Leeds were much livelier than they been against Reading midweek, and would have won if it hadn’t been for a great performance from Sheffield Wednesday keeper Keiren Westwood.

Milanic made two changes to the starting line-up for this game, with Beradi and Austin replacing Cooper and Cook. For some reason Stephen Warnock is still out of favour, so this time it was Beradi’s turn to play out of position at left-back, when we could field a specialist in that position. And he treated us to few more of his trademark rash tackles, on one occasion conceding a needless free kick that Wednesday nearly converted.

Leeds made a strong opening, with a good run from Antenucci leading to a free kick in a dangerous position, but Mowatt’s effort was very disappointing, well wide and without the pace that would have troubled Westwood even if it had been on target. But chances kept coming and Austin nearly scored with a terrific strike from distance, which unfortunately was a little too close to Westwood, giving the Wednesday keeper the chance to tip it over.

The Wendies were playing a high defensive line, but we never quite managed to time the through ball well enough to beat the offside trap, and Antenucci’s goal was disallowed after he put the ball in the net. At the other end I was worried early on that the dangerous Nuhiu was getting a bit too much space, but in general we managed to keep their strikers fairly quiet, apart from a header from May that drifted narrowly wide.

The game tailed off in the latter stages of the first half, and at the break Milanic removed Sloth who hadn’t contributed a great deal. His replacement was Murphy, who was to be equally ineffective. But Leeds made a good start to the second period, with Antenucci having a lob headed clear by Palmer and then being denied by another fine save by Westwood.

But in the 52nd minute the visitors took the lead, with a goal against the run of play. A deep cross from the left found Maguire, who hit a powerful first-time shot past Silvestri into the far corner. As Leeds tried to get back into the game straight away a couple more chances fell to Antenucci, but it wasn’t going to be his day. He forced Westwood into yet another good save before putting a shot wide.

As we looked for an equaliser Milanic tried to boost his firepower by sending Billy Sharp on in place of Doukarra, who had worked hard once again, but without looking as though he was going to trouble the Wednesday defence. I thought this would be a good time to introduce the ‘wonder-kid’ Adryan, but although we finally got to see him warming up, we will have to wait a while longer for his debut.

The goal finally came in the 79th minute, as Mowatt’s free kick came back out to Bellusci, who calmly picked his spot and put it through a defender’s legs into the far corner. I thought for a second that it wouldn’t have the power to get past Westwood, but it was so well placed it proved to be just out of his reach as it rolled into the net.

Morison was the final substitute when he came on for Antenucci, but Leeds lost a bit of momentum as the game got a bit fractious in the closing stages. The booking count mounted on both sides, including Bellusci, who took exception to Maguire sticking his tongue out at the Kop and raced over to confront the Wednesday man. Maguire had already received a yellow card himself and was substituted soon after to make sure that Wednesday kept eleven men on the field.

We didn’t manage to get the breakthrough in the time remaining, with Sharp denied by yet another Westwood save, though Silvestri had to be alert to deal with a good shot on the turn by Madine. But we can be satisfied with the result and very pleased with the performance, which could be a sign that things are coming together once again.

When the afternoon games had been played we found ourselves back in the bottom half of the table, and we’ll have to hope that it won’t take Milanic so long to get to grips with these players that we won’t have time to catch up with the top six. But if we can keep moving in the right direction then you never know.

Photo: Action Images

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