PAUL Heckingbottom’s first win in charge of Leeds United won’t live long in the memory but it kept their faint hopes of a Championship play-off slot alive a little longer.

The 1-0 victory against Brentford at Elland Road on Saturday was achieved more through dogged determination than flowing football.

It was United’s first win since Boxing Day and while it could spark new life into their season the odds remain stacked against them making the top six.

Captain Liam Cooper headed in Gianni Alioski’s cross for the only goal of the game in the 31st minute to end a rotten run of 10 games without a win.

It came against the run of play with aggrieved Bees boss Dean Smith who thought Cooper was offside but the goal gave Leeds something to hang on to which they did with increasing authority.

Before the goal the visitors played all the football and it needed a top class save from Felix Wiedwald to keep out John Egan’s superbly struck half-volley.

Leeds were missing the calming influence of midfielder Adam Forshaw, whose wife had gone into labour on the eve of the game.

They surrendered possession cheaply which led to chances for Florian Jozefzoon, Ollie Watkins and Kamohelo Mokotjo – all of which were spurned.

Cooper’s header came like a bolt from the blue and from that point onward Leeds grew in confidence.

They defended solidly to snuff out the Bees attacks while the home forwards carried more of a threat, Pierre-Michel Lasogga coming closest to the match’s next goal.

Some superb footwork carved out an opening but he could not get enough power in his shot and the ball was hacked off the line by Ryan Woods.

Brentford huffed and puffed in the later stages but with Cooper and Pontus Jansson in control, Leeds saw the game out without too many alarms.

A delighted Heckingbottom said: “There are lots of positives to take from the performance. Lots of organisation goes into it and to be successful in this league you have to be able to defend and stop teams as well as hurt teams.

“We could have been better at times with the ball, we gave it away too easy at times and could have shown more composure but we grew as the game went on and deserved that victory.”

Leeds are next in action at Middlesbrough on Friday night where defeat would serious damage any chance of reeling in the sides above them.

Leeds United: Wiedwald, Beradi, Jansson, Cooper, Anita, Dallas (Sacko 83), O’Kane, Phillips, Alioski, Saiz (Viera 90+4), Lasogga (Ekuban 74). Subs (not used): Peacock-Farrell, Pennington, Cibicki, Denton. Cautions: Anita, Alioski

Brentford: Bentley, Dalsgaard, Egan, Bjelland, Barbet, Mokotjo (Marcondes 69), Jozefzoon, Sawyers (Judge 69), Woods, Watkins (Canos 59), Maupay. Subs (not used): Daniels, McEachran, Clarke, Mepham. Cautions: Sawyers, Egan, Barbet, Woods

Referee: Oliver Langford Attendance: 28,428