Premiership: Leicester bounce back to draw with Leeds

Leeds 2, Leicester 2 (full-time)

Leeds United's hopes of returning to second place in the Premiership floundered on 10 minutes of defensive suicide as Leicester stole a dramatic point.

Leeds were coasting with goals from Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka, but former Elland Road striker Brian Deane first pulled one back in the 78th minute prior to James Scowcroft netting the equaliser two minutes from time.

Neither Lee Bowyer or Jonathon Woodgate were at Elland Road for the game, apparently ordered to stay away due to the undoubted spotlight which would have been focused upon them.

Leeds served notice of their intent after just 45 seconds when Seth Johnson, after completing a one-match ban and in the side for Olivier Dacourt who is out for the next two months with a dislocated shoulder, fed Viduka.

The 25-year-old then struck a first-time right-foot shot which Ian Walker pushed instinctively on to the crossbar.

Incisive passing led to Ian Harte feeding Viduka inside the box, a cheeky back heel finding fellow Australian Kewell to drive home his 10th goal of the season - and his fourth in the last three games - from 15 yards in the seventh minute.

The linesman's flag denied Viduka a stunning second for Leeds after being set up by Kewell and Fowler.

The latter then spurned a home debut strike by dwelling on a clear sight of goal in the 27th minute which allowed Callum Davidson to brilliantly block.

By the end of the half, though, O'Leary had lost another two players to injury with Robbie Keane turning his ankle in the warm-up and Johnson limping off in the 17th minute, seemingly nursing his right ankle.

The three points should have been wrapped up long before half time, butit took a 58th minute wake-up call - Brian Deane's header from a Davidson corner ruled out for a push in the area - for Leeds to open up clear daylight between themselves and their opponents.

A swift counter-attack led to Gary Kelly turning in a low cross for Viduka to hook home his seventh goal of the season, and his first since returning from World Cup duty with Australia.

But Leeds fell asleep in the 79th minute to allow the Foxes a precious point in their battle against the drop.

Davidson drove in a low cross along the edge of the six-yard box for former Leeds star Deane, on his full City debut after his recent move from Middlesbrough, to sidefoot home at the far post.

Still Leeds did not heed the warning and so paid the price with just two minutes remaining when a four-man move ended with James Scowcroft driving home his second of the season.