Leeds 1-0 Portsmouth
Last updated on .From the section Football
Danny Pugh scored on his second home debut for Leeds to give United victory over Portsmouth.
Back at Elland Road on loan from Stoke, Pugh lost his marker Greg Halford to head home on 14 minutes.
Halford tried to make amends with a header of his own which drew a superb save from Andy Lonergan, while he hit the bar on the follow-up.
Halford continued to trouble the home defence, while Leeds' Mikael Forssell was denied by Stephan Henderson's save.
Leeds are now three points outside the Championship play-off places - having played a game fewer than their promotion rivals.
In an attempt to shore up the Leeds defence, manager Simon Grayson's recalled the previously-ostracised full-back Paul Connolly for a first appearance in a month.
Connolly's inclusion allowed Robert Snodgrass to flourish and it was the Scotland winger who set up the winning goal, with his cross headed in from eight yards by Pugh.
If Halford had allowed Pugh to escape for the goal he did better when he blocked another effort from the Leeds player following a fine Snodgrass run.
Halford's presence caused mayhem at the opposite end not long afterwards, with his header from Liam Lawrence's free-kick forcing Lonergan into that wonderful save.
Jason Pearce then cleared a Ross McCormack cross from under his own bar, while Lonergan had to beat away a Halford free-kick.
Portsmouth continued to press after the interval and Lonergan had to be alert to save at the feet of David Norris.
Darren O'Dea did well to deflect away one of Halford's efforts, while Lonergan had to scramble to tip over a dangerous cross as Leeds held on.
