Pirates sunk by late blast!
Saturday, 22nd Dec 2007 18:48

Leeds United crept up to third with a 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers, but they left it late to sink the Pirates.

Another day and another late, late show for Leeds United!

The whites' are making a habit of keeping their loyal followers on the edge of their seats until the dying minutes.

Last weekend, it was nailbiting stuff at Walsall when Alan Thompson popped up in the 90th minute to earn Leeds a battling point.

And today, it was Bristol Rovers turn to make life hard for Leeds.

Roared on by 2700 fans, the West Countrymen felt the only difference between the sides in the October clash was Leeds' ability to tuck away their chances. Leeds won 3-0 that night at the Memorial Ground, which enabled them to climb out of the bottom three.

And today's win put Leeds into third spot, just a point behind Swansea and new-leaders Nottingham Forest - although the whites' have played more games than the other sides.

Swansea's trip to Carlisle was cancelled today.

Dennis Wise welcomed back Tresor Kandol to the side, who stepped back into the first eleven having served a one-match ban at Walsall last weekend.

The other notable change was in midfield. Devoid of the services of Jonathan Douglas, Wise chose a central midfield pairing of Alan Thompson and Johnny Howson with Radostin Kishishev dropping down to the bench.

The game started in carnival atmosphere as 37-year-old fan John Moran unveiled a 50 foot by 40 foot Leeds shirt, the banner was passed around Elland Road before kick-off. According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, John stumped up £600 towards this unique Christmas gift - sponsors Redkite chipping in the other half.

But the game was halted after just a minute when David Prutton and Joe Jacobson accidentally clashed heads. It was the end of the young Rovers full-back's afternoon, whilst Prutton later returned to the fray with a bandaged head.

Beckford nearly opened the scoring but hit the bar, but at the other end Ankegren was kept on his toes when Carruthers burst through.

Chances were few and far between. Beckford had a couple of further opportunities to add to this twelve goal haul, but nothing came of them.

Rovers looked the more likely to score in the second half. Ankegren was alert on more than one occasion to clear the danger, denying Lescott and Pipe.

Wise shuffled the pack, bringing on Carole and Flo for Prutton and Westlake - reverting to a 4-3-3 formation.

It seemed to momentarily pep-up United's attack, Kandol (Twice), Carole and Beckford all going close.

But at the other end, Rovers' self-confessed Leeds fan Lewis Haldane probably dreamt tomorrow's headlines when he loomed on Ankegren, but the Danish custodian made the perfect block to deny him a fairytale afternoon.

The goal came on 84 minutes, Thompson crossed, Carole flicked on and some media reports claimed Howson had broken the deadlock - the official words is that it was an OG by unfortunate Rovers defender Elliott.

Who cares though? Another win! A double over Rovers! Up to third, just a point off the top - okay Forest and Swansea have games in hand over us, but we have the points in the bag and I reckon most Leeds fans would have started believing in Santa Claus again had we been told back in August we'd have been in such a handy position - come Christmas time!