Leeds United lose out in close West Yorkshire derby

Leeds United failed to make the most of a flying start as they lost a close West Yorkshire derby at Huddersfield Town.
Matt Smith, who scored the opening goal for Leeds United at Huddersfield.Matt Smith, who scored the opening goal for Leeds United at Huddersfield.
Matt Smith, who scored the opening goal for Leeds United at Huddersfield.

Matt Smith gave the Whites a dream start with a goal after just two minutes, but Town hit back to lead 2-1 and although Dexter Blackstock struck on his debut for Leeds it was Huddersfield who came up with a winner 13 minutes from time.

United boss Brian McDermott named an unchanged starting line-up after the improved showing in the previous game and his players swept straight onto the attack to win a corner from which Smith headed home at the back post from Alex Mowatt’s cross.

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But Huddersfield hit back to level within seven minutes, also from a corner when Danny Ward struck.

It stayed 1-1 to half-time with Paddy Kenny making a good save to deny Adam Hammill, but neither side really threatening to score.

It remained tight into the second half with long range efforts by Luke Murphy and Smith the best Leeds could manage until Rudy Austin and Smith created a great chance for Murphy only for the midfielder to shoot wide with the keeper to beat from an angle.

Town were more fortunate on their next attack as Hammill’s cross was turned into his own goal by United defender Tom Lees.

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Jon Stead then had a great chance for the hosts, but hit the post with only Kenny to beat.

Leeds put on Blackstock, signed on loan from Nottingham Forest on Thursday, and he had an immediate impact, heading home an equaliser with his first touch from another Mowatt corner.

But the Whites’ joy was all too shortlived as within four minutes Stead put Town back ahead, shooting home after being set up by home sub Sean Scannell.

Leeds tried to hit back late on and saw Smith head a chance wide. They then had a huge shout for a penalty in injury-time when Austin went down in the box, but referee Neil Swarbrick controversially waved away all the appeals.

Match facts

(Ward 9, Lees og 63, Stead 77)

(Smith 2, Blackstock 73)

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Sky Bet Championship

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Huddersfield: Smithies, Dixon, Lynch, Clarke, Richards (Woods 72), Hogg, Southern, Ward, Holmes (Scannell 46), Hammill (Gobern 79), Stead.

Leeds: Kenny, Byram, Lees, Wootton, Pearce, Warnock, Austin, Mowatt, Murphy (Blackstock 72), McCormack, Smith.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick.