Leeds lad downs United at Blackburn

Leeds United’s winning run came to an end as they fell to a first half injury-time goal at Blackburn Rovers.
Luke Varney up against Blackburn's Grant Hanley on his return to the Leeds United side.Luke Varney up against Blackburn's Grant Hanley on his return to the Leeds United side.
Luke Varney up against Blackburn's Grant Hanley on his return to the Leeds United side.

Tommy Spurr’s effort from a corner proved the only goal of the contest with the Whites losing 1-0 to drop down to seventh in the table.

The Leeds side showed one change from the one that beat Middlesbrough with Luke Varney recalled up front in place of knee injury victim Dexter Blackstock. They started solidly, although keeper Paddy Kenny was called upon to save from David Dunn’s shot after five minutes.

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The in-form Ross McCormack looked lively with Varney winning plenty of headers, but United struggled to create clear chances until the half-hour when McCormack played in wing-back Danny Pugh, but he saw his shot well saved by home keeper Jake Kean.

Kenny denied Chris Taylor at the other end with a fine save, but was beaten two minutes into injury-time as Leeds-born Spurr finished well from a corner.

Blackburn started the second half well and United were grateful to a vital interception by Alex Mowatt to deny Dunn before Kenny saved well from Josh King’s shot.

Leeds attempted to put in a big finish and had plenty of possession in the final quarter, but they were denied after a huge penalty shout when substitute Matt Smith appeared to be pulled to the ground as looked to get to a Pugh cross.

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Rudy Austin saw a powerful shot go close and McCormack hit another effort wide late on, but United could not pull the goal back manager Brian McDermott thought they were worth.

For all their hard work there was a lack of a cutting edge and it was an opportunity missed with several clubs above Leeds losing.

Match facts

Blackburn Rovers 1 (Spurr 45+2)

Leeds United 0

Saturday, November 20, 2013

Skybet Championship

Att: 20,267

Blackburn: Kean; Kane, Dann, Hanley, Spurr; Taylor, Lowe, Cairney, King, Dunn (Marshall 62); Rhodes (Campbell 84).

Leeds: Kenny; Lees, Zaliukas, Pearce, Peltier (Byram 58) Pugh, Austin, Mowatt, Murphy (Poleon 81), Varney (Smith 58), McCormack

Referee: Craig Pawson.