Leeds back in playoff spot after defeating Scunthorpe 3-2

Leeds promotion hopes improved Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 victory over Scunthorpe United at Elland Road. With the victory the Whites edge into sixth position, one point above Scunthorpe but with an extra match played.

With Luciano Becchio suspended for the match, Simon Grayson paired returning Jermaine Beckford with the young Scot Robert Snodgrass up top and kept Lee Trundle on the bench. However it was the visitors who showed initiative first as Leeds were lacking an early attacking pulse. However two minutes past the half hour Jonny Howson, rightfully back in the starting eleven crossed to Jermaine Beckford, who finished from ten metres out. The margin was doubled six minutes later when Bradley Johnson, who had entered the match for an injured Andy Robinson on the quarter hour, benefited from a opportunistic deflection off Grant McCann. Leeds two goal lead was not long for the afternoon as Scunthorpe's twenty-one year old striker Gary Hooper scored the first of his two goals three minutes before the break when he capitalized on a defending blunder between Casper Ankergren and Ben Parker. Seven minutes after the break, he provided the equalizing goal win a strong run and error-free finish.

Realizing the match was slipping away, Simon Grayson called upon Lee Trundle for Neil Kilkenny two minutes before the hour, which resulted in Robert Snodgrass moving to his correct position on the right win and Fabian Delph to orchestrate from the central position. Nine minutes later the Young Scot provided Jermaine Beckford the opportunity, with the striker making no mistakes from twelve metres. With ten minutes remaining Jonny Howson received his second yellow and was off to the showers. Down a man, Leeds managed to hold on to the 3-2 victory.

Leeds return to play, in a ridiculously flawed scheduling decision, on Monday in a massive match against Oldham.