Leeds returned to winning ways and moved within just three points of sixth place with a 2-0 win over Yeovil that probably was more comfortable than the final score suggested.

The pre-match fayre consisted of Armistice Day tributes, a parade by the Yorkshire Regiment and Sea Cadets, the teams were lead out by Leeds legend Norman Hunter who turned 70 last Wednesday prior to a somber rendition of the last post and a minutes silence for the fallen war dead.

Brian McDermott made one enforced change from last weekends disappointment at Huddersfield, Sam Byram's thigh injury was considered not worth the risk so Lee Peltier stepped up. Lithuanian skipper Marius Zaliukas was amongst the subs along with last weeks goalscoring debutant Dexter Blackstock.

Joel Grant, the pacey Yeovil wide man forced Kenny into a brilliant save in the opening exchanges, it was not for the first time that afternoon he would catch the eye. Leeds responded and an impressive crowd of 25,231 given the opposition and our inconsistent form remained in good voice encouraging the whites to go forward, Austin as ever was immense forcing Hennessy into two saves and in the 20th minute his powerful surging run and pull back across the box from the left wing deserved so much better, Smith somehow scuffed the finish wide. The buzzing Mowatt was lurking nearby and nearly completed the move curling an impromptu shot just wide.

Zaliukas came on for Warnock on 41, the former Liverpool defender clearly in pain having failed to shake off a knock, Jason Pearce reverted to left wing back in a 3-5-2 formation which was not ideal particularly as the visitors were on top possession wise by now. Although Yeovil lacked the final ball and seemed happy to ping in some long range shots, it surely would have only been a matter of time for them to score their first ever goal at Elland Road so the half-time whistle was welcome as far as I was concerned.

Thanks to the belated birthday celebrations for Norman Hunter, the main man came on to the pitch at half-time and we were spared the usual sight of beer monsters in replica shirts trying to win free bets and instead were treated to a montage of his career highlights and personal tributes including Johnny Giles, Terry Yorath and much to the amusement of the crowd Francis Lee, who Norman enjoyed that famous scrap with at Derby's Baseball Ground in 1975.

All the nostalgia seemed to lift Leeds from their slumber and within three minutes of the restart we were ahead, Austin fed McCormack who opted to go for goal rather than square it to Smith and the Scot showed his delight by kicking an advertising hoarding.

Dexter Blackstock got his first taste of action at ER in a Leeds shirt and I was impressed with his mobility, ability both in the air and on the ball. He seemed to be finding space and positions and he had at least three half chances. My suspicion is he will be a nailed on starter next week at Charlton.

However it was the old combination of Austin and McCormack who combined to seal the victory, through a melee of bodies Austin's deft touch fed McCormack through to slot home past Hennesy to put the result beyond doubt.

Yes, I know it was only Yeovil, who came here second from bottom with nothing to lose on the back of a great result against Forest, but McDermott seems to have more options at his disposal, Dominic Poleon and Paul Green didn't make the bench, El Hadji Diouf did make the subs but was not needed.

As McDermott rightfully said afterwards it was a "ground out win", a third consecutive home win and with us being just three points adrift of sixth placed Forest lets hope we can carry this mentality into our forthcoming trips to Charlton and Blackburn to arrest our recent bout of travel sickness.

Photo: Action Images

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