By Rich B
April 19 2006

Leeds United travelled to Bramhall Lane for this Tuesday night derby clash with Sheffield United. Sheffield were confirmed Automatic promotion following the Leeds draw on Saturday so it was never going to be a pleasant trip for the West Yorkshire side. 29329 fans went to Bramhall Lane to celebrate their promotion to the Premiership (except the Leeds fans of course)and the team that threatened to steal them of it in the closing stages of the season were tonights opposition - this made the crowd even more eager to party and the atmosphere was electric throughout the night.

Leeds started with the same starting 11 that drew agaisnt Portsmouth and got off to a bright start with Healy looking lively up front but an unfortunate own goal on 10 minutes saw Sheffield take the lead. Unsworth's dangerous corner bounced off a hapless Bakke and into his own net with Ade Akinbiyi threatening. It set off the celebrations as Sheffield United fans began the Premiership party early.

Leeds were unlucky to receive nothing from referee Grahm Poll as Sheffield United made some hard challenges and it was good to see that Leeds were prepared to stand up and be counted and take charge of the situation. A goal down with the crowd starting to 'Ole' chant at every pass and hard tackles from an enthusiastic Sheffield team, Leeds could have be forgiven for shrinking during the game - instead the Whites fired themselves up and gave as good as they got with some good tackling from Crainey, Derry and Kelly. Unfortunately Craine and Kelly found themselves in the ref's book for their efforts.

Leeds were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after 32 mins. Healy sent Bakke clear but Short seemed to everyone in the ground to pull him down - everyone that is except the Ref.

On 42 minutes, Leeds scored the goal they deserved as Healy took a swing from the edge of the box which flew into the bottom left hand corner of the new, past an impresive Kenny who pulled of a number of saves on the night. The goal did nothing to calm the tempo of the game as the tackles continued and on 42 minutes, a 50/50 ball between kelly and Short ended up with the White player coming better off and Short rolling around in agony. Blades manager, Neil Warnock was incensed by the tackle an demonstrated to anyone that would listen. It resulted in him being sent from the dug out but in typical Warnock fashion he refused to go until a member of South Yorkshire constablary gave him a helping hand. The action fired up the Leeds players and fans even more and put a rapid halt the the Sheffield Celebrations. Warnock would not be seen again until the final whistle.

From the second half kick-off, Leeds could easily have gone ahead. Douglas, through on goal after some great work from Bakke and Hulse blazed the ball high and wide and Hulse and Millar both went close. Leeds looking the stronger side and more likely to score but it wasn't to be and Leeds had to settle for a point - unbreaten against the top two all season (All four games have finished 1-1) Leeds can draw a lot of confidence from the match as they head towards the play-off lottery.