Leeds United were today striving to avoid a £60,000 fine at a disciplinary hearing at a Manchester hotel.

The FA imposed the fine, suspended for a year, after Leeds players picked up 78 bookings and five red cards the season before last. They had 81 bookings and seven dismissals in the last campaign but played nine more matches. Manager Kevin Blackwell was attending the hearing.

United were fined £3,000 by the FA for failing to control their players during a brawl in a 1-1 draw against Gillingham at Elland Road in March.

A clash between Leeds' on-loan defender Michael Gray and the Gills' forward Darius Henderson led to a free-for-all involving players and officials from the two clubs.

Gray and Henderson were sent off but Henderson had his red card overturned on appeal.

United's pre-season defensive stability continued with a goalless draw at Gordon Strachan's Celtic yesterday. They have now conceded just one goal in four first team pre-season friendlies - against Haugesund, Stavanger, Darlington and Celtic.

Sean Gregan again impressed as Paul Butler's central defensive partner, while Eddie Lewis and Dan Harding shone on the left and Eirik Bakke continued his quest for sharpness and full match fitness after being restricted by injury to just one substitute appearance last season.

Left back Stephen Crainey played against his old club after substituting for Harding during the second half.

Updated: 11:15 Monday, July 25, 2005