Leeds United 1 Bristol Rovers 0

Last updated : 22 December 2007 By Footymad Previewer
A scrambled goal six minutes from time finally ended Bristol Rovers' brave challenge as Leeds kept their unbeaten home league record.

It seemed the points would be shared until Seb Carole headed the ball into the danger area where it struck defender Steve Elliott before crossing the line.

The public address announcer gave the goal to Jonny Howson but Leeds assistant manager Dave Bassett later said Carole was claiming the goal.

Leeds had striker Tresor Kandol back after suspension while manager Dennis Wise brought Alan Thompson and Howson into his midfield.

Rovers, beaten at Huddersfield last week, welcomed back Sean Rigg and Elliott, while Richard Walker returned on the bench.

However, they lost left-back Joe Jacobson in the opening 20 seconds. He was dazed by a clash of heads with Leeds winger David Prutton who also suffered a gashed head which needed bandaging. Chris Carruthers left the bench for Rovers, filling in at left-back.

Jermaine Beckford almost added to his 13 goals in the fourth minute when he headed Thompson's pass against the bar but Rovers should have scored on 14 minutes, Rickie Lambert firing into the side-netting from 15 yards.

The Leeds crowd wanted a penalty when the ball struck Rovers defender Elliott on the hand but there was no reaction from referee Colin Webster.

Beckford was unfortunate again when his shot from distance was well-saved by Steve Phillips but the Leeds striker was guilty of a bad miss when he turned Prutton's cross wide from eight yards.

Beckford missed another opportunity after the break and Kandol was guilty of two misses but Leeds' persistence eventually paid off.