Brian McDermott's Leeds earned a draw at Leicester in a game which did not really live up to its pre-match billing.

One bookie was predicting goals galore, actually chances were few and far between and either side coud have nicked it at the death.

Somewhat shockingly the Leicester public also snubbed this fixture, I know it was on the telly but I was expecting a crowd pushing 30,000. In the end just under 23,000 turned up and nearly 3000 of those were in the away end and typically in good voice. Maybe the locals were squeezing the last bit of summer sun out of Skegness rather than be bothered to come to their opening game of the season.

Newly crowned captain Rudy Austin made his first start of the season and Leeds bossed the opening 10 minutes or so, McCormack and Hunt stretching the diamond formation widths and the Irishman delivering an excellent cross which met the head of Varney but the one-time Leicester City fans'' header went over.

The home side found their feet but not their rhythm and Leeds might have gone ahead when Varney headed over just before the break.

The pattern was similar after the interval, Morgan went close for the hosts but there really was nothing between the two teams. Foxes boss Nigel Pearson abandoned his 3-5-2 formation for a more traditional 4-4-2 and veteran winger Lloyd Dyer replaced Van der Laat.

United too injected some pace on 65 when Poleon came on for Hunt and almost had an immediate impact before bring crowded out in the area. Poleon would later have a penalty shout ignored by fussy referee Kevin Stroud, who failed to spot Whitbread's sneaky tug on his shirt, Poleon failing to go to ground.

McCormack bundled the ball wide from a corner, Leicester broke and Paddy Kenny did well to put off James Varley for what would have been a certain opener.

Varley made way for Chris Wood on 77 and the former West Brom man, who scored against us whilst on-loan at Millwall last season nearly notched up another goal against us when his rasping drive struck Kenny's left hand post.

McDermott shook up his striking options also, replacing the hard-working Varney with Matt Smith. Smith had the home fans hearts in their mouths by winning a delightful header on the edge of the six yard box which agonisingly drifted away from the advancing Green.

Last season Leicester grabbed a draw in the fourth minute of injury time, with another four minutes of time added on by Kevin Stroud there was enough time for some late drama and it so nearly went our way when Smith headed past Schmeichels despairing grasp but hit the side netting.

I honestly would have taken a point before kick-off as I felt the hosts and their charismatic, laugh-a-minute manager would tear us apart today given their good form of late. However I do feel we are still a couple of signings short to unlock teams like Leicester and take all three points. I felt we did not create too many clear cut chances, but neither did they despite their opulent Thai funded resources.

So whilst they still search for the right formula with their nubile young expensive Thai bride, we have come out of a miserable eight and a half year marriage of convenience to a miserly old sod in reasonably good shape. Unlike last season, it will be us the happier with the draw tonight.

Photo: Action Images

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