NORWICH 1 (C Martin 89), LEEDS UNITED 0

Norwich: Forster, Drury, Nelson, Doherty, R Martin, Russell, Hoolahan (MCNamee 73), Lappin, Elliott (C Martin 62),  Smith (Hughes 85), Holt. Subs: Whitbread, McVeigh, Rudd, Johnson.

Leeds: Higgs, Hughes (Kandol 90), Naylor, Collins, Lowry, Kilkenny (Johnson 86), Doyle, Howson, Snodgrass, Becchio (Grella 15), Beckford. Subs: Ankergren, Dickov, Bromby, Gradel.

Referee: L Probert

Booked: Smith, Holt (Norwich), Naylor, Snodgrass, Lowry (Leeds)

Sent-off: Kandol

Att: 25,445 

United manager Simon Grayson shook things up in his team selection for the trip to face league leaders Norwich City, making five changes to his starting line-up.

Neill Collins came in at centre-back for his debut, Shane Higgs replaced Casper Ankergren in goal, loan man Shane Lowry returned at left-back, Neil Kilkenny was recalled to the centre of midfield, and Jermaine Beckford returned from injury to the front-line.

United started with a slight change of system, matching Norwich with a diamond midfield with Micky Doyle as the anchorman and Robert Snodgrass playing at the front.

A pre-match huddle by the Leeds players represented another change, and United had to immediately dig-in and weather an early storm that included two Norwich corners and gave Higgs his first opportunity of a touch when he punched the ball clear.

Snodgrass also tried his luck inside the opening four minutes after some good passing play by United.  Both sides also had shots deflected wide of the mark during an entertaining opening.

But there was concern in the 11th as Luciano Becchio remained prostrate after appearing to clash heads with Norwich defender Micky Nelson. Both physios reacted immediately, the Leeds doctor came on the pitch, and the striker received treatment for over three minutes before being stretchered from the field.

Mike Grella was the replacement for Becchio and he found an almost immediate route to goal foiled after some good passing play by Leeds. Grayson's men were certainly looking to play the ball on the floor and the passing and movement was excellent during the early stages.

It was Leeds who had an effort goal in the 23rd minute when Kilkenny, at the hub of things for United, sent a shot wide from distance. Snodgrass also lifted a shot over the top and with United functioning well in every area - Doyle was snubbing out the influential Wes Hoolahan and the back-four were looking solid - it's fair to say Grayson's men were the better of the two sides during the opening half-hour.

United were carving out half-chances, Kilkenny picked out Jermaine Beckford, but Grella was crowded out as he looked to latch onto the pull-back. Beckford was also the first to test either goalkeeper when he tried his luck from distance with an effort which Fraser Forster was able to gather.

When Norwich won a free-kick at the other end in the 37th minute, Andrew Hughes got in a decisive block before Leeds were able to clear with the comfort of another free-kick, this time won by Snodgrass following a foul by Hoolahan.

Lowry got in a good block following yet another free-kick as Norwich enjoyed a spell of pressure leading up to half-time, and Grant Holt spooned the re-bound over the bar. There were five minutes of stoppage time, but neither side threatened again as the first half came to a close.

The second half also started with a stoppage and a free-kick when Doyle was caught high by Korey Smith almost straight from the kick-off. Such was United's work-rate and presence in denying the home side space, Norwich were beginning to show signs of frustration.

United were playing the better football, but with the home side were defending well and in numbers, chances were at a premium. And it was from one such spell of play that Norwich broke quickly to win a corner which Gary Doherty headed wide.

Leeds replied with a Grella shot that Forster was able to gather comfortably while Norwich returned with another quick break - Hoolahan finding space from Doyle for the first time in open play - that ended with Stephen Elliott screwing a shot into the crowd.

Grella also sent a shot skidding towards Foster after an incisive break involving Kilkenny and Beckford and Snodgrass came within a whisker grabbing the goal Leeds so richly deserved when he fired inches wide of the upright after more good build-up play.

At the other end, it was debut man Collins who made a timely challenge when Norwich threatened while Smith fired straight at Higgs after the corner was half-cleared.

You sensed a goal would come and after Beckford was denied by some good defending, Jonny Howson sent a shot just wide.

Tempers were never far from boiling point and Holt received a yellow card for a challenge on Snodgrass that provoked a reaction from a number of Leeds players.

With 17 minutes remaining, Doyle was confirmed as his individual battle winner when Hoolahan was substituted after being well shackled all game.

Still the free-kicks continued as the bad blood continued to simmer and the game was certainly a spicy affair. Neither side could be faulted for the work-rate either as the tempo remained high going into the final 10 minutes.

Shane Higgs after Norwich's winner" hspace=0 src="/javaImages/6e/cd/0,,10273~8703342,00.jpg" width=360 align=left>

But, Leeds were clearly tiring as the game headed towards its final moments, and the home side showed their character by grabbing what looked like the decisive goal in the 89th minute. Stephen Hughes, who had only been on the pitch three minutes, swung in a cross from the right and fellow sub Chrs Martin headed home.

It was a cruel blow given United's performance over the course of the game, but having lost to a late goal at Elland Road in October, Norwich would feel revenge was sweet as they strengthened their grip on top spot in League One.

Worse was to come for Leeds, though, when after arriving as a stoppage time sub Tresor Kandol lasted barely 60 seconds before seeing a straight red card following an off-the-ball altercation with a Norwich defender.

That mattered little in terms of the result though with Norwich taking a giant stride towards claiming the League One title. For Leeds, Millwall moved on level on points after their win against Stockport County.