Leeds take it to the Max

Leeds United snatched all three points at the death thanks to super sub Max Gradel.

Leeds started with the same eleven that comprehensively beat Brighton on Saturday but there was to be no repeat performance as the whites put in one of their worst performances of the season.

Leyton Orient will feel a little aggrieved to come away with nothing after out playing Leeds in the first half.

Orient would have felt even more aggrieved after having a goal disallowed in the early minutes, they played a quick free kick, which found the back of the net leaving Ankergren with no chance, luckily for Leeds the referee wasn`t happy with the free kick and made them re take it.

They were creating the better chances in the first half and Thornton missed a great chance when in plenty of space.

Townsend had a long range effort which was straight at Ankergren.

Orient`s pace down the left wing caused Leeds and especially Bromby problems all night and they continued to create chances.

Sam Vokes had Leeds best chance of the first half but his effort sailed hopelessly over the bar.

Ankergren was again called into action when he made a fine save from Thornton.

Leeds only effort on target was just before half time when Howson`s tame effort was easily dealt with by Jones in the Orient goal.

Simon Grayson must have given his players a stern talking to at half time and they emerged for the second period a full five minutes before the visitors.

Leeds made a substitution within two minutes of the re start, Aiden White replacing Andy Hughes at left back and he quickly added a bit of pace down the wing.

Orient were beginning to sit much deeper and waste time whenever possible but still remained a threat from set pieces whilst Leeds huffed and puffed at the other end without threatening the Orient goal.

Leeds tempo changed just past the hour mark when Gradel replaced Vokes and he quickly added a cutting edge to the Leeds attack when he waltzed through two Orient defenders before his low cross was cleared.

Gradel was at the centre of everything good that Leeds created, his quality from dead ball situations put the Orient goal under more pressure as Leeds went looking for the winner.

He almost opened the scoring himself when his cross come shot forced Jones to tip the ball over the bar.

Leeds were now laying siege to the Orient goal and Grayson showed his intentions when he threw on Mike Grella with ten minutes remaining, the home side were now playing with four in attack.

Grella could have opened the scoring soon after coming on, when he cut inside on the right but desperate Orient defending blocked his shot.

With some Leeds fans heading for the exits the home side finally clinched all three points, some great foot work from Gradel, worked himself a bit of space in the box and his flashing left foot shot sent the home fans wild with delight.

You could see the relief on the sidelines with Grayson jumping up and down and punching the air in delight.

Four minutes of added time were to be played; this was mainly due to Orient`s time wasting. This didn`t cause Leeds any problems and they almost doubled the lead when Snodgrass hit the side netting.

Not the greatest of performances but the display was quickly forgotten with one piece of magic from Gradel.

It was the his first game since extending his loan from Leicester City till January and the fans let the manager and board know exactly how they feel about him with cries of 'sign him up`.

Leeds can now take a break from league action this weekend when they go to Kettering in the FA Cup, safe in the knowledge that they still sit six points in front of Charlton in second and with a game in hand and a much healthier goal difference.

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