Leeds United's hopes of automatic promotion all but evaporated after their winless streak extended to six games as Plymouth ground out a hard-earned point at Elland Road.

The closest Kevin Blackwell's side came to scoring came nine minutes before the interval when the recalled David Healy cracked a shot against the post.

But Leeds were largely impotent in attack, have now failed to score in their last four games and look all but certain to be consigned to the lottery of the play-offs.

It was another disastrous result for the Elland Road club but the Pilgrims fully deserved their point as Leeds once again failed to sparkle in front of goal.

In a bid to cure his side's attacking woes, Blackwell dropped Liam Miller and Eddie Lewis to the bench and brought Frazer Richardson and Healy back into the starting XI.

Healy lined up alongside Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake in a three-man attack as Leeds sought to get back among the goals.

Healy attempted to take a quick free-kick 25 yards from goal after five minutes but referee Mike Thorpe showed him a yellow card after he had failed to signal.

It seemed extremely harsh but Plymouth soon showed they were no soft touches either as they snapped away at Leeds' heels and refused to allow them to settle.

Pilgrims boss Tony Pulis is renowned for his stifling tactics but conceding just two goals in their previous six games suggests the former Stoke boss is doing something right.

Plymouth overcame promotion hopefuls Wolves 2-0 last week and their physical approach again served them well at Elland Road.

However, Leeds began to pose more of a goal threat as the half wore on but after injury forced Gary Kelly off - to be replaced by Jermaine Beckford - the closest the hosts came to scoring was Healy's shot against the woodwork.

Plymouth emerged as the greater threat after the restart and the strike pairing of Vincent Pericard and Leon Clarke gave Leeds duo Paul Butler and Sean Gregan plenty of uneasy moments.

The visitors came agonisingly close to opening the scoring eight minutes after the restart.

Lilian Nalis orchestrated a crisp move which saw Lee Hodges swing in a dangerous left-wing cross to the back post.

Clarke, a menace throughout, volleyed the ball back across the face of goal but no Pilgrims player was there.

Clarke missed another chance after 65 minutes when Northern Ireland defender Tony Capaldi expertly cut the ball back from the left-hand byline.

Clarke hit the target but Neil Sullivan produced a smart stop to avert the danger and home supporters were left frustrated as the Pilgrims comfortably held on for a point.

Teams

Leeds Sullivan, Kelly (Beckford 36), Butler, Gregan, Crainey,Richardson, Derry, Douglas (Miller 74), Healy (Lewis 68),Hulse, Blake.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Kilgallon.

Booked: Healy.

Plymouth Larrieu, Connolly, Doumbe, Aljofree,Hodges (Pulis 90), Norris, Wotton, Nalis, Capaldi,Pericard (Buzsaky 87), Clarke (Evans 71).

Subs Not Used: McCormick, Zebroski.

Booked: Nalis, Connolly, Larrieu.

Att: 20,650

Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).