Leeds United boss Grayson not giving up on automatic promotion

The Elland Road club slipped to a third-consecutive defeat courtesy of a dramatic 89th minute winner from Norwich City substitute Chris Martin.

Coupled with Millwall's 5-0 hammering of Stockport County, it means United's advantage over the third-placed Lions has been cut to the slimmest of margins – just one goal.

With Swindon Town, 1-0 winners at Hartlepool United, just a further point adrift in fourth and Charlton Athletic gaining a valuable point at Huddersfield Town, Grayson admits the pressure is on his failing side.

But the Leeds manager insisted: "We have had pressure all season because we have been the favourites to win the division from the start.

"We got ourselves into a great position early on and that meant we had to deal with more pressure. We did that.

"We always knew Millwall would win (against bottom club Stockport), unless there was a freak result at The Den, so we knew they would close the gap.

"The difference now is they have to deal with the pressure. They are in form but I also feel there will be a lot more twists and turns between now and the end of the season.

"I back my players all the time and still believe we will get to where we want to be.

"There are a lot of games still to play and points will be dropped by all those in and around us. Hopefully, it will pan out in a positive manner for us."

Frustratingly for Grayson, United had more than matched leaders Norwich before suffering defeat in dramatic fashion at the death.

The afternoon was made even worse by Luciano Becchio being stretchered from the field after just 15 minutes and Tresor Kandol's late red card just 20 seconds after coming off the bench.

Referee Lee Probert adjudged Kandol to have grabbed Darel Russell by the throat and Grayson found it hard to hide his annoyance at a striker who is facing a four-game ban following his sending off against Yeovil Town earlier in the season for clashing with an opponent after the final whistle.

The Leeds chief, who was relieved when Becchio was discharged from hospital and able to return to Yorkshire with the rest of the squad on Saturday evening, said: "It was a silly thing to do. He (Kandol) is just back from injury and now he faces more games out.

"It is his second sending off and that doesn't give him much opportunity to play in the first team between now and the end of the season."

On United's battling display, Grayson added: "The performance was good and encouraging. It was something we needed because confidence was a little bit low.

"We showed character against a team who are flying and who will now win the title.

"We stood up to be counted, that is testament to the belief the players still have. Now, we have to stand up and be counted for the rest of the season."