SIMON Grayson’s ability to influence his team from the sidelines continues to impress.

His go-for-broke tactics turned likely defeat into a thrilling victory as Luciano Becchio’s late double sank brave Crystal Palace 2-1 at Elland Road.

The Leeds United boss has been lauded several times for his use of substitutes and his bold changes in this game – the only match played in Yorkshire on Saturday – earned three points which propelled the Whites back into the npower Championship play-off zone.

Grayson began with the 4-5-1 system which had served Leeds well in their six-match unbeaten run. It saw Leeds dominate the opening half but after Jonny Howson had an early strike ruled out for offside, United missed several chances.

Claude Davis, Anthony Gardner and Alassana D’Diaye made a series of superb tackles, blocks and defensive headers to keep Leeds at bay and when the home side did fashion an opening, goalkeeper Julian Speroni was on top form.

But improving Palace were not all about defending, they were quick on the break down the flanks and just before half-time highly-rated right-back Nathaniel Clyne’s low cross was tapped in by Neil Danns.

Ten minutes into the second half, Grayson switched to 4-4-2 and sent on Ross McCormack and Lloyd Sam and the pressure mounted on the Palace goal, but Speroni continued to frustrate United.

Rather than wait for the game to enter its death throes, Grayson gambled with 15 minutes remaining by throwing on an extra attacker in Billy Paynter and leaving just three men at the back.

The manager was rewarded for his bravery as Leeds, by sheer weight of numbers in the Palace box, finally go the breakthrough they deserved on 81 minutes as Becchio was on hand to poke the ball home.

With the crowd in full voice, Leeds poured forward and within two minutes the Argentine, who scored a hat-trick in the previous home game against Bristol City, drove the ball through Speroni for the winner after good work by Robert Snodgrass and McCormack.

Once in front, Leeds reverted back to 4-4-2 with midfielder Howson filling in at right-back and despite a few flutters saw out the game.

With a difficult trip to Burnley and leaders QPR next up at Elland Road, it was a precious three points for everyone who had battled to beat the snow and ice to get the game on.

Another result North Yorkshire-born Grayson is keen to secure is the signature of Becchio on a new contract. The striker’s new deal runs out in the summer but, unlike Bradley Johnson, who has rejected a new contract, Becchio has indicated he wants to stay.

Grayson said: “Luciano Becchio is a fantastic player who has proved his worth to the club in terms of his goals and the effort he puts in for the team. That is why we are doing all we can to keep him.

“People probably under-estimate what he does for the team. He has scored a lot of goals this time and I am sure scouts will be taking notice of him, but we want to keep our best players and there are not many bigger clubs than Leeds United in the Championship.

“Contract talks with Luciano are on-going but he has said he wants to stay. We plucked him from the third division of the Spanish League and helped to make him a better player so you hope for some loyalty from players in return.”

Leeds United: Schmeichel, Hughes (Paynter 76), Bruce, O’Brien, McCartney, Johnson (Sam 55), Kilkenny, Howson, Gradel (McCormack 55), Snodgrass, Becchio. Subs (not used): Higgs, Collins, Faye, Somma.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Davis, Gardner, Wright, Ambrose, Danns, D’Diaye (Zaha 86), Djilali (O’Keefe 55), Counago, Vaughan. Subs (not used): Price, Barrett, Dorman, Cadogan, Obika.

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).

Attendance: 25,476.