LEICESTER 2 (Gallagher 72 pen, King 77) , UNITED 2 (Gradel 20, Snodgrass 55)

Leicester: Kirkland, Hobbs, Davies, Naughton, King, Abe (Dyer 65), Wellens, Cunningham, Gallagher, Howard (Bednar 65), Vassell. Subs: Oakley, Weale, Moussa, Morrison, Dyer, Waghorn.

United: Schmeichel, Connolly, O'Brien, Collins, McCartney, Kilkenny (Faye 90), Johnson, Snodgrass, Howson (McCormack 85), Gradel, Becchio (Paynter 85). Subs: Bruce, Sam, Higgs, Bromby.

Referee: A Bates

Booked: Howard, Davies (Leicester), Becchio, Connolly, Schmeichel (United)

Att: 30,919 (3318 Leeds)

Extended highlights plus match reaction...

United manager Simon Grayson welcomed Andy O'Brien back to his starting line-up for the Boxing Day clash at Leicester with the defender having shaken off a thigh injury.

United went into the game in second place in the Championship on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run that had thrust Grayson's men into the promotion places.

Yet Leicester had already beaten Leeds twice so far this season and the home side made the early running with United having to deal wikth a couple of early set-pieces. Richie Wellens also looked to release Andy King with an angled ball over the top, but the pass was too strong.

Wellens was also denied by some good defending and, in typical fashion when away from home, Leeds looked to soak up pressure before moving the ball quickly on the break.

And it was United who were in front on 20 minutes, courtesy of Max Gradel. The former Leicester winger made the most of a free header in front of goal to give Leeds the lead after the first real opportunity for either side.

The goal was a big boost for United and Leicester had some more defending to do as Grayson's men enjoyed a brief spell of pressure, winning a couple of corners.

The hosts did almost respond on the half-hour, but Kasper Schmeichel reacted well to divert a cross when Steve Howard was well-placed at the far post. The big front man also sent a shot flying over the top on 36 minutes.

And moments before the dour first half came to an end Howard headed wide when under pressure from O'Brien.

Gradel's goal seperated the two sides at the break in a game that was finely poised.

The visitors had the first shot of the second period when Yuki Abe tried his luck with an effort which Schmeichel caught easily.

Leicester again started brightly, but United were defending with men behind the ball and were looking to preserve a lead that would maintain second place in the table.

Neil Kilkenny had a shot blocked when Leeds came forward and as Leicester looked to respond on the break, O'Brien made a decisive clearance.

Grayson's side also won a succession of corners early in the second period, the second of which saw Robert Snodgrass double the lead with an extraordinary strike. The corner was cleared back to Snodgrass, who had taken the set-piece, and he responded with a stunning first time strike from the narrowest of angles which gave Chris Kirkland no chance.

Within 10 minutes, Snodgrass almost fashioned out an opportunity for Luciano Becchio, but the striker's shot was blocked after he turned to face goal. The Scot also tested Kirkland with a grubber shot, which the keeper fumbled at the first attempt.

United were really starting to take control, but when Leicester broke with 19 minutes remaining, Schmeichel found himself in the book for bringing down Lloyd Dyer as the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Paul Gallagher stepped up to take the spot-kick and his well-struck effort beat the Dane to bring Leicester back into the contest.

And it was 2-2 within five minutes. King brought down a ball over the top and he smashed the ball home with assistance from the crossbar.

Leicester clearly had the bit between their teeth now - the home crowd had also woken from its slumber - but things became very open as Leeds, too, pushed for the winning goal.

With five minutes left, Grayson made two changes, bringing Ross McCormack and Billy Paynter on for the final moments as United looked for a winner.

Almost immediately, Gradel had a shot deflected and Kirkland had to be alert with Paynter closing him down. And then, Neill Collins had a header from a corner blocked on the line. As did Bradley Johnson, who saw his header hacked clear by Gallagher.

There followed an almighty scramble in the Leeds area, after a free-kick was pumped in from the halfway line, and the hosts were shouting for another penalty with bodies from both sides going to ground.

In the final moments, United were shouting for a spot-kick for handball after a Paynter shot was deflected for a corner. And, from the set-play, Collins sent a header just over the bar.

That proved to be the final opportunity of the game as United failed to find a winner, but still extended the unbeaten run to 10 games.