team showed signs of things to come when they were quickly on the attack as soon as the game got underway. Straight from the off Lewis Grabban looked to be through on goal, but he slipped and lost his footing at the vital moment. But it only delayed the inevitable by a minute as in the second minute Bournemouth took the lead. It came when there was a quick shot following a corner but it seemed to be going wide until Yann Kermorgant got a clever flick on it and turned it into the net. United responded well to the quick reversal and had a good spell of possession but without threatening the home goal. The home side continued to look dangerous on the counter attack and their passing was quick and accurate and gentle on the eye. It was in the eighteenth minute that the home side doubled their lead when, after a move that was started deep in his own half by Matt Ritchie, the carried on by full back Simon Francis who was set free down the Leeds left flank for his cross to find Lewis Grabban in the middle of the Leeds penalty box and this time he made no mistake as he shot low into the bottom corner of the net for the home team's second goal. Just ten minutes later it was three as the same Bournemouth players combined once again with Simon Francis advancing down the Bournemouth right flank before making a back-heeled pass to Lewis Grabban who controlled it and then kept a cool head to beat Jack Butland for his side's third goal. On the half hour mark Bournemouth almost made it four when Yann Kermorgant's shot hit a post and bounced back into play, but fortunately for Leeds they were able to clear as there were no home forwards up with play. United ended the first half on the attack after having good spells of possession but they faced an uphill battle to make any impression on their host's three goal lead at the break. Their task was made impossible as the home side grabbed a fourth just six minutes into the second half. Ian Harte overhit his free-kick from the left and Simon Francis picked up the loose ball on the right wing and crossed the ball for Yann Kermorgant, completely unmarked at the back post, to rise and head his second of the night. It looked suspiciously like United had long ago given up and the fans chanted "You're not fit to wear the shirt" to vent their feelings. Bournemouth made their first change in the fifty-fourth minute when Andrew Surman gave way to Eunan O'Kane. United made a double change in the fifty-eighth minute when they brought on Cameron Stewart for Luke Murphy and Aidan White for Noel Hunt to try and gain pace down the wings. On the hour Lewis Grabban must have thought that his hat-trick was assured when he met a cross with a perfect header that was arrowing for goal, but Jack Butland thwarted him with a superb reflex save. Soon afterwards United had a good chance to pull one back from a Ross McCormack free-kick. The Scot lofted a great ball towards the far post but neither Matt Smith nor Jason Pearce could provide the necessary touch. In the sixty-fourth minute Ex-Leeds dead ball specialist, Ian Harte, sent across a well-flighted corner and only a fine block by Jack Butland kept out Stevie Cook's header. However, in the sixty-ninth minute Leeds did score thanks to a solo effort from leading goalscorer Ross McCormack. He made a long skillful run through the heart of the Bournemouth defence and wrong footed Stevie Cook before entering the penalty box where he assessed his possibilities before firing into the net beyond the reach of Lee Camp. It was his twenty-sixth in the League and his twenty-seventh in total for the season. In the seventy-eighth minute the home side made their second change when they brought on Tokelo Rantie in place of Matt Ritchie. The new substitute should have incresed his team's lead a minute after coming on, but after doing well to gain a shooting position he sent a tame shot straight at Jack Butland. Soon afterwards he again passsed up a chance after the Leeds keeper has miskicked, but he again failed to beat Jack Butland. Bournemouth's final substitution took place in the eighty-third minute when Brett Pitman replaced Yann Kermorgant. Alex Cairns, Marius Zaliukas, Scott Wootton, Michael Tonge and Lewis Walters remained unused on the Leeds bench. The loss saw United fall to fourteenth on the ladder, twelve points behind sixth placed Reading, who had played one game more. The result had left their record against Bournemouth in tatters and the Football League piled on the misery by blocking the take over of the club by Massimo Cellino, which left the club's future shrouded in uncertainty.

Doncaster Rovers provided the opposition for United's thirty-eighth game of the season on Saturday, 29th March 2014 at Elland Road. Rovers were in twentieth place on the ladder, only eight points above the bottom spot and six places below United, with Leeds having accumulated seven points more in one game less. It seemed a good game to start a recovery. The visitors brought 764 fans with them and the crowd was around the current average at 23,476 and Darren Bond of Lancashire was the referee of the match that kicked-off at 3pm. Brian McDermott surprisingly only made one change to his starting line-up, Cameron Stewart replacing Noel Hunt, who dropped to the bench, he did, however make two further changes on the bench with Stephen Warnock replacing Marius Zaliukas and Dominic Poleon returning in place of Lewis Walters. Former Leeds player Paul Keegan was in the Rovers starting eleven as the game soon deteriorated into a scrappy, uninteresting local derby with no quarter being asked or given. The atmosphere was not helped by the demeanour of the crowd as they demonstrated against the owners of the club. This situation remained for the first twenty minutes or so, until the first chance fell to Luke Murphy, who chanced his arm with a shot from distance that flew wide of the mark. This was followed a couple of minutes later by Jason Pearce making a very good interception that prevented a goalscoring opportunity for Doncaster. However, he only did it at the expense of a corner and from that flag kick the first goal of the game arose. United were unable to clear the corner and Sam Byram headed the ball out to Richie Wellans who laid the ball off to David Cotterill who made a superb strike with an angled shot from the edge of the penalty box and the ball flew into the top corner of the net to beat Jack Butland and give Rovers the lead after twenty-three minutes. Leeds soon reacted and a Ross McCormack free-kick was floated into the goal area from the edge of the box and all it needed was a touch from the United attackers but it did not eventuate and the ball passed harmlessly inches wide of the far post. Cameron Stewart was the next to show willing and his rising drive passed just over the crossbar. After the half hour mark Leeds had more than a fair share of possession and Matt Smith went close to bringing Sam Johnstone, the Rovers' keeper, into action. As half-time approached Sam Byram and Alex Mowatt combined to open up the Doncaster defence and it was the former crossed the ball for Matt Smith, but the striker was unable to get the vital touch, when under pressure. There were three minutes added to the half for stoppages and in the second of those the visitors doubled their lead. Billy Sharp took advantage of a defensive error, as Sam Byram failed to clear, and found himself alone in front of goal with only Jack Butland to beat. This he did quite easily by picking his spot just inside the post. United attacked for the rest of the allotted time but both Matt Smith and Tom Lees had headers that were saved by the Doncaster keeper. United made a double change for the start of the second half with Aidan White replacing Rodolph Austin and Michael Tonge coming on for Luke Murphy as Alex Mowatt took up a more central midfield position in tandem with Michael Tonge. United attacked from the off and the crowd started to get behind them. Aidan White added pace to the wing and he was soon using it to good effect and set up Ross McCormack for a side-footed shot on goal, but unfortunately it was blocked. Leeds-born Doncaster left back, James Husband was lucky to survive a strong claim for hand ball in the penalty area when he blocked a shot from Sam Byram. But, just two minutes after the hour mark United pulled back a goal and it was the culmination of almost constant pressure since the half-time break. United's two strikers combined when Matt Smith headed a free kick back across the visitors' goal and Ross McCormack headed the ball into the net for his fourth goal in four games and his twenty-seventh League goal of the season and his twenty-eighth in total. It was all United and they continued to dominate. There was an occasional counter from Doncaster and that happened in the sixty-seventh minute when James Coppinger ceased upon a mistake by Tom Lees but his hurried shot disappeared into the crowd. The visitors made their first change in the seventy-first minute when Dean Furman replaced Richie Wellens. Since their half-time substitutions Leeds had shown a vast improvement and Sam Johnstone, in the Rovers' goal, was fortunate not to see yellow when he brought down Ross McCormack in full flight to the right of the penaty box. With twenty minutes left on the clock, Danny Pugh's shot and Matt Smith's header were dealt with by the Doncaster defence and then Jason Pearce went close with a header from a Ross McCormack corner. Matt Smith was winning everything in the air and his flick created United's next chance which saw Cameron Stewart's volley well saved by the visiting keeper. In the eighty-third minute Rovers made their second change when Theo Robinson came on for Billy Sharp. United remained on the attack until the final minute of the match. In added time Matt Smith, under pressure, headed just over the bar. Alex Cairns, Stephen Warnock, Scott Wootton, Dominic Poleon and Noel Hunt remained unused on the Leeds bench as time ran out on Leeds after they had only one goal to show for almost total dominance of the second half. It was another humilating defeat and it saw United drop further down the ladder to fifteenth spot, thirteen points behind sixth place Reading, who had played one game more.

United next played their "game in hand" from 15th February 2014, which had been caused by their opponents, Charlton Athletic, being involved in the Fifth Round of the F.A. Cup. So on Tuesday, 1st April 2014, they played their thirty-ninth game of the season against a side deep in the relegation mire and six places and a dozen points in arrears, but having played two games less than United. Brian McDermott made four changes to his starting eleven, giving a start to the two substitutes who played so well in the second half of the game with Doncaster Rovers after being given their chance to shine. It meant a return for Michael Tonge, who had not featured in the starting team since Boxing Day, and Aidan White, who had not featured since 21st September 2013. Scott Wootton came in at right-back, with Sam Byram moving to the right of midfield, and Stephen Warnock was recalled to left back in place of Danny Pugh, who dropped to the bench. Rodolph Austin dropped out of the squad while Luke Murphy and Cameron Stewart were on the bench as the manager sought desperately to find a winning formula. Charlton only brought 251 supporters with them in an average midweek attendance of 17,343. Scott Duncan of Newcastle-on-Tyne was the referee in a 7-45pm kick-off. There was almost chance in the first minute for United when Matt Smith just failed to get his head to a Ross McCormack cross. Michael Tonge was showing up well and he caught the visiting defence half-asleep when he got on the end of a free-kick, his shot went over the bar. Twenty minutes had elapsed before Jack Butland was called into action. The visitors had tried, without success, to break through the United defensive set up and Dorian Dervite was forced to try his luck with a low shot from twenty-five yards, but Jack Butland was equal to the task and dived to turn it round the post. At the other end, a few minutes later, Aidan White led United on a counter attack and only some determined back-tracking by Lawrie Wilson stopped his progress. It was not until the twenty-fifth minute that there was a shot that threatened either goal, and that came when the two Leeds strikers combined, with Ross McCormack crossing for his tall partner to get in a shot that was well saved by Ben Hamer. Charlton also created a chance as Astrit Ajdarevic fired in a shot from outside the penalty area which was comfortanly saved by the Leeds keeper. Just before the half-time whistle Reza Ghoochannejhad cleverly turned and fired in a shot on goal, but Jack Butland saved comfortably for the game to remain goalless at the break. United made their first change at the end of the half-time break, when Noel Hunt replaced Matt Smith. The new striker became immediately involved and would have had a chance had it not been for a timely interception by Ben Hamer. The Charlton goal seemed to live a charmed life in those opening minutes of the second half. Ross mcCormack picked up a loose ball in midfield and, not being opposed, he took a shot from twenty-five yards. Ben Hamer managed to get a fingertip to it and it cannoned off the underside of the bar, without crossing the line. The visitors made their first change as Jonathan Obika replaced Joe Pigott in the fifty-third minute. One minute later, and completely against the run of play, it was Charlton that took the lead, when Reza Ghoochannejhad hit a superb curling shot from distance and the ball nestled in the top corner of the net for a fine goal. United should have equalised just minutes later when Noel Hunt made progress down the right flank but although his cross found Ross McCormack, the leading marksman side-footed the ball over the bar. United made their second change in the seventieth minute when Brian McDermott went for more attacking options as he replaced Scott Wootton by Dominic Poleon, with Sam Byram dropping back to right back. After seventy-eight minutes the visitors made their second change when they sent on Callum Harriott for Astrit Ajdarevic. With ten minutes still on the clock Dorian Dervite twice went close to increasing the visitors' lead. First his free-kick caused Jack Butland to mke a fine save at the expense of a corner and from that flag-kick he got his head to the ball but could not keep it down and it passed over the bar. Charlton made their final change with five minutes left on the clock when Davide Petrucci replaced Reza Ghoochannejhad. United still had not given up and Jason Pearce saw his header blocked, but after five minutes of stoppage time had been added, they were presented with a great opportunity to salvage a point when Diego Poyet, son of former Leeds assistant manager Gus Poyet, pushed over Adrian White in the area. Ross McCormack took the kick quite confidently side-footing it low to Ben Hamer's right, but the keeper guessed correctly and pulled off a fantastic save. So, with Alex Cairns, Danny Pugh, Michael Brown, Luke Murphy and Cameron Stewart unused on the bench, Charlton picked up three precious points in their battle against relegation, while United remained fifteenth on the ladder, now thirteen points behind sixth placed Reading, with just seven games to play. However, any thoughts of promotion had disappeared weeks if not months before and now the worrying prospect of relegation began to loom large. Two home defeats in four days against two teams firmly entrenched in the relegation dogfight had seen United sink to just nine points above twenty-first placed Charlton, who had two games in hand. More worryingly the team one place below the Addicks, Barnsley, were a dozen points behind with a game in hand, but with just five points taken from their last thirty, United were in truly abysmal relegation form.

Following quickly on the two home defeats against relegation threatened clubs, came two away fixtures still harbouring thoughts of involvement in the promotion play-offs. For their fortieth game of the season on Saturday, 5th April 2014, United faced a trip to the DW Stadium, formerly known as the JJB Stadium, home of Wigan Athletic, who started the game in fifth spot, seventeen points ahead of Leeds. There was a 12-15pm kick-off for the televised game and while not taking their full ticket allocation, United still had 3,404 supporters in a crowd of 16,443, which was refereed by Neil Swarbrick of Preston, Lancashire. United made two changes to their starting eleven, as Michael Brown replaced Aidan White, who dropped out of the squad, and Noel Hunt took the place of Alex Mowatt, who dropped to the bench, where Marius Zaliukas filled the vacancy. Ex-Leeds players Stephen Crainey and Scott Carson were in the home sides' squad, Crainey starting at full back while Carson was the substitute keeper. Wigan certainly went into the game as the form team, but it was Leeds that set the early pace and Scott Wootton got in a crunching tackle on former Manchester United teammate Nick Powell to show Wigan they were fired up. They created the first opportunity of the match when Sam Byram crossed for defender Stephen Warnock to get in a first time shot, but his strike did not bother the Wigan keeper, Ali Al-Habsi. James Perch flicked on a Jordi Gomez free-kick and Nick Powell almost turned it in. United continued to put the promotion contenders under pressure as Ross McCormack was causing them trouble, and only a fine tackle by James McArthur denied him a shot as he was close to finding the space. The home side did threaten and shortly afterwards Jordi Gomez tried his luck from distance but Jack Butland had the ball well covered as it passed wide of the post. But the deadlock was broken in the thirty-third minute, when Martyn Waghorn got in a sross that evaded everyone as it sped across the six yard box. James McArthur was allowed to get possession and progress down the wing and take on the United defence. Eventually he was tackled but the ball ran loose to Martyn Waghorn and his first time strike beat Jack Butland, who could only push it into the corner of the net. There was no more scoring in the first half, and the home side took their one goal lead into the break. Wigan made the first chance of the second half when James Perch picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired in a shot, which was brilliantly deflected over the top by a sliding intervention by Stephen Warnock, while a Martyn Waghorn free-kick sailed over the bar leaving Jack Butland untroubled. Nick Powell thought he was onside but a linesman's flag told him otherwise and stopped his run towards the Leeds goal but United's first chance of the new half came ten minutes in, when Matt Smith rose well to outhead Ivan Ramis but could not keep it from going over the crossbar. Wigan made their first change in the fifty-fifth minute when Jack Collison replaced Nick Powell. Just after the hour had passed, Michael Tonge did get in a good shot from distance but a defender managed to deflect it and took the venom out of it, so that Ali Al-Habsi was untroubled as it bounced into his arms. The home side made their second change in the sixty-second minute when James McClean replaced Callum McManaman. The latest Wigan substitute soon made his presence felt as he tricked his way into space, but his attempt at goal was disappointing as he shot straight at Jack Butland who was untroubled in collecting. In the sixty-eighth minute Wigan made their final substitution when Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced Martyn Waghorn and a minute later Leeds made their first change when Dominic Poleon came on for Noel Hunt. United's substitute caused the home defence trouble with his pace and fifteen minutes from time Ivan Ramis resorted to bringing him down outside of the box. From the free-kick Ross McCormack found Tom Lees at the back post but the defender headed the ball over the bar. Leeds came very close to equalising with five minutes left when Matt Smith managed to play Ross McCormack in. While the Scot still had a lot to do with defenders barring his path to goal he chose to try a chip, and although it beat the goalkeeper it floated just wide. Moments later Jason Pearce went close when he connected with a header from a corner, but it was just over the bar. It was still a close contest as Wigan looked to finish the match off, while United searched frantically for an equaliser. United pressed until the final whistle but were unable to get the leveller. Alex Cairns, Marius Zaliukas, Danny Pugh, Luke Murphy, Alex Mowatt and Cameron Stewart all remained unused on the Leeds bench as despite an improved performance which merited a share of the points Leeds went home empty-handed and slipped to sixteenth in the table sixteen points adrift of Reading in sixth place, but now more importantly, eleven points above Barnsley in twenty-second place and the team in red had a game in hand.

It was back to Elland Road for the forty-second game of the season on Saturday, 12th April 2014, when Blackpool were the visitors and brought only 640 fans to swell the crowd to 23,416 as the game started at 3.07pm after all clubs in the Football League paid their respects on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. Blackpool were yet another club fighting against relegation, being in twentieth place four places below United, having gained five points less and were only three points above Millwall in the last relegation place. Brian McDermott made three changes to his starting line-up, with Marius Zaliukas, Luke Murphy and Matt Smith being recalled in place of Dominic Poleon, Alex Mowatt and Noel Hunt, who all dropped to the bench, as the squad remained the same. Former United player Andy Keogh was on the bench for the visitors. David Coote of Newark, Nottinghamshire was the referee as United started well and enjoyed long spells of possession in the opening ten minutes. Leeds, who were without a goal in their three previous games threatened to break that spell as the recalled Luke Murphy, who was bought during the close season from Crewe Alexandra and had struggled to justify his £1m price-tag, was in good form and he opened up the Blackpool defence with a piercing run and only a last-second tackle from Craig Cathcart prevented him getting in a shot on target. Both sides were employing a five man midfield, a sign of their desperation to get a win to end their dismal recent record. It was one way traffic and United were rewarded for their pressure when they took the lead in the twenty-first minute. The home side had broken forward at speed and Ross McCormack, who had received a nod down from Matt Smith, measured his pass across the goalmouth to perfection, so the onrushing Luke Murphy arrived right on cue and the midfielder switch the ball to his left foot on the corner of the six-yard box which turned a covering defender before calmly stroking the ball into the net, for his first goal since the opening game of the season. Leeds were starting to play with confidence and their football had improved from their dismal performances of recent times. They were starting to open up the visitors' defence almost at will and Luke Murphy brought Scott Wootton into the play by releasing him down the right flank and the right back's cross found the head of Ross McCormack, but the Scotsman's header was only just off target. The game had been very one-sided, and it was easy to see why Blackpool had only won twice in the last twenty-five matches, but on the half hour the visitors gave warning of the threat that they could pose when they went on a counter attack. Tony McMahon got in an excellent centre which allowed the unmarked Neal Bishop to power in a header from fifteen yards, but it flew just over the crossbar. This near miss seemed to spur on the visitors and it was they that finished the half the stronger and David Goodwillie looked a good chance until United blocked his progress and forced him wide. However, he still managed a shot that went too close for comfort from a very tight angle. But just before the half came to an end United had a good oppotunity when they were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area, after the lively Luke Murphy had been pulled to the ground by David Perkins. Michael Tonge took the kick and his effort was saved by Matthew Gilks, but the keeper could not hold it, but then showed bravery to dive at the feet of the onrushing Leeds forwards to collect the rebound. However, no sooner had the second half started than Blackpool had a chance to equalise. David Goodwillie had the space to advance down the left wing and when he crossed low for Chris Basham who got in a good shot but it went wide of a post. It was not until ten minutes of the second half had elapsed that Leeds had their first chance of the half and it came when Ross McCormack contolled and then held the ball until the advancing Stephen Warnock arrived to unleash a first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area but it went just over the bar. United made their first change after sixty-five minutes when Noel Hunt came on for Matt Smith and it did not meet with the general approval of the fans, who booed the misfiring striker onto the pitch. Two minutes later the visitors made their first substitution when Faris Haroun replaced Chris Basham. Twenty minutes from time there was a mad scramble in the Blackpool penalty area and United had a couple of stabs at goal. Ross McCormack's free-kick saw Scott Wootton getting in a shot on goal which Matt Gilks could only clear as far as Jason Pearce, but the defenders effort on goal was blocked. but soon after, in the seventy-third minute, United doubled their lead, and it was Luke Murphy that also doubled his tally for the afternoon. Tom Lees played a long ball forward and this was flicked on by Noel Hunt for Luke Murphy, who showed good anticipation, pace and stamina to arrive in the box and take the ball in his stride to chip Matt Gilks, who had tried to come out to meet his advance and the ball went into the net to crown a fine performance by the recalled midfielder. The home crowd roared their appreciation and United almost got a third a minute later when Luke Murphy played a fine through ball through for Ross McCormack, but this time Matt Gilks did not go to ground and was able to deny the Scots striker. Blackpool made their second change in the seventy-fifth minute with Ex-Leeds player Andy Keogh replacing Andy Halliday. In the eighty-first minute Leeds made their second change as Aidan White came on for Marius Zaliukas. Jack Butland was twice put to the test in the last few minutes as he tipped one shot, from Gary MacKenzie, over the bar and then was quickly off his line to cut out a dangerous cross. However, that was Blackpool's last fling and United ran out good winners to end their terrible sequence of five consecutive losses. Alex Cairns, Danny Pugh, Alex Mowatt, Cameron Stewart and Dominic Poleon were the unused Leeds substitutes. The win did not improve United's position on the ladder, as they remained sixteenth, but it did mean they were ten points clear of twenty-second club, Millwall, but fourteen behind sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion.

For their forty-third League fixture of the season, there was the short trip to Oakwell for the "Yorkshire Derby" with Barnsley on Saturday 19th April 2014, and with their opponents being next to last on the ladder in twenty-fourth spot, eleven points behind sixteenth placed United, it looked highly unlikely they would be repeating the visit the following season. While not achieving a full sale of their allocated tickets, United still had a massive support numbering 4,141 in a crowd of 15,190 who were hoping to see an end to the Oakwell hoodoo which had not seen them achieve victory since 1997. Leeds were able to keep an unchanged starting eleven but Rodolph Austin had recovered from an ankle injury and took his place on the bench in place of Cameron Stewart. Ex-Leeds midfielder Martin Woods was on the bench for the home side and former Leeds trialist defender, Martin Cranie was in the starting team as the game kicked off at 3pm and D Webb of Stanley, County Durham, was the referee. Leeds started with a back three, five across midfield (with two wing backs) and two strikers up front. Both sides started off with off-target attempts on goal and it was United that created the first real threat on the home goal. From a well worked throw-in, Michael Tonge found space to cross, but although Matt Smith got in a good header it was well saved by Luke Steele. Moments later United were back again and a clever cross from Ross McCormack saw Luke Murphy get a header on goal, but it was blocked and eventually cleared. The early United pressure paid off in the sixteenth minute when Ross McCormack showed great class to give Leeds the lead. It came when Matt Smith flicked a header to him and he controlled the ball beautifully, before chipping it over a defender's head to run onto and finished perfectly with a low shot past Luke Steele for his twenty-eighth League goal of the season and twenty-ninth in all games. The quality of the football was very moderate as Barnsley replaced skill by all out effort and Leeds seemed content to mass their defence by getting men behind the ball at all stages and looked quite comfortable in preserving their lead but the flow of the ball suffered. The only worthwhile effort that the home side could muster in the first half was a looping header from Dale Jennings but it was easily gathered by Jack Butland. The Tykes did have a couple of half chances just before the interval, but Tomasz Cywka blazed one over the bar and the other, a volley from a Stephen Dawson cross, was well wide, and so the sides went to the break separated by the single Ross McCormack goal. Barnsley dominated the opening period of the second half but never threatened the Leeds goal as United defended comfortably. The closest the home side came was another tame shot from Dale Jennings which was easily saved by Jack Butland. Kelvin Etuhu did see a shot blocked but put the rebound well wide. United made their first change on the hour when Noel Hunt replaced Marius Zaliukas, as Leeds changed to 4-3-3. Soon after Leeds created two good opportunities for themselves to increase their lead. First, Ross McCormack got in a good shot from twenty yards that went just over the bar, then he turned provider but Matt Smith could not connect properly with a header in the penalty area. Noel Hunt did also get in a shot that was blocked and never threatened to home goal. Matt Smith did get in a header from a Tom Lees free-kick but it was straight at Luke Steele. Barnsley made their first substitution after sixty-six minutes when Paddy McCourt replaced Kelvin Etuhu. Barnsley created their first real chance of the half with twenty minutes left on the clock. Dale Jennings got his head to a cross in the Leeds danger area, but it was tame and did not bother Jack Butland. Chances were scarce and next Liam Lawrence was high and wide of the Leeds goal with a shot from twenty-five yards. The home side's second change came in the seventy-sixth minute with Nick Proschwitz replacing Stephen Dawson. In the eighty-second minute Leeds made their second change when Aidan White replaced Matt Smith as Noel Hunt pushed forward and White went on the wing. It was Noel Hunt that next threatened to find a way through at the other end as he took advantage of a defensive mistake by the home side but he then found his way to goal blocked by Jean-Yves M'voto. The home side looked to push forward in the final minutes but Leeds were more than a match for them and held them well in midfield and their lead was never really threatened, even after five minutes of stoppage time had been added. In fact they looked the more likely to add to their score as Ross McCormack fired in a low shot which went just wide of Luke Steele's left-hand post and they easily held on to break the hoodoo and record their first win at Oakwell since George Graham's birthday in 1997! Alex Cairns, Danny Pugh, Alex Mowatt, Rodolph Austin and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the bench as United remained in sixteenth spot and a relegation trouble-free eleven points above Balackpool the third from bottom in the danger zone and twelve behind Brighton & Hove Albion in sixth spot.

Easter Monday, 21st April 2014 saw United entertain Nottingham Forest in a televised 5-15pm kick-off for their forty-fourth game of the season and a chance to make a hat-trick of victories, a feat achieved only once in the season to date. Nottingham still had thoughts of promotion as they sat in ninth position on the table, just three points behind sixth placed Brighton & Hove Albion and nine points ahead of United. They had brought 942 supporters with them in a disappointing crowd of 20,517. United were without the injured Marius Zaliukas and he was replaced by Rodolph Austin as United started with a 4-4-2 formation, and Noel Hunt was preferred to Matt Smith in the second striker's role and Cameron Stewart returning to take up the vacant place on the bench. Former United full-back Daniel Harding was in the visitors' starting side, but on-loan Leeds full-back, Lee Peltier, was not allowed to play against his parent club. Iain Williamson of Abingdon, Berkshire, was the referee. The visitors were off to a perfect start when they scored after only two minutes, as Stephen McLaughlin picked up a loose ball in midfield and sent through a perfect defence-splitting pass to Matt Derbyshire, who made no mistake to dispatch the ball powerfully into the back of the net, giving Jack Butland no chance. The away side maintained their dominance and after ten minutes they again threaten the home goal. Scottish International Jamie Mackie crossed the ball for Ben Osburn to get in a header on target, but Jack Butland was equal to the task and held onto the ball. The Forest midfield, despite missing Andy Reid and Henri Lansbury was well in command with Stephen McLaughlin and David Vaughan ruling the roost. After sixteen minutes the visitors increased their lead. Jamie Mackie was again involved as he made an opening for Matt Derbyshire to have a sight of goal and the striker took evaded a tackle from Tom Lees to round Jack Butland and put the ball into an empty net. United did mount an attack soon after when Michael Tonge found himself in space after a good spell of passing culminated in Rodolph Austin playing the ball to him but his low shot was wide of the target. But Forest came back, with Jamie Mackie again prominent and Tom Lees was lucky only to see yellow as he halted his progress towards goal. The visitors had a good chance to make it three when David Vaughan led an attack on the home goal, and after interchanging with Stephen McLaughlin crossed for Matt Derbyshire to flick a header over, when he should have done better. However, it would not have mattered as he was adjudged offside. Jamie Mackie made a good interception and then made ground down the wing to cross for the waiting Matt Derbyshire and Jamie Paterson. Both attemoted to make the vital contact, but both ended up needing tratment as they collided in their eagerness. As the half hour mark approached Leeds started to come more into the game and had longer periods of possession. They did create a half chance when a Ross McCormack shot was blocked and went to Rodolph Austin who then got in a low cross from the left, which Noel Hunt tried to get a touch on, but Dorus De Vries dived on the ball to beat him to it. Noel Hunt threatened again just as the break was imminent when he was able to get his body in front of his marker but again Dorus De Vries grabbed the ball before the striker's outstretched leg could make contact. Ross McCormack had the last effort on goal of the half when he his well-struck free-kick from the edge of the penalty area was narrowly wide. United started the second half well, with both Stephen Warnock, whose shot was blocked by Greg Halford, and Rodolph Austin having good shots from advanced positions blocked by the Forest defenders. It was the visitors who were the first team to make a change when Jonathan Greening came on for David Vaughan after fifty-four minutes. The substitute soon announced his arrival by felling Noel Hunt and this presented United with a good chance from around the twenty-five yard range. It was Ross McCormack that took the invitation and only a fantastic diving save by Dorus De Vries denied the Scot. The Dutch keeper was injured in making the vital save but carried on after treatment. Soon afterwards Jack Butland made a long kick forward and Noel Hunt managed to knock it down for Ross McCormack who had also been chasing the same ball. However, the ball bounced unkindly for the Scot and his shot went over the bar. Leeds then made their first change on the hour when Matt Smith replaced Noel Hunt. Leeds had been making the running in the second half but it was the visitors that almost added to their lead when a ball crossed the Leeds goalmouth but there were no takers. United were soon back on the attack and Michael Tonge had a shot from inside the penaty area but was off-balance and skied the ball over the bar. After seventy-one minutes Danny Pugh replaced Stephen Warnock and a minute later Alex Mowatt replaced Michael Tonge. Forest were forced to replace their goalkeeper, Dorus De Vries, who had received a knock earlier in saving from Ross McCormack and had been warned by the referee not to receive treatment while the game was in progress. Forest took the precaution of replacing him by Dimitar Evtimon in the eightieth minute and, two minutes later, Gonzalo Jara came on for Jamie Paterson. Danny Pugh almost opened the United account but his shot grazed the crossbar and United continued to dominate possession and Michael Brown saw his shot blocked by Danny Collins. Matt Smith twice went close, as Danny Collins blocked his shot as the final whistle approached. Five minutes of stoppage time were added and although Jason Pearce and Matt Smith, as Dimitar Evtimov clawed away his powerful header, went close with headers in that time. But United failed to score and the points went to Forest. Alex Cairns, Aidan White, Cameron Stewart and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench and United remained sixteenth, thirteen points behind sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and ten above twenty-second placed Blackpool, while Forest eased into seventh spot just one point away from sixth.

For their final away encounter of the season in their forty-fifth game of the campaign United went to St Andrews' to face Birmingham City on Saturday 26th April 2014. Birmingham were in twenty-first position in the table and, although they had a game in hand, only goal differnce kept them above twenty-second placed Blackpool. While the game had little consequence for United, it was vital to the home side, and although there was no sell-out of their ticket allocation, United still took 2,958 supporters to boost the crowd to 19,861. There were two changes to the Leeds starting eleven with Danny Pugh coming in at left-back for the injured Stephen Warnock, while Matt Smith was preferred to Noel Hunt, who dropped to the bench, where Zac Thompson filled the vacant spot. The 3pm kick-off saw Geoff Eltringham of Sunderland as the referee. Urged on by their desperate supporters the home side went on the attack and the early chances fell to them. After five minutes a shot from Lee Novak had Jack Butland worried as it passed close to a post. Then, after seven minutes, Tom Adeyemi broke from midfield and created space for himself by cleverly flicking on a waist high pass from Lee Novak but, with only Jack Butland to beat, carelessly floated his effort well over the bar. United were looking far from comfortable and with Ross McCormack strangely quiet only Michael Tonge posed a threat and his finishing was inaccurate. Coming up to the halfway point of the half United failed to clear a corner properly and Tom Adeyemi again fired over, this time from close range. After the half hour United started to come more into the game and commenced to dominate possession. But prior to that the Leeds defence was increasingly anxious and Jason Pearce picked up a booking for bringing down Nikola Zigic. After building through midfield, on occasions the ball reached Ross McCormack who got across some good crosses into the penalty area. After good combination work with Matt Smith, the Scot crossed for Michael Tonge but the midfielder's shot was well saved by goalkeeper Darren Randolph. Although United finished the half the better side it was the home side that created the best chance of the half just before the interval. Chris Burke found space just inside the Leeds penalty area and only a good blocking tackle by Jason Pearce averted the danger. The second half started in a subdued manner and though United had the better of the possession they could not muster a threat on the Birmingham goal. Alex Mowatt replaced Luke Murphy in the fifty-seventh minute and just one minute later he had the anticipated influence on the game when, with his first touch, he played the ball wide to Michael Tonge and from his brilliant cross Matt Smith leaped to head Leeds into the lead with an excellent header. Just two minutes later United doubled their lead when good lead-up play saw Danny Pugh receive the ball when cutting in from the left-wing inside the Birmingham penalty area and he capitalised on his chance by smashing the ball into the corner of the home net. Birmingham reacted by making their first change, replacing Callum Reilly by Federico Macheda, after sixty-one minutes. However, the two goals in two minutes had put Leeds in full control of proceedings and there was little the home side could do to rectify the situation. Birmingham made their second change after sixty-nine minutes with Scott Allan replacing Lee Novak. But the changes did little to alter the balance of play and Leeds made it three in the seventy-eighth minute, when Ross McCormack broke forward onto a through ball, but instead of shooting, he set up Matt Smith, but in a desperate attempt to stop the tall Leeds striker from scoring, Paul Caddis, the Birmingham defender, put the ball into his own net. Leeds made their second change in the seventy-ninth minute when Noel Hunt replaced Matt Smith. Soon afterwards, Michael Brown almost made it four, when he picked up a loose ball in the penalty area and with Darren Randolph rushing towards him in an effort to smother his shot, he chipped the ball towards goal, but it narrowly went over the crossbar. Birmingham did bring a little interest back into the game when they reduced the arrears in the eighty-third minute, as substitute Federico Macheda put the ball in the net with a powerful left-footed shot. After the goal the home side seemed to have found renewed hope, but it proved to be only a consolation goal. United's final change came in the eighty-eighth minute when Aidan White replaced Danny Pugh. In the ninetieth minute Birmingham made their final substitution when Demarai Gray came on for Tom Thorpe. The game ended on a sour note as Alex Mowatt was carried off on a stretcher. Alex Cairns, Zac Thompson, Cameron Stewart and Dominic Poleon remained unused on the Leeds bench as United rose to fifteenth on the ladder, fourteen points behind sixth place Wigan Athletic and thirteen above their opponents who dropped into the relegation place, allbeit with a game in hand but considering that it was their seventeenth consecutive home game without a win there was little optimism for their survival and while it was United's third win in four games, all had been against clubs deep in the relegation mire.

And so at 12-15pm on Saturday 3rd May 2014, United played their forty-sixth and final League game of the season when they played hosts to Derby County, who like Leeds had little to play for apart from pride, as they had already secured third place on the ladder, twenty-eight points ahead of Leeds, and had booked their place in the play offs against the sixth placed team who had yet to be decided. Leeds were able to name an unchanged starting eleven, but with Alex Mowatt injured, Chris Dawson and Lewis Walters were given a place on the bench and Dominic Poleon was omitted. The referee was James Linington of Newport, Isle of Wight. Derby were the first to attack as Craig Forsyth split the Leeds defence with a strong run and shot on goal and only a top drawer save from Jack Butland denied the full-back an early goal. The Rams kept up the pressure and took the lead in the sixth minute, when Simon Dawkins bundled the ball into the net. Jack Butland had again done well to save a close range shot from Jeff Henrick but Dawkins was lurking in the box to pick up the scraps. Derby were on top and should have doubled their lead five minutes later when Conor Sammon fired wide of the near post after being put through with just the keeper to beat. United responded well and went close to equalising before ten minutes had elapsed. Ross McCormack picked up a loose ball from a corner and found Michael Tonge but the Derby goalkeeper, Lee Grant, made a good save. The keeper was soon in action again when Matt Smith had got in a good header close-range from a Luke Murphy cross and the Rams' keeper pulled off another fine save. Moments later he was again in action this time to tip another goalbound header from Matt Smith over the bar. As the half progressed both sides were creating goalscoring chances and Lee Grant in the visitors' goal saved from Scott Wootton. Leeds also had two cleared off the line and then at the other end Jack Butland pulled off another great save to stop Simon Dawkins from getting a second. Midway through the half Ross McCormack had his first sight of goal and his delicate chipo was only just over the crossbar. Approaching the half-hour mark, with Leeds starting to get on top, Lee Grant again kept his side in the lead with another fantastic save. It came from the boot of Michael Brown, who breaking from midfield had no options in front of him so he advanced on the Derby goal and let fly with a sweetly struck shot from distance that was heading for the bottom corner, before the diving Lee Grant's outstretched hand turned the ball round the post. There was another incident in a half that had been exciting and full of thrills. Michael Tonge found space and launched a shot on goal from just outside the penalty area. The shot was on target and it looked as if it was blocked by the arm of Richard Keogh, the Derby captain, but referee James Linington waved away the appeals. During the half-time break United made their first change sending on Aidan White in place of Luke Murphy. It was Leeds that quickly got on the attack on the restart and Michael Tonge went close after Matt Smith had head the ball down to him. They kept on the attack and it did not take long for them to equalise. Just five minutes into the second half Ross McCormack used his strength to keep possession of the ball and played in Matt Smith. The tall striker kept his composure, controlled the ball well, and chipped the ball over the onrushing Lee Grant for his twelfth League goal of the season and thirteenth in all games. Two minutes later Leeds had a second appeal for a penalty rejected when Matt Smith seemed to be impeded unfairly in the penalty area. Then a minute later he had a golden chance to give the home side the lead. Danny Pugh attempted a shot on goal but mishit it and the ball fell invitingly for the Leeds goalscorer, but he went for power rather than precision and smashed the ball over the bar. United continued to dominate the second half and all that was missing was a little steadiness and correct application of the final touch when in sight of the Derby goal. Leeds were still creating chances but occasionally the Rams did threaten and on one occasion Patrick Bamford did spring the Leeds offside trap, but Jack Butland was well awake and saved comfortably. The only other attempt they had on goal was when Jeff Hendrick thrilled the Derby supporters with a shot from thirty yards which fizzed over the crossbar. Derby made their first change in the seventy-eighth minute when Mason Bennett replaced Simon Dawkins. With ten minutes left on the clock, Ross McCormack had the opportunity to register his thirtieth goal of the season after Leeds had been given a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. His shot was on target but once more Lee Grant was the Derby saviour when he pulled off another fine save to keep his side on level terms. Soon afterwards the Scot had another chance when Danny Pugh got across a precision centre which found the Scot unmarked at the far post but his header was straight at the Derby keeper. Derby made two further changes in the final minute when Craig Bryson replaced Jeff Hendrick and Johnny Russell came on for Patrick Bamford, but the final minutes belonged to Leeds as they continued to create chances as Ross McCormack twice went close and Danny Pugh also had a chance but headed wide. There were further chances but none were able to finish in the net as Leeds thoroughly deserved their point against the side that was favour for the final promotion spot via the play-offs. Alex Cairns, Zac Thompson, Chris Dawson, Dominic Poleon, Noel Hunt and Lewis Walters remained unused on the Leeds bench as they finished the season in fifteenth position with fifty-seven points, fifteen points behind Brighton & Hove Albion in the last play-off position and thirteen points clear of Doncaster Rovers who filled the third relegation spot. There was a personal achievement by Ross mcCormack, who finished the season as the leading goalscorer in the Championship with twenty-eight goals, three ahead of his nearest rival, Jordan Rhodes of Blackburn Rovers.

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2013-2014

Back Row: Matt Pears (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Harvey Sharman (Head Physio), El Hadji Diouf, Sam Byram, Tom Lees Michael Tonge, Luke Murphy, Matt Smith, Simon Lenighan, Scott Wootton, Ross Killock, Jason Pearce, Rodolph Austin (Club Captain), Danny Pugh, Alex Davies (Performance Analyst), Rob Etherington (Sports Scientist).

Middle Row: Richard Murray (Assistant Kit Man), Paul Evans (Masseur), Andy Leaming (Goalkeeping Coach), Stix Lockwood (Player Liaison Officer), Aidan White, Paul Green, Lee Peltier, Paddy Kenny, Alex Cairns, Jamie Ashdown, Eric Grimes, Adam Drury, Lewis Walters, Luke Parkin, Paul Dews (Press Officer), Chris Beasley (Kit Man), Marc Czuczman (Assistant Physio), Richard Handyside (Assistant Performance Analysist), Jon Goodman (Fitness Consultant).

Front Row: Chris Dawson, Michael Brown, Stephen Warnock, Dominic Poleon, Luke Varney, Nigel Gibbs (Assistant Manager), Brian McDermott (Manager), Neil Redfearn (Senior Professional Development Coach), Zac Thompson, Noel Hunt, David Norris, Ross McCormack, Alex Mowatt.

2013-2014: v Sheffield Wednesday 17th August 2013.

Lee Peltier, Tom Lees, Dominic Poleon, Paul Green, Rodolph Austin, Luke Murphy, Paddy Kenny, Luke Varney, Ross McCormack, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock.

2013-2014: v Queens Park Rangers 31st August 2013.

Luke Varney, Stephen Warnock, Jason Pearce, Luke Murphy, Paul Green, Scott Wootton, Ross McCormack, Lee Peltier, Noel Hunt, Paddy Kenny, Rodolph Austin.

2013-2014: Bobby Collins Tribute v Leicester City 18th February 2014.

Stephen Warnock, Paddy Kenny, Jason Pearce, Cameron Stewart, Luke Varney, Rodolph Austin, Tom Lees, Sam Byram, Michael Brown, Jimmy Kebe, Ross McCormack.

Players/Managers:

Brian McDermott: Manager, Gboly Ariyibi , Jamie Ashdown , Rodolph Austin , Dexter Blacklock , Michael Brown , Jack Butland , Sam Byram , Alex Cairns , Chris Dawson , El-Hadji Diouf , Adam Drury , Paul Green , Habib Habibou , Ryan Hall , Noel Hunt , Jimmy Kebe , Paddy Kenny , Ross Killock , Tom Lees , Simon Lenighan , Ross McCormack , Steve Morison , Alex Mowatt , Luke Murphy , David Norris , Jason Pearce , Lee Peltier , Dominic Poleon , Danny Pugh , Matt Smith , David Somma , Cameron Stewart , Zac Thompson , Michael Tonge , Luke Varney , Lewis Walters , Stephen Warnock , Aidan White , Connor Wickham , Scot Wootton , Marius Zaliukas .

Part 7: David Hockaday - A false Dawn: The Italian Connection 2014-2014

2014-2015:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

After the 2013-14 had ended it was only a matter of time before the President of the club, Massimo Cellini, being the representative of the major shareholders of the club, The Cellino Family Consortium, Eleonora Sport Limited, completed the job of finalising the termination of Brian McDermott's time as Manager of Leeds United. On 30th May 2014 the day where "by mutual consent" he departed he and the President formed a mutual admiration society if their utterances to the press the following day are to be believed.

"Leeds have announced that they have parted company with manager Brian McDermott by mutual consent. The former Reading boss took charge at Leeds in April 2013, signing a three-year contract, but his future at Elland Road has looked increasingly uncertain since Massimo Cellino's takeover of the West Yorkshire club earlier this year. Although the takeover was still being finalised at that stage, McDermott was apparently sacked at the end of January, and assistant Nigel Gibbs took charge of the side for a 5-1 win over Huddersfield. However, Leeds released a statement after the game saying McDermott had not been fired and he returned a few days later, saying he had been re-instated. But he will now depart after guiding the club to 15th place in the recently-concluded Championship season."

Leeds owner Massimo Cellino told the club's official website: "Brian is a great manager and a great guy. He has been unfortunate to work in such difficult circumstances. I did not fully understand the mess he had to work in, and the broken promises he had to deal with, until I have got involved trying to turn Leeds around. He has been a gentleman to deal with in our discussions and has been very understanding of my wish to implement a new structure. His main concern and priority at all times has been the welfare and protection of Leeds United. I wish him well for the future, where I am sure he will continue to have more success, and thank him for his efforts in being a stabilising and unifying figure behind the scenes in very difficult circumstances. His honest efforts to guide us to the safety of mid-table when faced with many difficulties is appreciated by us all. He will always be a friend of Leeds United."

To which McDermott added: "It has been my great privilege to manage this great club and I have enjoyed the challenge immensely."

With Brian McDermott's Assistant Manager, Nigel Gibbs, there was no mutual consent reached and once David Hockaday had been appointed Chief Coach on a two year contract on 19th June 2014 and brought in his own Assistant Coach in Junior Lewis, Gibbs was on the outer when no settlement could be reached and breach of contract litigation seemed inevitable.

So just what was the new structure that the President wanted to implement? In his twenty years of involvement with Cagliari he had seen the coming and going of thirty-six Managers and his on-off relationship with Brian McDermott and Nigel Gibbs did not auger well for any Manager stability at Elland Road. However, he immediately implemented cost-cutting for administration and backroom staff and then brought in advisors such as sporting director Nicola Salerno on 11th July 2014, on a two year contract, and enlisted also the assistance of Benito Carbone. Initially brought in in April 2014 to help rebuild the academy at Thorpe Arch, Carbone announced on 14th May 2014 that his official title at the club was "Special Consultant to the Board of Directors for sport matters including Facilities & Academy". To which the club added that "(He would) be involved with all football matters, including both the first team and the Academy". However, by 11th July 2014, owner Massimo Cellino revealed Carbone would also manage Leeds' Under Twenty-One team. But the relationship between the two apparently deteriorated to the extent that on 3rd August 2014 Cellino announced Carbone's departure "for family reasons". He originally announced that his aim was to take Leeds back to the Premier League within two seasons. But maybe he underestimated the depth of the problem which made his grandiose plan more than a little improbable. He has, and is likely to continue, to provide the financial backing for his plans and there is little doubt that he has the passion to succeed and any failure would be a reflection on his football nous as well as a big hit to his bank balance. He is on record as saying the club needs rebuilding from its very foundations, but much of the foundations are strong and need to be preserved. The Academy has produced many fine players since its inception by Howard Wilkinson and the club has benefitted financially from the sale of the many international players it has produced. The arrangements for putting the club on a firmer financial footing should be a matter for the president and his financial, accounting and legal advisors but with GFHC retaining a twenty-five per cent stake things will never be that simple, and £6m of the original purchase price still remains unpaid until December 2014. However, should the club be recapitalised that proportion could be changed. He also has the repurchasing of the Elland Road Stadium and property in mind, supposedly at a cost of £16m which will also need to be financed.

So the vision is there but the selection of football management, coaching and playing staff and the President's plans for that would become more apparent as the 2014 pre-season period unfolded.

The President, thanks to his ownership of the club, was soon seen as a benevolent dictator as the club prepared itself for the new season. The departure of Brian McDermott had caused problems as several players admired him, and not least the club captain and leading goalscorer, Ross McCormack. The appointment of David Hockaday as "Chief Coach" and Junior Lewis as his "Assistant Coach" revealed that he was not required to be the Manager and so there had been a large reduction in the Salary from the £750,000 earned by McDermott to the £80,000-90,000 earned by Hockaday. However with Nigel Gibbs still on the payroll and the added Nicola Salerno the saving would not have been as marked. It soon became apparent that, while Hockaday might sometimes make suggestions, the final say on the buying and selling of players lay with the President, together with the thoughts of Nicola Salerno.

There were the routine comings and goings of the close season before the preparation for the new season which started with a pre-season trip to Italy. Three out-of-contract player moved on, all on Free Transfers, with Paul Green going to Rotherham United on 30th June 2014, followed by Michael Brown joining Port Vale and Luke Varney signing up with Blackburn Rovers the following day. With Jamie Ashdown out of contract and Paddy Kenny out of condition and well over weight after the close season, United brought in Stuart Taylor on a free transfer from Reading on 3rd July 2014, on a one year contract, as cover for the goalkeeping position.

United started their pre-season games when the Development squad visited Grimsby Borough on Sunday, 6th July 2014. The starting eleven was Dan Atkinson; Lewie Coyle, Afolabi Coker, George Swann, Tyler Denton; Luke Booker, Alex Purver, Kalvin Philips, Tom Lyman; Eoghan Stokes, Luke Parkin. It was changed in the sixtieth minute to Bailey Peacock-Farrell; Jack Turnbull, Liam Bennett, Isaac Assenso, Tom Pearce; Adam Berry, Jack Vann, Piteu Crouz, Munya Mbanje; Robbie McDaid, Frank Mulhern. The game finished in a 0-0 draw. It also saw a return, after a serious knee injury of Tyler Denton and also the first game for Irishman Robbie McDaid. The opposition were a very physical team but the Leeds players applied themselves well but the game was marred by an injury sustained by Lewie Coyle, whose ankle was injured in a bad tackle, which could mean an extended lay-off.

The senior team had their first match against extremely poor opposition on 10th July 2014, when they took on local amateur side FC Gherdeina in Santa Cristina, Northern Italy. Ross McCormack had not made the trip and two days before the match had signed for Fulham for £11m. United made their second signing on the day before the match, a second goalkeeper, Marco Silvestri from Chievo, for a fee thought to be in the region of £400,000, on a four year contract and he went straight into the starting eleven, which was: Marco Silvestri; Sam Byram, Ross Killock, Jason Pearce (Captain), Charlie Taylor; Rodolph Austin, David Norris, Aidan White, Noel Hunt; Steve Morison, Lewis Walters. As a game or serious test it was a total waste of time and even 16-0 flattered the local team, as United dominated the match from start to finish and throughout the game not one of United’s goalkeepers was called into the action by the local side. It was a miracle that it took United nineteen minutes to find the net. But striker Noel Hunt gave United the lead when he headed home an Aidan White corner. However, just one minute later he was again the scorer, this time heading a cross from David Norris into the net. He completed his hat-trick just seven minutes later, after Sam Byram had been brought down in the penalty box, for him to score from the spot. The Irishman was involved in the fourth, two minutes later, when he played in Steve Morison to tap into an empty net. Soon after the half hour Lewis Walters celebrated his call up to the first team with an excellent header, which was quickly followed by a second from Steve Morison. David Norris, who had impressed in midfield, made it 7-0 when he scored at the near post a few minutes before half-time. For the start of the second half there was a complete change of team by United as they lined up: Stuart Taylor; Zac Thompson, Tom Lees, Jake Skelton, Stephen Warnock (Captain); Lewis Cook, Michael Tonge, Luke Murphy, Chris Dawson; Matt Smith, Dominic Poleon. It made little diffrence as the goals continued to flow unabated. The locals had no answer to Matt Smith and he had headed a hat-trick to make it 10-0 before the hour mark. In the sixty-seventh minute Luke Murphy made it 11-0, when he scored an excellent individual goal when he picked up a loose ball on the left and cut in on goal before launching an excellent curling shot which soon nestled in the top corner of the net. At that point, Alex Cairns took over from Stuart Taylor in goal and trialist Andre Blackman came on for Chris Dawson. Matt Smith brought up the dozen with his fourth goal for which he had to thank Dominic Poleon for guiding it into his path, before sliding it past the home keeper. It was Dominic Poleon who got his name on the score sheet after seventy-eight minutes with a neat finish before repeating his actions a few minutes later to make it 15-0, but in between Matt Smith had notched his fifth. It was the tall striker that rounded off the score to 16-0 when he chipped the ball into the net past the onrushing goalkeeper for his own sixth.

The Development squad had their first game of the season with a visit to Harrogate Town on Saturday, 12th July 2014 at the CNG Stadium. The starting eleven was Eric Grimes; Luke Booker, Afolabi Coker, Liam Bennett, Troy Denton; Alex Purver, Kalvin Phillips, Adam Berry, Tom Lyman; Luke Parkin, Frank Mulhern. The substitutes were: Ian Malloy, Peteu Crouz, Munya Mbanje, Eoghan Stokes, Tom Pearce, Jack Vann, Jack Turnbull, Charlie Taylor. Ex Leeds Academy players, Lewis Turner and Simon Lenighan, were in the Harrogate starting eleven and former Leeds first team player, Matt Heath, was on the bench and later joined the fray. There was a crowd of 581 and after thirty-five minutes Harrogate took the lead when Jack Walshaw headed in from a Lloyd Kerry corner. Trialist Luke Dean was lively after he came on and in the fifty-ninth minute he scored with a powerful shot that Eric Grimes failed to hold. Louis Swain should have made it three but he headed over from a Craig Nelthorpe corner. Leeds were the stronger of the two teams in the latter stages and Piteu Crouz got in their first shot on goal in the seventieth minute but it was no challenge to the Town keeper, Peter Crook. Munya Mbanje then created two chances and with the first he forced Peter Crook to make a fine save low down and the second rebounded from the crossbar. All the Leeds substitutes had a run but Harrogate were worthy winners on the balance of play.

There was a visit on Saturday, 19th July 2014 to local side, Guiseley of the Conference North, who would be capable of giving much stiffer opposition than their only opposition to date. There was a capacity crowd of 2,200 on hand to see the game which hung in the balance until the final few minutes. David Hockaday, as in his only other game chose to give time to as many of his players as possible and his starting eleven was: Marco Silvestri; Zac Thompson, Tom Lees, Ross Killock, Charlie Taylor; Lewis Cook, Michael Tonge, Tommaso Bianchi, David Norris; Steve Morison, Souleymane Doukara. Ben Parker and Gavin Rotheray, two former Leeds players who had had their careers blighted by injury were in the Guiseley starting eleven. Adrian Holmes of Castleford was the referee. Both the Leeds strikers showed up well in the opening period but both put their shots wide. Tommaso Bianchi went close as he forced the Guiseley keeoer, Steve Drench, to palm his curling shot from outside the penalty area round the post. Lewis Cook was also showing all the skills which had made him a stand out for England's Under-Seventeen squad in winning the European Championship in the summer. His deft footwork created a chance for him to shoot on goal, but it went just over the bar. With ten minutes of the half to go Michael Tonge had a good opportunity to put United in front but he was inches over the bar. The home side did threaten twice during the first half and both times it was Danny Forrest who shot narrowly over and then just on half-time Zac Thompson made a last ditch tackle to thwart him. Early in the second half Jake Lawlor was just wide for the home side and then just before being substituted on the hour mark, Souleymane Doukara threatened once more, but his shot was charged down. David Hockaday sent on Sam Byram to replace Zac Thompson after fifty-five minutes, before replacing the other ten players after an hour. His second eleven became: Stuart Taylor; Sam Byram, Scott Wootton, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Rodolph Austin, Luke Murphy, Aidan White, Noel Hunt; Lewis Walters, Matt Smith. Both the Leeds strikers, Matt Smith and Lewis Walters went close in the final fifteen minutes and with United piling on more and more pressure with each minute ticking away, it was inevitable that something had to give. With four minutes left on the clock Jason Pearce met an Aidan White corner to head United into the lead. The victory was complete when in the final minute Matt Smith turned a Sam Byram cross past Steve Drench to let the score more reflect the run of play as United won 2-0.

On Saturday 19th July 2014, the Under-eighteen and Under-twenty-one teams were in action. At 11.00am the Under-eighteens took on York City and their starting eleven was: Bailey Peacock-Farrell; Michael Taylor, Jack Vann, Jack Turnbull, Tom Pearce; Isaac Assenso, Munya Mbanje, Adam Berry, Ryan Ferguson; Robert McDaid, Frank Mulhern and the substitutes were: Ian Molloy, Henry Rollinson, Hill, Mallik Wilks, Clarke Odour, Tyla Bell, Matt Downing. The team played well with outstanding games from Jack Vann, Frank Mulhern, Munya Mbanje and Robbie McDaid. They ran out deserved winners by 8-0, with goals from Robbie McDaid and Munya Mbanje, who both recorded hat-tricks, and one each from Frank Mulhern and substitute Clarke Odour. The Under-Twenty-One side were re-enforced by Alex Cairns, Jake Skelton, Dominic Poleon and Chris Dawson and travelled to Garforth Town where the starting team was: Alex Cairns; Luke Booker, Jake Skelton, Afolabi Coker, Tyler Denton; Alex Purver, Kalvin Philips, Chris Dawson, Tom Lyman; Dominic Poleon, Eoghan Stokes. The substitutes were Eric Grimes, Dan Atkinson, George Swann, Luke Parkin, Piteu Crouz and Liam Bennett. All the first team players played well but Alex Purver shone brightest in the midfield as they won 4-0 with goals from Dominic Poleon 31', Tom Lyman 19', Kalvin Phillips 45' and Piteu Crouz 77' pen.

The senior side was back in action on Tuesday, 22nd July 2014 at One Call Stadium, formerly known as Field Mill, to take on League Two side Mansfield Town. There were 923 Leeds supporters in the crowd of 3,493 and the referee was Gary Sutton of Lincolnshire. They kept the same eleven that had finished the game at Guiseley which was: Stuart Taylor; Sam Byram, Scott Wootton, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Rodolph Austin, Luke Murphy, Aidan White, Noel Hunt; Lewis Walters, Matt Smith. There were some players on the bench and while the opening twenty minutes produced no goals and very little good football from either side, Noel Hunt picked up a knock to his right knee and had to be replaced by Tommaso Bianchi after fifteen minutes. Lewis Walters headed an Aidan White corner wide of the target before United suffered another injury blow when the striker was forced off with a leg injury and Dominic Poleon replaced him just ten minutes after Noel Hunt. Forty minutes had passed before there was a meaningful threat to either goal. It came from the home side when Fergus Bell picked up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot passed wide of the right hand post. The home side also created a further chance before the half-time whistle when Alex Fisher tried a chip which was just over the bar. This stung United into action and Tommaso Bianchi went close to opening his account for United, after Sam Byram had made space down the right, but his cross was turned wide of the post by the Italian. Gaetano Berardi was still on the bench unused at the break. In the second half Leeds had a great chance to take the lead when Luke Murphy got in a slide-rule pass to give Matt Smith the opportunity on goal but Mansfield's Swiss trialist goalkeeper made a good save to keep the game scoreless. With thirty minutes left on the clock United changed almost the entire team, so that the team that remained was: Marco Silvestri; Zac Thompson, Tom Lees, Ross Killock, Charlie Taylor; Tommaso Bianchi, Michael Tonge, Lewis Cook, David Norris; Steve Morison, Souleymane Doukara. Eleven minutes after the change Leeds found themselves behind after a poor backpass from Steve Morison forced goalkeeper Marco Silvestri to have to bring down Liam Heard in the penalty area. The striker took the ensuing penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way to score. United responded with a Zac Thompson cross finding the head of David Norris, but he put it over the bar. Once more the visitors threatened but it came to nothing as Michael Tonge's cross was blocked. In the eighty-third minute Liam Heard got his, and Mansfield's, second of the evening when he capitalised on a Leeds defensive mix-up to guide the ball past Marco Silvestri as he advanced and the home side went on to win 2-0.

The following day the Academy team consisting mostly of second year apprentices took on Corby Town at Steel Park on Wednesday 23rd July in an evening kick-off. There was an attendance of 732 and the referee was Ellis Clarke of Kettering. The Leeds starting eleven was: Alex Cairns; Luke Booker, Tyler Denton; Alex Purver, Afolabi Coker, George Swan: Tom Lyman, Kalvin Philips, Eoghan Stokes, Chris Dawson, Luke Parkin. The substitutes were: Eric Grimes, Jake Skelton, Munya Mbanje, Liam Bennett and Robbie McDaid. Paul Malone gave the home side the lead after just ten minutes when he outjumped the Leeds defence to head home a Greg Mills corner. The Corby captain continued to trouble the Leeds defence when the ball was in the air and soon after he was fractionally over the bar with another header. Luke Parkin equalised after thirty-four minutes when a shot from Chris Dawson was blocked by Edi Appleton and the Leeds striker was on hand to take advantage by giving Paul Walker in the Corby goal no chance from close range. The two sides went into the break with the score 1-1. The decider came in the seventy-ninth minute when Tyler Denton forced Paul Walker to save at the expense of a corner. The ensuing corner was only partially cleared as far as substitute Munya Mbanje on the edge of the box and he rifled the ball into the roof of the net for the winner.

The senior squad were next in action when they visited League One side Chesterfield at their Proact Stadium, on Saturday, 26th July 2014. The crowd of 4,048 had a heavy presence of Leeds supporters numbering 1,769 witnessed the encounter, which was refereed by Michael Naylor of Sheffield and former Leeds Academy player Sam Hird was in the home side's starting team. The Leeds starting eleven was: Marco Silvestri; Sam Byram, Scott Wootton, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Lewis Cook, Rodolph Austin, Luke Murphy, Aidan White, Steve Morison, Matt Smith. While the bench comprised: Stuart Taylor; Charlie Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Tommaso Bianchi, Michael Tonge, David Norris; Chris Dawson, Souleymane Doukara. With some players unavailable due to injury, Chief Coach David Hockaday announced that he had picked his likely starting eleven for the first League encounter at Millwall which was now only a fortnight away. It only contained one new signing, goalkeeper Marco Silvestri, but there was a place on the bench for four others. Lewis Cook had been included in the starting side and other youngsters, Chris Dawson and Charlie Taylor were on the bench. The home side started the more impressively with Eoin Doyle putting a James O'Shea cross wide of the near post and then Sam Morsy forced Marco Silvestri to make a good save and then on the fifteen minute mark Eoin Doyle had a shot from outside the box turned past the post by the Leeds keeper. United's first shot of note came from a free-kick after Rodolph Austin had been the subject of a late tackle. The Jamaican shot wide with his second attempt after his first had been blocked. Aidan White had a claim for a penalty turned down after he had been brought down in the area. The referee waved play on after he deemed the tackle clean. The Leeds player was soon back, this time his dangerous cross was headed narrowly wide by Luke Murphy. Matt Smith picked up a knock and was replaced by Souleymane Doukara at the half-time break while Chesterfield made two changes with Dan Gardner replacing ex-Leeds Junior, Sam Hird, and Armand Gnanduillet replaced James O'Shea. Leeds were off to a flyer as the second half got underway. After some neat work down the Leeds left wing, Luke Murphy was brought down by Jimmy Ryan as he cut into the penalty area. Rodolph Austin took the spot kick and sent the Chesterfield keeper, Tommy Lee, the wrong way as he gave United the lead one minute into the second half. Their lead did not last ten minutes, which was all the time Sam Morsy needed before Eoin Doyle found him in space on the edge of the Leeds penalty area for him to beat Marco Silvestri with a strong low shot from twenty yards. After sixty-four minutes Aidan White had to leave the field on a stretcher after falling awkwardly on an ankle while making an important tackle back in the Leeds penalty box. Tommaso Bianchi came on to replace him. A minute later the home side took the lead when Sam Morsy got his second after subsistute Armand Gnanduillet headed the ball down into his path which he took on the half-volley to rifle it into the Leeds net. This prompted a string of substitutions with Michael Tonge replacing Lewis Cook and David Norris coming on for Luke Murphy for Leeds in the sixty-seventh minute followed by Gaetano Berardi for Stephen Warnock six minutes later and Chris Dawson for Steve Morison two minutes after that. The home side then sent on Ritchie Humphreys for Sam Morsy on the seventy-six minute mark, trialist Nicky Featherstone for Gary Roberts five minutes later and trialist Curtis Morrisson for Jimmy Ryan two minutes after that. This made the tempo of the game much slower because of the constant interuptions, with Leeds enjoying the majority of possession but neither team creating any clear cut chances. However, with five minutes left on the clock, Leeds drew level. Sam Byram had burst into the Chesterfield penalty area where he was brought down by Daniel Jones. Once more Rodolph Austin took the spot kick and this time beat the diving Tommy Lee into his left hand corner. Chesterfield made a final substitution one minute later bringing on another trialist Derek Daly for Eoin Doyle. Just before the end the trialist substitute Curtis Morrisson had a shot blocked as the teams remained locked at 2-2. The unused Leeds substitutes were Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Charlie Taylor and Tom Lees, while Joe Anyon, Charlie Raglan, Michael Onivwigun, Charlie Dawes and Luke Clark did not leave the Chesterfield bench.

On Tuesday 29th July 2014 the seniors visited League One side Swindon Town at the County Ground in an evening kick-off. Simon Hooper of Swindon, Wiltshire, was the referee and there were 961 Leeds supporters in the crowd of 3,769. Leeds showed four changes from the side that had started against Chesterfield, with Stuart Taylor, Michael Tonge, Tommaso Bianchi and Souleymane Doukara replacing Marco Silvestri, Lewis Cook, Aidan White and Matt Smith who dropped to the bench, with the exception of Aidan White who gave way to Alex Mowatt who returned after injury. The starting XI was Stuart Taylor; Sam Byram, Scott Wootton, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Luke Murphy, Michael Tonge, Tommaso Bianchi, Rodolph Austin; Steve Morison, Souleymane Doukara. While the bench comprised: Marco Silvestri; Charlie Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Lewis Cook, David Norris, Chris Dawson, Alex Mowatt, Matt Smith. Leeds started the game as the better team and were well on top in the first fifteen minutes, with Souleymane Doukara being particularly dangerous and only fast thinking by the Swindon goalkeeper, Wes Foderingham, stopped him from scoring as he advanced quickly from his line. As early as the eleventh minute United twice went close to scoring when Michael Tonge and Stephen Warnock both had good chances close to goal. But four minutes later United got the breakthrough they merited when Sam Byram, Tommaso Bianchi and Souleymane Doukara combined in a good passing movement to present Steve Morison with a tap-in from close range. Leeds continued to dominate and Souleymane Doukara came close to registering his first goal for Leeds, when he made a long run down the left before cutting in on goal to unleash a shot that thudded against the home upright. It was not all Leeds and the home side twice caught their visitors on the counter attack leading up to the half-hour mark. The first came when Nathan Byrne's cross caused United problems before being cleared by Jason Pearce and then after a mix-up between Stephen Warnock and Stuart Taylor allowed Nathan Thompson to get in a shot, but it was marginally wide. This saw the home side trying to pile on more pressure and in the thirty-first minute it led to them equalising. Yaser Kasim floated across a corner which Joshua Lelan headed back towards the Leeds goal and Michael Smith finished the move with a well executed volley. Leeds had a chance to regain the lead shortly before half-time when a good passing movement involving Sam Byram saw the full back pull the ball back for Souleymane Doukara, who looked certain to score before the ball was deflected for a corner at the last minute. Luke Murphy took the ensuing corner and Jason Pearce headed it on to the base of the post before it was scrambled to safety. Gaetano Berardi came on for Sam Byram after the half-time break. United were off to a great start to the second half and only two minutes in Souleymane Doukara was brought down by the Swindon goalkeeper, Wes Foderingham, after he had been put through by a precision pass from Tommaso Bianchi. Rodolph Austin took the spot kick and smashed it hard and low to the keeper's right into the net to regain the lead for United. After regaining the lead United started to monopolise possession and close to the hour mark Tommaso Bianchi went close after good play from Souleymane Doukara. This was followed by a proliferation of substitutions as George Barker came on for Andy Williams for the home side in the sixty-second minute followed six minutes later by the double substitution of Ben Gladwin for Yasa Kasim and Anton Rodgers for Louis Thompson. In the eightieth minute Leeds sent on Lewis Cook for Tommaso Bianchi and Swindon sent on Connor Walden for Michael Smith. Each made their final substitution in the eighty-seventh minute with Leeds sending on Matt Smith for Souleymane Doukara and Will Randell replaced Massimo Luongo in the home side. While Leeds continued to dominate, they could not get the extra goal to kill off the match and in the closing minutes they were almost made to pay for their lack of penetration when Nathan Thompson headed a deflection towards the Leeds goal, but fortunately it went straight into the arms of Stuart Taylor. Marco Silvestri, Tom Lees, Alex Mowatt and Chris Dawson remained unused on the Leeds bench while the home side did not use Josau Antonio, Curtis Da Costa, Lee Marshall and Matty Jones.

There was a mixture of youth and experience in the side that went across to Belfast on Wednesday 30th July 2014 to play the evening game with Glenavon at Mourneview Park, Lurgan, in part of the deal that brought Robbie McDaid to Elland Road. The game attracted a capacity 3,000 crowd. There were games for Paddy Kenny, Gaetano Berardi, Alex Mowatt, Matt Smith and Dominic Poleon mostly so they could gain some valuable match practice and the Leeds starting eleven was: Paddy Kenny; Gaetano Berardi, Charlie Taylor; Alex Purver, Ross Killock, Jake Skelton; Kalvin Philips, Dominic Poleon, Matt Smith, Alex Mowatt, Chris Dawson. The subsitutes were: Alex Cairns, Luke Booker, Tyler Denton, Afolabi Coker, George Swan, Lewis Cook and Eoghan Stokes. Matt Smith had an early chance but headed straight at the Glenavon keeper James McGrath. Chris Dawson opened the scoring for Leeds after nineteen minutes when he shot into the bottom corner of the net after picking up the ball from a shaky clearance from Andy Kilmartin. Just afterwards Tiarnan Mulvenna played in David Rainey with a great slide-rule pass but he shot wide from an acute angle. In the twenty-third minute former Leeds and Northern Ireland striker David Healy came on in place of Tiarnan Mulvenna for the home side and forced Paddy Kenny to make a save at the second attempt from a free-kick. Matt Smith had a goal disallowed and so half time came with the score still 1-0 to Leeds. The home side brought on Alan Blayney in goal for James McGrath. It did not take long for Chris Dawson to double his and Leeds tally with a brilliant individual goal just two minutes after the break. Five minutes into the half the home side made several substitutions with Gareth McKeown for Kyle Neill, Eddie McCallion for Conar Dillon, William Murphy for Kris Lindsay, Adam Foley for David Rainey, Philip Lowry for Eoin Bradley. On the hour mark Leeds made two changes with Lewis Cook replacing Gaetano Berardi and Luke Booker coming on for Kalvin Philips. In the sixty-fourth minute Chris Dawson completed his hat-trick to give Leeds a three goal lead when he scored from the spot after Rhys Marshall had brought down Matt Smith in the penalty area. In the sixty-fifth minute Leeds made three more changes when they sent on Troy Denton for Alex Purver, Afolabi Coker for Ross Killock and Eoghan Stokes for Jake Skelton. Three minutes later the home side also concluded their substitutions when they sent on Gary Hamilton for David Healy and Jordan Dane for Kevin Braniff. Matt Smith was involved in both Leeds goals that followed. In the seventy-ninth minute he headed home a cross from Alex Mowatt to make it 4-0 and two minutes later he laid on a pass for Eoghan Stokes to round off the scoring in an emphatic 5-0 victory. Alex Cairns and George Swan remained unused substitutes.

United played their final pre-season game with a home fixture with Scottish Premier League side Dundee United, who they had never played before, on 2nd August 2014. There was a healthy following from Dundee of 1,104 in the crowd of 10,115 and Andy Madley of Wakefield was the referee. Marco Silvestri, Tommaso Bianchi and Soulymane Doukara made their Elland Road debut, as Leeds lined up: Marco Silvestri; Sam Byram, Scott Wootton, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Luke Murphy, Rodolph Austin, Michael Tonge, Tommaso Bianchi; Steve Morison, Souleymane Doukara. The substitutes were: Stuart Taylor, Charlie Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Lewis Cook, Noel Hunt, Chris Dawson, Dominic Poleon, Matt Smith. United started brightly and were in the lead after only three minutes, when after a good build up in midfield, Michael Tonge advanced into the penalty area and crossed for Steve Morison to stab the ball into the net. United remained the dominant side and in the eleventh minute Rodolph Austin got in a shot from distance which the Dundee United keeper, Radoslaw Cierzniak, was happy to palm over the bar. The Leeds dominance continued in the first half hour, which saw two further chances created. Tommaso Bianchi was unlucky when he saw his shot rebound from the bar and then Jason Pearce saw his header cleared off the line after a corner. It was not until the thirtieth minute that the visitors had their first meaningful attempt on goal and that was Stuart Armstrong's effort was easily saved by Marco Silvestri. United were soon back on the ascendency and Michael Tonge forced Radoslaw Cierzniak to save a shot from outside the box. Souleymane Doukara was impressing and it was he that bamboozled Jaroslaw Fojut and worked his way into the box to set up a chance for Tommaso Bianchi, but the Italian was pressured off the ball. During the half-time break Leeds made two changes with Gaetano Berardi replacing Stephen Warnock and Noel Hunt coming on for Rodolph Austin. The visitors made several substitutions in quick succession with Keith Watson replacing Sean Dillon after fifty-one minutes and then five more three minutes later, with Blair Spittal for Chris Erskine, Ryan Dow for John Rankin, Gary Mackay-Steven for Stuart Armstrong, Mario Bilate for Brian Graham and Charlie Telfer for Nadir Ciftci. The visitors had the better of the opening minutes of the second half and had their best chance of the game in the period up to the one hour mark. Two of the substitutes, Mario Bilate and Charlie Telfer, combined to allow the latter to have a shot on goal but it went into the side-netting. In the sixty-third minute United sent on three Academy products as Lewis Cook replaced Luke Murphy, Chris Dawson replaced Michael Tonge and Dominic Poleon came on for Steve Morison. The final changes were made by Dundee United in the sixty-eighth minute when Scott Smith came on for Paul Paton and by Leeds in the seventy-fourth minute when Charlie Taylor came on for Sam Byram and five minutes later when Matt Smith came on for Souleymane Doukara. In the last ten minutes, Chris Dawson robbed Conor Townsend and almost played in Dominic Poleon for a second Leeds goal. However, an error by Noel Hunt, a former Dundee United player, almost gave the visitors an equaliser but Ryan Dow's effort was saved by Marco Silvestri, for his only real save of the afternoon. Leeds sealed the game in the eighty-sixth minute, when the referee ruled "play on" following a challenge by Matt Smith on Jaroslaw Fojut and Dominic Poleon seized upon the loose ball and rounded keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak to slide the ball into an empty net for Leeds to win 2-0. Stuart Taylor was the only Leeds unused Substitute, while Mark McCallum, Aidan Connolly, Scott Fraser and Darren Petrie remained unused by Dundee United.

After United had returned from Italy, the President was able to discuss the matter of the repurchasing of the Stadium and the dilemma caused by the sale of Ross McCormack, along with other player movements and David Hockaday's position at the club. On the pitch the worry was goals, given Ross McCormack’s £11m move to Fulham, which, according to the President, will go a big way to securing the deal to buy back the stadium. McCormack had been comfortably the Championship’s top scorer with twenty-nine goals in the previous season, but Leeds have, so far, signed only untested foreign players rather than replacing the Scot with a proven striker. Tom Lees, the twenty-three year old former England Under-Twenty-one defender with one hundred and thirty starts for Leeds and still two years to run on his contract, was also allowed to leave for Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer on 31st July 2014, while out of contract players, Marius Zaliukas, had joined Rangers on free transfer on 11th July 2014 and Danny Pugh had gone to Coventry City on free transfer on 16th July 2014. Alongside his sporting director, Nicola Salerno, Massimo Cellino has bought players known to him from Italy, such as the goalkeeper Marco Silvestri, the midfielder Tommaso Bianchi and the Swiss International defender Gaetano Berardi, on 19th July 2014 from Sampdoria on a two year contract, with an option for a third, for an undisclosed fee. There had also been the loan arrivals of the young Milan midfielder Zan Benedicic on 3rd August 2014, for a season-long loan and the striker Souleymane Doukara from Catania. On 5th August 2014 the club also signed Nicky Ajose from Peterborough United on a three year contract for a fee in the region of £150,000. Asked whether he would be picking the team rather than Hockaday, Massimo Cellino said: “How can you think something like that? If I did that, why would I need to pay the coach? I hope to give my advice, that’s my duty. I need to know what’s going on and follow his work but it’s not because I decide. I’ve never called a coach asking who is going to play tomorrow – I don’t care. I can change manager like underwear if needs be. Everyone has said Hockaday is not the right coach for Leeds, but I think he is. It’s not the choice of the journalists or the supporters. If I have made the wrong choice I have to face it. A lot of presidents don’t fire the coach because they are ashamed that they made the wrong choice.” Leeds supporters, no doubt, will hope that his choice proves wise, but wait with bated breath ahead of what promises to be another turbulent year. But, in reality nobody knows quite what to expect. “No-one is going to die,” said Massimo Cellino. “If the team is not strong now, it will get stronger. I promise. We don’t have time to lose.”

On 3rd August 2014, Massimo Cellino, the Leeds United owner, said that an offer to repurchase Elland Road had been made using money raised from the sale of Ross McCormack and other funds. Leeds sold their stadium in 2004 for £8m during the club’s financial crisis and the Italian entrepreneur vowed in February 2014, before his takeover had been confirmed, to buy it back immediately. The former Cagliari owner has not yet fulfilled that promise and has since claimed that he wants to secure a deal by November. The ground is owned by the businessman Jacob Adler but the club have the option to buy back Elland Road for a set fee by 2029, when their 25-year lease ends. Ross McCormack was sold to Fulham for £11m in July, thereby providing a large chunk of the £16m fee Cellino believes is required to repurchase the stadium. “The money from McCormack cannot be wasted,” Cellino said. “We sent a letter yesterday. My accountant sent a letter because we want our stadium back. I hope it will be done soon. Before November 100%, because in November the rent will be raised. “We have to pay. I have to buy the stadium, then I have to fix a lot of other things. It’s our house and our home, we don’t want to be guests in our home. I knew that to buy the stadium back we needed £16m. “I want the stadium, we need to concentrate our energy on the club. It’s not agreed, we have the option to buy it, and, if we try after November, it will cost more.” The deeds to Elland Road are owned by Teak Commercial Limited, a firm based in the British Virgin Islands, and neither of the past two Leeds owners, Gulf Finance House or Ken Bates, repurchased the ground. Leeds are paying £1.4m in annual rent for the stadium but that sum rises by a small percentage every year.

Leeds United kicked off their League season in the Sky Bet Championship with a visit to the New Den, home of Millwall on 9th August 2014. There were 2,171 Leeds supporters in the 16,205 attendance and Oliver Langford of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was the referee. Leeds included three new signings that made their League debuts, Marco Silvestri, Nicky Ajose and Souleymane Doukara and Jason Pearce was appointed the new captain for the rest of the season. The starting line-up was: Marco Silvestre; Sam Byram, Scott Wootton, Jason Pearce, Stehen Warnock; Luke Murphy, Rodolph Austin, Michael Tonge; Nick Ajose, Noel Hunt, Souleymane Doukara and the bench comprised: Stuart Taylor, Gaotano Berardi, Ross Killock, Lewis Cook, Zan Benedicic, Dominic Poleon and Matt Smith. With the dawn of a new season the atmosphere at the New Den was even more charged than normal as both teams looked to get off to a good start. However, it was the home side that started off the brighter and following a Martyn Woolford corner they took the lead after eight minutes as Leeds failed to defend the flag-kick properly and Lee Martin crossed for Leeds-born Mark Beevers, who was completely unmarked, and had little trouble in scoring from a volley to Marco Silvestri's right from close range. The same player almost repeated his achievement in the seventeenth minute when he got in a header from a corner when he beat Scott Wootton at the far post but it went wide, if anything it was an easier chance than the one from which he scored. There was little for the Leeds fans to get excited about in the first thirty-five minutes but a couple of half chances came in quick succession. The best fell to Luke Murphy after Noel Hunt had featured in the build up, but the ex-Crewe man mis-timed his shot and it went wide. It was the home side that finished the half the stronger and a header from Alan Dunne was saved by Marco Silvestri and Ricardo Fuller shot well over the bar. After the break both sides had their chances. Noel Hunt, with the goalkeeper, David Forde, out of position having made a hash of collecting a loose ball, had only to put the ball into the net wide of Alan Dunne, but he contrived to toe-poke the ball straight at him and he gladly hoofed the ball clear from the line. Marco Silvestri was twice in the action as he saved a close range shot from Martyn Woolford and a free-kick from Shaun Williams. As the hour mark approached, after Millwall had had a penalty appeal over-ruled for a trip by Sam Byram on Martyn Woolford, Leeds made an attack down the right wing by Sam Byram, who linked up well with Nicky Ajose to cross, but Michael Tonge's header was straight at the keeper. Matt Smith was the first change for Leeds when he replaced Noel Hunt after fifty-eight minutes. The tall striker was soon holding his head in his hands in disbelief as he narrowly headed wide almost as soon as he came on. In the sixty-fourth minute Lewis Cook was the second Leeds change when he came on for Souleymane Doukara. Three minutes later the home side made a double change sending on Magaye Gueye for Lee Martin and Jermaine Easter for Martyn Woolford. It was a disappointing show from Leeds and they lacked any kind of style and certainly no hunger for goals and that against a team that only narrowly staved of relegation in the previous season, but they did have an unbeaten run of eight games and that seemed to have continued into the new season as they were by far the better side, particularly in midfield and in attack. With eleven minutes left on the clock Leeds made their final change when Dominic Poleon replaced Nicky Ajose and two minutes later the home side completed their changes as Lee Gregory came on for Ricardo Fuller. Both substitutes made an immediate impact, with the Leeds man using his speed to break through and was only denied by a brilliant one-handed save from David Forde. However, it was the home substitute that played a big part in their second goal that wrapped up the game with three minutes left on the clock. He was brought down in the penalty area by a mis-timed tackle from Lewis Cook and Shaun Williams stepped up to beat Marco Silvestri with a precise kick from the spot to put the game out of United's reach. There were four minutes of stoppage time but it made little differnce. Stuart Taylor, Ross Killock, Gaetona Berardi and Zan Bebedicic remained unused on the Leeds bench while Stephen Bywater, Byron Webster, Matthew Briggs and Josh Wright were unused by the home side. It was early days but the table showed United in twentieth place with very few positives to be taken from the game.

United's first home game of the season came in the First Round of the League Cup, presently known as the Capital One Cup, when they entertained League Two side Accrington Stanley at Elland Road on Tuesday 12th August 2014 in an evening kick-off. They made several changes from their side which had been defeated at Millwall in the opening League match of the season, most were rotational, designed to give them game time and it resulted in Stuart Taylor, Lewis Cook, Gaetano Berardi and Tommaso Bianchi making their United debuts while Matt Smith and Charlie Taylor were also included, as Marco Silvestri, Sam Byram, Rodolph Austin, Noel Hunt dropped to the bench and Stephen Warnock and Luke Murphy were omitted from the squad. There were 288 Accrington supporters in the crowd of 13,407 and ex-Leeds Academy player Will Hatfield was on the bench for the visitors as referee Richard Clark of Morpeth, Northumberland, got the game underway. United were initially the better team but hardly threatened the Accrington goal and it was the visitors who had the first shot on target when Piero Mingoia tried his luck from long range, but Stuart Taylor was untroubled. After twenty minutes United took the lead through Souleymane Doukara. The striker had shown good movement in the early stages and after receiving the ball from Tommaso Berardi on the edge of the penalty area with his back to goal, he swivelled and sent a good shot that easily beat Luke Simpson to put United one goal up. United were clearly on top and held possession for long periods and it came as little surprise when they doubled their lead with another goal from Souleymane Doukara after thirty-seven minutes. Lewis Cook was the architect of the goal when, after picking up a loose ball in midfield, he weighed up the situation and then picked out the French striker with a perfect through ball who nut-megged a defender before stroking the ball past the keeper with ease. United continued to dominate and went in at half-time good value for their 2-0 lead. Accrington made their first change for the start of the second half when Rob Atkinson came on for Kal Naismith, but United carried on as the had in the first half and within minutes of the restart Matt Smith went close after he had used his strength to get on the end of a cross but his volley was just over. Accrington should have reduced the lead soon afterwards but substitute Rob Atkinson could only head over. After good work down the left by Charlie Taylor, the young full back got in a good cross into the box but Matt Smith's header went over the bar. After sixty-four minutes United made two quick changes when Noel Hunt replaced Nicky Ajose and then Zan Benedicic made his United debut when he replaced Lewis Cook, as United continued to enjoy the majority of possession without really threatening the visitors' goal. Accrington made their second change when they sent on former Leeds Academy player Will Hatfield in place of Nicky Hunt after seventy-five minutes. With ten minutes left on the clock Leeds did put the away goal under attack as Souleymane Doukara made a move to secure his hat-trick. He could have passed to Noel Hunt, who may have been better positioned, but he took on the shot and unleashed a powerful drive which passed narrowly wide. Almost immediately after he left the field to a standing ovation as he was replaced by Dominic Poleon. With six minutes remaining the visitors scored a goal from nothing to ensure there was interest in the game right up to the final whistle. After receiving a cross, James Gray got in an innocuous shot which United failed to clear and Charlie Taylor may have helped the ball creep over the line. With two minutes to go before stoppage time, Gaetano Berardi was given a straight red for a shocking high challenge on Stanley substitute, Rob Atkinson, and United were left to face five minutes of stoppage time with only ten men, but they did manage it with difficulty. Marco Silvestri, Sam Byram, Ross Killock and Rodolpph Austin were unused on the Leeds bench and Jay Lynch, Michael Liddle, Shay McCartan, Connor Martin and George Bowerman were similarly unused on the visitors' bench as United secured passage into the Second Round.

On the day of the game with Accrington, Leeds had been deep in discussions for the transfer of three players and they were finalised on the following day, 13th August 2014, as Striker Billy Sharp was signed on a free transfer and a two year contract from Southampton, Central Defender Liam Cooper was signed for £600,000 from Chesterfield on a three year contract and Central Defender Giuseppe Bellusci was signed from Italian club Catania, initially on a one year loan agreement but just a week later signed a permanent four year agreement.

on Saturday 16th August 2014 United welcomed Middlesbrough to Elland Road for the second game of the Sky Bet Championship campaign and their first League home game of the season. There were three debutants in the United team, Tommaso Bianchi, Billy Sharp and Liam Cooper and several other changes from their mid-week Cup-tie with Accrington Stanley, but one player missing was Giuseppe Bellusci who had not been able to get international clearance in time, as United started with: Marco Silvestri; Sam Byram, Liam Cooper, Jason Pearce, Stephen Warnock; Luke Murphy, Rodolph Austin, Tommaso Bianchi; Nicky Ajose, Billy Sharp, Souleymane Doukara. The bench was: Stuart Taylor, Charlie Taylor, Scott Wootton, Lewis Cook, Michael Tonge, Dominic Poleon, Matt Smith. Former Leeds favourites Jonathan Woodgate and Adam Clayton together with ex-Academy player, James Husband were on the visitors' bench. There were 1,945 Middlesbrough fans in the crowd of 24,484 and Stuart Attwell of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was the referee as the televised game kicked off at 12-15pm. United had a chance to go ahead not two minutes after the game got underway as Billy Sharp was ut through on goal by a flick from Souleymanr Doukara and only quick thinking by the Boro keeper, Tomas Mejias, who rushed out to meet him, thwarted the debutant. The rebound was picked up ten yards out by Nicky Ajose but his shot was cleared off the line by a recovering Daniel Ayala. Apart from those early chances there was little goalmouth action at either end as the game was fought mainly in midfield with neither team really getting the upper hand, but in the twenty-fifth minute it seemed as if the visitors had scored. Liam Cooper failed to deal with a long throw into the Leeds box and Albert Adomah connected with a bicycle-kick to the new defender's half clearance and the ball flew into the net, but the referee had spotted a foul against Boro in the build up to the incident. Almost immediately Boro had another attempt on goal when Daniel Ayala got to a corner but his header was off target. Those chances seemed to spur United into action and they soon created a couple of chances. Tommaso Bianchi had a go from distance, which brought a fine save from Tomas Mejias, and then Luke Murphy found Sam Byram on the edge of the penalty area but his shot was wide of the target. There were further chances for both sides in the period to the half-time break, but the better chance fell to the visitors in added time when Albert Adomah found space in the United box but a fine recovering tackle from Stephen Warnock averted the danger. United started the second half brightly and forced two corners in quick succession but they were unable to trouble the keeper. United changed to 4-4-2 with the introduction of Michael Tonge in place of Souleymane Doukara eight minutes into the new half. Just after that Jason Pearce risked life and limb as he put his body in the way of a Lee Tomlin shot. On the hour mark Middlesbrough made their first change when they brought on former Leeds midfielder Adam Clayton for Dean Whitehead. There were no real threats on either goal in the first twenty minutes of the second half. As the seventieth minute approached Boro seemed to have created a chance when Kike looked to have been played through but once again it was Stephen Warnock that came to United's recue with another fine recovering tackle that denied the Spaniard a shot on goal. In the seventy-fifth minute both sides sent on their second substitute with Dominic Poleon coming on for Nicky Ajose for the home side and Emilio Nsue for Adam Reach for Boro. With ten minutes left on the clock Billy Sharp was given two chances in front of goal. The better chance was a header from a corner which he failed to get on target and then minutes later he almost closed down a poor backpass but the Boro keeper narrowly beat him to the ball. Both sides made their final changes with Boro sending on Luke Williams for Lee Tomlin with five minutes left and Leeds replacing Rodolph Austin with younster Lewis Cook in the next minute. However, with just two minutes left on the clock Billy Sharp became a Leeds hero when Tomas Mejias could not hold on to a shot from Michael Tonge and the debutant was on hand to smash the ball into the net from point-blank range to give United a 1-0 lead. There were five minutes of added time notified by the fourth official as United fought to hold on to their lead. In the third of those minutes Grant Leadbitter sent a probing ball into the Leeds goal area but fortunately for Leeds it reached Daniel Ayala, who failed to control it as Kike watched on unable to reach it, but after six minutes the referee blew for time and Leeds had their first League win of the season. It took them to sixteenth spot at the end of the day with three points, three behind joint leaders Bournemouth and Millwall and three above the pointless Fulham, Brighton, Blackpool and Huddersfield Town. The unused substitutes were Stuart Taylor, Charlie Taylor, Scott Wootton and Matt Smith for Leeds and Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, James Husband, Bradley Fewster and Jonathan Woodgate for Boro.

For their third League game in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday 19th August 2014, Leeds had a visit from one of the four teams that had not gained a point, Brighton & Hove Albion, but as they had made the play-offs the previous season they appeared to be in a false position. David Hockaday made two changes to the starting eleven as Souleymane Doukara had sustained an injury that would side-line him for a few games and this meant a return to the team for Matt Smith, who had just signed a new three year deal the previous day, with David Norris taking his place on the bench, while Michael Tonge took the place of Nicky Ajose who dropped to the bench as United adopted a 4-4-2 formation. On the bench new signing Giuseppe Bellusci, who was looking to make his first appearance for Leeds, replaced Charlie Taylor. The evening kick-off took place in front of 21,429 fans, of which 447 were from Brighton, while another 300 watched a beam-back of the game at the Amex Stadium, Brighton, the referee was James Adcock of Nottingham and there was a former Leeds keeper, Casper Ankergren, on the visitors' bench. There was no confident start from United and it came as little surprise when Brighton took the lead after just five minutes, as after only three minutes Rodolph Austin had been booked for bringing down the livewire Joao Teixeira and then Dutchman Danny Holla had put the free-kick onto the roof of the net. There was a suspicion of offside in the move that brought the goal but, as there was no confirmation from the linesman, as Bruno Slater's pass left Joao Teixeira in the clear and he carried on through and easily beat Marco Silvestri from an acute angle. Teixeira and Holla were causing Leeds all types of problems and the former Sporting Lisbon youngster gave Craig Mackail-Smith a chance but his shot cannoned off a Leeds defender. The game contained little good football as both sides constantly lost possession of the ball and it was not until the half-hour mark that either side made any meaningful attack on goal. It was Leeds that created the chances. First, after good build up play from Billy Sharp and Matt Smith, Luke Murphy had a shot blocked on the edge of the area and then moments later Michael Tonge hurried his shot from outside the box and sent it wide. As the game wore on Brighton too created changes and, with five minutes of the half remaining, they should have doubled their lead, when Adam Chicksen crossed for Indigo Calderon to have a free header at the back post, but he failed to hit the target. Leeds had been outplayed and the crowd let them know it as they left the field at half-time. United sent on Nicky Ajose at the start of the second half in place of the ineffective Matt Smith and commenced the new half with a more positive attitude and started to get a larger proportion of the possession, which had never been the case before half-time. But Luke Murphy was soon booked for a reckless challenge as the tension started to show. Craig Mackail-Smith saw his shot from twenty-yards well saved by Marco Silvestri and, while Danny Holla had a similar intent, his long range effort did not trouble the home keeper. United should have been on level terms but after a good run down the right from Sam Byram, the full back gave Billy Sharp the perfect chance when he found him unmarked in the vacinity of the penalty spot, but with all the goal to him at he allowed Indigo Calderon to slide in and clear the ball. As the hour mark approached Brighton made their first change when Kazenga Lua Lua came on for the limping Kemy Agustein, but with twenty minutes left on the clock Leeds had a good chance to equalise. Full Back Sam Byram made a good run down the Leeds right flank before squaring the ball inside to Michael Tonges. The midfielder's shot beat the Leeds-born David Stockdale in the Brighton goal, but was cleared off the line by Indigo Calderon. Moments later Substitute Nicky Ajose got in a good curling shot but it was off target, passing wide of the left hand post. After seventy-five minutes Brighton made a change, bringing on Rohan Ince for Danny Holla, who had had a stand out game for the visitors. Five minutes later Leeds made their final two changes, as Lewis Cook replaced Luke Murphy and Dominic Poleon came on for Billy Sharp. It looked more than likely that Leeds would get something from the match but with ten minutes to go it was Brighton that scored with a goal that settled the match. The home side had got a shock when the fresh legs of Rohan Ince outpaced the Leeds defence and his shot rattled a post, and so it came as no surprise when the other substitute, Kazenga Lua Lua doubled the the visitors' lead when he scored from a free-kick right on the edge of the home penalty area, just four minutes later, after Jason Pearce had brought down Joao Teixeira just outside the area. He had been injured in the challenge by the Leeds defender and on the ninety minute mark Aaron Hughes replaced him. Joao Carlos Teixeira had been instrumental in all things good for Brighton, and they seemed to have got a bargain in their season long loan of the fleet-footed Portugese midfielder from Liverpool, who thoroughly deserved the standing ovation he received as he left the field. Stuart Taylor, Giusseppe Bellusci, Scott Wootton and David Norris remained unused on the Leeds bench while Casper Ankergren, Chris O'Grady, Paddy McCourt and Nzuzi Toko, were also unused by the visitors. The loss saw Leeds slip to nineteenth on the ladder, four points behind the joint leaders, Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City, Millwall, and Charlton Athletic, who along with Sheffield Wednesday were the only unbeaten clubs, and three points ahead of Fulham and Blackpool, who were the only clubs without a point.

On Wednesday 20th August 2014, a behind closed-doors friendly took place against Rotherham United. United ran out 4-1 winners, with goals from Dominic Poleon, David Norris and two from Noel Hunt. The game was a first appearance in Leeds colours of Giuseppe Bellusci. Their starting eleven was: Stuart Taylor; Gaetona Berardi, Giuseppe Bellusci, Frings, Charlie Taylor; David Norris, Lewis Cook, Zan Benedicic, Chris Dawson; Noel Hunt, Dominic Poleon and the substitutes were: Eric Grimes, Ross Killock, Luke Parkin, Zac Thompson, Kalvin Philip, Scott Wootton.

The purchase of thirty-year-old striker, Mirco Antenucci, from co-owners Catania and Ternana had been completed on 20th August 2014, when he signed a two year contract, after having scored nineteen goals in forty games for Seria B side Ternana, while on loan in the 2013-14 season. He became United's eleventh signing of the summer. Both he and central defender, Giuseppe Bellusci made their run on debut as Leeds visited Vicarage Road to take on Watford in their fourth game of the season on Saturday 23rd August 2014, as they replaced Liam Cooper and Matt Smith. United took 1,975 fans with them which helped to swell the crowd of 15,674. James Linington of Newport, Isle of Wight, was the referee as United took on the seventh-placed side in a game that would test the merits of the new Leeds side. Nicky Ajose was the player to lose his place in the squad to accomodate the new striker. It was Watford that made the early running and created several chances in the first ten minutes, Troy Deeney left Sam Byram in his wake as he flew down the left wing but his cross just evaded Fernando Forestieri. Good defending, particularly from Giuseppe Bellusci and Tommaso Bianchi forced the home side to shoot from long range, which saw a shot from Troy Deeney blocked. United's only worthwhile effort saw Rodolph Austin fire a low shot from outside the area which went harmlessly wide of the right-hand post. However, it was Watford that got the first goal in the twentieth minute when Daniel Tozser delivered an in-swinging corner. Troy Deeney and Gianni Munari beat some static Leeds defenders to free Fernando Forestieri, who saw his first shot parried by Mirco Silvestri, but he managed to loop a header over the keeper from the rebound. There were few efforts on goal in the following ten minutes, but, on the half hour, it was again Fernando Forestieri who brought the Leeds keeper into action as the Italian gained possession on the edge of the Leeds box and, after creating space for himself, forced the United keeper to a good save low down. In the thirty-second minute Leeds were level, somewhat fortuitously. There was good combination between Billy Sharp and Mirco Antenucci and when the former Southampton striker crossed, the ball was diverted past goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and into his own goal by Gabriel Tamas. While Billy Sharp and Michael Tonge were lively, Mirco Antenucci was struggling with the pace of the game, which was much faster than he was accustomed to. As half time approached it was Watford that created a couple of chances. The first came when Giuseppe Bellusci went missing and Tommie Hoban was allowed a free header from an Almen Abdi corner, but he contrived to miss the mark as it went over the bar. Then Stephen Warnock came to United's rescue when he made a fine last-ditch recovering tackle to prevent the home side from taking the lead and the sides went to half-time at 1-1, with Watford clearly the better team and Leeds lucky to be on level terms. Both sides had some good chances as soon as the second half got underway. The Watford goalscorer, Fernando Forestieri was just off target with a curling shot that went narrowly wide of the post, then Jason Pearce headed just over from a Luke Murphy free-kick. Watford were then presented with a chance to retake the lead after a clumsy tackle by Stephen Warnock on Troy Deeney had given them a free-kick on the edge of the box. Daniel Tozser blasted the ball over. After fifty-five minutes Watford made their first substitution, as Ikechi Anya came on for Juan Carlos Peredes. But two minutes later there was disaster for the visitors. Giuseppe Bellusci misread the flight of the ball and presented Fernando Forestieri with a chance to run on the goal. In trying to recover the situation, the debutant brought down the Watford forward in the box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot and brandished a straight red card for the Italian being the last defender. Troy Deeney made no mistake from the spot, as he drilled it straight down the middle. Five minutes later United sacrificed Billy Sharp for Liam Cooper to plug the gap in defence left by Giuseppe Bellusci. United were in disarray and Watford took full advantage after United had lost possession to Fernando Forestieri in midfield. The Watford goalscorer, who had been a thorn in the side of Leeds throughout the game, beat a succession of Leeds defenders before shooting and the ball nestled in the net after hitting the inside of a post, after sixty-seven minutes to make it 3-1. A few minutes later the dangerous Forestieri almost completed his hat-trick but after creating space he shot wide. Watford also had another chance when Gianni Munari was given a free-header from a corner but he couldn't hit the target. In the seventy-sixth minute both sides made their second changes. Watford brought on Odion Ighalo in place of Fernando Forestieri, while Leeds sent on Dominic Poleon for Michael Tonge. Five minutes later they both made their third change as Matt Smith replaced Mirco Antenucci for Leeds and Keith Andrews came on for Almen Abdi for the home side. There were four extra minutes added for stoppages and in the second of those minutes Daniel Tozser made it 4-1 and then Sam Byram received a straight red card for supposedly head-butting Daniel Pudil. This meant they finished with nine men as Stuart Taylor, Scott Wootton, Lewis Cook and David Norris remained unused on the Leeds bench and Jonathan Bond, Lloyd Doyley, Diego Fabbrini and Matej Vydra similarly on the Watford bench. The 4-1 defeat and the manner of it was very hard to accept but it left them in twenty-first position, already seven points behind leaders Nottingham Forest, with only three teams below them, in Bolton Wanderers, who had only mustered one point, and Blackpool and Fulham, who had failed to get a single point.

United's next fixture was a potential banana-skin in the Second Round of the League Cup at Valley Parade against League One opposition in the form of local rivals, Bradford City on Wednesday, 27th August 2014 in a televised 7-45pm kick-off. The referee was Graham Scott of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and there were 3,828 Leeds fans in the crowd of 18,750. United had completed the signing of twenty-two year old Danish International midfielder Casper Sloth from Danish club Aarhus on a three year contract for £600,000 to become United's twelfth signing of the summer on 25th August 2014, but was not considered until his full clearance had been obtained. David Hockaday, who must have been under immense pressure after Massimo Cellino had wavered from dismissing him as he laid the blame for the Watford defeat at the feet of the dismissed players rather than the coach. He made five changes from the side that started that game. He was without the two players that were suspended after their dismissal, Giuseppe Bellusci and Sam Byram, and their places were taken by Liam Cooper and Scott Wootton, with Charlie Taylor and Zan Benedicic taking their places on the bench. David Norris came into midfield as Rodolph Austin dropped out and was replaced on the bench by Nicky Ajose. Stuart Taylor was given a run in place of Marco Silvestri and Matt Smith was given a place in preference to Mirco Antenucci, who both dropped to the bench. Former Leeds full back Alan Sheehan was in the Bradford starting eleven. Urged on by a very vocal following United made the early running and twice Matt Smith went close with headers that went wide and Stephen Warnock was only inches away from scoring with a strong shot. However, the home side soon retaliated and Jason Pearce had to block a shot from Billy Clarke and then a goalbound shot from Jason Kennedy was pushed over the bar by Stuart Taylor. After eight minutes Luke Murphy found himself getting a yellow card for a lunging tackle on Gary Liddle, after he had lost the ball with a poor first touch, with the Bradford crowd baying for a red. In the seventeenth minute Bradford had a good chance to take the lead when a well flighted free-kick from former United man, Alan Sheehan, was headed goalwards by Aaron McLean but it bounced wide. Billy Sharp almost got into a shooting position in the box and then Matt Smith sent a header straight into Ben Williams' waiting arms. But after twenty-nine minutes Luke Murphy was again booked for bringing down James Meredith and an automatic red card followed, leaving United to play with ten men for the remaining hour. Bradford gained confidence from their good fortune but while they made several crosses the Leeds defence was untroubled and Stuart Taylor was never under any pressure. But eventually a good chance came their way right on the stroke of half time when James Hanson flicked the ball on for Jason Kennedy but he sent a volley into the side-netting and deadlock remained at the break. James Meredith had been causing Leeds trouble down the right wing and it was he that created Bradford's next chance in the fifty-first minute. He got in a good cross to Josh Kennedy but the midfielder scuffed his shot in the area and the chance was missed. United had coped with their numerical inferiority by making Michael Tonge play in a deeper role but it had to tell and Stuart Taylor was called into action in the sixty-seventh minute when he was forced into a superb save at the near post from Billy Clarke after Aaron McLean had given him the chance. Then Jason Pearce kicked off the line before Stuart Taylor denied Billy Knott as the Bradford pressure mounted. Bradford made their first substitution after seventy minutes when Oliver McBurnie came on for Aaron McLean, but Leeds were still holding out resiliently in defence and with eight minutes left on the clock United made a counter attack and David Norris crossed for Matt Smith to rise and plant a towering header well beyond Ben Williams to put United into the lead. The lead lasted barely three minutes. Stuart Taylor had to save from Billy Clarke at the expense of a corner and from that corner Leeds failed to clear properly and it fell to Billy Knott who drilled home an unstoppable shot from twenty yards. It got worse as Bradford took the lead a couple of minutes later as James Hanson headed a cross from the left by Josh Kennedy and the ball passed between Stuart Taylor's legs into the net. It took a while to clear the pitch after Bradford supporters encroached the playing area and at the end of that time Leeds made their second change with Dominic Poleon coming on for David Norris. The fourth official indicated that nine minutes had been added for stoppages. With nothing to lose Leeds pressed forward with Dominic Poleon leading the charge, but he failed to control a good chance and Ben Williams was able to save. With seven minutes of stoppage time having elapsed Bradford made a second change when they sent on Matt Dolan for Billy Knott. Matt Smith had the chance to equalise in the dying seconds but he headed a free-kick over the bar and after ten minutes the referee brought the added time to a halt and with Mirco Silvestri, Charlie Taylor, Lewis Cook, Mirco Antenucci, Nicky Ajose and Zan Benedicic unused on the Leeds bench and Matthew Urwin, Mark Yeates, Mo Shariff, Christoper Routis and Filipe Morais, still on the Bantams' bench, Leeds were knocked out of the League Cup for another year. The fans knew it was the end of David Hockaday. "Hockaday is getting sacked in the morning" was chanted by both sets of fans. He may have been given a reprieve by Massimo Cellino after he felt having two players dismissed was not the coach's fault or he hadn't had time to blend a team that his president had assembled for him. No doubt a fair minded person may say it wasn't his team, but even so a coach of any pretence knows that he will be judged on results and on that count alone, he had failed.

On 28th August 2014, Hockaday and assistant Junior Lewis were sacked by owner Massimo Cellino, having been in the job for only 70 days. Predictably, the coach's troubled reign as head coach came to an end when owner Massimo Cellino decided the derby defeat to Bradford City deserved to be punished with the sack. He had lasted just six games and it came as no surprise to anyone, given an abysmal disorganised and disappointing pre-season, and his previous ignominious management record which evoked the thought "pay peanuts and you get monkeys". It re-enforced the thought that Massimo Cellino, who arrived in English football with a maverick’s reputation and a track record for impatient decisions when assessing the fate of his managers. Having assumed all responsibility for the transfer of players, the Italian has also set the precedent for future coaches. No decent coach would want to operate under those conditions and it is hard to see any coach succeeding unless he is given time and allowed to have control over the composition of the team. The only way he will last long is by being a yes man, use the players at his disposal and hope that results go his way! David Hockaday knew the terms of his contract, but no one could allow the poor record to continue. One win in two games in the League Cup against inferior opposition and one win in four in the League, allbeit against some reasonable opposition, but in most cases being outplayed by the opposition for large portions of the game, was just not acceptable. The blame for player indiscipline is a coach's responsibility.

“After the defeat at Bradford I realised that my decision to keep David at the club following the defeat at Watford was wrong, and I had to change my mind on the coach’s position. As a club we will now begin our search for a new head coach. Hockaday took training yesterday morning and was then told to leave the club. His assistant, Junior Lewis, has also lost his job and Neil Redfearn will lead the team against Bolton on Saturday" was Massimo Cellino's explanation of events. Academy manager Neil Redfearn took temporary charge of the first team until a new head coach was appointed.

It transpired that after the Watford result the president had approached former Assistant Manager, Nigel Gibbs and offered him the position of head coach. They couldn't agree terms, hence David Hockaday's temporary reprieve. It was reported by YEP journalist Phil Hay: "Gibbs, 48, was assistant under Brian McDermott last season and is understood to have been someone owner Massimo Cellino rated highly whilst at the club. However, during a summer of massive change, Gibbs was effectively left without a role at the club and as a result resigned from his position last month. In a statement Gibbs released when he had departed the club, he said ‘I have terminated my employment with Leeds United in response to the way I have been treated by the club’. This resulted in legal action being carried out by Gibbs, who claims that the way he was treated by the club was a breach of contract. Cellino claims that Gibbs asked for too much money and refused to work under David Hockaday and now, in bizarre circumstances, Cellino wanted Gibbs to take over as the new Leeds boss. Despite a lengthy conversation between the two, it’s understood that Gibbs refused Cellino’s offer and a return to the club meaning David Hockaday carried on as Head Coach for the League Cup tie at Bradford City in the week. Another poor result meant Hockaday was given his marching orders and Neil Redfearn placed in temporary charge of the first team".

On the transfer front Paddy Kenny had left the club on on 19th August 2014 by mutual consent. Ten days later, Gboly Ariyibi left on a free transfer to Chesterfield and goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown also left on a free transfer to Crawley Town.

So, on 30th August 2014, Neil Redfearn took charge of the Leeds United team for their fifth League encounter, as they entertained Bolton Wanderers at Elland Road. It was a vastly changed starting eleven from that defeated at Valley Parade. Marco Silvestri was reinstalled between the posts as League Cup goalkeeper Stuart Taylor returned to the bench. Giuseppe Bellusci was back after suspension to replace Liam Cooper, who dropped to the bench. Youngsters Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt together with new signing Casper Sloth came in, in midfield, to replace Michael Tonge, who dropped to the bench, Luke Murphy, who was suspended, and David Norris, who dropped out of the squad. Matt Smith returned to the bench to make way for Mirco Antenucci, who along with Giuseppe Bellucsi was making his home debut, while Casper Sloth was making his United debut. On the bench Nicky Ajose missed out while Zan Benedicic returned and Chris Dawson, another member of the Academy was also included. Ex-Leeds keeper Andy Lonergan, former Leeds favourite and goalscoring machine, Jermaine Beckford, and former Leeds Captain, Andy Hughes, were all on the visitors bench as referee Simon Hooper of Swindon, Wiltshire, got the game underway as the away fans numbered barely 770 in an attendance of 21,901. United started the game well but there were no real chances in the first ten minutes although an Alex Mowatt corner caused consternation in the Bolton defence and Craig Davies was brought to an abrupt end by a well-timed Giuseppe Bellusci challenge. After seven minutes the visitors had to make a change when David Wheater was forced to leave the field with a back injury and Dorian Dervite replaced him. As the first quarter of an hour passed by, the Leeds midfield quartet were in charge and controlling the game, but despite that the visitors had created the first chance of the game. In the twelfth minute Joe Mason had been put through and only a great save by Marco Silvestri, when he pushed the shot onto the crossbar and away to safety, denied the visitors taking the lead. But after that aberration United reclaimed control and were rewarded in the seventeenth minute when they took the lead. It came from the unlikely source of left-back Stephen Warnock, who was played in and got in a low shot or cross from the left hand corner of the penalty area. It easily beat Adam Bogdan and hit the back of the net, leaving others to answer the question of whether it was a shot or a cross. No matter what, it had been a bright start by Leeds and they thoroughly deserved their lead. The goal gave Leeds more confidence and as half time approached the Trotters' attack had not asked too many questions of the United defence. But with five minutes to the interval there was a flurry of excitement as Lewis Cook, who had been and outstanding performer for the forty minutes of the game to date, set up a chance for Alex Mowatt on the edge of the box but his shot was just over the bar. The excitement continued, but this time at the other end where once more Joe Mason had an opportunity to equalise, but he shot straight at Marco Silvestri. Then it was back to the Bolton end for Billy Sharp to work an opening but his final effort went over the top. Bolton were the first to threaten in the second half, but Craig Davies was off target. But ten minutes into the half Leeds were forced to make their first change after Stephen Warnock limped off after coming off second best in a challenge from Hayden White and he was replaced by Charlie Taylor. Bolton were now back in the game and pressing for an equaliser and the Leeds keeper was once more called upon to save his team. This time a strong shot from long range by Jay Spearing was met by a fine save and this was quickly followed by another as he denied Joe Mason who got in a shot from the rebound. Bolton were now starting to asked questions of the Leeds defence but on one breakaway Lewis Cook sent a precision pass over the top which found Billy Sharp, but the striker's first touch let him down and Adam Bogdan was able to pick it up. The Leeds defence, particularly Mirco Silvestri were under increasing pressure and the keeper was again alert to save a twenty-yard shot from Lee Chung-Yong at the expense of a corner, which was also scrambled clear. United were still a threat on the counter attack, on one such venture Tommaso Bianchi's cross was cleared before further danger could develop. But play was soon back at the Leeds end with Joe Mason shooting over the bar from distance and then Marco Silvestri was equal to a Neil Dann free-kick from thirty yards. In the seventy-eighth minute debutant Casper Sloth left the field to a standing ovation as he was replaced by Zan Benedicic, who was making his first League appearance. At the same time the visitors also made their second change with ex-Leeds favourite, Jermaine Beckford, who also received a similar ovation, coming on for Craig Davies. Four minutes later they made their final change when Liam Feeney replaced Medo Kamara. With ten minutes remaining the game was finely balanced and both teams had good efforts on goal in succession. Jermaine Beckford, who had only just finished acknowledging the crowd's ovation, sent a shot wide after he had waltzed past two Leeds defenders. Leeds replied through Mirco Antenucci whose curling shot went just wide of the post. There were five minutes added for stoppages and Bolton made frantic efforts to get back on terms. Jay Spearing shot wide from distance and a Liam Feeney cross was well held by Mirco Silvestri. However, it was Jermaine Beckford that had the chance to pull his team back on level terms when he was able to get in a header from inside the United penalty area, but yet once again it was Mirco Silvestri who crowned an almost perfect display of goalkeeping when he produced a remarkable reflex save from his downward header and followed it up by pouncing on the loose ball to prevent further danger. In a final attack Bolton even sent up goalkeeper Adam Bogdan for a free-kick but the Leeds defence held out for the three points, as Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Chris Dawson, Michael Tonge and Matt Smith remained unused on the Leeds bench and Andy Lonergan, Robert Hall, Darren Pratley and Andy Hughes for Bolton. It saw Leeds claim their second home win of the season and moved them to eighteenth place, seven points behind leaders Nottingham Forest and six above the pointless twenty-fourth club, Blackpool.

On 31st August 2014 Twenty-year-old Brazilian midfielder, "Adryan" Oliveira Tavares, was signed on a one-year loan, from Flamengo, with an option to purchase at the end of the period and Nineteen-year-old Centre-back, Dario Del Fabrio, was also signed on loan from Cagliari on the same terms, becoming thirteenth and fourteenth signing of the summer. This was boosted the following day to fifteen when Twenty-one year-old Paraguayan winger/striker, Brian Montenegro joined from Nacional Asuncion of Paraguay on similar terms to Adryan and Del Fabrio. On the same day Senegal striker, Souleymane Doukara, made his stay at Leeds permanent when he signed a three year contract. On the same day, 1st September 2014 two players, both strikers, Matt Smith and Dominic Poleon, left Leeds and both were surprised at the moves. Understandably so, as Matt Smith had only signed a new three year contract a fortnight previous, but with the rumoured £800,000 transfer, it was good business to accept it from Fulham, where he would link up once more with strike partner, Ross McCormack with a three year contract with an option for a further year. Dominic Poleon, who was in negotiations with Leeds for an extended contract, was sold to Oldham Athletic for an undisclosed fee and on a two year contract. The deal included a twenty-five per cent sell-on clause.

After the end of the Transfer window and the International break, United faced a trip to St Andrew's to face Birmingham City in their sixth League game of the season in a Sky telecast 12-15pm kick off on 13th September 2014. There were 2,654 Leeds fans present in a crowd of 15,266 and the game was refereed by Scott Duncan of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. With Birmingham a point and two places lower than them in the table and having secured a 3-1 on the same ground in their final away game of last season, Neil Redfearn would have been hoping to repeat his result obtained in his previous match. There was no place in the squad for two of the new signings, Dario Del Fabrio and Brian Montenegro, but there was a return to the starting eleven for Gaetano Berardi, who made his League debut, in place of Scott Wootton, who dropped to the bench, while Soulymane Doukara was fit again and he and Rodolph Austin and new signing "Adryan" Oliveira Tavares took their places on the bench as Charlie Taylor, Zan Benedicic, Chris Dawson and the departed Matt Smith dropped from the squad. Former Leeds loanee and now Birmingham captain, Paul Robinson was on the home bench. It was an overcast and dismal day in Birmingham and the attendance and the mood of the players reflected it. There was little or no excitement in the first fifteen minutes but in the sixteenth Giuseppe Bellusci mistimed his jump to head clear a Birmingham free-kick and inadvertently headed it over his keeper but fortunately wide of the post for a corner. The clock ticked past the half hour and there was still no sign of excitement or worthwhile incident. If anything Birmingham had looked the most enterprising of the two teams but apart from a couple of easy saves from Mirco Silvestri and a few blocks from the Leeds defence neither side had done anything of note. On the half hour Clayton Donaldson controlled the ball on the edge of the Leeds penalty area, turned and shot for goal, but the Leeds keeper had a clear view and watched it pass over the bar without the need to touch it. But in the thirty-seventh minute the home side took the lead. This time Wesley Thomas repeated the actions of his strike partner, Clayton Donaldson, only his shot was better directed and beat the diving visiting keeper to finished in the corner of the net. Strangely the Leeds goal net collapsed and play was held up for nine minutes while the goal was reassembled. The time was added to the first half which saw no further incidents other than Leeds pressing and Birmingham making a couple of poor defensive headers which Leeds could not take advantage of. Ten minutes of stoppage time did finally bring Leeds their first corner of the game but the half ended with Birmingham goalkeeper Darren Randolph still not having to make a save but the sun was brightening up the atmosphere. For the start of the second half Birmingham brought on ex-Leeds loanee Paul Robinson to replace Grant Hall. It was the home side that started as the better side after the break and first Brek Shea went close with a header from a David Cotterill cross and soon afterwards Clayton Donaldson run took him too wide and his shot from an acute angle went into the side netting. However, as the clock reach the hour mark, Leeds came back into the game as Mirco Antenucci got more involved. He threaded a pass into Casper Sloth's path on the right wing but the Dane's low cross was cut out before it could reach Billy Sharp. In the fifty-seventh minute Leeds had their first shot on goal. It came from Alex Mowatt who shot from the edge of the area and though it was well directed for the corner of the net, Darren Randolph had anticipated it well and parried to save. In the sixty-third minute Neil Redfearn made a double change to pep up United's attack. He brought on Rodolph Austin for Casper Sloth and Souleymane Doukara for Billy Sharp. Souleymane Doukara was soon involved, getting in a twenty-five yard shot that passed just wide of a post. In the sixty-seventh minute Birmingham made their second change bringing on Demarai Gray for Brek Shea. The new substitute was soon in the action on the left wing firing in a low shot that made Marco Silvestri get down to beat it away. Rodolph Austin was the next player to show willing with some fancy footwork and a piercing cross. United received their reward from their increased effort when they drew level in the seventy-sixth minute when Alex Mowatt equalised. The home defence failed to clear a Gaetano Berardi cross and the ball fell to Mowatt who remained calm and finished clinically with a shot into the corner of the net that gave Darren Randolph no chance. It was again Alex Mowatt that went close soon after with a header from an impossible angle which required only a touch from another Leeds attacker, but there were no takers. The home side made their final change in the seventy-ninth minute when Jonathan Spector replaced David Davis. The game had a lively finish with both sides trying hard as they pressed for the winner. In the eighty-second minute Lewis Cook was cynically chopped down by Wesley Thomas which earned the Birmingham man the first booking of the game. Five minutes later Demarai Gray joined him for a dive trying to earn a penalty after minimal contact with Giuseppe Bellusci. The Birmingham man almost redeemed himself a minute later when, after a fine run, his shot forced the Leeds keeper to save at the second attempt. The fourth official's board showed there would be three extra minutes. In the second minute Wesley Thomas outclimbed everyone at the back post only to head wide. A minute later Rodolph Austin drove forward from midfield and aimed a shot into the far corner, but Darren Randolph got down quickly to just keep it out. After four minutes the referee called time leaving Stuart Taylor, Scott Wootton, Liam Cooper, Michael Tonge and Adryan unused on the Leeds bench and Colin Doyle, Mark Duffy, Stephen Gleeson and Andrew Shinnie on the Birmingham bench. The point did not improve United's position on the table as they fell to nineteenth spot, but for goal difference they would have been equal sixteenth, six points points behind leaders Nottingham Forest, who had a game in hand and six above bottom pair Blackpool and Fulham, who could only muster a point apiece.

The following Tueday night, 16th September 2014, Neil Redfearn was still in charge of the teamd seventh League game and his own third game in temporary charge when they visited AFC Bournemouth at their Goldsands Stadium, though still known to many as Dean Court. Massimo Cellino had already told Neil Redfearn that he was still needed to run the Academy and had implied that he was no in the running for the chief coach appointment although there was a long list of potential applicants, with World Cup Manager of Argentina, and former Leeds midfielder Alex Sabella the bookmakers present favourite. The trip to Bournemouth was seen as a bridge too far as their home record was nigh invincible as United had found to their cost in a four-one drubbing when they last met in March. United were without their winning goalscorer at Birmingham from the weekend, Alex Mowatt, as he had an injured toe. This earned Rodolph Austin a recall into midfield, while Soulemayne Doukara was preferred to Casper Sloth on the left of midfield. Sam Byram was available after completing his suspension and he was on the bench in the vacancy created by the elevation of Rodolph Austin. Former Leeds stalwart Ian Harte was in the Bournemouth starting side and ex-Leeds loanees keeper Darryl Flahavan and Full back Adam Smith were on the bench. United were once more well represented with a following of 1,385 in the crowd of 9,307 and Andy D'Urso of Billericay, Essex was the referee. The game was also beamed back to Elland Road, where over 1,000 more Leeds supporters watched it on large screens in the hospitality area. It did not take the home side very long to go on the attack and they created their first chance after just two minutes. Ryan Fraser got in a good left-foot shot on goal and it was heading for the top right hand corner of the net until a superb flying save from Marco Silvestri denied him at the expense of a corner. Steve Cook scramble the ensuing corner wide. However, things were soon looking ominous when the home side took the lead after just six minutes. Andrew Sturman got possession on the ege of the Leeds penalty area and his left foot shot was low and well placed, so much so that, despite a fine diving attempt from the Leeds keeper, the ball nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the net. It remained one-way traffic as the home side tried to double their lead, but Marco Silvestre in the Leeds goal was in inspiring form and twice in four minutes denied Matt Ritchie, the second being a spectacular acrobatic one-handed save to tip a dipping shot over the bar. However, the resulting flag kick was poor and it almost lead to Leeds effort on goal, as Mirco Antenucci, picked up a loose ball in his own half and Leeds replied with a counter attack. The Italian striker took off on a surging run through the centre of the home midfield before trying to thread the ball to the lurking Billy Sharp, but the Bournemouth defenders and keeper converged to put the ball out for a corner. This brought about an improvement from the visitors as they started to get a larger share of possession and one move finished with Souleymane Doukara bursting into the area only to see his drlled cross blocked. The speedy Bournemouth forwards were always dangerous and Marco Silvestri was once more called upon to save Leeds, this time by performing a smothering dive at the feet of Callum Wilson as he looked to dribble the ball round him and into the net. As half time approached it was Leeds that were on top and applying pressure but they still had not tested the Bournemouth goalkeeper, Lee Camp, even though Tomamaso Bianchi tried his luck from distance just on the half time whistle but Lee Camp watched it sail over the bar and remained untested. In truth it had been all Bournemouth and only good goalkeeping from Marco Silvestri and poor finishng from the home forwards had kept Leeds in the game. It was Leeds that started the second half on the attack, with Rodolph Austin finally bringing Lee Camp into the action when he got in a low drive from outside the area after he had beaten two Bournemouth defenders, but Lee Camp was equal to the task. Billy Sharp was next to get in a shot but he saw it blocked in front if goal before Lewis Cook put the rebound high and wide. Leeds were obviously responding to Neil Redfearn's half time talk and kept pressing much to the annoyance of the home crowd as Leeds went in search of the equaliser. Billy Sharp went down in the area as Tommy Elphick was in close attendance on the hour mark, but referee Andy D'Urso saw nothing amiss. Play then went to the other end and once more Marco Silvestri had to be alert to keep out a shot from Ryan Fraser. In the sixty-seventh minute Leeds got the reward their play deserved when Soulemayne Doukara, who had been a constant source of danger to the home defence, forced his way into the penalty area with a powerful run, to take advantage of a fine Tommaso Bianchi through ball and beat Lee Camp in the bottom left hand corner from an acute angle to register his first League goal. United were on a roll and urged on by their large following started looking for the second. Billy Sharp went close from a similar angle that Doukara had scored from but although his shot beat Lee Camp, it was just wide. Bournemouth made their first change when they brought on Junior Stanislas for Ryan Fraser in the seventieth minute. Harry Arter tried his luck with a long range shot that went just over the Leeds bar and this prompted Neil Redfearn to make a double change in the seventy-sixth minute when he sent on Liam Cooper for Stephen Warnock and Sam Byram for Billy Sharp. With eight minutes left on the clock Leeds were awarded a free-kick twenty-five yards out from goal and Giuseppe Bellusci commandeered the ball and lined up his shot for goal. He delivered a wickedly dipping shot which left goalkeeper Lee Camp grasping at thin air as the ball rocketed into the top corner of the net to give United a 2-1 lead as their fans celebrated vociferously. This was followed by Yann Kermorgant having a header saved and then, with three minutes left on the clock, the home side made a double change to complete their substitutions for the game as Adam Smith came for Ian Harte and Brett Pitman for Harry Arter. The home side tried to strike back and Marco Silvestri twice made good saves to keep them at bay, but Leeds were finding holes in the home side's defence and Mirco Antenucci broke through onto a Souleymane Doukara through ball in the final minute and kept his head as he bore down on goal to beat goalkeeper Lee Camp with a composed finish and slotted the ball into the net to put the game beyond the home side. Unused on the Leeds bench were Stuart Taylor, Scott Wootton, Michael Tonge, Casper Sloth and Adryan, while Darryl Flahavan, Charlie Daniels, Eunan O'Kane and Marc Pugh remained on the home bench. It gave Neil Redfearn an impressive seven points from nine in the three games he had been in temporary charge of the team. United moved up the ladder to thirteenth place, six behind new leaders Norwich City and nine above bottom clubs Blackpool and Fulham, who were still without a win.

There was the local "West Yorkshire Derby" for United's eighth fixture of the League season as they entertained near neighbours Huddersfield Town at Elland Road on Saturday 20th September 2014. "The Terriers" brought plenty of support with them, 1,760 in a crowd of 29,131, and Chris Foy of St Helens, Lancashire was the referee. Neil Redfearn made one change to his starting eleven for his fourth game in charge. Casper Sloth came in in midfield with Souleymane Doukara being pushed up into the striking role at the expense of Billy Sharp, who dropped to the bench, where there was a place for Steve Morison at the expense of Scott Wootton. Former Leeds captain, Lee Peltier, was at left back for the visitors. Unbeaten in three games Leeds looked confident from the outset and were soon on the attack, creating two half chances in the opening minutes, with Casper Sloth just failing to take advantage of a poor Huddersfield back-pass by Jack Robinson before Mirco Antenucci saw a shot blocked. United continued to apply the pressure and good closing down by Mirco Antenucci saw Joel Lynch's blocked attempted clearance fall straight into the path of the onrushing Rodolph Austin just inside the visitor's penalty area and he launched a venomous shot which easily beat Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies after nineteen minutes. United were in full control of the game, but as the interval approached it was Huddersfield that went close on two occasions with a header from Jonathan Hogg and a shot by Harry Bunn from within the penalty area that went high and wide and not very handsome. However, it was United that doubled their advantage after Mirco Antenucci had gone close as the forty-five minute mark almost arrived, when after one minute of injury time Giuseppe Bellusci got in a shot that looked likely to find the net, but rebounded from the crossbar and it was gleeful smashed into the net by Mirco Antenucci. As the second half got underway it was the away side that looked the more dangerous and there were two headers from Mark Hudson from Jacob Butterworth set-pieces, but neither caused Marco Silvestri any problems as they sailed wide. After fifty-nine minutes Huddersfield brought on Danny Ward for Jonathan Hogg. It was Leeds that came the closer to increasing their lead as Rodolph Austin found Souleymane Doukara with a superb through ball. The United striker got in a good right footed shot but it was met by a fine save from Alex Smithies. It was not long before Leeds did make it three, as a similar move by Austin gave Doukara the chance to repeat his early shot on goal and this time there was more power and accuracy as Alex Smithies was given no chance as the ball hit the back of the net in the sixty-ninth minute to make it 3-0. Four minutes later Gaetano Berardi received his second yellow card of the game, for a foul on Harry Bunn, who had led him a merry dance the whole afternoon, and that meant an instant dismissal. Almost immediately United sent on Sam Byram for Casper Sloth, who was sacrificed for the replacement for the full-back. Town also reacted by Jonathan Stead coming on for Sean Scannell. Even with ten men United still maintained the upper hand although Jonathan Stead did have a chance to reduce the arrears after Danny Ward had dispossessed Souleymane Doukara and brought Nahki Wells into the action but his shot from twelve yards sailed over the bar in the eighty-fourth minute. With five minutes left on the clock Steve Morison replaced Souleymane Doukara and in the final minute Michael Tonge came on for Rodolph Austin. Mirko Antenucci almost increased the Town misery as he picked up the ball in his own half and carried the ball right through to a shooting position in front of the Huddersfield goal, however, his shot was mistimed and Alex Smithies was able to get down and deny him a second goal by finger-tipping it on to the post and round for a corner. There was five minutes of added time that saw no addition to the score and Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Adryan and Billy Sharp remained unused on the Leeds bench, while Joe Murphy, Paul Dixon, Murray Wallace, Tommy Smith and Radoslaw Majewski were similarly unused by Town. The victory meant that Neil Redfearn's impressive record continued with three wins and a draw in four games and they moved up to eleventh position, five points behind leaders Nottingham Forest and twelve above Fulham who still had just one point.

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2014-2015: Team at Glenavon on 30th July 2014

Back Row: Alex Mowatt, Paddy Kenny, Ross Killock, Charlie Taylor, Matt Smith, Jake Skelton.

Front Row: Kalvin Phillips, Dominic Poleon, Alex Purver, Gaetona Berardi, Chris Dawson.

Players/Managers:

David Hockaday: Chief Coach, Adryan Oliveira Tavares , Nicky Ajose , Mirco Antenucci , Rodolph Austin , Gaetano Barardi , Zan Benedicic , Giuseppe Bellusci , Tommaso Bianchi , Sam Byram , Alex Cairns , Lewis Cook , Liam Cooper , Chris Dawson , Dario Del Fabro , Souleymane Doukara , Noel Hunt , Paddy Kenny , Ross Killock , Tom Lees , Brian Montenegro , Steve Morison , Luke Murphy , David Norris , Jason Pearce , Dominic Poleon , Billy Sharp , Marco Silvestri , Jake Skelton , Casper Sloth , Matt Smith , Charlie Taylor , Stuart Taylor , Zac Thompson , Michael Tonge , Lewis Walters , Stephen Warnock , Aidan White , Scott Wootton .

Part 8: Darko Milanic - Another false Dawn: The Italian Connection (Part 2) 2014-2014

2014-2015:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

Two changes were made by new head coach Darko Milanic for the visit to Griffin Park to take on fourteenth-placed Brentford on 27th September 2014. The suspended Gaetano Berardi was replaced by Sam Byram and Alex Mowatt had recovered from injury to replace Casper Sloth, who dropped to the bench, where Scott Wootton and Luke Murphy returned at the expense of Billy Sharp and Adryan. There were 1,580 travelling Leeds fans in the crowd of 10,886 and Dean Whitestone of Northampton was the referee as ex-Leeds midfielder Jonathan Douglas started for the home team. there was a lively start with both teams looking to attack and it was Rodolph Austin that tested Brentford keeper David Button from distance but it caused no problems as he saved with ease. But it was soon Marco Silvestri, who became the busier of the two goalkeepers as he pulled a good save from Alex Pritchard, who also had a shot deflected. Then he made a fine double save in the twenty-third minute as he clawed away Alan Judge's free kick as it was curling into the top corner and quickly regaining his feet to to turn away Andre Gray's shot from the rebound. Brentford should have taken the lead after twenty-seven minutes, when, after Jonathan Douglas had made a long penetrating run from his own half and then found Andre Gray with a slide rule pass, Jason Pearce, in desperation brought him down in the box. James Tarkowski's shot was very high, very wide and in no way handsome as it ballooned over the bar and a golden oppurtunity had been spurned by the home side from the spot. Soon afterwards the keeper was again called into action by the former Leeds midfielder as he rose highest at the back post to head a corner on target and only another superb save thwarted him. United did make a worthwhile attack as the interval approached and Alex Mowatt was able to get in a shot from the edge of the box but again David Button saved comfortably. But in the time added for first half stoppages it was Brentford that took the lead. Jota was allowed far too much time and space in the penalty area and left a couple of Leeds defenders on the floor as he dribbled his way to create an opening before shooting high into the net to give the home side the lead. Brentford had dominated the play and deserved to be more ahead than the single goal. The second half started off in similar vein, although both Jason Pearce and Mirco Antenucci had good attempts on goal but David Button saved the defender's header while the striker's shot went over. Leeds had Marco Silvestre to thank for keeping them in the game as he side was completely outplayed. On the hour mark, Andre Gray wrong-footed the keeper but he still managed to get his trailling leg to the ball to keep it out of the net. Minutes later Moses Odubajo had a diving header brilliantly saved by the Italian as he pushed the effort round the post. Darko Milanic made his first change in the sixty-seventh minute when Casper Sloth replaced Alex Mowatt. However the home team made a double substitution after seventy-four minutes with Marcos Tebar replacing Alex Pritchard and Nick Proschwitz coming on for Jota. A minute later one of the substitutes, Marcos Tebar, was unmarked just four yards out but he tried to place the ball and Marco Silvestri was able to anticipate it and pulled off another fine save.The home side's second goal came in the seventy-eighth minute from a quickly taken free-kick which found full-back Alan McCormack unmarked on the edge of the penalty area and he was able to pick his spot to score with a low accurate shot that was too powerful for the keeper and took a deflection off Jason Pearce. Michael Tonge was sent on for Lewis Cook in the eightieth minute and Brentford made their final change a minute later with Toumani Diagouraga replacing Andre Gray and Luke Murphy was sent on for Tommaso Bianchi in the eighty-fifth minute to complete the substitutions. It was Casper Sloth that picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box but his powerful shot went wide as the final minutes ticked away. Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Scott Wootton and Steve Morrison remained unused on the Leeds bench, while Jack Bonham, Harlee Dean, Jon-Miquel Toral and Betinho were unused by Brentford. United were never in the game and were easily outplayed as Brentford leap-frogged them into eleventh place as United slid to thirteenth, seven points behind leaders Norwich City and eleven above bottom club Blackpool.

For his first home game Darko Milanic made two changes to the starting eleven as Liam Cooper replaced Steve Warnock and Casper Sloth was preferred to Rodolph Austin as United played host to twelfth-placed Reading, who like Leeds had thirteen points, but a better goal difference. On the bench Billy Sharp replaced Michael Tonge. There were just 302 Reading supporters in the crowd of 20,705 and Tony Harrington of Cleveland was the referee of the Wednesday evening fixture of 1st October 2014. There were good runs from both Alex Mowatt and Mirco Antenucci in the early minutes, but it was Reading's Nick Blackman that got in the first shot on target which forced Marco Silvestri to make a fine finger-tip save from his long-range shot. From the ensuing corner Michael Hector's header went over the bar. Good anticipation by Sam Byram also saved the day for United as he cleared a dangerous low cross in the tenth minute. Alex Mowatt tried his luck from twenty-five yeards but it sailed harmlessly over the bar. Reading were doing most of the pressing with United trying to hit them on the counter and both Sam Byram and Souleymane Doukara threatened in this fashion. Any chances were at a premium but soon after the half hour mark Mirco Antenucci was inches away from connecting with Liam Cooper's cross from the left. Alex Mowatt did well to make an interception in midfield that almost caught the Reading defence off guard but as he attempted to lob Adam Federici his curling shot was too high. Giuseppe Bellusci wasted a free kick on the edge of the penalty area as fort-five minutes approached when he blazed the ball well over the bar and half-time came with the game goalless. The second half started with a little action as Alex Mowatt had a shot deflected for a corner and Michael Hector side-footed a shot wide at the other end. Then Oliver Norwood was high over the bar when he tried a speculative shot from distance, just before Darko Milanic made his first change after fifty-eight minutes when he sent on Luke Murphy for Lewis Cook in midfield. Chances were few and far between but United had to thank Marco Silvestri for keeping them in the game as he made a fine save at the near post to deny Glenn Murray who had been presented with the best chance of the evening with a point blank header from an Oliver Norwood corner. Rodolph Austin was introduced for Alex Mowatt after sixty-six minutes as Darko Milanic tried to get more fire into the Leeds midfield, but it was the visitors that looked the more dangerous and Michael Hector sent a free-kick into the side-netting. Rodolph Austin was just off target from a free-kick after Souleymane Doukara had been brought down, but as Reading made a break Nick Blackman's low drive was saved by Marco Silvestri with a dive to his right, at the expense of a corner. Reading made their first change after seventy minutes when Danny Guthrie came for Hope Akpan and four minutes later they made their second as Hal Robson-Kanu replaced Simon Cox. They completed their allocation for the night as Jamie Mackie came on for Jake Taylor after seventy-six minutes and after Rodolph Austin had almost successfully lobbed Adam Federici from the halfway line, only for the Reading keeper to back-pedal frantically to just recover in time, United completed their substitutions as Billy Sharp replaced Mirco Antenucci on the eighty-two minutes mark. Billy Sharp immediately almost achieved something which had eluded all players to that point, as he beat two challenges before shooting from the edge of the penalty area, but Adam Federici was equally alert as he pulled off a smart save to beat away United's first shot on target of the evening. Rodolph Austin also had a chance but was wide of the target. Five minutes of stoppage time was added but those minutes achieved exactly what the previous ninety had and the classic bore draw saw Darko Milanic pick up his first point for Leeds as they moved to twelfth on the ladder six points behind leaders Norwich City and eleven above bottom club Blackpool. Stuart Taylor, Steve Warnock, Scott Wootton and Steve Morison remained unused on the Leeds bench and Mikkel Andersen, Pavel Pogrebnyak, Sean Long and Jake Cooper, were likewise for Reading.

Another home game was next on the agenda as Sheffield Wednesday drove up the M1 on 4th October 2014 to try to improve on their ninth spot just two points in front of United in twelfth spot. They brought 1,213 supporters with them, which helped to swell the crowd to 24,094 and also brought Tom Lees, until recently a mainstay of the United defence, with them in their starting eleven. Darko Milanic made two changes to his starting eleven for his third game in charge as Gaetano Berardi returned from suspension to replace Liam Cooper at left-back and Rodolph Austin was preferred to Lewis Cook in the holding midfield role. Scott Wootton and Lewis Cook were left out of the squad and there was a place for Adryan on the bench. James Adcock of Nottingham was the referee. Darko Milanic was hoping for his first win and Leeds were soon on the attack as Mirco Antenucci was brought down after just two minutes, but Alex Mowatt could not find his range and curled the ball wide from the ensuing free-kick. While Wednesday did threaten once when Atdhe Nuhiu head a cross from the right wing over the Leeds bar, it was Leeds that were the better team in the early stages with Tommaso Bianchi splitting the visitor's defence for Alex Mowatt to advance on goal, but his progress was stopped by a good save by the on-rushing Kieren Westwood, who smothered the ball as the midfielder looked to push the ball past him. This was followed by Alex Mowatt dispossessing Jose Semedo in midfield and playing in Souleymane Doukara, but the Frenchman put the ball wide from an acute angle. Leeds maintained the pressure and Rodolph Austin forced Kieren Westwood into another fine save in the seventeenth minute as he tested him from long-range and forced the keeper to back-pedal and pull off a stunning one-handed save as he finger-tipped the ball over the bar. Tommaso Bianchi saw his shot from inside the box cannon off Mirco Antenucci for a goalkick, while Souleymane Doukara was flagged for off-side but his header was also high and wide. Three minutes before half-time United thought they had taken the lead after Mirco Antenucci had beaten Kieren Westwood but once again the linesman's flag denied them. At the other end Stevie May was inches wide with a header from a good cross by Liam Palmer just on half-time as the game remained goalless and evenly poised in a closely contested first half. Luke Murphy replaced Casper Sloth at the start of the second half, while Wednesday replaced Atdhe Nuhiu with Gary Madine. It was United that started the brighter of the two sides as the second half commenced and Mirco Antenucci thought his lob had found the net only to see it cleared off the line by Wednesday's full-back Liam Palmer. Wednesday also went close, but Chris Maguire sent his shot into the side-netting and United immediately replied as Mirco Antenucci was again denied, this time by the feet of Kieren Westwood as he bore down on goal. On balance probably Leeds should have been in front on chances created but, seven minutes into the second half, it was Wednesday that took the lead. Jacques Maghoma found Chris Maguire on the right hand side of the penalty area and the winger shot right-footed into the bottom-right hand corner of Marko Silvestri's net. It was again Kieren Westwood to Wednesday's rescue as he made another superb save from a rising shot from Marko Antenucci, after he had been played in by his fellow strike Soulymane Doukara. Stevie May should have double Wednesday's lead but he pulled a low shot wide after he had found himself in space in the penalty area. On sixty-eight minutes Darko Milanic sent on Billy Sharp instead of Souleymane Doukara and a minute later Wednesday sent on Jeremy Helan for Chris Maguire. Leeds were still applying the pressure in their chase for an equaliser and Rodolph Austin had a shot blocked by Liam Palmer, but the pressure paid off as Alex Mowatt's excellent free-kick bounced to Giuseppe Bellusci on the left edge of the penalty area and the central defender was able to side-foot a half-volley into the bottom corner of the net to equalise in the seventy-ninth minute. Steve Morrison replaced Mirco Antenucci with ten minutes to go and two minutes later Wednesday also made their final substitution as Giles Coke replaced Jose Semedo. Billy Sharp nearly had a chance, but Kieren Westwood was quick off his line to thwart him and Rodolph Austin also was off target. There was five minutes of stoppage time, but the game remained even as Wednesday substitute Gary Madine got in a low effort that was well saved by Marco Silvestri as the game finished at 1-1. Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Steve Warnock and Adryan remained unused on the Leeds bench while Wednesday's unused substitutes were Chris Kirkland, Lewis Buxton, Royston Drenthe and Claude Dielna. The point gained saw United slip down to fourteenth place, six points behind top club Norwich City and ten better off than bottom club Bolton Wanderers.

United played their twelfth league game of the season in a Friday night fixture at Rotherham United's "new" ground the New York Stadium which had only been opened at the start of the 2012-2013 season after Millmoor had been their home for more than a hundred years. Rotherham were three positions below United's fourteenth spot and trailed them by three points which meant they could possibly go above them on goal difference should the home team win. But no doubt Darko Milanic would have been expecting his first win from the visit in his fourth game as head coach, having had time to work with his team in the almost fortnight long international break. For the 17th October clash, he made two changes to his starting eleven with Lewis Cook and Stephen Warnock taking the places of Casper Sloth and Sam Byram as Gaetano Berardi switched from left to right back to accomodate the left back. Luke Murphy lost his place on the bench. There were 2,294 in the Leeds end in an almost capacity 11,350 crowd and Keith Stroud of Gillingham, Dorset, was the referee while there were three former United players in the home side's ranks with Fraser Richardson, Paul Green and Ryan Hall all renewing acquantancies with some old former comrades but such were the changes in the Leeds playing staff, that they would have been hard pressed to find any. Possesion went to and fro in the early stages of the game, but it was Rodolph Austin that had the first shot on target but his long range shot was deflected behind for a corner. Then Marco Antenucci turned quickly onto an Alex Mowatt cross but could only poke it wide. Ryan Hall sent a thirteenth minute free-kick over the Leeds crossbar with the home side's first effort on goal. At the other end Souleymane Doukara shot lowand wide after forcing his way through the home defence, but things were starting to heat up and Marco Silvestri got down well to deny Matt Derbyshire as Rotherham struck back. On the half-hour mark it was Mirco Antenucci that gave United a deserved lead with his third goal of the season as he evaded the home side's offside trap and latched onto Souleymane Doukara's finely judged through ball to beat Adam Collin with a cool finish which saw the ball nestle in the bottom corner of the Rotherham net. The goal raised the tempo of the game and Rodoloph sent a speculative shot over the bar from long range. Soon afterwards Lewis Cook beat several players in a good run but was finally swamped as the home team funnelled back to outnumber him. But it was not all Leeds and Marco Silvestri had to produce the save of the evening as he dived full length across his goal to push away Alex Revell's goalbound header with his right hand. Rodolph Austin continued to be the Leeds driving force in midfield and a strong run culminated in another long range effort flying wide. The home side managed to clear their lines just before the interval after Mirco Antenucci had cut the ball back and Leeds went in at half-time good value for their 1-0 lead. After half-time Rotherham replaced Ryan Hall with Paul Taylor and he was soon in the action as he forced Marco Silvestri to beat away his powerful free-kick. Alex Revell again was set up for a header from another fine cross from Ben Pringle and though he was off target the combination was starting to pose big questions for the United defence. Alex Mowatt was posing his own questions to the Rotherham defence as he skipped away from his marker but shot straight at Adam Collin. However it was Rotherham that got the first goal of the half in the fifty-eighth minute as Alex Revell converted an easy chance after the ball had rebounded to him after a Lee Frecklington effort was pushed into his path. In the sixty-second minute both teams made a change as Leeds gave a debut to Adryan, who replaced Lewis Cook and Jonson Clarke-Harris came on for Matt Derbyshire for the home side. But it was Rotherham that took the lead just three minutes later and it was the new substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris that was the scorer as he fired home a twenty-five yard shot into the bottom corner of the net with his first touch of the ball. Adryan threatened a quick-fire equaliser as he showed neat footwork on the edge of the box to create an opening bur Adam Collin pushed his low shot round the post. Marco Silvestri showed his alertness to save a Jonson Clarke-Harris header while at the other end the lively Adryan continued to cause the home team problems as he glided through their defence before he shot just wide of a post. The Leeds fans were urging their team on and Mirco Antenucci saw his shot pushed on to the post at full stretch by Adam Collin, before going behind for a corner. Giuseppe Bellusci made a fine back-heel to divert the ball into the path of Adryan but his shot curled over the bar. Billy Sharp replaced Souleymane Doukara in the seventy-sixth minute in Leeds' second change. As United surged forward in search of an equaliser they were leaving openings at the back and Marco Silvestre was forced to dash off his line to deny Alex Revell with a good block to stop the forward's advance and Gaetano Barardi bravely threw himself at the forward's feet to prevent him making it three. With ten minutes left on the clock the home side brought on Richie Smallwood for Ben Pringle and with two minutes to go Steve Morison was thrown on for Tommaso Bianchi. It was the Welshman that headed United's last chance wide of the target when presented with a header from an Alex Mowatt corner in the final minute of stoppage time, as Rotherham held on grimly to resist United's late pressure to secure the three points. Stuart Taylor, Sam Byram, Liam Cooper and Casper Sloth were unused on the Leeds bench, while ex-Leeds trialist Scott Loach, Kirk Broadfoot, Jordan Bowery and John Swift were unused by the home team. The game finished with Leeds in fourteenth spot and Rotherham having the same points and an identical goal difference and that was how it finished when the round of fixtures had been finished the following day, the teams nine points behind leaders Watford and nine points above bottom club Blackpool.

There was another away trip to follow as United visited fourth placed Norwich City, who they trailed by six points, four days later, in a Tuesday evening clash against one of the form teams of the Championship at Carrow Road for their thirteenth League game of the season, on 21st October 2014. Darko Milanic made two changes once more to his starting eleven as Sam Byram returned in place of Stephen Warnock, and Gaetano Barardi reverted to left back with Byram at right-back. He gave Adryan his starting debut in place of Lewis Cook, who dropped to the bench, in an otherwise unchanged squad. 1,791 Leeds fans had made the long trek to East Anglia to be part of the crowd of 26,565 and they saw former United captain Jonathan Howson in the home team starting line-up and Bradley Johnston on the bench. Mark Clattenburg of Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne was the referee. It was Norwich who were the first on the attack and their captain Russell Martin headed over from an early corner. Soon afterwards Alex Tetty was off target with a speculator from long-range before Mirco Antenucci and Souleymane Doukara caused problems at the other end. It was nine minutes, however, before Marco Silvestri was called into the action, when he had to hold on to a low strike from Jonathan Howson, who had carved out an opening for himself. The Norwich keeper, John Ruddy, was next into the action when he got down well to his right after his own defender Steven Whittaker almost misskicked an Alex Mowatt corner into his own net. The home side were srarting to enjoy the majority of possession but they failed to extend the United's defence as first Cameron Jerome was unable to convert a good cross from Josh Murphy and then Marco Silvestre was untroubled in collecting a long range effort from Alex Tetty. The home dominance continued and the chances increased with Cameron Jerome making a quick break but firing over the bar while Russell Martin was also off target as he skied a half volley over the bar following a corner and Kyle Lafferty was also guilty of missing the target as he shot wide from within the penalty area. Marko Silvestre was also the Leeds saviour and in inspired form as he pushed away a goal-bound shot from Nathan Redmond and then made a stunning reflex save from Kyle Lafferty from point blank range within the six yard box to keep the sheet blank despite the incessant pressure at the half-time break. Darko Milanic change his formation a little as the second half commenced as Adryan and Souleymane Doukara occupied the wide positions as Leeds looked to get more in the game, but soon the pattern of the first half returned with Norwich once more applying the pressure. The Leeds defence had been valiant but the constant pressure was bound to have an effect and so a minute before the hour mark it came as no surprise when the home side took the lead when Russell Martin rose to head a Nathan Redman corner past the brave Marco Silvestri. Norwich looked to build on their lead and sent on striker Gary Hooper for Josh Murphy at the hour mark. Leeds responded by sending on Lewis Cook for Alex Mowatt two minutes later. It was the Leeds substitution that paid off as just two minutes after the change they broke from midfield for Souleymane Doukara to get the equaliser, with Adryan leading the charge and playing in the Frenchman with a measured through ball with the outside of his boot and the striker calmly gave John Reddy no chance as he slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the home net. Norwich were soon back on the attack in search of the winner as Cameron Jerome sent a shot across the face of Marco Silvestri's goal. The pressure continued as Michael Turner headed a corner wide before Nathan Redman sent a curling shot straight into the waiting arms of Marco Silvestri. In the seventy-ninth minute Norwich made their second change as Vadis Odjidja-Pfoe came on for Kyle Lafferty and eight minutes later they made their final change when Lewis Grabban replaced Cameron Jerome. Nathan Redman had a shot from within the box deflected behind as the home tean tried to get the decider as time was fast running out. One minute into the time added for stoppages Casper Sloth became United's second substitution as he replaced Souleymane Doukara, but the four minutes of stoppage time passed without any change to the score as Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Stephen Warnock, Billy Sharp and Steve Morison remained unused on the bench for Leeds, while Declan Rudd, Bradley Johnson, Ignasi Miquel and Gary O'Neil were unused by the home team. So United had been totally outplayed but the defence had hung on for a point which saw them in fifteenth spot on sixteen points, ten behind leaders Derby County and ten above bottom side Blackpool

It was back to Elland Road on 25th October 2014, for United's fourteenth game of the League season against fourth placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who they trailed by seven points. It was Darko Milanic's sixth game in charge which had seen three draws and two losses from three away and two home fixtures against teams of varying ability, but certainly Wolves and Norwich were in the promotion contenders category. There were 2,074 Wolves fans in the crowd of 27,883 that saw the kick-off with David Webb of Stanley, County Durham, the referee. Darko Milanic made three changes from the midweek starting eleven at Norwich, giving Steve Morison his first start of the season, after three cameos from the bench, while there was a return to the starting eleven for Lewis Cook and Stephen Warnock. Sam Byram returned to the bench with Gaetano Berardi switching from left to right back to accomodate Stephen Warnock. The injured Rodolph Austin and the suspended Souleymane Doukara and substitute Billy Sharp dropped from the squad, while Luke Murphy, Brian Montenegro and Michael Tonge came in on the bench. The game opened quietly with both teams feeling out the other and it wasn't until thirteen minutes had passed that there was any threat to either goal. It came from United's Steve Morison, who shot strongly across the face of the Wolves goal and forced a fine save from Carl Ikeme as he pushed it away. It did not go far, however, but Alex Mowatt put the rebound into the side-netting. At the other end Marco Silvestrie was composed in dealing with a shot from Lee Evans, but it was Leeds that looked the more dangerous and applying the more pressure. So it came as no surprise when they took the lead in the eighteenth minute. Alex Mowatt found Steve Morison with an excellent cross-field ball and he in turn found strike partner Mirco Antenucci as he threaded the ball through and the Italian finished the move sharply with a neat finish into the bottom corner of the visitors' net for his fourth goal of the season. Six minutes later United should have doubled their lead when the hard-working Morison found Alex Mowatt unmarked in the penalty area but Carl Ikeme saved well as he dived low to his right. In a Wolves attack Dave Edwards could only guide a left-wing cross from Tommy Rowe behind for a goal kick at the Kop end, but United were well on top and deserved their lead. As they continued to attack Tommaso Bianchi glanced a header wide from a good inviting cross from Giuseppe Belluscibefore Mirco Antenucci and Steve Morison again combined for the Welshman's strike to be deflected for a corner. There was a curling shot from Michael Jacobs which Marco Silvestri saved with ease, but otherwise the game was becoming quite one-sided as United pressed for a second goal and Mirco Antenucci was crowded out as he sought to find the net. Michael Jacobs had Marco Silvestri making sure he had the ball covered as a free-kick flew over the bar and then the keeper was tested by James Henry, but he got down well to his left as a shot came in from distance. But it was United that had dominated the first half and were good value for their 1-0 lead. The visitirs brought on Leon Clarke for Dave Edwards for the start of the second half and they seemed to have found a new sense of urgency and it was they that applied the early pressure after the break. They did earn several corners and got in some promising crosses but none of them caused the Leeds defence much concern. However, that all changed in the fifty-ninth minute as Marco Silvestre was called into his first real action of the game when a towering header from Nouha Dicko forced him to push it away with an acrobatic one-handed save to his right. Four minutes later both sides made a change with Leeds bringing on Luke Murphy for Alex Mowatt, while Wolves chose to replace Michael Jacobs with Rajiv Van La Parra. Soon afterwards, in the sixty-sixth minute, Wolves drew level after being on top since half-time when James Henry couldn't beleive his good fortune when he found himself in space in the box after Lewis Cook tried to make an interception which hit the knee of Giuseppe Bellusci and fell kindly for the Wolves' man and he rifled the ball into the roof of the home net beyond Marko Silvestrie. There was little doubt that the home side had been second best in the second half and buoyed by their equaliser Wolves pressed even further and subsitute Rajiv Van La Parra almost scored at the back post from a corner, but he bundled the ball wide of an open goal. Both sides were prepared to attack and as a result were leaving themselves open to the chance of a counter attack. In the seventieth minute Lee Evans missed a glorious oppurtunity for the visitors when he sliced his shot wide from the edge of the box. Darko Milanic made his second change in the seventy-fourth minute when he brought on Casper Sloth for Adryan. Wolves substitute Leon Clarke got in a shot but it was straight at Marko Silvestrie who caught it comfortably, while Nouha Dicko blazed the ball high and wide with a speculator from long-range. While having seen their team lose the ascendency and the lead, the home fans were given some encouragement of their team's ability to win the game when Steve Morison went close from an acute angle and then Gaetano Berardi and Mirko Antenucci both went close with crosses from the right. But it was not to be as with five minutes left on the clock that Wolves broke away and when Matt Doherty squared the ball across the goal Leon Clarke had the easy task of side-footing the ball into the net from very close range. In the eighty-seventh minute Wolves made their final change with defender Richard Stearman for Nouha Dicko and United responded a minute later by sending on striker Brian Montenegro, for his debut, in place of Tommaso Bianchi. United applied the pressure but despite four minutes being added for stoppages they could not find the equaliser and it was another defeat that saw them slip to eighteenth on the ladder, ten points behind leaders Derby County and ten above bottom club Blackpool as Stuart Taylor, Sam Byram, Liam Cooper and Michael Tonge remained unused on the Leeds bench and Wolves did not use Jon Flatt, Scott Golbourne, George Saville and Yannik Sagbo. The loss did have its repercussions as after just thirty-two days in charge and having managed just three points from the available eighteen, Darko Milanic was sacked by Massimo Cellino.

Photographs of the era:

Players/Managers:

Darko Milanic: Chief Coach, Adryan Oliveira Tavares , Nicky Ajose , Mirco Antenucci , Rodolph Austin , Gaetano Barardi , Zan Benedicic , Giuseppe Bellusci , Tommaso Bianchi , Sam Byram , Alex Cairns , Lewis Cook , Liam Cooper , Chris Dawson , Dario Del Fabro , Souleymane Doukara , Noel Hunt , Paddy Kenny , Ross Killock , Tom Lees , Brian Montenegro , Steve Morison , Luke Murphy , David Norris , Jason Pearce , Dominic Poleon , Billy Sharp , Marco Silvestri , Jake Skelton , Casper Sloth , Matt Smith , Charlie Taylor , Stuart Taylor , Zac Thompson , Michael Tonge , Lewis Walters , Stephen Warnock , Aidan White , Scott Wootton .

Part 9: Neil Redfearn - Yet another new Dawn? The Italian Connection (Part 3) 2014-2015

2014-2015:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

Neil Redfearn was appointed head coach prior to United's fifteenth League game of the season with "bogey" team, eleventh placed Cardiff City, at their Cardiff City Stadium where United had failed to win, together with previous venue, Ninian Park, since 1984. Redfearn, who was said to have agreed a one year contract, with the option of a further year or the return to his Academy duties should he wish. He made one change to the previous line up, restoring Souleymane Doukara to the starting line-up in place of the injured Adryan as he returned from suspension. He also brought in Chris Dawson for Luke Murphy on the bench. Andy Woolmer of Northampton was the referee in front of a crowd of 24,220, which included 2,148 from Leeds, on 1st November 2014. Cardiff dominated the opening phase of play and, a minute after Jason Pearce had picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and a one week suspension for a professional foul on Adam Le Fondre, Marco Silvestri was forced to make a save, low down, from a Peter Whittingham free-kick in the eleventh minute. Cardiff continued to press with Craig Noone prominent and, after one cross had been returned to him, he then found Aron Gunnarsson, whose looping header was saved by Marco Silvestre, who was then fouled by Adam Le Fondre and the threat vanished. United were under pressure and it was not until the twentieth minute that Steve Morison made the first threat on the home goal, when he got his head to a Stephen Warnock left-wing cross, but it cleared the bar. Craig Noone went close with a header from a Peter Whittingham corner, but he too was over the bar. United were looking dangerous on the counter attack and, as half-time approached Mirco Antenucci fired high and wide, while Souleymane Doukara forced David Marshall to save a low shot. Giuseppe Bellusci came to United's rescue with a fine tackle on Federico Macheda and Adam Le Fondre went close as he glanced a header from a Peter Whittingham free-kick wide of the post. It was Jason Pearce who saved United just on the stroke of half-time as he blocked an Anthony Pilkington cross at the post and diverted it into the side-netting. The home side made one change at half-time with Joe Ralls coming on for Anthony Pilkington on the left-wing. The second half started with Cardiff once more on the attack and Peter Whittingham took advantage of a poor Leeds clearance, but his volley sailed harmlessly into the crowd behind the Leeds goal. United replied with a speculator from a Giuseppe Bellusci free kick which dipped and forced David Marshall to save from thirty yards. It came as little surprise when Cardiff took the lead through Bruno Ecuele Manga after sixty-one minutes who headed in at the far post, after Sean Morrison had headed a Craig Noone cross back across goal. It did not take them long to double their lead and six minutes later Federico Macheda shot and watched it deflect off Jason Pearce and loop over Marco Silvestri, who made a valiant effort, but the ball nestled in the top corner of the Leeds net. Leeds reacted by sending on Chris Dawson in the sixty-ninth minute to replace Steve Morison. It was his first appearance of the season, not having featured in the team since April 2014. Cardiff reponded by introducing Kenwyne Jones in place of Federico Macheda six minutes later and United took the opportunity to send on Casper Sloth for Tommaso Bianchi. Dawson was quickly in the action but it was his collegue from the Leeds Academy days, Alex Mowatt, that got United back into the game when he received a pass from Souleymane Doukara and beat David Marshall with a strong angled shot as he broke into the penalty area, after seventy-seven minutes. The Cardiff response was to send on Ravel Morrison for Adam Le Fondre three minutes later, but it was Cardiff's previous substitute Kenwyne Jones that ensured the three points for the home side as he took advantage of another Leeds defensive mix-up, this time a collision between Guiseppe Bellusci and Marco Silvestri, to fire the ball into an empty net in the eighty-third minute. Two minutes later Leeds replaced Gaetano Berardi with Sam Byram but it was Kenwyne Jones, who got in a towering header, that came closest to scoring with an effort in the first of four minutes injury time. Simon Moore, Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Connolly and Nicky Maynard remained unused on the home bench and Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Michael Tonge and Brian Montengro remained on the United bench as Leeds made it seven games without a win and slipped another rung down the ladder into nineteenth place just four points above the drop zone, and nine out of the play-off spots, which was looking more and more like wishful thinking.

Three days after their loss in Wales, United had to take on Charlton Athletic at Elland Road in their sixteenth League game and the first home game under Neil Redfearn's control. He made three changes to the side beaten by Cardiff. Jason Pearce was suspended and Liam Cooper moved from the bench to take over, while Adryan returned to the team after recovering from injury to replace Steve Morison, who dropped out of the squad. Sam Byram was preferred to Gaetano Berardi at right back and the Swiss international took his place on the bench, with Charlie Taylor taking the other vacant spot. Stephen Warnock became the Leeds Captain in the abscence of Jason Pearce. Graham Salisbury of Lancashire was the referee in front of a crowd of 18,698, with just 303 having made the journey to support ninth-placed Charlton. It was Leeds that started the stronger of the two sides and Souleymane Doukara latched on the end of a Tommaso Bianchi cross in the fourth minute, but was just wide of the post. This was soon followed by Mirco Antenucci watching as his shot was diverted into the grateful arms of the Addicks' keeper Stephen Henderson. Charlton did fight back and George Tucudean was just wide with a back-heeled flick from a Callum Harriott cross as the game came more even by the twenty minute mark. Stephen Warnock came to Leeds' rescue in the twenty-eighth minute when, after Marco Silvestri had failed to cut out a Johnnie Jackson corner, Andre Bikey was left with an open goal and the Leeds captain kicked the scuffed effort from off the line. As half-time approached Alex Mowatt saw his strong left foot shot from long range deflected over and then Mirco Antenucci was unlucky as he wound his way into the box but his shot hit the side-netting. However, his next effort was well wide of the mark just on half- time. It took Leeds just four minutes of the second half before they took the lead when Alex Mowatt got his second goal in two games after a fine move between Adryan and Stephen Warnock down the Leeds left wing, and the left back's cross was knocked down by Tommaso Bianchi and, after the Charlton defence failed to clear it, it resulted in the young midfielder gaining possession on the edge of the penalty area before taking one step with his right foot and unleashing an unstoppable left foot shot which comprehensively beat Stephen Henderson in the Charlton goal to nestle in the top corner of the net as the Elland Road crowd rose as one to acclaim the fine strike. The visitors sent on Igor Vetokele for George Tucudean after fifty-two minutes and eight minutes later Francis Coquelin, who took the place of Yoni Buyens, as Charlton tried to rally. However, it was short-lived as Callum Harriott blazed his shot high wide and into the Leeds South Stand and the ball then reached the other end for Mirco Antenucci to dance his way through the visitors' defence but his finish was off-target as he mishit it wide of the goal. Much against the run of play the visitors pulled level in the sixty-second minute when Icelandic international, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, managed to put the ball past Marco Silvestri as he beat him through his legs at his near post to silence the home crowd. United immediately went on the attack and five minutes later got back into the lead once more as both Souleymane Doukara and Adryan had shots blocked by Charlton defenders before Stephen Warnock chose not to shoot himself but played the ball square to Alex Mowatt who added a stunning second. Once more he showed pin-point accuracy as he curled another spectacular strike beyond the reach of the helpless Stephen Henderson from twenty yards. After this Mirco Antenucci twice went close to increase the lead for Leeds, forcing the Charlton custodian to save low down and then he flicked a Souleymane Doukara cross wide of the mark. United made their first change in the seventy-third minute as Casper Sloth came on for Adryan, and Charlton made their third and final change in the seventy-eighth minute as Oguchi Onyewu took over from Callum Harriott. But Charlton hit back to equalise in the eighty-first minute when Johann Berg Gudmundsson got his second of the night, drilling the ball straight down the middle from the penalty spot, after Giuseppe Bellusci was adjudged to have pulled down Tal Ben Haim when grappling with him to prevent him from getting in a header from a Johnnie Jackson corner. There were still eight minutes of normal time left when Charlton, having used their three substitutes, were then reduced to ten men after an injury had caused Rhoys Wiggins to leave the field for the closing stages. A cross from Sam Byram into the six yard box had Stephen Henderson back-pedalling frantically to tip the ball over his bar after it threatened to sneak under it. Mirco Antenucci fired through a crowded Charlton penalty box but straight into the arms of Stephen Henderson as the game entered the five added minutes of stoppage time. Neil Redfearn brought on Brian Montenegro in place of Tommaso Bianchi as the first extra minute ticked by and after that Lewis Cook had a good shot go low and wide as the ten men of Charlton survived with a draw. The point saw Leeds extend their winless streak to eight but move up to seventeenth place, just two points above the drop zone and ten points adrift from the final play-off spot. Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Charlie Taylor, Michael Tonge and Chris Dawson all remained unused on the home bench while Nick Pope, Franck Moussa, Morgan Fox and Karlan Ahearne-Grant were unused by the visitors.

For their seventeenth League game Leeds were presented with the ideal chance to break their embarrassing eight game winless run with the visit of bottom club, Blackpool, who had only amassed seven points to leave them perilously seven points below any other club and even ten points worse off than United. Leeds made just one change from the midweek draw at home to Charlton Athletic, with Jason Pearce returning from suspension in place of Giuseppe Bellusci, who himself had accumulated five bookings and was now subject to a one match ban. On the bench Rodolph Austin, Billy Sharp and Dario Del Fabro replaced Casper Sloth, Brian Montenegro and Charlie Taylor. Stuart Atwell of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, had the whistle as the crowd of 23,846, which included 486 from Blackpool, and the teams, observed a one minute's silence for the commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the start of the First World War, on 8th November 2014. United were soon on the attack and Joe Lewis, in the Blackpool goal, had to make his first save in the second minute, after Souleymane Doukara had given Mirco Antenucci the chance to force him to make a good stop low down, from an acute angle. He was again in action soon afterwards to thwart Stephen Warnock after he had made a piercing run down the left and Adryan, who headed a Sam Byram cross wide, and Mirco Antenucci also looked to open the scoring as Leeds dominated in the early stages. It came as no surprise when they did open the scoring with a first goal for Liam Cooper after nine minutes. It came after the ball had fallen kindly for the centre back on the edge of the penalty area from a deflected Alex Mowatt cross and the former Chesterfield man caught the ball sweetly on the half- volley and his venomous shot flew unerrigly into the bottom corner leaving Joe Lewis flat-footed and totally beaten. Five minutes later it looked as though Mirco Antenucci had beaten the Blackpool offside trap, as he ran onto an incisive pass from Tommaso Bianchi, to double the Leeds advantage but he could only fire into the side-netting when put under pressure by the quick recovering Blackpool rearguard. The continuous Leeds pressure forced Lee Clark to make a tactical change in the seventeenth minute, when he sent on former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Jamie O'Hara for Andre Blackman, who had had trials with Leeds during the summer. It had little effect as Leeds continued their dominance with Souleymane Doukara shooting wide after excellent build up by Lewis Cook and Adryan. It was not until the twenty-fourth minute that the Leeds defence were exerted, when Jason Pearce had to be alert to clear from within the Leeds six yard box, but that was all the pressure Blackpool could muster in the first half -hour. Andrea Orlandi did, however, force Sam Byram to clear from the line in a rare counterattack by the Seasiders. United were clearly outplaying their relegation-threatened opponents and unsurprisingly they doubled their lead after thirty-one minutes with a fine counter-attack. A classy flick from Mirco Antenucci on the halfway line found the lively Adryan who exploited a gap in the Blackpool defence after he drove half the length of the field in a brilliant mazy run towards the visitors' goal to find Souleymane Doukara, who took the ball in his stride in the penalty area to drive the ball with precision into the bottom corner of the net for his sixth goal of the season. Leeds were relentless and pressed home their obvious superiority with a third goal three minutes before half-time. Alex Mowatt set up Souleymane Doukara and his cross was only partially cleared by Charles Dunne and it fell kindly for Mirco Antenucci, whose volley from outside the penalty area took a deflection off a Blackpool defender to leave Joe Lewis, once again, hopelessly beaten. Blackpool made their second substitution for the start of the second half as Nile Ranger, another player of interest to Leeds during the previous summer, came on for Andrea Orlandi. At least the second half started more evenly with Tommaso Bianchi having a dangerous cross palmed away by Joe Lewis before Blackpool substitute, Nile Ranger, got in a header which went just wide of the post from a corner. David Perkins was well wide as he got in a shot from long range but Souleymane Doukara was equally ineffective as his effort was straight into the waiting arms of Joe Lewis. Neil Redfearn made his first change in the sixty-fourth minute when he injected Rodolph Austin, now recovered from injury, into the action in place of Adryan. Five minutes later Blackpool made their final change with Jacob Mellis coming on for John Lundstram. One minute later Neil Redfearn was forced to make another change as Tommaso Bianchi limped out of the game to be replaced by Michael Tonge. The second half had seen little or no goalmouth action as Leeds patiently built up their attacks only to flounder on the Blackpool defence and instead of them extending their lead even further it was Blackpool that reduced their arrears with fifteen minutes still left on the clock, as Nile Ranger rose to head past Marco Silvestre from a Jacob Murphy corner. The goal seemed to spark United into retaliatory action and Rodolph Austin drove forward, picking out Mirco Antenucci, who in turn managed to get his shot in on goal which Joe Lewis spilled. In the ensuing scramble in the Blackpool area Peter Clarke managed to boot the ball to safety with Souleymane Doukara lurking with intent in the six yard box. Ishmael Miller shot wide from twenty yards as Blackpool started to press and cause United a nervous final twenty minutes, but it was Rodolph Austin that was providing the United impetus as his quick footwork teed up Souleymane Doukara before Mirco Antenucci sent a curling shot over the bar as United sought to clinch the game. With a minute left on the clock, Neil Redfearn threw on his third substitute in the form of another player making a return after injury in Billy Sharp who replaced Mirco Antenucci. There were six minutes added for stoppages, but the score remained the same as United held off late pressure from the visitors to end their eight game winless run and go into fifteenth place on the ladder, eight points behind sixth place Brentford and four above twenty-second placed Wigan Athletic. Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Dario Del Fabro and Chris Dawson remained unused on the Leeds bench, while Elliot Parish, Tomasz Cywka, Francois Zoko and Nathan Delfouneso were unused by the visitors.

United travelled across the Pennines to Ewood Park to take on seventh placed Blackburn Rovers in their eighteenth League fixture of the season, on 22nd November 2014, with an unchanged starting eleven, but with Giuseppe Bellusci, having served his one-match suspension, taking the place of Dario Del Fabro on the bench, as Neil Redfearn decided to leave Jason Pearce and Liam Cooper in central defence. Kevin Wright of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire was the referee in front of a crowd of 21,432, of which at least 6,839 were there to support Leeds. Both sides made enterprising starts to the game as the game took off at a fast pace, but it was United that mounted the first attack with Blackburn keeper Jason Steele having to rush from his line to avert the threat from Adryan, when he managed to get away from his marker. The first quarter of an hour was evenly poised with Ben Marshall sending in a speculator from long distance which posed no threat to Marco Silvestre as it swerved wide. In the sixteenth minute, a cross from the left from Ben Marshall had fallen kindly for Tom Cairney to give him the opportunity to clip the top of the crossbar with a curling strike. While United continued to be a threat on counter-attack, it was Blackburn who were also dangerous in a similar manner and, on twenty-seven minutes, Marco Silvestre was called into the action for the first time to save low to his left as Ben Marshall had managed to cut inside Sam Byram with a sublime first touch before moving into the penalty area and get in a shot. But not to be outdone Jason Steele at the other end pulled off a fine save to tip over a good effort from Adryan and stop it from finding its intended spot in the far corner of the net. This was quickly followed by Lewis Cook getting in a half-volley which was deflected behind for a corner. It was from that corner that Leeds took the lead. Adryan's left wing corner was not properly cleared by Blackburn and it fell for Souleymane Doukara, who from just inside the goal area squeezed the ball inside the post for his seventh goal of the season in all competitions, in the thirty-third minute. With both sides nullifying each other in midfield, the goal proved to be the only piece of goal mouth action before the half-time break. In the second half both sides tried to go on the offensive and it was Leeds that created the first chance but Lewis Cook could only poke it straight into Jason Steele's arms. Urged on by their large following, United continued to attack and Alex Mowatt curled a shot wide as Leeds looked to double their lead. But the game was far from being decided and Rudy Gestede set up Jordan Rhodes with a path through on goal in the Leeds penalty area, allbeit from a tight angle, but it was a sufficient chance to allow his half-volley to force Marco Silvestri into a fine diving save to push away his goalbound shot on the one hour mark. Next Rudy Gestede shot wide after taking Justin Rhodes' cross on his chest on the edge of the penalty box, and then the striker headed straight into Marco Silvestri's arms as Rovers pressed for an equaliser. Rovers made their first change in the sixty-fifth minute when Lee Williamson came on for Ryan Tunnicliffe. Eventually the home team's pressure told and in the seventy-first minute Justin Rhodes got the equaliser after there was a mix up in the Leeds defence, Liam Cooper tried to marshall the ball to his goalkeeper but Marco Silvestri only succeeded in colliding with his fellow defender, which enabled Rhodes to slot the ball into the empty net. Both teams made changes to their line-ups with former Leeds forward Luke Varney replacing Rudy Gestede two minutes after the goal and Giuseppe Bellusci taking over from Tommaso Bianchi three minutes later. Blackburn did create some half chances as first Luke Varney and then Justin Rhodes failed to capitalise, but United were quick to respond as Adryan put Mirco Anenucci en route for goal only for his shot to hit the base of a post. The Leeds hopes were given a boost in the eighty-first minute when Blackburn were reduced to ten men after former Leeds trainee, Tom Cairney, was dismissed after picking up his second yellow card for a late challenge on Liam Cooper. But with three minutes left on the clock it was Blackburn that took the lead as Justin Rhodes scored from the penalty spot, sending Marco Silvestri in the wrong direction, after Luke Varney had gone down in the penalty area, under not much pressure from Sam Byram. Leeds sent on Billy Sharp for Lewis Cook and almost straight away Rovers replaced Corry Evans with Chris Taylor. There were five minutes of stoppage time, in which Leeds threw everything at Blackburn, but they held out to take the points. Simon Eastwood, Grant Henley, David Dunn and Craig Conway remained unused on the home bench while Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Rodolph Austin, Michael Tonge and Chris Dawson were not used by United as the defeat saw United slip to sixteenth, ten points behind Blackburn, who had moved into sixth spot, and just two points above twenty-second placed Rotherham United.

On 29th November 2014 United faced their nineteenth League fixture as top of the table Derby County were the visitors to Elland Road with a fifteen point margin of superiority, as Giuseppe Bellusci returned to the starting eleven as Jason Pearce dropped to the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad. Mick Russell of St Albans was the referee in front of a crowd of 26,028, which contained 2,779 from Derby. The visitors started the game as the team on attack and in the first ten minutes both Jeff Hendricks and Chris Martin threatened the Leeds goal, but after that Leeds came more back into the game and spent long periods camped in the Derby half. However, neither keeper was under any serious threat during the first twenty-five minutes, but Leeds had to thank Giuseppe Bellusci for pulling off a fine last-ditch tackle on Johnny Russell, who was clean through. Leeds had their first real attack on the Derby goal as Mirco Antenucci skipped away from his marker on the edge of the penalty area, but Richard Keogh did enough to force him to shoot way over Lee Grant's crossbar. However, Lee Grant was soon called into action when he was forced to dive to his left to push a dipping strike from Alex Mowatt round the post. From the resulting corner Mirco Antenucci again blazed high over the bar, but Leeds were now starting to build some good pressure and Souleymane Doukara was wide with a good effort in the thirty-ninth minute as Leeds once more counter attacked. The stalemate was broken four minutes later as Mirco Antenucci scored his sixth goal of the season in the forty-third minute. It came when Alex Mowatt dispossed Will Hughes, and played in Souleymane Doukara, who took it to the byline and centred lowdown across the penalty area where the Italian was waiting eight yards out to beat Lee Grant emphatically with a clinical finish. United carried on their pressure after the interval and just five minutes into the new half it was an action replay as the Italian scored his and United's second of the afternoon. This time it was Stephen Warnock that broke down the left and supplied the low cross, which Souleymane Doukara dummied and allowed it to run to his strike partner, who buried the ball into the corner of the net, once more giving Lee Grant no chance. Sam Byram almost made it three, as he skipped past two defenders before firing in a low shot from outside the area, but this time Lee Grant was equal to the task. United were now well on top and Mirco Antenucci was going in search of his hat-trick, but Lee Grant was able to push his goalbound shot away. Steve McLaren, who had watched the game from the stands, made his way down to the dug-out and sent on all his allowable substitutes in one fell swoop in the sixty-sixth minute as Craig Bryson came on for Omar Mascarelli, Kwame Thomas for Johnny Russell and Simon Dawkins for Jordan Ibe. Neil Redfearn made his first change two minutes later when he sent on Rodolph Austin for Tommaso Bianchi. It was Leeds who threatened to increase their lead and the in-form Mirco Antenucci was again close as another fine effort was inches over the visitors' crossbar. Soon after one of the Derby substitutes, Simon Dawkins, threatened at the other end but his shot went harmlessly into the South Stand leaving Marco Silvestri still untested. With nine minutes left on the clock the visitors passed up another chance to bring the Leeds keeper into the game. However, it was only an heroic last-ditch tackle in front of goal from Stephen Warnock that stopped them. Kwame Thomas still had a clear chance from within the area from the rebound but he smashed the loose ball into the South Stand. Derby were throwing men forward in an effort to get back in the game, but this inevitably left gaps in their own part of the field. Souleymane Doukara exploited one such hole when he tried to play in Mirco Antenucci, but Lee Grant stood firm to block the Italian's shot. Neil Redfearn made his second change four minutes into time added for stoppages sending on Michael Tonge for Adryan but Leeds deservedly beat Derby in a game which saw two of their players, Johnny Russell and Ryan Shotton, fortunate not to see red, but they and three others, Cyrus Christie, Omar Macarelli and Chris Martin together with four from Leeds, in Tommaso Bianchi, Souleymane Doukara, Giuseppe Bellusci and Liam Cooper, who was also lucky not to see red for a challenge on the hour which could have given Derby a penalty, all found their way into Mick Russell's book. Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Jason Pearce, Chris Dawson and Billy Sharp remained unused on the Leeds bench, while Kelle Roos, Jake Buxton, John Eustace and Paul Coutts were not used by the visitors. The win, United's first in twelve encounters with the Rams, took United up one place to fifteenth but did not dislodge Derby from top spot, but United were still eight points adrift of sixth placed Blackburn Rovers and five above Brighton & Hove Albion in twenty-second spot.

For their twentieth League encounter United went to East Anglia, to play the second placed Ipswich Town, who were just one point behind Derby County, at their Portman Road home ground. Neil Redfearn had to make one enforced change as Jason Pearce replaced the injured Giuseppe Bellusci, with Dario Del Fabro taking his place on the bench. Mike Dean of Heswall, Wirral, was the referee in charge of the clash before a crowd of 21,489 of which 1,835 had made the long trip from Leeds. The home side started on the attack with Daryl Murphy cutting in from the right but seeing his shot deflect comfortably into the arms of Marco Silvestri. However, it was Leeds that took the lead after only four minutes. Once more it was the in-form Marco Antenucci that found the net for his eighth goal of the season, after Stephen Warnock had made a fine marauding run down the left flank leaving Luke Chambers and Tommy Smith in his wake after neither could decide who should go for the ball, and found the Italian with a perfect pass which enabled him to connect sublimely to beat the Ipswich keeper, Bartosz Bialkowski, from just inside the edge of the six yard box. The home side lost little time in making their reply and, after Stephen Hunt could only head over a Luke Chambers cross from beyond the far post, eight minutes after the Leeds opener, Jay Tabb played in Luke Chambers and he crossed from the right wing for Daryl Murphy to climb in a towering header to place the ball past Marco Silvestri. This brought a predictable reponse from Leeds as they immediately went on the attack and Tommaso Bianchi had a shot blocked before Mirco Antenucci wastefully blazed over the bar when well positioned. In the sixteenth minute Daryl Murphy kept the hard fought encounter on the boil when he controlled a corner from Stephen Hunt from the left but saw his shot from eight yards blocked in front of goal, and fly wide off a defender's heel. At the other end Stephen Warnock and Mirco Antenucci again combined well, but the striker's header was straight into the hands of Bartosz Bialkowski. The two teams appeared to be evenly matched in skill and score, but in the twenty-sixth minute that all changed. After Jay Tabb had played a long through ball, Stephen Warnock was adjudged to have pushed over Paul Anderson in the penalty area and from the spot-kick David McGoldrick sent Marco Silvestri the wrong way to score with ease, and give the home side the lead. Almost immediately Stephen Hunt headed a Luke Chambers' cross back across goal finding Daryl Murphy just six yards out and he should have doubled the Tractor Boys' lead, but his shot was off-target. Then, after being released by Jay Tabb, David McGoldrick curled another ambitious right foot shot high into the stand behind Marco Silvestri's goal. It was not all Ipswich, and Tommaso Bianchi set up a fine chance with a cross which raked the Ipswich goal area but it evaded all the Leeds forwards. The two tall timbers of Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick were causing the Leeds backline many moments of discomfort and the latter once more fired over from the edge of the Leeds penalty box. Alex Mowatt managed to get in a half- volley but it flew high and wide as United sought to equalise before the interval. Unfortunately, in the minute added for stoppages, it was Daryl Murphy that beat the Leeds offside trap to run onto a through ball from Paul Anderson to advance and slot the ball through Marco Silvestri's legs to send the home side into the interval with a 3-1 lead. It was Ipswich that started the second half on the front foot as they went searching to increase their lead. It was only three minutes after the restart that they made it 4-1. Paul Anderson took a short corner to Stephen Hunt on the left and, from his cross, a header from Tommy Smith looked likely to go into the bottom corner of Marco Silvestri's net but Christophe Berra took the credit for the goal as he connected from close range to make sure. Three minutes later Neil Redfearn sent on Rodolph Austin for Souleymane Doukara and then, just two minutes after, Adryan made way for Billy Sharp. It was Ipswich that looked the more likely to increase their lead than United to reduce it, and Marco Silvestri was forced into a fine reflex save to deny Daryl Murphy who had shot on the volley. On the hour mark Ipswich made their first change as Teddy Bishop came on for Jay Tabb, and the majority of possession rested with the home side, but after a Rodolph Austin cross had found him in the box, Billy Sharp was soon outnumbered by Ipswich defenders and the chance was lost. At the other end Cole Skuse saw his long range shot pass harmlessly over the bar. As the game wore on Ipswich sent on Kevin Bru for Paul Anderson in the seventy-second minute and seven minutes later Conor Sammon replaced Stephen Hunt. There was not much goalmouth action in the late stages but Rodolph Austin got behind the Ipswich defence from a free-kick but his shot went into the side- netting as the game entered three minutes of stoppage time. But it was the home side that almost added to their lead as Teddy Bishop went close, but the final chance of the game fell to Mirco Antenucci but his shot was deflected wide in the games final act. Dean Gerken, Jonathan Parr, Sean St Ledger and Balint Bajner remained unused on the Ipswich bench, while Stuart Taylor, Dario Del Fabro, Gaetano Berardi, Michael Tonge and Chris Dawson did not take the field for Leeds. The win did not see Ipswich improve their position, while the loss saw United drop to sixteenth, nine points behind Watford in sixth place and five above Brighton & Hove Albion in twenty-second place.

Fulham, who were two places and one point behind United in the League were the visitors to Elland Road on 13th December 2014 for their twenty-first League game of the season. With Giuseppe Bellusci still unavailable due to a hamstring injury, Neil Redfearn chose an unchanged starting eleven, with Casper Sloth initially taking Chris Dawson's place on the bench, but after Rodolph Austin had limped out of the warm-up the young midfielder retained his spot at Austin's expense. A crowd of 27,264, of which 869 were in the Fulham pen, saw Scott Duncan, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in charge of the game and former United favourite Ross McCormack captained the visitors. Stephen Warnock was at the source of United's first attack on the Fulham goal when he sent across a low ball across the face of the goal to climax the end of a well-worked move but Sam Byram fired wide of the Fulham goal after Alex Mowatt had fed him a neat through ball in the thirteenth minute. Adryan too was unable to make connection with another ball floated to the back post by Alex Mowatt as United bossed the first twenty minutes and created the clearer chances. However, the best chance of the game so far came in the twenty-eighth minute when Alex Mowatt climbed in the penalty area to meet Sam Byram's cross from the right wing to send a towering header clattering against the Fulham crossbar and the ball rebounded off the sprawling Fulham custodian Gabor Kiraly and behind for a corner. Fulham started to get a fairer share of possession but never really threatened Marco Silvestri. Both Stephen Warnock and Lewis Cook had to stand firm in the area to keep out Ross McCormack after he had made for the by-line, but the game was seeming to lose imputus. Alex Mowatt tried to raise the tempo but was over the bar with an attempt from long range, while at the other end Liam Cooper was called into action to dispossess Ross McCormack after the Scotsman had been found unmarked in the penalty area, but lost his balance. Sam Byram made an enterprising run down the right flank but shot straight at Gabor Kiraly after a quick exchange of passes with Adryan. Fulham finally engineered their first shot of the afternoon in added time at the end of the first half when Seko Fofana shot straight into Marco Silvestri's arms, as the teams went to the break goalless. There were no changes to either teams for the start of the second half, but surprisingly it was Fulham that took the initiative and had the first attempt on goal with Kostas Stafylidis forcing Marco Silvestri to save low down. However, Adryan pulled off an acrobatic attempt with an overhead kick that bounced wide to get the second half off to a brisk start. Sam Byram was the next to threaten the goal, but his half-volley was over the top. There was some nervous and sloppy defending by United and it led to Fulham taking the lead on the hour when, after conceding a throw-in, Lasse Vigen Christensen was allowed to take the ball on his chest from the throw by Jack Grimmer, ghost past Tommaso Bianchi as if he was not there and centre from the right by-line and the unmarked and unattended Hugo Rodallega turned the ball into the net from within the six yard box. Neil Redfearn immediately brought on Billy Sharp for the ineffective Souleymane Doukara to try and make a quick response. Adryan had two attempts at getting an equaliser, the first with a long shot from outside the penalty area which went straight into Gabor Kiraly's arms and then failed by inches to get his head to a cross from Billy Sharp. Chris Dawson replaced Adryan after seventy-six minutes and as United threw men forward gaps started to appear, which Fulham endeavoured to exploit on the counter attack. Hugo Rodeallega should have done better after being put through, but he wastefully shot well over as the game counted down to the final ten minutes. Fulham made two substitutions in quick succession with Cauley Woodrow replacing Hugo Rodellaga after eighty-one minutes and Elsad Zverotic coming on for coming on for Seko Fofana three minutes later. Chris Dawson saw his shot blocked after he had wriggled into the penalty area and a hamstring injury to captain Stephen Warnock caused United to replace him with Gaetano Berardi with one minute left on the clock. Although there were four minutes added for stoppages Leeds could not avoid their first home defeat since being beaten by Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of October, in a poor performance in a disappointing game which ended to the sounds of boos and jeers from the home crowd. Stuart Taylor, Dario Del Fabro, Michael Tonge and Casper Sloth remained unused on the home bench while Marek Rodak, Dan Burn, Sean Kavanagh, George Williams and Patrick Roberts were unused by the visitors. The loss saw United leapfrogged by Fulham, who jumped into fourteenth place, while Leeds slipped to nineteenth, twelve points adrift of Watford in sixth position and five above Brighton & Hove Albion in twenty-second.

United faced ninth-placed Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on the banks of the River Trent in their twenty-second League game of the season on 20th December 2014 in a late afternoon kick-off broadcast live on Sky TV. Neil Redfearn made one change to his starting line-up with Billy Sharp restored to the striker's role in place of the out-of-form Souleymane Doukara, who took his place on the bench. However, he did revise his attacking options on the bench as Chris Dawson and Casper Sloth gave way to Brian Montenegro and Steve Morison. Forest had former Leeds loanees Dexter Blackstock and Eric Lichaj in their starting line-up as Roger East of Salibury, Wiltshire, refereed the game in front of a crowd of 22,664 of which 1,850 were from Leeds. Forest were the first to put pressure on the opposing goal, but Henri Lansbury did not bother Marco Silvestri as he blazed high over with a speculative half-volley after two minutes. Mirco Antenucci got in United's first shot on target after ten minutes but it was deflected straight into the safety of Karl Darlow's waiting arms. The first ten minutes had been scrappy and it was good to see a fine flowing movement down the Leeds right with Tommaso Bianchi releasing Sam Byram into the penalty area to find Alex Mowatt up in support. But his shot was deflected for a corner in the best move of the match to date. Mirco Antenucci next saw Karl Darlow push out his shot only for Jason Pearce to put the rebound over the bar from six yards. United had a lucky escape in the twenty-first minute when Matty Fryatt turned a Michael Antonio cross into the net. His celebrations were premature and short-lived as the linesman's flag was raised for offside, but on TV replays it seemed Sam Byram might have played him onside. Ex-Leeds loanee, Dexter Blackstock was the next Forest forward to threaten the Leeds goal, but he could only head a Michael Antonio cross straight into the arms of Marco Silvestri. It was to be his final contribution to the game as he limped off in the forty-first minute to be replaced by Britt Assombalonga. Just as the game petered out before half-time the crowd was suddenly brought to life as Forest took the lead in the three minutes of time added for stoppages as Matty Fryatt got a foot to a Michael Mancienne downwards header from close range, after a corner, to send the teams into the break with Forest one goal to the good. Forest started the second half strongly and five minutes in Matty Fryatt capitalised on a poor pass by Stephen Warnock and passed to Britt Assombalonga who in turn played in Henri Lansbury and with Matty Fryatt in a good position the former Arsenal player's pass lacked accuracy and was easily picked up by the Leeds keeper. United were back in the game after just eight minutes of the second half, when Billy Sharp emphatically converted a penalty, shooting straight down the middle after wrong footing Karl Darlow, after Sam Byram had been upended in the penalty area by Danny Fox. Forest replied with a flurry of chances as they sought to regain their lead. First Jack Hunt found himself free at the back post but scuffed his shot straight into Marco Silvestri's arms. Then Michael Antonio cut inside to force the Leeds keeper to make a brilliant one-handed save, before Matty Fryatt had another "goal" cancelled due to "offside", another decision that Forest thought should have gone their way. The game was getting quite interesting as both sides sensed that victory could be theirs for the taking. Lewis Cook was the instigator of United's next move as he dribbled past several Forest players to set up Billy Sharp at the far post, but the striker saw Karl Darlow push it round the post for a corner. Neil Redfearn made his first change after sixty- seven minutes when he sent on Steve Morison for Adryan and Forest responded three minutes later when Chris Burke came on for Jack Hunt. But it was Forest that were now applying the pressure and Robert Tesche and then Henri Lansbury were both prevented from scoring by fine saves from Marco Silvestri as the game entered the final fifteen minutes. In the seventy-seventh minute Leeds made their second change when Michael Tonge came on for Billy Sharp, but United had once more to thank their Italian goalkeeper for keeping them in the game with a fine smothering save from Chris Burke at the far post. United continued to be a threat on the break and after Souleymane Doukara had replaced Mirco Antenucci with five minutes left on the clock, he had Karl Darlow frantically scrambling to stop his shot by pushing it round the post as the game entered the final four minutes added for stoppages. Just one minute previously Forest had sent on Jamie Paterson for Michael Mancienne but in the time added it was Forest who had efforts near goal with Henri Lansbury shooting over and Britt Assombalonga heading wide, however, neither side could find the net and the points were shared as Dorus De Vries, Jamaal Lascelles, Ben Osburn and Tom Ince remained unused on the home bench, while Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Dario Del Fabro and Brian Montenegro were similarly unemployed by the visitors. The point took United one place up the ladder to eighteenth with sixth placed Watford now fourteen ponts ahead and twenty-second placed Brighton & Hove Albion just five points below.

For their Boxing Day home clash with next to the bottom club, Wigan Athletic, in their twenty third and half way League game, Neil Redfearn had Giuseppe Bellusci back from injury to replace Jason Pearce who dropped to the bench, and also left Adryan out of the squad with Michael Tonge advancing into the starting eleven. Rodolph Austin replaced Dario Del Fabro on the bench. Nigel Miller of Esh Winning, County Durham, was the referee and Wigan Athletic had brought 783 supporters but they were lost in a 28,375 crowd as the game started with the high expectation of a good win for the home team against a side that had won just one of their last seventeen League encounters. It seemed that might be the case as the game opened with United having the majority of possession in the early stages, but it was the visitors that surprised everyone by taking the lead in the eleventh minute. Inexplicably Liam Cooper chested a cross from the left wing from James McClean beyond the reach of Marco Silvestri, after the Wigan left wing man had outpaced Giuseppe Bellusci and crossed from the by-line, with no apparent imminent danger and not a Wigan player in sight. It showed a distinct lack of communication between the members of the last lines of defence. No verbal communication whatsoever, particularly from the goalkeeper. United tried hard to get back on level terms and captain Stephen Warnock sent a half-volley over the bar when well placed at the far post. Neither side created many chances and after Wigan had won a corner, Ben Watson took it, for Ivan Ramis to get the slightest of touches to it before Chris McCann dived too but could not get a touch to it. But in the twenty-third minute he did manage to get his head to an Andrew Taylor cross at the far post but it looped over the bar and onto the roof of the net. Twenty-eight minutes had passed before there was any significant action when Mirco Antenucci bamboozled his marker down the left wing and got in a perfect cross which Billy Sharp got his head to and it looped against former United keeper, Scott Carson's, crossbar with the ex-England custodian well beaten. Marc -Antoine Fortune had a shot from distance but was wide of the mark. Mirco Antenucci broke at speed but could not pick out Billy Sharp to his left and Scott Carson cut out his low cross that was searching for his fellow striker. Tommaso Bianchi was the next Leeds player to mount an attack on the Wigan goal but curled the ball wide from the edge of the penalty area. Billy Sharp then got in a dipping half-volley but he was wide of Scott Carson's goal. At the other end Marc-Antoine Fortune forced Marco Silvestri to save with his legs as the visitors took their 1-0 advantage into the half-time break. Steve Morison came on for Tommaso Bianchi and Rodolph Austin for Alex Mowatt after the break, as Neil Redfearn searched for answers to getting back in the game, as he pushed three up front. It was Bob Kiernan who had the first chance of the second half when he curled the ball wide of the United goal from the edge of the penalty area. However, the tide soon turned and the Wigan goal came under fire as United went on the attack. Mirco Antenucci took advantage of a superb run by Lewis Cook but then saw his shot deflected wide. Scott Carson was soon having his reflexes tested as Giuseppe Bellusci shot from twenty yards and it looked to have goal written all over it until the keeper tipped it over the bar. Carson was soon in action again, this time fielding a Lewis Cook shot from distance before then coming out to thwart the on rushing Rodolph Austin. At the other end Giuseppe Bellusci was on hand to boot clear after Marco Silvestri had parried a shot on the turn from James McClean. The two teams brought on substitutes in the seventieth minute, with Neil Redfearn making his final throw of the dice with Souleymane Doukara for Billy Sharp, while Wigan made their first change with Roger Espinoza replacing Marc-Antoine Fortune. When the action resumed United went back on the attack and Michael Tonge was thwarted by a last-ditch tackle by James Perch as he surged through the visitors' penalty area. Not for the first time in the match did Marco Silvestri use his legs to prevent Wigan from scoring, this time it was to stop James McClean right footed shot after he had been played in by Roger Espimoza and then waltzed past two defenders to get in an angled drive during in a lull in the United's attack. It did not last very long as the onslaught resumed and Scott Carson tipped over Steve Morison's dipping header with a fine reflex save and that was quickly followed by Sam Byram heading high over the bar, after receiving the ball from a corner, and a Rodolph Austin shot on the volley flew wide. United were committed to attack to try and get back in the game and their pressing forward was starting to create gaps for Wigan to exploit on the counter attack. In the eighty-first minute Roger Espinoza seemed to be clear through, after a pass from James McClean, but could not apply the finishing touch, and shot wide. However, James McCloud did apply the finishing touch after latching on to Don Cowie's through ball with seven minutes left and beat Marco Silvestri to seal the three points. For the second consequative home game Leeds were booed and jeered from the field as they had now gone four games without a win and now had recorded only four wins in fifteen matches, their present game being against a team that they were expected to beat comprehensively and now relegation was a distinct possibility. United's unused substitutes were Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Jason Pearce and Brian Montenegro, while the visitors unused substitutes were Ali Al-Habsi, Oriol Riera, Shaun Maloney, Callum McManaman, Emmerson Boyce and Adam Forshaw. The defeat meant that United dropped to twentieth on the ladder with Wigan Athletic moving up into twenty-second spot just four points behind Leeds and the sixth spot whch was still occupied by Watford was still fourteen points away.

Third placed Derby County were the hosts at iPro Stadium, formerly Pride Park, for United's final game of 2014 and their twenty-fourth of the season on 30th December 2014. For the televised Tuesday evening fixture, Neil Redfearn made two changes to his starting eleven, with Rodolph Austin replacing Michael Tonge and Souleymane Doukara instead of Billy Sharp, while on the bench Adryan and Dario Del Fabro replaced Steve Morison and Jason Pearce. There were 2,236 travelling Leeds fans in the crowd of 31,690 as Keith Stroud of Fareham, Hampshire, was the referee on a bitterly cold night in the East Midlands. There was a quiet opening to the game with little goalmouth action and after eight minutes Leeds lost their captain, Stephen Warnock, to injury following a touchline challenge on Cyrus Christie in which he twisted his knee and he was replaced by Gaetano Berardi. Derby gradually gained the ascendency and it looked as though Marco Silvestri would be called into action but Chris Martin was outnumbered in the area and could not get his final shot in and Cyrus Christie shot over after cutting in from the right. It was not until the eighteenth minute that Leeds had their first meaningful attack of the game when Mirco Antenucci hit a first time shot wide of Lee Grant's goal, after Souleymane Doukara had released him. This was followed by Tommaso Bianchi shooting wide with a long range effort as Leeds started to come more into the game. Liam Cooper twice defended well for United as Derby applied the pressure. First he stood firm to block a shot from Johnny Russell and then booted clear a dangerous cross from Jordan Ibe. The Leeds centre back then cut out a centre from the right from Cyrus Christie as Derby started to get on top. Despite Marco Silvestre not really having been extended, the relentless Derby pressure did eventually break the deadlock in the forty-first minute. It came from nowhere as Will Hughes went on a run on the left and the unfortunate Alex Mowatt diverted his low cross on to the underside of the crossbar and past the unsuspecting Marco Silvestri. The keeper was soon called into the action as Derby looked to double their lead, as he pulled off an acrobatic save to push a Richard Keogh dipping header over the crossbar and then gathered a Jordan Ibe half-volley as the whistle blew for half-time. The home side went straight on the attack when play resumed and, within two minutes of the restart, had doubled their lead when defender Jake Buxton rose higher than Souleymane Doukara in the area to head a Jeff Hendrick free-kick past Marco Silvestri into the top right corner of the net. It was now starting to become very one-sided as Derby pressed to finish the game off with a third goal. The Leeds keeper had to be alert to push away Jordan Ibe's low shot as he got down to his left and quickly had to deal with a long range shot from outside of the area from Will Hughes. Chris Martin was the next to test the keeper, after first heading wide Craig Forsyth's cross, he soon returned to shot straight at the Italian custodian. After Jordan Ibe had twice failed to find the net, first with a glancing header, that went wide, and then saw his cross beaten away by the keeper, Neil Redfearn sent on Billy Sharp for Souleymane Doukara in the sixty-sixth minute, in an attempt to stem the tide. He was partially successful but Johnny Russell curled over a free kick just before the Leeds coach made his third and final change with Adryan coming on for Tommaso Bianchi in the seventy-ninth minute and almost immediately afterwards Derby made their first change as Craig Bryson replaced Jeff Hendrick. The home team were still on the attack and Chris Martin forced Marco Silvestre into getting down well to push away his strike. In the final minute Derby sent on Simon Dawkins for Jordan Ibe and, one minute into time added for stoppages, Paul Coutts for Johnny Russell. The added four minutes passed quickly and without incident apart from an ambitious effort by Rodolph Austin from a longe range free kick there were no more attempts on goal as Derby gained ample revenge for their defeat at Elland Road a month previous. Kelle Roos, Leon Best, Ryan Shotton and Omar Mascarell remained unused on the Derby bench while Stuart Taylor, Dario Del Fabro, Michael Tonge and Brian Montenegro were United's unused quartet. United remained in twentieth place on the ladder, just one point above twenty-second placed Millwall, while sixteen points separated them from Brentford in sixth position, but most people had long ago stopped making that calculation.

For their first game of the new calendar year, United visited the Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland, in the Third Round of the F.A. Cup, on 4th January 2015, reviving memories of their 1973 Wembley Final defeat by the same club and a reminder that their Cup record ever since had not contain much success and like last year's defeat at Rochdale had been the source of much embarrassment. Neil Redfearn took the opportunity to experiment with his side in a game against an EPL side that no one really expected them to win. He made seven changes, giving starting debuts to Dario Del Fabro and Brian Montenegro and recalling young players, Charlie Taylor and Adryan, as well as Luke Murphy, Casper Sloth and Gaetano Berardi. With the injured Stephen Warnock out of contention and Sam Byram, Giuseppe Bellusci, Tommaso Bianchi, Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook all rested from the squad. Billy Sharp, Souleymane Doukara and Stuart Taylor retained their place on the bench, being joined by Ross Killock, Zac Thompson, Kalvin Phillips and Chris Dawson. Former Leeds loanees, Adam Johnson and Connor Wickham were on the Sunderland bench. Liam Cooper was the Leeds captain in the absence of Stephen Warnock and Mike Dean of Heswall, Wirral was the referee in front of a crowd of 30,302 of which 5,200 were from Leeds. Neither side were able to gain the early ascendency as possession passed from one team to the other with monotonous regularity, but Leeds managed to contain their hosts until the twelfth minute before they had their first shot on target as Emmanuele Giaccherini forced Marco Silvestri to save low down. Richardo Alvarez then saw his shot deflected onto the United crossbar as the home side looked to gain the advantage, but in the twenty- first minute Stephen Fletcher missed the best opportunity to date as he diverted Patrick Van Aanholt's cross from the left over the bar from close range. Casper Sloth was resolute in defence as he booted Santiago Vergini's downward header, from a corner, off the line. However, in the thirty-third minute the home side took the lead, as Patrick Van Aanholt got in an excellent low strike across Mirco Silvestri's goal to beat him and the ball nestled in the far corner of the net. In the thirty-seventh minute as a precautionary measure Sunderland withdrew the slightly injured but massively expensive Jack Rodwell and sent on Sebastian Larssen. With the deadlock now broken United now had to try to get back on level terms and started to attack the Sunderland goal, but achieved nothing of note until Rodolph Austin made a good run before being blocked just on half-time. Sunderland sent on Connor Wickham in place of Richardo Alvarez for the start of the second half, but it was Leeds that went on the attack forcing Costel Pantilimon to make his first save of the game in the first minute after the resumption. In a swift attack Mirco Anenucci threaded Adryan through on goal but he was denied by the tall keeper's feet. The former Manchester City keeper was soon in action again when Brian Montenegro tried to beat him at his near post but he conceded a corner when he pushed it round the post. Seconds later Sebastian Larssen was lucky when the referee only gave a free kick on the edge of the penalty area after he had brought down Charlie Taylor. Rodolph Austin did not trouble the keeper as he fired over the top after Adryan had found him with a free-kick. The good start to the second half continued as Casper Sloth kept up the pressure with a good low cross into the goal area that evaded all attempts to connect by the Leeds players. The United pressure had inevitable consequences and Stephen Fletcher did get the ball in the Leeds net but fortunately the linesman's flag caught him offside. Emmanuele Giaccherini got in a low shot for the home side but Marco Silvestri was equal to the task as they tried to regain the upper hand. United sent on Billy Sharp for Adryan in the sixty-second minute. The Leeds keeper was now keeping his side in the game and he produced the save of the day as he saved at full stretch to push a Stephen Fletcher goalbound shot round the post with both hands in the sixty-ninth minute. He was quickly back in the action soon afterwards as he held a long range shot from Jordi Gomez. Sunderland sent on Adam Johnson for Emmanuele Giaccherini in the seventy-fourth minute. United too had their chances as Brian Montenegro shot well over when he received a ball at the far post when totally unmarked, while Rodolph Austin shot wide from distance. Stephen Fletcher again threatened for the home team but was well wide with his final shot. Liam Cooper had a shot for United but was well off target, however, Leeds remained in the race with ten minutes to go. Neil Redfearn made his final change with Souleymane Doukara coming on for Brian Montenegro with six minutes left on the clock. It was Liam Cooper that kept United in the game as he slid in to dispossess Stephen Fletcher right in front of goal and then Marco Silvestri saved easily as Connor Wickham headed straight into his arms after getting to a cross from a corner. There was still fight in the Leeds team even when stoppage time was started, for they created their best chance of the game as Liam Cooper rose majestically to meet Luke Murphy's pinpoint cross and then watched as the ball hit the home post with Costel Pantilimon rooted to the spot and well beaten. It had been a valiant second half display against a Premier League team, which could easily have ended in a positive result. The downside was that they suffered their fifth defeat in their last six games. The unused Sunderland substitutes were Maksymilian Stryjek, Will Buckley, Tom Beadling and Tom Robson, while Stuart Taylor, Ross Killock, Zac Thompson, Kalvin Phillips and Chris Dawson remained unused by Leeds.

After making wholesale changes for the Cup-tie at Sunderland, Coach Neil Redfearn restored the players that he had rested and the young players that had occupied the bench were omitted from the squad as he faced the twenty-fifth League game of the season, on 10th January 2015, at the Macron Stadium, formerly known as the Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, who were in fifteenth spot, five points ahead of United. Giuseppe Bellusci replaced Dario Del Fabro, who dropped out of the squad, and Sam Byram and Lewis Cook were restored in place of Adryan, who dropped from the squad, and Brian Montenegro, who dropped to the bench, while Steve Morison replaced Mirco Antenucci, who dropped to the bench, and Alex Mowatt and Jason Pearce return to the squad to sit on the bench. Billy Sharp and Stuart Taylor retained their spots on the bench, but Souleymane Doukara, Ross Killock, Zac Thompson, Kalvin Phillips and Chris Dawson all dropped out of the squad, after being on the bench at Sunderland. Andy Woolmer of Northampton, was the referee in front of a crowd of 18,844 of which 3,918 were from Leeds, and former Leeds goalkeeper and captain Andy Lonergan was in goal for the home team. United immediately went on the attack and after just two minutes they were awarded a penalty after Sam Byram had raced through the Bolton defence only to be hauled down in full flight by the onrushing Andy Lonergan. Rodolph Austin confidently dispatched the ball into the back of the net, sending the keeper the wrong way. It was a perfect way to start and United did not let up as Sam Byram again featured as he sent over an inch-perfect centre for the unmarked Steve Morison to also launch into a perfect diving header, but was foiled by a superb diving save from the Bolton keeper. Bolton then responded and only a last-ditch tackle from Charlie Taylor prevented Liam Trotter from scoring as he took the ball from his feet but had to concede a corner. From the flag kick Matt Mills headed just wide of the Leeds goal. Eidur Gudjohnsen put the ball into the side- netting with a well struck curling free-kick, before United returned to the attack with Luke Murphy twice having shots blocked in front of goal, after Lewis Cook had made a good run down the left wing. The game had started in windy conditions and now that was compounded by rain falling quite heavily which caused the game to deteriorate and this operated to the home team's advantage and saw them more on the attack than United. A shot from distance by Liam Feeney was well over the top before Charlie Taylor was again to United's rescue as he kicked off the line following a corner. The Bolton midfielder then put the ball tamely into Marco Silvestri's hands after arriving unmarked at the far post. United weathered the storm of Bolton pressure and, as half-time approached, started to regain the ascendency with a Steve Morison volley being cleared by the Bolton defence. The teams made no changes at half-time, but, like in the first half, there was a penalty in the third minute. Unfortunately, it went to the home side as Luke Murphy was judged to have brought down Darren Pratley inside the area. Eidur Gudjohnsen beat Marco Silvestri as he fired into the roof of the net from the spot kick to level the scores. United went straight on the attack but Andy Lonergan saved from Lewis Cook before Sam Byram went on a long run that allowed him to play in Luke Murphy on the edge of the penalty area, but the midfielder was just wide. Bolton made the first change of the game as David Wheater came on for Dorian Dervite in the sixty-sixth minute. Two minutes later Gaetano Berardi made a fine overlapping run to latch onto a flick from Lewis Cook and storm into the penalty area, but his first-time shot lacked control. The full-back was again in the action soon afterwards as he picked our Casper Sloth with a low cross, but the midfielder was well over with his shot at the back post. In the seventy-second minute Bolton made their second change as Craig Davies replaced Liam Trotter. Three minutes later Liam Cooper came to United's rescue when he managed to block a ferocious shot from Eidur Gudjohnsen. Next Bolton's latest substitute, Craig Davies, announced his arrival by forcing Marco Silvestri to push away his fine cross. With five minutes still on the clock United sent on Alex Mowatt in place of Casper Sloth. The game was still in the balance and Andy Lonergan denied Sam Byram after the young wide man had progressed into the penalty area before he smothered his effort. In the final minute of normal time Bolton made their final change as Tom Walker replaced Eidur Gudjohnsen, but, although a further three minutes of stoppage time was played, the scores remained locked at one apiece. Adam Bogdan, Dean Moxey, Jay Spearing and Conor Wilkinson remained unused by the home side while Stuart Taylor, Jason Pearce, Tommaso Bianchi and Brian Montenegro were not used by Leeds. The point saw Leeds drop one place to twenty-first, just two points above Millwall in twenty-second place and sixth-placed Watford were well out of sight sixteen points above.

For their twenty-seventh game of the season, United had current League leaders AFC Bournemouth as their next visitors to Elland Road on 20th January 2015. The difference in class between the two teams could be judged by Bournemouth having accumulated almost twice as many points as United, fifty-one compared to twenty- six, but curiously the home side were in with a chance of completing the double over them, having won 3-1 in the reverse fixture at Bournemouth on 16th September 2014. United showed one change to their starting line-up with Alex Mowatt returning to the team in place of Mirco Antenucci, who dropped to the bench where he was joined by Gaetano Berardi, who was returning from injury, and Casper Sloth was the one to miss a spot in the squad. While there was no place in the squad for former Leeds star, Ian Harte and former loanee keeper Daryl Flahavan, former loanee Adam Smith was amongst the substitutes as Oliver Langford of Stoke-on- Trent was the referee in front of a crowd of 17,634, of which, not unsurprisingly, just 276 were from Bournemouth. It was the visitors who were first on the attack and after four minutes they were the first to get in meaningful attempts. First Callum Wilson raced away upfield but then dragged the ball wide. Then Brett Pitman put the ball into the side-netting after Marc Pugh had found him with a good cross to give him a chance to try for goal. United soon responded and, from a fine Alex Mowatt cross, Rodolph Austin forced Artur Boruc to tip his header over the bar. Simon Francis was the visitors' saviour as he stopped Leeds from taking the lead as he booted the ball to safety when a dangerous looking cross from Steve Morison seemed to be falling kindly for Alex Mowatt's ready boot. Then Rodolph Austin was twice wide in quick succession as United started to get on top as the twenty minute mark came. United were gaining confidence as the almost totally partisan crowd urged them on. Luke Murphy brought them to their feet with a fine long range drive which forced a fantastic acrobatic save from Artur Boruc as he tipped the ball over the bar. It was starting to become very much one-way traffic and it came as little surprise when United took the lead as Luke Murphy got his second goal in as many matches with a stunning left foot shot from twenty-five yards in the thirty-seventh minute. It was Rodolph Austin that set him up and the former Crewe man took aim from just in front of the South Stand and this time he beat the desperately diving Artur Boruc and the ball nestled in the top corner of the net. Bournemouth soon responded and thought they had pulled level almost immediately as Brett Pitman hit the net after Callum Wilson's rebound shot had been stopped, but fortunately for the hosts the linesman's flag saved them with an off-side decision. Then just on the stroke of half-time Marco Silvestri came to United's aid as he held on to a goal- bound header from Callum Wilson. It was Leeds that started the better as the game resumed and Steve Morison continued his improved form by getting behind the Bournemouth defence only to be hauled down by Simon Francis who earned himself an entry in the referee's book, but from the resulting free-kick Rodolph Austin blazed high over from a tight angle. There was then a lull in the game but United had to be alert as their defence held firm when repelling long balls into their area and Matt Ritchie resorted to try and lob Marco Silvestri from distance when the keeper was off his line but he was well wide. On the hour mark Bournemouth made a double substitution with Dan Gosling replacing Harry Arter and Yann Kermorgant coming on for Brett Pitman. Seven minutes later Neil Redfearn made his first change with Billy Sharp coming on for Steve Morison. However, Bournemouth were now starting to get on top and the substitute Dan Gosling was well wide as he shot from distance as the visitors found it hard to breach the Leeds defence. Lewis Cook led the Leeds retort when he released Sam Byram down the right wing, and his low strike hit the legs of the Bournemouth keeper but from the rebound Rodolph Austin thought his header was goalbound but it was scrambled clear off the line. It was getting very end to end and the visitors were the next to go close as Marc Pugh clipped the post after there had been a melee in the United box with the ball ricocheting from defenders and then Andrew Sturman was wide with another shot. Bournemouth made their third and final substitution in the seventy-second minute, when Junior Stanislas replaced Matt Ritchie. After bringing down Callum Wilson in the penalty area, Giuseppe Bellusci conceded a penalty in the eighty-seventh minute and was given a straight red card. Substitute Yann Kermorgant took it and smashed the ball against the crossbar and into the crowd. Immediately after Jason Pearce was introduced in place of Alex Mowatt as he was sacrificed to allow a replacement for the banished Italian. Then, just before four minutes were announced as the time for stoppages, Gaetano Berardi came on for Rodolph Austin as United bolstered their defence for the extra period they had to survive with ten men. They did survive and gained a double over the top team and in so doing won their first game since beating another top team, Derby County, on 29th November 2014. It moved United up to nineteenth on the ladder, six points above twenty-second club Millwall, who had a game in hand, as did sixth place Watford who were fifteen points better off than United. Stuart Taylor, Tommaso Bianchi, Mirco Antenucci and Souleymane Doukara remained unused on the Leeds bench and Ryan Allsop, Adam Smith, Eunan O'Kane and Ryan Fraser, were also unused by AFC Bournemouth.

United were looking to make it three consecutive home wins as they took on fifth place Brentford, who they trailed by seventeen points, in the twenty-ninth League game of the season on 7th February 2015. Billy Sharp, who had scored the winner at Huddersfield was preferred to Alex Mowatt in the starting eleven and the former Academy player took his place on the bench, where new loanee Edgar Cani replaced Brian Montenegro. Graham Salisbury of Preston was the referee in front of a crowd of 23,164 which included 1,022 in support of Brentford, who included former Leeds captain Jonathan Douglas in their starting team. United were off to a good start with Sam Byram and Lewis Cook searching for early openings behind the Brentford defence but it was the visitors that had the first attempt on goal when Alex Pritchard shot wide with a low shot from distance. David Button was soon called into action and, after Charlie Taylor had crossed from deep, he was forced to pull off a fine save to keep out Steve Morison's goalbound header. The home side's fine start was then taken up a further notch as, after a Luke Murphy free-kick had been deflected by Jake Bidwell for a corner, Liam Cooper glanced the resulting flag kick across the face of goal and only inches from the arriving Souleymane Bamba at the far post. The visitors soon replied and Marco Silvestri had to make a superb block to deny Andre Gray from the best chance to date after he had been put through on goal by Alex Pritchard's searching through ball, as Scott Wootton had played him onside. Rodoloph Austin replied for Leeds but after surging into a good shooting position he blasted the ball well over. Then Liam Cooper had to pull down Alex Pritchard to stop him getting in on goal, which earned him a yellow card. In the twenty-fifth minute the ever-present threat of Alex Pritchard arose again as his free-kick was easily fielded by Marco Silvestri, who had been the busier of the two keepers. He was again called into the action in the thirty-fourth minute to thwart Jota, who shot from just inside the penalty area at the end of a fast Brentford break, but the home keeper's strong two handed save was just enough. The Brentford defence did not seem as confident and Harlee Dean nervously sliced a Billy Sharp's low cross behind for a corner, as the home side tried to assert their authority. Moses Adubajo appeared to be the Brentford defence's weak link and not for the last time in the match the crowd was stunned when, after he had clumsily brought down Rodolph Austin perilously close to the Brentford penalty area, the referee Graham Salisbury waved play on. Jonathan Douglas had the last chance of the half as he headed a corner straight into Marco Silvestri's arms just as Graham Salisbury blew for half-time. There was a noticably uneventful start to the second half but the Leeds crowd were soon upset as several decisions did not go in their favour. The struggling Moses Adubajo appeared to upend Rodolph Austin again, this time clearly in the box, but once more drew a negative response from the referee. Marco Silvestri was soon in the action when Alex Pritchard fed Andre Gray who advanced on goal only for the keeper to dive at his feet and smother the ball. United's first chance of the half fell to Steve Morison, but despite finding himself space after a Luke Murphy corner had found him at the far post, he could only shoot over from a tight angle. There was another appeal for a penalty after Billy Sharp had gone down in the box under a challange from Harlee Dean. Brentford made their first change in the fifty-eighth minute when Jon Toral replaced Jota. Then the deadlock was finally broken in the sixty-fourth minute when the Tottenham loanee, Alex Pritchard, arrived at the back post to turn in Toumani Diagourgia's low cross. However, Leeds claimed that Jon Toral had handled the ball in getting possession in the build up. Two minutes later the Bees made their second substitution as Chris Long replaced Andre Gray. In the seventy-third minute Neil Redfearn made his first change of the game with Mirco Antenucci coming on for Steve Morison as United were urged forward but Rodolph Austin failed to get the necessary power into his low shot and David Button easily held on to it. Jon Toral got in a volley that hit the post and then shot wide as the visitors searched for a second. Equally, United had a clear intent and Billy Sharp underlined this as he went close. Rodolph Austin's cutback rolled into the striker's path but he could only drag it inches wide of David Button's far post. At the other end Marco Silvestri was able to push away a shot from Chris Long as he shot from just inside the penalty area. In the eighty-second minute Brentford made their final change as Tommy Smith replaced Alex Pritchard and, three minutes later, Leeds gave a debut to Edgar Cani as he replaced Luke Murphy as they resorted to all out attack. Five minutes of stoppage time were added but despite Leeds throwing everything forward, Brentford were able to sit deep and defend in numbers and the only chances fell to Billy Sharp and Edgar Cani during one prolonged goalmouth scramble. Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Tommaso Bianchi, Casper Sloth and Alex Mowatt were unused substitutes for the home side, while Jack Bonham, Tony Craig, Sam Saunders and Nico Yennaris were similarly unused for the visitors. United dropped back to twentieth, five points above twenty-second placed Millwall and eighteen behind sixth placed Watford as they lost their first League game of the year.

Three days later, Leeds were on their way to the Madejski Stadium to take on thirteenth placed Reading, just five points above them on the ladder in their thirtieth League game of the season. Neil Redfearn made three changes as he restored Giuseppe Bellusci, Tommaso Bianchi and Alex Mowatt to the starting eleven as Liam Cooper and Rodolph Austin were both forced out due to illness and Billy Sharp dropped to the bench and Dario Del Fabrio and Souleymane Doukara were added to the squad as Gaetano Berardi was omitted. United had 2,602 supporters in the crowd of 18,124 as Graham Scott of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was the referee and Souleymane Bamba took over as United captain in the absence of Liam Cooper. While the game got off to a fast start neither team could create any worthwhile openings in the first ten minutes. Lewis Cook almost forced an opening down the Leeds right, while Garath McCleary did similarly as he tried to force his way through at the other end, but possession changed so frequently that neither side could make any real headway. Pavel Pogrebnyak tried to get through the Leeds defence but was thwarted by an excellent tackle by Tommaso Bianchi. It was not until the eighteenth minute that Leeds were the first to create something. Lewis Cook dribbled through the Reading defence to put Steve Morison into the area. The striker then tried to square the ball across the six yard box to Alex Mowatt, who had arrived unmarked, but the Reading defence managed to recover and scramble the ball to safety at the expense of a corner. From the flag-kick Tommaso Bianchi only managed to shoot directly into Adam Federici's arms. It proved to be the midfielder's final contribution in the game as he limped off to be replaced by Casper Sloth in the twenty-ninth minute after he had injured his knee in a collision with Danny Williams inside the Leeds half. Minutes later Reading finally put the Leeds defence under pressure as first Alex Pearce headed wide from an Oliver Norwood free-kick, and then Nick Blackman surged into the Leeds penalty area from the left and forced Giuseppe Bellusci into a fine covering block. Alex Pearce then headed over the bar from the resulting Oliver Norwood corner when he found himself free at the back post. The home side continued the pressure as Nick Blackman shot wide from longe range. But the pressure only served as a warning to Leeds to lift their game and they responded by creating the game's best chance to date in a swift counter attack. After Oliver Norwood had been dispossessed, Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook were both involved, creating plenty of room down the Reading left flank before finding Steve Morison in space inside the penalty area, after he had lost his marker, but the striker hit the base of the post as Adam Federici looked beaten despite a sprawling dive. Danny Williams twice tried his luck from distance, the first being well over the top and the second going straight into Marco Silvestri's waiting arms as half-time approached. Graham Scott signalled the end of the first-half in what had been an evenly matched period with possession equal although the better chances had been created by Leeds. It was Reading that started the second half on the front foot and soon created the first chance as Michael Hector saw his near post flick from a Jonathan Obita corner blocked on the goal line. After Stephen Kelly had crossed from the right Nick Blackman's header was weak and was easily saved by Marco Silvestri. Scott Wootton was lucky to only receive a yellow card after a scything tackle on Danny Williams. But after that there was very little to enthuse about until the sixty-third minute when Luke Murphy sent the travelling fans wild as he scored his third goal of the season. He collected the ball twenty-five yards out and unleashed a fine shot into the corner of the net as Adam Federici managed to get a touch but the power took it through. Reading then immediately sent on Jamie Mackie for Oliver Norwood, but Leeds were starting to get on top and first Steve Morison and then Sam Byram each shot over the bar as they tried to double United's advantage. However, Marco Silvestri was also soon called into the action at the other end for his first test of the evening as he thwarted the onrushing Danny Williams with his feet after the Reading man had burst into the area after being released by Nathaniel Chalobah. After seventy minutes the home side made a double substitution with Yakubu replacing Nick Blackman and Simon Cox coming on for for Pavel Pogrebnyak. Reading piled forward in the closing stages with Garath McCleary shooting across the face of goal, but it was United that grabbed the next goal to put the game beyond the reach of the home side in the final minute. A Leeds counter attack found Steve Morison inside the Reading penalty area and his delicate cross to the far post created the simplest of headers for Sam Byram to seal the three points. Mikkel Andersen, Jake Cooper, Hope Akpan and Hal Robson -Kanu remained unused by Reading, while Stuart Taylor, Dario Del Fabro, Souleymane Doukara, Mirco Antenucci, Edgar Cani and Billy Sharp did not get the call for the visitors. The win took United up to seventeenth, five points above Millwall in the last relegation spot and seventeen behind Brentford in the lowest play-off spot.

Four days later United were back at Elland Road for their thirty-first game of the League campaign against relegation-threatened Millwall, who, although they had defeated United 2-1 at the Den on the opening game of the season, now found themselves five points below United in twenty-second place. Neil Redfearn had to replace the injured Tommaso Bianchi and he did this by restoring Rodolph Austin, who was returning from illness, into the starting eleven, while on the bench Dario Del Fabro and Souleymane Doukara made way for Gaetano Berardi and Adryan. Paul Tierney of Wigan, Lancashire, was the referee and Millwall were limited to 234 travelling fans in a crowd of 24,000. Former United player Daniel Harding, who was on loan from Nottingham Forest, started at left back, but Michael Tonge, who was also presently on loan with them could not play against his parent club. United started at a fast pace forcing two corners in the opening minutes and then going very close after eight minutes, when a flowing move down the left saw Alex Mowatt setting Charlie Taylor on a run to the by-line. The full-back sent a low inviting cross to the near post where Sam Byram arrived to side-foot inches wide. However, Millwall too started their own pressure as Stefan Maierhofer shot on the turn but straight into the arms of Marco Silvestri from twenty yards. Then Jos Hooiveld got in a towering header but was over the bar from the second of two consecutive corners. The twenty-third minute saw them go as close as they were going to, as their followers thought they had taken the lead when Diego Fabbrini got a touch to a Stefan Maierhofer cross at the near post but he could only find the side netting. United then returned to the attack with Luke Murphy floating a free-kick for Souleymane Bamba to glance a header just wide and, soon after, Sam Byram saw his shot deflected for a corner. The deadlock was finally broken in the thirty-ninth minute when United deservedly took the lead as Alex Mowatt notched his fifth goal of the season with a curling left-footed shot from a free-kick, after Shaun Williams had upended Sam Byram on the edge of the penalty area. The shot took the merest of deflections as it curled round the defensive wall but it left David Forde helpless as he frantically scrambled across his goal-line. The goal signalled a strong end by Leeds to the first half as they applied constant pressure on the Millwall goal. Steve Morison unselfishly set up an acrobatic effort from Rodolph Austin, but it was blocked by David Forde. Then the striker was himself thwarted by the keeper as he sought to force home a wayward back- pass. Millwall made their first change during the half-time break with Lee Gregory replacing Stefan Maierhofer. It was Millwall that started the new half on the attack and Angel Martinez was wide with a half-chance. But United were not to be denied and were quick to return the attack with Steve Morison heading an accurate cross from Luke Murphy just over the bar. However, they experienced a nervy period as the visitors pushed for an equaliser. Marco Silvestri was forced into a brilliant one-handed save to keep out a misplaced backward header from Sam Byram, after a free-kick. Then Martyn Woolford shot well over the bar after he had been played in by a good ball from the substitute Lee Gregory. The visitors made a double substitution just before the hour mark with Ed Upson coming on for Angel Martinez and Richardo Fuller for Diego Fabbrini. Ten minutes later Leeds made their only substitution with Mirco Antenucci replacing Rodolph Austin in an attacking move. The Italian was almost immediately involved and took the ball to the by-line before cutting it back for Sam Byram to shoot over as he connected with the cross at the back post. Luke Murphy dribbled past two Millwall defenders before unleashing a strong shot from distance that forced David Forde into a fine two handed save. Both sides shooting was starting to get wragged with Martyn Woolford blazing much too high from distance and the Mirco Antenucci ballooned a first time effort high into the South Stand. But the game carried on in an end-to -end fashion with Scott Wootton heading over a Steve Morison flick-on from six yards and then Richardo Fuller almost made United pay the price for their lack of finishing finesse as he hit the side-netting with a low shot with three minutes left on the clock. Huge gaps were appearing in the visitors defence as they were forced to go looking for an equaliser. The tireless Steve Morison twice had shots blocked after making breaks through those gaps, with Millwall captain, Alan Dunne, executing the second in a last-ditch effort. But, although another three minutes were added for stoppages, there were to be no more goals and as Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Casper Sloth, Adryan, Edgar Cani and Billy Sharp for the home side, and Jordan Archer, Mark Beevers, Nadjim Abdou and Aiden O'Brien remained unused on visitors' bench, United gained three more points as they continued to pull themselves out of the relegation mire to the exalted heights of twelfth place, now eight points clear of today's victims Millwall in twenty- second place and fifteen behind sixth placed Norwich City.

On 21st February 2015 United visited the Riverside Stadium to take on table- topping Middlesbrough in their thirty-second game of the League season, which was a lunch-time kick-off due to being televised. Although trailing them by twenty- two points there was still confidence in the United camp as their record at the Riverside was good having only been beaten once in their last dozen visits and they had won four of their most recent five games in a good vein of present form. United were unchanged in their starting eleven but captain Liam Cooper had recovered from injury and took over from Adryan on the bench. Former United midfielder Adam Clayton was in the Boro starting eleven as Andre Marriner of Birmingham had the whistle and United had brought 2,960 followers in the crowd of 25,531. The United travelling army were at their most vocal for the start and it was not long before they were ecstatic with delight as their team took the lead when Alex Mowatt scored after just three minutes. Lewis Cook started the move when he seized upon a loose ball in midfield and advanced into the Middlesbrough area and found Alex Mowatt up in support, so he teed-up his long-time teammate who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner of Tomas Mejias' net, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot as the away support erupted. Predictably the home side responded and Marco Silvestri was soon called into action to beat away a powerful shot from Kike with a double handed save. His reflexes were soon tested again as he turned away a ferocious volley from Jelle Vossen from the edge of the penalty area. The striker soon returned and managed to squeeze the ball under the Italian custodian but Giuseppe Bellusci was quick enough to get back and clear before the ball could cross the line. The Leeds back four were forced to defend deep as the home side attacked incessantly for the equaliser, but Souleymane Bamba and Giuseppe Bellusci combined to keep out Kike as he had a chance right in front of goal. Then Jelle Vossen was denied by as the quick reacting Marco Silvestri who dived to smother his short range shot almost as soon as it left his boot. Things showed no sign of changing and, after Grant Leadbitter had put his shot wide from long range, Marco Silvestri acrobatically tipped a deflected Kike shot over the bar. United did make a couple of counter attacks and Sam Byram and Scott Wootton both found themselves in good positions but the Boro defence managed to clear their lines on both occasions. There was no let up for the overworked keeper as his hectic forty-five minutes were almost to an end when he pushed away a dipping shot from Adam Clayton while Souleymane Bamba was wide with a glancing header from a Luke Murphy corner almost on the stroke of half-time as United managed to hold onto their 1-0 lead at the break. The second half started just as hectic as the first half had been with Marco Silvestri soon in the action as he clawed away a curling Kike shot and then Scott Wootton rose to meet Luke Murphy's cross and his fine header rattled the Boro bar. There were further heroics from the Italian keeper as he kept out Kike and then Albert Adomah but United reminded the home team that they were still a force to be reckoned with and Tomas Mejias had to rush from his line to grab the ball from Steve Morison's toes after Luke Murphy's fine ball over the top had put him through on goal. The Leeds keeper once more thwarted Jelle Vossen and then George Friend blazed high and wide, while the tireless Rodolph Austin tried a speculator which went wide as United continued to have fleeting moments of attack among Boro's waves of pressure. Middlesbrough made their first change after fifty-seven minutes when Lee Tomlin came on for Adam Reach. They made a further change nine minutes later as Patrick Bamford replaced Emilio Nsue. While Marco Silvestri continued to get the plaudits he fully merited, the rest of the Leeds defence was equally praiseworthy as they withstood the countless attacks from the home side. Souleymane Bamba pulled off a last-ditch block on Kike in another typical act of defiance but Giuseppe Bellusci and Charlie Taylor were also on hand to make crucial interventions. Leeds showed they were still dangerous on the counter attack and an Alex Mowatt cross almost found Scott Wootton at the far post, while Rodolph Austin again found Tomas Mejias' arms from just inside the penalty area. Adam Forshaw replaced Grant Leadbitter as the home side made their final change in the eightieth minute. It proved a little premature as Jelle Vossen was injured in collision with Lewis Cook in the centre circle and he was forced to be stretchered off with several minutes of normal time remaining and the home side were forced to get through them with just ten men. Play was held up for a lengthy spell and this resulted in nine extra minutes had to be added for stoppages. United were not unscathed as just before the end of normal time Giuseppe Bellusci received a knock and Captain Liam Cooper took the armband for the last minute, as his replacement. Rodolph Austin took advantage of the added time to sting the palms of Tomas Mejias with another ferocious drive from long range, while Kike saw a header deflected to safety as United held on to complete another double over a top team to make it three successive away wins. Connor Ripley, Dean Whitehead, Kenneth Omeruo and James Husband were unused by Middlesbrough, while Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Casper Sloth, Billy Sharp, Edgar Cani and Mirco Antenucci were unused by Leeds as they climbed to eleventh position, now ten points above twenty-second placed Millwall but still fifteen adrift from sixth placed Watford.

Three days after their fine victory at the Riverside, United were again on the road with a midweek visit to the Amex Stadium, home of twentieth placed Brighton & Hove Albion, who trailed United by seven points and after the recent run of wins United were looking for full points from their thirty-third League game. Neil Redfern was forced to make two changes to his starting line-up as Captain Liam Cooper was restored to the defence as Giuseppe Bellusci had to serve the first of a two match suspension and Casper Sloth came into the midfield for the injured Sam Byram. Dario Del Fabro and Souleymane Doukara took the vacant seats on the bench. Fred Graham of Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex, was the referee as 1,815 travelling Leeds fans had made the long trip and were among the crowd of 25,274. Neither side could take the initiative in the early stages as possession changed hands rapidly. Rodolph Austin was the first to get a sight of goal in the tenth minute, but was well wide of Leeds-born David Stockdale's left-hand post as he took advantage of the home team's reluctance to close him down by having a shot from distance. Luke Murphy also had a long range shot deflected narrowly wide before the star of the reverse fixture at Elland Road, Joao Teixeira, glanced a header from a Craig Mackail-Smith left wing cross marginally wide of Marco Silvestri's far post, with the Leeds keeper frantically scrambling along his line to ensure it passed wide. There was a period when nothing seemed to happen around the goalmouths and no real chances were produced by either side. But the hosts broke the deadlock in the twenty-sixth minute when Craig Mackail-Smith outpaced Charlie Taylor as he broke down the Brighton right and from his low cross Sam Baldock calmly completed the move when he got between the two Leeds centre-backs and tapped in from inside the six yard box. The home side could have doubled their lead as the ever-dangerous Joao Teixeira won the ball in midfield and advanced before releasing Craig Mackail-Smith free on goal but he was denied by the Leeds keeper's legs at the near post. Scott Wootton also came to United's rescue with a vital challenge on Sam Baldock at the far post when a cross from Bruno Salter was not properly dealt with by Souleymane Bamba. Joao Teixeira, who is on loan for the season from Liverpool was the focal point of the Brighton team and he was once again inches from doubling the home team's lead just before the break as he cut in from the wing to curl a shot just over the bar and into the Stand housing the Leeds supporters. United made a good finish to the half but Souleymane Bamba just failed to connect with a cross from Luke Murphy with the final chance of the half and so the home side took a one goal lead with them into the break. Just four minutes into the second half United were forced to make the first change of the game after Steve Morison had pulled up with a leg muscle injury and loanee Edgar Cani came on to take his place. It was Brighton who started to press and Inigo Calderon sent a shot across the face of the Leeds goal and a fine last- ditch tackle by Scott Wootton took the ball from the toes of Joao Teixeira. Leeds had another let off when Beram Kayal made a strong run before Inigo Calderon got in a cross which only just eluded Sam Baldock at the far post. Alex Mowatt was too high with a free-kick at the other end before Marco Silvestri dived low to stop another Joao Teixeira shot when the home side countered. After fifty-nine minutes Leeds made their second change as Mirco Antenucci came on for Casper Sloth and a minute later Joao Teixeira again shot straight at Marco Silvestri. But in the sixty-third minute Inigo Calderon was credited with Brighton's second goal. It came when Beram Kayal turned in the area and fired in a shot which Marco Silvestri managed to push out, but the ball cannoned into the Spaniard's face and into the net. Leeds tried to get back in the game and, from a Luke Murphy corner, Souleymane Bamba saw his good header go wide. Then Edgar Cani failed to get sufficient connection to a ball which found him unmarked at the far post. Having already introduced Edgar Cani and Mirco Antenucci, Neil Redfearn went for a third striker for his final substitution in the seventy-third minute as Souleymane Doukara replaced Alex Mowatt, and the final two combined to create United's clearest opportunity in the seventy-seventh minute. A long ball over the top sent Mirco Antenucci racing through the middle, but the Italian unselfishly teed up Souleymane Doukara with a smart back-heel across the area but David Stockdale managed to block it at his near post. Brighton made their three replacements in the latter part of the game as Dale Stephens came on for Beram Kayal in the seventy-third minute, while two minutes later Kazenga Lua Lua replaced Sam Baldock and finally in the eighty-first minute Chris O'Grady took the place of Craig Mackail-Smith. Only a stunning double save by Marco Silvestri with two minutes left on the clock stopped the home side extending their lead to three, as he tipped Dale Stephen's header onto the bar before scrambling Chris O'Grady's effort from the rebound off the line with his legs. Four minutes were added for stoppages and "Man of the Match" Joao Teixeira clipped the post in that time after breaking through the Leeds defence. It proved to be the last real action of the game and United's three game winning run had been halted. Christian Walton, Aaron Hughes, Emmanuel Ledesma and Leon Best were the Brighton unused substitutes and Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Dario Del Fabro and Billy Sharp were the Leeds quartet not required. The loss saw Leeds drop to fourteenth on the ladder ten points above Millwall in the twenty-second spot and eighteen behind Watford in sixth place.

United's thirty-fourth game was at home to sixth-placed Watford on 28th February 2015. Andy Haines of Sunderland was the referee and there were 1,231 Watford supporters in the crowd of 24,705. United made two changes with Sam Byram returning from injury to replace Casper Sloth on the right side of midfield and Billy Sharp was the lone striker in the place of the injured Steve Morison. Adryan took the vacant seat on the bench. The decision to give Billy Sharp the chance in the striker's spot paid dividends as after just six minutes he gave United the lead when he shot home from close range. It came from a Watford mistake as Ikechi Anya's backward header caught Heurelho Gomes off guard and Billy Sharp seized upon the defensive confusion to hammer home his fourth goal of the season. United were good value for their lead as they had dominated possession in the early exchanges. Craig Cathcart saw a deflected header fly wide for the visitors but otherwise it was largely one way traffic as Lewis Cook drilled a low strike into the arms of Heurelho Gomes and the Watford keeper saved at the second attempt before United doubled their lead. Rodolph Austin picked up the ball twenty-five yards out from goal and spotted Heurelho Gomes slightly off his line. He took aim to unleash an unstoppable half-volley finding the narrow space above the goalkeeper's hands and the crossbar for the ball to nestle in the top corner of the net after nineteen minutes. United continued to press home their advantage and both Scott Wootton and Billy Sharp were crowded out in front of goal after good United moves. Marco Silvestri was called into action after thirty minutes, keeping out a low shot from Juan Carlos Paredes with his legs before regathering the rebound as Matej Vydra shot from close range. Watford were starting to get dangerous on the break and in the thirty-ninth minute they reduced the arrears when Troy Deeney got behind the home defence to race clear and calmly slotted the ball past Marco Silvestri and into the bottom right hand corner of the Leeds net. The same player shot over the bar a few minutes later as the visitors finished the half strongly. However, three minutes before half-time Watford made their first change as Joel Ekstrand, who appeared to have taken a knock, was replaced in central defence by Gabriele Angella. The last few minutes of the half saw the Leeds defence under severe pressure, with Souleymane Bomba and Charlie Taylor both pulling off crucial stops, but Ben Watson missed the best chance of the game to date when he fired high and wide when well placed and United were lucky to reach half-time with a 2-1 lead still intact. However, it was United that started the second half on the attack, forcing Heurelho Gomes into action within seconds of the restart. Billy Sharp unselfishly played in the marauding Rodolph Austin, whose shot was blocked by the Watford keeper, but he could not hold it and it had to be kicked off the line by Gabriele Angella. After fifty-two minutes Watford made their second change as Gianni Munari came on for Miguel Layun. Billy Sharp was unable to connect properly to a low cross into the visitors' box and then Luke Murphy curled the ball wide from the edge of the box as United continued to dominated possesion. It did not remain that way for much longer as in the fifty-sixth minute Watford made an incisive breakaway and Matej Vydra guided Troy Deeney's low cross into the net from inside the six yard box. The Hornets were now visibly elated after pulling level and they were soon back looking to take the lead and Marco Silvestri had to be at his very best to keep out Matej Vydra with a fine two handed save as the Leeds goal came under mounting pressure. Ikechi Anya got in a searching cross across the United goal but there was not one Watford player able to get a touch on it. Almen Abdi then worked his way into the Leeds penalty area only to fire inches wide of Marco Silvestri's post. The game had started to even out and soon Alex Mowatt curled a shot into the arms of Heurelho Gomes and Neil Redfearn made his first change sending on Adryan for his first appearance in 2015 in place of the tireless Rodolph Austin in the seventy-third minute. As United went in search of their third goal Alex Mowatt was wide from long range. However, it was the visitors that got the fifth goal of the afternoon when Matej Vydra got his second after they had made a swift counter attack with ten minutes left on the clock. Troy Deeney was again the architect and provided the through ball that sent his strike partner through on goal. Marco Silvestri managed to stop his first attempt but it was Matej Vardy that recovered the quickest to stab the rebound into the net to give Watford the lead for the first time. Four minutes later Mirco Antenucci was sent on for Alex Mowatt and in the final minute of ordinary time Leeds sent on Edgar Cani for Sam Byram, while Watford brought on Tommie Hoban for Juan Carlos Paredes. Even though five minutes were added Watford managed to withstand the United pressure to retain their lead, as Stuart Taylor. Gaetano Berardi, Casper Sloth and Lewis Walters were the unused Leeds substitutes and Jonathan Bond, Daniel Pudil, Marco Motta and Fernando Forestieri were unused by Watford. The defeat saw United slip to sixteenth while Watford jumped into third spot with United eighteen points behind sixth placed Norwich City and ten above Millwall in twenty-second place.

For their thirty-fifth League game of the season, United entertained fifth- placed Ipswich Town in a midweek fixtute at Elland Road on 4th March 2015. Mark Brown of Hull was the referee as Ipswich brought 674 supporters with them in a crowd of 19,730. Giuseppe Bellusci returned to the team after completing his suspension to replace the injured Rodolph Austin. It meant a reshuffle of the United team with Liam Cooper moving to left-back and Charlie Taylor moving to the left of midfield. While on the bench, Steve Morison and Souleymane Doukara returned in place of Adryan and Lewis Walters. In the opposition starting line-up was former United striker/left midfielder, Luke Varney, who was with the Mariners on loan from Blackburn Rovers. The game started at a fast pace and within a minute the visitors had used the speed of Chris Wood to pierce the Leeds defence, but, after the Kiwi International had laid the ball off to the supporting Luke Varney, the ex-Leeds man saw his shot blocked. It then seemed as though the visitors had taken the lead within three minutes but after Luke Varney had found the net with a precise header from a Paul Anderson cross, it was cancelled by the linesman's flag for offside. Lewis Cook made a good run down the right and his cross into the penalty box was was met by Billy Sharp on the half-volley but was blocked on the line by Ipswich defender Tommy Smith with the keeper beaten. In the twentieth minute Souleymane Bamba looped a header onto the roof of the net after Alex Mowatt had picked him out with a centre. This was followed by a quarter of an hour of lack of attempts on goal as both sides probed for opening but possession changed hands regularly. In the thirty-fifth minute Sam Byram broke free down the right and Billy Sharp got in a flying header that cleared the bar, as United claimed a penalty for a push on him. Souleymane Bamba glanced a header wide for United but at the other end the defence stood firm to block Chris Wood as he went for goal, but the half ended goalless and largely uninspiring. Marco Silvestri was brought into the action in the first few minutes of the second half, when he had to quickly dive to his right to keep out a Tyrone Mings' downward header which looked destined for the bottom corner of the Leeds net. Souleymane Bamba and Scott Wootton both pulled off excellent blocks in the Leeds penalty area as Ipswich started to be the dominant team in the new half. At the other end Billy Sharp found himself crowded out and his deflected shot was straight into the arms of Bartosz Bialkowski. There was a quick succession of substitutions as, in the sixty-first minute, Ipswich replaced Paul Anderson with Kevin Bru and then, four minutes later, Daryl Murphy came on for Luke Varney, while in the sixty-eighth minute United sent on Mirco Antenucci for Charlie Taylor as both sides sought a way to break the deadlock. The first goal of the game finally came in the seventy-first minute as Alex Mowatt scored his seventh goal of the season. Sam Byram dispossessed Tyrone Mings and after the Ipswich full back had fouled him in trying to regain possession, the young United midfielder, Alex Mowatt, stepped up to take a left-footed curling shot which had Bartosz Bialkowski helplessly scrambling across his goal line in a vain attempt to prevent it from nestling in the bottom corner, after taking a minor deflection off Christophe Berra. Ipswich then used their final substitute as Freddie Sears came on for Chris Wood. He had not been on the pitch for two minutes when he scored the equaliser with a low shot that got under Marco Silvestri's dive to his right in a fumbed attempt by the keeper. They were not level for long, as just three minutes later, in the seventy-seventh minute, Billy Sharp took advantage of lax marking by the Ipswich defence after another fine run and cross by Lewis Cook to fire home from within the penalty area with a pinpoint volley on the turn to comprehensively beat Bartosz Bialkowski to score in the bottom right-hand corner. The Tractor Boys refused to give up the ghost and went in search of an equaliser and Marco Silvestri reacted well to push away Tyrone Mings' low strike. Lewis Cook got in a good shot but it went straight at Bartosz Bialkowski and he saved with ease. The crowd held their breath as Souleymane Bamba was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty area, but Marco Silvestri made up for his mistake with Ipswich's first goal as he got down well to dive and turn substitute Daryl Murphy's spot kick round the post in front of the South Stand. With four minutes left on the clock United sent on Steve Morison for Billy Sharp, but they had a nervy few minutes before the referee blew for time. With two minutes left Alex Mowatt was unable to repeat his earlier feat of scoring from a free-kick from a similar position and his shot was wide to the left. But Tyrone Mings headed over the bar as the visitors made a final push to share the spoils but United hung on to take the full three points to move one place up the ladder to fifteenth, seventeen points behind sixth-placed Brentford and thirteen above twenty-second placed Wigan Athletic. Stuart Taylor, Gaetano Berardi, Casper Sloth, Souleymane Doukara and Edgar Cani were United's unused substitutes and Dean Gerken, Matt Clarke, Richard Chaplow and Dylan Connolly were unused for Ipswich Town.

Three days later United visited Wigan Athletic at their DW Stadium to play their thirty-sixth game of the season on 7th March 2015. The home side was one of three clubs that had come adrift at the bottom of the table, at least eight points away from safety with just ten games to go, after this. It was therefore expected that Leeds would get more points but they would have had in their minds that Wigan had won 2-0 at Elland Road on Boxing Day. Neil Redfearn had made two changes to the team with Gaetano Berardi coming in at left back with the injured Liam Cooper dropping out of the squad along with Sam Byram, also injured, who was replaced by Steve Morison, who returned to the starting eleven. Dario Del Fabro and Adryan came onto the substitutes' bench along with Kalvin Phillips who was standing in for the injured Casper Sloth. Wigan had several former Leeds players in their starting eleven, with recent Leeds Captain Jason Pearce and two others from the Leeds EPL relegation campaign in goalkeeper Scott Carson and winger Jermaine Pennant. Geoffrey Eltringham of Sunderland was the referee and the crowd was 16,163 of which 4,698 were in the Leeds area of the ground. In the ealy stages there was little between the two teams but it was United who had the first attempt on goal after eight minutes when a Luke Murphy corner found Souleymane Bamba in the penalty area and the tall defender's towering header forced Scott Carson into action. United kept up the early pressure and Steve Morison shot across the goal from an acute angle and then Alex Mowatt shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. At the other end Jermaine Pennant's cross was headed well wide by Emmerson Boyce. It was not all Leeds by any stretch of the imagination and Sheyi Ojo got in a cross that flew inches past the Leeds far post, but Charlie Taylor took up an invitation to shoot from long range but was well over Scott Carson's bar. Wigan had their first real attempt on goal from Kim Bo-Kyung, but Souleymane Bamba was able to turn it wide of the goal at the expense of a corner, but it had been Leeds that had done most pressing in a largely uneventful first thirty-five minutes. Three minutes before the interval United had the best chance of the half as a good through ball from Alex Mowatt found Steve Morison unmarked and gave him a clear path to goal, but the striker blazed the ball high over the bar with a first time volley. The half came to an end still goalless, but Gaetano Berardi's long range shot was straight at Scott Carson and Marco Silvestri was not troubled by a shot from Marc-Antoine Fortune and watched it pass harmlessly past his post for a goal kick on the stroke of half-time. Wigan made their first change during the half-time break with Don Cowie coming on for Jermaine Pennant. The substitute soon made his presence felt as his shot was blocked by Giuseppe Bellusci inside the Leeds penalty area, which was accompanied by a shout from the home supporters as the ball appeared to hit the hand of the Leeds defender, but referee Geoffrey Eltringham chose to award a corner. It was following the corner, which was played short to Sheyi Ojo, that James McClean fired in a first-time shot from his accurate cross which caused Marco Silvestri to pull off a fine save as the Leeds keeper dived to his right to prevent his low shot from entering the bottom corner of the net and pushed the goalbound shot round the post. Six minutes into the second half Leeds deservedly took the lead as Alex Mowatt scored his eighth goal of the season. Steve Morison teed him up on the edge of the area and the young midfielder's stunning strike left Scott Carson grasping thin air as it arrowed perfectly into the top corner of the net. Wigan did try to get back on even terms as quickly as they could and caused Leeds to defend strongly but apart for a powerful volley from Kim Bo-Kyung which deflected off target after hitting James McClean, and one low shot from James McClean, which Marco Silvestri had to push away, they did not trouble the Leeds keeper. However, Wigan were now commanding the majority of possession, without being able to making any real threat on goal and on the hour it was Leeds that counter attacked and Charlie Taylor got in a shot that went over the bar. After sixty- seven minutes Wigan made their second change with William Kvist replacing Emmerson Boyce. In the seventy-second minute, James McClean did get in a ferocious half-volley that found the side-netting which raised the hopes of half of the home crowd who wrongly thought it had found the net. Sheyi Ojo was also inches away when his low shot went across the face of the Leeds goal and wide of the far post. The home side made their third and final change in the seventy- eighth minute when Billy McKay came on for Marc-Antoine Fortune. As the game reached the final ten minutes James Perch got in a header that looped onto the roof of the net. With three minutes of normal time left on the Leeds made a double substitution in the forwards as Edgar Cani replaced Steve Morison and Mirco Antenucci came on for Billy Sharp. Seven minutes were added for stoppages and in the first minute of it Marco Silvestre made his finest save of the afternoon, when he acrobatically pushed James McClean's goalbound free-kick over the bar. From the resulting corner, Harry Maguire headed over and despite constant Wigan pressure Leeds were able to survive the remaing added time and secure the three points. Ali Al-Habsi, Chris McCann, Leon Barnett and Martyn Waghorn were unused on the Wigan Athletic bench, while Stuart Taylor, Dario Del Fabro, Adryan, Souleymane Doukara and Kalvin Phillips were not called from the Leeds bench. The win, United's second in two games took them up to thirteenth in the table, fifteen behind sixth place Brentford, and sixteen above the twenty- second placed Wigan Athletic.

A week later Nottingham Forest, who were sat in ninth spot just six points ahead of United, visited Elland Road in United's thirty-seventh game of the League season. United had Liam Cooper and Casper Sloth back from injury, but Sam Byram and Rodolph Austin were still not available, and Dario Del Fabro and Adryan made way for them on the bench as the starting eleven remained the same. Former United loanees Eric Lichaj, who was at right back, and Dexter Bradstock, who was in the striker's role, were in the Forest starting eleven. Keith Hill of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was the referee and Forest had brought 2,2657 supporters with them in a crowd of 30,722, which was the largest home attendance of the season to date. United were the first to make an attempt on goal as Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt combined well in a good build up before Steve Morison sent a header goalwards but straight into the hands of Forest keeper Karl Darlow. Their best chance to date came in the tenth minute from Charlie Taylor. After Alex Mowatt had made some excellent yards down the right he teed up Luke Murphy on the edge of the box. His shot was deflected by Jamaal Lascelles right into the path of Charlie Taylor as he came in at the back post but Karl Darlow denied him with a fine sprawling save. Forest responded as Michail Antonio and Chris Burke combined, the former making the initial break through the middle before playing in the other, who went on but Giuseppe Bellusci positioned himself well to block. It was not until the twenty-first minute that Forest had their first sight of goal after Michael Manchienne beat his man to play in Chris Burke, but it caused Marco Silvestri no problems as he comfortably caught Ben Osburn's curling shot from just outside the penalty box. United responded as an inviting free-kick from Alex Mowatt was glanced wide by a header from Steve Morison. It remained end to end play and the Leeds defence stood firm as Ben Osburn had a shot blocked in front of goal at the expense of a corner and from that corner Jamaal Lascelles turned the ball over the bar with a mishit attempt from close range. Next Michail Antonio beat Scott Wootton before he cut in from the right but shot wide for the visitors while at the other end Charlie Taylor could only curl his shot into the waiting arms of Karl Darlow. Then right on the stroke of half-time it was again Charlie Taylor, who after a surging run down the left saw Karl Darlow block his shot at the near post as half time came after an even first half which had remained goalless. It was Forest who had the first shot on goal in the second half, but it did not bother Marco Silvestri unduely as Michail Antonio dragged the ball harmlessly straight into his arms. United swept to the other end a long throw from Gaetano Berardi was flicked on by Steve Morison but Billy Sharp was crowded out by the Forest defence when he appeared likely to take advantage. Charlie Taylor was again involved as he picked up a loose ball from Ben Osburn and set off down the left wing and sent a dipping shot just over Karl Darlow's crossbar. Play swung back to the other end and, just on the hour mark, Marco Silvestri was quick off his line to smother the ball as he dived at the feet on the onrushing Michail Antonio. United made their first change as Mirco Antenucci replaced Steve Morison, after sixty-seven minutes. It was, however, Forest that were having the better share of possession and Eric Lichij shot straight at Marco Silvestrri from long range. Just one ninute later the Italian again came to United's rescue with a brilliant save as he dived to his right to push away a low shot from Chris Burke which looked destined for the bottom corner but his flying one handed save pushed it past the post. In the seventy-ninth minute Souleymane Doukara came on for Charlie Taylor, giving United three forwards in their push for full points. United applied the pressure and Alex Mowatt had a shot blocked in front of goal, followed quickly by Karl Darlow getting down to stop a fine shot from Mirco Antenucci as he picked up the rebound. There were four minutes of time added for stoppages and during that time Henri Lansbury floated a free-kick over the Leeds bar but neither side ever looked like bothering the scorers. Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Casper Sloth, Kalvin Phillips and Edgar Cani were unused on the bench for Leeds and as Forest did not use any substitutes their full complement of Dimitar Evtimov, Danny Collins, Danny Fox, Jamie Paterson, David Vaughan, Lars Veldwijk and Tyler Walker remained there. United remained in thirteenth position, fourteen points behind sixth placed Brentford and fourteen above twenty-second placed Wigan Athletic. With nine games to go they had nothing but pride to play for!

United's thirty-eighth League game was at Craven Cottage, home of Fulham, on 18th March 2015, a club that was still only six points away from the drop zone and eight points worse off than United. They had had a disappointing season but had managed to win 1-0 at Elland Road in mid-December and had United's 2013-14 strike force of former captain and leading goalscorer, Ross McCormack and the towering Matt Smith as their front two. Sam Byram had recovered from injury and took up his place on the right wing with Steve Morison dropping to the bench, where Kalvin Phillips was omitted. For a midweek evening kick-off the travelling White Army was out in full force with 3,498 making the trip to swell the attendance to 19,200 and Chris Kavanagh of Manchester was the referee. It was the home side who had the first threat on goal, as after six minutes Ross McCormack found himself free in the penalty area, but Marco Silvestri was equal to the task and made a good two handed save to his left and the loose ball was cleared before Ryan Tunnicliffe could get to it. Fulham kept up their early pressure and Marco Silvestri had to be at his agile best to acrobatically tip a dipping shot from Bryan Ruiz over the bar and then Konstantinos Stafylidis forced the Italian to dive to make another low stop. It continued in a one-sided manner and ex-Leeds man Matt Smith got in a towering header from an opportunity created by his former Leeds strike partner, Ross McCormack, which Marco Silvestri pushed away to safety. From the resulting corner Bryan Ruiz clipped the crossbar. Leeds had been under almost constant pressure for the first twenty minutes and stiill their attack would not abate and their best chance to date fell to Matt Smith as he rose to meet a Ross McCormack free-kick but all he could manage was to head over at the back post from six yards. It was not until the twenty-second minute that Leeds had their first shot at the Fulham goal. It came feom Giuseppe Bellusci who sent in a speculation half-volley from long range and it bounced harmlessly into the arms of Marcus Bettinelli in the Fulham goal. United then had a brief spell of possession before, in the thirty-first minute, Ross McCormack had the ball in the Leeds net with a side-footed volley from a Matt Smith downward header, but it was ruled out for offside. Both Ross McCormack and full-back Tim Hoogland had chances for Fulham as half-time approached but five minutes before the break it was Leeds that took the lead. A pin-point cross from Gaetano Berardi from the left flank found Sam Byram totally unmarked just inside the penalty area and he guided his downward header beyond Marcus Bettinelli and into the net to send United to the break one goal to the good. United increased their lead just three minutes into the second half when Souleymane Bamba scored his first goal for Leeds. An Alex Mowatt corner was allowed to bounce in the Fulham area and Souleymane Bamba took advantage to come storming in at the back post to power a header into the top corner of the net. Matters got worse for the home side when two minutes later Konstantinos Stafylidis was sent off after receiving his second yellow card. He was originally booked for dissent after United's second goal and almost immediately he scythed down Sam Byram near the corner flag. The one man advantage soon manifested itself and United started to dominate possession in the home territory. Alex Mowatt tested Marcus Bettinelli and the keeper saved his low shot. Fulham were still a threat, mainly from set pieces and Michael Turner got in a header that crashed against Marco Silvestri's far post and then Matt Smith got in a good shot, but was wide. They also had a chance to reduce the deficit in the fifty-fifth minute when Ryan Tunnicliffe had a chance from just eight yards with the goal wide open, but it was deflected for a corner. Fulham made their first change after sixty-three minutes with Alexander Kacanicklic coming on for Bryan Ruiz. Fulham were having no luck in front of goal and Shaun Hutchinson won a heading duel to send a Ross McCormack delivery from a free-kick against a post, only for it to be cleared. Matt Smith also was just wide with a shot on the swivel. and four minutes later it was United's turn to make their first substitution as Steve Morison replaced Billy Sharp. He had only just got on the pitch when he could have increased the lead but a Fulham defender made a last- ditch interception to stop him from connecting with a low cross from Sam Byram. Fulham then went on the attack and applied plenty of presure with Matt Smith twice missing good chances from close range when he headed wide at the back post and then shot straight at Marco Silvestri after Alexander Kacanicklic had made a chance for him. Ross McCormack glanced a close-range header inches wide with what proved to be his final contribution to the game as, in the eighty-third minute, he pull up injured and was replaced by Seko Fofana. A minute previous United, too, had made their second substitution bringing on Mirco Antenucci for Alex Mowatt. Six minutes later the Italian striker added his ninth goal of the season, after Sam Byram had done good work in charging down the right wing and Marcus Bettinelli could only push his cross into the Italian's path and he hammered home the rebound. However, at the other end Marco Silvestri's work was not yet finished and he pulled off a stunning reflex save to push away a shot from Alexander Kacanicklic in the four minutes that had been added for stoppages. Gabor Kiraly, Nikolay Bodurov, Sean Kavanagh, Cauley Woodrow and Hugo Rodallega were the unused substitutes for the home side and Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Casper Sloth, Souleymane Doukara and Edgar Cani were unused by Leeds, who moved up to twelfth, still fourteen points behind sixth placed Brentford, but now seventeen above twenty-second placed Wigan Athletic.

For their thirty-ninth League game of the season there was another game on the road as they visited bottom club Blackpol at Bloomfield Road on 21st March 2015. The home side seemed doomed to relegation being marooned from the nearest club by a massive ten points and were eighteen points from safety and twenty-nine points behind United. It was watched by 11,688 of which 1,704, the maximum allowed, were from Leeds. Scott Duncan of Newcastle-upon-Tyne was the referee. Darren O'Dea, a former Leeds loanee, was in central defence in the Blackpool starting eleven. United were unchanged from their 3-0 win at Fulham but Rodolph Austin had recovered from injury and replaced Casper Sloth on the bench. It was Leeds that had the first attempt on goal after less than two minutes, when Luke Murphy shot wide from long range. At the other end Michael Jacobs just failed to connect with a low cross from Andrea Orlandi as the game got off to a fast start. The Leeds defence looked solid as it repelled Blackpool's early assault on the Leeds area, but Leeds did look dangerous as they broke several times on the counter attack with both Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook making fast breaks. There were not many chances in the game until the twenty-ninth minute when Luke Murphy broke through the Blackpool defence and headed for the by-line. His floated cross was inch- perfect for Sam Byram, who arrived at the back post, but his right footed volley passed inches wide of the target. Marco Silvestri was forced into his first save of the afternoon after thirty-two minutes getting down quickly to his left to stop Gary Madine's shot from inside the penalty area. Two minutes later, David Perkins was wide for the home side when he got in a shot from outside the penalty area. Jose Cubero then sent a first-time strike well over the United crossbar before Charlie Taylor created a good chance for the visitors. The young full-back had waltzed his way through the Blackpool defence and seemed likely to score but Joe Lewis was quick off his line and smothered the ball as the Leeds youngster was about to add the finishing touch. However, with one minute to the break, it was the home side that broke the deadlock. Andrea Orlandi sent in a curling free- kick and it hit the underside of the crossbar, but it fell kindly for Gary Madine, straight in front of him, and he had little problem in getting in a diving header that put the ball in the net to let Blackpool take a 1-0 lead into the half-time break. When the teams returned for the second half it was former Leeds loanee, Darren O'Dea who had the first attempt on goal as he got in a towering header just three minutes after the restart. Marco Silvestri did well to get down to a low shot from Andrea Orlandi as the home side continued the pressure. In the fifty-fourth minute United made a double change as they sought to get back in the game as Mirco Antenucci replaced Alex Mowatt and Steve Morison came on for Billy Sharp. The move paid off and Mirco Antenucci had a chance within five minutes of his arrival. Gaetano Berardi made the running and his cross into the box set up the Italian, but unfortunately his volleyed shot was over the top. However, the Italian striker soon made amends and in the sixty- second minute he scored the equaliser for his tenth goal of the season. The ball bounced into his path after Jose Cubero and Peter Clarke had got in each others way, and he was able to keep his composure to lift the ball over the advancing Joe Lewis and into the vacant net, with Darren O'Dea making a valiant effort to stop it, but finishing up in the back of the net along with the ball. Steve Morison too was also soon involved but he found his channel to goal blocked off by Charles Dunne as he threw his body in the way as he raced through. At the other end Miles Anderson kept Marco Silvestri on his toes with a low shot. With fifteen minutes left on the clock Leeds made their final change with Souleymane Doukara replacing Charlie Taylor, as they sought to gain the full points. United did almost get their second soon afterwards as Mirco Antenucci tried to lob the ball into the net with Joe Lewis off his line after competing with Steve Morison for a high ball into the Blackpool penalty area. The Welshman also found himself crowded out as the game approached its end prior to seven minutes being added for stoppages, partly caused by a head injury to the United striker. One minute into those seven, Marco Silvestri was called upon to palm away a goalbound free-kick from Andrea Orlandi but play soon went to the other end and Giuseppe Bellusci had the ball in the net only to have it disallowed due to a foul in the build up. The Italian was adjudged to have tangled unfairly with an opponent in the centre circle before going on to head home Gaetano Berardi's fine cross. The incident saw a yellow card brandished at the Italian and it also brought the game to an end. Elliot Parish, David Ferguson, Tom Aldred, Connor Oliver, Bright Osayi- Samuel, Dom Telford, Nathan Delfouneso were the complete bench that Blackpool never used. While the Leeds unused substitutes were Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Rodolph Austin and Edgar Cani. The draw saw United drop one place to thirteenth, fifteen points behind sixth placed Ipswich Town and seventeen above Wigan Athletic in twenty-second place.

United's fortieth League game of the 2014-15 season was at home to tenth- placed Blackburn Rovers on 4th April 2015 with the visitors bringing a surpringly modest 736 supporters with them in a crowd of 25,293. United made two changes to their team with Rodolph Austin replacing the injured Lewis Cook and Steve Morison displacing Billy Sharp in the starting line up and with Chris Dawson and Kalvin Phillips coming on to the bench at the expense of Edgar Cani. Former United favourite Matthew Kilgallon was in the Blackburn starting eleven along with former Leeds Junior Tom Cairney, while the referee was Gary Sutton of Lincoln. United started the game on the front foot and Steve Morison and Rodolph Austin just failed to combine inside the Blackburn penalty area and it wasn't until the seventh minute that Charlie Taylor was able to get the game's first shot on goal, but his low shot was well held by David Raya in the Blackburn goal. However, it was the visitors that created the best chance as Jordan Rhodes was put through in the United box and only a fine recovering tackle by Souleymane Bamba pushed the ball off his foot and upwards to hit the crossbar from where it rebounded to Ben Marshall who could only fire into the side-netting. Jordan Rhodes then volleyed over from close range, after Souleymane Bamba failed to head clear a long throw- in from Ben Marshall. Then play swung to the other end and in the twenty-fifth minute Rodolph Austin had United's easiest chance to date, when a pin-point cross from the left by Charlie Taylor found the midfielder on the surge and unmarked, just six yards out, but his header was off target and finished in the South Stand. Both sides were looking to attack and Rudy Gestede got in a flying header to meet an inviting cross from Tom Cairney, but he was inches off target. United then had a fine raid down the left flank with Charlie Taylor and Gaetano Berardi combining well, only for the Swiss Under-Twenty-one international's shot from distance to find the arms of David Raya. Blackburn's former Leeds Academy graduate Matthew Kilgallon managed to block a ferocious shot from a later Thorp Arch graduate in Sam Byram, after he had connected with with a floated cross from Rodolph Austin, and it looked to be heading for the net until David Raya showed lightning reflexes to keep it out. United were enjoying a good spell of possession and starting to get on top when they lost Rodolph Austin to a red card for an off the ball incident six minutes before half time. Referee Gary Sutton had missed an alleged punch by the Jamaican to Ben Marshall's chest but on the linesman's insistance he issued the red card. Half time came with neither teams managing to find the net, but after the break Blackburn started to make their one man advantage pay. Three minutes after the restart Marco Silvestri was called into the action, getting down well to push away Rudy Gestede' shot from within the penalty area, after a cross from Adam Henley. Then Souleymane Bamba stood firm to block the path of Jordan Rhodes. Blackburn made their first change with Paul Taylor coming on for Adam Henley after fifty-nine minutes. A looping header from Sam Byram went over David Raya's bar, but it was Blackburn that took the lead in the sixty-second minute. Lee Williamson started the move with a ball over the top to Rudy Gestede, who outmuscled Giuseppe Bellusci to progress into the penalty area. His cross was partially blocked but only went as far as Tom Cairney who beat Marco Silvestri with a shot which found the bottom corner of the net as he had found himself free inside the penalty area. The visitors were taking advantage of their one-man superiority and Ben Marshall used the extra space to advance before unleashing a strong shot from twenty-five yards which rattled the upright. The visitors made their second change with Chris Brown replacing Rudy Gestede, who had injured his hamstring, in the sixty-fifth minute. Neil Redfearn made a double substitution a minute later, with Mirco Antenucci replacing Scott Wootton and Liam Cooper coming on for Gaetano Berardi, in an effort to get back on terms. However, it had the adverse effect with Chris Brown releasing Tim Cairney down the right flank, and then took his return pass, to chip the ball to the back post where Jordan Rhodes doubled the Rovers' lead three minutes later, as he beat Marco Silvestri with a diving header. Things got worse for United as Blackburn added a third with Jay Spearing tapping in from close range, after Ben Marshall found him unmarked at the far post in the eightieth minute. A minute later, John O'Sullivan replaced the injured Chris Brown, who had also strained his hamstring, as the visitors made their final change. United sent on Billy Sharp for Steve Morison, in the eighty-sixth minute, but, while Jordan Rhodes hit a post deep into stoppage time, Jay Spearing's goal had effectively ended the game as a contest and Leeds went down to their first defeat in six games. Stuart Taylor, Kalvin Phillips, Chris Dawson and Souleymane Doukara were unused substitutes for Leeds, while Jason Steele, Tommy Spurr, Darragh Lenihan and Corry Evans were unused by the visitors. The defeat saw Leeds drop to fourteenth, sixteen points above twenty-second placed Millwall and sixteen below sixth placed Derby County.

Easter Monday saw United's forty-first League game of the season as they travelled to Molineux to face eighth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers on 6th April 2015 in a tea-time televised kick-off with a sellout 2,407 travelling Leeds fans in a crowd of 25,169. David Coote of Winthorpe, near Newark, Nottinghamshire was the referee as United made three changes to their starting line-up with the suspended Rodolph Austin being replaced by debutant Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper coming in for the injured Giuseppe Bellusci and Mirco Antenucci taking the place of the injured Steve Morison, while Dario Del Fabro, Granddi Ngoyi, Casper Sloth and Edgar Cani took the vacant seats on the bench as Chris Dawson was omitted. The home side got off to the better start in the first ten minutes, with Nouha Dicko shooting wide after three minutes and then heading over a James Henry free- kick from point-blank range. However, after withstanding that opening pressure, it was United that took the lead after eleven minutes when Charlie Taylor scored his first competitive goal for the club. Kalvin Phillips harried Kevin McDonald near the corner flag and his hurried misplaced clearance deflected off Richard Stearman and went straight into the path of Charlie Taylor, who calmly tucked the ball under Carl Ikeme from six yards. The home side looked to mount a quick response and, moments later, Marco Silvestri was forced to have quick reflexes to get down to hold a low shot from Bakary Sako. However there was little he could do in the nineteenth minute as Wolves drew level when Benik Afobe got in a cross to the far post and Nouha Dicko converted from an acute angle after a swift break by the home side. Wolves were starting to see more of the ball and were soon asking serious questions of the Leeds defence and Marco Silvestrie was twice called into the action. He initially caught James Henry's curled attempt on the turn and then his reflexes were again tested in the twenty-eighth minute as he again denied James Henry following Dominic Iorfa's cross. A spell of Leeds pressure followed with Charlie Taylor again featuring strongly, as he drove the team forward with a storming run through the Wolves defence, but he was foiled by a fine recovering tackle by James Henry, who somehow managed to take the ball from him as he was almost in the act of shooting. It was James Henry who next threatened at the other end, but Marco Silvestri was quickly off his line to smother the danger. However, in the first minute of time added before the end of the first half Bakary Sako's long ball over the top found Nouha Dicko on the burst through the Leeds defence and he was able to squeeze the ball past Marco Silvestri off the inside of the near post with a low strike. Alex Mowatt took up the Wolves defence's offer of a shot from the edge of the box as they retreated, and he forced Carl Ikeme to push away his shot after just two minutes of the second half. But Wolves soon regained their rhythm of the first half and it was they that increased their lead after just three minutes of the second half. Benik Afobe tried an audacious overhead kick from a Jack Price cross into the area, but Bakary Sako kept the ball alive, bringing Danny Batth into the movement. The central defender's shot hit Nouha Dicko but fell into the path of Benik Afobe who forced the ball past Marco Silvestri after a scramble in the Leeds goalmouth. The game then slowed down as the home side seemed content to sit on their two goal lead, but Neil Redfearn urged his men forward and Alex Mowatt almost dribbled his way through the Wolves defence. United pulled a goal back in the sixty-sixth minute as the Wolves defender Danny Batth put through his own goal. Alex Mowatt sent a floated delivery into the Wolves box searching for Mirco Antenucci to chase it, but it caught the outstretched leg of the Wolves defender who inadvertently turned it beyond Carl Ikeme. Wolves made their first substitution in the seventieth minute when David Edwards replaced Nouha Dicko. Eight minutes later Leeds got the equaliser they were looking for as Alex Mowatt scored his ninth goal of the season. He stole the ball from the toes of Richard Stearman and proceeded to stride forward towards goal before getting in an unstoppable left- footed drive which beat the diving Carl Ikeme to fly into the top corner of the net. Wolves immediately sent on their second replacement as Rajiv van La Parra replaced James Henry and three minutes later Neil Redfearn sent on Billy Sharp in place of Mirco Antenucci. The home side made three quick counters but the Leeds defence held firm, but with two minutes of normal time still left David Edwards rose the highest in the Leeds penalty area for a Kevin McDonald cross to head into the top corner of Marco Silvestri's net to seal the three points for the home team. Even though four minutes of stoppage time was played it made no difference to the final score. Tomasz Kuszczak, Matt Doherty, Kevin Doyle, Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Kortney Hause were unused by Wolves and Stuart Taylor, Dario Del Fabro, Granddi Ngoyi, Casper Sloth, Souleymane Doukara and Edgar Cani sat unused on the Leeds bench as the loss saw them remain in fourteenth place on the ladder, nineteen points behind today's opponents, Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had climed into sixth spot and sixteen points above Millwall in twenty-second place.

United were at home to thirteenth-placed Cardiff City for their forty-second League game of the season on 11th April 2015 and a win would see them leap-frog the opposition, who were above only on goal difference. Cardiff came to Elland Road with an imposing record against United. They had not been beaten in the last sixteen encounters with Leeds. There was no vocal support for the visitors as no tickets had been allocated to them after a disagreement between the two clubs so the crowd of 22,401 was entirely Leeds. Chris Kavanagh of Manchester was the referee. Neil Redfearn made only one change to his starting eleven as Giuseppe Bellusci had recovered from injury and replaced Liam Cooper, who dropped to the bench with Dario Del Fabro making way. Steve Morison also returned after injury and he was on the bench in place of Edgar Cani while Casper Sloth also dropped out as Brian Montenegro was also included on the bench. Lee Peltier, the former United skipper was at right back in the Cardiff starting eleven. It was the visitors who were off to a lively start, with both Joe Mason and Craig Noone probing for early sights of goal. United's first opening came in the tenth minute when Sam Byram released Gaetano Berardi down the flank but he was forced wide before being crowded out. Charlie Taylor then fired in a shot from twenty-five yards, while at the other end Kalvin Phillips did well to block a shot from Conar McAleny as he let loose from inside the box. Although the match had seemed even from the start it was the visitors that took the lead after fourteen minutes with a goal from Sean Morrison. It came from a Peter Whittingham corner that was flicked towards the back post by Lee Peltier and the central defender was able to force the ball into the net, from close range. However the lead did not prevail for long as just three minutes later United struck back to equalise. Charlie Taylor, who had been a constant threat, once more wreaked havoc down the left flank to cross into the Cardiff box, and with Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall loosing his footing, home debutant Kalvin Phillips calmly tucked away his first goal for the club. The goal gave United added imputus and moments later Giuseppe Bellusci glanced a header marginally wide after rising to meet a Luke Murphy free -kick. Another fine move down the left wing involving Charlie Taylor and Gaetano Berardi led to another attempt on goal as the Swiss full-back found Sam Byram at the back post but his low shot was blocked by the Cardiff defence. This was followed by a period of Cardiff pressure in which Giuseppe Bellusci was forced into an excellent block on Joe Mason and Marco Silvestri was able to pick up the scraps from the striker's header. In the thirty-third minute Cardiff had been forced to take off the injured Conar McAleny and he was replaced by Eoin Doyle. It was the substitute that had Cardiff's best chance just two minutes after coming on. A poor backpass by Souleymane Bomba put Marco Silvestri in trouble and allowed Eion Doyle to race free on goal, but the keeper was able to use his reflexes as he palmed the Irishman's shot round the post to save the day for Leeds. United managed several raids on the Cardiff goal before the break, but none could produce any meaningful attack on it, and it was the visitors that came closest to taking the lead as, after Leeds had failed to cut out a Peter Whittingham break on the left-wing, the keeper again came to the rescue with a block from the Irishman's shot. Joe Mason also missed a sitter when he got into the area with only the keeper to beat but he was well wide of the far post, and it remained one each at the break. United started the second half brightly as Sam Byram got in a shot from a tight angle which was blocked and then Luke Murphy sliced a half-volley straight into David Marshall's arms. The game once more went through a period of relatively little goalmouth activity until Joe Rolls let Leeds off the hook as he failed to capitalize on Craig Noone's penetrative pass and then Scott Wootton was called upon to divert a dangerous looking cross behind for a corner. In the sixty-second minute the visitors regained the lead in similar fashion to their first goal. Marco Silvestri pushed away a Joe Mason shot at the expense of a corner. Peter Whittingham took the flag-kick and once more Lee Peltier guided the ball towards the far post and Sean Morrison, but this time the central defender was unable to force the ball home, but Aron Gunnarsson was the first to react to stab the ball in from close range. Neil Redfearn's response was to almost immediately make a double substitution as Steve Morison came on for Kalvin Phillips and Billy Sharp replaced Mirco Antenucci. Almost immediately, in fact just four minutes after coming on, Billy Sharp came agonisingly close to getting the much needed equaliser as he headed Charlie Taylor's cross from the left wing against the crossbar, with David Marshall well beaten. The other substitute, Steve Morison, also went close as he headed over at the back post from a Scott Wootton cross. Cardiff made their second change in the seventieth minute as Kadeem Harris replaced Joe Mason, and they made their final change eight minutes later with Stuart O'Keefe coming on for Craig Noone. Gaetano Berardi got in a deceptive dipping shot from long range and David Marshall had to be at his best to palm it away from his goal. From the resulting corner Cardiff somehow managed to scramble it to safety and the crowd got behind the home side in the final ten minutes. with four minutes left United made their final change as they went on all-out attack as Souleymane Doukara came on for Gaetano Berardi. But, even though there were five minutes of stoppage time, United could not get back on level terms. Stuart Taylor, Liam Cooper, Granddi Ngoyi and Brian Montenegro were United's unused substitutes while Simon Moore, Fabio, Tom Adeyemi and Matthew Kennedy, were unused by Cardiff. So it was the Welsh side that moved into twelfth spot, while United remained fourteenth, nineteen points behind sixth placed Ipswich Town and sixteen ahead of twenty-second placed Wigan Athletic.

Form team Norwich City, who had won their last five fixtures and drawn their sixth, and, in so doing had reached second on the ladder just one point behind the leaders, Bournemouth, were United's next opponents in their forty-third game of the season on Tuesday, 14th April 2015 at Elland Road. Former Leeds Captain, Jonathan Howson, was in the Norwich starting eleven as Neil Redfearn made three changes to his team after the weekend home defeat by Cardiff City. On loan midfielder Granddi Ngoyi made his Leeds debut as Kalvin Phillips was rested to the bench, while Liam Cooper and Billy Sharp were restored to the team in place of Giuseppe Bellusci and Mirco Antenucci, who dropped to the bench, where Casper Sloth replaced Souleymane Doukara. Norwich had brought a good following of 2,125 with them which was a good turn out for an evening midweek game in a total attendance of 21,471, and Mike Jones of Chester was the referee. On a glorious spring evening it was United who started the better of the two teams and had the first attempt on goal as Billy Sharp was inches away from connecting with a Liam Cooper's diagonal ball into the box, but the visitors next threatened through Jonathan Howson, but Marco Silvestri took his low shot comfortably as the game evened out. After good build up, Alex Tettey got in a good cross from deep that was hooked wide by Martin Olsson in the fifteenth minute. However, chances were scarce in the first twenty minutes, but although Alex Mowatt got in a dangerous looking free-kick, after Martin Olsson had fouled Sam Byram, the Norwich defence stood firm with John Ruddy punching clear, as United started to gain some ascendency. However, the game then descended back into scrappy play as the teams started to exchange fouls and neither team could find their rhythm. The thirtieth minute brought the games' first moment of drama when the visitors were awarded a penalty when Liam Cooper was adjudged to have brought down Jonathan Howson in the penalty area as he cushioned the ball on his chest when he tried to control a Graham Dorrans cross. Graham Dorrans took the kick and to the relief of the home crowd smashed it against the crossbar and United were able to clear. Moments later United were let off the hook once more as the same player blazed over the bar after picking up a cross from Wes Hoolahan in the United area. United's best chance of the half came in the thirty-sixth minute when the Norwich right-back Steve Whittaker headed a Luke Murphy free-kick onto the roof of his own net. Cameron Jerome was crudely brought down by Souleymane Bamba as he tried to come through the back of the striker, but from the ensuing free-kick, the striker shot straight at the wall with a minute to go to the break. United tried to finish the half strongly and were awarded a free-kick from twenty-yards on the stroke of half-time, but Luke Murphy drilled the opportunity into the Norwich wall and the chance was gone and the teams went into half-time goalless. It was United that created the first chance of the second half, after just three minutes, but Souleymane Bamba headed wide from Alex Mowatt's ball to the far post. The tall United loanee was then called into action at the other end, when he made a superb sliding tackle to halt Nathan Redmond after he had made a quick breakaway. Two minutes later Marco Silvestri had to be alert to get down sharply to his left with a strong one-handed save to keep out a low shot from Russell Martin. Norwich had started the brighter of the two teams and continued to press as they attacked the South Stand and Alex Tettey got in a ferocious shot which smashed into the stanchion behind the goal. So it came as little surprise when they took the lead after fifty-seven minutes through Jonathan Howson. The Leeds-born midfielder was found in space by Nathan Redmond, and he beat Marco Silvestri with a shot with the outside of his right boot, but, out of respect for his former club, he did not celebrate. Leeds tried to make a quick response and it was Scott Wootton who worked his way into the area and found space to get in a shot from six yards but it was deflected over the bar by Russell Martin. Neil Redfearn made his first change in the seventy-first minute with Mirco Antenucci replacing Charlie Taylor, and eight minutes later the visitors made their first change as Elliot Bennett came on for Wes Hoolahan. Steve Whittaker made a dash down the right flank but put his final effort wide, and then Souleymane Bamba was in good position to clear a Nathan Redmond cross into the box as the game entered the final ten minutes of normal time. Norwich continued to be in control but they had goalkeeper John Ruddy to thank for them maintaining their lead with six minutes left on the clock. Alex Mowatt received the ball just outside the edge of the penalty box and his fine left-footed shot looked to be creeping in at the near post after it had taken a deflection, but the wrong-footed John Ruddy managed to re-adjust himself and acrobatically claw the ball round the post at the expense of a corner. Both teams made their second changes in quick succession, with Brian Montenegro replacing Sam Byram, after eighty-five minutes and one minute later Gary Hooper came on for Nathan Redmond. It remained 0-1 as three extra minutes were added for stoppages and, after one minute of those, Norwich dealt Leeds a hammer blow as Graham Dorrans found space in the United box to drill the ball into the bottom corner of the net from ten yards to put the game beyond doubt. The win saw Norwich maintain second spot but their fourth consecutive loss saw United drop to fifteenth place, twenty-two points behind sixth place Ipswich Town and thirteen above twenty-second placed Millwall, as Stuart Taylor, Giuseppi Bellusci, Kalvin Phillips, Casper Sloth and Steve Morison were unused on the Leeds bench and Declan Rudd, Jama Loza, Ryan Bennett, Gary O'Neil and Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe were similarly unused by Norwich City.

For their penultimate away game of the season United travelled to the Valley to play Charlton Athletic in their forty-fourth League game of the season on 18th April 2015, with their hosts five points ahead of them in twelfth place. There had been strange happenings at Elland Road in the lead up to the game as mysteriously the six former Italian based players simultaneously reported injuries which had been sustained either in the game with Norwich or in training. It meant that Marco Silvestri, Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci, Dario del Fabro, Souleymane Doukara and Edgar Cani withdrew from squad. It also meant that Coach Neil Redfearn had to make three changes to the starting eleven, with Stuart Taylor making his League debut in goal in place of the injured Marco Silvestri, while Rodolph Austin had served his three match suspension and replaced Granddi Ngoyi, who dropped to the bench, while Steve Morison came into the starting eleven in place of Gaetano Berardi, who dropped to the bench as the team went to 4-4-2. Alex Cairns and Chris Dawson came on to the bench, as Giuseppe Bellusci and Mirco Antenucci were not available. United took 3,140 supporters with them in a crowd of 18,053 and Tony Harrington of Hartlepool was the referee. United made a lively start with Rodolph Austin shooting wide from long range in the first few minutes. Charlton then threatened through Chris Eagles who made a forty yard break and then Frederic Bulot showed his dribbling skills on the left flank before his cross from that wing was booted clear. Igor Vetokele, whose downward header went past the post as Charlie Taylor guarded it, was the next to threaten, as the game progressed with the two sides appearing well-matched. After a strong challenge Alou Diarra had to leave the field after eleven minutes and was replaced by Jordan Cousins. Rodolph Austin sent a twenty-five yard free-kick straight into the wall, but the best chance of the early stages fell to Luke Murphy in the twenty-second minute. A cross from the right wing from Alex Mowatt was flicked towards the back post by Steve Morison, and Luke Murphy could only side-foot the ball over Stephen Henderson's bar. Leeds started to get on top and Steve Morison almost caught Stephen Henderson off-guard as he chased a misguided back-pass, but the keeper's clearance cannoned off the striker and went behind for a goal kick. The keeper was again in the action as Luke Murphy fired in a shot from distance and then Billy Sharp headed a Sam Byram cross over the bar. The home side were not very impressive until the thirty-third minute when Igor Vetokele clipped the post with a shot from inside the penalty area. Charlton hit the post again a few minutes later after a corner had found Tal Ben Haim on the edge of the penalty area and his shot was deflected by Igor Vetokele onto the upright. Leeds should have taken the lead in the thirty-sixth minute when Sam Byram had been hauled down by Tal Ben Haim in the box, but Billy Sharp's spot- kick was tipped onto a post and away to safety with a fine sprawling save by Stephen Henderson. United were soon back and Alex Mowatt forced another good save out of the keeper at his near post when he sent in a dipping free-kick from thirty yards. United finally took the lead five minutes before half-time with a goal from Steve Morison. A fine delivery by Luke Murphy found the Welshman in good position to hammer home a volley for his first goal of the season. Stephen Henderson did get a touuch but the shot had too much power and it finished in the top corner of the net and United took their one goal lead into the half-time break. Charlton made their second change during the half-time break as Johann Berg Gudmundsson replaced Chris Eagles. It was the home team that started the half on the attack and Igor Vetokele broke through to shoot wide of Stuart Taylor's far post from the edge of the penalty area. The United keeper was again soon in the action as he pushed away a cross from the left by Morgan Fox as Frederic Bulot closed in and next Igor Vetokele almost provided Tony Watt with a chance as the home team maintained their attacking thoughts. United too had attacking ideas and Alex Mowatt had a shot the narrowly passed over Stephen Henderson's bar and Rodolph Austin got in a low shot from distance which the keeper saved on the hour mark. Eight minutes later Stuart Taylor was forced to make a strong two-handed save as he got down to a curling shot from Yonu Buyens but the home side drew level in the seventy-fourth minute. Tony Watt was found unmarked at the far post and fired in an unstoppable volley into the bottom corner of Stuart Taylor's net. Five minutes later, in the seventy-ninth minute, the home side took the lead from the penalty spot. Johann Berg Gudmundsson made a mazy run from midfield to get in a strong shot which could only be parried by the Leeds keeper, who could not react quick enough to regather and the ball was pounced on by Igor Vetokele. The Leeds keeper had little choice but to bring him down and a penalty was given. Yoni Buyens sent Stuart Taylor the wrong to score his eighth penalty of the season. United, who in truth had for long spells appeared to be the better of the two teams, looked to get back on terms in a game they deserved to win and Rodolph Austin forced Stephen Henderson to push away his long range strike. In the eighty-fourth minute Leeds made their first change with Brian Montenegro replacing Billy Sharp and four minutes later they made their second change as Chris Dawson came on for Sam Byram. Charlton made their final change in the first of five minutes added for stoppages as Simon Church came on for Igor Vetokele. Liam Cooper was wide with a back post header as Charlton held on to take the points. Neil Etheridge, Rhoys Wiggins, Roger Johnson and Christophe Lepoint were the unused substitutes for the home side, while Alex Cairns, Gaetano Berardi, Kalvin Phillips, Granddi Ngoyi and Casper Sloth were unused on United's bench. It was United's fifth consecutive defeat and they dropped to sixteenth place, twenty-three points behind sixth placed Ipswich Town and twelve above twenty-second placed Millwall.

United played their final away game of the season in their penultimate and forty-fifth League game of the season at Hillsborough, in a midday kick-off, against Sheffield Wednesday on 25th April 2015. Gaetano Berardi returned to the starting eleven in place of Billy Sharp who dropped to the bench, where Aidan White made a return to the United squad for the first time in the season, after being sidelined since the pre-season with an ankle injury, as Chris Dawson was omitted. United took 3,998 fans to their neighbours in this "Yorkshire Derby" which attracted a crowd of 28,227, and the match was refereed by Robert Madley of Wakefield. Former United favourite Tom Lees was in central defence in the Wednesday starting eleven. The game started at a frantic pace and United had their first sight of goal in the first minute, when Sam Byram won the ball on the edge of the box and created space for Alex Mowatt to run on goal, but Keiren Westwood denied the midfielder with his legs at the expense of a corner. Wednesday responded as Caolan Lavery cut inside on the edge of the penalty box before shooting over the United bar. It seemed that Leeds were creating the better chances and Alex Mowatt was agonisingly close in the fifteenth minute with a curling free-kick that had resulted from Sam Byram being brought down on the edge of the penalty area. The game was still even as both teams came to terms with the poor playing surface of the worn pitch. Stuart Taylor saved under immense pressure as he was well positioned to claw away a dangerous corner from Chris Maguire. At the other end Alex Mowatt saw a low shot blocked inside a crowded penalty box. It was the home side that took the lead in the thirty-sixth minute as Chris Magire scored from the penalty spot. Sam Byram tripped Lloyd Isgrove inside the box and Chris Maguire cleverly wrong-footed Stuart Taylor to score from the twelve yard spot. The goal gave Wednesday added imputus and the Leeds keeper was called upon to tip a back-post header from Tom Lees over the bar early in the three minute of stoppage time added at the end of the first-half. Alex Mowatt just had time to clip the wall with his thirty yard free-kick before the half came to an end to the frustration of the United team. Wednesday had the first shot at goal in the second half as an ambitious shot from a long distance free-kick by Chris Maguire was easily held by Stuart Taylor. Rodolph Austin scuffed an an attempt wide from the edge of the area after Alex Mowatt's free- kick had fallen to him. Soon after Souleymane Bamba and Liam Cooper got in each other's way as they tried to position themselves from another Alex Mowatt free- kick. The United equaliser finally came in the fifty-seventh minute when Charlie Taylor scored his second goal for the club. A free-kick from Luke Murphy was initially blocked by the Wednesday wall, but the ball fell to the onrushing Charlie Taylor who shot under Keiren Westwood. The home side looked to retaliate and Chris Maguire shot over on the turn. They then made a double substitution in the sixty-fourth minute with Will Keane replacing Lloyd Isgrove and Stevie May coming on for Jacques Maghoma. Caolan Lavery whipped a dangerous looking cross across the Leeds goal which Stuart Taylor was happy to see bounce behind. Stevie May then headed over from a corner. United made their first change of the afternoon in the seventieth minute as Billy Sharp replaced Alex Mowatt. The striker was involved almost immediately and played his part as United took the lead for the first time in the game. It was his industrious play that put Sam Byram into space and the young midfielder then played in Steve Morison to advance on goal. The Welshman's initial attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper's feet but he remained composed and and scored his second goal in consecutive games as he put the ball in the bottom corner of the net from an acute angle in the seventy- second minute. United remained on top and played confidently with a quick breakaway that saw Steve Morison cut the ball back for Charlie Taylor inside the box, but his good strike was blocked in the goalmouth. Rodolph Austin was over the bar with a speculative attempt from distance and then he made a surging run through the home defencebut Charlie Taylor was unable to get in a shot after being played in. The home side made their final substitution with five minutes of normal time remaining as Sergui Bus replaced Jeremy Helan. Although four minutes were added for stoppages United held firm to take the points to move up one place to fifteenth, twenty-two points behind sixth placed Derby County and fourteen above twenty-second placed Millwall. Chris Kirkland, Atdhe Nuhui, William De Havilland and Filipe Melo remained unused on the home bench and Alex Cairns, Aidan White, Granddi Ngoyi, Casper Sloth, Kalvin Phillips and Brian Montenegro were unused by Leeds.

The forty-sixth and final League encounter of the season saw United play Rotherham United at Elland Road in another midday kickoff on 2nd May 2015. Their opponents had battled against relegation all season and, after having three points deducted for playing an ineligible player, they came to Elland Road with forty-five points, just ten points behind United in twenty-first place, but still four points clear of twenty-second placed Millwall and safe from relegation. They had former Leeds player Paul Green on the bench and brought 2,477 supporters with them as the game was played in front of United's largest crowd, home or away, of 31,850. The referee was Andy D'Urso of Billericay, Essex. Neil Redfearn named an unchanged squad both on the field and on the bench. The game was off to a slow start with little threat to either goal as both battled to retain possession on a slippery pitch. Rotherham then settled the quicker and Danny Lafferty threaded a ball through to Matt Derbyshire, who got on the wrong side of Souleymane Bamba, but the defender recovered to avert the danger. Rotherham then started to get more possession but Stuart Taylor remained untested in the Leeds goal, as Danny Ward had a free-kick deflected for a corner. Richard Smallwood chipped a ball over the top which found Matt Derbyshire, but he could not get the ball to the waiting Danny Ward as his cross was well blocked by Souleymane Bamba. After fifteen minutes Lee Frecklington was fouled by Rodolph Austin, but Danny Ward put the resulting free-kick over the bar. Souleymane Bamba again came to his team's rescue when he charged down a goalbound shot from Danny Ward after a wayward clearance by Gaetano Berardi had fallen into his path. The tall Leeds defender was also involved at the other end of the pitch when he glanced a header wide from a Luke Murphy free-kick. United did get the ball in the net after twenty- three minutes but Steve Morison's neat finish was ruled out by the linesman's offside flag. Rotherham carved out the best chance to date when Lee Frecklington's cross from the right wing found Danny Lafferty unmarked at the backpost but his diving header sailed over the bar and into the Kop. The game was starting to open up after a slow start and the Rotherham goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, was brought into action for the first time when the Leeds captain, Liam Cooper, got in a backward header from an Alex Mowatt cross but the keeper gathered it safely. There was then a spell of good pressure from the home team and Charlie Taylor was unlucky to have the ball taken from his toe in the penalty area in a last ditch tackle by Kari Arnason after some good build up work down the right. A cross from the young left flanker was then flicked wide by Steve Morison. Rodolph Austin was inches away from scoring in the thirty-eighth minute after another promising move saw him let fly from thirty yards but a slight deflection saw it just wide of the Rotherham post as Emiliano Martinez scrambled to cover his far post. Lee Frecklington shot straight into Stuart Taylor's arms as Rotherham counter attacked with Ben Pringle prominent, and having his shot blocked by the impressive Souleymane Bamba. However, soon afterwards the referee's whistle brought an end to a largely forgettable first half. United started the second half brightly and Liam Cooper had a half-volley blocked in the crowded penalty area, before Luke Murphy was over the bar after the visitors defence gave him the chance to shoot from distance. Steve Morison and Alex Mowatt combined well to put the midfielder through on goal but his shot was deflected by Lawrie Wilson for a corner. Wednesday made their first change of the afternoon when after fifty-three minutes Jordan Bowery replaced Danny Ward. United made their first change three minutes later when Billy Sharp replaced Gaetano Berardi, and the forward was soon in the action and Richard Wood made a last-ditch tackle to keep him from finding the net. United were creating the better chances and, after Kari Arnason had brought down Luke Murphy on the edge of the penalty area, Alex Mowatt was looking to take his goal tally into double figures but his curling free-kick went over the bar on the hour mark. It was at that point that Jonson Clarke-Harris came on for Matt Derbyshire, as the Millers made their second change of the day. He was soon in the action as Souleymane Bamba prevented him from connecting with an inviting centre from Jordan Bowery and then Keri Arnason curled a long range effort over the home crossbar. Billy Sharp sent a right-footed shot over the bar before Leeds made their second change as Aidan White replaced Alex Mowatt after seventy-one minutes. A minute later Rotherham made their third and final change as ex-Leeds player, Paul Green, came on for Lee Frecklington. The game had a decidedly end of season look about it though United did seem to be more in control as the game wound down as it entered the final ten minutes. United made their final change when Brian Montenegro replaced Steve Morison with eighty-one minutes gone. Emiliano Martinez had been largely a spectator in the visitors' goal but Rodolph Austin brought him into the action with a long range shot which dipped and forced him to palm it over the bar and moments later Souleymane Bamba forced him to to save his header from a corner on the line. As the clock wound down Jonson Clarke-Harris hammered a speculative free-kick into the South Stand and even three minutes of stoppage time failed to break the deadlock. The draw saw United finish fifteenth, twenty-two points behind Ipswich Town in sixth place and fifteen above Millwall in twenty-second place while Rotherham moved up to twentieth with their point. Alex Cairns, Kalvin Phillips, Granddi Ngoyi and Casper Sloth were the unused Leeds substitutes, while Adam Collin, Robert Milsom, Adam Hammill and Conor Newton were unused by Rotherham United.

And so ended another season of disappointment, in which there was no real interest after Christmas as the team wallowed in mediocracy. A season full of incompetence and mismanagement at all levels with little or no highlights. Massimo Cellino lived up to his reputation for serial mismanagement of a football club as chaos reigned supreme and the long-suffering, but eternally loyal supporters looked on in disbelief as events off the field unfolded at far too regular intervals. Although officially banned from management of the club for much of the season there was little doubt who was making the decisions and a constant stream of directors, players and coaches passed through the revolving doors of Elland Road. David Hockaday, Darko Milanic and Neil Redfearn occupied the role of chief coach until Massimo Cellino reinforced his reputation for short patience with any underperforming coaches. His preference for Italian Serie B players caused a divided dressing room and made the jobs of the successive coaches and their assistants almost impossible and culminated in Neil Redfearn not being re-employed as chief coach at the end of the season and his final departure from the club after he was not allowed to do his job of Academy coach. The only bright light in the sorry debacle that the club had become was the constant influx of young players that continue to flow through the Academy and eventually into the top team. However, none of this hides the fact that the President and shareholders did not deliver once more on the promise to purchase Elland Road.

At the end of the season the loanees, Souleymane Bamba, Granddi Ngoyi, Adryan, Edgar Cani, Zan Benedicic, Brian Montenegro and Dario Del Fabro all returned to their clubs and any options on their services were not taken up. Academy players Daniel Atkinson, Luke Booker, Afolabi Coker, and scholars Isaac Assenso, Liam Bennett, Adam Berry, Piteu Crouz, Munya Mbanje and Ian Molloy were released, together with Rodolph Austin, Alex Cairns, Stuart Taylor, Zac Thompson, Michael Tonge and Aidan White. Central midfielder Isaac Assenso joined Scunthorpe United on 4th June 2015 on a one year contract from 1st July 2015. Left-back/Left midfielder Aidan White joined Rotherham United on 10th June 2015, effective from 1st July 2015. Striker Billy Sharp joined Sheffield United for 500,000 on 25th July 2015. Goalkeeper Alex Cairns signed for Chesterfield on 29th July 2015 on a six month contract. Striker Steve Morison joined Millwall on a free transfer on 4th August 2015. Goalkeeper Daniel Atkinson and midfield player Zac Thompson both joined Guiseley on 7th August 2015. Defender Afolabi Coker joined Norwich City on a one year deal on 21st August 2015. Striker Nicky Ajose joined Swindon Town on 2nd September 2015 on a three year contract. Former Captain Rodolph Austin joined Norwegian side IF Brondby on 9th September 2015, on a two year contract. Luke Booker, Michael Tonge and Stuart Taylor had not found new clubs by the start of the 2015-16 season and neither had Liam Bennett, Adam Berry, Piteu Crouz, Munya Mbanje and Ian Molloy.

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2014-2015: Applause for Leslie Silver: Team v Bournemouth on 20th January 2015

Left to Right: Scott Wootton, Steve Morison, Luke Murphy, Sam Byram, Giuseppe Bellusci, Marco Silvestri, Rodolph Austin, Alex Mowatt, Lewis Cook, Charlie Taylor, Liam Cooper.

2014-2015: Team at Sheffield Wednesday on 25th April 2015

Left to Right: Liam Cooper, Sam Byram, Steve Morison, Alex Mowatt, Stuart Taylor, Souleymane Bamba, Scott Wootton, Luke Murphy, Rodolph Austin, Charlie Taylor, Gaetano Berardi.

Players/Managers:

Neil Redfearn: Chief Coach, Adryan Oliveira Tavares , Nicky Ajose , Mirco Antenucci , Rodolph Austin , Souleymane Bamba , Gaetano Barardi , Zan Benedicic , Giuseppe Bellusci , Tommaso Bianchi , Sam Byram , Alex Cairns , Edgar Cani , Lewis Cook , Liam Cooper , Chris Dawson , Dario Del Fabro , Souleymane Doukara , Noel Hunt , Ross Killock , Brian Montenegro , Steve Morison , Alex Mowatt , Luke Murphy , Granddi Ngoyi , Jason Pearce , Kalvin Phillips , Billy Sharp , Marco Silvestri , Jake Skelton , Casper Sloth , Charlie Taylor , Stuart Taylor , Zac Thompson , Michael Tonge , Lewis Walters , Stephen Warnock , Aidan White , Scott Wootton .

Part 10: Uwe Rosler - Yet another new Dawn? The Italian Connection (Part 4) 2015-2015

2015-2016:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

The close season clearout effectively saw the exit of players on long contracts from previous regimes such as Neil Warnock and Brian McDermott and even the non-Italian purchases of David Hockaday. Uwe Rosler was appointed Head Coach on 20th May 2015, with Neil Redfearn reverting to Head of the Leeds United Academy. There was not the same frenzy of activity in the incoming players as was the case in the 2014-15 close season and the first signing was twenty-year-old Charlie Horton, a USA Under-Twenty-Three international, from Cardiff City on a two-year contract and a free transfer on 9th June 2015, who was expected to play for the Under-Twenty-One team and supplement the Leeds goalkeepers who were now in high demand. Striker, Twenty-One-year-old Lee Erwin, was the second signing, coming from Motherwell on a three year contract and a free transfer on the next day. He was quickly followed by the third signing, on 24th June 2015, by former loanee Souleymane Bomba, who signed a two year contract with a further option for another year, from Palermo for an undisclosed fee. The fourth signing was Centre Forward Chris Wood, a Twenty-Three-year-old New Zealand International, who came from Leicester City on 1st July 2015 on a four year contract, at a fee that could rise to £3million. The fifth signing was Twenty-three-year-old midfielder Tom Adeyemi, who came on a season's loan from Cardiff City on 14th July 2015. The following day Thirty-year-old Ross Turnbull, a former England Under-Sixteen through to Under-Twenty goalkeeper, became the sixth signing of the summer when he came on a free transfer from Barnsley on a two year contract. Signing number seven was Northern Ireland International right winger, Twenty-four-year-old Stuart Dallas, who signed a three year contract with a further year option when he was signed from Brentford for a fee thought to be around £1.3 million on 4th August 2015. The eighth signing came on 1st September 2015 when Dutch-born Congo International Winger, Twenty-two-year-old Jordan Botaka, was signed on a two year contract from Dutch club Excelsior for a fee in the region of £1 million. On 2nd October 2015, Will Buckley became the ninth United new man when he joined on a ninety-three day loan from Sunderland, which saw hin become available for the home fixture with Birmingham City on 3rd October 2015 until after the home game with Milton Keynes Dons on 3rd January 2016.

United started their pre-season games with a visit to Harrogate Town for an evening game on 10th July 2015. In the first half the team lined up: Marco Silvestri; Sam Byram, Scott Wootton, Giuseppe Bellusci, Liam Cooper; Kalvin Phillips, Alex Mowatt; Nicky Ajose, Mirco Antenucci, Lee Erwin, Chris Wood. Lee Erwin and Chris Wood both made their Leeds debuts. Cecil Nyoni put Harrogate in front in the thirty-second minute, when he was left with a simple task of tapping the ball home after a free-kick had been deflected into his path for the lead which they held until half-time. United replaced all the outfield positions at the start of the second half and lined up: Marco Silvestri; Gaetano Berardi, Souleymane Bamba, Ross Killock, Charlie Taylor; Casper Sloth, Tommaso Bianchi, Lewis Cook; Souleymane Doukara, Steve Morison, Billy Sharp. Steve Morison equalised for Leeds just four minutes into the second half when he flung himself into a diving header from a perfect Casper Sloth cross to beat the keeper from close range. Charlie Horton, who was making his Leeds debut, replaced goalkeeper Marco Silvestri in the seventy-fourth minute and other name substitutes were Lewis Walters, Adam Drury, a trialist from Manchester City, and Lewie Coyle. The game finished Harrogate Town 1 Leeds United 1, in front of a crowd of 3,500.

There were two games played on 15th July 2015 and therefore a more settled team was evident and in the first at Bootham Crecent, against League Two side York City, United played their stronger team and lined up: Ross Turnbull; Gaetano Berardi, Giuseppe Bellusci, Souleymane Bamba, Charlie Taylor; Sam Byram, Lewis Cook, Tommaso Bianchi, Alex Mowatt; Lee Erwin, Steve Morison. Ross Turnbull made his Leeds debut. Twenty-One-Year-old full-back trialist Adam Drury was given his Leeds debut when he replaced Lee Erwin after fifty-six minutes, Scott Wootton replaced Gaetano Berardi after seventy-two minutes and Nicky Ajose came on for Alex Mowatt five minutes later. Chris Wood had been in the original line-up but got a knock in the warm-up and Steve Morison took his place. Sam Byram gave Leeds the lead after thirty-five minutes when Alex Mowatt sent a perfect cross to the far post and the right midfielder headed in from close range. United led until the eightieth minute when, against the run of play, Martin McCoy tapped home at the far post after a cross from Anthony Straker. The unused Leeds substitutes were Charlie Horton, Alex Purver and Chris Dawson.

In another evening kick-off United had another fixture on the same day when they visited Tadcaster Albion. There was a sprinkling of potential first teamers but for the main part it was the Professional Development Under-Twenty-One team. The starting line up was: Marco Silvestri; Lewie Coyle, Ross Killock, Liam Cooper, Tyler Denton; Kalvin Phillips, Casper Sloth, Souleymane Doukara; Lewis Walters, Mirco Antenucci, Billy Sharp. Mirco Antenucci opened the scoring after just five minutes when he netted with a left-foot shot. Leeds were never in danger of losing but they squandered several easy chances as well as hitting the woodwork on at least three occasions, but they went to the half-time break with just a 1-0 lead. Billy Sharp doubled United's lead very early in the second half and the third came from Souleymane Doukara in the final ten minutes as he stroked the ball past the Tadcaster substitute goalkeeper, Pete Lawrie. For United Jake Skelton replaced Ross Killock, Ronaldo Vieira came on for Tyler Denton and Luke Parkin took over from Lewis Walters in the second half, while Eric Grimes, Robbie McDaid, Tom Lyman, Frank Mulhern and Eoghan Stokes remained unused as United won 3-0.

United next went on a contiental tour which embraced two games, one in Austria and one in Norway, against Bundesliga opposition. On 21st July 2015 United played Eintracht Frankfurt at the Eugendorf Sportzentrum near Salzburg in Austria. United played their strongest available line up and the starting eleven was: Marco Silvestri; Scott Wootton, Liam Cooper, Souleymane Bamba, Gaetano Berardi; Tommaso Bianchi, Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt, Sam Byram, Casper Sloth; Steve Morison. They made several changes throughout the game and in the fifty-sixth minute two changes were made with Tom Adeyemi making his debut in place of Tommaso Bianchi and Mirco Antenucci replacing Casper Sloth. Seven minutes later Charlie Taylor came on for Alex Mowatt, followed in the seventy-first minute by another double substitution with Kalvin Phillips replacing Lewis Cook and Souleymane Doukara coming on for Steve Morison. This was followed six minutes later by a triple substitution with Ross Turnbull replacing Marco Silvestri in goal, Giuseppe Bellusci coming on for Souleymane Bamba and Lee Erwin taking over from Sam Byram. This meant that only Scott Wootton, Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi played the full ninety minutes and that Charlie Horton, Lewie Coyle and Lewis Walters remained unused on the bench. Eintracht Frankfurt were the better of the two teams and it was against the run of play that United took the lead in the twenty- sixth minute after Sam Byram had led a counter attack down the right flank and fired a low cross into the area where Steve Morrison made his physical presence felt before hammering the ball past Heinz Lindner. It was a lead they kept past half time and it was not until fourteen minutes into the second half that the German team equalised. Johannes Flum was at the back post to tap home after Stefan Aigner's header across the goal area. The Franfurt winner did not arrive until sixteen minutes from time and it was a goal that, while deserved on the reflection of play, came somewhat fortuitously for the Bundesliga team and was unfortunate for Leeds. In a goalmouth scramble in the Leeds area, Liam Cooper managed to block an attempt by Stefan Reinartz on the line, but the Eintracht midfielder was able to find the net off the back of the unfortunate Scott Wootton to give his side a 2-1 lead which they held to full-time.

Four days later United took on Hoffenheim at Lillestrom SK's home ground in the Arasen Stadion to the East of Oslo in Norway. There were several changes to the starting eleven as Coach Uwe Rosler tried to give his potential first team players valuable game time. New signing Chris Wood made his debut as striker and on loan Tom Adeyemi was given his first start in the team which started as follows: Marco Silvestri; Gaetano Berardi, Souleymane Bamba, Giuseppe Bellusci, Charlie Taylor; Tom Adeyemi, Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt, Sam Byram, Souleymane Doukara; Chris Wood. Uwe Rosler had anticipated a stern test from the Bundesliga side and his views were confirmed after just two minutes as Mark Uth, the Hoffenheim midfielder unleashed an unstoppable volley to beat Marco Silvestri in the top corner. There was more bad news for United after just fifteen minutes as Lewis Cook limped out of the game to be replaced by Kalvin Phillips. Ten minutes later United were level as they performed a well-worked corner routine in which Alex Mowatt floated his flag kick to the far post, where Sam Byram climbed highest to head back across goal to Souleymane Doukara, who in turn flicked it into the path of Tom Adeyemi, who scored his first Leeds goal as he swept the ball into the net from six yards. The goal helped United's confidence and they came more into the game, but they went to the break at one goal each, and mainly due to the heroics of Marco Silvestri, it stayed that way until the sixty-seventh minute when one of the Hoffenheim substitutes, Steven Zuber, scored from close range. As in previous pre-season games Uwe Rosler rang the changes in the second half at regular intervals. In the sixty-first minute he sent on Mirco Antenucci to replace Souleymane Doukara and four minutes later Liam Cooper was given the left back berth in place of Charlie Taylor. There was then a double substitution in the eightieth minute as Lee Erwin replaced Sam Byram and Steve Morison came on for Chris Wood. Four minutes later Casper Sloth replaced Tom Adeyaemi and in the next minute Lewis Walters came on for Alex Mowatt. This left Marco Silvestri, Gaetano Berardi, Souleymane Bamba and Giuseppe Bellusci as the only players to remain on the field for the full ninety minutes, while goalkeepers Ross Turnbull and Charlie Horton, together with Lewie Coyle and Scott Wootton remained unused on the bench, as United went down 1-2.

There were a series of four Under-Twenty-One games played in the pre-season period and the first of these was at Pickering Town on Tuesday, 21st July 2015. There was a crowd of 213 at the Mill Lane ground to see United win 4-0. The referee was Jan Suchecki and United lined up: Eric Grimes; Mike Taylor, Tyler Denton; Alex Purver, Jack Vann, Jake Skelton; Nicky Ajose, Chris Dawson, Frank Mulhern, Eoghan Stokes, Luke Parkin. The substitutes were Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Jack Turnbull, Robbie McDaid, Tom Lyman, Tom Pearce, Tyla Bell. United were on top from the start and it took just four minutes for the home side to concede a penalty for a foul by George Foster and Chris Dawson opened the scoring from the spot. Just before half-time Leeds doubled their lead when Eoghan Stokes cut in from the right and fired a low right-footed shot on target and despite it touching Arran Reid's foot and hit the roof of the net before Dan Andrews could clear. Leeds finished off the game with two goals in two minutes on the hour mark as first Frank Mulhern was too strong for the Pickering defence as he stabbed the ball past replacement keeper Sam Dobbs and then Eoghan Stokes crowned an impressive performance by getting his second and United's fourth with a low hard -hit shot as Leeds ran out 4-0 winners.

Four days later the team took on Frickley Athletic at their SW Jackson Utilities Stadium at Westfield Lane in South Elmsall in front of a crowd of 399. Lee Freeman was the referee and United lined up: Bailey Peacock-Farrell; Jack Vann, Tyler Denton; Alex Purver, Ross Killock, Jake Skelton; Eoghan Stokes, Chris Dawson, Frank Mulhern, Luke Parkin, Tom Lyman. Former Leeds Academy player Simon Lenighan was in the Frickley Athletic starting eleven. It was he that put the home team in front after just four minutes with a strong shot from twenty-five yards. He was soon involved again ten minutes later as he got in a fine cross for Chris Wood to head powerfully into the net to double the lead. Eoghan Stokes pulled a goal back for Leeds on the half-hour mark when he side-footed the ball home from fifteen yards. Leeds had a chance to get back on level terms four minutes before half-time after a trip in the penalty area but Chris Dawson's penalty kick was brilliantly saved by Sam Leigh as he dived to his right. Brad Dockerty added a third for the home side with twenty minutes left on the clock when he beat two Leeds men in midfield before scoring from twenty yards. Ronaldo Vieira replaced Tom Lyman in the closing stages. Eric Grimes, Jack Turnbull, Robbie McDaid, Tom Pearce, Malik Wilkes were the other Leeds substitutes as they went down 3-1.

United next travelled to North Ferriby United on 28th July 2015 at their Eon Visual Media Stadium at Church Lane in North Ferriby near Kingston-upon-Hull. The Leeds team started with: Charlie Horton; Lewie Coyle, Tyler Denton; Alex Purver, Ross Killock, Jake Skelton; Lewis Walters, Chris Dawson, Eoghan Stokes, Lee Erwin, Nicky Ajose. There was a crowd of 283 that saw the home team get off to the better start and it was certainly against the run of play that Leeds took the lead after twenty-four minutes when Lee Erwin made a quick break down the right flank and his cross has hammered into the net by Eoghan Stokes. Leeds then had a spell in charge before the home side came back into the game and were the better team for the final ten minutes of the first half which saw them trail by 0-1. However, the home side equalised ten minutes into the second half, when Charlie Horton made a fine save from an Adam Bolder free-kick, but unfortunately for the keeper the ball reached Ash Palmer, who scored from close range. Two minutes later they got the lead they deserved when Lewie Coyle brought down Curtis Bateson in the penalty area and Liam King rifled the ball home from the spot despite a despairing dive by Charlie Horton. After that Leeds made many changes but they did not affect them suffering a 2-1 defeat. Frank Mulhern replaced Lee Erwin after sixty minutes followed closely by Luke Parkin for Nicky Ajose a minute later. The sixty-second minute saw a double substitution with Eric Grimes replacing Charlie Horton in goal and Jack Vann replacing Lewie Coyle at right back. There was a further double substitution in the seventy-seventh minute as Tom Lyman replaced Chris Dawson and Robbie McDaid came on for Eoghan Stokes. Tom Pearce and Mike Taylor remained unused on the Leeds bench.

United travelled to Holker Street to play Vanarama Conference Premier Division side Barrow on 1st August 2015 in front of a crowd of 766 and the game was refereed by Marc Edwards. The Leeds starting eleven was: Eric Grimes; Jack Vann, Tyler Denton; Alex Purver, Ross Killock, Jake Skelton; Lewis Walters, Chris Dawson, Eoghan Stokes, Nicky Ajose, Frank Mulhern. Bailey Peacock-Farrell replaced Eric Grimes in goal and their other substitutes were Tom Lyman, Mike Taylor, Robbie McDaid, Luke Parkin and Malik Wilkes. The game finished 0-0 and was not a very entertaining game and while there were one or two near misses there was little excitement in either goalmouth.

The first team had their final pre-season friendly on the same day as they took on EPL side Everton at Elland Road in front of a crowd of 17,057, of which 1,734 were in the Everton section. Martin Atkinson of Bradford was the referee. United lined up: Marco Silvestri; Gaetano Berardi, Souleymane Bamba, Giuseppe Bellusci, Charlie Taylor; Tom Adeyemi, Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt, Sam Byram, Souleymane Doukara; Chris Wood. It marked the first home games for Coach Uwe Rosler, striker Chris Wood, loanee Tom Adeyemi and substitute Lee Erwin. Former United loanee, Ross Barkley was in the Everton starting line-up. Chris Wood showed up well in the opening minutes of an even start to the game, and it was he that had the first shot on target in the eighth minute when he got in a ferocious shot from twenty-five yards that stung the hands of Everton keeper, Joel Robles, who was forced to dive to his left to keep the ball from entering the net. In a lively start United next pressed down the left flank, with Charlie Taylor prominent, and it was his cross that was deflected away from the on- rushing Chris Wood into the path of Alex Mowatt, but the midfielder was too high with his shot. United were on top at this stage but the visitors were the next to go close as in the thirteenth minute, as a low Steven Naismith cross was not well directed but got to Arouna Kone, who, though forced wide, found Kieron Dowell but the youngster's low shot defected for a corner. Chris Wood next held up the ball well and laid it off to Alex Mowatt, whose curling shot from twenty-five yards caused Joel Robles anxious moments as he scrambled across his goal and was happy when it was just wide. Leeds had had the better of the threats on goal and five minutes before half-time they had the ball in the net but Chris Wood was denied by the linesman's offside flag. The game remained scoreless at half-time and, while certainly nowhere close to full strength, there were sufficient EPL quality players in their side. Young defenders Gethin Jones, Matthew Pennington, Tyias Browning and Antonee Robinson acquitted themselves well, but first choice midfielders Ross Barkley and James McCarthy were largely outplayed by the Leeds midfield. During the break Everton made two substitutions, with Conor McAleny replacing James McCarthy and Tom Cleverley coming on for Arouna Kone. Conor McAleny was soon in the action and only a superb diving save by Marco Silvestri kept the midfielder from getting his name on the scoresheet in the fifty-sixth minute. Although Everton had started the second half the better of the two teams, in the overall concept of the game Leeds took a deserved lead in the fifty- seventh minute. After exchanging passes with Sam Byram inside the Everton penalty area, Alex Mowatt applied a cool left-footed finish and slotted the ball neatly past Joel Robles who watched helplessly. Chris Wood was making good contributions and it was his inch-perfect pass that played in Sam Byram, who clipped the ball marginally over the bar. There were several quick substitutions with twenty minutes to go. Kalvin Phillips replaced Lewis Cook, and two minutes later Lee Erwin came on for Souleymane Doukara, then four minutes after that the visitors made a double substitution with Ryan Ledson replacing Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallis coming on for Steven Naismith. In the eightieth minute United doubled their lead when when, after some good work by Tom Adeyemi, Chris Wood got in a strong shot from twenty-five yards and this took a deflection to leave Joel Robles totally beaten as it looped into the net. United made a triple change a minute after the goal with Scott Wootton replacing Tom Adeyemi, Mirco Antenucci coming on for Alex Mowatt, while up front Steve Morison took the place of Chris Wood. It could have been more as Steve Morison saw his shot kicked off the line and scrambled clear in the closing minutes. So with United having goalkeepers Ross Turnbull and Charlie Horton, Lewie Coyle, Liam Cooper and Casper Sloth, all unused, while Everton also had Jindrich Syanek, Leon Osman, Conor Grant and Liam Walsh, similarly unused, United scored an impressive 2-0 win over their EPL rivals to finish their pre-season campaign on a high note.

United went into the new season with a resounding win over a strong EPL team that would be expecting to be pushing for Europe, and in return Leeds would have had similar visions of promotion. They started with a televised, luchtimr kick- off again high class opposition against Burnley, who had been relegated from the EPL but who would have high expectations of a quick return. They featured former Leeds loanee, Sam Vokes, while United gave starting League debuts to new signings Chris Wood and Stuart Dallas together with the season-long loanee Tom Adeyemi from Cardiff City. New goalkeeper Ross Turnbull and striker, Lee Erwin, were included on the bench, as United lined up: Marco Silvestri; Gaetano Berardi, Souleymane Bamba, Giuseppe Bellusci, Charlie Taylor; Lewis Cook, Tom Adeyemi, Alex Mowatt; Sam Byram, Chris Wood and Stuart Dallas, with Ross Turnbull, Scott Wootton, Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips, Marco Antenucci, Lee Erwin and Souleymane Doukara on the bench. Kevin Friend of Leicester was in charge as the match got under way on 8th August 2015 in front of a crowd of 27,672 of which 1,719 were there to support Burnley, as Uwe Rosler took his place on the Leeds bench for his first League game in charge. United kicked-off with an extremely noisy crowd behind them, but it was the visitors who were first to get a shot on goal in the fifth minute when Lukas Jutkiewicz made an acrobatical attempt on goal at the far post, but it went over the Leeds goal. It was United that first starting to get in any kind of rhythm as Stuart Dallas twice went close, his first attempt was a half-volley, after good build up by Sam Byram which Burnley keeper Tom Heaton pushed onto the crossbar with his legs and then the keeper was able to hold his back-post volley after another flowing United move. Giuseppe Bellusci next got in a speculative shot which the Keeper held without difficulty, but new-boy Chris Wood had a first time shot blocked on the edge of the box. The visitors were not there to defend and after a defensive mistake by Giuseppe Bellusci, Michael Knightly was inches wide of the far post after side-footing across Marco Silvestri's goal, after twenty-eight minutes, and, after the home side failed to clear the ensuing inswinging corner, it was again the keeper in action as he pushed away a near post flick as Jelle Vessen looked on in disbelief. The impressive Sam Byram created an opening for Stuart Dallas and the former Brentford forward was about to shoot until Tendayi Dankwa made a vital tackle. The new United winger then impressed the Leeds fans as he won the ball from George Boyd to set another attack in motion. The interval came with Souleymane Bamba and Gaetano Barardi up with the attack, but spurning half chances and so it remained scoreless at half-time. Both teams were unchanged at the start of the second half and play was dull for a while but Alex Mowatt livened up proceedings, when he was inches away from opening the score with a low left-footed shot from the edge of the box. Two minutes later newcomer Tom Adeyemi shot over the bar after Sam Byram had headed a good ball down to him inside the box and this was quickly followed by Chris Wood also shooting over after Byram had similarly set up the chance with a flick-on header. But his worst miss was after Gaetano Barardi had crossed from the right and found the new star striker, but he failed to control the ball with the goal at his mercy and finished up holding hid head in his hands in frustration. Burnley were having all the luck as Alex Mowatt next shot wide when it was easier to score. As the contest started reaching its closing stages both coaches made their first changes with Sam Dyche making two changes in the sixty-ninth minute with former Leeds loanee, Sam Vokes, replacing Lukas Jutkiewicz and Marvin Sordell coming on for Jelle Vessen. Uwe Rosler sent on Mirco Antenucci for Stuart Dallas, who had made a good impression on his debut. However, the Italian soon showed his worth by carving a swathe through the Burnley defence after beating Tendayi Dankwa, but was well over from an acute angle, but he soon rewarded his manager with a goal in the eighty-third minute with a goal of stunning skill, as he cut in from the right wing, leaving Ben Mee in his wake, to unleash an unstoppable left foot shot that curled past the helpless Burnley keeper, Tom Heaton. The game was there for the taking with just seven minutes left on the clock. However, United failed to navigate the final minutes successfully and unsurprisingly it was the former Leeds loanee, Sam Vokes who equalised just three minutes later with four minutes remaining, heading home powerfully right in front of the Kop after George Boyd and Tendayi Dankwa had made the break down the right wing. United threw on their two remaining substitutes with one minute to go, as Scott Wootton replaced Lewis Cook and Souleymane Doukara came on for Alex Mowatt, while the visitors also brought on Matt Taylor for Michael Knightly. Despite five minutes of stoppage time neither side could break the deadlock and the points were shared one each. Ross Turnbull and Lee Erwin sat unused on the bench and did not make their debuts, and Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips were also unused. Notionally United were listed on the table at number thirteen but it meant little.

After ruing losing two points that were there for the taking against a side sure to feature in the promotion race, United's second fixture of the season saw a trip to Keepmoat Stadium to meet League One side Doncaster Rovers in the Capital One Cup, the latest name for the Football League Cup on Thursday, 13th August 2015. Uve Rosler used the tie to give playing time to his fringe players, as Ross Turnbull was given his chance in goal for Marco Silvestri, who dropped to the bench. Liam Cooper captained the team as he took over from Souleymane Bamba, who dropped to the bench, while Mirco Antenucci replaced Chris Wood, Scott Wootton started in place of Sam Byram, and Souleymane Doukara replaced Tom Adeyemi, as all those replaced dropped to the bench with the exception of Tom Adeyemi, who gave way to Luke Murphy on the bench. There was a crowd of 8,361, with an estimated 3,394 Leeds supporters as North Hertfordshire referee Keith Hill started the game on a rainy evening. While the start was frantic, neither side were able to take any advantage as the crowd noisily urged them on. There was little to show until the fourteenth minute when Mirco Antenucci made a good run down the left only to see his fine curling shot matched by an equally fine save from Thorsten Stuckmann in the Doncaster goal, but the custodian could only push it away straight into the path of Lewis Cook, who scored his first goal for United from close range to give United the lead. The home side looked to make a quick reply but it was in the twenty-first minute that Giuseppe Bellusci came to the rescue of his team when he acrobatically cleared off the line with an overhead kick that denied James Coppinger, whose lob seemed to be heading for the net. But United were still a threat and Alex Mowatt was inches away from connecting with a dangerous low cross from Souleymane Doukara, but it was Doncaster that were the next to score. It came from the penalty spot, after thirty minutes, when Scott Wootton tripped Cedric Evans inside the penalty area and Andy Williams scored from the spot beating Ross Turnbull low to his left. Worse was to follow for United as on the thirty-seventh minute mark, Lewis Cook received his marching orders with a straight red card after a challenge on Aaron Taylor-Sinclair. In fact they were lucky to go to the interval on level terms as James Coppinger shot wide with only Ross Turnbull to beat. There were no changes to either side after the interval, as the home side started to press with James Coppinger shooting over from distance and Andy Williams forcing Ross Turnbull to a superb flying save to push away his shot on the turn. As the home team were in the ascendency, Uwe Rosler made changes to hid depleted side in the sixty-seventh minute when he made a double substitution, sending on Luke Murphy for Souleymane Doukara and Chris Wood for Stuart Dallas. It did little to alter the course of the game and Ross Turnbull made a straight forward save from a Rob Jones header as he met a long ball into the box with a header. After Doncaster had replaced Cedric Evina by Nathan Tyson in the seventy-third minute, United made their final substitution by sending on Sam Byram for Alex Mowatt a minute later. The home side continued to apply the pressure as the game reached its last ten minutes of normal time, James Coppinger saw his low shot deflected behind and Andy Williams was narrowly wide with a back-post header just after. Leeds were hanging on thanks to Ross Turnbull who was getting plenty of practice in goal. With four minutes on the clock Andy Williams got his head to a precision cross from Richie Wellen but it passed the upright and then the custodian stretched to palm out a good shot from substitute Nathan Tyson, but then could only watch as Harry Forrester blazed the ball high over the bar from the rebound. Almost on time James Coppinger was once more wide of the target and a last minute break by the visitors almost saw the winner. In extre-time Leeds started to get on top and should have retaken the lead just five minutes in as Mirco Antenucci cut through the Doncaster defence before releasing Sam Byram, but Thorsten Stuckmann managed to get a strong right hand to his shot and push it away. The home side made their second substitution eleven minutes into the half as Curtis Main replaced Harry Middleton. United remained on the attack and Liam Cooper was high with an effort from within the box after being set up by Scott Wootton. Their domination continued through the first half of extra-time and Mirco Antenucci almost managed to get the ball in the net just on the stroke of half-time, but Thorsten Stuckmann was releived as he fumbled the ball on to the post, before it rolled to safety. There was no end to the stalemate and at the end of extra time the game went into penalties. The rain poured relentlessly as Doncaster won the toss and asked Leeds to shoot first. Mirco Antenucci cooly dispatched the first to give Leeds a 1-0 advantage. Nathan Tyson was unwavering to level at 1-1. Luke Murphy was equally confident as he made it 2-1, but Andy Williams repeated his earlier feat to make it 2-2. It was Sam Byram that was the first to miss as he was well over, giving Doncaster the chance to go ahead. Harry Forrester duly made it 3-2. With the pressure now on Chris Woods buried his head in his hands for the second game in quick succession as he blazed the ball high over the bar to give Doncaster a chance to seal the game. Richie Wellens scored to give Doncaster an unassailable 4-2 lead to win the game for his team. Marco Silvestri, Souleymane Bamba, Kalvin Phillips and Lee Erwin remained unused on the bench, with the later still to make his first appearance, as United slipped ignominiously from the League Cup.

United's first away League fixture, their second in the League was at the Madejski Stadium, Reading on Sunday 16th August 2015, with United making six changes from the team at Doncaster as he restored his regulars to the team. As expected Marco Silvestri, Souleymane Bamba, who resumed the captaincy, Tom Adeyemi, Sam Byram and Chris Wood took over from Ross Turnbull, Giuseppe Bellusci, Souleymane Doukara, Scott Wootton and Mirco Antenucci, while Kalvin Phillips took Lewis Cook's spot as he started his suspension. The five replaced players took their place on the bench alongside Luke Murphy and Lee Erwin in front of a 21,581 crowd of which 4,131 were Leeds supporters. Chris Kavanagh of Manchester was in charge as the game got underway with the home side soon on the attack. In fact, after just two minutes, United could count themselves lucky that they were not playing without their captain, as Souleymane Bamba received only a yellow card after his foul on Hal Robson-Kanu on the edge of the penalty area. Fortunately for United, Oliver Norwood curled a harmless free-kick straight into the arms of Marco Silvestri from the ensuing free-kick. Stuart Dallas showed the Leeds supporters what they could expect from him as he found an opening to goal and forced Jonathan Bond to make a good save from his well struck shot. The game started to become an end-to-end battle but for all that, there were not many chances created. Marco Silvestri easily held a poweful long distance effort from Hal Robson-Kanu on the thirty minute mark, but otherwise neither goalkeeper was truly tested. Gaetano Berardi latched onto a ball on the right wing that had fallen kindly for him to smash a first-time effort wide from an acute angle. This was soon followed by Stuart Dallas getting in a looping header, which went just over the bar, after good work by Alex Mowatt and Sam Byram down the right had ended in a good cross. This saw United in the ascendency as the interval came and the teams remained goal-less. Neither team made any changes at half-time and it continued, as the first had ended, with the visitors on the attack. However, while they had plenty of possession they never threatened the Reading goal. It was approaching the one hour mark before Tom Adeyemi tried a speculative shot from distance which Oliver Norwood managed to divert before it became a threat on the goal. But Reading answered by going on the attack and forcing a corner from which Paul McShane rose to head it over the bar. The two defences were now clearly on top, with chances at a premium, but on the seventy minute mark Chris Wood managed to evade the Reading defence and latch onto a long through ball, but his his half volley could only find the sidenetting. Moments later Orlando Sa also found the side-netting, when he tried to beat Marco Silvestri at his near post with a low drive.Uwe Rosler tried to spice things up as the stalemate continued when he made a double substitution, in the seventy second minute, when he sent on Luke Murphy for Kalvin Phillips and Mirco Antenucci for Alex Mowatt. Reading responded five minutes later by replacing Stephen Quinn by Aaron Tshibola and then brought on Simon Cox for Nick Blackman in the eighty-second minute. The Leeds move almost proved a success as four minutes from time the tireless Chris Wood collected a long ball on his chest and turned to get in a dipping half-volley which only just went over the bar and landed on the roof of the net. Reading made their final substitution with one minute left on the clock when Michael Hector replaced Oliver Norwood. Despite there being three minutes added for stoppages the game remained goalless. Ross Turnbull, Scott Wootton, Giuseppe Bellusci, Lee Erwin and Souleymane Doukara remained unused on the Leeds bench as the League table showed Leeds in sixteenth position,four ponts behind leaders Brighton and Hove Albion and two more than bottom club Rotherham United, but having played two of the League's better sides.

For their third League game of the season, United were again on the road with a visit to newly promoted Bristol City on Wednesday 19th August 2015 and their supporters numbered 1,317 in a crowd of 14,712. Uwe Rosler made three changes to the side that won a point at Reading. Scott Wootton came in at right back for Gaetano Berardi, Giuseppe Bellusci was preferred to Liam Cooper in central defence, while Mirco Antenucci ousted Alex Mowatt on the left of midfield. Lewis Cook was unavailable as he was serving a three match ban for his dismissal at Doncaster. Surrey referee Gavin Ward was in charge as the evening kick-off got under way with the home team making most of the early running. After two minutes Souleymane Bamba was forced to a crucial clearance as he headed a dangerous cross from Joe Bryan behind for a corner and soon after Scott Wootton came to their rescue after Aaron Wilbrahim arrived right on cue to meet a cross at the near post, but the full back made a last ditch clearance. Joe Bryan and Jonathan Kodjia seemed to have opened up the Leeds defence but the offside flag intervened. Then Callum Robinson had a run into the box checked but Jonathan Kodjia got in a snap-shot which Marco Silvestre dived to his left to save. This was followed by plenty of end-to-end play and there was a swift break by Leeds which saw Tom Adeyemi only inches from controlling the final pass from Mirco Antenucci after a good exchange of passes between the two players as the progressed down the wing. But it was Bristol that had the first attempt on goal. However it contained no real threat to Marco Silvestri, as Callum Robinson cut inside, but his shot was well over the bar. Tom Adeyemi was having a strong game and seemed intent on covering every blade of grass on Ashton Gate and it was he that had the next attempt on goal but his header from a Kalvin Phillips cross was also over the bar. Marco Silvestri was finally called into action as he dived low to save a shot by Jonathan Kodjia from outside the box, but he had Stuart Dallas to thank moments later when he was on hand to kick Aden Flint's header from the ensuing corner from Marlon Pack. He was again called on to be alert as he saved from Joe Bryan at the near post, but was pleased when the Bristol man skied his second attempt well over the bar from the rebound. Bristol were having the better of the play but were caught out by a quick counter attack, after Ryan Fredericks had been dispossessed on the edge of the Leeds box. This left only Korey Smith in deep defence, but outnumbered by four to one, and after Chris Wood had advanced fifty yards down the wing he released the ball perfectly to Mirco Antenucci, it resulted in Leeds being given a golden opportunity. The Bristol goalkeeper, Ben Hamer, felled Mirco Antenucci inside the box as the Italian tried to round him. Referee Gavin Ward hesitated before pointing to the spot, but Antenucci got up, dusted himself down and sent the City keeper the wrong way as he gave United the lead after thirty-nine minutes, to send the Leeds supporters behind the goal wild with excitement. Sam Byram then had a downward header well save by Ben Hamer, as United sought to build on their lead, but Marco Silvestri came to their rescue, almost on half-time with a save from point-blank range from Callum Robinson as the home side mounted several attacks at the end of the first half. There were no changes as the teams re-emerged for the second half, with City quick to get on the attack. Aaron Wilbraham made a strong run into the area and got in a good low strike which Marco Silvestri was forced to save with his legs. But it was Leeds that scored the next goal in the fifty-second minute as Chris Wood scored his first competitive goal for the club. The goal was similar in many respects to the United first goal. It was another counter attack. This time Mirco Antenucci found the striker on the right wing and the big Kiwi beat his marker and cut inside to score with an unstoppable left-foot shot into Ben Hamer's bottom corner of the net to give United a 2-0 lead. The goal was the second fine example of a quick counter attack and the visitors started to look comfortable with a two goal cushion. Bristol soon looked to change their fortunes with a change of personel, and in the fifty-fifth minute replaced Ryan Fredericks by Wes Burns and just two minutes later sent on Bobby Reid for Callum Robinson. Uwe Rosler shuffled his pack in the sixty-fifth minute when Mirco Antenucci, who had had a fine game, was replaced by Alex Mowatt. City had a half chance when substitute Bobby Reid got in a cross from the left wing but Aaron Wilbraham just failed to connect and soon after Derrick Williams sent a strong but harmless free-kick over the bar. Bristol made their final substitution in the seventy-first minute with Kieran Agard coming on for Jonathan Kodjia, while United made their second substitution in the eighty-third minute with Gaetano Berardi replacing Sam Byram. It was the Bristol substitution that paid the dividend with just one minute of normal time left, when it was Kieran Agard who reduced the arrears, when after combining with Bobby Reid, his shot from inside the box hit the inside of the near post before finding the net. An astonishing six minutes were added and with just one of them remaining Aden Flint scrambled in a last-gasp corner, taken by Bobby Reid, from close range to see the scores levelled. Marco Silvestre had pushed out a header from that corner by Marlon Pack but his parry was seized on by the substitute. Ross Turnbull, Liam Cooper, Luke Murphy, Lee Erwin and Souleymane Doukara remained unused on the bench for Leeds. The point took Leeds to three and fifteenth on the table, winless but undefeated, four points behind leaders Ipswich Town and two above bottom club Bolton Wanderers.

United returned to Elland Road for the fourth game of the League campaign on Saturday 22nd August 2015 for the "Yorkshire Derby" with Sheffield Wednesday. Uwe Rosler made two changes in defence with Gaetano Berardi replacing Scott Wootton at right back and Liam Cooper taking over from Giuseppe Bellusci in central defence, with both players dropping to the bench as the same squad was maintained. Former Leeds central defender Tom Lees, was at the heart of the Owls defence, no doubt with a point to prove as Chester referee Mike Jones got the lunchtime fixture off to a start in front of a crowd of 22,597, of which 1,313 were there to support Wednesday. It was the visitors who made the first impression as Portugese Under-Twenty-One International Marco Matais worked his way through and hit a low drive that was comfortably held by Marco Silvestri. But Rosler's men were soon asking the questions inside the first ten minutes as Stuart Dallas finished high of the crossbar from twenty yards after a good spell of Leeds pressure. However, neither side really threatened the opposing goal and both keepers remained untested. The nearest either side came was when Mirco Antenucci had benefitted from a Chris Wood knockdown and had the Wednesday keeper, Lewis Price, scrambling across his goal after the Italian let loose with a Twenty-five yard half-volley drive, which passed agonisingly close to the far post. It was going to take something special to break the deadlock. In the thirty-seventh minute it happened but it was the visitors that got the ball in the net. The dangerous Marco Matais broke the Leeds off-side trap, by racing onto Vincent Sasso's through ball, flicked the ball from right foot to left foot to bamboozle Liam Cooper, and then stunning not only Marco Silvestri, but also the Kop, as he unleashed a dipping volley of great precision from all of twenty-five yards, that deceived everyone as it looped onto the crossbar before hitting the net to give the Owls the lead, with a classic smash and grab counter attacking raid. United tried to get back on level terms before half-time and twice went close with Stuart Dallas's shot taking the merest of deflections off Chris Wood before it flew past the post and then on the stroke of half-time Mirco Antenucci fired over from an acute angle. It had been a half of not much good football or goalmouth entertainment with a referee eager to fill his notebook and players that gave him every reason to do so. There were no changes to either side after the interval and it was Leeds that started on the front foot, winning a corner conceded by Liam Palmer and taken by Kalvin Phillips, which captain Souleymane Bamba rose to head goalwards, but straight into the arms of Lewis Price. Marco Matais brought down Sam Byram just outside the right hand side of the penalty box and Kalvin Phillips fired the free-kick into the side-netting. Uwe Rosler made a double substitution in the fifty-sixth minute when Alex Mowatt replaced Sam Byram and Luke Murphy took over from Kalvin Phillips. Alex Mowatt was soon in the game, sending a speculative shot from distance high over the crossbar. Five minutes later United got their reward as Chris Wood scored his second goal in consecutive games. It was mainly thanks to Stuart Dallas who displayed brilliant wing play down the right, after a build up by Souleymane Bomba and Alex Mowatt, before nutmegging his marker to deliver a low cross for the striker to guide home from close range to equalise. A minute later Wednesday made their first change with Jack Hunt replacing Modou Sougou, as the latter seemed in danger of being sent off. In the sixty-seventh minute Keiran Lee squandered a chance to give Wednesday the lead, when he tamely headed straight at Marco Silvestri, who also had to be alert to hang on to a header from Liam Palmer, but then Chris Wood was unlucky not to have headed Leeds into the lead, when Charlie Taylor had sent over a cross which the big Kiwi got up to to meet with a towering header but it flew narrowly wide of the post, but he really should have scored from such a golden opportunity. Surprisingly the dangerous Marco Matais was substituted in the seventy-fifth minute and replaced by Jeremy Helan and it could have been the reason for Leeds having the better of the final fifteen minutes. Both teams made their final substitutions with five minutes left on the clock with Souleymane Doukara replacing the impressive Stuart Dallas and Alejandro Lopez coming on for Jose Semedo for Wednesday. But it was Leeds that continued to press with Alex Mowatt curling a long range free-kick into the arms of Lewis Price and Mirco Antenucci then saw two efforts from the edge of the penalty area blocked one soon after the other. However, although there were five minutes added for stoppages there was no further addition to the score and United recorded their fourth draw in as many matches as Ross Turnbull, Scott Wootton, Giuseppe Bellusci and Lee Erwin remained unused on the bench and the four points accumulated saw them in fifteenth spot, six points behind leaders Ipswich Town and three points above bottom club, Rotherham United.

After a two week international break, United named an unchanged team from the one that obtained their first win at Derby County as they faced their sixth League fixture of the season with a home game against eighteenth placed Brentford on Saturday, 12th September 2015 in front of a crowd of 25,126 of which only 621 had travelled to support the visitors. Nigel Miller of County Durham was the referee.The yet unbeaten United entered the game with confidence, but it was the visitors that made the early running and Gaetano Berardi came to United's rescue as he was in position to clear a Konstantin Kerschbaumer's low shot, from ten yards, off the line in the very first minute, after he had started the move which also involved Lasse Vibe and Marco Djuricin. But Leeds soon started to apply the pressure and Brentford goalkeeper, David Button looked unconvincing as he pushed away Charlie Taylor's curling long range shot on goal. The home side were the more dominant of the two sides and seemed the more likely to open the scoring, but neither side were really threatening. The Brentford keeper, David Button was called upon to get down smartly to save from Lewis Cook and the the lively Stuart Dallas had a shot blocked as he burst into the box. In the twenty-second minute Stuart Dallas, facing his former team for the first time, curled a right-footed shot over the bar, but still neither keeper had really been tested. When the visitors next went on the attack, Alan Judge cut in from the left wing but his shot went high and wide over the bar. As the first half reached its midway point Brentford started to get on top as Alan McCormack and Toumani Diagouraga took control of the midfield and Alan Judge came into his own on the left wing, while Marco Djuricin was posing Souleymane Bamba all kinds of questions and he almost made the Leeds Captain pay for a slip, but Liam Cooper came to rescue with a fine recovering tackle. Alan Judge was the next to threaten and went close again as he picked up a long ball from Marco Djuricin to cut inside and unleash a shot which narrowly cleared the bar from eighteen yards. Not unsurprisingly the visitors took the lead in the twenty-ninth minute as Alan Judge was the architect as he picked up a long ball out of defence to skip past Souleymane Bamba and delayed his pass long enough until newly-signed Austrian international, Marco Djuricin, was ready and the striker then cut inside Liam Cooper to beat Marco Silvestri with ease. Brentford continued to dominate the midfield and looked to add to their lead and James Tarkowski went close from a set piece. At half-time Uwe Rosler replaced Alex Mowatt with Mirco Antenucci and switched to a more attacking 4-4-2 system with the Italian partnering Chris Wood as strikers. It was the visitors that created the first chance of the second half as Jake Birdwell got up to a back-post header, but Chris Wood who was back in defence turned the effort behind for a corner as it bounced across the face of goal. There as little doubt that the introduction of Mirco Antenucci had added punch to the Leeds attack and he was inches away from getting onto a Stuart Dallas cross, after the winger got in a low cross after he had weaved his way towards the by-line. Uwe Rosler made his second change of the afternoon, in the fifty-seventh minute, when he introduced Luke Murphy in place of Tom Adeyemi. United were now showing signs of improvement and Sam Byram shot over the bar from twenty yards after Lewis Cook had made a good run to set him up with the chance. However, Brentford continued to look dangerous with their pace in counter attack and Marco Djuricin should have doubled their lead but his shot was too casual and clipped the outside of the post when he should have scored with a little more concentration. Leeds hit the post in the sixty-fifth minute when Chris Wood's deflected effort from close range was pushed on to the post by David Button before the defence scrambled it away. Two minutes later, the visitors made their first change as Philipp Hofmann replaced Marco Djuricin and soon after Lasse Vibe shot over from twenty yards as the visitors made a quick counter attack as the game started to open up. The Bees made their second change as Ryan Woods replaced Maxine Colin in the seventy-third minute. Three minutes later Leeds drew level with Mirco Antenucci's third goal of the season. Chris Wood found the Italian on the right of the penalty area and, just as at Burnley on the opening day of the season, he cut inside to beat the goalkeeper, David Button, with a delightful curling shot, giving him no chance. Brentford were forced to make a third change after substitute Philipp Hofmann limped off and was replaced by Sergi Canos, who was on loan from Liverpool, with seven minutes left on the clock. The goal rejuvenated United and saw them regain the ascendancy as Sam Byram twice threatened with strikes from distance as the game moved towards four minutes of stoppage time. Charlie Taylor then tested the Brentford keeper with a looping header, and Lasse Vibe curled a shot wide for the visitors after some good build up. Chris Wood had a shot blocked and Luke Murphy shot wide, but Mirco Antenucci was gifted a really golden opportunity in the final minute of added time, as the Brentford keeper found him with a piece of poor distribution, and he was sent racing towards goal, but David Button redeemed himself as he dived to hold on to the Italian's low shot and so the game ended in a 1-1 draw.Ross Turnbull, Scott Wootton, Giuseppe Bellusci, Kalvin Phillips and Souleymane Doukara remained unused on the Leeds bench as United remained unbeaten, but with just one win, in eleventh place on the ladder, with eight points from six games, eight points behind leaders Brighton and Hove Albion and six above bottom club, Rotherham United.

United were again at Elland Road for their seventh game of the season, as they entertained eighth placed Ipswich Town, who were just two points ahead of them in the table, in a Tuesday night encounter on 15th September 2015. Uwe Rosler made two changes from the home draw with Brentford, with Mirco Antenucci and Luke Murphy being rewarded for their performances after coming on as substitutes, by replacing Sam Byram and Alex Mowatt who replaced them on the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad. There was a crowd of 21,312, which included 520 who were there to support Ipswich Town and James Adcock of Nottinghamshire was the referee in charge. There was a slow opening to the match and ten minutes had passed before either side threatened the others goal. United had started fairly brightly and Gaetano Berardi low cross was scrambled clear with Chris Wood on hand to capitalise on any mistakes, and Lewis Cook had a penalty appeal turned down as he was upended when surging into the penalty area. The game reached the twenty minute mark and neither goalkeeper had been brought into the action, but Leeds had had the better of play territorially, with play being mainly in the Ipswich half. The first effort on goal came midway through the first half as Mirco Antenucci picked up the ball on the eighteen yard line and was invited to advance as the Ipswich defence backed off. This he did and his shot was deflected into the arms of Dean Gerken in the Ipswich goal. Gaetano Berardi was the next Leeds player to try his luck after a corner had been cleared in his direction, but his shot from distance was high and wide. In the thirty-second minute Ipswich took the lead after the visitors had broken quickly from defence and defender Tommy Smith headed home from close range as Marco Silvestri had misjudged and failed to claim Ryan Fraser's corner that the swift attack had produced. Ipswich striker David McGoldrick then shot over from a tight angle, but generally he had been closely watched by the Leeds captain Souleymane Bamba. There was a quick response from the home team and both Tom Adeyemi and Mirco Antenucci had shots blocked as a frustrating half came to a close. There were no changes to either team after the half-time break, but the visitors started the more dangerous of the two combatants, with Marco Silvestri alertly getting down to a sharp cross from Darryl Murphy from the left. He was soon in action again as Ashley Maitland- Niles forced him to clutch onto a strong volley from the Arsenal loanee. He was further involved when he pushed away a deflected effort from Ryan Fraser as Ipswich kept up the pressure in their search for a second. Uwe Rosler made his first change of the evening in the fifty-ninth minute when he replaced Stuart Dallas by Sam Byram. This had the required effect as Leeds stepped up a gear and started to threaten as Lewis Cook glided through the Ipswich midfield and exchanged passes with Chris Wood before shooting over the bar from just outside the penalty box. But Ipswich were still enjiying the better of the chances and both Ryan Fraser and Darryl Murphy threatened the Leeds goal. The Leeds frustrations grew and in the sixty-ninth minute Uwe Rosler replaced Tom Adeyemi with Alex Mowatt, in the hope that he could reproduce his goalscoring heroics of the same fixture earlier in the year. Ipswich made a double substitution in the seventy-sixth minute with Jonny Parr coming on for Ryan Fraser and Giles Coke replacing Cole Skuse, after the two departing players had been treated for injuries. Lewis Cook was by far the best Leeds player, and their main threat with his speed on the break, and it was he that twice fired wide from outside the penalty box as the crowd urged their team on in the final ten minutes. Jonas Knudsen conceded a needless corner as the game moved into its final ten minutes, when he failed to find Dean Gerken with his header back to the goalkeeper. From the resulting corner Luke Chambers superbly headed out from under the bar. The visitors made their final substitution in the eighty-fourth minute when Brett Pitman replaced Ashley Maitland-Niles. The game could have revolved around James Adcock's decision two minutes later, when Sam Byram was brought down in the Ipswich box by Jonas Knudsen as he tried to round him. The referee had no hesitation in giving Ipswich a free-kick for simulation by the Leeds player, a decision that was proved correct on slow-motion replays. Leeds were still pushing for an equaliser as the game moved into the six minutes added for stoppage time, but Ipswich held firm and inflicted on Leeds their first defeat of the season, as Ross Turnbull, Scott Wootton, Giuseppe Bellusci, Kalvin Phillips and Souleymane Doukara remained unused on the bench and Leeds stayed on eight points and slipped to fourteenth on the table, now eleven points behind leaders Brighton and Hove Albion and six above bottom club Rotherham United.

For their eighth game of the season, United visited newly promoted Milton Keynes Dons, who were sat in sixteenth position, two places below United with one point less, on Saturday, 19th September 2015. After their first defeat of the season Uwe Rosler made three changes to his starting eleven, with Gaetano Berardi giving way to Scott Wootton at right back and Alex Mowatt and Sam Byram took over \from Tom Adeyemi and Mirco Antenucci respectively. The three dropped to the bench where he brought in new signing Jordan Botaka in preference to Souleymane Doukara. There was a crowd of 19,284 in attendance including a huge Leeds following of 6,297 to urge on their favourites. Lancashire born David Webb was the referee. United were off to a good start, much to the pleasure of their huge following, as Alex Mowatt and Sam Byram combined to create an early opening, but the former's shot was blocked on the edge of the area. Almost immediately United were back on the attack and Charlie Taylor shot just wide as they created further chances. But the home side too, were not short on creating chances as Carl Baker, who enjoyed some good work with Jordan Spencer in the build up, got in a shot from distance that went wide of Marco Silvestri's post and then Souleymane Bamba came to United's rescue when he was well-placed to slide in to divert a dangerous looking cross from the right by Jordan Spence. However, their best chance fell to Rob Hall, who skipped away from two would be tacklers and into the United penalty area before unleashing a shot that was inches wide. At the other end Chris Wood went agonisingly close to connecting with Lewis Cook's floated ball over the top after the striker had broken the offside trap, then on the sixteen minute mark, Josh Murphy curled a shot over the bar for the home team as the first twenty minutes continued on its end-to-end contest. It could not be said that Marco Silvestri had not been truly tested but that changed as Sam Gallagher got in a shot which forced the keeper to acrobatically turn it over the bar with a finger -tip save. Former Leeds loanee, David Martin, in the Milton Keynes Dons' goal, was forced into his first save of the afternoon in the twenty-fourth minute when he got down to his right to stop a low shot from Chris Wood as it headed for the target. At the other end Josh Murphy produced some fancy footwork to leave Scott Wootton in his wake before testing Marco Silvestre. Once more Rob Hall and Josh Murphy threatened, and the latter was denied by Marco Silvestri's outstretched leg at the near post, after he had worked his way into the area. However it was, against the run of play, the visitors that broke the deadlock in the thirty-first minute, when Chris Wood scored his fourth goal of the season. It started with Charlie Taylor making a strong run down the left flank and as he cut in on goal he was scythed down by in a clumsy challenge by Carl Baker. David Webb had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Chris Wood excecuted the penalty perfectly, sending David Martin the wrong way, much to the delight of the travelling away fans. The big striker could have doubled the lead just seven minutes later, but he appeared to see the flight of Stuart Dallas' cross late and could only chest the ball over the bar, instead of heading or shooting the ball home on the volley. The home side sought to respond and only a brilliant reflex save from Marco Silvestri turned a shot from Rob Hall onto the post for Sam Gallagher to wastefully smash the ball over the bar with an open goal gaping. The wastefulness was punished as two minutes before half-time United made it 2-0 with a superb individual goal from Charlie Taylor. In a storming run the full-back charged forward, shrugging off several challenges, before firing an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of the net. Both teams emerged for the second half unchanged and Leeds were the first to create a chance as after four minutes Sam Byram beat his marker and cut inside but his shot curled over the bar. In the fifty-seventh minute Alex Mowatt was denied at the near post by David Martin, after he had created space in the box with some fine persistent play. A minute later Milton Keynes made a double substitution as Sam Gallagher and Rob Hall were withdrawn from their attack and replaced by Simon Church and Ben Reeves. It was Josh Murphy that remained the home side's main threat and it was he that forced Marco Silvestri to his knees to make a save lowdown on the hour mark. The Leeds keeper was soon forced into another fine save as Diego Poyet's first-time effort produced a fingertip save to push it over the bar, but Josh Murphy went even closer as his ferocious shot hit the upright when he hit the ball as he burst into the penalty area. In the seventy-third minute the home side made their final substitution as Dean Bowditch replaced Jordan Spence at right back. One minute later they pulled a goal back, as Josh Murphy got in a low cross from the left and Simon Church touched the ball into the net from close range. United made their first change three minutes later when Tom Adeyemi replaced Alex Mowatt in midfield. The home side were then reduced to ten men as Samir Curruthers got a straight red card after a mis-timed tackle on Stuart Dallas, after seventy-eight minutes. Despite this the home side continued to throw everything at Leeds in the closing stages and once more Marco Silvestri came to United's rescue as he beat away a strong goalbound shot from Ben Reeves from twenty-five yards. United almost made their numerical advantage count as Chris Wood received the ball from Stuart Dallas on the break, but his shot hit the side-netting. After eighty-four minutes Uwe Rosler made his second change as Mirco Antenucci came on for Sam Byram. The referee added six minutes for stoppages. Two minutes into injury time Uwe Rosler wound down the clock by sending on Giuseppe Bellusci for Stuart Dallas as he shored up his defence. In a frantic finale there were goal-line clearances at both ends. A corner to the home team was headed clear and Leeds broke with goalkeeper David Martin still upfield for that corner. Lewis Cook was the player leading the charge but he was denied by a superb recovering clearance off the line. In the final minute ofthe game the home team thought they had equalised as Antony Kay's powerful header from a Josh Murphy corner had goal written all over it but it was blocked on the line. Ross Turnbull, Gaetano Berardi, Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Botaka remained unused on the bench, as United picked up their second win of the season to take them to eleven points and a tenth spot on the ladder, nine points behind leaders Brighton and Hove Albion and six points above bottom-placed Rotherham United.

The ninth League game of the season saw United visit the Riverside Stadium on 27th September 2015 To play Middlesbrough, who were sitting in second place, six points in front of United.They showed five chances from their win at MK Dons, with an enforced replacement of Chris Wood by Mirco Antenucci, due to injury, and elsewhere Jordan Botaka was given his Leeds starting debut in preference to Sam Byram on the right wing, and the recall of Gaetano Berardi at right back for Scott Wootton, the return of Giuseppe Bellusci for Liam Cooper, in central defence, and Tom Adeyemi for Luke Murphy in midfield, with Souleymane Doukara taking the spare place on the bench as all other replacements joined him there. Former United midfielder Adam Clayton was in the Middlesbrough starting eleven, and was later given the Middlesbrough "Man of the Match" award. Once again the match was live on television with a 1.15pm kick-off in front of a crowd of 27,694, with the travelling Leeds fans numbering 2,652. Neil Swarbrick of Preston, Lancashire was the referee as the game kicked off in a cauldron of noise. No one really had time to settle before the home side took the lead in the third minute as David Nugent, in acres of space, fired into the roof of the net as he scored from close range after Christian Stuani crossed from the right side of the penalty area, after beating Charlie Taylor. The early goal gave the home side the ascendency, which saw them take control of the early stages as Leeds struggled to keep them out. They could have easily doubled their lead after eleven minutes, when only a fine flying save from Marco Silvestri stopped a chested back-pass deflection by Souleymane Bamba, as he tried to control a left wing cross from Albert Adomah, but succeeded only in sending it towards the Leeds net. Almost twenty minutes had passed before United were able to take the ball close to the Boro goal, as Gaetano Berardi and Jordan Botaka were involved in some good approach play down the right flank. They managed to work an opening for Mirco Antenucci but his low shot from an acute angle was saved by Dimi Konstantopoulos as he got down to smother it. Despite the improvement by United it was Middlesbrough who scored next, when, in the thirty-second minute, Giuseppe Bellusci diverted a cross from George Friend into his own net with a diving header, depite Marco Silvestri, having the ball covered before the central defender's intervention. United did have a couple of shots on goal as Stuart Dallas and Alex Mowatt tested Dimi Konstantopoulos with shots from the edge of the penalty area. The home side also almost made the score 0-3, but a Christian Stuani header from a Stuart Dowling cross was deflected wide. The referee then found four extra minutes of stoppage time before he signalled the end of the first-half. Middlesbrough had been the better team and deserved their 0-2 half- time lead and were seeking to improve it as the interval arrived. There were no changes as the teams re-emerged for the second half, but it was Leeds who had to catch up and they were soon on the attack. Dimi Konstantopoulos started to come under pressure as Leeds attacked his goal. He had to make several good saves and in the fifty-third minute, he saved a certain goal as he tipped over an Alex Mowatt free-kick as it curled into the top corner. As the fifty-fifth minute approached Stuart Dallas almost worked an opening inside the area with Mirco Antenucci, but then almost immediately United had the ball in the net, only for it to be disallowed for offside. Mirco Antenucci had finally got one on one with Dimi Konstantopoulos and managed to get the ball under him and into the net. The Italian was already well into his celebration routine, after the linesman had made no indication of offside, but strangely, after consultation with the linesman, the referee disallowed the goal as being offside in a controversial decision that would have seen Leeds back in the game, had it gone their way. Middlesbrough made their first change in the fifty-seventh minute, replacing Christian Stuani with Diego Fabbrini. Two minutes later, good work from Jordan Botaka down the right enabled Mirco Antenucci to head his cross on target, but Dimi Konstantopoulos held his attempt. Uwe Rosler tried to add strike power when he sent on Souleymane Doukara on in place of Jordan Botaka in the sixty-fourth minute. But as the game produced no more goals, there were more changes as, in the seventy-seventh minute, Emilio Nsue came on for Albert Adomah for the home team and two minutes later Leeds brought on Luke Murphy for Stuart Dallas. It was Diego Fabbrini, that proved to be the game clincher, as, with nine minutes left on the clock, he got the third Middlesbrough goal to seal the result. It came from the second Leeds defensive mistake to result in a goal and Souleymane Bamba made his second mistake of the afternoon that put the Leeds goal under threat. This time Marco Silvestri was not able to come to his rescue, as the Leeds captain, in an attempt to play a routine back-pass to his keeper, slipped and fell on his backside. Diego Fabbrini pounced on his slip and rounded the keeper before firing high into an empty net. With three minutes to go the home side made their final change as Adam Forshaw replaced Grant Leadbitter. Once again the referee found four minutes of stoppage time to lengthen the half. Ross Turnbull, Scott Wootton, Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Sam Byram remained unused on the bench as United slipped to fourteenth on the ladder, ten points behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion and five above new bottom club, Bristol City.

United were at Elland Road for their tenth game of the season as they entertained Birmingham City, who were one point and in ninth place above United and a win could see them leapfrog up the table and into the top ten. After the loss at Middlesbrough, Uwe Rosler was happy to have Chris Wood back from injury, to replace Mirco Antenucci,and new loan signing, Will Buckley from Sunderland, making his League debut in place of Jason Botaka on the right wing, and Liam Cooper being preferred to Giuseppe in central defence, and Luke Murphy picked ahead of Tom Adeyemi in midfield. All the replaced players dropped to the bench, where there was no room for Kalvin Phillips and Souleymane Doukara. The Saturday, 3rd October 2015 encounter drew a 24,601 crowd, of which 898 were from Birmingham and was refereed by Paul Tierney from Lancashire. In a lively start it was Birmingham that had the first shot on goal after seven minutes. After good aerial work by Clayton Donaldson, David Davis found Demarai Gray, who dribbled his way into the penalty box in a good position, but then disappointed the Birmingham fans as he dragged his low shot wide of Marco Silvestri's right hand post. The home side soon came into the game but the best they could do was a shot from distance by Chris Wood that was harmlessly wide of the target, then the same player saw his powerful shot well blocked by Michael Morrison. In the twelfth minute Birmingham went on the attack with Jonathan Grounds finding Paul Caddis, who got the better of Leeds full-back, Charlie Taylor, before crossing, but unfortunately for the visitors Maikel Kieftenbeld couldn't direct his header anywhere near the goals. The home side soon showed their attacking capabilities down both flanks, with Will Buckley being just unable to get a proper connection with Stuart Dallas' cross and succeeded in merely deflecting it straight into the arms of former Brighton team-mate Tomasz Kuszczak. The visitors were the next to threaten as Liam Cooper was booked as David Cotterill and Clayton Donaldson caught Leeds on the break. From the resulting free-kick David Cotterill put the ball straight into the path of David Davis, but he put it narrowly over the top from twenty-five yards. The first twenty minutes had been end to end attack and Gaetano Berardi was quick to reply for Leeds with a low shot which was comfortably held by Tomasz Kuszczak. The pace did slacken as the half-hour came, but it was then that the deadlock was broken, on thirty-one minutes. It started when Clayton Donaldson made a powerful run that caused consternation in the Leeds defence, before he was dispossessedon the edge of the penalty area and the ball fell invitingly for Demarai Gray, who picked up the loose ball and took advantage of a slip by Liam Cooper before he hammered an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Not long afterwards the visitors were nearly gifted another chance. Demarai Gray was brought down thirty yards from goal and from the resulting free -kick David Cotterill tried his luck on goal and Marco Silvestri was forced into a save which he managed to complete at the second attempt. The home side looked to respond but it was not until the stroke of half-time that they really threatened, as Stuart Dallas got in a shot which looked like the equaliser but a fine sprawling save by Tomasz Kuszczak pushed the goalbound effort round the post. From the resulting corner the Blues could no clear properly and Lewis Cook's pass back into the box looked odds on to be headed home by Souleymane Bamba at the far post but Jonathan Grounds got a vital touch to divert the ball away from the Leeds captain to preserve the Birmingham lead until the half-time break. Neither team sought to make any changes after the resumption and it was the visitors who were the first to threaten as the second half began, but Stephen Gleeson's ambitious volley was well wide after a corner had been partially cleared straight into his path. Then play switched to the other end and Alex Mowatt capitalised on a fine run down the right flank by Stuart Dallas, but his low drive was from just inside the area was well held by Tomasz Kuszczak. In the fifty-sixth minute Souleymane Bamba went very close to equalising when he got in a towering header from Alex Mowatt's inch-perfect corner kick. A minute later Uwe Rosler made his first change as Will Buckley gave way to Jordan Botaka, who made his home debut. His introduction gave the crowd a lift as he thrilled them with some inventive play soon after arriving on the pitch. While Leeds were very much on the attack, the Birmingham defence was holding firm and goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was playing his part. In particular he made a fine save from Lewis Cook who got in a good shot from inside the penalty area. Birmingham made their first change six minutes after Leeds, when Jacques Maghoma replaced David Cotterill. The Leeds crowd were still urging their favourites on and after sixty-seven minutes Uwe Rosler made his second change, switching to a two man attack, with Mirco Antenucci replacing midfielder Alex Mowatt to join Chris Wood in a twin striker role. Uwe Rosler made his final change in the seventy-third minute when Sam Byram came on in place of Gaetano Berardi. Two minutes later Birmingham made their second change as Jonathan Spector replaced David Davis in an effort to preserve their slender lead. Birmingham did temporarily stem the flow and in a counter attack led by Maikel Kieftenbeld, he found Clayton Donaldson, who won a corner off Liam Cooper. From that corner Jonathan Grounds could not make sufficient contact with the ball and Marco Silvestri gathered easily. Six minutes after their second, the Blues completed their allotted changes as Viv Solomon-Otabor replaced Demarai Gray. The referee found four extra minutes of stoppages and after it seemed a blessing to Leeds, it turned out to be the nail in the Leeds coffin as in the first of those minutes, substitute Jacques Maghoma sealed the game for the visitors with a fine precise finish which ended in the bottom corner of the Leeds net. So United had still to win at home and had now suffered two consecutive defeats which left them in sixteenth position, eleven points behind leaders,Brighton & Hove Albion and just four points above bottom placed Bristol City, as Ross Turnbull, Scott Wootton, Giuseppe Bellusci and Tom Adeyemi remained unused on the bench.

After theinternational break, United resumed their Championship League programme when they entertained League leaders Brighton and Hove Albion in their eleventh game of the League season on Saturday 17th October 2015, still seeking their first home win of the season and put an end to an unwanted hat-trick of League losses. There were three changes from the team that went down to Birmingham City with Jordan Botaka being preferred to Will Buckley and receiving his home starting debut, Charlie Taylor was unavailable due to illness, missing his first game of the season, and Scott Wootton came in at right back with Gaetano Beradi switching to the left, while Tom Adeyemi was recalled into midfield as Luke Murphy dropped to the bench. Kalvin Phillips took the vacant spot on the bench, where Charlie Horton was called into the squad for the first time as Ross Turnbull had been ruled out due to an injury in training, a broken ankle, which was likely to sideline him for much of the season. Darren Deadman of Peterborough was the referee and the crowd was 22,736 of which 740 had made the long journey to support the visitors. United started well and after six minutes Lewis Cook had a shot blocked and after Stuart Dallas got possession of the rebound he was thwarted by David Stockdale who was quick off his line to gather. But Lewis Cook showing up well in midfield as he drove forward looking for an early breakthrough, but Stuart Dallas ran out of space, but forced Gaetan Bong to concede a corner. There was no goalmouth activity in the early stages but Lewis Cook slipped the ball through the middle but not only had Chris Wood strayed offside, but Leeds-born David Stockdale won the race for the ball also. Brighton opened the scoring in their first assault on the Leeds goal in the fourteenth minute. Leeds conceded possession cheaply in midfield and after Beram Kayal threaded an inch-perfect ball through to him, as he was being allowed too much room in the United penalty area, Solly March advanced to shoot into the bottom corner of the net with Marco Silvestri seeming to get his angles wrong. Leeds mounted a quick response and Stuart Dallas got in a good cross but it was taken right off the toes of Chris Wood inside the area. However, just seven minutes after going behind United equalised. An exquisite free-kick from distance by Alex Mowatt was perfectly flighted for Liam Cooper to arrive and meet it with a glancing header that left David Stockdale helpless for the defender's first goal of the season. Brighton soon responded with Sam Baldock picking out Liam Rosenior with a searching cross. He then laid the ball off to Dale Stephens and Marco Silvestri was brought into the action as he was forced to get down to the midfielder's low shot from distance. But Leeds were showing improved form and were soon attacking in search of a second goal, with Uwe Rosler's high-pressing game evident as soon as Brighton picked up the ball inside their own half. United could have taken the lead in the thirty-second minute following another inch- perfect delivery from a set piece by Alex Mowatt, after Tom Adeyemi had been tripped on the edge of the penalty area. The kick was a repeat of the one that brought the Leeds goal. His cross found Chris Wood arriving, as had Liam Cooper, unmarked, inside the area but the striker could only turn the header wide from close-range and a golden chance had been wasted. Alex Mowatt had an attempt on goal himself, after picking up a loose ball and letting fly, but only into the arms of David Stockdale from twenty-five yards. In the thirty-sixth minute, Tomar Hemed was far too high with his shot on goal for Brighton, but it was a rarity in the sustained pressure from Leeds. In the fortieth minute Brighton were forced to make the first change of the match as Uwe Huenemeier replaced the injured Scottish International Gordon Greer. Leeds always seemed the more likely to take the lead as half-time came, and went off to the appreciative applause from the home crowd after three minutes of stoppage time had been played. No further changes were made by either team for the second half and United made a lively start as it commenced but, in the fifty-first minute, Chris Wood was once more left with his head in his hands as a corner richocheted against him and over the bar from only a couple of yards out. United, roared on by their fans, grew in confidence and put the League leaders under sustained pressure. Only the woodwork denied them a second goal in the fifty-fifth minute as Alex Mowatt charged down a David Stockdale goalkick only to see it clip the post and go behind. Brighton made their second change on the hour mark as Andrew Crofts took over from Liam Rosenior. Uwe Rosler made his first change two minutes later when Will Buckley was introduced against his former club to replace Stuart Dallas on the right wing. Then, totally against the run of play, Brighton had their first sight of goal in the second half as Solly March cut inside from the right and had Marco Silvestri beaten with a shot that rattled the crossbar. Andrew Crofts then saw a first-time effort deflected behind. From the resulting corner Tomer Hemed back-heeled from close range but was denied by Marco Silvestri's legs on the line. Leeds made their second change in the sixty-seventh minute when Mirco Antenucci replaced Alex Mowatt, but the visitors were starting to see more of the ball after riding out the United all-out pressure for the majority of the second half. It was the visitors that next threatened the goal but Liam Cooper made a fine interception to deny Sam Baldock the chance to progress on the United goal. In the seventy- eighth minute United made their final substitution as Sam Byram replaced Jordan Botaka and almost immediately Brighton brought on their final substitute as Bobby Zamora replaced Tomer Hemed. Will Buckley was pulled down by Bruno Saltor in a dangerous area, but the resulting free-kick came to nothing. Unfortunately, Leeds were reduced to ten men for the final ten minutes as Liam Cooper limped off injured, and all allowable substitutes had been used. Brighton were able to take advantage of the extra man and applied the pressure, and, with just one minute remaining on the clock, substitute Bobby Zamora picked up a lovely reverse pass from Gaetan Bong and calmly lofted the ball over the on-rushing Marco Silvestri to score. Brighton won a game in which they had been second best for much of the second half to steal the three points. Charlie Horton, Giuseppe Bellusci, Kalvin Phillips and Luke Murphy remained unused on the Leeds bench as the Whites slipped to eighteenth on the ladder, fourteen points behind leaders Brighton and just three above new bottom club Bolton Wanderers.

After a game in which League leaders Brighton had about two chances and scored with both, while Leeds outplayed them for long periods and created many chances, but scored one, maybe Uwe Rosler did deserve some sympathy for his bad luck, but it was the fact that Leeds had now played six home games and failed to win one, for a meagre three points, had lost the last three fixtures and sat eighteenth on the ladder with eleven points from eleven games that spelt failure and more than enough reason for Massimo Cellino to do the only thing that he excels at: sacking managers/chief coaches, in most cases due to his own incompetence. There was a curt statement by the club at 10a.m. on 19th October 2015 on the club's website: "Leeds United can confirm that Uwe Rosler has parted company with the club. Rosler leaves with the club’s best wishes following a five-month stay at Elland Road. Saturday’s defeat to Brighton proved to be his final game in the United dugout, and the process to appoint a new head coach is now underway. Chairman Massimo Cellino said: “I would like to thank Uwe for the effort and commitment he showed during his time here. He was incredibly professional throughout and we had a strong working relationship. Unfortunately, results didn’t work out for him here and we are now looking elsewhere. Uwe leaves on good terms and everybody at Leeds United wishes him well for the future.” Rosler’s assistant, Rob Kelly, and first- team coach, Julian Darby, have both also departed the club. A further announcement will be made on leedsunited.com in due course".

it was followed at 4 p.m. on the same day with: STEVE EVANS APPOINTED UNITED HEAD COACH

It seemed that Leeds United sacked their manager Uwe Rösler following their 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton at the weekend. He became the fifth manager sacked from Leeds United in just over a year. Brian McDermott, departed 30th May 2014 after 52 days under Cellino; Dave Hockaday: departed 28th August 2014 Days after 70 days; Darko Milanic: departed 25th October 2014 after 32 days; Neil Redfearn: departed 20th May 2015 after 200 days; and now, Uwe Rosler: departed 19th October 2015 after 152 days under Cellino.

“I didn’t see that coming at all,” Rosler was quoted as saying outside his home in Stockport. “I always had a good relationship with the owner and he had talked about wanting to build.” The German became Leeds’ fifth manager in just over twelve months when he signed a two-year deal in May 2015, having previously been in charge at Wigan Athletic and Brentford.

Leeds United sack manager Uwe Rosler with Steve Evans taking over. One could but wonder for how long?

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2015-2016: Team before the Friendly game with Hoffenheim in Norway on 25th July 2015

Left to Right: Souleymane Bamba, Marco Silvestri, Chris Wood, Charlie Taylor, Sam Byram, Lewis Cook, Tom Adeyemi, Gaetano Berardi, Souleymane Doukara, Alex Mowatt (Giuseppe Bellusci out of shot).

Players/Managers:

Uwe Rosler: Chief Coach, Tom Adeyemi , Mirco Antenucci , Souleymane Bamba , Gaetano Barardi , Giuseppe Bellusci , Tommaso Bianchi , Jordan Botaka , Will Buckley , Sam Byram , Lewis Cook , Liam Cooper , Stuart Dallas , Chris Dawson , Souleymane Doukara , Lee Erwin , Charlie Horton , Ross Killock , Alex Mowatt , Luke Murphy , Kalvin Phillips , Marco Silvestri , Jake Skelton , Casper Sloth , Charlie Taylor , Ross Turnbull , Lewis Walters , Chris Wood , Scott Wootton .

Part 11: Steve Evans - Yet another new Dawn? The Italian Connection (Part 5) 2015-2016

2015-2016:

Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results Season Statistics: Transfers Season Statistics: Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season

For Steve Evans' second match in charge and United's thirteenth of the season, they faced their second game on the road in four days as they visited the Reebok Stadium, now renamed the Macron Stadium, on Saturday 24th October 2015 to play bottom club Bolton Wanderers, who were just four points and six places below them, but giving them hope of picking up their first win in five matches. After United had played so well at Craven Cottage in midweek, Steve Evans stood by his starting eleven but decided on Souleymane Doukara in preference to Jordan Botaka, who had an illness, on the bench. Chris Wood had recovered from his injury that had caused him to be withdrawn on Wednesday and was passed fit to lead the line. Former United goalkeeper, Paul Rachubka was on the bench for the home team as Simon Hooper of Wiltshire was the referee in front of a crowd of 18,178 of which 4,419 were in the Leeds United section. The game started at a lively pace but there were no real incidents in the first ten minutes but, in the twelfth minute, the home team were dealt a blow when striker Gary Madine was injured and had to leave the pitch with suspected concussion and be replaced by Shola Ameobi, who was making his debut for the club. Two minutes later Darren Pratley had the game's first real chance when he got in a towering header, from a left-wing cross, but his close-range header flew over the bar. After sixteen minutes, Leeds could have opened the scoring from a Luke Murphy corner as Liam Cooper rose to meet it at the near post and flicked it into the danger zone and Tom Adeyemi arrived to crash a first time effort from eight yards against the base of the upright. The game then became end-to-end and Luke Murphy and Souleymane Bamba were both forced to make crucial blocks inside the Leeds penalty area and on the twenty minute mark referee Simon Hooper played a good advantage to allow Bolton's captain, Darren Pratley, to set up Liam Feeney,who sent a left-footed angled shot fizzing past Marco Silvesatri's far post in another Bolton raid. At the other end Stuart Dallas saw his low shot from the edge of the area deflected after a Luke Murphy corner had fallen in his path. But it was the home team that took the lead in the thirty-second minute. Leeds conceded a cheap corner just after the half hour when Marco Silvestri flapped at Liam Feeney's cross. From Jode Casado's flag kick the ball broke to Shola Ameobi, the former Newcastle United striker, who met the corner inside the area and sent an unstoppable low and hard shot beyond Marco Silvestri from twelve yards. The home side kept up their goal hunger and moments later Shola Ameobi released Liam Feeney through on goal, but this time Marco Silvestri got down to his low drive and saved at the second time of asking. In the thirty-seventh minute Sam Byram was lucky to just see yellow after a crude challenge on Liam Feeney. United spent the rest of the half on the attack but could not trouble the Wanderers' keeper. It was Chris Wood that passed up the best opportunity on the stroke of half time, when he controlled the ball and shot on the turn from the edge of the box, but the Bolton keeper, Ben Amos,stood firm and made a fine block to preserve the home team's lead as they went into the half-time break. There were changes made to both teams as the game restarted after the half-time break. Alex Mowatt replaced Luke Murphy in midfield and Stephen Dobbie came on for Mark Davies for the home side's second substitution. With Steve Evans' teamtalk still ringing in their ears United got off to a good start to the second half as two minutes into the new half Mirco Antenucci burst forward before hammering a shot into the side-netting from an acute angle. United remained on the attack and for the second time in the match Tom Adeyemi was stopped from scoring by the woodwork, when the slightest of touches by Ben Amos pushed his shot from twenty yards onto the post. United got a deserved equaliser after seventy-one minutes following a frantic period of play which began by Marco Silvestri making a superb diving save to push away Stephen Dobbie's low shot. United then broke away and Mirco Antenucci was tripped by Prince-Desire Gouanoo in the area and refere Simon Hooper had not hesitation in pointing to the spot. The Bolton defender was also shown a straight red card. Mirco Antenucci dusted himself down and calmly sent Ben Amos the wrong way to score from the spot. United made their second change in the seventy-fourth minute with Will Buckley replacing Stuart Dallas. Five minutes later the home side made their third and final substitution as Dorian Dervite replaced Neil Danns and in the eighty- seventh minute United made their final substitution with Kalvin Phillips coming on for Lewis Cook. Even with numerical superiority United were unable to convert it to the scoresheet and although both teams applied late pressure there were no further goals. The point took United to thirteen points and up to seventeenth place, sixteen behind leaders Brighton and Hove Albion, eleven behind sixth placed Birmingham City and three above twenty-second placed Charlton Athletic and four above bottom team Bristol City, as Charlie Horton, Giuseppe Bellusci, Scott Wootton and Souleymane Doukara remained unused on the Leeds bench.

For his first home game in charge, Steve Evans named an unchanged team for the second week, with Jordan Botaka, now recovered from illness preferred to Kalvin Phillips on the bench. Blackburn Rovers were the opposition in United's fourteenth game of the season and arrived at Elland Road on 29th October 2015 for the Thursday night televised game in eighteenth place, one point and one place behind United which was refereed by Tim Robinson of Bognor in West Sussex in front of a crowd of 19,666 of which 520 were there to support the visitors. The game could not have had a worse start for the new coach. In just eighteen seconds his team were one goal down in move that was started by Tom Lawrence who exchanged passes with Chris Taylor before finding Ben Marshall on the overlap. It was from his cross that Craig Conway was left in acres of room in the Leeds penalty area, after the cross had deflected off Souleymane Bamba, and he hammered the ball low into the bottom corner of the Leeds net from the first attack of the game. A couple of minutes later Justin Rhodes was narrow offside as he had the goal at his mercy. It was not long before the crowd was silent in stunned disbelief as the visitors doubled their lead after just five minutes as Tom Lawrence was again the instigator and found Jordan Rhodes who turned and scored as he fired a low shot beyond Marco Silvestri. There could not have been a more disastrous start in front of the Sky cameras but it almost got worse in the thirteenth minute as Tom Lawrence strode out of midfield and bore down on the Leeds goal before letting fly. His shot went high and wide of Marco Silvestri's goal. Seconds later Ben Marshall too was just over with a similar effort and Justin Rhodes was again adjudged offside when a Craig Conway shot was deflected into his path, but his shot was also cleared off the line. This all took place while the crowd erupted with a cacophany of booing as they vented their anger against their team's inept performance. It seemed to have the desired effect on the home team and from that point onwards they came more into the game. Lewis Cook was the first to make any kind of attempt on the Blackburn goal, as he beat his marker before testing Jason Steele in the visitors goal with a shot from long-range. The Blackburn keeper was soon in action again as he had to be alert and dash from his goal to stop Mirco Antenucci reaching a dangerous ball over the top from Sam Byram. United continued to improve as the game progressed and, in the thirty-third minute there were many in the crowd that thought Mirco Antenucci had reduced the arrears when the Italian striker volleyed into the side-netting after he had evaded the visitors' offside trap as he ran onto a Stuart Dallas flick over the Blackburn defence. A minute before half-time the home side went close to opening their account. A well-flighted free-kick from long range by Luke Murphy found Tom Adeyemi, who got in a glancing header that rattled against the far post before Souleymane Bamba was unable to turn the ball into the net from the rebound. Neither team made any changes for the second half but after just six minutes Steve Evans made his first change, replacing Tom Adeyemi with Jordan Botaka. United had struggled to gain impetus since the start of the second half and it was the visitors that seemed the more likely to score next, as the home side showed little goal threat, and, in the fifty-sixth minute Jason Rhodes held off Souleymane Bamba to send Tom Lawrence once more racing through the Leeds defence on goal, but he chose to square the ball to Craig Conway, who hesitated and the Leeds defence recovered to clear. Next Marco Silvestri had to deal with a shot low down from Chris Taylor, who had been put through by Hope Akpan. In the sixty-eighth minute Souleymane Doukara came on for Chris Wood as Evans made his second change, while the visitors had to play with ten men for a short while after Grant Hanley was off receiving treatment after a clash of heads. In the seventy-fifth minute former Leeds defender Matthew Kilgallon came on to replace the injured Grant Hanley. Half chances to Lewis Cook amd Mirco Antenucci kept the Blackburn defence on their toes, but there was little to suggest that Leeds might get the goal that would breathe life into the game as a contest. Blackburn made their second substitution as Nathan Delfouneso came on for Tom Lawrence and a minute later Leeds brought on Alex Mowatt for Lewis Cook with their final substitution and three minutes after Blackburn followed suit replacing Chris Taylor with John O'Sullivan. Jordan Botaka did threaten late in the game when he got up well to meet a Stuart Dallas cross but his direction was at fault as the ball sailed over the bar. But at the other end Craig Conway flashed a long-range effort just wide. Then just as the game entered into the five minutes of stoppage time Alex Mowatt saw a long range shot deflect agonizingly close to the target, but there were no more goals in a night to forget for Leeds. Charlie Horton, Giuseppe Bellusci, Scott Wootton and Will Buckley sat unused on the bench, while at the end of the weekend fixtures United dropped to nineteenth on the ladder, as Blackburn leapfrogged them into fifteenth place, leaving United seventeen points behind leaders Brighton and Hove Albion, eleven behind sixth placed Birmingham City and three above twenty-second placed Bolton Wanderers and four above bottom club Rotherham United.

For their fifteenth League game of the season, not having won at home since 4th March 2015, when Ipswich were beaten 2-1, and having played twelve League games since, the last team that Leeds would want to play was their bogey-team, Cardiff City, who they had not beaten in this century. So, winless in their last six League games, Leeds welcomed the ninth-placed Welshmen to Elland Road on Tuesday, 3rd November 2015, ten places and nine points worse off than them. Steve Evans had to make three changes to his side, two were enforced as Captain Souleymane Bamba was suspended and Giuseppe Bellusci took his place in the team, while Liam Cooper took on the role of captain. Tom Adeyemi was in eligible to play against his parent club and Alex Mowatt took his place, while Scott Wootton was called up to replace Sam Byram at right back. Sam Byram dropped to the bench where Casper Sloth and Kalvin Phillips joined him to fill the two vacancies. Carl Boyeson of Hull was the referee and there were only 184 Cardiff supporters in the crowd of 17,914. United went on the offensive from the off but had little to show for the first fifteen minutes when they rarely tested the Cardiff defence and the closest either team came was when Scott Malone's marauding run and centre bobbed along the six yard line for a while. Mirco Antenucci had an appeal for a penalty waved away after he had gone down under pressure from former Leeds Captain Lee Peltier. Soon afterwards the visitors had their first sight of goal but Alex Revell hit a speculative shot from long range high and wide of the target. The Leeds approach work was often quite good but the final pass was the cause of their frustration as a number of deliveries into the box were easily mopped up by the Cardiff defence. The first serious effort on goal was not made until the twenty-ninth minute and it was Leeds through the lively Stuart Dallas, who had swapped to the right wing, that created it, but his final shot from twenty-five yards was a low drive that was dragged wide of David Marshall's far post. However, it lifted the spirits of the home crowd and their team and Mirco Antenucci threatened soon afterwards after he had been put through by good combination work by Gaetano Berardi and Stuart Dallas. The Swiss defender's long ball was crossed by the Northern Ireland International, but the Italian was a little off balance, due to having two markers and was not able to get the ball on target from an acute angle. However, it was the start of a good period for United, when only some last-ditch Cardiff defending by Lee Peltier and Matthew Connelly denied Alex Mowatt from getting on the end of a low Stuart Dallas cross. The Irishman also brought David Marshall into action to push a stinging crossdrive round the post after he had cut in from the right wing. Then a strong end to the first half saw Lewis Cook shoot over from distance before Chris Wood headed Giuseppe Bellusci's deep cross wide of the target and the sides went to the break at 0-0. There were no changes by either team during the half-time break and there was a quiet start to the second half which saw no chances created by either side, other than a Sean Morrison header being scrambled off the Leeds goal line, and both teams lacked inspiration as the game dragged on to the one hour mark. It was then that Cardiff made the first substitution of the game as Sammy Ameobi, a Newcastle United loanee, replaced Craig Noone. However, just three minutes later it was Leeds that took the lead with a superb goal from Alex Mowatt. It was his first goal of the season and, after picking up a loose ball in midfield almost thirty yards out there seemed little imminent danger, but he struck the ball with such venom from twenty-five yards that David Marshall in the Cardiff City goal was helpless as it whistled into the top corner of the net. It was the goal that all at Elland Road wanted and Leeds deserved their lead and were good value for it. Cardiff were not by any means a spent force and in the sixty-seventh minute they made their second change opting for Kenwyne Jones to replace Alex Revell. Marco Silvestri soon became aware that Cardiff still meant business when he had to push away a shot from Joe Mason and then clutch a header from Sean Morrison. Cardiff made their final change as Anthony Pilkington came on for Peter Whittingham in the seventy- seventh minute. Five minutes later Leeds made their first substitution as Sam Byram replaced Stuart Dallas on the right wing. He was in the game almost immediately as he skipped his way to the by-line only to see his chipped cross well held by David Marshall as he leapt to save. With six minutes on the clock, Chris Wood could have sealed the game as he dispossessed Joe Ralls and rounded David Marshall as he rushed out. Unfortunately he had taken the ball too wide and left himself with an impossible angle and he hit the side-netting with his shot on goal. United made two late changes with Kalvin Phillips coming on for Alex Mowatt with three minutes left on the clock and, after four extra minutes had been signalled for stoppages, in the second of those minutes, Souleymane Doukara came on for Mirco Antenucci, but Evans' men held firm to claim their first home win in thirteen games and their first victory over Cardiff City in thirty years. The win took United up to seventeenth place, fifteen points behind new leaders, Hull City, and nine points behind sixth placed Birmingham City. They were now six points clear of twenty-second placed Bolton Wanderers and seven above bottom placed Rotherham United. Charlie Horton, Casper Sloth, Will Buckley and Jordan Botaka remained unused on the Leeds bench.

There was a 12.30pm midday kick-off for United's sixteenth League match of the season as they visited local rivals Huddersfield Town in a "Yorkshire Derby" in a televised encounter on 7th November 2015. Graham Scott of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was the referee as the game drew a crowd of 17,118 of which 3,831 were in the Leeds enclosure. The Terriers were just one point and one place below United in the table and Leeds had high hopes of three points from their short journey. As expected Steve Evans maintained an unchanged starting eleven after his maiden win over Cardiff. However, captain Souleymane Bamba had served his suspension and while Giuseppe Bellusci kept his spot in central defence, Bamba was included in the substitutes as Liam Cooper continued as captain on the pitch. Tom Adeyemi was also available once more and the two took the places of Casper Sloth and Sam Byram on the bench. Lee Erwin also returned after being on a month long loan with Bury and replaced Souleymane Doukara as a substitute. There was a subdued start to the game and nothing of note was created in the first fifteen minutes as the two sides sarred with each other. Unfortunately, in the eighteenth minute, Steve Evans was forced into his first change as Liam Cooper was forced to leave the pitch after coming off second best in a head clash with Scott Wootton. the acting captain tried to carry on but after several minutes treatment he left the field on a stretcher and was replaced by Souleymane Bamba in central defence and as captain. Goalmouth action had been scarce at the John Smith Stadium, but Luke Murphy had come to United's rescue after twenty-five minutes when he cleared just as Joe Lolley was about the pounce on a loose ball in the penalty area and the half hour mark had passed before Marco Silvestri was called into action, as he was forced to his knees to save a low shot from Hary Bunn. A minute later Town were also forced to make a change, as Emry Huws replaced the injured Philip Billing in midfield. United were the next on attack and Mirco Antenucci had a shot blocked by Murray Wallace, before the best chance of the first half fell to Alex Mowatt, but the midfielder lashed the ball wide from an acute angle. It seemed as if the half would end goalless, but after the forty-five minutes were up, eight minutes were added by referee Graham Scott for stoppages for injuries. There was more action in that stoppage time than there had been in the standard forty-five minutes. After Scott Wootton had been lucky not to receive a second yellow card for a foul on substitute Emrys Huws, United used the time to take a 2-0 lead with quick-fire goals. The first was in the fourth minute of time added when Chris Wood and Stuart Dallas combined to create an opening down the right wing for the winger to deliver an inch-perfect cross which Mirco Antenucci guided into the net from close range. Only seconds later, in the fifth minute of time added, Mirco Antenucci stunned the home crowd as he pounched on Martin Cranie and rounded Town goalkeeper, Joe Murphy, before calmly squared it back across the goal for Chris Wood to tap the ball into the net. Neither team made changes at half-time and the home side went on the attack trying to make a response to the Leeds pre-half-time blitz. Nanhe Wells seemed through on goal but Souleymane Bamba was quick enough to get back and put in an inch-perfect pass before he could get his shot in on goal. Joe Lolley then shot straight at Marco Silvestri. Defender Murray Wallace headed wide. Harry Bunn once more forced Marco Silvestri into the action and then Kyle Dempsey skipped past Souleymane Bamba with excellent skill, but shot straight at Marco Silvestri. But, it was United that grabbed the game's third goal in spectacular fashion in the fifty-fifth minute. In what was almost a repeat of his winner at Cardiff the previous week, Alex Mowatt took possession before striding forward in a similar area before he sent an unstoppable shot whistling into the top corner of the net past the sprawling Joe Murphy to the delight of the travelling fans congregated behind his goal. Two minutes later Huddersfield made their second change as James Vaughan replaced Nahke Wells. Vaughan was soon in the action as, at the other end, a few minutes later, when, after being put through by Jason Davidson, he was denied by Marco Silvestri, who was then forced into a stunning, one handed save to claw away another shot from Harry Bunn. Joe Lolley was also close after a mazy run and Murray Wallace headed wide from a corner. United made their second change in the seventy-first minute as Tom Adeyemi came on for Scott Wootton and a minute later the home side completed their substitutions when Duane Holmes replaced Joe Lolley. In the eighty-second minute Leeds made their final change as Sturt Dallas gave way to Jordan Botaka. The new substitute was involved almost immediately, as he tricked his way past the Huddersfield full back, Jason Davidson, and forcing a fine fingertip save from Joe Murphy as he pushed the ball over the bar. Leeds were now coasting in the closing stages and eased towards the final whistle, making it two back-to-back wins for Steve Evans. Charlie Horton, Kalvin Phillips, Will Buckley and Lee Erwin remained unused on the Leeds bench as the win took them to nineteen points, in fifteenth place, still fifteen points behind leaders Hull City, nine behind sixth placed Birmingham City, but six ahead of twenty- second placed Charlton Athletic and ten above bottom placed Rotherham United.

During the International break from League football United arranged a Friday night mid-season friendly at Adams Park against League Two team, Wycombe Wanderers. It gave Steve Evans the chance to give his "fringe players" a chance to show their skills under match conditions. United lined-up(in 4-4-2 formation): Marco Silvestri; Scott Wootton, Souleymane Bamba, Giuseppe Bellusci, Gaetano Berardi; Jason Botaka, Tommaso Bianchi, Tom Adeyemi, Will Buckley; Souleymane Doukara, Lee Erwin. During the game the following Leeds substitutions were made: at half-time Sam Byram replaced Gaetano Berardi and Casper Sloth came on for Tomasso Bianchi. In the sixtieth minute Kalvin Phillips took over from Tom Adeyemi and four minutes before time Bailey Peacock-Farrell took over in goal from Marco Silvestri. Luke Murphy, Alex Mowatt and Mirco Antenucci were the unused substitutes.

Wycombe Wanderers started with Alex Lynch; Michael Harriman, Aaron Pierre, Anthony Stewart, Sam Wood; Luke O'Nien, Stephen McGinn, Ryan Sellers, Max Kretzschmar; Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Gozi Ugwu. The Wycombe substitutes were: Half time: Matt Bloomfield for Luke O'Nien, After seventy-three minutes: Jason McCarthy for Ryan Sellers and Daniel Rowe for Gozi Ugwu and in the eighty-fourth minute: Garry Thompson for Max Kretzschmar. Matt Ingram, Sido Jombati and Joe Jacobson were the unused substitutes. Andy Woolmer of Northamptonshire was the referee in front of a crowd of 2,216, with 767 in the Leeds section.

There were rare starts for Tomasso Bianchi, who had not played since damaging his knee ligament in March, Lee Erwin, who had been on loan to Bury, and Souleymane Doukara, while Will Buckley, Jordan Bokata and Tom Adeyemi were recalled to the team not having featured regularly in recent times and were in need of match time. There was a lively start by the home side and they had the ball in the net after just three minutes, but Max Kretzschmar's close range shot was ruled out for offside after Marco Silvestri had parried a strike into his path from a Ryan Sellers header from a Luke O'Nien cross. Wycombe continued to press and a knockdown from Gozi Ugwa gave Max Kretzschmar a chance to shoot from the edge of the box, but it was well wide. Leeds soon got into their stride and played with the confidence that two consecutive wins brings. Jordan Botaka was the first to threaten, after receiving a cross from Gaetano Berardi, when he forced Alex Lynch to produce a fingertip save to stop his goalbound shot entering the net. The Wycombe keeper was again called upon ten minutes later when he again performed brilliantly to fly across his line to push a magnificent Giuseppe Bellusci free-kick over the bar, after Aaron Pierre had commited a foul twenty- five yards out. In his first appearance since returning from loan with Bury, Lee Erwin was showing good form and he manoeuvered well in the area as he turned on the edge of the penalty box to find space before getting in a shot that stung Alex Lynch's palms. Tom Adeyemi was the next to look on in disbelief as his looping header was tipped onto the post when it looked beyond him. The Wycombe keeper was keeping his team in the game in the early stages and he again thwarted Jordan Botaka, when he pushed his header over the bar, when the winger made good contact with Souleymane Doukara's inch-perfect cross. He was eventually beaten after thirty minutes when Lee Erwin calmly tucked the ball home from inside the penalty area, to give Leeds a deserved lead, after he had received the ball after good work down the right from Scott Wootton and Jordan Botaka. United took their lead into the half-time break and four minutes after the restart Marco Silvestri pushed a low shot from Matt Bloomfield away to deny the hosts an equaliser. It was Leeds that got the next goal in the fifty-first minute. Sam Byram had only been on the field six minutes, when Souleymane Doukara found him with a good cross and the substitute hammered the ball past Alex Lynch to double the visitor's lead. Jordan Botaka could have made it three two minutes later, but once more it was Alex Lynch to the rescue as he clawed the winger's rasping half-volley over the bar. Even Lynch would have stood no chance if Jordan Botaka's next effort in the seventy-sixth minute had have been a little more accurate, as the custodian stood rooted to the spot as the winger's shot flashed past the post, after good work by Will Buckley had set up a chance, with a cross from the right. Two minutes later Wycombe almost found a way back into the game, but a freekick was deflected wide by a Leeds defender. With two minutes left on the clock, Garry Thompson missed a good chance when he fired well over the bar from the edge of the box. But all-in-all it was an easy victory for United and gave a few players time to impress Steve Evans.

After the International break and a friendly with Wycombe Wanderers United returned to the League with what seemed one of their easiest fixtures of the year as they entertained Rotherham United at Elland Road on Saturday, 21st November 2015 in their seventeenth League fixture of the season. It looked easy as Rotherham were marooned at the bottom of the League with just nine points, nine places and ten points below Leeds. However, Leeds seem always to play well against good opposition, while sink to the level of lesser teams. When Leeds last played the same fixture, in the final game of the 2014-15 season, Steve Evans, the Leeds coach, was in the Rotherham dug-out and Neil Redfearn, Rotherham's present coach was in the Leeds dug-out. United had an unchanged starting eleven, but only because Souleymane Bamba had a broken toe which would keep him out of the squad for several weeks, which meant Liam Cooper would retain the captaincy in his absence. On the bench Souleymane Doukara took Bamba's place and Sam Byram replaced Kalvin Phillips. Keith Stroud of Bournemouth was the referee in front of a crowd of 25,802, which included 905 from Rotherham. The game got underway with neither side prepared to concede an inch and this produced no goalmouth action. The Rotherham defence held firm, after conceding a free-kick for a foul by Stephen Kelly on Mirco Antenucci thirty yards out, as it repelled the ensuing well-flighted Alex Mowatt free-kick as Jonson Clarke-Harris was well placed to head away. At the other end Leon Best was high and wide of the target from just outside the penalty area and then, after Gaetano Berardi had fouled Grant Ward, Rotherham were presented with a good chance, but Joe Newell's delivery from the right flank was headed just wide by Leon Best. However, neither goalkeeper was in the action in the first fifteen minutes. Leeds did get the ball in the net after eighteen minutes, as Stuart Dallas tapped in a rebound from close-range, after Chris Wood's low shot had been parried to him by Lee Camp, the Rotherham United goalkeeper, but the linesman had raised his flag to indicate New Zealand striker was offside. Alex Mowatt, who had scored two spectacular goals in the last two League games, was being encouraged by the crowd to repeat the feat every time he had the ball at his feet within shooting range. But his first attempt from twenty-five yards swerved well wide of the mark, before the best chance of the game to date fell to him inside the penalty area. Smart build-up play between Mirco Antenucci and Stuart Dallas set the winger free down the right and he found the arriving Mowatt, whose first time shot looked like it would give him three goals in three games, but Lee Camp denied him with a fine sprawling save as he pushed the ball beyond the post. United continued to press as they built up good sustained pressure and both Lewis Cook and Mirco Antenucci had shots blocked inside the penalty area. The Italian then forced Lee Camp to back-pedal to tip his right wing cross onto the roof of the net, as it dipped perilously close to finding the net. From the ensuing corner Giuseppe Bellusci sent a shot straight at the Rotherham keeper after the ball had fallen to him. At the other end Richard Smallwood's free-kick clipped the woodwork, but they were allowed to retake it after the referee had booked Mirco Antenucci for encroachment. As the game headed towards half-time Leeds continued to probe for an opening but could not find a way past a stern Rotherham defence. Rotherham brought on Harry Toffolo for Joe Mattock at the start of the second half. It was the home side that almost took the lead, just ten seconds after the interval, as Mirco Antenucci drove forward before unleashing a low drive that was inches wide of the far post as United made a lightening move direct from the kick-off. Moments later the Italian did not pick up the flight of a cross from Chris Wood until it was too late and consequently he failed to connect. After all the United pressing it was the visitors that took the lead in the fifty-fourth minute. It was Joe Newell who rose inside the area to guide home Richard Smallwood's pin-point centre with a precision header. United immediately responded and four minutes later Luke Murphy was thwarted by a last-ditch block by substitute Harry Toffolo, after he had been played in by Chris Wood. But, Rotherham were equally looking to extend their lead and at the other end Jonson Clarke-Harris forced Marco Silvestri into a low save before United broke again but Mirco Antenucci missed a great chance to equalise when he shot wide after he had been set up by a cushioned header from Chris Wood just inside the penalty area. Steve Evans made a double change in the sixty- seventh minute with Jason Botaka coming on for Stuart Dallas and Tom Adeyemi replacing Luke Murphy, but six minutes later both teams were reduced to ten men after an altercation on the touchline by Gaetano Berardi of Leeds and Leon Best of Rotherham, as Best made an aerial challenge on the Leeds full-back who retaliated. In the eightieth minute Neil Redfearn brought on Danny Ward for Jonson Clarke-Harris and five minutes later Steve Evans made his final change as Lee Erwin made his League debut as he replaced Lewis Cook, then with one minute of normal time on the clock Rotherham, too, made their final change as Danny Collins came on for Joe Newell. Six minutes were added for stoppages as Leeds searched for an equaliser. Jason Botaka side-footed an shot across the face of the goal before Chris Wood got in a header, after a peach of a cross from Mirco Antenucci, that was brilliantly saved by Lee Camp. Lee Erwin then saw his first- time shot blocked by Lee Frecklington as Leeds continued to press in stoppage time. But there proved to be no way through for the home team and Rotherham could have added a second as late in the injury time Grant Ward shot wide of Marco Silvestri's post.Charlie Horton, Sam Byram, Will Buckley and Souleymane Doukara remained unused on the bench as the disappointing result saw Leeds slip to sixteenth, sixteen points behind leaders Hull City, nine behind sixth placed Birmingham City, and four above twenty-second placed MK Dons and eight above bottom placed Bolton Wanderers, who had replaced Rotherham.

United's eighteenth fixture of the season was an away trip to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Saturday 28th November 2015, and as their hosts stood one point and one place above them on the League ladder they went there with optimism. United had signed Liam Bricutt on an emergency loan for the rest of the season and he went straight into the team in place of Luke Murphy, who dropped to the bench replacing Will Buckley who had returned to Sunderland. Charlie Taylor had recovered from illness and fortuitously he was able to take the place of suspended Gaetano Berardi at left-back. Charlie Horton had also returned to the USA for family reasons and Bailey Peacock-Farrell was the deputy goalkeeper on the bench. Peter Bankes of Liverpool was the referee and there was a crowd of 18,031 of which 3,220 were there to support Leeds. Bridcutt was involved early on, but not in the way he would have liked as he was the first player to be shown a yellow card in the seventh minute when he hauled down Junior Hoilett as the home side tried to hit Leeds on the break. From the free-kick awarded for that foul, Alejandro Faurlin was over the bar with his shot from thirty yards. But goalmouth action was at a premium during the opening stages, but Marco Silvestri did have to catch a couple of easy crosses, but otherwise both keepers remained untested. In the twenty-first minute Michael Petrasso saw his shot deflected straight into the arms of Marco Silvestri. Stuart Dallas, minutes after being cleaned up after a blooded nose, had United's first real attempt on goal, but he volleyed way over the top after receiving a pass from Lewis Cook on his chest. But it was Chris Wood that spurned the best chance to date in the twenty-sixth minute. The striker picked up a through ball fro Liam Cooper and calmly rounded the onrushing Rob Green, but he took the ball too wide and the angle was too tight. Green scrambled back and was in position on his line with other defenders when the striker blazed the ball over the bar. The home side had their best chance to date in the just after the half hour mark when Grant Hall rose in the penalty area to meet an in- swinging floated corner from the right from Alejandro Faurlin but his header was sent over the bar from close range. Charlie Taylor pulled off a fine last-ditch tackle to ensure that Marco Silvestri remained unthreatened and then Michael Petrasso smashed a rebound over the bar after his initial goalbound shot hit a teammate in the penalty area. Nedum Onuoha and Paul Konchesky both tried their luck from long distance as the home side started to get on top as the largely forgettable first half drew to a close. Both sides were unchanged for the restart and it was Leeds who started the second half in a positive manner with Mirco Antenucci was released down the right wing and he drilled a low cross across an empty box and then Stuart Dallas hit a rising shot over Rob Green's crossbar and into the Leeds fans. It was ex-Leeds coach, Neil Warnock, who made the first substitution in the fifty-sixth minute for the home side, when he made a double change bringing on Tjaronn Chery for Yun Suk-Young and Charlie Austin for Michael Petrasso. It paid dividends as almost immediately Charlie Austin went close to getting on the end of a Alejandro Faurlin free-kick. But, just two minutes, later he had given Rangers the lead. Alejandro Faurlin's right wing corner found the striker unmarked inside the area to nod a simple header beyond Marco Silvestri from six yards to break the deadlock. The goal filled Queens Park with confidence and Leeds did well to survive a flurry of dangerous corners on their goal. The introduction of Charlie Austin had changed the game and in the sixty-ninth minute he threatened to double his tally with a powerful header from a Matt Phillip's left wing corner. Steve Evans made his first change in the sixty-seventh minute as he sent on Jordan Botaka for Alex Mowatt, but Rangers continued to press and Marco Silvestri was forced into a stunning reflex save to keep out a near post header from Charlie Austin. The one-way traffic continued as Matt Phillips, in the seventy-first minute, set up Alejandro Faurlin, who fired in a first-time shot from twenty-five yards, which went wide. Four minutes later, Phillips had a go himself and went close with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Marco Silvestri was keeping Leeds in the game and, in the seventy-seventh minute, he came to the rescue once more as he dived to claw away Tjaronn Chery's low shot from twelve yards that looked destined for the bottom corner of the net. The Dutchman also blazed over the bar in a counter attack three minutes later. Leeds made there second change in the eightieth minute as Lee Erwin came on to replace Mirco Antenucci and the Scotsman forced Rob Green to save low down with an ambitious half-volley from wide on the wing but probably a little wastefully as there were men unmarked in the box. It did raise ironic cheers as it was United's first direct threat on goal. Junior Hoilett should have done better with four minutes left on the clock with a header from a fine cross from Matt Phillips. Leeds did start to mount some late pressure as they looked to salvage something from the game and, after Lewis Cook had found him, Chris Wood shot over the bar from long-range. Cook then went close himself, as he got a fortuitous bounce after Stuart Dallas' shot had richochetted to him after hitting Nedum Onuoha, but he was wide from a tight angle. Jason Botaka was dispossessed with the goal at his mercy and with one minute left on the clock Rangers made their final change and sent on Karl Henry for Junior Hoilett to wind the clock down. The referee indicated there were four extra minutes. There was an anxious moment for the home side in injury time as Rob Green parried a low cross from Stuart Dallas and Paul Konchesky was on hand to boot the ball to safety. But despite United's chances in the closing stages Rangers were deserved winners on a forgettable afternoon for Leeds. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Sam Byram, Tom Adeyemi, Luke Murphy and Souleymane Doukara were the Leeds unused substitutes as they slipped one place to seventeenth, nineteen points behind leaders Brighton and Hove Albion and nine behind sixth placed Birmingham City, while they were four above twenty-second placed Huddersfield Town and eight above bottom club Bolton Wanderers.

On Saturday, 5th December 2015, United entertained fourth placed Hull City in their nineteenth League fixture of the season and the visitors included in their squad several familiar faces in the form of centre half Alex Bruce, son of the Hull City manager, Steve Bruce, former loanee Jake Livermore and former captain and fan favourite, Robert Snodgrass, who was on the bench after a long lay-off from injury. Chris Kavanagh from Manchester was the referee and the 24,962 crowd was boosted by 2,591 travelling Hull fans. Steve Evans made just one change to his squad and starting line-up with Mirco Antenucci dropping to the bench as Tom Adeyemi came back into midfield, as United changed formation with a lone striker. Liam Bridcutt made his home debut and Liam Cooper retained the captaincy in the continued absence of Souleymane Bamba. In a spirited start, Hull were the first to threaten in the third minute as former Leeds central defender sallied forward and forced Marco Silvestri to beat away his half-volley at the back post from a corner. Then the Hull left-back, Andrew Robertson was allowed to advance and when he let fly with a low shot Liam Cooper managed to get a good block on it to save further danger. In the eleventh minute Stuart Dallas made United's first attempt on goal when he latched onto a Chris Wood knockdown, but his swerving volley was wide of Allan McGregor's far post. Moments later, after Andrew Robertson had fouled Stuart Dallas, the keeper also held on to a speculative free-kick from Giuseppe Bellusci but the clear-cut chances were few and far between for either side in the early exchanges. In the fifteenth minute Mohamed Diame went close but his shot from twenty-five yards flew harmlessly over the bar. Leeds won another free-kick in the sixteenth minute when after good combination work from Dallas and Mowatt, the latter was tripped. Mowatt took the free-kick but it smashed into the Hull defensive wall and his follow up shot also suffered the same fate. Hull were again on the attack and they were forced into an early change when Alex Bruce pulled up injured after twenty minutes and Curtis Davies replaced him in central defence. Leeds were coming more and more into the game and, in the twenty -second minute after Chris Wood had won the ball after poor play by Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore, he tried a shot from distance, but, after initially fumbling it, Allan McGregor was able to gather at the second attempt. Then, after Lewis Cook had released Tom Adeyemi in the twenty-fifth minute, he was foiled as Allan McGregor smothered his shot from an acute angle. The Tigers next threatened and after Sone Aluko had seen his shot deflect wide, Tom Huddleston picked up a loose ball from a corner but his low shot hit the side- netting. The Tiger's best chance came in the twenty-ninth minute when Ahmed Elmohamady crossed the ball from the rightand found Sam Clucas just twelve yards out, but he totally miskicked and contacted only fresh air as he attempted to guide it goalwards. But it was the hosts that broke the deadlock in the thirtieth minute. A flowing move down the right flank saw Lewis Cook release Stuart Dallas into space and the winger got in an inch-perfect cross for Chris Wood to sweep the ball in for his seventh goal of the season. Just four minutes later the lead could have been doubled when Alex Mowatt dispossessed Harry Maguire on the edge of the penalty area before rattling the crossbar with Allan McGregor rooted to the spot as a mere observer. Liam Bridcutt was showing his worth to Leeds as he made three perfectly timed sliding tackles to breakup Hull attacks as Leeds were the better team by far and Hull were shell-shocked. A second Leeds goal did arrive, right on the stroke of half-time as Tom Adeyemi reacted the quickest to slam the ball into the net after Allan McGregor could only parry a Lewis Cook shot following a corner. It was no more than United deserved who had performed strongly against the promotion hopefuls. There were no changes as the two teams re-emerged after the interval, but Hull knew they had to step up their performance and they mounted their response with a lively start to the second half. They pulled a goal back six minutes into the new half, as Ahmed Elmohamady turned a cross from the left wing by Sam Clucas into the net from close range. Hull were now forcing United to defend deep and Jake Livermore made Marco Silvestri save his shot from distance and then Mohammed Diame did the same as the keeper clawed away his curling attempt from the edge of the penalty area with a superb one-handed save. The Leeds keeper was now extremely busy and he next palmed away a low shot from Sam Clucas at his near post, while Harry Maguire rose high to meet a cross to the far post but somehow managed to head wide. It proved to be his last action in the match as both teams looked for re-enforcements, with Hull bringing on Chuba Akpom for Harry Maguire in the seventy-first minute and two minutes later United brought on Sam Byram for Alex Mowatt. On the eighty minute mark United sent on Luke Murphy in place of Stuart Dallas and a minute later the visitors made their final change when, to the delight of both sets of spectators, Robert Snodgrass was brought on to replace Sone Aluko. The visitors were still pressing for the equaliser and Ahmed Elmohamady got up well at the far post to get in a towering header that sailed inches wide of Marco Silvestri's post. Chuba Akpom missed a golden opportunity to equalise as the game entered added time heading wide from only six yards after Robert Snodgrass had found him unmarked. Two minutes into the time added Souleymane Doukara replaced Chris Wood, more to eat up time than any other reason as United held firm in the dying minutes to claim a well-deserved win, as Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Jordan Botaka, Lee Erwin and Mirco Antenucci remained unused on the bench as United remained seventeenth on th ladder, nineteen points behind top team Brighton and Hove Albion and seven behind sixth placed Cardiff City and six points ahead of twenty -second placed Charlton Athletic and ten above bottom placed Bolton Wanderers.

United visited the Valley, home of Charlton Athletic for their twentieth League game of the season, on Saturday 12th December 2015. With their opponents languishing in twenty-second place on the ladder, six points below United, they would have been hoping for a second consecutive win to improve their dismal record in the season to date. Steve Evans was able to name an unchanged starting line-up and, after serving his suspension for his red card against Rotherham United, Gaetano Berardi had a place on the bench as Lee Erwin was left out of the squad. Andy Davies of Hampshire was the referee and there was a crowd of 15,867 of which 3,129 were in the Leeds enclosure. It was Charlton that made the better start and Reza Ghoochannejhad was inches away from opening the scoring in the tenth minute, after Richardo Vaz Te had played him in, but his low shot was just wide of the post. Reza Ghoochannejhad was prominent and after finding space he let fly from twenty-five yards but this time he was too high. The home side broke quickly after a Leeds corner and Ademola Lookman forced Marco Silvestri to make his first save of the match, as the Leeds keeper got down to his right to get two hands to it and parry it away. Leeds then, in the twenty-first minute, quickly counter attacked and Stephen Henderson was called upon to make a fine save from Alex Mowatt, after Leeds had been given a free-kick which the midfielder guided into the top corner with his usual accuracy, but insufficient power. On the half hour mark, Chris Wood saw his first-time shot deflected and then loop over the crossbar, but it was one of the few pieces of action of any note in the late first half that saw two minutes added but still no sign of the deadlock being broken. However, in the forty-third minute Lewis Cook got in a curling attempt from twenty yards that was aimed at the bottom corner but bounced wide of the post and Johann Gudmundsson was also wayward when he shot over from long distance after the Leeds defence had invited him to shoot. Marco Silvestri made a comfortable save from a deflected low shot by Reza Ghoochannejhad and Alex Mowatt volleyed over the Addick's bar in an end-to-end finish of an otherwise totally forgetable first half. There were no changes by either side for the start of the second half, but Scott Wootton, who was yellow-carded early in the game, was withdrawn as a precautionary measure after three minutes of the second half and was replaced by Gaetano Berardi. Marco Silvestri made a fine save low down from Charlton's captain, Johnnie Jackson, before United carved out their first chances of the second half. Stuart Dallas was at the heart of most of their attacking moves, and it was he that hit a low cross which just evaded Lewis Cook at the far post, before he forced Stephen Henderson to block at the near post after he had found space as he cut into the box. From the resulting corner, Charlie Taylor wasted a good chance when he blazed over the bar with a first-time shot, after he had been unmarked and in plenty of space. After sixty-nine minutes, Richard Vaz Te forced Marco Silvestri to make the best save of the match to date, as he somehow his left hand clawed out his attempt to find the bottom corner, which had goal written all over it. Steve Evans made his second change in the sixty-third minute as Joradan Botaka replaced Alex Mowatt, and Leeds started to put Charlton under a spell of sustained pressure. In the seventy-fifth minute, Tom Adeyemi shot wastefully wide after Lewis Cook had squared the ball back to him. A minute later, more fine work from Stuart Dallas allowed Lewis Cook to get in a shot on goal which struck Chris Wood and halted its progress towards the target. With ten minutes left on the clock Leeds had their best chance to break the deadlock as Chris Wood found Jordan Botaka inside the penalty area. The winger, in turn, played in Tom Adeyemi who lobbed the ball over the advancing Stephen Henderson but it agonizingly clipped the outside of the post. The home side made a double change in the eighty-first minute as captain Johnnie Jackson gave way for Simon Makienok and El-Hadji Ba replaced Reza Ghoochannejhad. Seven minutes later Charlton made their final change when Karlan Ahearne-Grant replaced Richardo Vaz Te. In between the substitutions in the eighty-second minute Stuart Dallas had another low strike well saved by Stephen Henderson. Gaetano Berardi should have done better as he smashed the ball over the bar after Stephen Henderson, under pressure from Chris Wood, had fumbled the ball and dropped it at the full-back's feet. It proved to be his last involvement in the action as in the third of four minutes of added time he was carried off on a stretcher and was replaced by Sam Byram. The game finished as it had started and with little action to enthuse about. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Luke Murphy, Souleymane Doukara and Mirco Antenucci were the unused Leeds substitutes as United dropped one place on the ladder to eighteenth, nineteen points behind leaders Brighton and Hove Albion, and eight points behind sixth-placed Ipswich Town and seven ponts above twenty- second placed MK Dons and eleven above bottom club, Bolton Wanderers.

Leeds were again on the road, this time at Molineux, for their twenty-first game of the season, when, on a cold and damp evening, they visited fourteenth placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were just two points but four places above Leeds, in another televised evening match on Thursday 17th December. Stuart Attwell of Nuneaton, Warwickshire was the referee in front of a crowd of 19,592 which included the Leeds contingent of 1,445. There was only one change to the starting line-up with Sam Byram being recalled and Alex Mowatt dropping to the bench, where Lewie Coyle had his first senior involvement in place of the injured Gaetano Berardi, while captain Souleymane Bamba return after injury, but the central defence of Liam Cooper, who retained the onfield captaincy, and Giuseppe Bellusci remained Steve Evans' first choice, as Jordan Botaka was omitted from the bench. After just three minutes the home side, who had started well, sent a long ball over the United defence but Marco Silvestri claimed the ball just ahead of Benik Afobe. Three minutes later, a cross from Stuart Dallas was hacked away by Danny Batth and Carl Ikeme took Charlie Taylor's return with ease. United could not have gone any closer without scoring in their first real attack after seven minutes when Stuart Dallas ran onto a Chris Wood knockdown to rattle the far post with a dipping volley which had left the Wolves goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, helplessly rooted to the spot. However, that was as good as it got for Leeds in the early stages with Benik Afobe already showing his potential danger as, firstly he almost got to Kevin McDonald's long free-kick into the Leeds box but Marco Silvestri was quick off his line to claim the ball, then he got in a low shot which traversed the face of Marco Silvestri's goal. In the tenth minute Benik Afobe got it right as he latched onto a head-on by James Henry from a long free-kick by Scott Golbourne to beat Marco Silvestri with a calm finish. The goal signalled a period of domination by the home team as they attacked in numbers and forced Leeds into deep defence as they sent a flurry of crosses into the Leeds penalty area. Winger Jordan Graham was the most conspiciously dangerous of the Wolves attackers with his mazy runs down the left wing, but it was Benik Afobe who was the Wolves focal point and it was he that fired inches wide on the turn from inside the area as the hosts pressed hard for a second goal. Benik Afobe was a constant threat but failed to make the most of several chances that came his way. After Jordan Graham had got a cross to Benik Afobe, he was in the act of shooting when Liam Cooper averted the threat with a well-timed tackle. Then in the twenty-seventh minute, after two corners in quick succession, Benik Afobe was picked out by Danny Batth only to see his shot fly past the post. Steve Evans made his first change after thirty minutes as Souleymane Doukara replaced Tom Adeyemi, who was suffering from an illness, as United change their formation to twin strikers. However, it did not initially stem the flow of the Wolves attacking dominance as they continued to have an abundance of possession and, in the thirty-fourth minute, Jordan Graham forced Marco Silvestri to mark a sharp save low down to his left after creating space on the edge of the penalty area. Gradually it did start to have an effectand Leeds finished the half strongly. Chris Wood was just unable to control a Souleymane Doukara cross in the area, before Sam Byram surged into the box but only saw his low shot blocked as he got it in from an acute angle. With just one minute left on the clock before half- time it was Sam Byram that scored his first competitive goal of the season. Souleymane Doukara dropped deep and pulled Ethan Ewbanks-Landell out of position and Lewis Cook played a crisp pass into the gap and, after Sam Byram had been found by Chris Wood, he took the pass in his stride and strode forward to calmly beat the onrushing Carl Ikeme and made the net ripple to the delight of the travelling hordes. Just on half-time, Lewis Cook was well over the top as he let fly from just outside the penalty area. This sent the two teams into half-time at 1-1 and neither of them made any changes on the resumption and it was Leeds that started the more aggressive with Souleymane Doukara unselfishly releasing Chris Wood into the penalty area, but Carl Ikeme was quickly off his line to smother the New Zealander's attempted finish. After Stuart Dallas had hit the post with a twenty-five yard drive, it was not unsurprising that it was the visitors that took the lead in the fifty-first minute as Leeds were rewarded for a good spell of pressure on the home goal. Stuart Dallas took advantage of the Wolves defenders leaving him space to manoeuvre by holding off from tackling him and exchanged passes with Souleymane Doukara before rifling a shot past Carl Ikeme to beat him at his near post for the Northern Ireland international's first goal for the club. It soon became one-way traffic as the home crowd got agitated as their favourites were being outplayed and Carl Ikeme was twice on hand to deny Chris Wood from giving United a two goal lead, when he first clawed away his close- range header before using his feet to stop the striker from picking out the bottom corner of the net, after the ball had got to him as Ethan Ewbanks-Landell and and Danny Batth had got in each other's way when both attempted a clearance. The home side made the first change in the fifty-ninth minute when Adam Le Fondre replaced David Edwards. But United continued to press and soon found their third goal of the evening as Sam Byram completed a brace as he powered home a back-post header after rising to meet Charlie Taylor's pinpoint cross. Leeds looked good value for their two goal lead and a ten minute passage of play followed before Wolves went in search of a way back into the contest. Part way through that period Wolves made their second change in the sixty-seventh minute as Nathan Byrne came on in place of James Henry. It was, however, their original substitute, Adam Le Fondre, who met a floated free-kick, but Marco Silvestri easily held his tame header, but when they turned to their second substitute, Nathan Byrne, they had better fortune, as he pulled one back with a cushioned volley from Jordan Graham deep cross from the left in the eighty-first minute to cut the deficit to one goal. Three minutes later the home side made their final substitution as Conor Coady replaced Jack Price. In the next minute Leeds sent on Alex Mowatt for Stuart Dallas and with ten minutes left on the clock Mirco Antenucci replaced Chris Wood, but there was little of note that happened in the final ten or so minutes as Wolves insisted in pumping in crosses and hoping something might arise from them. The only happening of note was a header from Danny Batth, which landed on the roof of the net and, even with five minutes of added time, Leeds saw out that time to remain unbeaten in the last three games. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Souleymane Bamba and Luke Murphy were the unused Leeds substitutes, as after the weekend fixtures had been completed Leeds were elevated into fourteenth place on the ladder, seventeen points behind new leaders Middlesbrough and eight behind sixth-placed Ipswich Town, while they pulled away to be eight points ahead of twenty-second placed Charlton Athletic and thirteen above bottom club, Bolton Wanderers.

For their twenty-secon game United had a home fixture, on Sunday 20th December 2015, with sixteenth placed Preston North End, who were two places and one point behind them. Managed by former Leeds boss, Simon Grayson, he had in his squad former Leeds players, Paul Huntington, who started in central defence, and Neil Kilkenny, who was on the bench. Tom Adeyemi had not recovered from illness and Luke Murphy took his place in midfield, with Kalvin Phillips taking the vacancy on the bench. There were 894 Preston North End supporters in the crowd of 22,641, and Gavin Ward of Surrey was the referee who got the game away in a cold and windy Elland Road. The visitors were the first to mount an attack on goal in the second minute as Giuseppe Bellusci fouled Joe Garner near the edge of the box. From the ensuing free-kick Paul Gallagher forced Marco Silvestri into a sharp save down to his right to palm away a goalbound shot from twenty-five yards. Liam Bridcutt soon replied for United but his speculative half-volley flew high and wide of the target. But it was clearly Preston that dominated the opening exchanges and, had it not been for the brilliance of Marco Silvestri, they would have been ahead. In the ninth minute he was quick off his line to deny Will Keane with a brave and fine block at the striker's feet after he had managed to evade the Leeds offside trap following some intricate build up work by Paul Gallagher and Joe Welsh which ended with the Manchester United loanee latching on to a pass from Joe Garner. A minute later, Joe Garner made the Italian keeper go to full stretch as he dived to push a ferocious right footed pile-driver from the edge of the penalty area round the post. Leeds replied with a weak and wayward effort by Liam Bridcutt and a brief spell of pressure as Stuart Dallas gained a free-kick and that was followed by two corners in quick succession that had no end product. Chris Wood missed the best of the early chances, in the twenty-third minute, after being put through by Liam Bridcutt, as Jordan Pickford, on loan from Sunderland, came out to smother the striker's attempt on the edge of the box. The Leeds midfield men were getting through a lot of work, and Liam Bridcutt got in a fine sliding tackle to win the ball and then Lewis Cook followed suit with an excellent crunching slide tackle. Chris Wood then volleyed over from inside the area, after cushioning a Stuart Dallas corner on his chest, but then was involved in the biggest talking point of the first half. He chased a long ball from Scott Wootton and looked to nod it over the advancing Jordan Pickford in the Preston goal. In making a save to thwart him, the Preston custodian was then adjudged to have handled the ball outside his penalty area and after thirty minutes was given a straight red card. Seventeen-year-old goalkeeper, Matt Hudson, made his League debut for Preston as he was substituted for midfielder John Welsh to fill the vacancy in the Preston goal, for the ten man team. He stood rooted to the spot as Giuseppe Bellusci floated the resulting free-kick agonizingly over the Preston crossbar. Leeds started taking advantage of their one man numerical superiority and started to apply pressure on the visitors. Sam Byram had a chance just before half-time with his rising half-volley from within the penalty area, but it missed the target and the two sides went into the half-time break goalless. Neither team made any changes at half-time, but the deadlock was soon broken. Thirty seconds after the restart United hit the front as Preston defender Alan Browne inadvertently headed a dangerous looking cross from the left wing by Stuart Dallas, past substitute goalkeeper Matt Hudson, and into his own net, right in front of a delighted Kop. United went on the look for further goals and Charlie Taylor curled a free-kick over the bar before Luke Murphy, having lost his marker, hit a low shot from twenty-yards wide. After Preston had replaced Alan Browne with former Leeds midfield man, Neil Kilkenny, in the fifty-fifth minute, they came back into the game as Leeds took their foot off the accelerator and Adam Reach threatened with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area but it was wide. Steve Evans made his first change in the sixty-fourth minute as Souleymane Doukara, who had a big impact in the win at Molineux, came on in place of Luke Murphy. As it turned out, it was a bad move as the former Crewe Alexandra man had been one of Leeds' best players and after he left Neil Kilkenny and Preston, despite their one man deficit, came more into the game. Paul Gallagher then saw his effort cannon back off Giuseppe Bellusci, before Marco Silvestri was called upon to tip Neil Kilkenny's long range shot over the bar as he belatedly picked up the trajectory of the ball's flight. He then made a comfortable save from a back-post header from Marnick Vermijl, after the full-back had got up well to a deep cross from Adam Reach. Steve Evans made a second change in the eighty-second minute, when Mirco Antenucci came on for the out of form Chris Wood. With two minutes left on the clock, Marco Silvestri had his finest moment in another impressive performance. Another cross from Adam Reach found Will Keane arriving inside the area to get in a powerful header on target, but the Leeds keeper pulled off a superb reflex save to push it over the bar. It proved to be Preston's last chance and after Leeds had sent on Kalvin Phillips four minutes into added time for Stuart Dallas, they continued to defend well for the full five minutes of added time to register their second consecutive League victory. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Souleymane Bamba and Alex Mowatt were the Leeds unused substitutes as they moved up into thirteenth place on the ladder, seventeen points behind leaders Middlesbrough and just five points behind sixth place Ipswich Town and eleven above the twenty-second placed Rotherham United and fifteen above bottom club Bolton Wanderers.

Just two days later, on Tuesday 29th December 2015, United played their twenty-fourth League fixture, as they played host to League leaders, Derby County. There was a good crowd of 23,027, of which 1,472 were there to support the Rams and Mark Heywood of Cheshire was the referee in a game that kicked off at 7.45pm before the cameras of Sky TV. Steve Evans chose to make two changes to his starting eleven, with Souleymane Bamba resuming in central defence in place of Giuseppe Bellusci and resuming the captaincy from Liam Cooper, while Tom Adeyemi came into midfield in place of Lewis Cook. Both replaced players dropped to the bench where Casper Sloth was replaced by Kalvin Phillips. Former Leeds captain Stephen Warnock was the left back and Captain for Derby County and another, Bradley Johnson, was in midfield. Leeds saw plenty of the ball in the opening stages, but ten minutes soon passed without incident and the only effort on goal came from a speculative strike from Sam Byram which sailed well over the bar as the winger lost his footing in the act of shooting. The deadlock was broken in the thirteenth minute in favour of the visitors, though, as after a patient build-up former Leeds Captain, Stephen Warnock, slipped a pass to Jeff Hendrick who worked his way through the penalty area, slipping away from Souleymane Bamba, before lofting the ball over Marco Silvestri from close range. Leeds were quick to respond and soon threatened an equaliser through Tom Adeyemi, who was on target when the two sides had met in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, as he met a cross from Sam Byram with a towering header, that flew over Lee Grant's bar. At the other end Jacob Butterfield saw his strike well blocked by the Leeds defence, after good work by the industrious Johnny Russell and United started to press to get on level terms and Tom Adeyemi once more could convert a cross from Sam Byram as his header was lacking direction. Derby defender Jason Shackell limped off the field in the thirty-sixth minute, after he sustained a knock in a set piece, and was replaced by Ryan Shotton. A few minutes later and Tom Adeyemi again went close from another Sam Byram cross as his header failed to hit the target, not for the first time. But with three minutes still on the clock before the half-time break United did manage to score the equaliser. It came from the unusual source of Souleymane Bamba, who scored his first goal of the season from close range. It came from a set piece that the Derby County defence failed to deal with on numerous occasions. It was taken by Stuart Dallas who got his cross in that found the Leeds Captain in space, as the Derby goalkeeper, Lee Grant, was caught in no man's land, a defender came to his rescue and hoofed the ball clear, but it was returned by Stuart Dallas and Lee Grant could only claw it right into the path of the Leeds skipper who smashed it into the net. There were three minutes of stoppage time before the half came to an end, but in that time there were chances at both ends of the park. Johnny Russell sent in a curling shot which went over the bar for the visitors after picking up a short corner on the edge of the box and then Marco Silvestri did really well to thwart Andreas Weinmann with a good blocking save. At the other end Chris Wood drove forward before seeing his shot blocked and the teams went to the break with the score 1-1. There was a change in referees at the break, as the original referee, Mark Heywood, had picked up an injury in the first half, but he received no sympathy from the Leeds fans who thought two of the yellow cards he had issued were unwarranted. However, neither team made any changes to their line-ups for the second half and it was Derby that started the brighter of the two, former Leeds midfielder, Bradley Johnson, shot well over the top from the edge of the penalty area after Marco Silvestri had pushed a shot from Jeff Hendrick into his path. Johnson again tried his luck in the fifty-second minute but his delivery hit the Leeds wall and was cleared. Clear-cut chances were few and far between, but, in the fifty-sixth minute, Stuart Dallas did let fly from long range, but his well hit shot was gathered comfortably by Lee Grant. Derby County full-back Cyrus Christie, who had harassed Stuart Dallas all evening, often without regard to the rules, was finally booked in the fifty-seventh minute for his latest foul on the Irishman, as the crowd bayed for a red card. As the sixty-second minute approached Derby worked the ball to Darren Bent but Charlie Taylor covered very well and got across to block his shot. Both sides went to their bench for answers and in the sixty-second minute Derby sent on Chris Martin in place of Darren Bent in attack and a minute later Leeds sent on Lewis Cook for Tom Adeyemi in midfield. The new Derby County striker soon showed his skill when he teed up Andreas Weimann for a shot, but it was blocked superbly by Scott Wootton and as Derby continued on the attack there was more good defending by Souleymane Bamba, who got in a good block on Johnny Russell. United took the lead for the first time in the seventy-first minute as Chris Wood headed home, uncontested, an inch-perfect cross from the right by Sam Byram in front of the jubilant Kop. Two minutes later Lewis Cook was just over the bar as the home crowd cranked up the volume. Once more the two sides went to the bench in quick succession as first Souleymane Doukara came on for Leeds in place of Chris Wood, who had picked up a minor hamstring strain in scoring the goal, in the seventy-fifth minute and in the next minute Derby, with their final substitution, brought on Tom Ince for Andreas Weimann. The move soon paid dividends as the former Blackpool and Hull City winger, and son of Paul Ince, scored the equaliser just two minutes after coming on, when he clinically shot into the bottom corner of the net, after receiving a threaded pass from Johnny Russell and gliding past Souleymane Bamba. This ensured a frantic finale in the closing ten minutes as both sides searched for a late winner. First Johnny Russell shot over the bar after Leeds failed to properly clear from a corner, then, in the eighty-third minute, Jeff Hendrick turned inside the area and had his effort deflected over the bar for Derby. At the other end, in the eighty-seventh minute, Luke Murphy forced Lee Grant to push his twenty-five yard free-kick round the post as it looked like creeping into the bottom corner. United made their final substitution with two minutes on the clock with Kalvin Phillips replacing Sam Byram, but there was no way through and, apart from a few corners in the three minutes for added time with no end product,as United ended 2015 with an unbeaten run of six games and a very absorbing and exciting home draw with the League leaders. Unfortunately the draw did not change their League position, which remained twelfth, but it toppled Derby from the top spot and left United eighteen points behind new leaders, Middlesbrough, and nine behind sixth placed Ipswich Town and ten above twenty-second placed Bristol City and fourteen above bottom club Bolton Wanderers. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Giuseppe Bellusci and Mirco Antenucci were the unused Leeds substitutes.

For their first game of the New Year, United entertained Twentieth-placed Milton Keynes Dons, eight places and nine points behind United, at Elland Road on Saturday, 2nd January 2016. It was theor tweny-fifth League game of the season and there seemed no reason why their unbeaten of six games would not be increased. There was only 407 supporters of the away side in a crowd of 24,356 as Jeremy Simpson of Lancaster was the referee. Steve Evans made two changes to his starting eleven as Chris Wood was given time to rest his hamstring strain and Souleymane Doukara took his place for his first start in over a year, while Tom Adeyemi dropped to the bench as Lewis Cook was recalled. Lee Erwin took the vacancy on the bench. Former Leeds loanee keeper, David Martin was in the visitors' goal. Carl Baker was the first to threaten as Milton Keynes Dons went on the attack but as he drove towards the Leeds goal he was stopped on the edge of the Leeds penalty area. It was again Baker that made the final pass to Nicky Maynard who then saw his close-range shot blocked by a Leeds defender. That apart, there was litle or no goalmouth action in the opening stages, as the period passed without incident other than a couple of Leeds counter-attacks by Lewis Cook and Sam Byram, which were easily dealt with by the Milton Keynes Dons' defence. There was a blow for the visitors in the fourteenth minute as, due to injury, they were forced to replace their impressive winger Carl Baker with Dean Bowditch. Five minutes earlier Baker had been the subject of a tackle from behind for which he had to receive treatment. He had hobbed around for ensuing period before being replaced. Souleymane Bamba, who had looked shaky under pressure, did well to cut out a cross from Josh Murphy after seventeen minutes. Six minutes later the visitors claimed a penalty after Charlie Taylor tackled Rob Hall in the area, but referee Jermy Simpson waved them away, then Samir Carruthers had a shot blocked. However, it was not until the twenty-eighth minute that there was any incident of note and then it was after Souleymane Bamba had received a yellow card for a trip on Nicky Maynard, after he had got behind the Leeds defence and had started to head for goal. Rob Hall curled the ensuing twenty-five-yard free kick over Marco Silvestri's crossbar. But just two minutes later Rob Hall was on target to give the visitors a deserved lead. Simar Carruthers found Nicky Maynard, who broke free on the right before cutting the ball back to Rob Hall, who tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the Leeds net with a cool finish from the edge of the penalty area. Four minutes after scoring, Rob Hall went down in the area, but there were no appeals for a penalty. Soon afterwards United looked to respond but they could never threaten the visitors' goal and had failed to make one shot on goal and the nearest they had came after they had gone behind was a blocked shot from Souleymane Doukara and a header from Sam Byram which did not count as he was in an offside position and Milton Keynes Dons took their 0-1 lead into the break. Steve Evans favoured a more attacking 4-4-2 formation after the interval and he sent on striker, Mirco Antenucci, for the midfielder, Luke Murphy, for the start of the second half. United started the second half on the offensive as they tried to get back into the game, but seven minutes into the half the first chance fell to the visitors when Dean Bowditch got a cross in but Josh Murphy narrowly failed to connect. United were stifled by the visitors' dominance, but they came very close to an equaliser after fifty-five minutes, when Sam Byram was fouled by Kyle MacFadzean and a free-kick was given after he and Lewis Cook had broken in counter-attack, but Samir Carruthers had managed to get a touch on the ball, as the Leeds midfielder aimed to pass, but then Sam Byram was fouled as they continued the move. A minute later, Charlie Taylor took the free-kick on the left and sent his kick curling towards the top corner and it seemed destined for that spot but instead it clipped the outside of the upright before going behind with David Martin rooted to the spot. The Dons' keeper was, however, alert to the danger and gathered Mirco Antenucci's deflected cross, as the hour mark approached. There was a sudden urgency by the home team to pursue the equaliser and after fifty-eight minutes Lee Erwin had been sent on in place of Souleymane Doukara. However, it was the visitors that came closer to increasing their lead, when Rob Hall fired over from twenty-five yards, after Jordan Spence had knocked the ball down to him, and then Nicky Maynard forced Marco Silvestri into a brilliant reflex save to turn his ferocious shot away from the target after the striker had burst his way into the United box in the sixty-ninth minute. The visitors were trying to soak up the pressure and then hit Leeds on the counter attack, but as the game still had over ten minutes on the clock when Norwich City loanee, Josh Murphy, was halted after he latched on to Simar Carruthers clever crossfield pass. United made their final substitution in the seventy-sixth minute when Lewie Coyle made his Elland Road debut when he replaced Stuart Dallas while the visitors made their second substitution in the eighty-fourth minute when Simon Church replaced Nicky Maynard. It was starting to look like United were going to start the New Year with another home defeat but with just two minutes left on the clock they pulled level. It came when the Dons defender Antony Keys inadvertantly turned a cross from Charlie Taylor past his own goalkeeper to set up a frantic finale. Leeds sent everyone on the attack as five minutes of added time appeared on the fourth officials' board. Two minutes into that time the visitors made their final change as Joe Walsh came on for Rob Hall, but there were no late dramas as the spoils were shared and United extended their unbeaten run to seven. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Giuseppe Bellusci, Kalvin Phillips and Tom Adeyemi were the unused Leeds players on the bench. The draw saw them drop one place to thirteenth, thirty points behind leaders, Middlesbrough, and nine behind sixth placed Ipswich Town, while they were eleven above twenty-second placed Bristol City and fifteen above bottom club, Bolton Wanderers.

There was the Third Round clash with Rotherham United who were twenty first on the Championship League ladder,eight places and eleven points below Leeds, at Elland Road for United on Saturday 9th January 2016. Mustapha Carayol had joined United, on loan from Middlesbrough, until the end of the season and he was one of four changes that Steve Evans made to his side, as he took the place of Stuart Dallas in the starting line-up. There was also a first start for Lewie Coyle at right back in place of Scott Wootton, Giuseppe Bellusci returned to Central Defence in place of Captain Souleymane Bamba, with the captaincy going to Liam Cooper, and Mirco Antenucci was brought into midfield in place of Lewis Cook. All the replaced players dropped to the bench, where Lee Erwin, who was injured and Tom Adeyemi lost their places and Tomasso Bianchi was added. Andy Woolmer of Northamptonshire was the referee in front of a crowd of 16,039 of which 1,344 were there to support Rotherham United on a cold and damp day in West Yorkshire. Former Leeds coach, Neil Redfearn was the man on the touchline for the visitors, and former United favourite, Andy Hughes, was in charge of their Under-Eighteen team, and other former Leeds players, Frazer Richardson, was in their starting eleven at right back and Irish International Paul Green was in midfield, while goalkeeper Alex Cairns was on the bench. There was an unsavoury start to the game as in the third minute Luke Murphy was lucky not to receive further punishment other than conceding a free-kick after he had flattened Paul Green. Then soon afterwards Joe Mattock received words from the referee after a tackle on Sam Byram and then Giuseppe Bellusci and Paul Green were both spoken to by the referee after they had clashed angrily near the touchline. In the fifth minute Joe Mattock charged forward, skipping past Mirco Antenucci, but his shot was well blocked by Giuseppe Bellusci. United had started brightly and lodged a left wing attack through Mustapha Carayol as he beat Frazer Richardson, but his dangerous cross to the far post was taken off the toe of Sam Byram as he looked to add the finishing touch. Rotherham then went on the counter attack with former Leeds player, Paul Green, leading the charge, but Marco Silvestri made a sprawling save from his low effort from the edge of the penalty area. In the first ten minutes Leeds had seen the most of the ball, but the game had got scrappy and accompanied with niggly play with Leeds turning to long balls to get better positioned. The visitors had made a more positive start and Joe Newell next drilled a low shot just wide of the post. Minutes later the Leeds defence failed to deal with a centre from Joe Mattock and Paul Green pounced on a loose ball to get in a low shot that had Marco Silvestri scrambling across his goal to push the ball to safety. In the fourteenth minute Leeds went back on the attack as full-back Lewie Coyle made a good break down the right flank but his cross to the back post was caught by Lee Camp. Two minutes later Rotherham won a free-kick and Richie Smallwood whipped it in but it was cleared by the Leeds defence. Moments later Mustapha Carayol stopped after a tussle with Grant Ward, assuming a free-kick would be awarded, and the Tottenham loanee played on and burst forward on the Leeds goal and, following good play by Richie Smallwood and Joe Newell, Shay Facey sent in a low shot the whistled past the home upright. Some fine one touch football by Richie Smallwood, Joe Newell and Grant Ward setup a shooting opportunity for Danny Ward, but Liam Cooper stopped his progress with a timely tackle. At the other end Mirco Antenucci worked his way to the by-line, but his cross from the right was blocked by the visitors defence as they crowded the area. Grant Ward was then wide with another shot from the edge of the box and finally in the thirty-fourth minute the Rotherham goalkeeper, Lee Camp, was tested. A delightful floated cross from Liam Bridcutt was met at the far post by Sam Byram, but the Rotherham keeper got down sharply to stop the goalbound header with both hands. Leeds came back into the game, as the half wore on, and the Rotherham captain, Kirk Broadfoot, headed away just in time as Sam Byram was looking to convert Luke Murphy's dangerous cross in the thirty-ninth minute. Souleymane Doukara also threatened from close range, but Paul Green did well to block him, after Charlie Taylor had paved the way with a fine run down the left flank. Then Luke Murphy made a mess of an easy chance right in front of goal, as Leeds finished the half on the attack with a succession of corners, but the strong finish did not camouflage their performance in the rest of the half which had been most forgettable. However, right on the stroke of time, they broke the deadlock with a thunderous right-footed shot from twenty-five yards by Mustapha Carayol which beat Lee Camp and flew into the top corner of the net, after Charlie Taylor had finished good work down the left by finding the scorer with his pass. Rotherham, who were unlucky to trail at half-time, made one change for the second half when Jonson Clarke-Harris came on for Shay Facey for the restart. Leeds picked up where they had left off as they continued to attack and Mustapha Carayol was soon showing his skills as he sold Frazer Richardson a dummy, but his cross was easily claimed by Lee Camp. Danny Ward replied for the Millers and his cross needed two attempts by Marco Silvestri to save. Then threatened twice more. Sam Byram was involved in both moves, being inches away from connecting with Liam Bridcutt's cross to the back-post, after the Sunderland man had muscled Kirk Broadfoot off the ball and made a good run down the left and Joe Mattock in denying Byram had almost put the ball in his own net. After fifty-four minutes Jonson Clarke-Harris tried to square the ball to Danny Ward but it was intercepted and the move broke down. Then Byram shot straight at Lee Camp after he had beaten his marker and cut in to shoot from the edge of the box. Liam Cooper joined the attack and firmly headed a Luke Murphy cross towards goal, but Lee Camp in the Rotherham goal was able to deal with it capably, as it was straight at him. After fifty-seven minutes Rotherham made their second change as Emmanuel Ledesma came for Danny Ward. on the hour Mustapha Carayol again threatened down the left, where he beat Kirk Broadfoot but then ran into Frazer Richardson and was dispossessed, at the expense of a corner. The Millers were also able to mount attacks of their own and it was the new substitute who twice threatened, and Marco Silvestri stopped his first effort with a smart dive to tip it round the post and then his second effort from twenty yards flew harmlessly over the Leeds bar. After sixty-two minutes, he also took on Liam Cooper and was brought down. He took the ensuing free-kick but it was headed away. Two minutes later, Paul Green was again lectured by the referee for a clumsy tackle on Mustapha Carayol, who got to his feet but his cross was easily gathered by Lee Camp. The Millers were putting Leeds on the backfoot and Giuseppe Bellusci was yellow-carded when he hauled down Kirk Broadfoot after being beaten by him. Emmanuel Ledesma wasted the free-kick as it passed harmlessly over the United's bar. Moments later, after a Leeds attack had broken down, Grant Ward pounced on it to give Jonson Clarke-Harris the chance of a shot, but his low effort failed to trouble Marco Silvestri. Frazer Richardson showed fleetness of foot to leave Giuseppe Bellusci grasping at thin air, but his cross was tame and was easily gathered by Marco Silvestri. Steve Evans made his first change after seventy-four minutes as Stuart Dallas replaced Mustapha Carayol. The new loanee left the field to a standing ovation, having just delivered another shot similar to his goalscoring effort, but this time he was wide. The new substitute was denied by the bar with a fine effort from fifteen yards. In the seventy-seventh minute, after a shocking corner by Stuart Dallas the visitors were able to go on the counter attack but Frazer Richardson could not make the most of the opportunity. In the next minute, the visitors made their final change as Matt Derbyshire replaced Grant Ward, and United continued to attack looking for a second goal, but, in the seventy-ninth minute Giuseppe Bellusci had to leave the pitch with an injury and he was replaced by Souleymane Bamba, who left the captaincy with Liam Cooper. It was Bamba that came close to getting a second goal for Leeds five minutes after coming on, when Stuart Dallas found him at the back post but his towering header was high and wide. Jonson Clarke-Harris became the next in the referee's book for a cynical foul on Charle Taylor. With five minutes on the clock, Mirco Antenucci, who was looking for the second goal that would seal the match, went close as he attemoted an overhead kick inside te penalty box. It was heading for goal but it was blocked by a Rotherham defender. A minute later Stuart Dallas also almost achieved it after being played in by Mirco Antenucci, but he rattled the crossbar. Three minutes before time Leeds made their final change as Lewis Cook replaced Luke Murphy. However, in the final minute of the game Souleymane Doukara took advantage of poor defending by Rotherham, as former Leeds captain, Frazer Richardson, and keeper Lee Camp were involved in a mix-up as the full back tried to usher the ball back to his keeper, and the Leeds striker shot the ball into an empty net to send United through to the Fourth Round with a win in the "Yorkshire Derby" and extend United's unbeaten record to eight games. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Scott Wootton, Kalvin Phillips and Tommaso Bianchi were the Leeds unused substitutes.

United were at Portman Road to play Sixth-placed Ipswich Town for their twenty-sixth League game of the season and as they were seven places and nine points below them on the ladder it was a "must-win game" if United were to make the top six. So much was at stake on Tuesday, 12th January 2016, on a bitterly cold evening in front of a crowd of 19,146 of which 1,259 had made the trip to support Leeds. Frederick Graham of Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex was the referee. Steve Evans made three changes to the team that had taken them to Round Four of the F. A. Cup, as Scott Wooton replaced Lewie Coyle at Right Back, Lewis Cook came in for Luke Murphy in midfield and Alex Mowatt took over from Mirco Antenucci, with the three replaced players dropping to the bench, with Tommaso Bianchi missing out, as Leeds reverted to the 4-1-4-1 formation. United could not have asked for a better start. They were in front after twelve seconds, after Luke Chambers had made a saving header, which was picked up by former Leeds midfielder, Jonathan Douglas on the edge of the area, but his touch was loose and he was dispossessed by Souleymane Doukara, who calmly shot the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Ipswich looked to mount a quick response and soon Darryl Murphy had evaded several challenges on his way into the penalty area to force Marco Silvestri to go full length to turn his shot behind for a corner. Luke Chambers then thought he had a claim for a penaty as he went to ground in the Leeds box as he tried to divert Christophe Berra's header goalward. As the early fast-paced exchanges continued it was Leeds next on the attack and the Ipswich goalkeeper, Dean Gerken, had to be alert to turn a low cross from Mustapha Carayol, which had been deflected by Ipswich captain, Tommy Smith, but he got to it and pushed it over the crossbar. But straight away Ipswich were back on the attack and applying sustained pressure as they pinned Leeds back inside their penalty area. However, the Leeds defence was holding firm and the home side were limited to shooting from distance and Marco Silvestri had to field long shots from twenty yards by Freddie Sears, which he tipped over the bar, then in the twenty-fifth minute, a right-footed shot from distance by Kevin Bru had him scampering to his left across his goal and after twenty-eight minutes he was forced into another save by Darryl Murphy. On the thirty-five minute mark Kevin Bru was well wide with a shot from the left and Luke Chambers had another claim for a penalty turned down. Jonas Knudson whipped over a dangerous cross in the forty-first minute but it was cleared before Jonathan Douglas could get to it. On the stroke of half-time Ipswich drew the best save of the evening out of Marco Silvestri, after neat inter-play between Ryan Fraser and Kevin Bru almost got Luke Chambers through before they returned and Ryan Fraser sent in an effort aimed at the top corner, but he watch incredulous as the Leeds keeper took off and acrobatically tipped it over the bar. The two teams went to the half-time break with Leeds hanging on grimly to their one goal lead. There were no changes by either side at the interval and the home side were soon on the attack once more as soon as the second half got underway. Freddie Sears had the first shot of the second half as he curled the ball over the bar from twenty yards and Leeds replied with Alex Mowatt turning Mustapha Carayol's cross over the bar. Just five minutes into the second half the home team pressure paid off when they converted one of their chances into a goal. It was captain Luke Chambers that grabbed the equaliser with a towering header from another left wing cross from Ryan Fraser that beat the sprawling Marco Silvestri as the ball nestled in the bottom corner. After fifty- four minutes, Ipswich returned to the attack and Marco Silvestri picked up a cross from Ryan Fraser. Then Liam Cooper was on hand to deny Luke Chambers a second. Ryan Fraser was back again in the fifty-seventh minute when he crossed from the left and Darryl Murphy turned it against a defender. The loose ball ran to Col Skuse who curled a shot, from twenty-five yards, inches wide as the home crowd urged their side forward in search of a second goal. Steve Evans made his first change on the hour mark when he sent on Kalvin Phillips to replace Alex Mowatt in midfield, and four minutes later, he was back again to replace Mustapha Carayol with Stuart Dallas, on the left wing. It made little difference as the home side kept on pressing for the second goal and they were just a whisker away from finding the net again, in the sixty-second minute, and Luke Chambers knocked it back across goal from an acute angle on the right but Freddie Sears was unable to keep it in play on the left. The home side were dominating and with Leeds desparately hanging on for a point. Marco Silvestri again got to the ball before Darryl Murphy after Kevin Bru had crossed from the left. Town came agonizingly close to a second in the seventy second minute. Ryan Fraser took a quick throw on the left and Kevin Bru sent another cross which almost crept in at the far post after it bounced awkwardly in the box, but evaded the frantic attempts by Luke Chambers and Darryl Murphy to make contact with it. United did breakaway on occasions, and on one of them Jonas Knudson had to be cool to chest a cross from Stuart Dallas into Dean Gerkens' hands. After Marco Silvestri had caught a looping header from Darryl Murphy, it proved to be his last act in the game as he was replaced by Brett Pitman in the seventy-eighth minute and a minute later Leeds had their final roll of the dice as Mirco Antenucci came on for Lewis Cook. The home side made their second change when they brought on Luke Hyam for Kevin Bru in the eighty-fourth minute and one minute later, it was Brett Pitman that came the closest to a winner. A long ball from Luke Hyam down the wing found the nippy "Man of the Match", Ryan Fraser who beat the onrushing Marco Silvestri to the ball knocking it around the Leeds goalkeeper before drilling a shot across the face of the United's goal which the lunging Brett Pitman narrowly failed to connect with and he finished in the back of the net as the ball rolled harmlessly behind. The home team's dominance eventually paid off in the first of five minutes that were added for stoppage time as Brett Pitman stooped to head home another precision left wing cross from Ryan Fraser to clinch the three points and end United's eight game unbeaten run. The 1-2 loss saw United drop to fifteenth on the ladder, twenty-three points behind the leaders, Middlesbrough, who had a game in hand, and twelve behind sixth placed Brighton and Hove Albion, who were behind Ipswich Town on goal difference, while twenty-second club, Bristol City, trailed Leeds by eleven points and bottom club, Bolton Wanderers, were in arrears by fifteen points. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Souleymane Bamba and Luke Murphy were the Leeds unused substitutes.

For their twenty-seventh League game of the season, on Saturday 16th January 2016, United visited Hillsborough, in a midday 12.30 p.m. kick-off encounter, to play Sheffield Wednesday, who were seventh in the table, eight places and ten points above United, in another games that United had to pick up points if they were to bid for promotion. They chose a 4-2-3-1 formation and made two changes to the starting line-up, with Stuart Dallas replacing Sam Byram and Luke Murphy replacing Alex Mowatt. Alex Mowatt dropped to the bench, where Lee Erwin and Tom Adeyemi were added to the bench in place of Kalvin Phillips as Sam Byram, who was reported to have signed a £3.7 million move to Everton, was also omitted from the squad. Anthony Taylor of Wythenshawe, Manchester was the referee and there were 3,530 Leeds supporters in the crowd of 23,909. Ex-Leeds United loanee Barry Bannan was in the Wednesday midfield. The first chance of the game came in the seventh minute to the in-form home team as a deep cross from Leeds-born Jack Hunt was headed over the bar by Norwich City loanee striker, Gary Hooper, from close range, under pressure from two United defenders. Then Fernando Forestieri was muscled off the ball after Barry Bannan had found him with an excellent ball into the penalty area. The visitors soon responded and, in the twelfth minute, the Wednesday defence was happy to see Souleymane Doukara mishit his shot, but it almost fell perfectly for Mustapha Carayol, inside the area but he too could not hit the ball properly and it rolled peacefully straight to the Wednesday keeper, Lewis Price, who easily blocked it. Leeds were attacking but failing to produce an end product and in the next minute Stuart Dallas had a good run down the right flank and his low shot was pushed away unconvincingly by the Wednesday keeper, straight into the path of Lewis Cook. His close-range shot was stopped by massed bodies on the goal-line and even Souleymane Doukara's follow-up effort was scrambled clear. Leeds were starting to look like the team most likely to score first, as Wednesday had to deal with a constant flow of crosses into their danger area. Lewis Cook was again prominent in the next Leeds counter-attack as he dispossessed Glenn Loovens in midfield and strode towards the home goal but his low shot was wide of the Wednesday far post, but close enough to see Lewis Price scramble across his goal-line before watching it pass wide. Marco Silvestri was called upon for the first time at the other end as he held on to Fernando Forestieri's shot from the edge of the box. Souleymane Doukara sent in a low drive from eighteen yards and Lewis Price was happy to clutch it as the half-time whistle approached and the two teams went to the break goalless. There were no changes to either side, but it was Wednesday that started the half at a blistering pace. It came as no surprise when they opened the scoring in the second minute of the new half, after Marco Silvestri had conceded a needless corner kick, when he touched a shot from Fernando Forestieri that was already going wide. A goalmouth melee occured following that corner, and from Fernando Forestieri's cutback, Gary Hooper was able to force the ball over the line, despite the close attentions of Scott Wootton and Giuseppe Bellusci. Just three minutes later and Wednesday doubled their lead as Gary Hooper got his second when he was the first to react when Marco Silvestri failed to hold a shot from twenty yards by Fernando Forestieri and the Norwich City loanee forced the ball over the line from close-range. The home side was now firmly in command and, just after the hour had passed, Fernando Forestieri twice tried his luck from distance as Wednesday went searching for a third. United were the next to go on the attack, however, and, in the sixty-seventh minute, Souleymane Doukara benefitted from a surging run by Luke Murphy and was put through in a shooting position to the right of the penalty area, but his powerful low shot brushed the side-netting at Lewis Price's near post. Leeds made their first change after seventy minutes when Alex Mowatt came on for Mustapha Carayol. Five minutes later he was followed by Mirco Antenucci replacing Luke Murphy. Three minutes later it seemed as though they had pulled a goal back as captain Liam Cooper guided a Stuart Dallas free- kick into the net. After much deliberation by the referee and his co-officials the goal was disallowed as Wednesday had been in the process of substituting Lucas Joao for Fernando Forestieri and Forestieri had not yet fully left the field. So the free-kick was retaken and this time, although Scott Wootton did get in a header on target, Wednesday defender Daniel Pudil managed to scramble it away off the line. Wednesday made two further substitutions. In the eighty-third minute Jeremy Helan came on for Ross Wallace and three minutes later Jose Samedo replaced Gary Hooper. Mirco Antenucci fired wide with the final chance of the game and, after four minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew his whistle for the final time. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Souleymane Bamba, Tom Adeyemi and Lee Erwin all remained unused on the Leeds bench, as United's loss saw them drop to seventeenth on the ladder, twenty-three points behind leaders, Middlesbrough and thirteen points behind the now sixth placed, Sheffield Wednesday, while they were just eight points above twenty-second placed Bristol City and fifteen above bottom-placed Bolton Wanderers. It seemed that unless there was a radical improvement and some kind of consistency from the team, even hopes of a play-off place were fast disappearing as they edged closers to the pack of strugglers below them.

United's twenty-eighth League game came on 23rd January 2016, when they entertained twenty-second placed Bristol City at Elland Road. It was another game they were expected to win to break a two game losing streak. Charles Breakspear of Surrey was the referee before a crowd of 20,441 of which 641 made the trip from Bristol. While Steve Evans retained the same starting eleven, with a 4-2-3-1 formation, he made changes to the bench where Kalvin Phillips filled in for the injured Alex Mowatt and Chris Wood was not considered fit enough to start but he was fit enough to replace Lee Erwin on the bench for a partial game. He no longer had the services of Sam Byram, who had now departed to West Ham United. Leeds had the game's first attack with Stuart Dallas leading the way with a run down the right flank, but, after he got in a first-time cross it eas gathered by the Bristol City goalkeeper, Richard O'Donnell. There was a cagey start to the game with the first ten minutes being particularly scrappy and of little consequence other than Souleymane Doukara being flagged for offside and a Liam Bridcutt free -kick that was headed away. It was not until the twelfth minute that the visitors were the first to get a sight of goal as Nathan Baker got in a towering header from a Luke Ayling free-kick but it was high and wide. It was not until the twentieth minute that Leeds got their first look at the Bristol goal and then Mustapha Carayol ballooned his thirty yards free-kick high over the bar after a foul on Luke Murphy had brought to an end his smart build-up. Shortly afterwards Bristol won a corner, but it was punched away by Marco Silvestri. Nathan Baker then received a yellow card for chopping down Mustapha Carayol in full flight, in the twenty-third minute. Just two minutes later, it was the visitors that had the first shot on target after a surprisingly lengthy dull opening when debutant Ben Gladwin robbed Liam Bridcutt inside the penalty area and got in a shot that forced Marco Silvestri to block it at the front post. A minute later, Jonathan Kodjia threatened an opener for the visitors as the half-hour mark passed, when he sent his header just wide after he got on the end of a right wing cross. He then got himself a yellow card for a foul on Giuseppe Bellusci. In the thirty- first minute Liam Bridcutt picked out Charle Taylor on the left with a well- placed ball. The usually reliable left back was then treated with jeers by the Bristol fans as he sliced his cross into them, behind the goals for a goal kick. A minute later as he tried to make amends, he sent a perfect ball to Stuart Dallas but this time it was the winger that did not connect properly. A minute after Leeds missed a heading opportunity, Bristol did the same, after excellent work down the right, Jonathan Kodjia could only head the cross wide in the thirty-third minute. The visitors seemed to have had the better chances in the game as the half-time whistle approached and they appeared the stronger of the two teams, particularly in midfield where Korey Smith, Marlon Pack an Luke Freeman provided their team with a platform from which they launched countless attacks. In comparison, Leeds looking in poor form and making many sideways or backward passes interspersed with long balls from Giuseppe Bellusci and Liam Cooper, while upfront, Souleymane Doukara looked disinterested and out of form. In the thirty-sixth minute Bristol again threatened, with Ben Gladwin's header clearing the bar after a dangerous cross that the Leeds defence was unable to deal with. Then just a few minutes before the interval, more shocking defending by the home side, allowed Jonathan Kodjia to wriggled free in the United penalty area and get in a shot from close range but fortunately for Leeds goalkeeper Marco Silvestri was alert and he rushed from his line to block the ball from the striker. The home fans jeered their team as they left the field at half time, and Leeds, in all honesty, should have trailed had Jonathan Kodjia taken his opportunities. Bristol made the first change of the game when they brought on Alex Pearce for Nathan Baker as the teams came back for the second half. United made a brighter start to the second half, when a series of dangerous crosses into the box forced the visitors to defend sternly. Steve Evans showed his attacking intent when he introduced Chris Wood in place of Mustapha Carayol just nine minutes after the restart. Lewis Cook went out to the left wing, and Chris Wood joined Souleymane Doukara as twin strikers. The first goal finally came in the fifty-ninth minute and Chris Wood played his part, making a nuisance of himself inside the Bristol penalty area and the visitors failed to deal with a Stuart Dallas cross from the right wing. Souleymane Doukara was the one who benefited as he hammered the loose ball into the bottom corner, leaving Richard O'Donnell in the Bristol City goal helpless, as he scored his third goal in four games. In the sixty-first minute Bristol made their second change as Bobby Reid came on for Queens Park Rangers loanee, Ben Gladwin. Derby County loanee, Alex Pearce, passed up a good opportunity to equalise for the Robins just three minutes later, when he headed a Marlon Pack corner to the back post over the bar from only six yards. Leeds were not detered and continued with their search for another goal, putting pressure on the Bristol defence, but Souleymane Doukara made a comical attempt at an overhead kick and failed to make any contact. The visitors managed to weather the storm and started to pose questions of their own as they went on the attack. This was re-enforced by the introduction of Aaron Wilbraham for Marlon Pack in the seventy-eighth minute. Three minutes later Bristol defender, Aden Flint, was wide with a header from what was a glorious opportunity, after he had found himself unmarked at the back post, from a Luke Freeman corner. With six minutes left on the clock, Marco Silvestri got down quickly to hang on to Luke Ayling's low shot from inside the area, after a good break down the left by Luke Freeman and then taken up by Aaron Wilbraham made the final pass to Ayling. The Italian keeper, Marco Silvestri, made another blunder as he spilt a cross ffrom Wes Burns but managed to recover and fall on the ball before the lurking Jonathan Kodjia could profit. United made two more changes towards the end of normal time with Mirco Antenucci coming on for Souleymane Doukara with five minutes left on the clock and then in the final minute Tom Adeyemi replaced Luke Murphy. Although the visitors continued to press, the Leeds defence was up to the task, even after five minutes had been added for stoppages and they held on to take full points. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Souleymane Bamba and Kalvin Phillips remained unused on the Leeds bench. The win took them up just one place to sixteenth, but still twenty-one pointd behind new leaders Hull City and eleven behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday, while the now were eleven points above today's victims, Bristol City, who remained in twenty-second position, and fifteen above bottom placed Bolton Wanderers.

United played their twenty-ninth League game in an evening kick-off on Tuesday, 26th January 2016 at Griffin Park against tenth-placed Brentford who were four points and six places ahead of United on the League ladder. United had signed Toumani Diagouraga from Brentford during the week, but Steve Evans chose to put him on the bench rather than start him against his former club, but former Brentford winger Stuart Dallas was in the Leeds starting eleven as Evans made just one change to the Leeds starting eleven. Chris Wood was now considered to be fully fit and he returned to lead the attack at the expense of Mustapha Carayol, who dropped to the bench and Souleymane Bamba was left out of the subsitutes to make way for Diagouraga. 1,632 United supporters made the trip in a crowd of 10,051 and Iain Williamson of Thatcham, Berkshire was the referee. There was a fairly even start to the game as the visitors' twin strikers, Chris Wood and Souleymane Doukara look to combine but the Senegalese, after cutting inside from the left, failed to find his New Zealand partner, while at the other end the home attackers waited patiently for an opening in the United defence. On the fifteen minute mark the home side almost found a way through, from an attack down the right wing by John Swift, his dangerous cross was inches from sneaking in at the back post, before United cleared their lines. Sam saunders almost created a goal when his cross was deflected several times around the penalty area before it went over the bar off a Leeds defender. Then Lewis Cook had an effort blocked by Harlee Dean. United suffered a major blow in the nineteenth minute, when Chris Wood pulled up on the half-way-line clutching his hamstring. Steve Evans sent on Mirco Antenucci as his replacement. Less than ten minutes later the home side took the lead, in the twenty-eighth minute, after Sam Saunders latched on to a loose ball inside the Leeds half from a poor headed clearance and was allowed to move forward as the Leeds defence backed off, worried about decoy runs by Lasse Vibe and Alan Judge, and he scored as he shot unerringly into the bottom corner of the net from eighteen yards. Leeds soon responded but were denied by the fast reflexes of the Brentford goalkeeper, David Button, who flew across his goal to superbly push away Mirco Antenucci's curling twenty-five yard drive with a strong two-handed save. Luke Murphy had a shot saved soon after and then burst through the midfield and set up Mirco Antenucci for a run at goal but Harlee Dean got back to tackle the Italian as he was about to shoot. However, Leeds in trying to respond were leaving gaps in midfield, which Brentford were able to exploit as John Swift started to get into the game. His switching with Sam Saunders and Alan Judge allowed Lasse Vibe to link with his forwards and Josh McEachern started to make effective passes to all parts of the park. Brentford soon returned to the Leeds goal area and after a weaving run by John Swift, Alan Judge cut in from the right and his curled shot went agonisingly close, but it was over Marco Silvestri's cross-bar. Then, Sam Saunders was again the attacker that sent a free-kick well over from eighteen yards. Lasse Vibe also went close later in the half after Alan Judge and John Swift had linked for him to curl his shot over the bar. United had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down as Mirco Antenucci after he hand been brought down in the area by Harlee Dean. Brentford were finding it hard to cope with the four man midfield and tried to use Maxime Colin and Sam Saunders on the right and Alan Judge on the left to get round it and Josh McEacheran in central midfield to dictate play and supply the wide men. But Brentford went to the break with a one-nil lead, but had dominated most of the play in the first half with their five man midfield. No changes were made in the half-time break and they quickly got down to the second half action with United on the offensive after switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mirco Antenucci leading the line and Souleymane Doukara dropping back to the left of midfield and they called David Button into action twice in the first three minutes. He had to be alert to dash from his line and smother the ball to deny Mirco Antenucci's close range shot, after the Italian had been played in by a threaded ball from Lewis Cook. He then was back on his feet swiftly as he blocked a Stuart Dallas effort from a tight angle on the rebound. Then a deflected shot from Souleymane Doukara again kept the Brentford keeper alert and Mirco Antenucci seemed to throw himself down in the penalty area after he had passed Harlee Dean and into a shooting position but the referee just waved play on. United appeared to be getting on top, but Brentford soon reminded their visitors of their threat on the counter attack as Charlie Taylor made a good tackle on Alan Judge after he had made a good run. Lasse Vibeforced a save from Marco Silvestri and a strong run from Jake Bidwell enabled Lasse Vibe and John Swift to combine to give Alan Judge to get in a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area, which the Leeds keeper saved. The keeper was also on hand to save a flick from Sam Saunders, who had been set up by John Swift. But it was Leeds who had dominated the second half and Souleymane Doukara was the one that threatened. He gained possession by beating Josh McEachern in a challenge for a loose ball and then he took aim from nearly forty yards and tried to catch David Button off his line with a chipped shot that ended up in the side-netting. Leeds continued the pressure as a Liam Bridcutt shot was deflected over. On the hour mark Steve Evans replaced Luke Murphy with Toumani Diagouraga in midfield and thereby give the former Brentford man his Leeds debut against his former club. Marco Silvestri had to be alert to block Lasse Vibe's near post shot, while Liam Cooper got in a header at the far post when Leeds went on the attack as both teams were looking for a vital goal. In the sixty-fourth minute Brentford made a double substitution, Akaki Gogia came on for Sam Saunders and Marco Djuricin replaced Lasse Vibe. It seemed that Brentford were the more likely to get the priceless goal as the game entered its final stages, and Marci Silvestri had to be at full stretch to clutch Alan Judge's goalbound free-kick, but in the seventy-sixth minute Mustapha Carayol came on for Stuart Dallas, and he immediately started to threaten. In the eighty-fourth minute he fulfilled that promise and when Jake Bidwell failed to get a good connection on his clearance, the ball fell in his path on the edge of the penalty box and he made no mistake as his first time effort gave David Button no chance as it was hit perfectly and before he could move it was nestling in the bottom corner of the net to level the scores at 1-1. With two minutes to go Brentford made their final change as Nico Yennaris came on for John Swift. Brentford were stung into action but Marco Djuricin was crowded out when he tried to shoot and when Harlee Dean connected with a Nico Yennaris effort it was blocked. Leeds also tried to win and Souleymane Doukara forced David Button to push away his fierce shot in stoppage time. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Kalvin Phillips and Tom Adeyemi were the unused Leeds substitutes. The draw took Leeds to fourteenth on the ladder, twenty points behind leaders, Hull City, who also had a game in hand, ten points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday, who also had a game in hand, while they were twelve in front of twenty-second placed Bristol City and sixteen above bottom placed Bolton Wanderers, but both clubs also had a game in hand.

The Fourth Round of the F.A. Cup saw United visit Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium, formerly the Reebok Stadium, on Saturday 30th January 2016. United were hopeful of progressing further as Bolton were bottom of the Championship League, and sixteen points below them with just three wins in fourteen home games and almost certain to be relegated. United had a massive 6,630 fans in attendance out of a crowd of 17,336 and Andre Marriner of Sheldon, Warwickshire, was the referee. They had to make three changes to their starting line-up with Captain Souleymane Bamba, restored to the team as the deputy captain, Liam Cooper, was injured. Mirco Antenucci also had to replace the injured Chris Wood, while new boy Toumani Diagouraga was given his starting debut and took over from Luke Murphy in midfield. This meant a place on the bench for Lee Erwin and Casper Sloth as Kalvin Phillips missed out. The game got under way in sunshine which had only appeared just before the kick-off after torrential rain and hailstones in the build-up to the game. The home side were the first to attack and had a shot on goal as Gary Madine let fly on the turn from the edge of the box, but Marco Silvestri held it comfortably. Then Liam Feeney made a run down the wing and crossed for Darren Pratley to shoot well over with a first time shot. It was Lewis Cook that had the first Leeds attempt on goal with a curling shot which Bolton goalkeeper, Ben Amos, caught just under his bar. The frantic start showed no signs of letting up and, in the ninth minute, Souleymane Doukara kept up his recent scoring form when he scored with a low shot, after he had been played in by a through ball from Stuart Dallas, which fell with pinpoint accuracy right between Dorian Dervite and Josh Vela, for the Senegalese striker to make a seemingly easily stoppable shot, but it looked like the Bolton keeper, Ben Amos, let it slip through his fingers and into the bottom corne of the net. Bolton should have pulled level three minutes later when Gary Madine again shot over, this time from close range after he had used his body strength to get the ball, when Souleymane Bamba mistakenly chested the ball to him. A brief spell of pressure from Wanderers ensued as Leeds had to defend deep against a series of long balls into their penalty box from Wellington Silva, but they soon broke the pressure as Stuart Dallas found himself in possession near the Bolton box, and, after skipping away from his marker, his shot sailed well over the home team's bar. In the twenty-fifth minute United had a golden opportunity to double their lead. Lewis Cook led the charge with a quick break through midfield, but as there were no other options he had to cut inside without shooting, and then threaded the ball to Mirco Antenucci, who was wide inside the penalty area. The Italian forced the Bolton keeper to a superb one handed save at his near post to turn his low shot round it. From the resulting corner Giuseppe Bellusci was not too far away with his cross-shot. Mirco Antenucci next turned provider as he played in Stuart Dallas but the winger volleyed over the bar. The former Brentford winger soon returned and Liam Trotter had to bring him down to stop his progress. Charlie Taylor took the free-kick but curled it wide. United did, however, deservedly double their lead in the fortieth minute when the debutant, Toumani Diagouraga, wheeled away in celebration after meeting a cross from Mirco Antenucci to calmly put the ball into the net from the edge of the box for his first goal for Leeds. There was little else of significance and Leeds went in leading 2-0 at half-time. There were no changes by either team as the two team resumed after the break, as the Macron Stadium had a snow storm, which caused several players to loose their footing. The game continued in similar mode to the first half with end-to-end football that always made it interesting and entertaining. United were the first to threaten but Charlie Taylor scuffed a chance at the far post after Lewis Cook had got in a good cross and found him free, in a fine counter attack by United. His mistake was compounded by Bolton breaking away with him out of position and they were able to force two corners before Leeds cleared their lines. Bolton were soon to reply but after a Rob Harding flick-on, Gary Madine was crowded out and his close range shot was put behind for a cornerby Souleymane Bamba. Just after, Liam Feeney made a run unchallenged down the right flank but his cross found no takers as United cleared. On the hour mark United were close to making it three, after another counter attack had sliced through the Bolton defence but Scott Wootton wasted an easy chance from from the edge of the area, when he agonisingly smash the ball over the bar after Stuart Dallas had teed him up. Leeds were starting to look like certain winners the more the game progressed and Ben Amos was called upon to tip a speculative free-kick from distance by Giuseppe Bellusci over his bar. In the sixty-ninth minute Bolton made a double substitution with Jay Spearing replacing Mark Davies and Kaiyne Woolery coming on for Arsenal loanee, Wellington Silva. Bolton did threaten to open their account as first Gary Madine received a long throw from Dean Moxey but Marco Silvestri was alert enough to avert the danger, then Liam Feeney worked his way into the Leeds penalty area before blazing it high over the bar from an acute angle. In the seventy-seventh minute, Giuseppe Bellusci performed a very brave act when he launched himself at a ferocious half-volley from Darren Pratley to avert a goal. However, it was Pratley that did find a way through in the eighty-first minute when after a corner from Kaiyne Woolery had been flicked on by Rob Holding and fallen nicely into his path he hammered the ball into the roof of the net and made the game more on a knife's edge to set up a nervy finish for Leeds. The Bolton supporters thought they had equalised three minutes from time, but Gary Madine had clipped the outside of the post from inside the penalty area after Darren Pratley had got in a strong shot that Marco Silvestri had parried into Madine's path. Leeds resorted to time wasting by sending on Mustapha Carayol for Mirco Antenucci in the eighty-sixth minute and then Souleymane Bamba limped off three minutes later to be replaced by Lewie Coyle. But even though four minutes were added for stoppages United held firm, by wasting more time by sending on Tom Adeyemi two minutes into that time for Lewis Cook, to go into the draw for the Fifth Round after a 2-1 win. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Casper Sloth, Luke Murphy and Lee Erwin remained unused on the Leeds bench.

Nottingham Forest were the visitors to Elland Road on 6th February 2016, for United's thirtieth League fixture of the season. They came three points and three positions above United and provided another barometer for United's progress should the still harbour ambitions of promotion. There was just one change to the starting line up with Liam Cooper returning to central defence after injury, replacing Souleymane Bamba, who dropped to the bench, in place of Casper Sloth, as Cooper took over his place and the captaincy. Scott Duncan of Newcastle-on- Tyne was the referee and Forest had brought a good following of 2,266 with them in a crowd of 24,079 on a wet afternoon in Leeds. There was a hectic start to the encounter, but it was the home side that first threatened the goal in the third minute, as Souleymane Doukara got in a towering header after Stuart Dallas had found him at the far post with his cross from the right-wing, but the ball flew agonisingly wide of Dorus De Vries' far post. Forest were soon making themselves dangerous at the other end when, two minutes later, Nelson Castro Oliviera shot straight at Marco Silvestri from a tight angle, but it was generally the home side that controlled the possession in the early stages and in the sixth minute Charlie Taylor got in a cross from the left, but Dorus De Vries caught it on his goal-line, amid some half-hearted claims of a goal from the Kop. But apart from Liam Bridcutt firing a first-time shot well over the Forest crossbar from distance they had nothing to show for their dominance and Forest soon replied, in the thirteenth minute, as Nelson Castro Oliviera, after receiving a pass from Gary Gardner, dragged another low effort straight at the Leeds keeper, Marco Silvestri, which he saved with ease. The visitors then started to get a little more on top and fired in two shots on goal from distance, with the Italian clutching a dipping volley from Jamie Ward three minutes later and then, after Gary Gardner had been fouled by Liam Bridcutt in a dangerous position, Jamie Ward's delivery was disappointing, but the Leeds defence failed to clear and it fell to Gary Gardner who rattled the home cross-bar with a ferocious shot from twenty-five yards, as the twentieth minute approached. Ben Osborn was the next to unleash an assault on the Leeds goal from long-range and it was his strike that created the visitors clearest chance to date, in the twenty-sixth minute, when a huge deflection off Giuseppe Bellusci fell kindly for Robert Tesche just ten yards out from goal, but he wastefully lashed his volley into the crowd in the South Stand. Leeds tried to get their rhythm back and in the thirty-third minute, Toumani Diagouraga found Souleymane Doukara but unfortunately he dragged his shot wide from twenty-five yards. Forest were causing problems on the counter attack and former Leeds loanee Eric Lichaj was just wide, with ten minutes to go until the half-time break, with a rasping first time strike. With one minute to go to the break, Jamie Ward found Nelson Castro Oliviera, who lost his marker and then showed fleetness of foot to manueover himself into a shooting position, but a Leeds defender recovered to dispossess him in the act of shooting,at the expense of a corner, but the game remained goalless at half-time. There were no changes after the half-time break and United started on the front foot, with Scott Wootton shooting into the arms of Dorus De Vries, from the edge of the penalty area, after just two minutes of the new half, followed quickly by Stuart Dallas driving towards the Forest goal before firing wide and low with his shot. At the other end, in the fifty-first minute, Charlie Taylor had to be alert to deny Jamie Ward a close-range tap-in, making a crucial block after Nelson Castro Oliviera had played him in. Forest were soon back and in the fifty-fifth minute Jamie Ward forced Marco Silvestri to dive to his right to clutch his fierce shot. Three minutes later, Leeds hit back and Stuart Dallas beat his marker and headed for goal and got in a low shot that Dorus De Vries seemed to see late, but he still managed to keep it out and then hold the ball. The deadlock was broken on the hour mark, by the same person that got the Forest goal in the reverse fixture in December, Nelson Castro Oliviera, who wheeled away in celebration after stooping to head home from Gary Gardner's cross from the right wing, despite a suspicion of offside. Forest were now well on top and a couple of minutes later Ben Osborn laid off a ball to Gary Gardner, who got in a powerful strike from twenty-five yards that went inches over the Leeds crossbar. There was a response from United, in the sixty-eighth minute, as Souleymane Doukara, who got in a low shot on the turn, which Dorus De Vries managed to gather at the second attempt. In the seventieth minute Steve Evans took off Stuart Dallas and replaced him with Mustapha Carayol and the on loan winger was soon causing the visitors problems with his pace and direct running. Five minutes later Forest made their first change as Oliver Burke replaced Jamie Ward. In the eighty-first minute Lee Erwin was given nine minutes to prove his worth as he was sent on for his debut, after replacing Toumani Diagouraga, as Leeds searched for an equaliser as time ran out. Despite the end-to-end football in the closing minutes when Dorus De Vries stopped a Mustapha Carayol strike from long range while Nelson Castro Oliviera was off target with a good shot, there was no real threat on either goal. But Forest were the better of the two teams and sought to increase their lead. Robert Tesche could have had a goal, but after doing well to control an Eric Lichaj pass and lose his marker in the same move to create a shooting opportunity with his left foot, he mishit his shot and Marco Silvestri was untroubled. Ben Osborn was the next to have a go with his weaker foot, after being played in by David Vaughan, he hit a twenty-yard drive straight at the Leeds keeper. Former United loanee, Dexter Blacklock replaced Nelson Castro Oliviera but only had two minutes of normal time to prove his worth, and finally in the ninetieth minute Tom Adeyemi came on for Scott Wootton. But there proved to be no late drama despite there being four added minutes and Forest saw the game out to return south with the three points. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Souleymane Bamba and Luke Murphy were the unused Leeds player who remained on the bench, as United dropped to sixteenth spot on the ladder, twenty points behind leaders, Hull City, who had a game in hand and fourteen behind sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday but above twenty-second placed Rotherham United by eleven points and bottom-placed Charlton Athletic by twelve points.

Second-placed Middlesbrough were the opposition for United's thirty-first League game of the season. On the face of it Leeds were not expected to win against a team that had accumulated twenty points more than United and who were just goal difference from being the League leaders whereas United were in a slump fourteen places below them. The two teams met on a Monday evening on 15th February 2016, with the Tees-siders bringing 2,782 supporters with them in a crowd of 20,242, on a bitterly cold night. Craig Pawson of Sheffield was the referee. Leeds were able to field the same starting eleven that had faced Nottingham Forest on the weekend. The only change in the squad was Alex Mowatt, who had recovered from injury was able to take the place of on loan winger Mustapha Carayol, who was not allowed to play against his parent club. Former Leeds player Adam Clayton was in midfield for the visitors. Surprisingly it was Leeds that started the brighter of the two sides and dominated the early exchanges, with Mirco Antenucci, after being played in by Souleymane Doukara, having a goalbound shot blocked inside the area by Ben Gibson and then Stuart Dallas' back post header was deflected onto the roof of the net. In the eleventh minute Ritchie De Laet had a shot from theedge of the Leeds box, but it was cleared. Two minutes later Gaston Ramirez sent a dangerous ball into the Leeds box. It was met by Cristhian Stuani but Marco Silvestri saved well to deny the Uruguayan. Then another Gaston Ramirez effort was kicked off the line by Liam Cooper. But the more the game progressed and the more Boro came into the game and Gaston Ramirez got in a low cross that Marco Silvestri did not see until late and Giuseppe Bellusci had to concede a corner to keep it out. From the corner he was again on hand to clear off the line as the visitors should have scored from close range. In the nineteenth minute Emilio Nsue got on the end of a terrific ball from Ben Gibson, amd then crossed it for Jordan Rhodes, who put the ball into the Leeds net. But there was a reprieve for United as the ball was wrongly adjudged to have gone out of play in the move. In the twenty-third minute, Boro full back, Dael Fry, sent in a well hit shot that Marco Silvestri held. Adam Clayton then got himself booked for a foul on Lewis Cook. It was United that looked the more likely of the two teams to score. On the half hour mark, Mirco Antenucci cut inside but his shot from twenty-five yards was blocked, and then the woodwork denied Charlie Taylor, whose corner was deflected by Richie De Laet onto the cross-bar. Two minutes later, Souleymane Doukara tried his luck from distance and forced Middlesbrough goalkeeper, Dimi Konstantopoulos, to back-pedal furiously as his audacious shot landed on the roof of the net. Giuseppe Bellusci was the next player to receive a yellow card for a foul on Jordan Rhodes and five minutes before the break, Toumani Diagouraga joined him for a foul on Cristhian Stuani. Gaston Ramirez tried to shoot from twenty-five yards but it was far of goal it could not be classed as a serious attempt. So the teams went to the break scoreless and there were no changes to either team for the second half, which started at a slower pace than the first as both teams seemed wary of each other. Cristhian Stuani got in a dangerous low cross, but Marco Silvestri gathered it without trouble. In the fifty-seventh minute, Richie De Laet got in a cross but defenders stopped it getting to Cristhian Stuani. Two minutes later, Gaston Ramirez should have done better with a header that went across the face of the Leeds goal before being cleared. A minute later Souleymane Doukara saw his good cross well blocked by Ben Gibson. Then Dimi Konstantopoulos had to come off his line to punch clear a long ball from Giuseppe Bellusci as Souleymane Doukara lurked close by. Middlesbrough then started to put United under pressure and Giuseppe Bellusci was again on hand to boot away a downward header from Emilio Nsue at the far post, before it could cross the line. A good cross fro Richie De Laet found Cristhian Stuani, but he hammered a volley into the ground and over the bar after he had been left unmarked in the penalty area. Almost immediately Cristhian Stuani was presented with another chance by Stewart Downing but his header was too high. Middlesbrough were the first to go to their bench in search of ideas to break the deadlock, when they made a double substitution in the sixty- seventh minute when Albert Adomah replaced Gaston Ramirez and David Nugent came on for Christhian Stuani in the two striking roles. In the seventy-third minute David Nugent got his first involvement as he drove the ball across the face of the goal, but Jordan Rhodes could not get a touch to it. A minute later Don Gibson saw yellow after a foul on Mirco Antenucci. Leeds then sent on Alex Mowatt for Stuart Dallas. Many in the crowd thought United had taken the lead in the seventy-first minute when Souleymane Doukara got in a good header from a Charlie Taylor free-kick from the deep. It seemed destined forthe net but a fine diving save from Dimi Konstantopoulos saw him claw the ball away from the corner of the net. But, from the resulting corner Boro made a counter attack and Jordan Rhodes managed to get a charge on goal but his strong shot was met by an equally fine two handed save by Marco Silvestri. Alex Mowatt cut in, in the seventy-sixth minute but his shot on goal was deflected for a corner, which came to nothing. In the seventy-ninth minute Leeds replaced Mirco Antenucci with Lee Erwin, gaining fresh legs in a game that was still wide open. However, it was Boro that twice threatened soon after. First Jordan Rhodes headed wide from a right wing cross from Albert Adomah, then Stewart Downing shot straight at Marco Silvestri. As the game reached its final few minutes it was Leeds that started to apply the pressure and, with three minutes left on the clock, Souleymane Doukara got up well to get in a towering header from another good cross from Charlie Taylor but it passed agonisingly close but marginally wide. With one minute to go the visitors were reduced to ten men as Ben Gibson was given his second yellow card of the night for a foul on Lee Erwin. Boro reacted by sending on Tomas Kalas for Justin Rhodes in the ninetieth minute. Four minutes were added for stoppages. Liam Bridcutt released Souleymane Doukara into the Boro area, but Dimi Konstantopoulos was quickly off his line to block his progress. Charlie Taylor was also off target when he shot over after he had received the ball from a corner. In the fourth minute of added time United sent on Luke Murphy for Toumani Daigouraga but neither team could break the deadlock and it finished 0-0. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Souleymane Bamba and Tom Adeyemi were the unused Leeds players on the bench, as United remained in sixteenth position on the ladder, twenty-two points behind leaders, Hull City, who had a game in hand and were now two points of Middlesbrough, and fourteen points behind sixth placed Derby County, who now seemed out of reach on present form, while twenty-second placed Rotherham United were only eleven points below, but buffer enough, unless Leeds had a disastrous spell, and bottom club Bolton Wanderers seemed doomed thirteen points below.

United's next game was at Vicarage Road, Watford, on 20th February 2016 in the Fifth Round of the F.A. Cup. Watford, who were ninth in the EPL, were massive favourites to reach the next round. Steve Evans had one enforced change to be made to his team, as Souleymane Bamba took over central defensive duties and the captaincy from Liam Cooper who was injured. His place on the bench went to Jordan Botaka as Mustapha Carayol also missed out due to injury. United had 4,065 supporters behind them in a crowd of 18,336 and Michael Oliver of Cramlington, Northumberland was the referee, on a gloomy, rainy day. It took the hosts just one minute to have the first sight of goal, as Etienne Capoue got in a cross from the right wing and Troy Deeney saw his powerful back-post header deflected wide. Miguel Britos then twice headed wide after meeting two corners inside the Leeds penalty area, as the Hornets had the better of the early exchanges, but failed to trouble Marco Silvestri in the Leeds goal, as the rain continued to fall. In the twelfth minute Jose Holebas delivered a fine pass to set up Nordin Amrabat, but the Moroccan international mistimed his jump and his header looped into the air and straight into the arms of Marco Silvestri. United continued to defend deep but, after Etienne Capoue had beaten two defenders in a run down the left side of the area, he then found Jose Holebas, who sent a powerful first time effort past the far post after it was deflected. After playing second fiddle in the game to this point, in the twenty-sixth minute United started to apply some pressure of their own. Mirco Antenucci led the charge, driving United forward in counter attack. He found Stuart Dallas inside the Watford penalty area but the winger was unable to get the power needed to trouble Costel Pantilimon with his curling shot. After exchanging several clever passes with Souleymane Doukara, Stuart Dallas once more found himself with an opportunity on the edge of the box, but he shot wide, as the half hour passed by. At the other end Troy Deeney had released Juan Carlos Paredes down the right flank and his low cross to the near post found Marco Silvestri alert to the situation and he beat Nordin Amrabat to the ball and smothered it in making a fine save. However, United remained a threat on the counter attack, particularly through the impressive Stuart Dallas. The winger went close once more on the stroke of half-time when beat his marker before cutting inside only to see his low shot deflected behind. The two teams were both unchanged for the start of the second half and on the resumption it was the home side that went on the offensive. First Troy Deeney tricked Souleymane Bamba on the left hand side but his effort was blocked. Then Craig Cathcart headed over a corner taken by Ben Watson. However, nine minutes into the new half the home side broke the deadlock. It came from United right back, Scott Wootton, who put through his own goal as he inadvertently turned Ben Watson's cross to the back post into his own net. He was attempting to sweep the high cross out for a corner, under no real pressure, but he somehow side-footed the ball just inside the post with a horrible miscue. Alben Abdi then strode forward unchallenged before blazing the ball high over the bar from the edge of the area as Watford looked to quickly add to their lead. They thought they had doubled their lead four minutes later but a push from Troy Deeney on Charlie Taylor caused the referee to disallow Etienne Capoue's turning home a fine low cross to the back post from Nordin Amrabat. Steve Evans made the first change of the afternoon in the sixty- first minute when he sent on Alex Mowatt for Stuart Dallas, shortly before Liam Bridcutt sent in a shot from long range which did not bother Costel Pantilimon, who gathered it easily. Six minutes later Watford made their first change as Odion Ighola replaced Nordin Amrabat. They then made their second change as Adlene Guedioura came on for Almen Abdi in the seventy-seventh minute. A minute later Jose Holebas cut inside from the left, leaving his marker in his wake as he advanced to the edge of the box, but the Greek international could not get any power into his shot and Marco Silvestri saved easily. United made two quick substitutions in the eighty-second minute when Lee Erwin replaced Mirco Antenucci and three minutes later when Jordan Botaka came on in place of Toumani Diagouraga, in a bid to find an equaliser. As the game entered its final stages Etienne Capoue looked to add to the Hornet's lead, but shot over the bar after he had found space on the edge of the Leeds area. Leeds almost drew level, with one minute remaining, when Scott Wootton found Souleymane Doukarain space fifteen yards out, but the Senegalese striker put the ball over the bar and the chance was lost. In the final minute Watford sent on Iketchi Anya for Etienne Capoue, but by then Watford's progress into the quarter-finals was all but assured, and Leeds were knocked out with hardly a whimper, as Baiey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Tom Adeyemi and Luke Murphy remained unused on the bench.

On Tuesday 23rd February 2016, United faced their thirty-second League game of the season as they faced eighteenth placed Fulham at Elland Road, and they were one place and two points above them with a game in hand, so they would have been expecting maximum points from the encounter, if they still were to show any kind of interest in promotion. United were without Giuseppe Bellusci due to suspension and Liam Bridcutt, for personal reasons, to attend a family funeral, while Scott Wootton and Stuart Dallas were dropped to the bench. Liam Cooper, who had recovered from injury partnered Souleymane Bamba in central defence, while Lewie Coyle made his starting debut at right back in place of Scott Wootton, while Tom Adeyemi and Alex Mowatt returned to midfield. Gaetano Berardi took the vacant seat on the bench, having recovered from an ankle ligament injury. Mustapha Carayol was still injured and so Jordan Botaka retained his place on the bench. There were several former Leeds players in the Fulham team. Ross McCormack, being a former Leeds favourite and captain, as was goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, while full -back Luke Garbutt, on loan from Everton, was a former Leeds Academy player as was midfielder Tom Cairney, while big Matt Smith was on the bench. There were only 364 Fulham supporters, but because it was a midweek evening game, it was to be expected and the crowd was just 17,103. Kevin Wright of Peterborough was the referee. It was a lively start with both teams looking to get the early advantage. Five minutes had gone by when Lewie Coyle found Mirco Antenucci with a fine cross-field ball. The Italian then crossed it for Tom Adeyemi but he failed to connect and the move petered out. A minute later former Leeds Academy player, Luke Garbutt, seemed to be through but was blocked by a Leeds defender. It was Fulham that came closest to opening the score in the thirteenth minute when a fine effort from Ross McCormack was turned onto the crossbar by a crucial Souleymane Bamba header, which may not have been intentional. So it came as no surprise that Fulham took the lead in the seventeenth minute. Given too much room on the edge of the penalty area, former Leeds Academy player, Tom Cairney, chested the ball down and with a fine shot on the volley he rifled the ball past the static figure of Marco Silvestri, who remained rooted to the spot. The margin could easily have been increased just two minutes later as once more Luke Garbutt got in behind the Leeds defence, but fortunately for United he did not connect properly with his shot and the ball was picked up with ease by Marco Silvestri. Ross McCormack took a free-kick and crossed for Fernando Amorebeita, but he scooped the ball over. Soon after, just on the half hour mark, Leeds had their first serious attempt on the visitors' goal, when Souleymane Bamba's shot sailed well over Andy Lonergan's crossbar, after Liam Cooper had flicked a Lewis Cook corner into his path. Tom Adeyemi was the next to threaten at the far post, but he was high and wide from an acute angle after picking up a loose ball. Fulham were also busy at the other end and, in the thirty-sixth minute, only a good interception by Lewie Coyle stopped Ross McCormack from an easy tap-in at the far post. Soon after Marco Silvestri was called upon to beat away a shot from the edge of the box from Luke Garbutt. United did, however, pull level in the thirty -eighth minute, when Lewis Cook was the unlikely source. It was a spectacular way to register his first League goal, with one that must be a contender for "Goal of the Year". His unstoppable shot from thirty yards flew like a missile into the top corner of Andy Lonergan's net with the former Leeds keeper always beaten by its sheer velocity. The goal lifted Leeds and they went looking for a quick second. But Andy Lonergan stood in their way and three minutes after the goal he saved Souleymane Doukara's low shot from the edge of the area with his legs as Leeds piled on the pressure just before the break. Then he denied Mirco Antenucci's header a minute later. After one minute of stoppage time the two teams went to the break with Leeds on top for the first time in the match. There were no changes to either team at the break, but there was a change in dominance, as Fulham applied it right from the start. However, they had little to show for it except seven minutes into the new half, Souleymane Bamba came to his team's rescue with a crucial recovering sliding tackle to dispossess Moussa Dombele as the striker surged into the Leeds penalty area. Eight minutes into the second half, Fulham made a double change as Alex Kacaniklic came on for Luke Garbutt and Ryan Tunnicliffe replaced Jamie O'Hara. The play seemed subdued as a stalemate came over the game. But there were good interventions by Michael Madl, who headed a Mirco Antenucci cross away before Souleymane Doukara could pounce, at one end and Alex Mowatt at the other, when he got back to prevent Ross McCormack getting a tap-in at the far post, before the former Leeds striker sent a twenty-five yard free-kick high into the Southern Stand, after sixty-seven minutes. In the next minute Leeds made their first change as Lee Erwin replaced Mirco Antenucci. But it was the visitors that continued to press and United had to thank captain Souleymane Bamba for being in the right place at the right time on several occasions. Alex Kacaniklic got in a low shot that Marco Silvestri did well to hold. Ryan Tunnicliffe got in a back heel from close range but Marco Silvestri was lucky enough to stop, but after that the possession evened out, and with twelve minutes to go United made their second change, with Stuart Dallas replacing Alex Mowatt. A minute later the winger announced his presence when he ran on to Lewis Cook's floated back post cross, but hitting it first time on the volley he watched it go inches wide, but it was an easy chance that went begging. At the other end Alex Kacaniklic managed to get a low shot in from an acute angle on the corner of the Leeds penalty area, but Marco Silvestri was equal to his shot and dived to push it away. With six minutes on the clock Fulham made their final change as Jazz Richards came on for Ryan Fredericks. United followed suit two minutes later as Jordan Botaka replaced Tom Adeyemi as they looked push for the winner. But even though Fulham were reduced to ten men when Fernando Amorebeita received his second yellow card of the night, for handling, they held on despite five extra minutes being added. It was a disappointing match for Leeds and Fulham dominated for long periods. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Scott Wootton, Gaetano Berardi and Luke Murphy remained unused on the Leeds bench as the point saw Leeds remain seventeenth, twenty-five points behind leaders, Hull City and sixteen behind sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday, who had played a game more, while twenty-second placed Rotherham United were twelve points behind, having played a game more, similar to bottom club Charlton Athletic who trailed by thirteen.

There was a long trip to the south coast for United to play their thirty-third game of the season, in a televised Monday evening fixture at fourth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion on 29th February 2016. Scott Wootton and Liam Bridcutt returned to the team with Lewie Coyle moving to defensive midfield and Liam Bridcutt returning to central midfield, while Tom Adeyemi and Mirco Antenucci both dropped to the bench, where Mustapha Carayol returned from injury as Stuart Dallas was not available due to injury and missed his first game of the season, and Jordan Botaka was not included in the squad. United took 1,522 supporters with them in a crowd of 25,150 as the game was refereed by Peter Bankes of Liverpool. There was little between the two sides in the early exchanges, with both teams showing caution as they sought to build up their attacks for fear of counter attack. But Lewis Dunk met a Beram Kayal corner in the box but his header was cleared off the line. Liam Rosenior was booked early in the game after he had brought down Lewie Coyle and Alex Mowatt put the ensuing free-kick over the bar. Rosenior gave away another free-kick after his high boot at again caught Lewie Coyle in another reckless challenge, but the Brighton man was fortunate that the referee chose nor to punish him further. There was little else of consequence until the eighteenth minute when Scott Wootton brought down Liam Rosenior in the penalty area and Tomer Hemed calmly dispatched the spot kick down the middle of the goal, after the Leeds keeper had committed himself and into the back of the net. Marco Silvestri had more chance to show his capabilities two minutes later as he dived full length to keep out a low free-kick from Beram Kayal. However Brighton were dominating and soon added a second in the twenty-second minute as Sam Baldock played a one-two with Dale Stephens, just outside the box, before he burst through the middle before easily beating the unprotected Marco Silvestri, after the ball had deflected off Liam Cooper. It could easily have been worse for Leeds as Jamie Murphy was through on goal but Marco Silvestri made a good save. Leeds tried to mount a quick response and Souleymane Doukara and Toumani Diagouraga both shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. But Brighton soon increased their lead, as Tomar Hemed got his second and his side's third, as a quick free-kick by the home team caught Leeds knapping, and although Souleymane Bamba managed to half-clear from Anthony Knockaert, Tomer Hemed was on hand to shoot home from inside the area in the twenty-eighth minute. It got worse as Lewis Dunk rose to head at the back post to meet an in-swinging corner from Dale Stephens in the thirty-eighth minute to make it four and increased the misery of a thoroughly terrible night for Leeds and they went to the break four goals in arrears after being totally outplayed. Steve Evans changed his formation during the half-time break bringing on Mustapha Carayol for Scott Wootton and moving Lewie Coyle back into the right back role with the new man going into the left wing role. Brighton just carried on where they had left off before the break and Dale Stephens flicked a low cross from Jamie Murphy wide of the far post just two minutes after the restart. But, as the half progressed, Leeds came more into the game. Alex Mowatt went close when he curled in a free-kick which was deflected by Lewis Dunk onto the roof of the Brighton net. Soon after he burst into the Brighton box after picking up a through ball from Mustapha Carayol only to blaze the ball over the bar. Lewie Coyle made a determined run down the left flank before hitting a left-foot volley wide after his first effort had rebounded back into his path. Despite those off-target efforts, United could not get a shot on target to test the Brighton Leeds-born goalkeeper, David Stockdale. There was then a flurry of substititions as Jiri Skalak came on for Sam Baldock in the seventy-fourth minute in Brighton's first change, then Lee Erwin replaced Souleymane Doukara for United's second change a minute later, before Brighton completed their substitutions with a double change in the seventy-seventh minute as Steve Sidwell came on for Beram Kayal and James Wilson replaced Tomer Hemed. The substitutions were completed in the eighty-fourth minute as Leeds brought on Luke Murphy for Toumana Diagouraga. But they changed nothing and Brighton could have added a fifth in the closing stages as Jiri Skalak rounded Maeco Silvestri but he needed too many touches and Souleymane Bamba managed to knock him off the ball to avert the danger.Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Gaetano Berardi, Tom Adeyemi and Mirco Antenucci were the unused Leeds substitutes as the defeat meant United were still seventeenth on the ladder, twenty-seven points behind new leaders Burnley, and seventeen behind sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday while they were just nine points above twenty-second placed Rotherham United and thirteen above bottom- placed Charlton Athletic.

United were at home for their thirty-fifth League game of the season on 5th March 2016 when they entertained next to the bottom, but separated only by goal difference from bottom club Charlton Athletic, thirteen points behind United, on paper a home banker for United. Giuseppe Bellusci had finished his suspension and returned to the team with Souleymane Bomba dropping to the bench and Liam Cooper taking over the on-field captaincy. Mustapha Carayol took over in on the right of midfield as Mirco Antenucci came in on the left as Alex Mowatt took his place on the bench, while Scott Wootton dropped out of the squad, as Lewie Coyle moved to right back and United changed to 4-2-3-1 and Dallas returned to the squad on the bench and Lee Erwin was the other person to be omitted from the squad. Former Leeds goalkeeper, Paul Rachubka, was in the Bolton goal as Bolton brought 725 fans with them in a crowd of 21,070 and Tony Harrington of Cleveland, North Yorkshire was the referee. There was little between the two sides in the early part of the match as both probed for openings and there were no clear-cut chances in the first fifteen minutes. Leeds did make a break down the right and from Mirco Antenucci's cross Paul Rachubka saved on the goal-line just before Souleymane Doukara arrived. Moments later Darren Pratley had an effort blocked and from the ensuing corner by Liam Feeney, Zach Clough shot straight at Marco Silvestri, then Jay Spearing got in a low shot from outside the penalty area which Marco Silvestri held quite easily at full length. At the other end Souleymane Doukara was inches away from poking the ball past Paul Rachubka. Then Lewie Coyle played in Mirco Antenucci only for the Italian to scuff his shot, while at the other end neat play by Liam Feeney allowed Gary Madine to get in a shot which was charged down. But, it was Marco Silvestri that had to make the first real save of the afternoon, in the eighteenth minute, when he was forced to dive brilliantly at full-length to palm away a curling shot from Liam Feeney, who had been played in by Gary Madine, to stop it from going into the far corner of the net and Josh Vela wastefully stabbed the rebound wide. In the twenty-first minute Leeds lost right back Lewie Coyle, who had to be carried off on a stretcher following a collision with Jay Spearing and Gaetano Berardi made his return to the first team after his injury when he replaced him. Paul Rachubka began seeing more action as Leeds started to gain the majority of possession and he was forced into a flying save to keep out Mustapha Carayol's curling drive from twenty-five yards in the twenty-seventh minute. Gaetano Berardi was lucky not to be more than yellow carded as he hauled back Zach Clough, who had a clear run to goal. Then Rob Holding shot over from close range after receiving from a Liam Feeney free-kick and then Feeney dragged a shot wide, but was also pulled up for offside. Next Liam Cooper got in a header from a hanging cross from Charlie Taylor, but it went wide and then Mirco Antenucci also had a shot blocked. However, it was not long before Leeds took the lead in the thirty-ninth minute after sustained pressure, when a deft flick from six yards by Mirco Antenucci put the ball into the net for his sixth goal of the season, after a Mustapha Carayol corner had been played to him by a downward header from Liam Cooper. He went close to doubling the lead four minutes later when he back-heeled a Charlie Taylor low cross inches wide of the post as Leeds kept applying pressure almost until to half-time. But, late in stoppage time, Derik Osede's goal-bound header from a Liam Feeney cross was kept out by Liam Cooper who was on hand to clear off the line from a corner as the visitors looked for an equaliser. It was his final act in the game as he was injured and had to \be replaced as captain and central defender by Souleymane Bamba, on resumption after the half-time break. Bolton started brightly the resumption and created the first chance of the second half when Jay Spearing shot over. After surviving some early pressure from the visitors, Leeds were able to increase their lead in the sixty-second minute as Mirco Antenucci scored his second of the afternoon, when, after his initial intended cross to Souleymane Doukara had been blocked straight back into his path by Rob Holding on the left edge of the penalty area, he sent a beautiful curling right-foot shot into the far corner of the net. United were soon pressing for a third and Paul Rachubka needed two attempts to keep out a strike from the edge of the penalty area by Mustapha Carayol. The visitors made a double substitution in the sixty-eighth minute as Kaiyne Woolery came for Josh Vela and Liam Trotter replaced Darren Pratley. It was one of the substitutes, Kaiyne Woolery, that not only disposses Souleymane Bamba and race clear only for the Leeds captain to produce a fine recovering tackle to slide in and block his eventual shot, but, reduced the arrears just six minutes after his arrival on the pitch, as he chested down a cross from the left wing by Dean Moxey to score from eight yards. It caused a nervous final fifteen minutes for United and Giuseppe Bellusci had to be alert to block a shot from Derik Osede and then Zach Clough was wide with a low shot from twenty yards as the visitors looked to equalise. Leeds replied with a Lewis Cook free-kick that flashed across the face of the Bolton goal with no one to apply the finishing touch. After Bolton had made their final change in the seventy-eighth minute with Stephen Dobbie replacing Zach Clough, Leeds too made their final change, one minute later, as Stuart Dallas came on for Mustapha Carayol. Stuart Dallas was straight into the action and forced a corner from which Lewis Cook delivered and Souleymane Bamba was agonisingly close to connecting with it. At the other end Stephen Dobbie cannoned a shot into a ruck of Leeds players and United were forced to hang on grimly as the game moved into five minutes of added time, but, after Rob Holding had failed with Bolton's final chance when he headed over, they did and recorded their first win in six matches and their second in twelve League matches. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Luke Murphy, Tom Adeyemi and Alex Mowatt were the Leeds unused substitutes, a the win took them into sixteenth place on the ladder, twenty-seven points behind leaders Burnley and fourteen behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday, as well as being nine points in front of twenty-second placed Rotherham United and sixteen in front of bottom club Bolton Wanderers, allbeit they had a game in hand on all four teams.

For their thirty-sixth game of the season Leeds had to make the long trip to "bogey" team Cardiff City, who were just goal difference from a play-off spot in seventh place, nine above Leeds and fourteen points above. Given their past record and present position no one was optimistic about the outcome. Indeed it was February 1984 since they last beat the Bluebirds, who had only lost at home once this season and that was back in September. And so on Tuesday evening, 8th March 2016, they made the long trip to South Wales with only 950 Leeds supporters in the crowd of 15,273 as many opted to view the game from the comfort of Elland Road where a beamback could be watched in the newly refurbished Norman Hunter Suite and Billy's Sports Bar, as many of the 2,100 tickets offered by the Cardiff club were not taken up. There were four changes made to the Leeds starting eleven. Lewie Coyle and Liam Cooper had not recovered from their injuries received in the win over Bolton Wanderers and Toumani Diagouraga and Mustapha Carayol dropped to the bench as Gaetano Berardi and Souleymane Bamba came in for the injured duo and Luke Murphy and Alex Mowatt were restored to the starting eleven, while Lee Erwin, Scott Wootton and Jordan Botaka were restored to the bench as Tom Adeyemi could not be considered against his parent club. Darren Deadman of Peterborough was the referee. Spurred on by the though of prssing their claims for a play-off spot, the home side started on the front foot, as Anthony Pilkington seized on a loose ball in the third minute but blasted the ball over the bar from twenty-five yards. The same player then headed a cross from the left wing straight into the arms of Marco Silvestri, while Tom Lawrence had a low shot saved. But Leeds soon made their presence felt as Mirco Antenucci cushioned the ball on his chest, lost his marker, and then tried an audacious curled shot, which just cleared David Marshall's crossbar. Cardiff's attacking policy left them open to counter attack and in the tenth minute Matt Connelly had to take a yellow card, after Souleymane Doukara had dispossessed Peter Whittingham and sprinted past Connelly, who clipped his ankles to stop any further progress on goal. From that free-kick Souleymane Bamba had the best chance to date, when a wicked free-kick from Alex Mowatt was turned into his path by Giuseppe Bellusci, but he scooped the ball over the bar from six yards. The two close calls urged the home side to go on the attack and reassert their authority on the game as the started to dominate possession once more and probed for a way through the Leeds defence. After Souleymane Bamba had lost possesion inside his own half, Anthony Pilkington put a twenty yard shot over the Leeds bar, and then Stuart O'Keefe had a shot that went into the side-netting, as Marko Silvestri watched it, but had it covered. Luke Murphy, who had started for the first time since late January, saw yellow in the twenty-fifth minute after he had pulled back Tom Lawrence after he had got on the wrong side of him. From the free-kick by Peter Whittingham, Marko Silvestri once more saved the curling shot by palming it round the post. Stuart O'Keefe next sent in a dipping half-volley from twenty yards that bounced wide of the near post. Then as the thirtieth minute mark approached Tom Lawrence made a penetrating run towards the Leeds penalty area, only to be brought down twenty- five yards out. Then Marco Silvestri was called upon to make the save of the night as he superbly palmed away a vicious low goalbound free-kick from Peter Whittingham at the expense of a corner. The Leeds goalkeeper's reflexes were soon tested again as Tom Lawrence forced him to go to full stretch to palm away his low strike, but from the resulting corner Leeds broke away and opened the scoring against the run of play. Mirco Antenucci collected the ball just in his own half, on the left flank, and ran at the Cardiff defence, and when Scott Malone refused to commit himself the Italian threaded a pass to his strike partner Souleymane Doukara in the penalty area, who steadied himself and then sent a low shot past David Marshall into the bottom corner of the net in the thirty-seventh minute. Cardiff immediately went on the attack in search of a quick equaliser and Lex Immers hooked a cross inches wide of the far post and then Stuart O'Keefe was once more denied by Marco Silvestri at the expense of a corner and Leeds took their 1-0 lead into half-time break. There were no changes for the start of the second half and it was Leeds that nearly increased their lead in the early stages of the new half as a Mirco Antenucci's shot was cleared off the line by Bruno Ecuele Manga after a Cardiff defensive mix-up, in the fiftieth minute, in which indecision led to Souleymane Doukara dispossessing the keeper and squaring the ball to his attacking partner. Then David Marshall could only parry a shot from Liam Bridcutt but was quickly up to smother Mirco Antenucci's effort from the rebound. However, the home side quickly returned to the attack and, in the fifty -third minute, Marco Silvestri was again alert to save, at the expense of a corner, a rasping shot from Lex Immers, who had been played in by Stuart O'Keefe. Four minutes later, the appeals for a penalty for hand ball by the home side after a dangerous cross from Matt Connelly appeared to strike a Leeds arm, were waved away by the referee. But the game then erupted into a series of robust tackles with players from both sides being shown yellow cards. Fabio Da Silva was amongst them for a foul on Mirco Antenucci and he was soon seeing red after receiving a second yellow card for a cynical tackle on Charlie Taylor in the sixty-third minute. This prompted Cardiff to bring on Craig Noone for Peter Whittingham. After Lex Immers had shown great ball control in the Leeds penalty area before rattling a close range shot against the Leeds post, and Bruno Ecuele Manga had put a header over the bar from close range, Marco Silvestri then came to the rescue of Leeds as he saved from Anthony Pilkington, Craig Noone, when he somehow kept out a well-taken free-kick, and a low and powerfully struck shot from Joe Ralls, in quick succession as Cardiff pulled out all of the stops in search of the equaliser. Leeds brought on Toumani Diagouraga for Liam Bridcutt in the seventy-first minute and five minutes later both teams went to the substitute's bench as Leeds brought on Stuart Dallas for Alex Mowatt while the home side brought on Sammy Ameobi for Tom Lawrence, as both adjusted their sides either to take advantage of the numerical inequality or compensate for it. It all made for a nervous finale to the game, but Marco Silvestri continued his inspired form to keep out a curling free-kick from Craig Noone and, after his eighty- second minute substitution for Stuart O'Keefe, Kenneth Zohore somehow rattled the crossbar when he headed a cross from Craig Noone from close range, before Marco Silvestri unbelievably pushed a close-range effort from the big Dane over the bar. With four minutes left on the clock Leeds made their final substitution as Lee Erwin replaced Souleymane Doukara. Cardiff threw every man forward as the applied the pressure in the six minutes of added time for stoppages, but this backfired on them as they were open to the counter attack and Mirco Antenucci pounced on a loose ball to race away from the Cardiff defence to cooly beat David Marshall in the fourth minute of added time to seal the Leeds victory and put the Cardiff bogey to rest. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Scott Wootton, Mustapha Carayol and Jordan Botaka were the unused Leeds substitutes as the unexpected win took Leeds up to fifteenth on the ladder, twenty-seven points behind leaders Burnley, and twelve behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday and nine above twenty-second placed Rotherham United and eighteen above bottom-placed Bolton Wanderers, but United had a game in hand on all four of those teams.

After two three-pointers Leeds approached their thirty-sixth League game with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday, 12th March 2016, with a little more optimism than of recent times as Rovers sat one place and one point below Leeds and so both teams could do with the three points on offer in the lunchtime kick- off as Keith Stroud of Bournemouth was the referee and Leeds brought a huge following of 3,344 to swell the crowd to 16,071, and the home side were looking for their fifth home win in succession. There were several changes in personnel to the Leeds squad, but the only change to the starting line-up was that Toumani Diagouraga returned in place of Luke Murphy, who dropped to the bench, where Chris Wood returned after injury at the expense of Lee Irwin, while Bailey Peacock-Farrell was unavailable and Eric Grimes took his place as deputy goalkeeper. There was a lively start to the game as both teams made their intentions clear in the first few minutes as Liam Bridcutt had United's first shot on goal as he strode through the midfield before dragging the ball wide from long range, while at the other end former United loanee Danny Graham forced Marco Silvestri to his first save with a header from a Tommy Spurr cross. The home side threatened again as Tony Watt got behind the Leeds defence and was looking to cut the ball back from a dangerous position to find Elliott Bennett, but Gaetano Berardi was well placed to kick the ball to safety. Shane Duffy then, in the thirteenth minute, sent a towering header over Marco Silvestri's crossbar after getting on the end of a free-kick from the right by Elliott Bennett. However, in the sixteenth minute, it was Leeds that came the nearest to an early goal as Alex Mowatt saw his curling free-kick finger-tipped away in desperation by a good save from Jason Steele as it headed tantalizingly close to the top left hand corner of the net. The sides were evenly matched, as indicated by their relative positions in the League prior to this game and the end to end football also came as little surprise. This continued with Tony Watt flicking a header wide of the far post and then Souleymane Doukara forced Jason Steele into a smart diving save low down to keep out his shot from twenty-five yards. Continuing with his exceptionally good form in South Wales in the midweek clash, Marco Silvestri then, in the thirty-second minute, brought off a big save to deny loanee Danny Graham, after the former United loanee had broken through and was one on one with the Leeds keeper, just twelve yards out, but thankfully the Italian won the duel as he parried the ball before it was cleared to safety. Soon after this United broke free and took the lead in the thirty-fourth minute. Alex Mowatt took an inswinging corner that caused panic in the Blackburn defence and captain Souleymane Bamba took advantage as he charged in to volley the ball into the roof of the net from six yards. It was his second goal of the season and helped to settle his side and they had little trouble maintaining their one goal lead to the half-time break and it could have been two had Mirco Antenucci late effort not passed wide. Neither side made any change during the break and the second half started just as the first had with both sides in lively fashion. In the fifth minute of the new half, Danny Graham made it a hat-trick of missed chances, when he was the first to threaten the goal as his glancing header, from an Elliott Bennett corner, went past the far post, when he really should have scored. In response Leeds went to the other end where Lewis Cook was well wide of Jason Steele's goal with a shot from twenty-five yards. But the first real threat from Leeds came when Mirco Antenucci and Souleymane Doukara linked up and exchanged passes before the Italian let fly from twenty-five yards but his first-time effort was well held by Jason Steele. Blackburn made the first change in the sixty-third minute when Simeon Jackson came on for Tony Watt. But soon after the in-form Leeds striker soon doubled United's advantage, as he scored his fourth goal in three games and his ninth of the season, with an ice-cool lofted finish from just inside the penalty area in the sixty-ninth minute, after Alex Mowatt had led a quick counter attack before playing him in. There was a succession of changes to the teams with Craig Conway replacing Jordi Gomez two minutes after the goal and after seventy four minutes as Leeds made their first change with Stuart Dallas replacing Alex Mowatt and two minutes later Blackburn made their final change when Swansea loanee Matt Grimes came on for Darragh Lenihan. Chris Wood was given a chance to prove his fitness with five minutes left on the clock as he replaced Souleymane Doukara. Leeds were now looking good value for their lead which seemed beyond doubt after their second, but the substitute, Simeon Jackson, pulled one back with one minute left on the clock, when he hammered the ball home from six yards out after a Craig Conway corner had fallen into his path and his first attempt had been brilliantly saved before he acrobatically fired in the rebound. This set up a hectic finish, particularly when six minutes of stoppages time was announced, but Leeds took a bit of the heat out of the situation by sending on Luke Murphy for Toumani Diagouraga with three of the six minutes remaining, and they held on to record a third consecutive win for the first time in more than almost fifteen months. Eric Grimes, Scott Wootton, Mustapha Carayol and Jordan Botaka remained unused on the Leeds bench as the win took them into twelfth place on the ladder, twenty-seven points behind leaders, Burnley, and twelve behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday and eleven more than twenty-second placed Rotherham United and twenty-one more than bottom club, Bolton Wanderers, all four clubs having played one game more than Leeds.

After three wins on the trot, two of which had been on the road against in- form sides, United returned to Elland Road on 19th March 2016 for their thirty- seventh game of the season against local rivals Huddersfield Town, who came into the gamein eighteenth position, six places below United and having played a game more, trailing them by five points. So it would be fair to say that Leeds had cause to be optimistic about continuing their winning streak. They made two changes to their starting line-up with Toumani Diagouraga and Lewis Cook being replaced by Luke Murphy and Stuart Dallas respectively as they adopted a 4-1-3-2 starting line-up. On the bench Bailey Peacock-Farrell was now available and replaced Eric Grimes as deputy goalkeeper, while Lewie Coyle and Liam Cooper had recovered from injury and replaced Scott Wootton and Jordan Botaka on the bench. Huddersfield brought 2,082 supporters and the crowd was 29,311, which was the biggest of the season, and the referee was Graham Scott of Abingdon, Oxfordshire. A series of robust challenges in the early minutes set the tone for the rest of the match and in the tenth minute the visitors were awarded a penalty after Souleymane Bamba had tripped Joe Lolley in the box. The build up to the penalty started with Joe Lolley releasing Jamie Paterson down the right flank and then he took a return pass and jinked his way past a Leeds defender into the penalty box but after shaping to shoot he cut back onto his left and was then brought down in a desparate lunge by the Leeds captain. But, in keeping with his brilliant form over the last three games, Marco Silvestri was equal to the task as he pulled off a superb save low down to his right with a parry and a quick recovery of the loose ball from Nahki Wells. United were soon threatening at the other end as Souleymane Bamba looked to make amends for his penalty blunder by getting above his Huddersfield counterpart, Mark Hudson, with a towering header, from a pinpoint free-kick from the left by Stuart Dallas, which passed over Jed Steer's crossbar. The penalty miss had unsettled the visitors and two of their players, Philip Billing and Joe Lolley were yellow-carded for reckless tackles on Mirco Antenucci and Charlie Taylor, respectively. Leeds started to dominate and deservedly took the lead in the twenty-second minute. Joel Lynch had robbed a Leeds player of possession and passed the ball to Dean Whitehead, but Liam Bridcutt took him unawares and won repossession thirty yards out in the Huddersfield half and then found Stuart Dallas at the far post with an inch- perfect pass for him to climb above Tommy Smith and head the ball past Jed Steer and into the net, from ten yards, right in front of the jubilant Kop. Leeds were on top, but still needed to be on guard as Huddersfield looked to strike back on the counter attack and Jamie Peterson's low free-kick was diverted by Luke Murphy over Marco Silvestri's crossbar. In the thirty-eighth minute Philip Billing forced Marco Silvestri into a sprawling save to push away his low shot from twenty-five yards, before Dean Whitehead put the ball well over the Leeds bar after a corner had been cleared into his path. Huddersfield were now getting back into the game and their pressure produced an equaliser just four minutes before half-time, when James Husband won a corner a corner on the left after a duel with the determined Gaetano Berardi. The Jamie Paterson corner evaded Philip Billing and a group of playes at the near post for Mark Hudson's stooping downward header to find the top corner of the Leeds net. Continued pressure from the visitors also brought a near miss when many thought they had taken the lead but Philip Billing's header from a corner had landed on the roof of the Leeds net. At the other end Stuart Dallas took of the three added minutes to get in a shot from twenty-yards, which was bravely deflected by Mark Hudson for the teams to go to the half-time break locked at 1-1 but with the visitors the more dominant of the two. Huddersfield made their first change during the half-time break as Harry Bunn came on for Rajiv Van La Parra and the second half started in pulsating manner as the visitors immediately went on the attack and Leeds were forced to defend in depth, but, having withstood the early onslaught, they pushed forward looking for a goal to restore their lead. It was the in-form Mirco Antenucci that came the closest in a quick counter attack in the fifty-fifth minute, when an excellent crossfield ball from Stuart Dallas put him in possession and his curling shot was inches wide of Jed Steer's far post. The match was now evenly poised and both teams went the bench in search of answers on how to break the deadlock. Huddersfield made their second change in the sixty-third minute when they replaced the young Jamie Paterson by the more experienced Karim Matmour and two minutes later leeds brought on Lewis Cook for Luke Murphy, then a minute later Huddersfield made their final change when the brought on Emry Huws for Philip Billing. It was Huddersfield that nosed ahead in the sixty-ninth minute with the third goal of the afternoon as substitute Harry Bunn rifled a low shot in off the inside of a post as he was given far too much space on the edge of the penalty box after a corner had fallen to him. Four minutes later Huddersfield made it 1-3 as another substitute, Karim Matmour, scored from close range after being left totally unmarked at the far post for a Nahki Wells cross. In the build up Giuseppe Bellusci had played a ball out of defence but his misplaced pass went straight to Tommy Smith, who played it quickly to Nahki Wells who effortlessly beat Souleymane Bambi, before picking out the Algerian international. Leeds made their second change in the seventy-fourth minute when Chris Wood replaced Stuart Dallas, but it had little effect as, three minutes later, Huddersfield made it 1-4 when Nahki Wells fired past the hapless Marco Silvestri from just inside the penalty area with a powerful shot inside the near post. In the later stages of the game Leeds were fortunate to have the score remain at 1-4 as Harry Bunn and James Husband were both denied by Marco Silvestri. It left Leeds stunned and saw them fall to thirteenth on the ladder, now twenty-eight points behind leaders Burnley and fifteen behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday, while they were ten points above twenty-second placed Milton Keynes Dons and twenty-one points above the doomed bottom team, Bolton Wanderers. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Liam Cooper,Toumani Diagouraga and Mustapha Carayol remained unused on the Leeds bench.

After the International break United travelled to the New York Stadium, home of Rotherham United for their thirty-eighth League game of the year, on Saturday 2nd April 2016, against a team that had now climbed to twentieth on the ladder after seemingly been doomed to relegation for most of the season. They now had a two point buffer over the twenty-second club, Milton Keynes Dons, but trailed United by seven places and eight points, but United also had a game in hand. Steve Evans made three changes to the side humbled at home to Huddersfield Town in their previous game, with Chris Wood starting after finally recovering from injury and taking the place of Souleymane Doukara, who was suspended until the final game of the season. Toumani Diagouraga and Lewis Cook returned in midfield in place of Luke Murphy and Stuart Dallas, who both dropped to the bench where Tom Adeyemi filled the spot vacated by Souleymane Doukara. Former Leeds full-back and utility man Frazer Richardson was on the Rotherham bench, along side former Leeds keeper Paddy Kenny. There was a capacity crowd of 11,418, including 2,311 from Leeds, on hand and the game was refereed by Kevin Friend of Leicester. The home side were the first to threaten as, in the second minute, Lee Camp's long punt upfield was deftlt flicked into the path of Lee Frecklington by Leon Best and he raced onto the ball and shot on the half-volley, from twenty yards, but the ball flew over the Leeds bar. Moments later a long throw from Greg Halford into the Leeds box was inch perfect for Leon Best, as he stood on the six yard box, but the striker failed to connect and a gilt-edged chance was missed. Leeds came back and Lewis Cook's powerful shot was blocked on the edge of the area and then, after he had combined well with Alex Mowatt, Mirco Antenucci sent in a curling shot that went over from an acute angle. Leeds had started the brighter of the two teams and continued to look the more dangerous of the contestants. Capitalising on a loose pass by Kirk Broadfoot, Alex Mowatt next sent a rasping twenty-five yards shot narrowly over Lee Camp's crossbar and then, in the nineteenth minute, it was again Alex Mowatt who threaded a ball through to Chris Wood, and despite the New Zealander looking offside, he in turn layed the ball off to Mirco Antenucci on the edge of the penalty area and he tested Lee Camp for the first time but he beat away the Italian's low effort and the ball was then hacked to safety by a home defender. Despite Leeds having the best of the opportunities it was the home side that scored first in the twenty-seventh minute. Greg Halford switched play to bring in Joe Matock who in turn sent in a well- flighted centre from the left and Lee Frecklington timed his run to perfection and launched himself into a shot on the half-volley and turned it beyond Marco Silvestri from inside the penalty area. United sought to make a quick response but Mirco Antenucci failed to test Lee Camp as he squeezed a low shot through a crowded Rotherham penalty area and then the Italian shot agonizingly wide of the far post a few moments later. Lee Frecklington also did well to get back to thwart Chris Wood after a fine move by Leeds. Stephen Kelly put his body on the line to block a goalbound shot from Mirco Antenucci before Rotherham had some good inter-play between Greg Halford and Lee Frecklington to create a chance for Grant Ward, but he blazed it high over the Leeds crossbar. Giuseppe Bellusci stormed through the midfield to find Mirco Antenucci with his back to goal and the striker unleashed a fantastic strike from distance which shaved the home upright. Rotherham had been noticeably encouraged by their goal and chased a second just before half-time and Kirk Broadfoot climbed high to get in a header from a long throw-in by Greg Halford but it was too high to worry Marco Silvestri. Leon Best was then the first player to get a yellow card following an aerial challenge on Marco Silvestri. There were no changes to either team after the half -time break. Once more it was the home team that were the more aggressive of the two teams and were the first to threaten in the early stages of the second half, when a Leeds defensive error was pounced on by Grant Ward and he then played in Matt Derbyshire, but his effort was blocked and then Richie Smallwood was crowded out at the back post. The same player then blazed over from inside the area and shortly after a delightful centre from Joe Mattock saw Leon Best send a back-post header wide of Marco Silvestri's near post and it almost fell kindly for Stephen Kelly, but he was unable to turn the ball goalwards. At the opposite end, after receiving the ball from a mishit volley by Giuseppe Bellusci, Chris Wood forced Lee Camp to tip his looping header onto the roof of the net. Liam Beridcutt was the next player to see a yellow card for a cynical foul on Grant Ward. From the resulting free-kick Joe Mattock sent an inswinger and Leon Best should have done better but headed into the side-netting. In the fifty-eighth minute Steve Evans made a double substitution and Mustapha Carayol came on for Alex Mowatt and Stuart Dallas replaced Lewis Cook. Three minutes later Rotherham were reduced to ten men as Matt Derbyshire was shown a straight red card after an aerial challenge on Gaetano Berardi, which caused the Leeds full-back to sport a head bandage and a change of strip for the rest of the game such was his loss of blood from the incident. The referee was convinced that the Rotherham player had led with an arm in the challenge. As a consequence Rotherham made their first change in the sixty-fourth minute with Danny Ward coming on for Leon Best. Leeds looked to make their numerical superiority count and Mustapha Carayol sent in a speculative drive from distance that flew wide. Giuseppe Bellusci was the next player to see a yellow card after an aerial challenge on Danny Ward. Marco Antenucci then went on a weaving run and finished it off with a superb curling low shot which Lee Camp managed to turn round the post with a fine one handed save at full stretch as the ball headed for the bottom corner of the net. For a while it was only Lee Camp that stood between Leeds and an equaliser as he again thwarted Mirco Antenucci with another fine save after the Italian had got his shot in from within the penalty area and then Stuart Dallas' effort from the rebound was blocked. The winger was the provider minutes later when he sent over a pinpoint corner for Souleymane Bamba to climb for a towering header at the back post that passed inches over the bar. Leeds made their final change after seventy -four minutes with Luke Murphy replacing Gaetano Berardi. It was the latest substitute that scored the equalising goal, which came justifiably after he had been on the field for just five minutes. It was his first goal of the season but it owed a great deal to the huge deflection that it took after he had unleashed his powerful long-range strike, which left Lee Camp rooted to the spot as it found the net, but it was well deserved after waves of Leeds pressure. In the next minute Rotherham made their second change as Joe Newell came on for Richie Smallwood. Liam Bridcutt then saw his swerving shot from distance tipped over the bar by Lee Camp and Chris Wood got in a towering header from the resulting corner, which was taken by Stuart Dallas, but it went over. But there was much last minute drama which saw Marco Silvestri sent off and Rotherham being awarded a penalty which cost them the match. Rotherham had launched a quick counter attack with Danny Ward spooting Lee Frecklington free at the far post and after Giuseppe Bellusci made a hash of an attempted clearance the midfielder was left with the task of rounding Marco Silvestri, who dumped him to the floor. The referee had no hesitation in giving him a straight red card and sending him off for tripping Lee Frecklington in the penalty area after pointing to the penalty spot in the eighty -ninth minute. Leeds had used all their substitutes so bringing on Bailey Peacock -Farrell was not an option. Giuseppe Bellusci took the green jersey and was forced to face the penalty immediately. Greg Halford calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net and victory for the home side was assured. After four minutes of stoppage time Rotherham made their final substitution and Frazer Richardson came on for Grant Ward. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Liam Cooper and Tom Adeyemi were the unused Leeds substitutes. While the home win extended Rotherham's recent run to five wins and a draw in the last six games, United's defeat saw them drop to fourteenth on the ladder, twenty-nine points behind leaders Burnley and fifteen behind sixth placed Derby County, while they were ten points ahead of twenty-second placed Milton Keynes Dons and twenty-one points ahead of bottom side Bolton Wanderers, and Leeds had a game in hand on all four of the clubs.

A home game with eleventh placed Queens Park Rangers who were three places and four points ahead of United in the standings, but Leeds had a game in hand, was in prospect in their thirty-ninth League game of the season on Tuesday 5th April 2016. In truth, neither of the two teams had any real ambition left as it would have needed a major miracle for either of them to play in the play-off with just half a dozen games left. After his sending off at Rotherham Marco Silvestri had to serve a one match ban and this gave young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock Farrell the chance to make his debut in the team but that was only one of five changes that Steve Evans made after the horrific defeat at Rotherham three days prior. Luke Murphy, Liam Cooper, who also took over the captaincy, Stuart Dallas and Mustapha Carayol came into the side in place of Toumani Diagouraga, Souleymane Bamba, Alex Mowatt and Mirco Antenucci respectively, while Eric Grimes came onto the bench as the deputy goalkeeper. James Adcock of Long Eaton, Derbyshire was the referee and 342 Queens Park Rangers had made the midweek trip to support their team amongst a crowwd of 17,388. Before the game the crowd observed one minutes silence for Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, two Leeds fans who were murdered sixteen years to the day in Istanbul when Leeds were playing Galatasaray. On a glorious Spring evening Leeds were the first to dominate the possession as they started the brighter of the two teams in the first ten minutes. Stuart Dallas was the first player to get a shot on target but his swerving half-volley from long range was easily saved at the expense of a corner by Alex Smithies in the Rangers' goal. Gaetano Berardi, who was still sporting a head bandage as a souvenir of his visit to Rotherham, forced a corner in the fourth minute, but typically nothing arose from it. Charlie Taylor whipped it in but the visitors defence held firm and cleared with relative ease. A couple of minutes later the Queens Park Rangers centre back Gabriele Angella made a poor back pass that nearly allowed Chris Wood in, but Alex Smithies was alert to the situation and cleared up. The visitors look to put pressure on Leeds at the other end of the park but Bailey Peacock-Farrell remained untested, as chances in those early stages were at a premium. Mustapha Carayol burst down the left flank and sent a searching ball across the face of Alex Smithies' goal before going out for a throw in. In the fifteenth minute the blue hoops were able to launch a certain amount of an attack and Liam Cooper soon tidied it up with a sliding tackle on Jamie Mackie inside the area. Queens Park Rangers were forced into a change in the twenty-fifth minute, when the injured Jamie Mackie, who had gone down in the twenty-first minute clutching his leg with an obvious hamstring tear, had to be replaced by Sebastian Polter. Any shots on goal for either side became a rarity, but, in the twenty-eighth minute, Mustapha Carayol did force Alex Smithies into a smart save low down after he had made a surging run to the edge of the penalty area before shooting. The visitors too were being reduced to long range speculators and both Matt Phillips and, in the thirty-seventh minute, Junior Hoilett shot wide before, a minute later, the latter saw a low attempt on goal, from twenty yards, competently held by Bailey Peacock-Farrell and on the stroke of entering the stoppage time before half-time Matt Phillips tried his luck, but once again the Leeds keeper gathered his low shot from distance with ease, to bring a largely uneventful forty-five minutes to an end. Neither side made any change to their team for the start of the second half and it was Leeds that tried to get immediately on the front foot. Stuart Dallas had an effort deflected across the face of goal when he shot from an acute angle and then, in the fifty- fourth minute, Luke Murphy created space for himself on the edge of the penalty box but drilled his low shot straight into the arms of Alex Smithies. United's best opening came in the fifty-seventh minute when Mustapha Carayol's never-say- die attitude saw the loanee winger somehow keep the ball in play and then find the fast arriving Stuart Dallas on the fly, but the former Brentford man could not get a perfect connection on his first-time shot and it flashed wide. The visitors then, in the sixty-fourth minute, passed up a good chance when substitute Sebastian Polter headed wastefully wide after meeting an outswinging cross from the left wing by Alejandro Faurlin. Leeds soon made them pay as Chris Wood broke the deadlock in the seventieth minute. The tall New Zealander took his tally for the season to nine, to draw level with Mirco Antenucci, and had to be at full stretch to force the ball beyond Alex Smithies from close range, after Nedum Onuoha clearing header had landed at the feet of Luke Murphy and when the Leeds midfielder's teasing cross floated over the top of the Queens Park Rangers' defence and fell between Gabriele Angella and James Perch the Kiwi pounced. It was a lead which, on the balance of play, was fully deserved and the visitors only efforts seemed to remain a few shots from distance which never worried Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the Leeds goal, and, in the seventy-third minute, he easily dealt with a low shot from an acute angle by Conor Washington, after he had been played in by Massimo Luongo. There were a succession of substitutions as both teams tried to improve their chances as the game started to come to an end. In the seventy-third minute Tjaronn Chery replaced Junior Hoilett, and ten minutes later Leeds brought on Toumani Diagouraga for Luke Murphy and just two minutes later Lewie Coyle came on for Stuart Dallas. With ten minutes left on the clock the visitors brought on Abdenasser El Khayati for Conor Washington. It looked like United were going to take the points the more the game progressed but a late penalty proved to be their downfall. With three minutes left to go substitute Sebastian Polter was chasing a lost cause when he forced Giuseppe Bellusci into a mistake and the Italian was adjudged to have brought him down illegally inside the penalty area. Another substitute, Tjaronn Chery, hammered the ball past Bailey Peacock-Farrell into the top corner of the net for the equaliser. In the final minute of normal time Leeds sent on Alex Mowatt for Chris Wood, but it was too late to matter. Eric Grimes, Souleymane Bamba, Tom Adeyemi and Mirco Antenucci were the unused Leeds substitutes. The point gained saw United drop to fifteenth on the ladder, twenty-nine points behind leaders Burnley and nineteen points adrift of Derby County in sixth place, while they were eleven points above twenty-second placed Milton Keynes Dons and twenty-two points above bottom placed Bolton Wanderers, and still had a game in hand on all four teams.

United visited League leaders Burnley at Turf Moor for United's fortieth game of the season in a lunchtime televised match on Saturday 9th April 2016. They trailed the promotion favourites by fourteen places and a massive twenty-nine points, with a game in hand, and it seemed a daunting task but in recent years Leeds had enjoyed a good record at their trans-pennine opponents. The Leeds side showed three changes to that which had drawn 1-1 with Queens Park Rangers in midweek. Marco Silvestri had served his one match suspension and took over from Bailey Peacock-Farrell in goal, who in turn replaced Eric Grimes on the bench. Liam Bridcutt was injured and so Toumani Diagouraga took his place with Kalvin Phillips taking his place on the bench. Captain Souleymane Bamba was reinstated in central defence after Giuseppe Bellusci's run of recent errors had cost United dearly, and he took the captain's armband from Liam Cooper. Leeds took their usual massive away following with them for the short trip into Lancashire but there were fewer than in recent times, probably due to the lack of interest due to United's League position of no interest in either promotion or relegation but there were still 2,188 of them in the crowd of 18,229. Lee Mason of Bolton, Lancashire, was the referee and n the bright Lancashire sunshine, Leeds could not have asked for a worse start to the game. United had kicked off and finished their first move with the ball running out harmlessly for a goal kick. Tom Heaton's long goal kick was headed on by Sam Vokes to Andre Gray, who, though tightly marked, in turn played it on to Scott Arfield on the left edge of the Leeds penalty area. It was still in the first minute, and Burnley's first attack on the Leeds goal, and Scott Arfield shot into the bottom right hand corner of the Leeds net with his weaker left foot, as Gaetano Berardi failed to block it and Marco Silvestri was slow to react as it sneaked past him after fifty-nine seconds. Leeds looked to mount a quick response and Souleymane Bamba struck a sweet volley from twenty yards after the ball had fallen kindly for him and he forced Burnley's England goalkeeper, Tom Heaton, to make his first save of the afternoon as he parried it away with both hands. League leaders Burnley, who entered the game looking to extend their seventeen match unbeaten run, then called Marco Silvestri into the action after a quick break had forced a corner and from it Andre Gray played in full-back Matthew Lowton, who failed to bring it under instant cantrol with his first touch and was then forced wide by Souleymane Bamba and Marco Silvestre was easily able to stop his second and the chance was gone. Luke Murphy tried his luck from distance but his shot passed well wide of the home side's upright. Leeds were now struggling to get going in the early exchanges and could easily have conceded a second goal, in the twenty-second minute, when George Boyd found himself in a similar position to Scott Arfield in the first minute, but even though the shot went through Gaetano Berardi's legs, it was just wide of the post. However, as the first half progressed, Leeds started to come more into the game and they forced a succession of six corners, but only one of them carried any threat as Souleymane Bamba hit a decent half- volley, from the first of them, however, Tom Heaton was able to scramble it to safety. The Burnley keeper then held a towering header from Chris Wood from six yards before the tall Kiwi wasted a good chance, in the thirty-third minute, when, after giving Michael Keane and Ben Mee the slip, when he failed to control the ball and shot over the bar after Stuart Dallas had found him in space outside the Burnley penalty area. Both sides had shots blocked in the crowded penalty areas, with two woeful efforts from distance by Gaetano Berardi and Luke Murphy, before Leeds had their best period of play as the half-time break drew near. Stuart Dallas was the main source of the Leeds attack and his crosses from the right wing caused quite a lot of consternation amongst the Burnley defence and on several occasions they had to scramble the ball away as they managed to hold firm and take their one goal lead into the half-time break. Both teams emerged unchanged for the second half and it was Leeds that started the brighter of the two teams as Chris Wood twice carved out openings. He got in one first-time effort on the turn after being played in by Lewis Cook on the edge of the Burnley penalty area, before United's best chance to date fell to him in the fifty-sixth minute. Mustapha Carayol's inch-perfect cross from the left evaded Ben Mee and found the striker lurking in the six yard box, but his downward header failed to hit the target as it bounced wide of Tom Heaton's near post. Steve Evans made the first change of the afternoon as he sent on Mirco Antenucci for Mustapha Carayol and going to 4-4-2 as the Italian joined Chris Wood as dual strikers. The two soon combined as the Italian showed himself to be a threat within seconds of entering the fray as he fired into the side-netting from inside the penalty area after Chris Wood had got up well to head down for his partner. Chris Wood then had a golden opportunity to equalise when Charlie Taylor sent in a good cross from the left only for the striker to head high and wide of the target from close range. Former Leeds loanee, Sam Vokes, pulled up with a groin injury and was replaced by Ashley Barnes in the seventy-first minute and four minutes later David Jones complained of illness and was replaced by Dean Marney. United were being frustrated by their hosts but were having the better of possession and territorial advantage but they still needed to be alert to Burnley counter attacks and Liam Cooper had to make a crucial intervention to cut out a low cross from Andre Gray. United made two further changes in the final ten minutes in a bid to force a late equaliser, with Tom Adeyemi coming on for Toumani Diagouraga in the eighty-first minute and six minutes later Alex Mowatt replaced Stuart Dallas, while in the eighty-ninth minute Burnley sent on Matthew Taylor for Andre Gray. However, it was the home side that went closest to scoring, when deep into stoppage time substitute Ashley Barnes fired wide of an open goal after Matthew Taylor had squared the ball back to him and Marco Silvestri had been left stranded. After five minutes of stoppage time and another corner was all Leeds had to show for the pressure and Leeds were left ruing Chris Wood's inability to hit the target in a game where they had fully merited a share of the points, but were left empty-handed. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Giuseppe Bellusci and Kalvin Phillips were the unused Leeds substitutes and the loss left Leeds in fifteenth place, thirty-two points behind the leaders and today's opponents, Burnley, and twenty points behind sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday, while they were eleven points above twenty-second placed Milton Keynes Dons and twenty-two ahead of bottom club, Bolton Wanderers, but had a game in hand on all four clubs.

United visited ninth-placed Birmingham City at St Andrew's, trailling them by eleven points to play their catch-up game which had to be re-arranged from 20th February 2016, when United were playing Watford in the F.A. Cup Fifth Round. So on Tuesday 12th April 2016 United played their forty-first League game of the season in front of a crowd of 16,081, which included 1,365 of their supporters in the away enclosure with Christopher Kavanagh of Manchester, Lancashire as referee. Leeds had little to play for but pride but Birmingham still had a very real chance of making the play-ffs as while they were nine points behind sixth club, Sheffield Wednesday, they had this game in hand and a win could put them just two wins from the Owls. Steve Evans made only one chance to his team as he left the squad intact but stayed with his 4-4-2 formation that he favoured in the second half at Burnley and so Mirco Antenucci started in place of Mustapha Carayol. The first meaningful attempt on goal came from the the Italian after just six minutes, when he skipped inside his marker before sending in a dipping shot that bounced wide from twenty yards. His strike partner, Chris Wood was then inches away from connecting with Gaetano Berardi's low cross into the six yard box with his outstretched leg after a good flowing movement. United continued to be the better of the two sides and deservedly took the lead after eleven minutes, when Stuart Dallas scored his third goal of the season. He shot from twenty yards and gave the goalkeeper no chance when he beat the diving Adam Legzdins and the ball nestled in the bottom corner of the net. It was a deserved lead and one that could have been doubled moments later, when Charlie Taylor sent over a cross from the left wing, only for Lewis Cook's volley to cannon back off a blue shirt inside the area. Leeds were controlling the game with relative ease and continued to push forward in search of a second goal and captain Souleymane Bamba fired a towering header over the bar from a deep Charlie Taylor corner. The home side did start to come into the game around the half-hour mark and Ryan Shotton flicked David Cotterill's free-kick wide after he had been found unmarked inside the Leeds penalty box. Next Jonathan Grounds cut inside but fired high and wide from the edge of the penalty area. United continued to be good value for their advantage and only a near post block by Adam Legzdins denied Lewis Cook from making it two after the midfielder had made a swift break on the stroke of half- time. There were no changes after the break and the second half started in frantic fashion with first Birmingham having claims for a penalty denied two minutes into the new half after Ryan Shotton ended up on the ground. But Stuart Dallas doubled United's lead and his own goal tally for the evening with a thunderous twenty yard volley within five minutes of the restart when he left Adam Legzdins helpless with as good a contender for "goal of the season" as anyone is likely to see. Birmingham soon hit back and three minutes later had reduced their deficit to one as Clayton Donaldson forced the ball home from close range after a free-kick from David Cotterill had been parried by Marco Silvestri into his path. Two minutes later the Leeds travelling Army thought their team had restored their two goal lead, only to find that Souleymane Bamba had hit the ball into the side-netting after Liam Cooper had flicked a corner to his feet at the back post. Birmingham started to crank up the pressure, though, as they pushed forward in search of another goal to make the scores level. Lewis Cook was in the right place at the right time to hack Jonathan Grounds' downwards header off the line from a corner, before Marco Silvestri beat away a dipping half-volley from Kyle Lafferty and then gathered the striker's second attempt from the rebound. Birmingham were the first to make a change in the sixty-first minute when Jon Toral came on for Stephen Gleeson. In the sixty-third minute Marco Silvestri tried to punch the ball away from a corner but missed and Leeds were fortunate not to have to pay the price of the mistake as the ball was cleared by a Leeds defender before the lurking Michael Morrison could pounce. Birmingham went even closer four minutes later when Jonathan Grounds had a downward header cleared off the line by Lewis Cook as the home side applied the pressure. Leeds made their first change in the sixty-ninth minute as Alex Mowatt replaced Mirco Antenucci. Birmingham did get the ball in the net in the seventy-fifth minute but Clayton Donaldson's precise finish into the corner of the net was ruled out by the linesman adjudging him as being offside. Then Birmingham made their second change as Diego Fabbrini came on for David Cotterill. Kyle Lafferty, who had been linked with a move to Leeds prior to signing for Birmingham had a shot at goal in the seventy-third minute which was parried by Marco Silvestri, and the keeper had quick enough reflexes to beat him to the rebound. The new substitute, Diego Fabbrini, took advantage of receiving a quick free-kick to advance into the box where he carved out a shooting chance, but his shot was tame and Marko Silvestri gathered with ease. The biggest chance of the night fell to the Italian substitute with a little under ten minutes being left on the clock, but he blazed well over the crossbar from just six yards after he had been played in by Kyle Lafferty. The Leeds defence must have breathed a collective sigh of relief at the blunder that had let them off the hook. Leeds made their two remaining changes in the eighty-second minute when Mustapha Carayol replaced Stuart Dallas and five minutes later Giuseppe Bellusci came on for Luke Murphy as United sought to shore up their defence for the final onslaught. Alex Mowatt featured strongly in the finish for all the wrong reasons. Firstly he blazed over the bar as United sought to put the game beyond the home team's reach and then he was red carded in the final seconds of normal time, when he brought down Ryan Shotton, it seemed nothing but a good forceful challenge and not worthy of a yellow let alone a red card, but it meant that Leeds had to withstand the pressure of some of the four minutes of the added stoppage time with ten men. But they came through to take the full points and returned to their winning ways after four games without a victory. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lewie Coyle, Tom Adeyemi and Kalvin Phillips were the unused Leeds substitutes as the win did not improve their fifteenth position but they were now thirty-one points behind new leaders Middlesbrough who also had played their game in hand and seventeen behind sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday while they were ahead of the twenty-second club Milton Keynes Dons by fourteen and bottom club Bolton Wanderers by twenty-five and had now played the same number of games as most of the other teams.

For United's forty-second League game of the season they entertained fourteenth-placed Reading at Elland Road on Saturday 16th April 2016 and were looking to make progress as the Berkshire team were one place in front of them on the ladder on goal difference. Jeremy Simpson of Lancaster was the referee and Reading had 480 fans in the crowd of 20,881. Steve Evans had quite a dilemma in his choice of available players, as Liam Bridcutt was still injured and Souleymane Doukara had a long term suspension. Captain Souleymane Bamba was unavailable due to illness and Giuseppe Bellusci was recalled to the team and Liam Cooper took over as captain, as the only change to the starting eleven. However, there was much change on the bench, as Alex Mowatt was also unavailable, due to suspension after being sent off at Birmingham City, and Casper Sloth took his place and Scott Wootton was recalled to the bench to cover for defensive duties, while Jordan Botaka came in for the injured Mustapha Carayol and Lee Erwin replaced Tom Adeyemi, who had caught the same virus as his captain. There was a lively start to the game and there were chances at both ends during the early stages. Stuart Dallas blazed a wild effort well over the bar before Mirco Antenucci went the closest for United as he squeezed in a shot from an acute angle but Jake Cooper, the Reading defender, was in the right place at the right time and booted his curling effort off the goal-line. Chris Wood forced the first corner of the game in the fourth minute, after his cross was turned over the bar by Ali Al-Habsi. It was taken by Charlie Taylor but Reading held firm and cleared the danger. At the other end Andrew Taylor had sent a ball through the middle and a dummy by Matej Vydra played in Simon Cox and Marco Silvestri was called upon to deny him after the dummy left him with only the keeper to beat. He did so by stopping the sidefooted strike with his legs at the expense of a corner. From that corner, on the ten minute mark, which was taken by Ollie Norwood, there was a mad scramble which ended with Michael Hector dragging a low shot wide from close range, when alone at the back post. However, after fifteen minutes Leeds created their best opening when Chris Wood set up Mirco Antenucci on the edge of the penalty area, but the Italian skewed the ball well wide as he took a first time shot. There was more end to end play before Reading, in the eighteenth minute, won another corner. Once more Stephen Quinn took it, but Michael Hector should really have troubled Marco Silvestri after he rose unchallenged to glance a header wide from only six yards. Reading had looked dangerous with corners in the early stages but had nothing to show for them. Andrew Taylot next deliveed a near post cross on the half hour mark, but it was cut out before it could reach Simon Cox. For Leeds, there was some sublime play by winger Stuart Dallas in the thirty-second minute, which saw him control the ball in mid-air and then did tremendously well to pick out Chris Wood, but the tall Kiwi International attempted a cross into the area but it was overstruck and flew harmlessly over the bar. In the thirty-seventh minute, Simon Cox was also another Reading player who was guilty of failing to hit the target as he shot well wide from the edge of the penalty box after surging through the middle of the United defence. However, after Giuseppe Bellusci had conceded a free-kick by fouling Simon Cox on the left flank, the kick was taken unerringly by Ollie Norwood and Michael Hector made no mistake when he arrived unmarked at the back post to slot the accurate delivery home from close range two minutes later. Leeds looked to mount a quick response and, in the forty-second minute, Reading's Jake Cooper was lucky not to turn a Stuart Dallas cross into his own net as his clearance bounced behind. Then just on the stroke of half-time Chris Wood headed well over the bar from another Charlie Taylor cross. There were a few boos by the home crowd as their team left the field after one minute of injury time had delayed the half-time whistle. Both teams were unchanged after the interval as Leeds made a dream start to the new half pulling level after just three minutes. The scorer was Toumani Diagouraga, who got his second goal for the club. The new arrival from Brentford was picked out by a pin-point cross from the right by Gaetano Berardi and he guided it beyond Ali Al-Habsi with a downward header from close range. Just two minutes later Chris Wood went close with a diving header from a Charlie Taylor cross from the left that was just wide of the near post. Lucas Piazon then threatened to restore visitors' lead, twice firing wide in quick succession from a similar position twenty yards out. Leeds brought on Kalvin Phillips for Toumani Diagouraga after sixty-six minutes and the new substitute was soon involved as he saw his shot blocked on the edge of the penalty area. Then in the sixty-ninth minute Chris Wood scored for United as he headed them into a deserved lead. He took his tally for the season to ten when he met Charlie Taylor's cross from the left with a free header and, although Ali Al-Habsi did get a strong hand on it he was unable to keep it out, which the linesman confirmed after the referee had consulted him. Reading made their first change in the seventy-first minute and brought on Deniss Rakels for George Evans and then five minutes later they sent on Ola John for Lucas Piazon. The visitors went close to equalising in the seventy-eighth minute when Jake Cooper's header was kept out of the net by an instinctive save by Marco Silvestri who used his feet to deny him. In the eightieth minute Leeds made their second substitution with Lee Erwin coming on for Mirco Antenucci. As the game headed towards its end, it was Reading's first substitute, Deniss Rakels that levelled the scores in the next minute, when he hammered the ball home from inside the six yard box after Simon Cox's initial effort had cannoned off the crossbar and Stephen Quinn had scuffed his follow up effort, but it had fallen kindly for the substitute, as he was totally unmarked and was able to slot the ball into the far corner of the net. The Leeds team were furious as the linesman had initially given a throw in to them but referee Jeremy Simpson had given it to Reading and it was from that throw that the goal had arisen. It looked like the game was heading for a draw but, in a frantic finale, five minutes before the end of normal time, Chris Wood was on hand to clinch the three points, when he raced through to slot the ball past Ali Al-Habsi with his left foot for his second of the afternoon to ensure United made it two wins on the trot. Even though there were five minutes added and in the first of those Leeds sent on Lewie Coyle for Stuart Dallas to shore up the defence, they were able to hold out and in fact they came the closer of the two to scoring, as Lewis Cook broke away and fed Chris Wood, but the striker shot over the bar and failed to bag a hat-trick. The last chance of the game fell to Michael Hector, who drilled in a shot from just inside the penalty box, but a deflection took the sting out of it and it dribbled through to Marco Silvestri. Bailey Peacock- Farrell, Scott Wootton, Casper Sloth and Jordan Botaka were the unused Leeds substitutes and the win took them into twelfth place, thirty-one points behind leaders Middlesbrough, and fifteen behind sixth place Sheffield Wednesday, while they were now sixteen points ahead of twenty-second placed Milton Keynes Dons and twenty-eight ahead of Bolton Wanderers.

United were again at Elland Road for their forty-third League game of the season against fourteenth placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were just two points behind United on the ladder and Leeds were looking to complete a double having won 3-2 at Molineux in December in the reverse fixture. The Tuesday evening, 19th April 2016 clash was refereed by David Coote of Winthorpe, near Newark in Nottinghamshire and there were 478 Wolves fans in the crowd of 17,694. Steve Evans made three changes to his starting eleven from the team that overcame Reading the previous Saturday. Souleymane Bamba had recovered from illness and he returned in place of Giuseppe Bellusci in central defence and also resumed the captaincy from Liam Cooper. Lewie Coyle was given the nod over Stuart Dallas, who was unwell, on the right wing and Lee Erwin made his starting debut alongside Chris Wood in place of Mirco Antenucci. The three players that had been replaced each dropped to the bench, where Liam Bridcutt returned after injury, as Scott Wootton and Casper Sloth were the players to lose their spots. It was the penultimate home game of the season and both sides were looking for points to secure a top ten finish. However, with no pressure on either team, it made for an open start and there were plenty of chances created in the early stages. Crosses from James Henry and Dominic Iorfa were cleared in the opening minutes and a header into the box from Jimmy Helan was easily claimed by Marco Silvestri as Wolverhampton were the first to threaten, and then Jeremy Helan cut the ball back for the unmarked George Saville to fire wide with a low shot into the side-netting from the edge of the penalty area. From Marco Silvestri's goal-kick Lewis Cook took advantage of a couple of good breaks as he proceeded to the edge of the penalty area before his shot struck the outside of the post before going behind. Next Chris Wood, who had been the Leeds match-winner with a brace against Reading three days earlier, muscled his way through the visitors' defence to rattle the outside of the post with a low shot. Wolves best chance in those early stages fell to James Henry, in the twelfth minute, as he arrived unmarked at the far post to meet a floated cross from Bjorn Sigurdarson, and should have given Wolves the lead, but he did not realise how much time and hooked the ball wide with a first-time effort on the half-volley from just six yards,and Leeds had received a major let off. Leeds were living dangerously and it was again James Henry that hit a low drive from twenty yards that Marco Silvestri could only parry, but David Edwards, with his back to goal and the ball under his feet tried to turn and get a shot in, but the goalkeeper recovered quickly and claimed the ball from his feet. Chris Wood was looking as if he would be United's likely source of an opening goal and the Leeds top-scorer hit a ferocious twenty-five yard free-kick just wide of Carl Ikeme's far post and then the Wolves keeper was able to hold another volley, from a Lewis Cook cross, by Chris Wood. Dominic Iorfa was then booked for fouling Charlie Taylor near the left hand corner flag. The New Zealand International was playing with an air of confidence after taking his goal tally into double figures on the weekend and he carved out an opening for himself in the thirty-fourth minute as he lost his marker on the edge of the penalty box but fired wide. Following a foul on Bjorn Sigurdarson, James Henry took a free- kick from the left of the home box but it was punched clear by Marco Silvestri. United continued to enjoy the better of the first-half chances, and Lee Erwin was the next to threaten, firing wide on the turn after taking Souleymane Bamba's cross-field pass on his chest on the stroke of half-time. There were no changes to either team for the second-half and it began in the same lively fashion as the first, with Wolves being the first to come close as Bjorn Sigurdarson intercepted a Leeds break and made for goal but, fortunately for Leeds, his shot was wide of the target. Then a sideways run from Matt Doherty finished with him shooting wide of the mark, before a Charlie Taylor free-kick from thirty yards bounced wide of Carl Ikeme's far post. At the other end a misplaced pass from Luke Murphy allowed Bjorn Sigurdarson to sprint through the Leeds defence but his finish was wayward and sailed into the Southern Stand. Wolves were the first to go to the bench in the fifty-fifth minute when they brought on Adam Le Fondre in place of Jeremy Helan and in the next minute Leeds substituted Stuart Dallas for Lewie Coyle. The Irish winger announced his arrival with a stinging shot that was deflected over by Matt Doherty, before Leeds finally broke the deadlock in the sixtieth minute, and it came in spectacular fashion through the unlikely source of Souleymane Bamba. The newly arrived Stuart Dallas spread the ball to the Leeds captain on the edge of the penalty area. He controlled the ball on his chest before unleashing a sensational half-volley into the top left-hand corner. Things got even better just four minutes later, when Toumani Diagouraga doubled the advantage with his second goal in two games with a sweeping finish to a fluent attack which ended with Lewis Cook squaring a perfect low cross to him and he hammered the ball into the net from twelve yards. The double salvo rocked Wolves but David Edwards should have pulled one back, but he scuffed the ball wide from close range after James Henry had taken the ball to the bye-line and squared it into the six yard box. United pushed on for a third, with Carl Ikeme holding Luke Murphy's low curling effort after the midfielder had cut inside the edge of the penalty area and fired in the shot. Both teams brought on their second substitutions in an effort to change the outcome of the game. First Wolves brought on Joe Mason for Bjorn Sigurdarson, in the seventy-third minute, and in the next minute Leeds did likewise as Jordan Botaka replaced Lee Erwin. It had its effect, as Wolves managed to pull a goal back, even though it was against the run of play, when George Saville ran on to a pass from James Henry and scored in the bottom corner of the net in the seventy-seventh minute, to set up a nervous final thirteen minutes. Leeds responded immediately and, after Lewis Cook had made a run from his own area deep into the Wolves half before releasing him, Chris Wood set up Jordan Botaka,and the Congolese international went agonisingly close to putting a seal on the game, when his sweetly struck first-time effort cannoned back off the underside of the crossbar. In the eightieth minute United made their final substitution with Liam Bridcutt coming on for Luke Murphy. Wolves then pushed for an equaliser and substitute Joe Mason was played in by Adam Le Fondre, who flicked on a long clearance into his path. But Marco Silvestri spotted the danger and was quickly off his line to superbly block the move with his legs at the striker's feet with eight minutes left on the clock. However, both Lewis Cook and Stuart Dallas both had good chances to wrap up the result, but Leeds were good value for their third consecutive league victory within a week. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Giuseppe Bellusci, Kalvin Phillips and Mirco Antenucci were the unused Leeds substitutes. The win took them up to eleventh place on the ladder but still twenty-nine points behind the leaders Middlesbrough and thirteen behind sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday. They were now eighteen points clear of twenty-second placed Milton Keynes Dons and thirty more than bottom placed Bolton Wanderers.

United played their forty-fourth and penulimate League away game on Saturday 23rd April 2016 at the KC Stadium, home of fourth placed Hull City, who were seven places and nineteen points, together with a game in hand on United. Hull were looking to consolidate their fourth position to finish in a play off position at the end of the season. They were eight points behind two other clubs that were vying for the second automatic promotion place which if they won their game in hand was not out of the question. United made two changes to the starting line-up as Liam Bridcutt was now fully-fit and took over fropm Luke Murphy in midfield while Stuart Dallas had recovered from illness to take over from Lewie Coyle at outside right. Scott Wootton was on the bench in place of Giuseppe Bellusci. Iain Williamson of Reading, Berkshire was the referee and there were 2,356 United supporters in the crowd of 20,732. There were several familiar faces in the Tigers' line-up as former Leeds captain and crowd favourite, Robert Snodgrass,and former Leeds loanee, Jake Livermore, were in the starting line-up, and Alex Bruce, son of Hull Manager, Steve Bruce, was on the bench. Hull had more on the line than Leeds and, as expected, they started the brighter of the two sides and forced the first corner of the afternoon inside the first minute and Hull threatened twice with efforts in quick succession. Liam Cooper got in the way of the first from Abel Hernandez from ten yards out, deflecting the ball behind for a corner, and then Marco Silvestri held Chuba Akpom's effort after he cut inside and shot towards goal. Hull then forced a series of corners and from one of these Tom Huddlestone shot wide with an effort from thirty yards, after the flag-kick had been cleared in his direction. United started to get into the game and had a decent spell of possession inside the Hull half and Charlie Taylor's back-post free-kick was booted away after Souleymane Bomba was just unable to pick out a white shirt with his return ball. Hull had undoubtably enjoyed the better of the early chances, but it was United who managed to break the deadlock after fifteen minutes. Chris Wood converted Charlie Taylor's inch- perfect cross from six yards out with a half-volley past the exposed Allan McGregor into the top corner to take his tally for the season to twelve. The hosts looked to mount a quick response and Marco Silvestri was called upon to tip Chuba Akpom's curling effort over the bar from the edge of the area, with a fine one-handed save. The United defence then held firm to keep out a series of crosses from the club's former winger Robert Snodgrass after some tricky runs down the right, before Curtis Davies glanced a drifting header from a near-post corner delivery from Shaun Maloney over the crossbar as the Tigers searched for an equaliser. Hull were enjoying the lion's share of possession, with Leeds defending deep and inviting pressure as a result. However, one smart move saw the Football League Player of the Year, Lewis Cook, free in the penalty area but Andy Robertson's pace and covering tackle could not be faulted as he snuffed out the danger. Souleymane Bamba received a yellow card for a late challenge on Abel Hernandez. The pattern continued as the first half progressed, with Harry Maguire hitting a low strike wide from twenty yards before Charlie Taylor got in a brilliant block to deny Moses Odubajo a route to goal and his effort looped onto the roof of the net, with Marco Silvestri back-pedalling frantically to try and cover it. Hull's pressure eventually told in first half stoppage time as the hosts turned the game on it's head with two quick-fire goals. Leeds went into the stoppage time with a 1-0 lead and after the three added minutes had been played they were trailing by 1-2. First Abel Hernandez tapped home a Robert Snodgrass low right wing cross from close-range in the first of those minutes before Tom Huddlestone drilled into the bottom left hand corner of the net from twenty-five yards out in the third. Steve Evans introduced Jordan Botaka in place of Lee Erwin as the game resumed after the half-time break. United were awarded a golden opportunity to get back on level terms within eight minutes of the restart as Moses Odubajo tripped Charlie Taylor inside the penalty area, after the left-back had outfoxed Robert Snodgrass down the Leeds left and then outpaced the covering full-back, who misjudged his recovering sliding tackle. Chris Wood stepped up looking to double his goal tally for the afternoon, but Hull City goalkeeper Allan McGregor guessed right to keep out his spot-kick with a fine parrying save before before managing to smother the loose ball. Soon after, in a quick counter, Hull had four men against one after Robert Snodgrass had skipped away from Liam Cooper, only for Abel Hernandez's thumping header to be blocked by Marco Silvestri. Steve Evans went to his bench for a second time in the fifty-seventh minute bringing on Luke Murphy for Toumani Diagouraga in midfield, but Hull started to press hard for a third and Gaetano Berardi was forced into a superb block to deny Abel Hernandez before Robert Snodgrass drilled a first-time strike over the bar after he had been teed up on the edge of penalty area. United withstood the pressure well but were made to be patient for openings at the opposite end as set-pieces appeared to be the most likely source of an equaliser. The Tigers made their first change in the sixty-seventh minute as Mo Diame replaced Abel Hernandez. There were worrying scenes in the seventy-fifth minute as Gaetano Berardi was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher following a bad challenge from former Leeds loanee Jake Livermore, which earned him a booking, and he had to be replaced by Lewie Coyle. Six minutes later Hull made their second change when Sam Clucas went on for Shaun Maloney. Chuba Akpom dragged a shot wide for the home team in the closing stages, and he seemed to be the Hull dangerman as he regularly stretched the Leeds defence, but the home side's inability to find the decisive blow would return to haunt them in the final stages of the game. It was United who had the final say with Chris Wood giving them a warning shot across their bows as his low header forced Allan McGregor to save low down and then, with two minutes remaining, Stuart Dallas clinched a point, firing in a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net and past Allan McGregor from the edge of the penalty area after Jordan Botaka had done superbly well to tee him up. Three minutes into time added for stoppages Adama Diomande replaced Chuba Akpom, but the game was soon over and United to a well deserved point by to Elland Road. The draw may have broken their three match winning streak but it still left them undefeated in four matches. Bailey Peacock- Farrell, Scott Wootton, Kalvin Phillips and Mirco Antenucci were the unused Leeds United substitutes. The point did not advance United up the ladder but rather they dropped one place to twelfth place twenty-nine points behind new leaders Burnley, and thirteen behind sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday, while they were nineteen points ahead of twenty-second placed Milton Keynes Dons and thirty-one points in front of bottom team, Bolton Wanderers.

On Saturday, 30th April 2016, United played their forty-fifth League game of the season, their final home game against Charlton Athletic, who were doomed to relegation in twenty-third place on the ladder, eleven places and twenty-one points below United. Manager Steve Evans must have had visions of picking up three easy points to help his team into the top ten in the Division, as there were four teams within four points just above Leeds. He made three changes to his starting line-up with Lewie Coyle taking over from the injured Gaetano Berardi at right back, Luke Murphy from Toumani Diagouraga in midfield and Jordan Botaka for Lee Erwin. Alex Mowatt, who was now available after suspension, took the vacant space on the bench. Keith Hill of Hertfordshire was the referee as 363 Charlton supporters were in the crowd of 25,458. United, who entered the game looking to extend their four-match unbeaten run, started the brighter of the two sides and called the Charlton Athletic goalkeeper, Nick Pope, into the action within the opening three minutes. Chris Wood seized upon a loose ball inside the Addicks half and slotted Luke Murphy through to race free on goal, only for the Charlton keeper to rush off his line and block with his legs, as the Leeds man shot from an acute angle. The visitors soon threatened at the opposite end as a rash challenge from Liam Bridcutt gave Charlton a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area in the seventh minute and Ademola Lookman curled a free-kick just wide of the left upright from twenty yards. Soon afterwards the same Charlton player was free down the left but there were no players in red to take advantage of his cut-back. However, United were playing with an air of confidence and, in the eleventh minute, the Jordan Botaka/Stuart Dallas combination that had clinched a point at Hull seven days earlier opened it up for the former Brentford man to drag a low effort wide from twenty-two yards. Considering that Charlton have one of the worst defensive records in the Championship League it came as no surprise that Jorge Teixeira had been at fault in giving the ball away to the Leeds players. In the fifteenth minute Charlie Taylor made an impressive run down the left flank, but unfortunately his cross was not of equal standard to his build up. Stuart Dallas then had Nick Pope back-pedalling frantically to tip his wicked inswinging free-kick over the cross-bar as it looked about to creep in, in the eighteenth minute. The Charlton custodian then claimed the ball from the ensuing corner. Shortly afterwards Charlie Taylor fired high and wide after a surging run towards the edge of the Charlton penalty box. Both teams were packing the midfield and it was the source of Leeds' failure to create any clear-cut chances. Despite being forced to soak up United's early pressure, it was the visitors that came closest to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half as Johann Berg Gudmundsson's low strike cannoned back off Marco Silvestri's post from twenty-five yards out, after Rod Fanni had found him in midfield. Leeds saw half-chances fall for Lewis Cook and Chris Wood, while, in the thirty-second minute Liam Bridcutt lashed over the crossbar from distance after Jordan Botaka's side-footed volley had rebounded into his path. Then the Charlton keeper had to be alert to pluck Lewie Coyle's cross put of the air. Leeds were beginning to build some momentum but both Jorge Teixeira and Johnnie Jackson made good blocks to keep them out. Most of United's attempts on goal had been from long range, but it was Charlton who opened the scoring in the thirty-ninth minute through Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Morgan Fox burst down the left and delivered an accurate low cross for the Icelandic midfielder to somehow get between Liam Cooper and Souleymane Bamba to guide home with a simple close-range finish with his left foot at the front post, giving the Addicks a chance of a slender lead to take into the interval, as Leeds finished the first half strongly, with goalkeeper Nick Pope having to rush outside his area to head the ball clear under pressure from Chris Wood, while at the other end Liam Cooper made a vital block to prevent Igor Vetokele from forcing Marco Silvestri into a save. Neither side made any changes for the start of the second half and immediately it had started Nick Pope was called upon to to grab hold of a deflected strike from Stuart Dallas. A cushioned ball from Johann Berg Gudmundsson was just too far ahead of Igor Vetokele but the visitors did not have long to wait to double their advantage within four minutes of the restart. Ademola Lookman fired his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area after being found in space by Johann Berg Gudmundsson and allowed by the Leeds defence to proceed unchecked to the eighteen yard line, before firing beyond the unprotected Marco Silvestri. Elland Road was stunned to silence as United's deficit increased. Steve Evans responded by sending on Alex Mowatt in place of Stuart Dallas in the fiftieth minute. The hosts looked to mount a quick response and, in the fifty-sixth minute, only the Charlton crossbar stood in the way of Chris Wood from pulling one back after heading Charlie Taylor's cross goalwards, totally beating the Charlton keeper. From the rebound Souleymane Bamba shot into the side-netting. This signalled the start of a decent spell of pressure from the home team, with Liam Cooper heading Charlie Taylor's corner over the bar before, following a cut-back from Alex Mowatt, Jordan Botaka's effort from eight yards out was deflected behind for a corner By Johnnie Jackson in the sixty-fourth minute. Three minutes later the same player went close again. Luke Murphy blazed over the bar after the corner had only been partially cleared straight into his path on the edge of the penalty area. The visitors remained a threat on the counter-attack, though, and issued United a timely reminder of their interest to add a third as Callum Harriott curled agonizingly wide from the edge of the area. Leeds made their second change in the sixty-sixth minute when Mirco Antenucci replaced Liam Bridcutt. Jordan Botaka then looped a header over the bar from a corner under pressure from Nick Pope, before United did manage to pull one back in the seventy-first minute, when Captain Souleymane Bamba headed home his fourth goal of the season from six yards when he climbed above everyone else to send a powerful close-range header past Nick Pope after meeting Charlie Taylor's inch-perfect cross from a free-kick on the left wing. Charlton made their first change in the minute after the Leeds goal when Yun Suk-Young came on for Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Charlton then had their goalkeeper to thank for making several desperate saves. Mirco Antenucci came close to a quick-fire equaliser, in the seventy-sixth minute, after receiving a good pass in the area from Chris Wood, only for his shot from an acute angle to be blocked by Nick Pope. Mirco Antenucci and Chris Wood combined again, five minutes later, with the Italian taking his turn to slot the New Zealander through on goal, but Nick Pope was there again to deny the big Kiwi with his feet. United made their third substitution in the seventy-fifth minute when Toumani Diagouraga replaced Luke Murphy in midfield. Charlton made their second substitution in the eighty-second minute when Simon Makienok came on for Igor Vetokele and their final change came six minutes later with El-Hadji Ba replacing Ademola Lookman. United threw everything forward as the game entered six minutes of stoppage time, but there proved to be no way through despite late efforts on goal by Souleymane Bamba, Liam Cooper and Lewis Cook. But Charlton, too came close to increasing the score to 3-1, when in the second of the added minutes, El-Hadji Ba led a counter attack after Rod Fanni had headed a corner clear and he picked out Callum Harriott on the right side of the box, but the winger's shot was well blocked. Then in the fifth minute of added time Nick Pope made another superb stop, when he pushed a shot from Alex Mowatt, which was bound for the top corner, over bar to ensure the three points went back to the Valley. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Scott Wootton, Kalvin Phillips and Lee Erwin were the Leeds unused substitutes as United's home campaign finished in disappointment, but they still hung on to twelfth place, thirty points behind new leaders Middlesbrough, and sixteen behind sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday, with an eighteen point advantage over the twenty-second placed Charlton Athletic and twenty-eight more than bottom club, Bolton Wanderers.

For their forty-sixth and final League game of the season United travelled to Deepdale to play Preston North End, who stood one place and three points above United, with a superior goal difference, on Saturday, 7th May 2016, for a lunch-time kick-off. So if United could win by more than four goals they would leapfrog their opponents in the ladder. They made two changes to the starting line-up with Toumani Diagouraga and Alex Mowatt restored to the team in place of Jordan Botaka and Liam Bridcutt. On the bench Souleymane Doukara, now having served his suspension, and, for his first potential appearance, having signed his first professional contract for the club two days earlier, Ronaldo Vieira, took the place of Lee Erwin and Liam Bridcutt. There were 5,464 United fans in the crowd of 18,473 and the referee was Andy Haines of Sunderland. There were two familiar faces in the Preston North End starting eleven in former United players, Paul Huntington and Jermaine Beckford. Unfortunately the start to the game set the tone for the match as it was a typical end of the season affair in which neither team had any real interest and it showed in their attitude towards the game. In the first twenty minutes neither goalkeeper was remotely involved and the game was played mostly in the midfield and both sides swapped possesion frequently. It did not take long for Jermaine Beckford to find employment for the linesman as he was well offside after Paul Gallagher had tried to play him in. Leeds had looked to threaten early on, when Chris Wood dragged a low shot well wide from long range, but the first real chance in the game eventually fell to Preston's Joe Garner after twenty-one minutes when Paul Gallagher found him from a corner but he headed wide from just six yards after being perfectly placed to score. Marco Silvestri was called upon for the first time after thirty minutes, after Daniel Johnson found Adam Reach on the left of the penalty box. He in turn fired across the goal and the Leeds keeper fumbled it at the near post, but regained at the second attempt before Joe Garner could capitalise. United's best opening of the afternoon so far came a minute later. A brilliant ball over the top from Lewie Coyle set Chris Wood away down the right and, with Chris Kirkland seemingly caught in two minds and off his goal-line, the United striker attempted a lob from twenty yards but could only find the roof of the net with his first time effort. Alex Mowatt then headed a right wing cross from Stuart Dallas over the bar following some fine build-up play, featuring Lewie Coyle, who released the Irish wingman, as United looked to be getting on top of their hosts. Joe Garner did pass up another fine opportunity to open the scoring for Preston on the stroke of half-time, though, heading wide of Marco Silvestri's left hand post from inside the area after meeting Adam Reach's drilled cross from the left. United were forced into a change at the break, with Scott Wootton replacing the injured Liam Cooper in defence following a clash of heads with Joe Garner seconds before the half-time whistle. The second half began in a lively fashion and Preston, who had remained unchanged, were first to threaten as Calum Woods surged into the area before blazing over the bar from a wide angle. The hosts soon carved out another good opening, seven minutes into the half, as Lewis Cook made a mistake and Adam Reach capitalized on it and raced into the box, squaring the ball to Jermaine Beckford only for the ball to eventually get to Joe Garner who was wasteful from ten yards out as Marco Silvestri clutched his side-foot effort with ease. At the opposite end, Chris Kirkland was forced into a fine two-handed diving save to push away Chris Wood's downward header for a corner following a pin-point cross from Charlie Taylor, in the fifty-ninth minute. Three minutes later Preston made their first substitution as Eion Doyle came on for Jermaine Beckford. Steve Evans made his second change of the afternoon as he urged his side forward, when, in the sixty-seventh minute he replaced Alex Mowatt with Mirco Antenucci, in an attack-minded move. Three minutes later Preston made their second change when Callum Robinson replaced Alan Browne. Preston had half chances through Bailey Wright and substitute Callum Robinson, firing wide and over the bar respectively, around the seventy-two minutes mark, but United eventually managed to break the deadlock with twelve minutes remaining. Chris Wood took his tally for the season to twelve, hammering a penalty down the middle of the goal and into the roof of the net, after Mirco Antenucci had sent a cross from the right that was missed by everbody. Luke Murphy chased it down beyond the far post and turned for goal. Chris Kirkland then tripped Luke Murphy as he made a bee- line towards goal and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. The home team made their third and final change as Jordan Hugill replaced Joe Garner, with eleven minutes left on the clock. Preston threw everything forward in search of an equaliser during the closing stages. With five minutes left Callum Robinson made a good run down the left flank and crossed to the back post where Adam Reach fed Paul Gallagher, who drove to the by-line and pulled the ball back for Souleymane Bamba, who well-placed to head the opposing captain's effort off the line. There were appeals for hand ball bur the referee merely indicated a corner. Marco Silvestri denied Calum Woods with a superb flying save, after he had got in a fine shot from twenty-five yards, that seemed to be heading for the top corner. From the ensuing corner Adam Reach had te ball in the net but the linesman's flag indicated that he was offside. With one minute left on the clock, Leeds gave a debut to Ronaldo Veiera, who came on as substitute for for Stuart Dallas. The hosts were able to force an equaliser during the first minute of stoppage time. Substitute Jordan Hugill did brilliantly to rob Scott Wootton to the right of the goal and keep the ball in play, then cut inside and then played in Eion Doyle, but his shot was blocked, however, the substitute was there to follow up and turn the ball home from ten yards to ensure United's season ended with a point. The unused Leeds substitutes were Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Botaka and Souleymane Doukara. So United finished the season in thirteenth position as Queens Park Rangers won their final game to pip them by a point for twelfth place. They finished thirty-four points behind Champions Burnley, and fifteen points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday, who were the fourth club in the play-off for the third promotion place for the EPL. They were nineteen points above the twenty-second placed Charlton Athletic who were the highest of the three clubs relegated to League One and bottom club Bolton Wanderers were twenty-nine points adrift of United.

Photographs of the era:

Teams:

2015-2016:(Courtesy Paul Gregson)

Top Row: Tommaso Bianchi, Mirco Antenucci, Luke Murphy, Scott Wootton, Chris Wood, Tom Adeyemi.

Middle Row: Giuseppe Bellusci, Souleymane Doukara, Jordan Rolly Botaka, Charlie Horton, Marco Silvestri, Ross Turnbull, Will Buckley, Sam Byram, Charlie Taylor.

Front Row: Stuart Dallas, Gaetano Berardi, Casper Sloth, Souleymane Bamba, Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips, Alex Mowatt, Lewis Cook.

2015-2016: Team before the League game with Rotherham United at Elland Road on 21st November 2015, to mark the recent Paris terrorist attack.

Left to Right: Souleymane Bamba (in black), Giuseppe Bellusci, Marco Silvestri, Stuart Dallas, Lewis Cook, Scott Wootton, Alex Murphy, Liam Cooper, Chris Wood, Alex Mowatt, Gaetano Berardi, Mirco Antenucci.

2015-2016: Team before the League game with Queens Park Rangers at Elland Road on 5th April 2016.

Left to Right: Giuseppe Bellusci, Stuart Dallas, Gaetano Berardi, Chris Wood, Luke Murphy, Lewis Cook, Liam Bridcutt, Liam Cooper, Charlie Taylor, Mustapha Carayol, Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Players/Managers:

Steve Evans: Chief Coach, Tom Adeyemi , Mirco Antenucci , Souleymane Bamba , Gaetano Barardi , Giuseppe Bellusci , Tommaso Bianchi , Jordan Botaka , Will Buckley , Sam Byram , Lewis Cook , Liam Cooper , Stuart Dallas , Chris Dawson , Souleymane Doukara , Lee Erwin , Charlie Horton , Ross Killock , Alex Mowatt , Luke Murphy , Kalvin Phillips , Marco Silvestri , Jake Skelton , Casper Sloth , Charlie Taylor , Ross Turnbull , Lewis Walters , Chris Wood , Scott Wootton .