Shaun Derry's season could be over after the Leeds United midfielder was sent off in the 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

United are awaiting referee Ray Olivier's report on the incident which saw Derry red-carded for an off-the-ball incident with Kevin Gallen 19 minutes from the end.

If Derry was ordered off for violent conduct he will miss the final three matches of the season, but if the offence was interpreted as adopting an aggressive attitude, a two-match ban will apply.

The dismissal, the seventh Leeds have incurred this season, edged them closer to triggering a £60,000 suspended fine, imposed by the FA at the end of last season should their discipline show no improvement.

Gallen went on to score Rangers' equaliser when Leeds were down to ten men, and manager Kevin Blackwell said: "I am not arguing with the sending-off. I've told Shaun Derry in no uncertain terms that he has let me, the club and his team-mates down. For me, the sending-off changed the whole game. Shaun knows what I think about it."

Blackwell experimented by leaving out York's Matthew Kilgallon and moving midfielder Sean Gregan into central defence alongside Clarke Carlisle. He also drafted Gylfi Einarsson into midfield and replaced injured striker David Healy with Marlon King.

Blackwell said: "I have to find out whether players can do certain things I might be looking for next season. Sean Gregan came out of the game with a lot of credit and Gylfi Einarsson did quite well.

"I was slightly angry and disappointed that we didn't take all three points but proud that the lads dug in for a long spell. When we were down to ten men we showed great tenacity to keep going."

Seth Johnson's 24th-minute goal, struck from 20 yards after Rangers failed to clear a corner, was his first since a brace against Blackburn at Elland Road in October, 2003.

Rangers' Adam Miller was sent off for a second yellow card in injury-time.

Match facts:

Coca-Cola League Championship

QPR 1, Leeds United 1

(at Loftus Road)

Queens Park Rangers: Day, Bignot, Shittu, Rose (Edghill 75), Padula, Miller, Bailey (Baidoo 80), Bircham, Cook, Gallen, Furlong (Cureton 35). Subs not used: Kanyuka, Cole.

Scorer: Gallen 85.

Sent-off: Miller 90.

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Carlisle, Gregan, Gray, Derry, Einarsson, Seth Johnson (Spring 89), Lennon (Richardson 64), Hulse, King (Pugh 65). Subs not used: Kilgallon, Wright.

Scorer: Johnson 24.

Sent-off: Derry 71.

Referee: Ray Olivier (West Midlands).

Attendance: 18,182.

Updated: 10:40 Monday, April 18, 2005