Leeds United have perfected the art of winning without dominating.

Not for the first time this season did an opposition manager leave Elland Road wondering just how his side had failed to gain any reward.

This time it was Leicester boss Craig Levein's turn to indulge in head scratching after seeing his side lose 2-1 despite hogging possession in an exciting, attacking encounter.

"We were fantastic at times. On another day we could have won it," he sighed.

That won't bother opposite number Kevin Blackwell, whose side moved up to third with their fourth Championship win on the bounce.

The sharpness of United's three-pronged attack was the key factor.

Injuries and suspension saw Blackwell opt for a 4-3-3 formation and the midfield, blighted by unavailability, was unable to control the game in the same manner as the Foxes.

But when they got it up front to David Healy, Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake there was always a goal threat. In addition to their two goals, Leeds also hit the woodwork twice and had a good penalty shout for handball rejected.

Some of the slick football by both sides in the opening half hour was of Premiership standard but Leicester were made to pay for the lack of a cutting edge when Leeds beautifully crafted a free-kick which engineered enough space for Healy to score from 25 yards.

Hulse nearly doubled the Leeds score when his header came back off the bar just after the interval but the big forward's clumsy challenge on Joey Gudjonsson enabled the Icelander to pick himself up and score the resulting penalty.

With 20 minutes remaining the balance of power had swung towards City who by this time were bossing midfield.

But Leeds snatched the winner five minutes later when Blake expertly cut in from the left and his shot was turned in by York-born defender Matthew Kilgallon.

Leicester's Patrick McCarthy was convinced Kilgallon was offside but protested too much and was red-carded by ref Mike Dean.

Despite having an extra man, Leeds were forced to hang on in desperate fashion near the end.

That left Leeds coach John Carver to admit: "I'm very much surprised to see where Leicester are in the league. They are certainly one of the sides who can be in the top six."

Kilgallon's winner topped a strong defensive performance by the ex-England Under-21 international while 18-year-old Simon Walton gave an energetic midfield display in his first start.

Sean Gregan and Jonathan Douglas - suspended against Leicester - will be available for the home game against Cardiff on Saturday, giving Blackwell a selection poser.

Leeds match facts

Coca-Cola Championship

Leeds United 2, Leicester City 1

(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Harding, Miller, Walton (Richardson 83), Lewis, Blake (Pugh 90), Healy (Moore 90), Hulse. Subs (not used): Bennett, Crainey. Caution: Kelly. Goals: Healy 41, Kilgallon 73.

Leicester City: Douglas, Stearman, Gerrbrand, McCarthy, Maybury, Sylla, Kisnorbo (De Vries 81), Gudjonsson, Smith, Hammond (Dublin 87), Hume. Subs (not used): Tiatto, Johansson, Hamill. Sent-off: McCarthy. Caution: Smith. Goal: Gudjonsson pen 69.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Attendance: 21,402.

Latics test

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Updated: 11:20 Monday, December 05, 2005