Leeds draw in the dark

After a midweek FA Cup defeat to Arsenal at Elland Road the Whites had a tough trip to Portsmouth. Not a game anybody would want to see on their fixture list as bodies were still on the mend after a gruelling contest against the Gunners.

Simon Grayson was forced to bring in Leigh Bromby with Andy O'Brien out with a hamstring injury, but he was able to welcome back Luciano Becchio and George McCartney to the starting eleven with Billy Paynter and Ben Parker stepping aside.

It's often the case that after strong Cup performances the team in question get brought back down to earth in the League, Leeds fell foul of this on 25 minutes as Joel Ward put the home side ahead. Portsmouth controlled the opening period, was it a case of tired legs for Grayson's men?

Portsmouth may have dominated the first half but it took just 76 seconds for Leeds to get back on terms in the second half. A combination of Snodgrass and Howson set up Becchio allowing him to hammer home the equaliser. United were in control, more than you could say for those in charge of the electrics. However Pompy weathered the storm, only to go up the other end and take the lead. A ball over the top put John Utaka through to stab home past Kasper Schmeichel on 61 minutes.

It was soon 2-2. Grayson brought Davide Somma on for Sanchez Watt and what an inspired substitution it was. Becchio played a through ball to Somma and with his first touch he levelled it! Leeds were applying the pressure but the last 25 minutes was a slight farce with the floodlights quite literally going out. That meant the referee had to hold proceedings. Was this the creditors adding embarrassment to Portsmouth already devastating situation?

Neither side had that decisive goal in them though. A fixture this season that has created a whopping 10 goals resulted in another draw. So the lights are out at Fratton Park but the lights are still firmly on in Leeds' promotion charge.

Att. 20,040

Portsmouth 2-2 Leeds

Ward 26 - Portsmouth

Becchio 47 - Leeds

Utaka 61 - Portsmouth

Somma 63 - Leeds