MANNONE’S THE INJURY-TIME PENALTY HERO

points and the performance we put in. “It would have been unjust if we had not won this game, and now we can start to look up the table. It’s going to be very hard to end up in the top six, but that’s what we want.” Leeds were looking to make it three home league wins in a row against these visitors, and they carved out an early chance to take the lead when Pablo Hernandez picked out Pierre-Michel Lasogga with a lovely cross from the left. German striker Lasogga was well-positioned at the far post, but his header lacked the power to beat keeper Vito Mannone. That was just about the home side’s only real threat on goal before the break, as Stam’s strugglers took charge. Dutch winger Roy Beerens was unlucky to see a delicious 20-yard curler fly inches wide on 23 minutes.

Then, three minutes later, Andy Lonergan came to his side’s rescue by acrobatically punching away Beerens’ wickedly inswinging corner.

Lonergan was proving to be an inspired selection by his boss, and he pulled out another super save to keep out Sone Aluko’s vicious low drive in the 37th minute.

Leeds showed more purpose after the interval, with midfielder Eunan O’Kane agonisingly close to putting them in front on 48 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box that went wide.

Lasogga and O’Kane went close before Lonergan shone once more, with another flying save to deny Barrow.

After Barrow broke the deadlock, Leeds had a golden opportunity to snatch a 93rdminute equaliser, when Samuel Saiz was bundled over in the box by Liam Moore.

But Hernandez’s tame penalty was comfortably saved by Mannone. Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen said: “Taking a penalty is always a lottery, but at least Pablo deserves credit for accepting the responsibility to take it.

“It’s been a disappointing day, and confidence is becoming an issue.

“But we are still well-placed, and we’ll work hard to get back to how we want to play.” LEEDS READING 3 ............ Shots on Target ......... 4 10 .......... Shots off Target ......... 6 2 ............. Blocked Shots .......... 0 6 ................... Corners ................ 5 16 ..................... Fouls .................. 10 2 ................... Offsides ................ 2 5 ............... Yellow Cards ............ 2 0 ................. Red Cards .............. 0 76.6 ...... Passing Success ...69.2 15 ................... Tackles ................ 21 73.3 ....... Tackles Won % ..... 52.4 55.6 .......... Possession ....... 44.4 47.0 ..... Territorial Adv % .. 53.0 402 .......... Total Passes ......... 321 18 ............. Total Crosses .......... 15 53.6 ......... 1st Half Poss ....... 46.4 58 ........... 2nd Half Poss . ........ 42