Leeds keep hope alive

Leeds 2 Crystal Palace 1

Leeds kept alive their hopes of fending off relegation with goals in each half from Matt Heath and Robbie Blake securing them a deserved win at Elland Road.

Dennis Wise’s side, who remain at the foot of the table, survived an anxious final eight minutes after Leon Cort powered home a header from Mark Kennedy’s free-kick.

But the Yorkshiremen deserved to become the first Coca-Cola Championship side to beat Peter Taylor’s play-off chasers in nine matches.

Heath gave Leeds a half-time lead with a far post header from Blake’s corner and an even more assured second-half display culminated in Blake firing home a second from the edge of the penalty area.

Danish goalkeeper Casper Ankergren, a recent signing from Brondby, made his debut for Leeds, but the injury-hit Yorkshiremen were dealt another blow when midfielder Alan Thompson was withdrawn from the squad.

Shaun Derry (Achilles), Tore Andre Flo (fractured foot), David Healy (broken arm), Gary Kelly, Graham Stack (both ankle) and Robbie Elliott (hamstring) all remain sidelined.

Striker Richard Cresswell, out since November with knee trouble, made a surprise return to the bench.

Gary Borrowdale returned for Palace at left-back following a hernia operation and Clinton Morrison and James Scowcroft were recalled up front with Shefki Kuqi and Dougie Freedman on the bench.

Ankergren soon showed his international pedigree when he blocked Scowcroft’s early shot shortly after the visitors had carved open another gilt-edged chance, with Mark Kennedy’s low cross skidding beyond the outstretched leg of Carl Fletcher at the far post.

Leeds enjoyed most of the early possession, but lacked the cohesion required to trouble Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, while the visitors carried the threat of a side unbeaten in their last eight league matches when on the counter-attack.

But Leeds made the breakthrough from a set-piece in the 27th minute. Blake’s inswinging corner was allowed to bounce at the far post and Heath was quickest to react to head home his second goal for Leeds.

The home side began to play with more confidence and only a brilliant reaction save from Kiraly denied Leeds a second, the Hungarian’s left hand diverting Moore’s flick from Blake’s cross over the crossbar.

The return to full voice of the Elland Road kop early in the second half gave some indication of how Leeds maintained their dominance, yet Kiraly remained untroubled.

Palace manager Peter Taylor attempted to put some spark into his side by sending on Freedman and Kuqi for Scowcroft and the anonymous Paul Ifill.

But it was Leeds who threatened again with Kiraly smothering Blake’s low shot.

Lewis limped off injured in the 64th minute and was replaced by Armando Sa and Cresswell came on to a huge cheer for Tresor Kandol soon after.

An even bigger cheer erupted moments later when Blake fired home his seventh goal of the season to put Leeds two-up.

Cresswell showed excellent control and found Blake with a fine crossfield pass and with Leeds providing enough decoys as they poured forward in numbers the former Burnley striker took advantage of a fortuitous deflection off Nicholls to shoot home beneath Kiraly’s dive in the 72nd minute.

Cort rose highest to thump home a fine header from Kennedy’s free-kick in the 82nd minute.

Palace charged forward during four minutes of time added on, but it was too little too late and Leeds will take heart from a vital win with so many players out injured.