David McGoldrick and Joe Garner were on target but couldn’t prevent the Blues from falling to a 3-2 defeat away against leaders Leeds United. The Whites went in front via Pierre-Michel Lasogga on 13, McGoldrick equalised on the half hour, before Kalvin Phillips’s goal two minutes later gave the home side a 2-1 half-time lead. Town improved after the break but went 3-1 behind when Bartosz Bialkowski dropped a corner over the line in the 67th minute, Garner pulled one back four minutes later but the Blues couldn’t find an equaliser.

Jonas Knudsen returned at left-back for Town, who were wearing all blue, after missing last week’s 2-0 victory over Bolton with a hamstring injury.

Tristan Nydam, 17, was handed his second Championship start at left midfield, while Callum Connolly and Myles Kenlock dropped to the bench having started against the Trotters. Dominic Iorfa moved to right-back in a 4-4-2 system.

Leeds made one change with skipper Liam Cooper replacing Pontus Jansson at the heart of the defence.

Jordan Spence picked up an early yellow card for a foul on Samuel Saiz 25 yards out, Lasogga slamming the freekick into the wall.

Leeds dominated possession in the opening minutes but without being able to create an opening.

However, on 13 they made their early superiority tell. Conor Shaughnessy threaded a pass for Lasogga, who was afforded a huge gap in the Town defence as he ran through and hit a powerful shot past Bialkowski to his right.

Joe Garner headed Town’s first chance over from a Grant Ward corner on 20 with the Blues having more of the ball after going behind.

On 23 Luke Ayling hit a shot wide from 25 yards after the Blues had failed to clear, then at the other end David McGoldrick seized on some hesitancy from Shaughnessy and brought the ball into the area on the left but his cutback was behind Garner.

In the 28th minute McGoldrick deftly took down a high ball and drove into the area before Ayling slid behind for a Town corner with the Blues’ flag-kicks - along with the woefully uncertain kicking of keeper Felix Wiedwald - causing the home side most danger.

And on the half hour it was a set piece from which the Blues scored their equaliser, albeit a freekick wide on the right. Spence sent the ball into the box and an unmarked McGoldrick nodded his fifth goal of the season past Wieldwald.

But parity lasted only two minutes. Saiz played the ball into the right of the box for Phillips, who reached it ahead of Bialkowski and took it past the keeper to his right before slipping it into the net from a tight angle to make it 2-1.

Knudsen joined Spence in referee Geoff Eltringham’s book in the 38th minute for a foul on Ezgjan Alioski, the freekick coming to nothing.

Leeds should have made it 3-1 in the 43rd minute when Pablo Hernandez played in Saiz on the left of the box but Blues skipper Luke Chambers dived in to make a vital block.

As the half moved towards injury time, Skuse found Garner on the left of the area with a well-weighted cross-field pass. The striker brought it down but his shot was deflected over.

The Blues went close to their second equaliser of the afternoon from the resultant corner. Chambers rose highest to head goalwards but Vurnon Anita nodded off the line at the post.

Although Leeds deserved their lead on the balance of the half overall, the Blues could easily have found themselves level at the break.

Having gone behind to a goal the Town backline will want to forget after a first quarter of an hour dominated by the home side, the Blues came more into the game and had looked dangerous from several set pieces prior to McGoldrick’s goal.

After immediately conceding another poor goal, the Blues were on the front foot towards the break with set pieces - and keeper Wiedwald’s hesitancy with the ball at his feet - remaining their main threat.

The Blues tweaked their midfield ahead of the second half, switching to a diamond with Nydam at the most advanced point, Adeyemi to the left, Ward to the right and Skuse deepest.

The switch appeared to pay immediate dividends with Town enjoying a long spell of possession early in the half. However, other than a Nydam shot which was blocked by Cooper, they were unable to create a significant opening.

But the Blues continued to look the better side and on 12, after McGoldrick had been felled as he broke towards the box, Knudsen hit a freekick into the Leeds wall.

Three minutes later, Garner sent a teasing cross from deep on the right towards McGoldrick bursting into the area on the left, but Ayling brilliantly slid across to block the Town number 10’s goal-bound effort. As Town prepared to take the corner, Leeds swapped Anita for Gaetano Beradi.

Leeds began to get back on top and on 63 Chambers made a superb saving challenge after Lasogga’s header had fallen to Saiz a few yards out.

Two minutes later, Alioski cut in from the right and hit a shot into the side-netting when a cross was a better option.

In the 67th minute the Whites were gifted their third goal. Hernandez’s corner from the left looked an easy one for Bialkowski to claim but the Polish keeper spilled the ball and allowed it to bounce behind the line, the referee quickly indicating that the goalline technology had confirmed it had crossed.

Town switched Nydam and Ward for Freddie Sears and Bersant Celina and only four minutes after the own goal pulled one back.

McGoldrick fed Iorfa wide on the right and the on-loan Wolves man whipped over a cross which was too close to Wiedwald. However, the Leeds keeper dropped what should have been a comfortable low catch and Garner slammed his fourth goal of the season into the net.

Cooper was booked for a foul on Garner then on 76 Leeds replaced Hernandez with Stuart Dallas.

As the game moved towards its final scheduled 10 minutes the Blues continued to take the game to Leeds with Celina starting to cause the home side’s backline problems with his direct running.

With six minutes remaining Town swapped McGoldrick for Martyn Waghorn, while Leeds replaced Lasogga with Jay-Roy Grot.

In four minutes of injury time Skuse was booked for a foul, then Town won two quick corners on the right from which Iorfa and Celina sent in subsequent crosses and Sears saw a shot blocked.

Leeds broke and Saiz curled an effort wide then, with Town still pushing for an equaliser, referee Geoff Eltringham ended the afternoon to the great delight of the Leeds contingent in a 34,002-strong crowd, whose side remain top of the division.

While Leeds deserved of their first-half lead, Town were better in the second half, keeping the ball as well as they have for a while, and will feel that a draw ultimately wouldn’t have been an unfair result.

Bialkowski’s own goal, a rare error from Town’s double Player of the Year winner, came at a time when the Blues were in the ascendency but was quickly cancelled out by Wiedweld’s mistake at the other. Despite pinning the home side back in their box in the closing stages, the chance from which Town might grab their third goal never came.

The result sees the Blues drop to sixth ahead of back-to-back home games against Sunderland, who lost 2-1 at home to Cardiff today, and Bristol City, who drew 0-0 at Norwich, on Tuesday and next Saturday.

Leeds: Wiedwald, Anita (Beradi 60), Cooper (c), Shaughnessy, Ayling, O'Kane, Phillips, Alioski, Hernandez (Dallas 76), Saiz, Lasogga (Grot 86). Unused: Lonergan, Pennington, Klich, Roofe.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa, Spence, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Ward (Sears 68), Adeyemi, Skuse, Nydam (Celina 68), Garner, McGoldrick (Waghorn 86). Unused: Gerken, Connolly, Kenlock, Woolfenden. Referee: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham). Att: 34,002 (Att: 693).

Photo: Action Images

Reuserscurtains added 17:18 - Sep 23 Unlucky, losing 3-2 away to top of the league and being on top is a positive. Hoping for a win Tuesday now. If you expected 3 points and a win today, you're not on this planet
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irishtim added 17:22 - Sep 23 Sounds like we had a go. Signs are positive.
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jas0999 added 17:27 - Sep 23 I'm always disappointed with a defeat, so this isn't any different. However, its positive to know we gave it a go and certainly goal scoring has improved this season. The defence though remains a huge concern. I still think we are lacking in that area if we are going to be serious promotion contenders and absolutely must strengthen in January. Tough looking games coming up in October so need to get at least four, hopefully six points from two winnable home games. Let's hope MM gives those games a go from the outset rather than the Bolton first half debacle.

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yungblue added 17:29 - Sep 23 Starting line up baffled me a little bit. Iorfa isn't good enough, Knudsen isn't good enough. Kenlock did nothing wrong. Nydam was a pluck from mid air. But ultimately it wasn't as bad as first anticipated. Never thought we'd getting anything, but the next two games are must win at home if we genuinely are going to be competing for top 6.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 17:29 - Sep 23 Like most of us, was fearing the worst today, but we played some very good stuff today against a very expensive table topping Leeds. We played as a team today and the togetherness of our team shone through, compared to an arguably more talented Leeds side. Mc Goldrick, Spence and Skuse were standout performers for me and Nydam also looked very accomplished, as did Adeyemi. Complete contrast to the last game i watched V Fulham! I now belive if we play like this for the next 30 odd games we WILL be top 6. COYB!

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RobITFC added 17:31 - Sep 23 We were the better team today bit conceded poor goals, Leeds equally looked poor in defence and doubt they will stay top for long. We desperately need Webster and Smith fit again.
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shakytown added 17:32 - Sep 23 We are much better this season but can Muck actually ever bring himself to attack with the likes of Celina from the start of a game??? Slow starts are becoming the standard for this team and it is just poor tactics causing it.
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TimmyH added 17:33 - Sep 23 Can't complain really...sounded like the second half the lads put a shift in and for once we lost a fairly even game, Personally would have liked to see Celina and Waghorn come on straight after half time not with 20 minutes and 5 minutes to go respectively, not sure if that's gives them enough time to be that effective? Anybody thinking that Leeds all of a sudden are a great team should think again, in my mind they blow hot and cold and certainly would be surprised to see them automatically promoted. Reasonable effort today but just come up short.

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Fat_Boy_Tim added 17:35 - Sep 23 A really good performance, unlucky really. Great to see us pushing so hard at the end. Adeyemi and McG were very good. We really need another center back, back fit and well. Bart had a rick for one goal and got a hand to the opener, might have kept that out. Not his best game Knudsen was much more solid today. Chambers was excellent. Spence pretty solid. Iorfa looked shawn of confidence, needs a break. Ward was pretty good. Skuse had an excellent game. Some great diagonals and good tackles. Adeyemi looks really good in the middle, strong and good passer. Nydam did okay. Good for a young player but you have to compare him with the other seniors and he didn't do as much as Skuse, ward or Adeyemi. McG was a handfull for most of the game, great performance. Had drifted out of it before he was subbed. Garner average performance, is really good in the air for a short angry man! Subs Celina didn't do much. Sears did even less. Waghorn did even less than that.

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blues1 added 17:59 - Sep 23 Wasn't there today but by all accounts was a good performance overall. U have been a big critic of Mcgoldrick for a while now, feeling he relies too much on tricks and turns without actually achieving anything. But certainly 2nd half last week was one of the better players in a drab game and today from all accounts was excellent. If he can continue to perform this way over the remainder of the season that would be great for the team as we'd have back the player he was when we signed him. While Nydam was a surprise I can't argue with the team selection for today but Celina really does need to start home games as we need to be taking the game to the opposition at home.

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BlueMachines added 18:07 - Sep 23 Won't complain if we gave it a try! And if anyone ever wants to know the line-up Ipswichdave nails it every week!
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Theipswich added 18:09 - Sep 23 WE will always pay the price for his safety first tactics..will never learn and it won't change till we change the manger
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Theipswich added 18:13 - Sep 23 WE will always pay the price for his safety first tactics..will never learn and it won't change till we change the manger
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Theipswich added 18:15 - Sep 23 The pattern of our play is predictable as we never take the game to the opposition..and then fall behind and have to play catch up.Iur tactical genius would never admit to his faults but our predictability is glaring and we are caught out every time.Time for manger change is long overdue.
-4

brendanh added 18:20 - Sep 23 Went to the game. Nydam selection eccentric in a big game like this. He might come good, but Waghorn or Celina should have stared. More appropriate vs bottom of league Bolton last week. Was a boy among men today. Iorfa was fairly poor, same some strange defensive decisions that put us under pressure. McG continues to be our best player, but Skuse wasn't far behind today. Great touch and fierce in the challenge. Disappointing, since I think we're self-inflicting lost points by our team selection ATM.

8

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:24 - Sep 23 Since the start of the season today has been slated by many as a true test of our ambitions and whilst we ultimately fell short a good performance away to a flying Leeds must be enough to give us all hope that we can actually make a top 6 challenge. Whether we will remains to be seen but we are at least seeing improvement vs last year. Let us all hope it continues.

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broseleyblue added 18:24 - Sep 23 My comments based on watching live stream from Leeds site. Town unlucky not to get a point; played pretty well after Leeds first goal. Good performances from McG, Adeyemi and Skuse. Defence open much of the time. Bart disappointing with all 3 goals especially third. Town played with a determined and positive attitude after slow start. I think there's been a real change in approach since last season but like many other posters think Celina should start in home games. My glass is half full not half empty.

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OwainG1992 added 18:24 - Sep 23 I was there today. Chambers and Skuse were very important for us. Celina should have been playing not Nydam on the left. Kid did alright but was always going to be tough for him. Didz was terrific and worked so hard. Saez and I think his name is alioski were very very good for Leeds. Also was frustrated to not see Waghorn sooner but would have been tough on Didz or Garner to come off any earlier. Really good performance worked hard held the ball better than recently. I fancy us to win our next two home games now!

15

BillBlue added 18:41 - Sep 23 It strikes me we may have some better players than most of us thought, so, if Mick wants to retire boasting he took three teams up to the Premier League (which I consider his limit) then he needs to start playing his best players from the start rather than his favourites. That way me might all be surprised. If only!
6

Swn98 added 19:04 - Sep 23 Strange posters slate MM for not bringing youth in when he does it was the wrong game to do it as i said strange! Game where i thought a point would be great, we put up a good performance and got beat by the odd goal Bart didn't have the best of days at the office can't moan at him for that he will win us plenty more games during the season this could be a very exciting season.

7

runningout added 20:27 - Sep 23 We have the makings of a side that can win this league. Some of the squad have belief, just need a few more believers and we'll be there
4

warktheline added 20:58 - Sep 23 A side that can win this league! My a**e! Agree with @irishtim, the boys gave it a go, and that's a step in the right direction. Two home games coming up, be positive , be very positive McCarthy!
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superblueAl added 23:14 - Sep 23 It's great to see DM back to his best he's brilliant when he's on form but still feel Celina should get a run why bring someone In on loan to not start them which is crazy really as i feel he could turn out to be another Lawrence if he gets started and scoring goals for fun.
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PSGBlue added 23:40 - Sep 23 Only 23 comments so far on here and just 11 following MM comments, this at time of writing. Whilst today's performance was acceptable it shows we still cannot compete against the top clubs, hence the lack of interest. Town fans are resigned to mid table once again. Until something drastically changes at the club chairman or manager wise, expect to see the recent gates of 14-15k continue. It's all. It's all so predictable!

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TimmyH added 00:05 - Sep 24 agree PSGBlue - where is everybody?... losing supporters at the ground and interest on the internet as well?
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