Leeds were held to a goalless draw by a battling Barnsley at Elland Road. However it was a point gained and results elsewhere meant we moved up a place to 5th.

Despite injury concerns over Danny Pugh, Brian McDermott retained the same side that won at Doncaster and even recalled El Hadji Diouf to the subs bench. A crowd in excess of 31,000 saw Matt Smith go close twice in 10 minutes, although the suspicion was the big striker could have tested Jack Butland a bit more.

Smith again went close but on the half hour mark, the visitors finally bared their teeth. O'Brien fired wide and Tudgay twice went close.

Yet again, it was a case of so nearly for Smith when his header just sailed over Butland's crossbar on the stroke of half-time, Pearce with the cross.

McDermott made two changes at half-time bringing on Byram for Peltier and Tonge came on for Mowatt, who had picked up a yellow-card from referee Keith Stroud.

Butland was tested twice from distance by Pugh and Tonge, but was equal to their efforts. McCormack was also denied twice by the former Birmingham keeper and when Austin's curling shot was saved you sensed it was going to be one of those afternoons.

With 20 minutes remaining Barnsley pressed for their own winner, Mellis hitting the side netting and O'Brien's shot was saved by Kenny.

At the other end Smith finally beat Butland but his shot fell inches wide, then Leeds had the added advantage of seeing their guests reduced to ten-men when Tudgay walked for a horrible challenge on Zaliukas.

But Leeds just couldn't break Barnsley down and Danny Wilson marked his first game back with an unbeaten start. I suppose although we would have had this one down as a dead cert home banker, at the start of the season we would have been more than happy going into Boxing Day's visit to Blackpool in 5th place.

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