Resilient Wimbledon became the first visiting side to score twice at Elland
Road this season as they ended Leeds' hopes of a fifth successive home win.
United looked set for another three-point haul, having won six of their last
eight matches, when rejuvenated skipper David Hopkin continued his impressive
form with a 53rd-minute poacher's strike.
But the Dons, no strangers to the smash and grab raids which have often been
their hallmark over the years, salvaged a point with a late equaliser.
Leeds had initially attempted to pick up where they left off following their
Boxing Day hammering of Newcastle, and it came as no surprise when a crisp,
flowing move paved the way for the opener.
Portuguese midfielder Bruno Ribeiro has endured a lean season after an
initially bountiful £500,000 move from Vitoria Setubal in the summer of 1997.
A regular in the side throughout the campaign which saw United finish fifth in
the Premiership, injuries robbed Ribeiro of his place in the starting line-up
this season.
Niggly groin and thigh problems, as well as a red card in the UEFA Cup second
round tie at Roma, ensured this was only Ribeiro's third start this season.
Ironically, his place in the side has only come because of a Leeds injury
crisis which has robbed manager David O'Leary of Robert Molenaar, Martin Hiden
and, in particular, David Batty.
The 23-year-old, however, appeared determined to take his rare chance with
both hands, although it was his left foot which brought him his first goal for a
year.
Having started the move with a one-two down the left-wing with Jimmy Floyd
Hasselbaink, Ribeiro then received a threaded through-ball from the Dutchman,
tucking home a firm, angled six-yard shot underneath keeper Neil Sullivan.
The goal led to 15 minutes of flowing football from Leeds, which culminated in
a stunning move and what appeared to be a second for David O'Leary's side.
Australian international Harry Kewell's deft backheel sent the entire Dons
defence darting the wrong way, with the grateful recipient of the artistry being
Hopkin.
But Hopkin, determined to force his way back into the Scotland squad come the
next round of Euro 2000 qualifying games early next year, forced the best out of
national team-mate Sullivan as the keeper pushed the fierce drive around the
post.
Within seconds Joe Kinnear's side were level when Robbie Earle took on David
Wetherall, ultimately winning the battle with a low shot from the edge of the
area which beat Nigel Martyn in off his right hand post.
It was Wetherall, like Ribeiro back in the side due to the spate of injuries,
who had nearly gifted the visitors the lead in the 12th minute.
The centre-back's diving header, in cutting out a Michael Hughes cross was
destined for the bottom corner, only for Martyn to pull off a last-gasp,
fingertip save low to his right.
But despite the catalogue of catastrophe which has robbed the United boss of
several of his first-choice stars, Leeds ensured the entertainment level
remained high after the break.
They were out of the starting blocks like a shot for the second period, with a
sustained spell of domination and pressure paying off in the 57th minute.
Ribeiro was again the instigator with a simple pass for Kewell, and with his
back to goal he initially held off the challenge of Chris Perry before firing in
a right-foot 20-yard drive.
Sullivan was at full stretch to tip the ball away, but only into the path of
Hopkin to rifle home his second goal in four games, with his other strike
against Coventry two weeks ago having ended a 15-month goal drought.
Leeds then looked comfortable until Wimbledon's substitutes combined in the
83rd minute to give the Dons only their ninth point from 30 on their travels.
Mark Kennedy, on for Alan Kimble in the 63rd minute, whipped in a left-wing
cross for Carl Cort to rifle a rocket into the roof of the net from six yards,
with the striker only having been on the field for 11 minutes after replacing
Carl Leaburn.
Teams:
Leeds: Martyn, Halle, Woodgate, Wetherall, Harte, Haaland,
Hopkin, Bowyer, Ribeiro (McPhail 81), Hasselbaink, Kewell.
Subs Not Used: Wijnhard, Granville, Smith, Robinson.
Goals: Ribeiro 26, Hopkin 57.
Wimbledon: Sullivan, Kimble (Kennedy 62), Cunningham, Perry,
Thatcher, Ardley, Earle, Euell, Hughes, Leaburn (Cort 73), Gayle.
Subs Not Used: Ekoku, Roberts, Bakke.
Booked: Kimble, Euell.
Goals: Earle 41, Cort 83.
Att: 39,816
Ref: P Jones (Loughborough).
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