Leeds United 2, Bristol Rovers 2

JERMAINE Beckford cashed in on two slices of luck to deny

Bristol Rovers their first ever win at Elland Road this

afternoon.

The Leeds marksman gave his side a fourth-minute lead when

his shot took a massive deflection off Steve Elliott to

wrongfoot helpless keeper Steve Phillips.

It was an early shock for the Pirates, but Rickie Lambert

put Paul Trollope’s men back in the hunt just after the

half-hour. The Leeds defence were slow to come out and Lambert

collected David Pipe’s ball over the top before advancing to

smash an angled shot into the far corner from 14 yards.

And five minutes later, the home side’s rearguard were

sleeping again as Chris Lines’ free-kick was allowed to reach

Darryl Duffy, who must scarcely have been able to believe the

space he was allowed to poke the ball home from close

range.

Paul Huntington headed over from a Leeds free kick when well

placed, but Duffy went close again for the Gas in first-half

stoppage time when he curled a shot wide.

Leeds spent long periods of the second half camped in the

visitors’ half but were thwarted by some valiant defending

until Beckford struck again to snatch an equaliser for Gary

McAllister’s side with 13 minutes left.

Substitute Enoch Showumni’s initial shot was blocked, but

Beckford pounced on the loose ball to clip it over Phillips and

into the net.

Leeds pushed hard for a winner over the closing stages, but the

Pirates survived four minutes of stoppage time to claim a

hard-earned point.