Manager Kevin Blackwell hailed Leeds United's incredible fightback at Southampton by declaring: "Sometimes I think they don't realise how good a team they are."

It was the first time United had recovered from a three-goal deficit to win since their 4-3 victory over Derby at Elland Road eight years ago, when Lee Bowyer scored an injury-time winner.

Before Saturday, Southampton had conceded just two goals in the Championship at St Mary's, where they were undefeated, while United's 4-3 success chalked up their first double of the season and hoisted them into fourth place.

The win was all the more remarkable because it was not until the 71st minute that skipper and central defender Paul Butler started the comeback with his first goal for the club, heading home Gary Kelly's corner.

Marian Pahars had headed the Saints into a 27th-minute lead and Nigel Quashie struck on 36 and 45 minutes, his second coming from the penalty spot. The turning point, though, came when David Healy left the bench to replace Frazer Richardson on 68 minutes, with the Irishman breathing fresh life into the side.

Liam Miller and Healy created Robbie Blake's 77th-minute goal and Healy tucked away the equaliser from the penalty spot.

Then Rob Hulse set up Miller's winner as the midfielder, on loan from Manchester United, scored his first goal for Leeds in only his second league game since leaving Old Trafford.

How ironic that the day after Roy Keane's departure from Manchester United 'by mutual consent', Miller should score such an important goal. Miller is widely thought to be one of the players Keane criticised for under-achieving at Old Trafford but the loan player has been handed a new lease of life by Blackwell.

The jubilant manager said: "There are not many teams who would have come back like that at Southampton. They showed unbelievable spirit. That was one of the most amazing games I have been involved with.

"There is no excuse for how we played in the first half but what a comeback. The fans were awesome. At 3-0 down they were still partying and I am so proud that we were able to send them home happy."

Former Bradford City striker Blake, who is set to face another of his former clubs Burnley at Elland Road tomorrow night, said: "It was like a film script. The three points were massive because they took us into the top four.

"It was a great feat to come back from three down to win. The first half wasn't good enough but it all came right after that. We can't get carried away and now we have another important game against Burnley to think about."

On the debit side, Butler received his fifth booking of the season and will serve an automatic one-match ban.

Leeds match facts

Coca-Cola Championship

Southampton 3, Leeds Utd 4

(at St Mary's Stadium)

Southampton: Niemi, Delap, Svensson, Lundekvam (Hajto 45), Higginbotham, Oakley, Quashie, Wise (Fuller 45), Pahars (McCann 45), Walcott, Ormerod. Goals: Pahars 27, Quashie 35, 45 (pen).

Leeds Utd: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Harding, Richardson (Healy 67), Kilgallon, Lewis, Miller, Derry, Hulse, Blake. Goals: Butler 71, Blake 77, Healy (pen) 84, Miller 86.

Referee: I Williamson.

Attendance: 30,173.

Updated: 09:48 Monday, November 21, 2005