Leeds left it late but a stunning flurry of points sealed a dramatic engage Super League victory from an absorbing and at times controversial encounter against neighbours Huddersfield.

The scores were tied at 12-12 with just five minutes remaining but Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield landed a drop-goal from 40 metres before tries from Jordan Tansey and Scott Donald secured the points.

That marked an incredible end to a contest in which the performance of referee Ashley Klein came under scrutiny as a series of curious decisions frustrated both sides.

Ultimately, however, Leeds' large army of supporters departed the Galpharm Stadium happy after a success which, despite ultimately flattering Tony Smith's men, maintains the pressure on leaders St Helens.

Huddersfield, now winless in four games, had already been dealt a blow prior to kick-off when skipper Chris Thorman was ruled out after failing to shake off a leg injury.

Yet the Giants had only themselves to blame for the pitiful start which allowed Leeds to race 10-0 ahead after just five minutes through two Danny McGuire tries.

Huddersfield still looked to be in shock following their abject 52-20 Challenge Cup quarter-final surrender at Bradford last weekend.

And Leeds capitalised in the second minute when Clinton Toopi's neat underarm offload sent McGuire scampering over the line in the right corner.

Sinfield was unlucky to see his conversion rebound off a post but the visitors extended their lead in the fifth minute.

Robbie Paul, whose pedigree has never been in doubt after a glorious career with Bradford Bulls, was badly at fault with an uncharacteristic error.

The Kiwi had time and space to collect Rob Burrow's deep kick but a moment of hesitation gave McGuire the opportunity to hack the ball forward and cross the line.

Sinfield added the extras to give Leeds a 10-0 cushion but Huddersfield finally woke up and remembered they could actually perform.

Paul, who began at full-back, was pushed further forward and his intricate probing gave Huddersfield a period of sustained sustained which reaped rich rewards in the 10th minute when prop Paul Jackson grounded a teasing grubber kick.

Brad Drew landed the goal and despite a penalty from Sinfield giving Leeds further breathing space, Huddersfield continued to probe.

Another crafty kick from Drew was pounced on by Paul shortly before the interval but the Kiwi just failed to the ground the ball and Leeds survived.

They were not so fortunate seven minutes after the restart, however, as Paul and Drew combined to send centre Chris Nero bustling over the line.

Drew's conversion levelled the scores at 12-12 and shortly after the hour mark a last-ditch tackle halted Chris Reilly's progress in the right corner when a try looked a near certainty.

A number of dubious decisions from Klein racked up the penalty count as the game wore on but genuine try-scoring opportunities remained scarce.

Sinfield and Drew both missed long-range penalty attempts in the 66th and 69th minutes respectively but the former kept his calm five minutes from time with a perfectly-executed drop goal.

That edged Leeds 13-12 in front and then Tansey, deputising for injured Kiwi Brent Webb at full-back, pounced on a McGuire kick to score before Donald did likewise from a kick from Sinfield - who converted both tries to give the visitors a flattering victory.