We've seen some dodgy decisions given on this famous old ground down the years! Ray Tinkler against West Brom in 1971 may linger in the memory-banks of our older readers, like me you may remember the Cypriot Travel-Agent who took charge of our Champions League qualifier in 2000 against TSV München, David Elleray anyone? Then today came Dean Whitestone!
Even by the final whistle, it seemed both sets of players had had enough of the Northamptonshire official and he was left cowering behind three burly security guards with his equally hapless officials as the paying seething fans left him in no doubt what they thought of his performance. "You're not fit to referee!" Was the verdict.
Neil Redfearn seemed to revert to a 4-4-2 with Charlie Taylor taking Derby departed Stephen Warnock's place at left back. Liam Cooper kept the role as captain in central defence partnered by Giuseppe Bellusci. Scott Wooton who was expected to be facing league-leaders and next up at Elland Road AFC Bournemouth down at Rotherham was a strange choice at right-back. Youngsters Sam Byram and Lewis Cook patrolled the right and left flanks, experienced duo Luke Murphy and Rudy Austin made up the central midfield partnership and Mirco Antennucci and the much maligned Steve Morison made the striking duo.
I thought we began positively enough, Morison not for the first time winning some decent high-balls but as ever we looked susceptible on the break, Yorkshire born Birmingham top-scorer Clayton Donaldson surged into the box down the right-flank and Cooper stepped in, Donaldson went down, the linesman flagged for a corner but referee Whitestone pointed to the spot. The furious Leeds players urged the ref to consult his assistant and Whitestone jogged feebly towards his colleague before turning midway and sticking to his decision. Paul Caddis stepped up and narrowly beat Marco Silvestre for his fifth of the season and to send Brum on their way to a third straight league win on their travels under Gary Rowett.
Leeds generally kept their composure and carried on creating chances, Wootton powered a header wide, Antenucci took one step too many and drifted wide of a decent shooting chance. We looked vulnerable to pace yet again although the Blues seemed content on pinging in long range shots which seemed to drift wide of Silvestre's post.
We continued to dominate possession in the second-half and most of our attacks involved a rapid build up and a high ball up to Morison. The ex-Millwall man us hardly a Kop idol but he won everything in the air and agonisingly hit the post with a header which unbelievably hit the post bad kindly dropped into Randolph's grasp.
At the other end, Donaldson also hit a post with Silvestre beaten and Leeds scrambled it away. Shortly after, Byram was left felled in the box and given referee Whitehouse's eagle eye in spotting Cooper's contact on Donaldson earlier, the Leeds players and fans expected a penalty but got nothing and surely Byram should have gone into the book for diving then?
However on 86 minutes Leeds deservedly drew level, Byram cut back a cross from the right and fir once Morison couldn't apply the knock-down but the Birmingham defence could only clear into the path of the oncoming Luke Murphy who blasted home the equaliser.
Leeds had another strong shout for a penalty turned down after what seemed a blatant handball and Murphy had a second bite at the cherry but shot into Randolphs arms. A much more positive performance by Leeds and forgotten men Murphy and Morison rightfully earning the plaudits. Results elsewhere mean we are up to 19th and three-points clear of the drop-zone. I honestly believe if we can put in a shift like this against league-leaders Bournemouth on Tuesday night we may well claim our first double of the season.