Matt Heath gave Leeds United victory by a nose on Grand National day and then predicted they would survive in the Championship.

Central defender Heath injured his nose at Colchester on Easter Monday but bravely used his hooter' to guide Alan Thompson's corner firmly into the net for the 21st minute decider.

It gave United their fourth successive home win and left them on equal points with Hull City whose superior goal difference keeps them just outside the bottom three.

Heath almost got a second but his header was superbly saved by Danis goalkeeper Brian Jensen as Leeds, who also hit the bar through Frazer Richardson's 30-yard drive, put together some excelent first-half football.

The giant Heath put some recent shaky performances behind him with a fine display alongside the equally impressive Lubo Michalik who also defied a head injury to repel Burnley's admittedly lightweight attack.

Said Heath, whose goal was his third of the season: "I nosed it in and nearly got another goal. It was a great save from their 'keeper. I've never scored two in a game, which would have been nice to relieve the pressure a bit.

"After the defeat at Colchester we all trained hard and you could see the desire out there and the determination not to make mistakes. It was a really professional performance. We have two away games left and one at home so we need to win the home match and maybe win one away as well. It is vitally important to keep Leeds United in the Championship and we all believe it can be done.

"Everyone has to stay cool when we go to Southampton next Saturday and hopefully pick up another three points."

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill claimed goalkeeper Jensen was blocked as Thompson's corner reached Heath's nose.

"If you block someone and get away with it, good luck. It is a tactic we have used so we can't complain."

Michael Gray, United's on-loan left back, is due to see his loan spell end after next Saturday's game at Southampton but it is hoped Blackburn will agree to let him stay for the rest of the season.

Leicester have been dragged into the relegation battle after losing to Norwich, but Barnsley won at Southend and Hull drew with Colchester, adding fuel to Leeds manager Dennis Wise's belief that the issue will "go to the wire".


Leeds match facts

Coca-Cola Championship: Leeds United 1, Burnley 0 (at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Ankergren, Richardson, Michalik, Heath, Gray, Blake (Rui Marques 76), Kishishev, Thompson, Lewis, Healy (Armando Sa 90), Cresswell. Subs (not used): Stack, Johnson, Moore. Goal: Heath 21.

Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Thomas, Caldwell, Harley, Elliott (Akinbiyi 69), J O'Connor (Spicer 74), Djemba-Djemba, Jones, McVeigh, Gray. Subs (not used): Coyne, Coughlan, McCann. Cautions: Duff, Thomas, O'Connor.

Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

Attendance: 23,528.