Goals from Jason Scotland and Tommy Smith saw the Blues to a 2-1 victory over 10-man Leeds at Portman Road. Scotland put Town ahead at the break but Robert Snodgrass equalised for the Whites in the second half before Alex Bruce saw red against his old club and Smith headed home the winner.

Blues boss Roy Keane was forced to change his starting line-up during the warm-up after Darren O’Dea limped off due to the knee injury which ruled him out of the Ireland squad yesterday. Tommy Smith, who has been suffering with a back injury in recent weeks, deputised having initially been named amongst the subs.

Keane had originally made three changes to his side, Jake Livermore being handed his full debut in midfield, Tom Eastman returning at right-back and Mark Kennedy coming in on the other side of the defence. The suspended Luke Hyam and David Norris dropped out and Troy Brown, who suffered a knock at Reading, switched to the bench.

The Blues boss continued with Jason Scotland as a lone central striker with Carlos Edwards and Andros Townsend in the wide roles. Grant Leadbitter, who wore the captain’s armband in Norris’s absence, took up the midfield holding role behind Livermore and Peters.

Leeds included former Blues Richard Naylor and Alex Bruce in their starting line-up, at right-back and centre-half respectively, and both players received a warm welcome from the Town support on their first returns to Portman Road.

Neither side was able to create anything of note in an opening quarter of an hour in which the visitors had more of the ball. On 17 Jake Livermore eventually cleared after Bradley Johnson’s cross from the left had been inadvertently flicked to the far post by McAuley. Howson subsequently knocked the ball back into the box before the danger was averted.

The Blues went in front a minute later from their first opportunity when Livermore played Scotland in on goal inside the area and the Trinidadian rounded Leeds keeper Shane Higgs before tapping home ahead of Richard Naylor’s despairing challenge. It was the former Wigan man’s third goal since his move to Town and the Blues' first goal in the first half of a league game this season.

Two minutes later, Scotland shot wide from 20 yards after an error by Bruce, then at the other end Naylor got his head to a corner but couldn’t test Fülöp, Kennedy clearing. Soon after, McAuley headed an Edwards long throw wide.

There was almost a scare for visiting keeper Shane Higgs on 27 when central defender Neill Collins chested a Townsend cross back to him after he’d come off his line, but fortunately with little power.

Jonathan Howson shot well over in the 33rd minute after Leadbitter had sold Eastman short with a pass on the right, but it had mainly been Town since the goal with Livermore interacting cleverly with Scotland and Peters in particular.

Leeds started to come more into it again as the half entered its final 10 minutes, Kilkenny hitting a low 25-yard shot through to Fülöp.

Somma sent the ball wide from the edge in the 41st minute, then just before the break Townsend’s shot deflected wide for a corner, which Leadbitter sent into the sidenetting.

The Blues were perhaps a touch fortunate to be in front at the break, having only really been on top in the spell after the goal. The visitors, however, had been unable to create anything significant in front of goal with Fülöp not really tested.

Scotland’s goal had been the half’s one moment of real quality, the impressive Livermore supplying a superb pass and the Trinidad and Tobago international providing the type of finish which persuaded Roy Keane to sign him in the summer.

After going in front, the Blues seemed happy to sit back, allow Leeds to come at them and look for a quick break or hope that long balls aimed towards Scotland - who was involved in a lively battle with Naylor - fell to Town midfielders.

Bruce sent a dangerous early second half ball across the Town box before Roy Keane made the game’s first change, Tamás Priskin taking over from Tom Eastman. The Hungarian took the advanced striking role as the Blues switched to 4-4-1-1, Scotland occupying the deeper position. Jaime Peters moved to right-back.

On 55 Bruce became the first player to get his name in referee Keith Hill’s book for a foul on the breaking Townsend. Leadbitter sent the freekick in from the left touchline, the ball falling to Scotland six yards out but the Town striker somehow looped the ball over the bar with the goal gaping.

The Blues again ought to have added to their lead on the hour mark. Peters crossed from the right, the ball received a slight deflection which took it over two Leeds defenders and McAuley flicked a header wide at the far post. Leeds keeper Higgs went down with a hamstring injury as he prepared to take the goalkick and was replaced by on-loan Blackburn glovesman Jason Brown, who was making his Whites debut.

Richard Naylor became the second former Blue to get himself in referee Hill’s book in the 67th minute for blocking off Livermore as he looked for a return pass from Priskin.

Townsend’s 25-yard strike deflected wide off Bruce on 70 and from the resultant corner the Blues had another chance to go further in front. After a short corner routine had gone awry, Livermore played in Townsend on the left of the area, the on-loan winger laying the ball back to Scotland, who appeared to stumble as he hit a shot which Brown pushed out for a corner.

The Blues had yet another opportunity in the 73rd minute when Priskin superbly won the ball on the Town left and brought the ball into the area before wildly lashing over with Livermore well placed in the centre.

Town were made to rue failing to take their chances in the 76th minute when Leeds pulled level. Both Blues centre-halves failed to deal with a high ball, which Davide Somma eventually played wide to Sanchez Watt on the left of the area and the sub sent in a low cross which Robert Snodgrass tapped home at the far post.

The goal was harsh on the Blues who ought to have been out of sight given their second half chances. Townsend looked to hit back straight away but shot over.

Town’s cause was given a significant boost in the 79th minute when Alex Bruce was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence on Townsend. The ex-Blue protested that he had got a touch on the ball and he might have had a case, even if it was a rash challenge, but Mr Hill felt otherwise. While he was waiting to take the freekick, Leadbitter appeared to be hit by missile thrown from the Leeds support.

The Blues got back in front in the 82nd minute via Tommy Smith. After yet another poor Town corner, Edwards sent in a cross from the right and Smith evaded his marker to glance the ball past Brown for his second goal of the season.

Troy Brown replaced Edwards for the final seven minutes, before Wickham forced Leeds keeper Jason Brown to save well to his right with a low 25-yard strike.

With two minutes remaining, Leadbitter was booked for a foul, then as the game entered five minutes of injury time the Blues had several chances to seal the points.

First Townsend broke and lost control of the ball before he could feed the well-placed Priskin, then the Spurs loanee shot across the face of goal with the Hungarian and Wickham well placed in the centre, prior to Livermore losing control when he and Wickham were away two against one inside the Leeds half.

Neill Collins picked up a late yellow card for a foul on Wickham before referee Hill blew the final whistle to confirm Town’s victory.

Town boss Roy Keane would have been deeply unhappy if the result had been anything other than a win for his side given the number and quality of the chances created in the second half.

After a less than inspiring first period, aside from Scotland’s well-taken and well-crafted goal, the Blues had had more than enough opportunities to cement the victory prior to conceding an equaliser which the Town backline will be less than keen to recall.

Bruce’s red card came at the right time for Keane’s side and, after Smith’s fine headed goal from Edwards’s excellent cross, the Blues ought to have made the scoreline more convincing as they broke time after time as Leeds pushed forward, but failed to keep their composure.

The result puts Town fifth going into the international week with a home game against Coventry next up after the break.

Town: Fülöp, Eastman (Priskin 51), Kennedy, Smith, McAuley, Livermore, Leadbitter, Peters, Edwards (Brown 83), Townsend, Scotland (Wickham 80). Unused: Murphy, Delaney, Healy, Murray. Att: 23,105 (Leeds: 2.098).

Photo: Action Images

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