Below par Leeds suffer shock defeat

Another below par performance by Leeds saw their lead at the top of League One cut to three points after losing 2-0 at Exeter City

Leeds made two changes to the side that drew with Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday.

Recalled to the side were Leigh Bromby and Andy Hughes in place of Jason Crowe and Jon Howson.

Exeter had an excellent chance in the opening few minutes, a corner was played in and it fell to Matt Taylor who volleyed over the bar.

The home side did take the lead soon after, Tully`s cross was met by Harley and he gave Ankergren no chance.

Exeter were continuing to set the pace in the opening ten minutes and following another corner Taylor once again shot over.

The home side had totally dominated the opening ten minutes and Stansfield made Ankergren make a good save after good work from Cozic.

Leeds best chance in the first twenty-five minutes fell to Becchio but he headed over the bar.

Ankergren made a fantastic reaction save after Bromby sliced the ball towards his own goal.

Exeter were continuing to look dangerous and veteran striker Marcus Stewart headed just wide from a Stansfield cross.

It was all Exeter in the first half and Stansfield`s left foot shot went just wide.

Beckford seemed to have been dreaming about playing at another St James Park for the first 40 minutes, when he finally had a chance his tame effort didn`t trouble the Exeter goal.

A shocking first half from Leeds and they were probably grateful to go in just one goal behind.

Simon Grayson sent the players back out for the second half obviously with their ears ringing.

Leeds had an early chance when Beckford`s low drive just went wide.

Leigh Bromby was next to go close but his shot went over the bar.

Leeds were being to press the Exeter goal and Hughes saw his shot saved by Jones.

The game was beginning to get a bit tasty and four players went into the referees notebook in quick succession.

The visitors were really starting to put pressure on the Exeter goal and Beckford`s effort went over after good work from Snodgrass.

Leeds made their first substitution of the game just past the hour when Howson replaced Doyle.

Bradley Johnson was next to go close, his long range effort was only parried by Jones and Beckford followed up and hit it straight at the keeper.

Beckford made the keeper work again soon after when his shot was saved.

Grayson made his second change of the afternoon with just over fifteen minutes remaining when Gradel replaced Becchio.

Exeter wrapped the game up just inside the final ten minutes when Harley scored his second of the afternoon from long range, giving Ankergren no chance.

Beckford saw another effort saved by Jones and a goalmouth scramble followed with the ball eventually being cleared.

A poor performance from Leeds and maybe the FA Cup win at Manchester United as done more arm than good.

The loss is only Leeds second of the season and their first defeat in eighteen games.

With Norwich and Charlton also winning this afternoon, Leeds could see themselves knocked off top spot next weekend with them being involved in the FA Cup and Norwich just three points behind.



Exeter
Jones, Tully, Duffy, Russell, Taylor, Harley, Stansfield, Goldbourne, Cozic, Edwards, Stewart

Subs
Marriott, McAllister, Saunders, Logan, Dunne, Sercombe, Fleetwood

Leeds
Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Snodgrass, Kilkenny, Doyle, Johnson, Beckford, Becchio

Subs
Jones, Crowe, Grella, Michalik, Howson, Gradel, White

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