In the end just a Luciano Becchio penalty separated these two sides, for Leeds it was far from their best performance of the season but at least they keep up their unbeaten run and go into then international break undefeated in five.

Never mind the quality, feel the result and all that. Leeds will be rejoicing having finally buried their Barnsley hoodoo, the Tykes having not tasted defeat to Leeds since the old Yorkshire rivals were reunited in the Championship in 2010.

It may well have been a very different story had the visitors found the devastating cutting edge that put sorry Birmingham to the sword a fortnight ago. Mellings, Davies and Harewood with the pick of the bunch, a squirmed shot that evaded Paddy Kenny's far post had the home fans edgy before Leeds even troubled Ben Alnwick in the Barnsley goal.

By my reckoning it took 26 minutes for Leeds to threaten Keith Hill's side, the cross was supplied by Diouf, whipping in a majestic cross from the right, despite the line markings coating his boots, despite being fouled and despite enduring typical sneering taunts from the visiting fans, alas Becchio could not apply the finishing touch with his usually reliable head.

However the Argentine had another opportunity to show-off his talent from the penalty spot on 42 minutes when Foster poleaxed Lee Peltier in the box and Leeds were awarded yet another penalty. We seem to have had more spot-kicks in our favour this season than in the last ten years. Becchio cooly chipped Alnwick to put Leeds 1-0 to the good at half-time.

Leeds endured another injury at the start of the second half when Tonge suffered what looked like a shoulder injury and was replaced by David Norris, who has been out for a month himself. I saw Tonge leave ER later with his right arm in a sling, however he still managed to drive his Audi away despite his handicap which hopefully suggests it is nothing major!

Leeds then had Paddy Kenny to thank for keeping their noses in front. Having beaten away a Cykwa drive for a corner, Kenny then somehow denied Harewood who smashed home a certain equaliser but somehow Kenny taced across his line to parry away the former Nottingham Forest man's strike.

Kenny was also on hand to deny Stones in the last minute. Four minutes of injury time prevailed but Leeds clung on.

It was by far a classic performance, Leeds were way too slow to get going and we endured half an hour or so of Barnsley's nice passing movement even though their goalscoring opportunities were limited. I think Neil Warnock will welcome the break, to recharge the batteries and maybe get a few more fit however with the Friday night kick-off at Hillsborough on Friday week and Rodolph Austin, for example who looked jaded today due on international duty it may not be that simple and straightforward and he may have to dip into the emergency loan market again to keep us in touch with the chasing pack.

Photo: Action Images

Leeds United Polls