Leeds United 1 Burnley 2: Vital for Leeds to learn lesson of poor first half, warns Smith

However, it does not need a genius of any sorts to ascertain where his frustrated side went so wrong on Saturday.

Conceding a couple of soft first-half goals meant that, for all of the persistent pressure they applied in the second period, especially after the towering forward came off the bench to get his first league goal in Leeds colours in the 79th minute, they were always going to struggle for parity against one of the Championship’s form teams.

It was a major disappointment as Leeds had, indeed, created ample chances against impressive opponents who subsequently rose to second in the table.

However, ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup trip to Premier League Newcastle United, the perturbed Whites are instead now left contemplating three defeats in four games.

“I thought we’d get another goal if I’m being perfectly honest,” said Smith, the 6ft 6ins forward who arrived from Oldham this summer and headed home El-Hadji Diouf’s free-kick in the 79th minute to set up a frenetic finish.

“We were unlucky maybe not to. Some good balls came into the box and they defended well, got bodies on the line, threw everything in the way, but it was not meant to be.

“We’ll have to learn our lessons, keep going and make sure that first-half performance doesn’t happen again as that was what killed us.”

Leeds manager Brian McDermott accused his side of being “beat up” in that first period as they struggled to contain the movement and twin threat of Burnley strikers Sam Vokes and Danny Ings.

The visitors also had a great chance to put the game out of sight when Ings struck a dipping volley early in the second half but Paddy Kenny produced a fine tip over the bar which seemed to inspire confidence in his side.

It was his opposite number who would be pressed into more action, Burnley’s Tom Heaton delivering a spectacular one-handed save to somehow deny former Liverpool striker Diouf’s header from close range.

He thwarted Ross McCormack, too, who had an earlier header drift just wide on the hour and also saw one narrowly off target in the first half.

Roared on by an expectant Elland Road crowd, Smith finally got them some reward and with Dominic Poleon offering further threat off the bench wide on the right, Leeds seemed destined to eventually find an equaliser, Michael Tonge’s back-heel agonisingly rolling inches wide.

However, Burnley held on and McDermott’s side were left to rue earlier profligacy, unmarked Luke Varney glaringly heading McCormack’s cross wide when the game was still scoreless in the 16th minute.

That error was compounded when barely 60 seconds later Burnley took the lead after United failed to deal with Kieran Trippier’s fired ball into the box.

Sam Byram, back from a hip injury, did well to tackle Danny Arfield first time around but, while the defender was grounded, his opponent struck a right-footed shot inside Kenny’s near post.

Varney should have done better with a snap-shot that Heaton blocked and Burnley duly doubled their lead when Vokes – who scored once for Leeds in a 10-game loan spell from Wolves four years ago – stabbed home after Kenny could only parry his header in the 42nd minute.

It was all so frustrating for the West Yorkshire club but Smith remains confident in their ability to revive.

“I’ve said all along I think we’re going in the right direction,” said the 24-year-old.

“We’re a very close-knit team who all work for one another – in or out of the team the lads are wanting the others to do well – and there’s a lot of quality.

“I certainly think if you put our team on paper there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be competing right at the top of the table.

“Even looking at those who aren’t even involved there’s some top quality players there.

“I’m sure things will turn for the good and we’ll keep going. I think maybe we just need a little luck.”

He will look to make a further impression at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

Having made six substitute appearances in the Championship for Leeds, Smith is expected to start at Newcastle just as he did in the previous two rounds against Chesterfield and Doncaster.

Having famously scored for Oldham versus Everton and Liverpool in the FA Cup last term, he is relishing the prospect of pitting himself against the elite.

“I hope I can shake up a few feathers given some game time,” added Smith.

“I’m under no illusions it’s going to be a very tough game against a top Premier League side at their place. It’ll be a tough ask to cause a shock but there are always shocks so we’ll do our best to make it happen.

“On my own form I’m pleased. I said all along it was just my aim to improve on what I did last year and I’ll keep striving to do that,” he said.

“I want to help the team as best I can. I know I’m by no means the finished article.

“There’s lots for me to work on and I know now I’m in the right environment to do that.”

Smith, who read International Management with American Business Studies at University of Manchester, hopes to eventually persuade McDermott he can be the focal point of Leeds’s attack.

“Nobody is happy being on the bench, far from it,” he said.

“I know there’s some quality strikers ahead of me so I’ve to do everything I can to get into that team, then it’s up to me to keep the shirt.

“But by no means am I content to be sat on the bench. It’s my desire and will to be a regular start for the team.”