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DERRY RED CARD COSTS LEEDS
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell rued the sending-off of Shaun Derry after his side were denied a victory at QPR by Kevin Gallen's late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road.

United were leading through Seth Johnson's first half drive when Derry was given his marching orders with 20 minutes remaining after appearing to lash out at Gallen.

But Blackwell insisted the midfielder did nothing wrong.

QPR themselves ended the match with 10 men after Adam Miller was dismissed for a second bookable offence in injury time.

"The decision to send Derry off changed the game" said Blackwell.

"We put the ball out so one of their players could get treatment and then it all kicked off. I don't know what the QPR players were complaining about."

Leeds went in front in the 24th minute when Dan Shittu cleared Gary Kelly's corner as far as Johnson, who fired past goalkeeper Chris Day from just outside the penalty area.

Worse followed for Rangers 10 minutes later when they lost top-scorer Paul Furlong to what seemed a reoccurrence of hamstring problem.

Rangers struggled to create opportunities but Derry's exit threw them a lifeline and Leeds were given a scare when Shittu headed Miller's corner over.

And the home side levelled when teenager substitute Shabazz Baidoo's pass teed up Gallen who smashed home at the second attempt after his first effort was saved by Neil Sullivan.

Gallen almost netted a last-minute winner but Sullivan brilliantly tipped his shot onto the post.

"That was a world class save and typified Neil's performances for us," Blackwell added.

"He is an example to all young keepers. He had little to do but then had the concentration to pull off a point-earning save."

QPR manager Ian Holloway felt his team should have had a penalty when Marc Bircham went down under Kelly's first half challenge.

Holloway said: "Bircham swears he was brought down and it looked that way.

"I'd have been devastated if we had lost that game. I can't thank my players enough for the attitude they have shown and we deserved to get something.

Holloway praise Baidoo and midfielder Stefan Bailey, who made his first start.

"Shabazz would chase paper bags in the park - all of them at the same time," Holloway said. "He was involved in the goal and I'm delighted for him.

"Stefan was physically and mentally up for it. He's only 17 and has stuck his flag in the ground and said 'look at me"'.

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