Leeds United 1 Burnley 2: Whites suffer home defeat

After trailing 2-0 at the break, the lanky summer signing from Oldham headed home a free-kick from fellow substitute Dominic Poleon in the 83rd minute to offer hope of a recovery.

It was the least Leeds deserved after pressing hard for the majority of the second period, Michael Tonge going close with a back-heel and Burnley keeper Tom Heaton denying El-Hadji Diouf with a terrific one-hand save on the goal-line.

However, there would be no equaliser and so Brian McDermott’s side were left to rue a raft of missed opportunities against one of the Championship’s form sides who saw ex-Leeds striker Sam Vokes score the decisive goal.

United fell behind to Scott Arfield’s strike in the 17th minute when they failed to deal with Kieran Trippier’s fired ball into the box.

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

It came barely 60 seconds after Luke Varney had missed a great headed chance at the other end, the unmarked striker somehow failing to even find the target.

In fairness, the hosts responded well and created the better chances before the break but they were not converted, Varney the worst offender and Ross McCormack also heading just wide.

However, McDermott’s side - who lost at Reading on Wednesday - were further undone after a bizarre referee decision in the 42nd minute.

Jason Pearce looked to have cleanly won the ball with an admittedly ferocious tackle on Michael Kightly but Lee Probert awarded a free-kick and, from there, Vokes - who spent a spell on loan at Elland Road in 2009 - scored at the second attempt after Kenny parried his initial header.

Burnley had chances to extend their lead early in the second period, Kenny called upon to tip Danny Ings’ dipping volley over the bar after Vokes had already flashed one wide.

But then it was all Leeds as they desperately tried to find that leveller.

LEEDS: Kenny, Byram (Green 55), Pearce, Wootton, White, Murphy (Poleon 55), Austin, Tonge, McCormack, Varney (Smith 75), Diouf.

BURNLEY: Heaton; Trippier, Mee, Shackell, Duff; Arfield, Jones (Edgar 70), Marney, Kightly (Stock 82); Vokes, Ings.

Referee: Lee Probert

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