LEEDS HAVE HOPE AFTER VITAL LATE EQUALISER

LEEDS UTD 1 BRIGHTON 1 CRAIG HOPE at Elland Road

LEEDS boss Jess Marsch shut out the noise of home fans’ protests before Pascal Struijk scored the equaliser he hailed as a ‘massive moment’ in their fight for survival. The atmosphere inside Elland Road had turned sour when, with their team trailing 1-0 to Brighton late in the second half, supporters turned on the board and sang the name of former boss Marcelo Bielsa. However, in the 92nd minute, sub Struijk headed the leveller that took Leeds out of the bottom three with one game to play. ‘I did not hear any of that,’ said Marsch of the chants. ‘I was focused on the match and the fans pushed us really well. ‘You must have an aggressive mindset to find a way to make a difference. We have a good group in that way. ‘It could wind up being a massive moment for us.’ Brighton boss Graham Potter, whose side dominated in the first half and led through Danny Welbeck’s 21st-minute strike, said: ‘This is one of the most hostile places in England. We did really well in the first half and if we had got a second, it might not have made it very nice (inside the stadium).’ Leeds’ survival hopes were boosted after relegation rivals Burnley were beaten by Tottenham thanks to a disputed Harry Kane penalty.