LEEDS United need to keep inspirational playmaker Pablo Hernandez wrapped in cotton wool for the rest of the season.

The Spaniard, surprisingly omitted from the Championship team of the week, dragged the Whites back into the automatic promotion places with a brace in a thrilling 3-2 win against Millwall at Elland Road on Saturday.

With Sheffield United losing at home by the same score to Bristol City, Marcelo Bielsa’s men leapfrogged the Blades into second spot with seven games remaining.

Bielsa heaped praise on Hernandez who took his tally to 12 goals – in addition to 11 assists – as Leeds twice came from behind to secure three vital points.

"Pablo is a leader," said the Leeds coach. "He's not a leader that likes to talk a lot but he is the one who usually asks for the ball and tries to take risks that are usually hard for the players.

"Pablo is someone who gives the opportunity to change a normal attack to one where you can create a chance.

"He lifts the team and the fans too. He is someone who gives us the feeling we can hurt the opponent all the time."

Millwall made the early running in an incident-packed contest and took an early lead after the visitors exploited space behind Gianni Alioski’s full-back berth for Mahlon Romeo to dig out a cross for Ben Thompson to head past Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Leeds, who played too frenetically in the first half at the expense of accuracy, gained a soft penalty when Alioski went down but Patrick Bamford’s tame spot-kick was saved by David Martin.

The miss summed up a poor afternoon for Bamford, who struggled with the physicality of the game, but Leeds kept their heads and drew level with a well-worked goal, Hernandez threading Luke Ayling’s cut-back through a ruck of players on 34 minutes.

Leeds came out after the interval with a more measured approach but fell behind again in the 55th minute when they lost possession in Millwall’s half. The Lions broke at speed and Ben Marshall lured the exposed Liam Cooper into conceding a penalty which Marshall buried emphatically.

The visitors’ celebrations in front of the South Stand prompted missiles to be thrown which will probably lead to repercussions for the Elland Road club.

Hernandez then came into his own. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and drove the Whites forward. Parity came on 71 minutes when substitute Barry Douglas delivered a cross which Ayling headed home.

Leeds could smell victory and, fittingly, it was delivered by Hernandez with seven minutes of normal time remaining, racing into the box to fire in Tyler Roberts’ low cross to send home fans wild with delight.

"Some days we have to spend more time than we usually would need to spend to get what we deserve," said Bielsa.

"We never feel we are going to lose. We insist on trying to change the result by keeping our style. When a team has the skill to overcome so much adversity, they deserve admiration."

Leeds head to Birmingham City on Saturday while Sheffield United go to Preston, who host Bielsa’s side next Tuesday while the Blades are at Birmingham the following evening.

With Norwich’s win at Middlesbrough opening up a seven-point advantage over third place, the rampant Canaries look certain to take the title.

That leaves Leeds, Sheffield United and those on the fringes of the promotion race to battle it out for the remaining automatic slot. It’s going to be a rollercoaster of a ride for the next few weeks.

Leeds United: Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Jansson (Clarke 67), Cooper, Alioski (Douglas HT), Phillipos, Herandez, Klich (Forshaw 75), Harrison, Bamford. Subs (not used): Dallas, Beradi, Shackleton, Miazek. Cautions: Cooper, Jansson, Clarke

Millwall: Martin, Romeo, Pearce, Cooper, Meredith (O’Brien 84), Wallace, Tunnicliffe (Morison 86), Leonard, Marshall, Thompson (Elliott 87), Gregory. Subs (not used): Archer, McLaughlin, Hutchinson, Williams.

Referee: Darren Bond Att: 34,910