Gary Ablett recalled Owain Fon Williams, Greg Tansey and Danny Pilkington for the eagerly-awaited game at Elland Road.

Fon Williams, Tansey and Pilkington, all rested for the JPT victory at Crewe on Tuesday night, came in for Lloyd Rigby, Paul Turnbull and Andy Halls.

Gary Ablett was banished to the Main Stand for the second half by contesting Leeds' second goal with Mr McDermid, the match referee, as the players left the field after 45 minutes.

The County boss felt that Fon Williams was clearly fouled by Leigh Bromby before Lubomir Michalik scored eight minutes before the break.

But the goal was allowed to stand and the League 1 pace-setters led 2-0 after American striker Mike Grella had fired a shot across Fon Williams into the bottom corner after eight minutes.

The Hatters, though, should draw plenty of positives from a performance that saw them have more strikes on goal than Leeds and also win more corners that the Yorkshire club.

Greg Tansey had the Hatters best chance in the first period when the ball broke to him on the edge of the box following David Poole's corner; the midfielder fired his left-foot shot wide.

Leeds almost killed the game off on 49 minutes. James Vincent clearly had his shirt pulled by Luciano Becchio by the corner flag, Mr McDermid failed to spot the offence and the move ended with Grella shooting over.

County responded immediately when Poole cut inside and saw his shot deflected wide.

And a moment later the impressive Liam Bridcutt found Nicholas Bignall whose shot on the turn was tipped round the post by Shane Higgs.

Leeds won a penalty on the hour when Gianluca Havern blocked Robert Snodgrass's shot with his arm Snodgrass took the kick but Fon Williams saved with his leg; his second penalty save of the season.

Despite trailing the Hatters were still right in the game and, roared on by the Blue & White Army, they came close again on 63. Bridcutt again found Bignall and this time his shot was tipped over.

Leeds, to be fair, were after another goal themselves and it almost arrived on 67. Bradley Johnson crossed from the left, Neil Kilkenny headed goalwards but Fon Williams made a fine point-blank save.

Carl Baker shot over for County and Havern made a tremendous block from Andy Robinson as the game ebbed and flowed.

Tansey forced a save from Higgs three minutes from time with a 25-yard free kick from a central area.

And then, in stoppage time, Vincent brought another good save from the 'keeper with a low drive that was arrowing into the bottom corner; a goal would have been no more that County's performance fully deserved.