Few crumbs of comfort for McAllister

5:16pm Sunday 17th August 2008

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Leeds United 0, Oldham Athletic 2

Leeds United’s home draw against Bradford City in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round was one of the few crumbs of comfort for Gary McAllister on a day when Oldham mugged his team at Elland Road for the second successive season.

Manager McAllister admitted he was unable to take any positives from a Coca-Cola League One game that saw Leeds fall well below the standards that will be needed if promotion is to be achieved.

McAllister said: “At least it is a good draw in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. It is not high profile but we have a game against our next-door neighbours.

"It will attract a good contingent from Bradford because they haven’t played here for a while and it could create a record crowd for the competition.”

McAllister couldn’t conceal his anger after United followed victories in the league at Scunthorpe and the Carling Cup at Chester with a display that left their manager hoping it was a one-off.

“We have to think it was a bit of a freak,” he said. “The performance level simply wasn’t good enough, from one to 11.

"I thought the players would be going into the game brimming with confidence and looking to put on a nice opener for the fans but there was nothing from us. There was no excuse and it was unacceptable.

“Things had been excellent in pre-season and in our games against Scunthorpe and Chester but we just dropped off the pace. They were poor goals to concede.”

Defender Sean Gregan returned to Elland Road for the first time and, at the age of 34, turned back the clock with a vintage performance.

Gregan, who had two seasons as a Leeds player, ganged up with fellow central defender Reuben Hazell to bottle up strikers Jermaine Beckford and Enoch Showunmi, and McAllister admitted: “Gregan was the outstanding player on the park. He bossed the whole game.”

Ironically, Gregan’s heroics came just days after his former Leeds defensive partner Paul Butler was substituted at half time by Chester in the one-sided Carling Cup-tie.

It was also a happy return to Elland Road for the Oldham management team of John Sheridan and Tommy Wright.

Manager Sheridan said: “I don’t normally pick anyone out but Hazell and Gregan dealt with two very awkward players in Beckford and Showunmi. Chris Taylor will get the headlines for his two goals but it was a very good team performance.

“Other than from set-pieces, I couldn’t see Leeds scoring against us, whereas we were dangerous on the break.

"That result and performance will give us confidence and belief and hopefully we will be consistent.

"If we are, we will be up there at the end of the season, though these are very early days.”

Sheridan added: “I have a lot of time for Leeds United and the way they pass the ball around under Gary McAllister.

"I still live in the area too. Hopefully we will go up and if we do I would love Leeds to go up with us.

“I have told the players to go out, have a weekend pint and enjoy the rewards for that performance.”

Winger Robert Snodgrass at least made some promising runs for Leeds but too few chances were created for the front men and it was Oldham winger Taylor who snapped up his two opportunities to inflict United’s first defeat of the young season.

Taylor reacted quickly when Lee Hughes’ header came to him off the bar on 50 minutes. Then, 15 minutes later, the winger cut in from the left and curled his shot wide of keeper Casper Ankergren into the far corner.

Substitute Luciano Becchio had two late headers from close range but Oldham survived and Ankergren had to make a brave save at the feet of Lewis Alessandra to prevent a third goal.