By Ross Heppenstall, PA Sport
Sporting Life
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell refused to accept his side's automatic promotion hopes are over after they slumped to a goalless draw against Plymouth at Elland Road. 
Second-placed Sheffield United beat Hull 3-2 at Bramall Lane to move nine points above misfiring Leeds with only four games remaining.
Leeds secured a play-off spot but this was the fourth game running without a goal for Blackwell's men and extends their winless streak to six matches.
However, Blackwell defiantly declared: "I can't give up on second because it's still possible and there are four games left - we still have a chance of automatic promotion.
"The lads worked their socks off today and I want to praise them because they've assured themselves of a play-off place with four games to go.
"It's a great achievement for Leeds to be third at this stage of the season - and the lads got booed off - but I can understand the fans' frustrations."
Despite having fielded an adventurous three-pronged attack of Rob Hulse, Robbie Blake and David Healy, Leeds again failed to sparkle.
The closest they came to scoring was Healy's 36th-minute shot which crashed against the post, but they largely struggled to penetrate a resolute Plymouth rearguard.
But Blackwell insisted: "We dominated Plymouth from start to finish, and they tried to waste time from the first minute to the last.
"We have created a lot more today than we have in recent games, and David Healy has been unfortunate after hitting the post and then seeing the ball come out.
"Even at the end their keeper made a great save and Rob Hulse had a great chance. It's just one of those things."
Pilgrims boss Tony Pulis believed his side should have been awarded a penalty in the closing stages when Leeds midfielder Liam Miller brought down David Norris.
Television replays showed the offence was marginally outside the penalty area, but Pulis said: "I thought it was a stonewall penalty at the end when Miller fouled Norris.
"It was two yards inside the box and that's happened to us three times in three weeks now. It happened against Wolves and Preston as well.
"It was scrappy in the first half but we stepped it up after the break and created some good opportunities.
"Neil Sullivan made the save of the game from Leon Clarke. But obviously I'm biased - I see everything through green eyes - and I'm delighted we came here and put on a performance."