UEFA Cup: O'Leary hails courageous Leeds

David O'Leary hailed his side's "courageous display" after Leeds came from behind to beat Grasshoppers 2-1.

Leeds trailed at the break to Stephane Chapuisat's 18th-minute strike and Nigel Martyn kept them in the game when he saved Richard Nunez's penalty.

It proved to be the turning point as Ian Harte curled home a 20-yard free-kick to haul United level and Alan Smith grabbed the winner from close range soon after.

Given the number of players unavailable for O'Leary, the 43-year-old Irishman fielding just 15 players for the game, the triumph was one against adversity.

"You all know what character we have and again we underlined just what fantastic spirit there is here," smiled O'Leary.

"I thought we started well, but we conceded a goal against the run of play, and then at the start of the second half they played superbly.

"But we got out of jail in many respects and I have to say that I felt it was a courageous victory in the end."

O'Leary realises his side could easily have been staring at the UEFA Cup exit signs, but for Martyn as he added: "We were very slack for the first 25 minutes of the second half.

"We could have been very badly punished, but the penalty save was the key and when you score away goals in a tie like this they mean a great deal.

"We've now given ourselves a great chance of going through to the next round, but we will not take them for granted in the return at Elland Road in a fortnight's time."