Yorkshire Evening Post 15/3/08
Rodgers rides in to thwart Leeds United
By Phil Hay
Port Vale 3 Leeds United 3
LUKE Rodgers' goal in the third minute of injury-time stole a priceless victory from Leeds United's grasp and strengthened Gary McAllister's belief that his club's sprint towards the play-offs will end in a photo finish.
Rodgers scored with the final kick of a fickle game at Vale Park which offered hope to Leeds with four minutes remaining but snatched it away when the points seemed to have been won.A strike from Dougie Freedman – his second of the game – re-established United's advantage in the 86th minute after the visitors had allowed a 2-0 lead to evaporate but, with the points on their plate, Rodgers' intervention brought a frustrating end to a week which promised more than it delivered.
McAllister had hoped to emerge "unscathed" from successive matches at home to Bournemouth and Cheltenham and yesterday's visit to Port Vale which, in layman's terms, meant finishing with nine points in his pocket.
After the late scramble which forced a draw yesterday United had gathered only four, and the haul has done little to improve their league standing which has suffered badly since Christmas.
United left Vale Park with frustrations about their inability to defend either a 2-0 lead or a 3-2 advantage, but beyond the inadequacies that forced them to accept a point against League One's bottom club, Leeds also had legitimate complaints about the performance of the match referee, Clive Penton.
Penton, from Sussex, had undeniable influence in awarding Vale a penalty and refusing to do United the same favour.
The claim from Leeds in the 39th minute seemed clear cut after Joe Anyon crashed into the legs of Dougie Freedman inside the box. Anyon might also have been dismissed.Vale's spot-kick – the catalyst for their fightback from 2-0 down – was awarded with the assistance of a linesman after a header from Marc Richards struck Andrew Hughes. Replays showed clearly that the ball hit Hughes' face.
United's sense of injustice of was tangible, Hughes was booked for his protestations, but McAllister tempered his criticism of Penton with the admission that Leeds should have won regardless.
After beating Bournemouth and losing to Cheltenham it is difficult to predict how damaging the week just gone will prove to be, but United remain outside the play-off positions and cannot expect to be assured of a top-six finish before the final throes of the campaign.
The dismal standard of United's performance against Cheltenham forced McAllister to rethink his strategy and Tresor Kandol and Frazer Richardson were inevitable casualties of Tuesday night's fractious debacle.
McAllister sensibly withdrew both players from the firing line after witnessing the harsh treatment of them by the Elland Road crowd in midweek, and the inclusion of Freedman and Hughes gave his line-up a more experienced spine.
Leedsunited.com 15/3/08
LATE LEVELLER
Gary McAllister was demanding a response from his players after the midweek defeat at the hands of Chelteham - and he responded by making two changes to his starting line-up.
Andrew Hughes came back into the starting line-up, replacing Frazer Richardson at left-back, and Dougie Freedman was handed a first start with Tresor Kandol dropping to the bench.
United were backed by a vast following - the Leeds fans comprising almost half of the crowd inside of Vale Park - but it was the visitors who had the first opportunity when Casper Ankergren raced off his line to deny Luke Rodgers in the fourth minute.
It was the massed ranks of Leeds fans who were almost celebrating moments later when Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon had to be alert to tip over a delightful chip from Freedman, following a good ball from Neil Kilkenny.
Stranded at the foot of the table and seemingly certain for relegation, the home side were able to play without fear, but it was United, moving the ball quickly with a more direct approach, who were denied by a succession of offside flags during the opening 20 minutes.
Freedman made a lively start to his full debut and his determination to make an impact was emphasised on 22 minutes when he charged down a clearance from Port Vale goalkeeper Anyon to force a throw-in.
When Vale threatened, Paul Edwards went on a weaving run, but fired wide when confronted by an advancing Ankergren. United responded with a quick break and Kilkenny fired over the bar after some intelligent play from Jermaine Beckford.
On 38 minutes, Leeds had a great chance to take the lead. Freedman had a clear sight of goal after a Beckford flick-on, but as two Vale defenders closed in, the striker shot straight into the arms of Anyon.
Moments later, Leeds should have been awarded a penalty. Freedman appeared to be brought down by Anyon after knocking the ball past the Vale goalkeeper, but the calls fell on deaf ears and the referee awared a corner.
It mattered little, though. Bradley Johnson whipped in the resultant corner and Rui Marques was on hand to fire United into the lead with a clinical finish from inside the box.
Two minutes later, it was 2-0.
Kilkenny and Johnson were both involved before the ball broke to Freedman, who seized to slam the ball home for his first goal for the club.
The double strike was the perfect tonic for United and the fans celebrated well into the half-time break.
When the contest re-started, there was a delay early in the second half as Vale's Paul Harsley received treatment following a collision with goalkeeper Anyon.
Anyon was called upon to make his first save of the half on 52 minutes when he spread himself well to deny Beckford after some good build-up play. David Prutton also tested Anyon after Jonny Howson picked him out with a terrific ball.
The 4,400 fans in the sparsely populated home areas had seen little in the way of encouragement - and shortly before the hour Vale boss Lee Sinnott made a double substitution in a bid to pep things up.
But they were given hope on 62 minutes when Hughes was adjudged to have handled a cross and the referee pointed to the spot.
The United skipper protested, claiming the ball had hit his head, but his pleas fell on deaf ears and Paul Harsley stepped up to convert the penalty. Video replays later confirmed the ball had hit Hughes in the face.
Almost immediately, Vale came forward again and Danny Whitaker went close to grabbing an equaliser when he curled a shot wide. Moments later, though, it was 2-2.
Whitaker arrived at the near post to convert a Perry cross and suddenly it was all square again.
United's response came courtesy of Howson, who put a shot over the bar after Beckford pulled the ball back. McAllister also responded by introducing Seb Carole in place of Kilkenny on 70 minuites.
With 12 minutes remaining, McAllister brought on Kandol in place of Johnson as he looked to firepower to find a winning goal.
As United came forward Marques had a header cleared off the line and Leeds had a penalty shout waved away after claims for a handball.
But with four minutes remaining Freedman got the goal United desperately needed. Carole sent over a free-kick from the left and the loan striker arrived at the far post to convert with a precise header.
That looked like game over, but Vale substitute David Mulligan shot straight at Ankergren as the fourth official indicated a minimum of four minutes stoppage time.
And it was in the third minute of that time added on that Vale bagged a dramatic equaliser when Rodgers tapped the ball home at the far post following another important contribution from Perry.
It was a hammer blow, following Freedman's late goal and was enough to ensure honours ended even.
Rodgers rides in to thwart Leeds United
By Phil Hay
Port Vale 3 Leeds United 3
LUKE Rodgers' goal in the third minute of injury-time stole a priceless victory from Leeds United's grasp and strengthened Gary McAllister's belief that his club's sprint towards the play-offs will end in a photo finish.
Rodgers scored with the final kick of a fickle game at Vale Park which offered hope to Leeds with four minutes remaining but snatched it away when the points seemed to have been won.A strike from Dougie Freedman – his second of the game – re-established United's advantage in the 86th minute after the visitors had allowed a 2-0 lead to evaporate but, with the points on their plate, Rodgers' intervention brought a frustrating end to a week which promised more than it delivered.
McAllister had hoped to emerge "unscathed" from successive matches at home to Bournemouth and Cheltenham and yesterday's visit to Port Vale which, in layman's terms, meant finishing with nine points in his pocket.
After the late scramble which forced a draw yesterday United had gathered only four, and the haul has done little to improve their league standing which has suffered badly since Christmas.
United left Vale Park with frustrations about their inability to defend either a 2-0 lead or a 3-2 advantage, but beyond the inadequacies that forced them to accept a point against League One's bottom club, Leeds also had legitimate complaints about the performance of the match referee, Clive Penton.
Penton, from Sussex, had undeniable influence in awarding Vale a penalty and refusing to do United the same favour.
The claim from Leeds in the 39th minute seemed clear cut after Joe Anyon crashed into the legs of Dougie Freedman inside the box. Anyon might also have been dismissed.Vale's spot-kick – the catalyst for their fightback from 2-0 down – was awarded with the assistance of a linesman after a header from Marc Richards struck Andrew Hughes. Replays showed clearly that the ball hit Hughes' face.
United's sense of injustice of was tangible, Hughes was booked for his protestations, but McAllister tempered his criticism of Penton with the admission that Leeds should have won regardless.
After beating Bournemouth and losing to Cheltenham it is difficult to predict how damaging the week just gone will prove to be, but United remain outside the play-off positions and cannot expect to be assured of a top-six finish before the final throes of the campaign.
The dismal standard of United's performance against Cheltenham forced McAllister to rethink his strategy and Tresor Kandol and Frazer Richardson were inevitable casualties of Tuesday night's fractious debacle.
McAllister sensibly withdrew both players from the firing line after witnessing the harsh treatment of them by the Elland Road crowd in midweek, and the inclusion of Freedman and Hughes gave his line-up a more experienced spine.
Leedsunited.com 15/3/08
LATE LEVELLER
Gary McAllister was demanding a response from his players after the midweek defeat at the hands of Chelteham - and he responded by making two changes to his starting line-up.
Andrew Hughes came back into the starting line-up, replacing Frazer Richardson at left-back, and Dougie Freedman was handed a first start with Tresor Kandol dropping to the bench.
United were backed by a vast following - the Leeds fans comprising almost half of the crowd inside of Vale Park - but it was the visitors who had the first opportunity when Casper Ankergren raced off his line to deny Luke Rodgers in the fourth minute.
It was the massed ranks of Leeds fans who were almost celebrating moments later when Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon had to be alert to tip over a delightful chip from Freedman, following a good ball from Neil Kilkenny.
Stranded at the foot of the table and seemingly certain for relegation, the home side were able to play without fear, but it was United, moving the ball quickly with a more direct approach, who were denied by a succession of offside flags during the opening 20 minutes.
Freedman made a lively start to his full debut and his determination to make an impact was emphasised on 22 minutes when he charged down a clearance from Port Vale goalkeeper Anyon to force a throw-in.
When Vale threatened, Paul Edwards went on a weaving run, but fired wide when confronted by an advancing Ankergren. United responded with a quick break and Kilkenny fired over the bar after some intelligent play from Jermaine Beckford.
On 38 minutes, Leeds had a great chance to take the lead. Freedman had a clear sight of goal after a Beckford flick-on, but as two Vale defenders closed in, the striker shot straight into the arms of Anyon.
Moments later, Leeds should have been awarded a penalty. Freedman appeared to be brought down by Anyon after knocking the ball past the Vale goalkeeper, but the calls fell on deaf ears and the referee awared a corner.
It mattered little, though. Bradley Johnson whipped in the resultant corner and Rui Marques was on hand to fire United into the lead with a clinical finish from inside the box.
Two minutes later, it was 2-0.
Kilkenny and Johnson were both involved before the ball broke to Freedman, who seized to slam the ball home for his first goal for the club.
The double strike was the perfect tonic for United and the fans celebrated well into the half-time break.
When the contest re-started, there was a delay early in the second half as Vale's Paul Harsley received treatment following a collision with goalkeeper Anyon.
Anyon was called upon to make his first save of the half on 52 minutes when he spread himself well to deny Beckford after some good build-up play. David Prutton also tested Anyon after Jonny Howson picked him out with a terrific ball.
The 4,400 fans in the sparsely populated home areas had seen little in the way of encouragement - and shortly before the hour Vale boss Lee Sinnott made a double substitution in a bid to pep things up.
But they were given hope on 62 minutes when Hughes was adjudged to have handled a cross and the referee pointed to the spot.
The United skipper protested, claiming the ball had hit his head, but his pleas fell on deaf ears and Paul Harsley stepped up to convert the penalty. Video replays later confirmed the ball had hit Hughes in the face.
Almost immediately, Vale came forward again and Danny Whitaker went close to grabbing an equaliser when he curled a shot wide. Moments later, though, it was 2-2.
Whitaker arrived at the near post to convert a Perry cross and suddenly it was all square again.
United's response came courtesy of Howson, who put a shot over the bar after Beckford pulled the ball back. McAllister also responded by introducing Seb Carole in place of Kilkenny on 70 minuites.
With 12 minutes remaining, McAllister brought on Kandol in place of Johnson as he looked to firepower to find a winning goal.
As United came forward Marques had a header cleared off the line and Leeds had a penalty shout waved away after claims for a handball.
But with four minutes remaining Freedman got the goal United desperately needed. Carole sent over a free-kick from the left and the loan striker arrived at the far post to convert with a precise header.
That looked like game over, but Vale substitute David Mulligan shot straight at Ankergren as the fourth official indicated a minimum of four minutes stoppage time.
And it was in the third minute of that time added on that Vale bagged a dramatic equaliser when Rodgers tapped the ball home at the far post following another important contribution from Perry.
It was a hammer blow, following Freedman's late goal and was enough to ensure honours ended even.
