Match Report

Former Leeds left-back Dan Harding added to United's troubles on the road as his first-half goal was enough for Southend United to take all three points.

Leeds dominated the opening stages, but it was Southend who took the lead after Lubomir Michalik brought down the lively Francis Laurent on the edge of the box.

Harding curled in a left-footed free-kick over the four-man Leeds wall and into the top left corner of Casper Ankergren's goal on 18 minutes.

The hosts had threatened to open the scoring before Harding, who was at Elland Road in the 2005-2006 season, struck, and they should have had a second when Ankergren parried a Laurent effort and Hal Robson-Kanu blasted over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Leeds eventually clawed their way back into the game, but were unable to find an equaliser as Jonathan Howson fired straight at Adam Federici, who also parried a Fabian Delph effort, and Jonathan Douglas blasted wide.

And the visitors had a let-off on the stroke of half-time when Michalik appeared to push Laurent over but referee Pat Miller dismissed claims for a penalty.

Leeds started the second half more positively and were denied a goal when Federici scooped Neil Kilkenny's 16-yard shot onto the roof of the net.

At the other end Ankergren avoided a repeat of the first goal by clawing a 25-yard Harding free-kick away for a corner.

Both sides created opportunities, with Alex Revell just off target for Blues, but it was Leeds who pushed hardest for the equaliser, with substitutes Andy Robinson and Robert Snodgrass enjoying the best chances.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides