Harrison on target to boost Leeds’ Championship promotion hopes

JACK HARRISON hit the winner as second-placed Leeds United beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 to open up a three-point cushion on Sheffield United in the race for promotion from the Championship.

Harrison produced a deadly finish in the 65th minute to finally break the deadlock after Wednesday had frustrated their rivals.

The Whites had been denied by two wonder saves from Republic of Ireland keeper Keiren Westwood during a dominant first half.

But the relentless pressure finally paid off when Harrison fired home.

Westwood had to be at his very best to keep out a Tyler Roberts header after 13 minutes as the home side started to find their stride.

Gary Hooper could only hit the side-netting before Adam Reach had a shot blocked minutes later as Kiko Casilla failed to deal with Barry Bannan’s free-kick.

Casilla pushed Bannan’s curling effort around the post with a brilliant one-handed save in the 25th minute.

Harrison was the next to be denied when Westwood made a superb save from his header.

Hooper cleared Luke Ayling’s shot off the line from the resulting corner, before Pablo Hernandez headed over.

Westwood beat an effort away from Roberts four minutes later as Leeds continued to push hard.

Patrick Bamford nodded wide at the second attempt from a Roberts pass before Pontus Jansson glanced a header over just after the restart.

Roberts fired wide after a good turn created an opening and then Alioksi fired over. Bamford should have opened the scoring when he somehow dragged an effort wide of the near post with the goal begging.

It was his last act as Marcelo Bielsa brought on Kemar Roofe in a bid to finally break the deadlock.

And it finally came when Harrison clinically put away Hernandez’s pass after 65 minutes.

Hernandez fired wide from a narrow angle five minutes later, before Tom Lees produced a vital block to keep out a Mateusz Klich effort as Leeds looked to wrap the game up.

Roofe had a goal disallowed and Marco Matias could only find the side-netting in the 89th minute as Leeds sealed three crucial points.