Goals from Chris Wood and Tom Adeyemi were enough for Leeds United as they edged out high-flying Hull City 2-1 at Elland Road this afternoon - despite a second-half rally from the visitors.
Hull started the better of the sides and Alex Bruce went close early on when he fired in a low effort against the post.
Stuart Dallas went close on 10 minutes when he clipped a shot goalwards that drifted just wide in windy conditions.
Mohamed Diame was next to try his luck when he cut in from a wide area, but the ex-West Ham United midfielder's effort sailed well over the bar on 15 minutes.
Leeds were struggling to make an impression in an attacking sense in the opening half and Alex Mowatt's free kick was blasted straight at the wall before the half-hour mark.
Tom Huddlestone almost found the net with a clean strike from the edge of the box, but the effort whistled just past the post as Hull continued to probe for the opener.
Leeds took the lead on 30 minutes against the run of play when Wood guided home a smart finish for his seventh goal of the campaign, and the home side began to dominate after going in front.
Steve Evans's side came close to extending their advantage before the break when Mowatt hammered a shot against the bar.
The home side did double their lead in stoppage time when the recalled Adeyemi converted from close range.
The Tigers were back in it just six minutes into the second period when Ahmed Elmohamady headed in Sam Clucas's cross.
Steve Bruce's men pushed to get the equaliser, but Jake Livermore's tame effort was comfortably gathered by Marco Silvestri in the Leeds goal before the keeper denied Diame moments later.
Silvestri was once again forced into action to thwart Livermore after the midfielder had made a powerful run into the penalty area.
A late chance fell the way of Chuba Akpom after a good ball from Robert Snodgrass, but the on-loan Arsenal man's touch left him at the vital moment as Leeds held on.
Paul Gorst
