Doncaster Rovers 0 Leeds United 0: Leeds fail to take their revenge as Rovers hold on

Simon Grayson's side had been left embarrassed by a Yorkshire derby mauling at Barnsley on Tuesday night but showed far more steel, urgency and resolve against another of their local rivals Doncaster Rovers.

It was the first meeting between the two clubs since the 2008 League One play-off final when a 1-0 victory lifted Rovers back into the second tier of English football after a 50-year absence.

Leeds are also back in the Championship now after a three-year absence and seeking a return to the Premier League where their supporters feel they belong.

But it was Rovers who started the game as Yorkshire's highest- placed club – and Sean O'Driscoll's men would have gone second in the Championship table if only they had won.

The game ended in stalemate but Leeds striker Davide Somma had a 'goal' ruled out for offside with 15 minutes to go.

The South African, who was making his first league start for Leeds, struck from close range after Doncaster goalkeeper Neil Sullivan failed to hold a shot from Bradley Johnson.

Somma was also denied a penalty in the final stages when bundled to the floor by Rovers defender George Friend.

Leeds manager Grayson had wielded the axe in the wake of his side's 5-2 defeat at Oakwell and made five changes.

Captain Richard Naylor and striker Luciano Becchio dropped to bench with Lloyd Sam while there was no sign at all of fullbacks Paul Connolly or Fede Bessone.

Strikers Ross McCormack and Somma and defender Alex Bruce all made their first league starts and there were recalls for fullbacks Andrew Hughes and Aidan White.

Doncaster captain Brian Stock, still nursing a back problem, was again sat on the bench and Dean Shiels was preferred in midfield to Mark Wilson.

Despite the intense local rivalry that exists, there were nearly 2,000 empty seats in the 15,000 capacity ground.

The official match programme had contained several pages of Wembley memories – illustrating just how much that victory still means to Doncaster two years down the line.

Yet not even a pre-match rallying call from Rovers chairman John Ryan could generate a full house. The game was on live TV – which will have tempted many to stay at home – but these are still heady days for Rovers and those absentees are missing a treat.

The game had only just kicked off when Bruce pulled off a goal saving tackle to deny Billy Sharp in the goal area.

Leeds took longer to settle but Somma hit the crossbar with a thumping left-foot drive on 23 minutes.

Rovers hit the woodwork minutes later when Dean Shiels curled in a shot that grazed the outside of the far post.

Leeds winger Bradley Johnson walked a dangerous path – committing a series of first-half fouls. One trip on John Oster was only just outside the penalty area and Rovers were unable to take advantage from the free-kick.

Rovers were often prevented from playing their trademark free-flowing football and, on the occasions where they did get crosses into the box, a Leeds defender would generally come out on top.

Leeds should have gone ahead after 38 minutes when Somma, a willing runner throughout, was put through by Johnson. His shot, however, hit the legs of goalkeeper Neil Sullivan.

As the interval loomed, there was little to choose between the sides and Friend flicked a header wide for Rovers from a Woods freekick.

Defender Bruce, son of former Manchester United captain Steve, was highly impressive for Leeds while midfielder Martin Woods, released by Leeds a few years ago, stood out for Rovers.

The second half continued where the first half had left off with defences in charge.

Sullivan saved a near-post shot from Max Gradel but was mightily relieved when Somma's 'goal' was disallowed.

With 23 minutes to go, Leeds introduced winger Robert Snodgrass who had been sidelined since the summer by a knee injury.

Both sides were still looking for a winner at the end and Bruce capped a fine overall display with a vital intervention to deny Rovers substitute Waide Fairhurst.

Leeds now have seven days to prepare for a third consecutive Yorkshire derby – this time against Sheffield United at Elland Road.

Afterwards, Grayson said: "We always get a response from these players after a bad result and we created some good chances. Doncaster won't be far away this season, like a lot of teams in this division.

"It's going to be really tight with 12 to 15 teams that could go up."

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan; Dumbuya, Martis, O'Connor, Friend; Gillett (Mason 85); Coppinger, Oster (Stock 80), Woods, Shiels (Fairhurst 80); Sharp. Unused substitutes: Lockwood, Wilson, Hird, Woods.

Leeds United: Higgs; Hughes, Bruce, Collins, White; Gradel (Watt 85), Howson, Kilkenny, Johnson; Somma, McCormack (Snodgrass 67). Unused substitutes: Naylor, Becchio, Sam, Faye, Brown.

Referee: KA Woolmer (Northamptonshire).