Leeds completed a hugely disappointing week in their bid for automatic promotion to the Barclays Premiership with a lacklustre draw against Stoke at Elland Road.

Some good link-up play was not complemented by finishing to match as Kevin Blackwell's men followed up their home defeat to Crystal Palace in midweek by dropping two more points in the race for second spot.

The day was probably most enjoyable for sturdy Stoke, and especially their captain Michael Duberry, until last year on Leeds' books, who rose above the abuse of home fans to skipper his side to a well-deserved point as Rob Hulse's late header against the post was the closest United came.

On-loan forward Paul Gallagher had the first - and what was to prove the only - shot on target of the first half in the ninth minute after Shaun Derry lost possession for the hosts, but Neil Sullivan held on easily. At the other end Clint Hill did well to nod clear under pressure from Hulse as the striker tried to reach Gary Kelly's cross.

The home crowd claimed a penalty when Eddie Lewis went down in the box under a challenge from Duberry in the 19th minute, but it seemed there was no contact as the American lost his balance. Seconds later Stephen Crainey's left-foot volley from 30 yards was dipping, but too late to trouble Potters goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.

The hosts appealed again when Hulse collided with Carl Hoefkens in the box after Liam Miller carved an opening by juggling the ball over his own head and crossing from the right.

Duberry suffered some abuse when he came up to the Kop end for a free-kick as Leeds fans reminded him of his role as a witness in the trial of former United stars Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer.

Sean Gregan impressed on his return to the side following suspension, but there was little attacking play for home fans to shout about as boos greeted the half-time whistle.

The second half began brightly as Stoke substitute Hannes Sigurdsson - on at the break for the quiet Sambegou Bangoura - broke clear after a Gregan error and the Leeds defender hauled him down 20 yards out. Referee Keith Stroud booked Gregan and Gallagher almost punished Leeds with a low free-kick which deflected just wide.

Suddenly there was a game on as Hulse's header and David Healy's shot from the edge of the box, both in the 50th minute, forced Simonsen to make saves.

Sigurdsson was making an impression up front and five minutes later his sidefoot shot from just inside the box was well held down low by Sullivan.

Leeds brought on Robbie Blake and new boy Jermaine Beckford in pursuit of a winner, but Stoke went very close when Darel Russell's 25-yard drive with 20 minutes to go was tipped wide at full stretch by Sullivan. Substitute Peter Sweeney curled a left-foot free-kick just wide for the Potters in the 77th minute before Blake's rising left-foot drive brought the home fans to their feet.

When Hulse's late downward header in the last minute of normal time hit the post with Simonsen scrambling, Whites fans must have known it was not to be their day.

Teams:

Leeds Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Crainey, Miller,Douglas (Blake 68), Derry, Lewis (Griffiths 74), Hulse,Healy (Beckford 63).

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Kilgallon.

Booked: Gregan, Butler.

Stoke Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Hill, Buxton,Mbuyi (Brammer 61), Russell, Paterson, Gallagher (Sweeney 74),Sidibe, Bangoura (Sigurdsson 45).

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Broomes.

Booked: Russell.

Att: 21,452

Ref: K Stroud (Hampshire).