Leeds 0-2 Derby-Match Report

Neil Warnock welcomed Paul Connolly, Darren O'Dea and Ramon Nunez into his starting line-up for the second game of the Easter weekend.While the club's Play-Offs had all been extinguished, the new boss was challenging his players to prove their worth for next season and was also demanding a positive finish to the home campaign.Warnock was still searching for his first win at Elland Road since officially taking over, and after one early header over the top, Tom Lees did well to shut out Nathan Tyson.United's first serious raid came to an end with a penalty appeal when Ramon Nunez appeared to be bundled to the ground while looking to advance inside the box.At the other end, Andy Lonergan had to punch away one inswinging delivery while Tyson sent another header wide of the park.There was little to excite the fans during the opening 25 minutes, but Leeds were once again reduced to 10 men when Michael Brown was dismissed for a high foot.United almost immediately carved out another chance and Darren O'Dea went close with a header from a free-kick.But it was the visitors who took the lead on minutes when Craig Bryson found the space to get in a clean strike on goal which beat Lonergan.Leeds looked to get back on terms and McCormack went close, but Derby also tested the home defence once again before the break.The second half started at a frenetic pace, but Derby again looked the more threatening and United had more defending to do.
There had been an edge to the game throughout and tempers flared after Connolly was booked for a challenge on the hour.Derby keeper Frank Fielding was called into action for the first time on 63 minutes when he had to get down well to scramble away a shot from Nunez.But it was Derby who scored a second when Steven Davies capitalised on a loose ball after a good block by O'Dea and was able to stroke the ball home.With 20 minutes remaining, Warnock made his first change, introducing Billy Paynter in place of Becchio.But as the game headed into the final 10 minutes, United made little in terms of headway and match appeared to be slowly petering out into a routine away win.Substitute Danny Webber had an opportunity with six minutes remaining, but his shot was wide of the mark.Derby substitute Jamie Ward also had a chance at the other end, but he was denied by Lonergan after a clinical break by the visitors.
The visitors also had a couple of near misses in stoppage time, but it mattered little as they collected a 2-0 victory to move above Leeds.