If like me you've lost count of the amount of times we've dropped points against Leicester City in the dying minutes in recent times, it probably shouldn't have come as too much a surprise to see the Foxes snatch a rare away victory from our grasp. Although it felt like a defeat I am loathe to be too hard on Neil Warnock's men because I feel a win would not have flattered us.
Although we had not quite sold out our 3200 allocation the travelling whites were in good voice and exchanged some lively banter with the locals, particularly referring to their over-reliance on a rather obese drummer to generate some atmosphere. Like Leeds, the Foxes have had some trouble getting fans through the turnstiles of late and their PA man was doing his best to highlight the offers on forthcoming home games including free-mates tickets for season-ticket holders. Worryingly for Leicester's Thai owners they have pumped tens of millions into the playing-staff and their gates are still inferior to the Leicester Tigers Rugby Club over the road whereas Leeds own moves in the transfer-market have been more modest and the eight-year PR disaster of Ken Bates reign still leaves a bitter-taste in the mouth of many a Yorkshireman.
I must admit I took a sharp intake of breath when I noted Leicester named a three-pronged attack of David Nugent, Chris Wood and Harry Kane. I feared it would be too much for even our vastly improved defence, marshalled by former Fox Lee Peltier who got a rough ride from the home fans, however I thought we handled everything the Foxes threw at us and Leicester almost disappointed me with how impotent their attack was.
Even allowing for a couple of Paddy Kenny spills, it took 37 minutes for the hosts to trouble us seriously when Kenny tipped a Knockheart lob over his bar. He then denied Wood on the stroke of half-time and a comedy moment followed as referee Paul Tierney awarded Leicester a corner and blew for half-time before they could take it!
Leicester replaced Konchesky with Lloyd Dyer at half-time and possession wise enjoyed their best spell after the break, however we weathered the storm and on 53 we were in front, Ross McCormack delivered the corner into the six yard box for Sam Byram to smash it home. Byram celebrated his third goal of the season with an unashamed, badge-kissing frenzy in front of the Leeds fans.
Rather than sting Leicester into a response, the Leeds goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of their fragile confidence. Warnock, Stephen that is was immense at left-back, McCormack as ever wore his heart on his sleeve and ran himself into the ground (cheers for the tweet on Sunday feller!). I was a little concerned to see some of our fans get on Steve Morison's back. The game seemed to pass him by and my own opinion is he will start to show his true worth next season with a full per-season and embedding in our starting line-up. I must admit I was surprised Neil Warnock didn't bring him off with 10-15 minutes to go as he seemed to struggle in holding the ball up and earning us a valuable few more seconds.
Had Paul Green and David Norris converted half decent chances, then I would be hailing our first away league win for over four months, Green drew a rasping drive into the palms of Schmeichel and the ex-Leeds keeper who typically got a rough ride off the visiting fans momentarily lost his head and Norris could only hook the ball into the path of on-loan Michael Keane who comfortably cleared off the line.
There were even more gaps of blue empty seats as the natives, resigned to another confidence evaporating defeat began to leave the stadium. Referee Tierney obviously had a more dodgier timepiece on his wrist than the fake Rolex Submariner I wore on mine as he added four minutes of added time.
A succession of Leicester corners, two tip-overs from Kenny, a penalty shout and Schmeichel effectively playing rush goalie ensued and just when we dared dream of a much needed win to boost our play-off hopes up steps Manchester United starlet Keane to head home Waghorn's corner in the 93 minute.
This prompted a big surge of bacon-faced home fans to my left, who celebrated as if they had won promotion. The truth is that Leicester will have to be content with one of the play-off places we so desperately crave and will probably now miss out on.
The draw was not much use to either side!