Defensive howlers sink United (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Defensive howlers sink United

4:02pm Sunday 19th October 2008 in Sport By Sports Desk

Millwall 3, Leeds United 1

Gary McAllister is keeping his fingers crossed that Paul Telfer is fit to return when Leeds take on Leyton Orient at Elland Road on Tuesday night.

United boss McAllister saw Millwall’s Lions claw their way above his team into third place as defensive howlers brought a third defeat in four games at the New Den.

Leeds, who dropped to fifth, badly missed the steadying influence of experienced defender Telfer, who was sidelined for the third successive game with a groin injury.

McAllister said: “It is easy for me to say Paul was missed but I think it was plain to see that he was. When he does come back he has to be right, so we will see how he is before Tuesday.

“I am concerned at the way we lost three goals. It was very similar to the manner in which we conceded goals at Rotherham recently (in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy).

“There are no excuses and a lot of hard work needs to be done when we don’t have the ball. More responsibility needs to be taken in and around the back four.

“It was difficult to get the ball down and play because Millwall were fierce in closing us down and they were worthy winners.

“We have two home games on the bounce now and there is not much time to feel sorry for ourselves.

“Home form is going to be imperative over the season, so we are looking for maximum points from our next two games against Orient and Walsall.”

Although Luciano Becchio opened the scoring for United in the 32nd minute with his sixth goal of the season, Millwall looked the better side.

The Argentinian’s goal out of the blue was a spectacular effort, struck from 30 yards with his left foot into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted just six minutes as Neil Harris took advantage of poor defending by Lubo Michalik while Frazer Richardson was guilty of ball-watching, enabling David Martin to lob goalkeeper David Lucas.

Richardson had been fortunate not to concede a penalty for a 13th-minute challenge on Martin, who gave him a torrid time for much of the match.

United’s defence was all at sea again just before the hour when Millwall took a short corner and, from Marc Laird’s cross, striker Harris climbed to head the Lions in front.

McAllister responded by replacing Andrew Hughes and Neil Kilkenny with Enoch Showunmi and Robert Snodgrass in the 65th minute.

But the increased attacking artillery foundered on a sound home defence and Lucas had to make an excellent save from Lewis Grabban before Harris scored his second goal by punishing another Leeds defensive blunder, this time by Lucas and Aidan White.

United picked up no additional injuries but McAllister’s priority is to plug those defensive leaks as quickly as possible.

It is understood the Metropolitan Police have reported crowd trouble during the game to the Football Association, who are set to investigate.