Leeds sunk by Ward's 67th minute strike.

Leeds' recent reputation of coming down with the Christmas decorations was underlined by a disappointing 1-0 reversal at Pride Park thiis afternoon.

The game seemed to have 0-0 or 1-0 written all over it and Jamie Ward capitalised on a fortunate rebound from a terrific save from Andy Lonergan to score the games' only goal.

You have to say on reflection, Derby probabably just about deserved the three-points as they played the neater, more determined football, as in recent weeks Leeds were often kick and rush, long-ball and untidy.

Over 4000 whites descended on the East Midlands to see if the whites' could preserve a 100% return on their trips to the region this season with wins at Peterborough, Leicester and Derby's hated rivals Nottingham Forest.

We clearly push Forest a close-second for the side who generates the most hatred from the Rams fans, typically they were out in force to generate a white-hot atmosphere this Boxing Day and remind us how much we are despised despite the season of goodwill.

Leeds dropped former Rams player of the year Paul Connolly to the bench, Darren O'Dea returning to partner captain Paddy Kisnorbo in the centre of defence with Tom Lees shunted to right-back. This was Grayson's solitary switch from the side who lost so feebly to Reading nine-days ago.

Like the fans, the home side were up to put on over on Leeds and it was a sluggish battle on the park. Ward hit a post on 22 and at the other end, Becchio might have done better with a free-header which sailed over Fielding's bar.

Connolly was an enforced replacement for the injured Leeds as the first-half seemed to peter out, The second period started with Derby quick out of the traps, forcing a couple of corners. Other than a brilliant run by Snodgrass which resulted in an inviting chance for Pugh who's sizzling strike was saved by Fielding.

Questions will surely be asked about Grayson's continued tactically persistance with the long ball up to Becchio, who was outmuscled by Rams centre-back Shaun Barker - sometimes barely legally under the nose of referee Bates. It took Derby's goal on 67 to force Grayson into bringing on Andy Keogh for the Argentine who's drop in form is a massive worry for Leeds.

Grayson's final throw of the dice was to bring on Nunez for White on 74. The Honduran almost made an immediate impact, creating an opening for Clayton who saw his effort smothered by the Derby defence.

With the ball on the ground now and to feet, Nunez was creating more problems for Derby than his team-mates had done in the first 2/3rds of the game.

Fielding was suddenly called upon to do some graft and denied Leeds a total of five times in the dying minutes, the one-time Leeds loanee denied Snodgrass, Kisnorbo, McCormack, Keogh and pushing away a long-range dipping shot from Nunez.

Obviously bitten by the anti-Leeds bug which spread around the stadium, Fielding triumphantly cavorted in front of the away-fans as the final whistle blew.

The defeat leaves Leeds with just one point from a possible nine and will raise more questions than the amount of uneaten brussels sprouts destined for the landfill! Will Grayson be able to strengthen in January to bring in a much needed central midfielder? How will Leeds solve their goal drought? More pressing is the need to address this inability of Grayson's side to show the mentality to deal with sides who clearly raise their game against "Dirty" Leeds!

Photo: Action Images

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