LEEDS 1 (McCormack 67), BRISTOL 0
Leeds: Kenny, Byram, Peltier, Lees, White, Barkley, Brown, Austin, Diouf, Becchio, McCormack. Subs: Ashdown Pearce Green Varney Norris Tonge Somma.
Bristol: Heaton; Foster, Carey, Fontaine, Cunningham, Kelly, Skuse, Kilkenny (Burns 72), Pearson (Davies 78), Anderson (Stead 64), Taylor. Subs: Gerken, J.Wilson, Nyatanga, Elliott.
Referee: D Sheldrake
Booked: Kilkenny, Taylor, Burns (Bristol)
Att: 18,156
United manager Neil Warnock was able to welcome Luciano Becchio and Ross Barkley back to his starting line-up, while Aidy White also came into the 11, in place of the injured Adam Drury.
The game was Sean O'Driscoll's first as Bristol City manager - his last game as a manager had been to preside over Nottingham Forest's 4-2 win against Leeds on Boxing Day - and he brought ex-United midfielder Neil Kilkenny back in from the cold and into the City starting line-up.
And the Aussie was involved at a quick free-kick inside the opening four minutes when Sam Byram had to react well to avert the danger. Kilkenny also went in the book early doors for an over zealous challenge on Tom Lees. Ross McCormack sent the resultant free-kick wide of the mark.
El-Hadji Diouf carved out an opportunity for Leeds on 15 minutes when he did well down the right. Barkley got up well to meet the cross, but couldn't get enough power on his header to trouble Tom Heaton.
That was about as exciting as it got as the game headed towards half-time. There was plenty of endeavour from both sides, but few chances of any note, with neither side managing to take a grip on the game.
Diouf did try his luck with a shot which went over the top and Heaton was called upon to make a save from McCormack with the first on-target effort of the afternoon. At the other end, Kenny had to make a decent save to deny Paul Anderson.
On the stroke of half-time, Barkley sent in a low cross and Heaton had to collect the ball at the second attempt after McCormack stabbed the ball goalwards.
Kenny had to make a good save right at the start of the second half as well when Lees diverted a Richard Foster cross towards his own goal.
United responded with Byram and Barkley both having attempts on goal. Byram was maklng some good headway down the right as United looked to force an opening in the game.
It was Barkley who made the most telling contribution on the right, though, when he delivered a great cross and McCormack got up well at the far post to head home his second goal in as many games.
Moments later, Rodolph Austin drilled a low shot across the face of goal and wide of the mark.
United had some defending to do late on as the visitors won a couple of corners, and there were a couple of stoppages for players to receive treatment in the final moments.
