Rachubka absolved of blame as Clayton focuses on Leeds’s run

The former Huddersfield Town goalkeeper was badly at fault for Coventry City’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser on Tuesday night at Elland Road.

What had seemed like a routine catch for Rachubka when Cyrus Christie lobbed a cross into the six-yard box ended with the ball being spilt and Richard Wood tapping in a simple equaliser.

It meant the fifth place that had seemed in United’s grasp suddenly turned into 10th, Peterborough having been one of the sides that took advantage of Rachubka’s slip to leapfrog the Yorkshire club.

Clayton, who spent two months on loan at London Road last season, admits the resulting 1-1 draw with Coventry ‘felt more like a defeat’.

However, he is adamant that no blame was attached to Rachubka by his Leeds team-mates who instead assumed collective responsibility for the dropped points.

The United midfielder said: “We were a bit disappointed to concede with 10 seconds to go.

“We have scored goals ourselves this season late in games and it is just part of life. We won’t be worrying about it, that’s for sure.

“The equaliser was just one of those things that happen. None of the lads blame him for not winning. ‘Chubs dropping the cross is no different to Ross missing in the first half or me in the second half.

“We are a team and go again on Saturday as a team. It is not about one performance, it is all of us.

“When you are a goalkeeper, things like that can happen. It was unfortunate for ‘Chubs, especially as he had come in and done so well before then.

“The save in the first half (to keep out a low drive from Sammy Clingan) was brilliant.

“It is important to note that as a team in those last 15 minutes against Coventry we didn’t do well. We couldn’t keep it up front and that meant we weren’t able to build anything.

“Coventry also had an extra man in midfield and they started to play a bit. Even though they had plenty of possession, I didn’t think they were going to equalise and even the goal came from a hopeful cross.”

Rachubka’s home debut came due to first-choice Andy Lonergan being out with a dislocated finger – an injury that Simon Grayson has since revealed will keep the former Preston goalkeeper out for six weeks.

It means Rachubka has plenty of games to make-up for his late blunder against Coventry, starting with Saturday’s trip to Peterborough. Clayton made six appearances for Posh when on loan from Elland Road last season so is looking forward to a return.

He said: “They are a good team who like to attack so it should be really open. I am sure we will get goals and it should be a good game.

“Most of the lads I played alongside are still there so it will be nice to see them. But the main thing is getting the win during those 90 minutes.

“Clubs raise their game against Leeds, even the big teams in this division. They want to beat Leeds United and it will be no different on Saturday.

“Most of our games are entertaining anyway so them liking to attack will only add to it. The way we both play, it could be 9-9 – you just never know!”

Once back at Leeds, Clayton may have thought Peterborough’s part in his season was over – especially when he joined Milton Keynes Dons just before the transfer deadline on loan.

But that move eventually led to two play-off semi-final appearances against Posh, who triumphed 4-3 on aggregate despite losing the first leg at stadium:mk 3-2

He recalls: “I grew a bit during the loan spells with Peterborough and MK Dons, so both were good for my career. It was strange how MK Dons should face Peterborough in the play-offs and it was disappointing to lose.

“But when they beat Huddersfield in the final I was delighted for the boys. I was back at Leeds and concentrating on the Championship, but knowing the Peterborough boys would be in the same division.”

Leeds will be looking to respond in a positive fashion against a Peterborough side fresh from a dramatic 4-3 win over Cardiff City.

Clayton added: “Tuesday did feel like a defeat but what we shouldn’t forget is we didn’t lose and that means we are now unbeaten in seven games. We are on the up and need to keep that going at Peterborough.”