
In the first half-hour Leeds’ only real response was a Rodolph Austin shot from range that was saved by former Leeds keeper Paul Robinson . But it all changed towards the end of the half with the crowd and players pumped up following a big penalty shout turned down when Ross McCormack went down in the box.
United pulled a goal back on 41 minutes when Robinson failed to deal with David Norris’s high ball and Diouf pounced to force the ball home following a six-yard box scramble.
Robinson was soon called into action again to tip over a Diouf header and half-time came with renewed hope for the Whites.
Blackburn came in for a real aerial bombardment early in the second half and were lucky to stay in front as Jason Pearce headed a good chance over and Luke Varney saw a goalbound shot blocked.
Danny Murphy went close with a shot from the edge of the box as the visitors showed they still has some attacking capability, but they were soon back pedalling again and Leeds were level on 56 minutes as Becchio got away with a little nudge and Adam Drury’s long ball was latched onto by McCormack who finished emphatically past Robinson.
United now threatened to run riot as Austin sent a header just wide and Becchio saw a header cleared off the line by Murphy with the keeper well beaten. It was no surprise when they went in front as Becchio was left unmarked at the far post to head home after Diouf’s cross had not been dealt by the Rovers defence on 66 minutes.
Fans were celebrating soon after when Pearce headed the ball into the net from a McCormack free-kick, but the joy was shortlived as referee Neil Swarbrick controversially spotted a push by the home defender.
Leeds continued to pour forward and McCormack saw a shot well saved before Diouf headed wide a good chance from another McCormack free-kick wide.
But there was a sting in the tail and more controversy as Blackburn were wrongly awarded a free-kick, from it won a corner and then equalised through substitute Ruben Rochina’s finish from close range.
With five minutes injury-time there was time for more drama as Blackburn survived a handball appeal against Murphy as he blocked McCormack’s shot then as the game switched to the other end Dickson Etuhu got free in the box only to shoot over.
There seemed to be one final twist in the very last minute when comical defending left Diouf with only Robinson to beat, but he somehow fired over. An amazing end to an amazing game.
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