Speed smooths passage

Football

DERICK ALLSOP

Derby County 0 Leeds United 1

Leeds United, uneasy voyagers of late, found improbable comfort in the usually perilous waters of the Coca-Cola Cup last night. A second-half goal by Gary Speed navigated their course to the fourth round for the first time in four seasons.

This competition has been a lingering source of embarrassment for the Premiership side, and for much of the tie Derby threatened to join the list of humble teams who have eliminated them in the recent past.

Just like Watford, Sunderland and Mansfield before them, Derby responded to the challenge. They might have been two up in seven minutes, Robin van der Laan heading just wide and his fellow Dutchman, Ron Willems, hitting the underside of the bar.

The longer the match went on, however, the more space became available to Leeds and the more they looked the likely winners. Gary McAllister, their captain, steered his colleagues with ever-growing conviction.

But for some extraordinary aberrations, Tony Yeboah would have had victory secure before Speed's decisive leap. His air shot revived Derby's hopes and as if to prove it was not an illusion, repeated the bizarre feat.

Yeboah's moment, it seemed, had finally arrived in the 65th minute. A sudden burst of acceleration carried him clear of the cover but his shot came out off Russell Hoult's legs. The goalkeeper frustrated McAllister in similar fashion before Leeds finally went ahead in the 72nd minute. Nigel Worthington swung in the corner from the right and Speed climbed highest to apply the header.

Derby County (4-4-2): Hoult; Carsley, Yates, Rowett, Nicholson; Flynn (Wrack, 79), Trollope, Van der Laan, Simpson (Powell 79); Willems, Gabbiadini. Substitute not used: Sutton (gk).

Leeds United (5-3-2): Lukic; Kelly, Pemberton, Wetherall, Beesley, Worthington; Palmer, McAllister, Speed; Yeboah (Whelan, 89), Deane. Substitutes not used: Beeney (gk), Couzens.

Referee: R Dilkes (Mossley).