By Andy Baggott
March 6 2006

Leeds produced arguably their best performance, to get the most important win of the season so far. With Sheffield United slipping up on Friday night, Kevin Blackwells men knew that a win would really put them in with a shout of second place. Palace are a team in form though, and are a good side, so this was never going to be easy.
Palace probably made the better start, but after 5 or 10 minutes, Leeds got to grips with the game, and took the game to Palace. Douglas had a looping header tipped over, and from the resulting corner, went even closer, when his header was superbly saved by the Palace goalkeeper Kiraly. Leeds continued to push, and it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead. Hulse burst down the right, and squared for Blake. The striker had to adjust his feet quickly, but slotted home for his 11th of the season. It could have been two soon ater - Lewis should have done better , heading wide when Kiraly lost his bearings.
The second half was more of the same, and Leeds grabbed a deserved second. Great play down the right between Kelly, Miller and Blake saw Miller pull the ball back from the deadball line, where Hulse rifled home via the bar.
The second goal seemed to wake Palace up, and they attacked with force. Leeds were resolute at the back though, and it took a fine goal from McAnuff to give the home side a sniff in injury time. Despite one or two scares though, Leeds held on for a deserved win to really put some heat on the Blades in that race for second.