A goal in each half from Sam Parkin gave the Blues a 2-0 win away at Leeds. The home side had most of the possession but couldn't break down an unyielding Town defence, Richard Cresswell crashing a first half penalty off the cross bar.

The Blues lined-up as expected with Dean Bowditch continuing alongside Sam Parkin up front. Defender Jason De Vos and midfielder Kevin Horlock were both playing their 50th league games for Town, while sub Danny Haynes was named in a senior 16 for the first time.

The first goalmouth action of the game saw Eddie Lewis send the ball across the Town box but too far in front of Rob Hulse.

Lewis Price made a fine save on eight after Sito had headed the ball straight up in the air inside the area above Hulse who nodded towards goal only for the keeper to tip the ball over the bar. Sito seemed to indicate afterwards that he had expected a call from Price. From the resultant corner, Price missed the ball but De Vos did enough to prevent Gylfi Einarsson from completing an overhead kick.

For Town, Parkin's cross from the left was too deep for Bowditch but action in the Leeds half of the field was rare, the home side enjoying long periods of possession without creating too many chances.

In the 26th minute a cross from the Leeds right was missed by Sito and Eddie Lewis hammered a shot against the post from deep on the left.

Three minutes later, Town went in front. Jim Magilton sent Dean Bowditch away on the right, the England U19 international taking the ball to the byline before sending in a deep cross which Sam Parkin headed home at the far post for his third goal of the season.

Paul Butler headed a corner over at one end then at the other Sam Parkin's header from a corner was blocked. Soon after, Eddie Lewis sent a 30-yard freekick well over the bar.

Town's lead was under threat and no more so when Leeds were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute, Shaun Derry having made a strong run into the box and adjudged to have been fouled by Darren Currie as he went past a number of defenders. There were few arguments from the Blues prior to Cresswell slamming the kick against Lewis Price's cross bar.

In first half injury time Jim Magilton hit a decent effort from just outside the area which Neil Sullivan saved, a defender putting the ball out for a corner ahead of the lurking Parkin. From Currie's ball into the box, Richard Naylor headed the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out, the referee indicating it was for a push.

A solid rather than classy first half display from Town with the majority of the game having been played in their half of the field. Leeds had enjoyed the greater share of possession but had rarely forced Price into serious action.

The second half started in much the same pattern as the first had ended, with Leeds having most of the play and Town defending stoutly.

There were calls for another Leeds penalty in the 52nd minute when Hulse broke away into the area from what appeared an offside position with Jay McEveley in his wake. The Town loanee managed to get back and use his strength to take the ball from the former Crewe player, to unconvincing spotkick appeals from team-mates and the crowd.

A minute later Eddie Lewis was presented with a good chance after a Richard Naylor challenge rebounded into his path, although again a linesman's flag might have been expected. Lewis, in the clear on the left of the area, seemed odds on to score but Price pulled off another excellent stop to keep Town in front.

On 56 Danny Haynes was given his first team debut, the FA Youth Cup winner taking over from Dean Bowditch. Soon after, Cresswell headed wide.

Jimmy Juan came on for Darren Currie in the 69th minute as the Blues continued to sit on their lead, mainly restricting the home side to efforts from distance, Frazer Richardson's weak 20-yard shot to Price typical.

Town increased their lead in the 70th minute. Haynes flicked the ball to Owen Garvan who sent Sam Parkin away into the area, the former Swindon man making no mistake as he netted his fourth of the season.

“We've only had two shots,” sang the Town support as the home fans started to leave and their side began to give up the ghost. The latter stages saw the Blues look more comfortable than at any stage earlier in the game, the bright and fearless Haynes heading Horlock's cross from the left over the bar.

As time ran out, the impressive Price saved a shot from Robbie Blake and then made an even better stop from a header by Cresswell, while at the other end Parkin's cross was cut out just ahead of Haynes eagerly seeking a debut goal.

A valuable three points for the Blues and an atypical Town display based on solid defending and goals on the break, as well as the occasional riding of luck. Richard Naylor and Jason De Vos blocked shot after shot in and around the area, while Sito and McEveley prevented too many dangerous balls from being sent into the box and Price saved everything thrown at him.

Up front, Parkin showed that if you give him chances, he'll take them, with Bowditch's cross for the first goal perhaps the highlight of the game.

An important return to winning ways after four matches without a win which will send the Blues into the games with Burnley and Crewe in a more confident mood.

Town: Price, Sito, McEveley, Naylor, De Vos, Magilton, Horlock, Currie (Juan 69), Garvan, Bowditch (Haynes 56), Parkin. Unused: McDonald, Supple, Wilnis.

Photo: Action Images

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