Leeds boss David O'Leary's 'babies' produced arguably their greatest performance under his leadership as they carved out a niche in history for themselves.

Roma had won all but one of their previous 17 European matches at the Stadio Olimpico, with only Spanish side Atletico Madrid escaping unbeaten in last season's UEFA Cup quarter-final.

They had also won five and drawn two of their seven other meetings with English sides on home soil, with O'Leary's team of trojans becoming only the third to hold the Italian giants.

It was a colossal display in the Eternal City which is home to one of the world's most breathtaking monuments in the Colosseum where christians were once thrown to the lions.

Many were expecting Leeds to suffer a similar fate at the hands of Fabio Capello's side.

O'Leary made the biggest tactical gamble of his 17-month managerial career, but it was one which failed in a backs-to-the-wall first half, and could have had catastrophic consequences.

The Leeds boss decided to employ three centre-backs, with Welsh youngster Matthew Jones given a libero role between defence and a four-man midfield to mark roaming skipper Francesco Totti.

It was a task, though, which was too much for the 19-year-old as Jones was left chasing Totti all over the field, while the backline - which admittedly held firm in that opening 45 minutes - was often at sixes and sevens.

The inspirational Totti was a thorn in Leeds' side, and it was only a magical display from Nigel Martyn which prevented Roma from being out of Leeds' reach going into next week's second leg at Elland Road.

But it could easily have been a different story. Jones and Gary Kelly combined down the right for the latter to float over a cross which took a slight deflection off the head of a Roma defender.

The ball fell invitingly for tall Norwegian Eirik Bakke, who outjumped his marker to plant a firm downward header at goal, only for keeper Francesco Antonioli to make a smart save with his outstretched left foot.

Leeds then managed to keep the passionate Roman crowd quiet for the next 16 minutes before a simple move which finally ignited the fervent fans and the team into life.

No-one picked up Totti on a defence-splitting run following a quickly-taken free-kick from just inside the Roma half by Hidetoshi Nakata.

The Japanese star whipped in a penetrating ball over the top of the defence for Totti to run on and blast a first time right-foot shot from 15 yards which Martyn athletically tipped over the bar.

It was the first of many great saves, although his one and only mistake in an otherwise exemplary performance came just two minutes later as he dithered while faced with Marco Delvecchio bearing down on him.

When he eventually made up his mind to challenge, it was almost too late as Delvecchio, who scored the only goal in the second-round clash between the two sides last season, theatrically flew through the air as he looked for the penalty.

Fortunately, French referee Gilles Veissiere - who left both sides stunned by his inconsistent decisions - at least managed to call this one perfectly as he instantly waved away all appeals.

But Roma were quickly back on the attack as Totti turned supplier with a left-wing cross to pick out Amedeo Mangone for a scissor kick on the volley from 15 yards which was a whisker over the bar.

As the 6,000-strong Leeds contingent breathed a sigh of relief, it was not until just before the half-hour mark that they saw their side finally conjure up another opportunity.

Ian Harte's threaded through-ball for an on-running Harry Kewell was inch perfect for the Australian international who ripped in a right-foot drive inches beyond the left-hand post, with the covering Mangone having done just enough to irritate.

But eight minutes later it was the tormenting Totti who again found space to receive a short pass on the edge of the area and whip in a swerving drive which Martyn pushed away before smothering the loose ball.

The England international then came into his own in first-half injury-time when he first denied Zago with a close-range block before reserving his brilliant best for the last moment of the opening 45 minutes.

Totti was again the executioner of another finely-crafted chance with a delicate chip, but a backpedalling Martyn just managed to get his fingertips to the ball to push it over the bar.

In the second half Leeds at least contained their Serie A opponents as they sat deeper to protect Martyn, although it left striker Michael Bridges more isolated up front.

His 71st-minute withdrawal, following a running battle with Zago throughout the game, at least ensured chairman Peter Ridsdale would not have to lend the 14-goal leading scorer his Aston Martin DB7 for a week.

Ridsdale had placed a bet with Bridges that if he scored and Leeds won the game, then he would allow the £5million club-record signing to drive around in his dream car for a week.

Roma, though, had run out of ideas as their only previous chances of the half had seen Martyn produce a one-handed stop to deny Cafu, while Nakata whistled a rasping drive just over the bar.

They did have a brief resurgence late on, with Totti again going closest with another chip which just drifted wide of the woodwork - but it proved the last act for the home side as Leeds ultimately held firm.

Unsurprisingly O'Leary, whose Elland Road career effectively started with that 1-0 defeat 17 months ago, hugged everyone of his young stars as they left the field.

As the Leeds supporters chanted "O'Leary, O'Leary" - just as they had done on that occasion - the Irishman went over to acclaim those fans who he has long admitted helped sway him in deciding to take over.

If United's adventure under O'Leary started in October 1998, then it would appear as if a new one is just beginning as Leeds again head home from Rome with their heads held high.

Teams:

Roma: Antonioli, Mangone, Aldair, Zago, Cafu, Tommasi, Nakata, Candela, Totti, Delvecchio, Montella.

Subs Not Used: Lupatelli, Di Francesco, Blasi, Tomic, Gourenko,Rinaldi, Pereira.

Leeds: Martyn, Kelly, Woodgate, Haaland, Radebe, Harte, Bakke, Bowyer, Jones, Kewell, Bridges (Smith 71).

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Hopkin, Huckerby, Mills, Duberry,Maybury.

Booked: Radebe.

Att: 37,726

Ref: G Veissiere (France).