UNITED 0, BIRMINGHAM 1 (Lita 75)
United: Kenny, Peltier, Lees White 82), Pearce, Pugh, Byram, Norris (Hall 82), Austin, Tonge, Diouf, Becchio. Subs: Ashdown, Drury, Green, Brown, Gray.
Birmingham: Butland, Murphy, Davies, Robinson, Caldwell, Mullins, Elliott, Redmond (Burke 68), Morrison, Lita, King (Spector 90). Subs: Ambrose, Hancox, Packwood, Diop, Doyle, Burke.
Referee: G Salisbury
Att: 22,152 (1,400 Birmingham)
United manager Neil Warnock made changes after the midweek draw with Charlton, and Lee Peltier, Michael Tonge, and Rodolph Austin all returned from injury while Danny Pugh came into the starting line-up in the left-back berth.
The visitors arrived on the back of a 3-3 draw at Millwall in midweek and they had the first real chance when Nathan Redmond headed a free-kick wide of the mark.
Sam Byram,embarked on one good early run and Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland had to react quickly to collect a header from his own defender, but it was the visitors who started well and played some decent stuff.
United's best moment of the opening 20 minutes or so came when El-Hadji Diouf and Michael Tonge combined to play in Byram, but Butland managed to nip in before the United youngster.
Shortly before the half-hour, Butland made a rather fortunate block to deny Austin after Danny Pugh found the Jamaican international well placed to unleash a powerful strike on goal.
As the game headed towards half-time, United perhaps shaded proceedings, but both sides were looking to play some decent football, although chances were at a premium.
United started the second half in positive fashion, and Birmingham had to do some early defending. David Murphy did well to clear away one dangerous ball in from Diouf.
Diouf was a threat down the left, and Hayden Mullins halted one advancing run by the striker.
Murphy also got in a vital block when Diouf turned and shot after a long ball forward from Paddy Kenny.
Diouf also went close on 70 minutes when Byram sent in a good ball, and Butland had to react quickly when Luciano Becchio looked to follow up.
But it was 1-0 to the visitors on 75 minutes when Leroy Lita scored with a thumping strike from distance which flew past Kenny.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Warncok handed Ryan Hall his first opportunity in a Leeds shirt when he made a double change, Aidy White also coming on, as United looked for a leveller.
United did look to press, but Butland did well in collecting balls into the box and he was well protected by a dogged back four as Leeds toiled without any real spark.
