Leeds 1 Coventry 1: Late mistake proves costly as Leeds lose vital ground

The Elland Road club had seemed on course for a fifth win in six outings courtesy of Darren O’Dea’s first goal since joining on loan from Celtic in the summer.

That was, however, until the third minute of stoppage time when Rachubka spilled what should have been a straight-forward catch as Cyrus Christie’s cross looped into the six-yard box.

Richard Wood was the first to react, the former Sheffield Wednesday defender turning the ball into the empty net as the home defenders could only look on helplessly.

Coventry City’s late, late equaliser ended a wretched run at Elland Road for the Midlands club, who before last night had claimed just one point from their last eight visits in a sorry run dating back to 1996.

It also ensured United – formed on October 17, 1919 after Leeds City had been expelled from the Football League – failed to collect a third consecutive clean sheet and, more importantly, a win that would have had Simon Grayson’s side within touching distance of the automatic promotion places.

As poor as Rachubka’s blunder was, though, there is no denying that his Leeds team-mates were equally culpable for what turned out to be a shockingly poor final quarter.

Not only did basic mistakes creep into the home side’s game but they also retreated so deep into their own territory that it gave belief to a Coventry side who until then had only threatened intermittently.

One of those rare forays forward had come in the 12th minute, when Rachubka had denied Sammy Clingan with a fine save to suggest that Leeds may not miss Andy Lonergan, out with a dislocated finger sustained in Friday’s 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers, after all.

That was then followed by United taking the lead with a wonderful strike from O’Dea, who latched on to a mix-up in the Sky Blues’ defence on 26 minutes that involved Clive Platt blocking an attempted clearance.

If the ball landing at the feet of O’Dea had an element of good fortune, the same certainly cannot be said about what happened next.

The Republic of Ireland international steadied himself before unleashing an unstoppable left-foot drive across goalkeeper Joe Murphy and into the corner of the net.

For the next 40 minutes or so, Leeds were firmly in control with O’Dea almost doubling his goal tally when heading Adam Clayton’s cross just wide.

It was a major let-off for Coventry, though nothing compared to what happened four minutes before the break when neat inter-play between Ross McCormack and Andy Keogh opened up the visitors’ defence.

When the ball was returned to McCormack with goalkeeper Murphy out of position, United’s followers rose to acclaim the Scot’s 11th goal of the season only for his effort to fly high and wide of the mark.

McCormack had also been unable to capitalise on a wonderfully flighted pass from Robert Snodgrass in the sixth minute, his header again flying over the crossbar.

Any fears that these misses may prove costly seemed to be swept away at the start of the second half as United again assumed control.

Such was their dominance, in fact, that Coventry were struggling to get out of their own half as Leeds went close to doubling their advantage three times in quick succession around the hour mark.

First, Keogh showed tremendous cunning and skill to win a corner off the ankle of Christie with a deft back-heel.

Danny Pugh then rose highest to meet the resulting corner from Snodgrass with a powerful header that Murphy did well to claw to safety.

Thirty seconds later, Murphy could only watch, rooted to the spot, as Snodgrass’s fierce drive from the left flashed inches past his post.

The Coventry goalkeeper understandably wore the look of a relieved man as the ball went behind but four minutes later it was the turn of his team-mates to again be grateful to him when he saved well from Adam Clayton.

As the game moved into the fourth quarter, Leeds continued to dominate and it seemed only a matter of time before the game was killed off by a second goal.

Much to the frustration of the 21,528 crowd, however, United started to lose their way with sloppy passes and questionable decision-making suddenly starting to litter their play.

It almost proved costly 12 minutes from time when Chris Hussey picked out Cody McDonald with an inviting cross only for the substitute to head on to the top of the crossbar.

Still, Leeds failed to heed the urgings of their fans to get forward and they paid the ultimate price 149 seconds into the allotted three minutes of stoppage time when Rachubka literally handed Coventry a point.

Leeds United: Rachubka; Connolly, Lees, O’Dea, White; Snodgrass (Vayrynen 79), Howson, Clayton, Pugh; Keogh (Forssell 69), McCormack (Becchio 69). Unused substitutes: Cairns, Kisnorbo.

Coventry City: Murphy; Keogh, Wood, Christie, Hussey; Thomas, Clingan, Deegan (Bigirimana 46),Bell ; Platt (McDonald 46), Jutkiewicz. Unused substitutes: Dunn, O’Donovan, Cameron.

Referee: A Haines (Tyne & Wear).