Naylor gets Leeds back on track

Leeds United got their promotion push back on track thanks to two headed goals by their captain Richard Naylor.

Simon Grayson made two changes from the side that lost heavily at the weekend to Swindon, Leigh Bromby and Max Gradel replacing Shane Lowry and Mike Grella.

Once again the fans and players joined together in a minutes silence on the tenth anniversary of the death`s of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight.

The Leeds fans followed this up by turning their backs on the game in the first minute as they did in Turkey ten years ago.

It took a while for the game to settle down in very blustery conditions, Robert Snodgrass had Leeds first effort but his shot landed on the roof of the net.

Not long after this Snodgrass hit a stinging left foot shot which forced McCarthy in the Yeovil goal into a full-length diving save.

Leeds eventually took the lead on the half hour, Howson lifted Kilkenny`s short free kick into the box, Richard Naylor was at the far to post to send a looping header over the keeper and into the back of the net.

It was Leeds first goal in 415 minutes of football and much to the relief of all connected with Leeds.

This seemed to spur Leeds on and Jermaine Beckford had two great chances to increase the lead soon afterwards.

Leeds did eventually double the lead on 35 minutes. The visitors won a corner after a fine left foot strike by Gradel was turned over the bar. The head of Richard Naylor met Neil Kilkenny`s driven corner and his powerful header found the far corner of the net.

Leeds started the second half full of confidence and missed a number of great opportunities to make it 2-0.

Naylor was being a constant threat from set pieces and had a good chance to complete his hat trick on three occasions.

Beckford, Snodgrass and Gradel all forced McCarthy into great saves, as it looked just a matter of time before Leeds scored a third.

The game changed halfway through the half when Mike Doyle gave the ball away in midfield, the ball found it`s way to Bowditch who was given far too much time by Naylor, he eventually shot across goal and found the far corner of the net.

You could quickly see some of the swagger and confidence that had oozed out of Leeds for the last thirty minutes suddenly disappear and a desperate rearguard was to ensue for the last quarter of the game.

Neil Collins was working particularly hard in the Leeds defence as Yeovil too the game to Leeds.

MacDonald and Bowditch both threatened to equalise for the home side and then a desperate goal line clearance from Doyle kept Leeds in the lead.

Leeds were reduced to frantic defending and Andy Welsh wasted Yeovil`s last chance of the game when he shot over much to Leeds relief.

It was imperative that Leeds responded after the weekend defeat and despite a desperate final quarter, it was a much relieved Leeds camp that celebrated at the final whistle.

With everyone else in the top six also winning this afternoon there is no change in the table with just six games remaining.

Leeds will now be hoping to build on this victory when they entertain Southend United on Saturday.

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