FORTRESS Elland Road? More like Sandcastle Elland Road.

Leeds United were washed away by Leicester City to leave them hovering five points above relegation quicksand with about half of the season already slipped through the egg-timer.

Just a fortnight ago the 6-1 demolition of QPR seemed to have provided the springboard for a push towards the play-offs.

But United have managed just a home draw against Watford and defeats against bottom club Rotherham and a solid-looking Leicester since.

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell moaned: "There was no hangover from the loss at Rotherham. We've had two games this week and should've won both.

"If I am going to be critical it is we didn't kill them off when we should have done. Our approach play was good and we had our chances but when you don't take them you are always liable to get hit."

Biggest miss of the day came from Brian Deane, the four-goal hero against QPR, who shot over from three yards as Leeds were chasing an equaliser.

No frills Leicester had snatched the lead just after half-time when Lilian Nalis drove the ball high in to the net after Leeds failed to clear a corner on the right.

Leeds were pressing hard and moments after seeing goalkeeper Stuart Taylor claw away a goal-bound header Deane missed horribly after substitute Frazer Richardson's cut-back from the right.

Within three minutes Gary Kelly sent a spectacular diving header in to his own net to condemn Leeds to their fourth home defeat of the Championship campaign.

Leeds have collected just 15 points from a possible 33 at Elland Road and Blackwell may have to consider reverting back to 4-4-2 to regain some stability.

While the current system on two wide players supporting Deane has produced a couple of spectacular victories it does leave the defence more exposed.

Leeds, without a clean sheet in 11 games, somehow need to find the right balance ahead of Friday night's trip to West Ham.

Terrace rumours abound that the club may go into administration if the latest buy-out deal fails to materialise and that will mean a ten-point deduction - a safety net United don't look like achieving at present.

Leeds match facts:

Leeds United 0,

Leicester City 2

Coca-Cola Championship

(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Carlisle (Joachim 74), Butler, Kilgallon (McMaster 83), Oster (Richardson 66), Gregan, Walton, Wright, Healy, Deane. Subs (not used): Carson, Spring.

Leicester City: Taylor, Makin, Dabizas, Dublin, Stewart, Gillespie (Blake 84), Nalis, Gemmill (Williams 89), Gudjohnsson, Scowcroft, Connolly (Morris 79). Caution: Scowcroft. Goals: Nalis 48, Kelly og 78.

Referee: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield).

Attendance: 27,384.

Updated: 10:46 Monday, December 06, 2004