Yeovil were unfortunate to fall to a 1-0 defeat on Friday night at Huish Park. A record attendance of 9,527 packed into Huish Park to watch the eagerly anticipated game with Leeds.
Yeovil, recently assured of League One safety, were arguably the dominant side throughout the match but couldn't break down the resilient promotion chaser's defence and turn their possession into goals.
Russell Slade was happy despite the result and praised his side's performance. "I thought we deserved something massively from the game we reduced Leeds to few opportunities and created 5 or 6 chances for ourselves."
"We played some good varied football and caused some problems for them, especially in the last fifteen minutes of the first half."
The game started poorly for the Glovers who conceded in the 4th minute through a scrambled goal by Dougie Freedman.
The Leeds forward stabbed the ball home after Neil Kilkenny's deep cross found the unmarked Bradley Johnson who tested Steve Mildenhall before Freedman found the net.
The Glovers were given another scare when Anthony Elding got free of his marker Nathan Smith on the right wing and crossed to Freedman, who couldn't react quick enough to get a shot on goal.
Yeovil's first opportunity fell to their player of the season, Marcus Stewart, who headed over the bar from a Lee Peltier throw that was flicked on by Terry Skiverton.
Marvin Williams was denied an equaliser by a reaction save from Casper Ankergren in the 26th minute.
The right-winger's header from Aidan Downes cross drew a fantastic save from the Leeds keeper. Williams was closed down quickly before he could tuck away the rebound.
A long-range drive from man of the match Nathan Smith threatened the Leeds goal in the 32nd minute; however the left back's shot drifted narrowly over the bar.
Slade was also delighted with left back Nathan Smith who put in a great performance "He continues to improve and has put in a near faultless performance."
Freedman was close to grabbing his second goal in the 36th minute but Yeovil's skipper Skiverton made a fantastic last-ditch block to deflect the ball inches over Mildenhall's goal.
Marcus Stewart drew another save from Ankergren in the 43rd minute. The veteran striker took a touch before volleying straight at the Leeds keeper.
The first half was brought to a close by match official Keith Stroud with the Glovers largely on top and in control.
Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Leeds United 1
Following the break the Glovers were awarded a free kick in a threatening position. Marc Bircham laid the ball off to Anthony Barry of sliced his shot wide of the post.
Yeovil fans had their hearts' in their collective mouth when Bradley Johnson fired a speculative effort from 30 yards in the 53rd minute.
Johnson's shot left Mildenhall stranded and zipped fractionally over the crossbar.
Alan Sheehan was given his marching orders in the 64th minute after a wild lunge on Peltier.
Tempers flared with Marc Bircham visibly angered by the challenge and Keith Stroud produced a straight red card for the United left back without hesitance.
Steve Mildenhall was forced into an acrobatic save after Lubomir Michalik struck a forty-yard free kick towards goal with venom.
Yeovil were given a stroke of luck after a Leeds cross rebounded off of Dougie Freedman on the goal line and landed in Mildenhall's hands. The striker was left wondering how the ball managed to evade the Glovers net.
Aidan Downes nearly equalised for the Glovers in the 87th minute but the loanee had his right-footed shot saved brilliantly by the on form Ankergren.
Marcus Stewart could have saved a point for Yeovil deep into stoppage time but his left footed strike sailed high over the bar.
Slade insisted that the club was going to continue on their upward curve. "There's a lot of rebuilding to be done but there are a lot of positive signs for this club."
Ian Perkins
