Bid for first win frustrated as Saints hold Leeds in lacklustre encounter

Leeds 0 Southampton 0

On-loan Jermaine Pennant was handed his first start by Leeds manager Peter Reid following his recent move from Arsenal while Ian Harte was recalled at left-back.

Leeds made the better start and Lamine Sakho headed home a Gary Kelly free-kick from inside the six-yard box after two minutes. But Sakho’s celebrations were cut short by a linesman’s flag.

Former Leeds star Strachan was then forced into an early substitution, with Rory Delap limping off to be replaced by Paul Telfer.

Leeds were on the front foot in the opening exchanges, looking more lively in the first 15 minutes than they did throughout the entire 90 of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Spurs.

Southampton started to come into the game, but were restricted to a glancing Telfer header from a Graeme Le Saux corner as their only early chance.

Pennant, who scored a hat-trick against Southampton in May, provided Leeds with the width they have long craved down the right-hand side, curling in a deep 26th-minute cross to the far post which Mark Viduka could only head into the ground.

Leeds ‘keeper Robinson was finally called into action in the 41st minute, touching over the bar a rising drive from Jason Dodd.

Leeds were on the front foot again from the opening whistle of the second half, with Smith rifling an angled drive into the side netting inside the first minute.

Leeds continued to raise the tempo and Southampton’s attacks were sporadic, but Matt Oakley was only a yard away with a 25-yard right-foot cracker which had Robinson at full stretch just after the hour.

Ten minutes later, Leeds created the best move of the game, initially through Pennant surging down the right wing.

A deep cross to the far post was poorly headed back by the arriving Sakho, although Smith almost retrieved the situation as he hooked the ball from behind him and inches over the bar.

In injury time, Southampton almost stole all three points when McCann put late sub Brett Ormerod through, although Robinson stood firm to beat the ball away.

LEEDS: Robinson, Kelly, Camara, Matteo, Harte, Pennant, Morris, Johnson, Sakho, Smith, Viduka.

SOUTHAMPTON: Jones, Dodd, Lundekvam, Svensson, Le Saux, Fernandes, Delap, Oakley, Prutton, Phillips, Beattie.