Leeds Carnegie 22 Nottingham 19: Improving Leeds find a way to win as Ford drops goal to sink defiant visitors

The final whistle had just sounded to mark a fifth straight Championship victory for Diccon Edwards’ fledgling young side.

Relief was the dominant emotion but the head coach took justifiable pride in the manner and spirit his men showed to eke out victory against a physically-imposing Nottingham outfit.

That Leeds, much changed from last season’s ill-fated Premiership campaign, initially struggled to acclimatise to the demands of the Championship is undeniable.

They lost four of their opening five games and were comprehensively routed at Cornish Pirates.

That they have found a way to win in recent weeks is similarly beyond dispute.

If last week’s 45-28 victory at Bedford underlined the progress that Edwards’ side have made, this was about overcoming adversity to emerge victorious courtesy of Ford’s well-executed drop-goal with six minutes remaining.

Leeds lost three forwards to injury, tighthead prop Phil Swainston (shoulder) and second rows Tom Denton (head) and Sean Hohneck (knee) all being forced off by half-time. While there was precious little freeflowing rugby from either side, spirit was enough for Leeds yesterday.

“During pre-season, we talked to the players about what it meant to put on a Leeds Carnegie shirt, and without question, we’ve showed that again today,” said Edwards.

“Our home performances haven’t been the most fluent at times this season but they have showed to our fans a dedication to the shirt.

“We know we’ve got improvements to make but the drive to get those results is really evident.”

That cannot be denied. Swainston was to the fore at the coalface in the opening exchanges and two penalties from Tommy Bell gave the Yorkshiremen a 6-0 advantage. Swainston was soon hurt in a scrum, however, and replaced by David Young, but Leeds were the more menacing with the ball in hand and towering centre Iain Thornley was a constant threat at outside centre.

Nottingham, no mugs at this level, responded midway through the first half when full-back Kieran Hallett landed a penalty from distance.

The visitors offered precious little in attack but another penalty from Hallett had them level.

Bell and Hallett traded penalties again before the break before Bell struck his fourth three-pointer shortly after the resumption.

Nottingham, though, fashioned an impressive riposte when ex-Rotherham back Juan Pablo Socino collected possession 35 metres out in the 52nd minute, leaving a clutch of Leeds defenders in his wake to cross the line for a fine individual effort.

Hallett added the extras but the pendulum began to swing in Leeds’ favour and they pinned Nottingham back inside their own 22, going through countless phases. Genuine chances were few and far between until the 65th minute when flanker Richard Beck emerged to collect possession and plunge over the line.

Bell added the extras but, after Leeds were caught offside, a penalty from James Arlidge levelled the scores with 10 minutes left.

Four minutes later, Ford dropped his goal from 35 metres and there was still time for Arlidge to miss a penalty as Leeds held on. A draw would not have been an unfair result but Leeds, not for the first time, will gladly take a close-fought victory such as this.

Leeds Carnegie: Bell, Stephenson, Thornley, Barker, Blackett, Ford, Shaw, Denman (Lockwood, 60), Nilsen, Swainston (Young, 14, Denman, 80), Denton (Hemingway, 22), Hohneck (Rieder, 40), Beck, Walker, Rowan.Unused replacements: Freer, Hampson, Lucock.

Nottingham: Hallett (Savage 54), Penn, Erinle, Socino, Hayter, Arlidge, Jones, Eggleshaw (Shaw 55), Baird, Kalamafoni, Rouse, Hammond (capt) (Morley 67), Prescott (Shields, 67), Olive (Duffey, 40), Holgate. Unused replacements: Shields, Barnham, Cobden.

Referee: T Hall (RFU).