Keane takes the Michael to deny Leeds United with injury-time leveller (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Keane takes the Michael to deny Leeds United with injury-time leveller

8:00am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Sport

Leicester City 1 Leeds United 1

Michael Keane headed a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a point for Leicester and deal Leeds’ npower Championship play-off hopes a major blow.

Foxes defender Keane headed home Martyn Waghorn’s 93rd-minute corner at the far post when it seemed Leeds had clinched their third win in four matches.

Sam Byram’s third goal of the season put Leeds on course for their first away win of the year in the league, but just as it appeared the visitors’ play-off challenge had been given added momentum, Keane’s last-gasp effort rescued Leicester a point.

Leeds, who had not won on their travels in the league since victory at Hudders-field on December 1, were grateful to goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, who saved brilliantly from Anthony Knockaert and Harry Kane in the first half.

But Neil Warnock’s side carved out as many chances as Leicester, for whom Kasper Schmeichel was also in fine form against his former club and whose own promotion hopes had suffered a setback following Saturday’s defeat at Ipswich.

Leeds almost opened the scoring when they launched their first attack, left back Stephen Warnock crossing for right back Byram, whose goalbound header was parried by Leicester goalkeeper Schmeichel at full stretch.

Leeds had soaked up considerable pressure but broke away to threaten Schmeichel’s goal again when Byram’s clever cutback in the area was drilled wide, before a fantastic save by Kenny kept out Knock-aert’s free-kick.

But it was Leeds who broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half.

Ross McCormack swung over a corner from the left and when the ball broke loose six yards from goal, Byram tucked it home into the bottom corner.

Both sides found goalscoring chances hard to come by in the final quarter but deep in time added on Keane rose at the far post to power home Waghorn’s corner.

Leeds manager Warnock was full of praise for the performance of his players despite the disappointment of having victory snatched from their grasp.

Warnock said: “Obviously it is bound to be disappointing when you concede a goal so late in the game.

“But despite that it was a great team performance and I was really pleased with all the lads.

“I thought we had opportunities to go forward all the time and goalkeeper Paddy Kenny also got us out of the cart tonight as well.

“It was an all round team performance and I was delighted. “

But Warnock admitted he was disappointed with the “inconsistency” of some of the decisions from the officials, adding: “I have to be careful because the last time I felt like this and said something on television it cost me three grand. But the inconsistency got to me.

“But when you are disappointed to come away with a point from Leicester it shows how far we have come. It augurs well for the the final 11 games and we have six of them at home. There are a few broken hearts and tired legs tonight and it does feel like a loss under the circumstances.”