Middlesbrough 1 Leeds United 2: Gordon Strachan under fire as Boro slip to yet another defeat

Gordon Strachan came out fighting as Middlesbrough fans called for his head after this latest damaging defeat.Strachan consoled himself by watching a re-run of his favourite TV show, the X-Factor, last night but increasing numbers of fed-up Middlesbrough faithful want him to be the ex-factor when it comes to his job prospects on Teesside.Leeds marked manager Simon Grayson's 100th game in charge with a win to take them back into the Championship's top 10, with goals from Davide Somma, before the break, and Luciano Becchio. Going down? Strachan's side are hanging precariously over the drop zoneKris Boyd levelled in between, but it was not enough as the homeside, pre-season title favourites, were left just two points above thedrop zone, with Strachan fearing for his future after a barrage ofabuse from the stands at the final whistle.Gareth Southgate was axed 12 months ago with the club just a pointoff the top of the table, but Strachan said: 'Everything we do at themoment just seems to get punished. Sometimes life's not great and youhave to deal with it.Have Somma that! Leeds' South African forward fired them in front'I'm the focal point of the club but it's not just about me. Whetheryou're winning trophies or fighting relegation, you do your best. I'veproved I can do well at other clubs.'The fans have been great and I'm not going to change my opinion just because of five minutes.'I've had tests all my career and it's the fans and the players Ifeel sorry for, not me. I'll go home and watch the X-Factor. Whatdoesn't kill you makes you stronger.'Somma fired Leeds ahead with a 12th-minute angled drive into thebottom corner past Jason Steele from Sanchez Watt's cross. Boydlevelled eight minutes after the restart, poking home a Matthew Bates cross from close range.Becchio restored the lead 10 minutes later with a stunning volley and went close to another with a 20-yard drive that thumped the angle of post and bar.While Strachan struggles at the Riverside, he remains a cult hero atElland Road after winning a league title during his six years there.'It's tough but Gordon's a fantastic person and fantastic manager,'said Simon Grayson, a young player starting out at Leeds duringStrachan's spell there.'Gordon had a big influence on my career and I know him as a fighter.'Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Steele; Bates, Wheater, McManus, Arca; Kink (Lita 65min), O'Neil, Tavares (Halliday 73), Bailey; McDonald, Boyd. Subs (not used): Coyne, Miller, McMahon, Bennett, Smallwood.Leeds (4-4-2): Brown; Connolly, Naylor, Collins, McCartney (Hughes 34); Snodgrass, Howson, Faye (Bromby 85), Watt (Johnson 38); Somma, Becchio. Subs (not used): Alnwick, Gradel, Kilkenny, McCormack.Referee: C Foy (Merseyside). Leeds eye up move for former Liverpool and Fulham keeper WarnerLeeds United striker Grella joins Carlisle United on a month's loan Malcolm Allison (1927-2010): Football's first playboy manager but taught greats like Bobby Moore AND Jose Mourinho how to play the game  Explore more:People: Gordon Strachan, Gary O'Neil, Simon Grayson, Alex Bruce Places: Leeds

Source: Daily_Mail