Leeds returned to the top of the Championship with a win at Middlesbrough, but for the linesmens flag it would have been. much more comprehensive.

It all started so positively for a side so low on confidence, when Junior Firpo combined with Manor Solomon who crossed for Dan James to slide home after just two minutes.

It was the perfect start but thereafter it was the tale of the linesmans flag. Leeds breathed a sigh of relief when Tommy Conway thought he'd equalised but minutes later Ao Tanaka slipped around the back of the Boro defence but was wrongfully ruled offside.

Leeds held firm and thought they'd got a third, Patrick Bamford who was on as a 73rd minute sub for Joel Piroe thought he'd scored his first of the season and his first goal in nearly a year, ironically on this ground against one of his former clubs. However he was wrongfully adjudged to have been offside when he latched on to Gnonto's through ball and cooly finished.

Leeds survived a scare deep into stoppage time when Darlow hesitated at an in-swinging cross and Sam Byram headed the danger away at the expense of a corner.

But Leeds held firm and celebrated wildly as it emerged that Sheffield United had lost at home to Millwall and Burnley had been held away at Derby. We go into the weekend two points ahead of the Blades but technically joint top with Burnley due to goal difference.

But most importantly of all our destiny is in our own hands again.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters