KEVIN KEEGAN launched an extraordinary verbal attack on Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson after last night's win. Interviewed by Sky Sports duo Richard Keyes and Andy Gray, Keegan departed from the usual run of the mill, postmatch chat to make an emotional attack on Ferguson.

"Things have been said over the last few weeks, some of it slanderous. We've said nothing. You've got to send the tape of that match to Alex Ferguson haven't you'? Isn't that what he wants?

"He objected to our match with Nottingham Forest on Thursday, but that fixture was made months ago. We're bigger than that. I've not said anything about it but I can tell you that when he said those things - about Leeds and players like Stuart Pearce - he went down in my estimation.

"You can tell him now we're still in this race. He's got to go to Middlesbrough and get something now. I'll love it if we be beat them, I'll love it."

Keegan was reacting to Ferguson's comments after United's hard earned 1-0 win over Leeds at Old Trafford 12 days ago. Ferguson had accused Leeds of cheating manager Howard Wilkinson with their performances and he then asked if they would give the same against Keegan's team.

Ferguson then reportedly issued doubts over the commitment Nottingham Forest might show on Thursday after Newcastle agreed to be the opposition in Stuart Pearce's testimonial match.

Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson admitted Ferguson's comments had hit home. "It's the old saying, If the cap fits," he said.

"But if you're a footballer the best place to talk is out there. From a manager's point of view the best people to do the talking are the players.

He insisted that Manchester United could have few complaints about Leeds' efforts although he admitted: "In the last 20 minutes we didn't threaten them as much as the Leeds team going full sail might have done."

But in the circumstances maybe we weren't in a position to do that - we didn't have that in our armoury."

Wilkinson added: "We needed a goal in that early period. The first goal was always going to be handy and it proved handy for them instead. Unfortunately we didn't make the best of two or three chances.

"After the goal they settled down and we became too anxious in our passing. We gave the ball away too easily. But the way they closed down was the best I've seen from them this season. They defended well in front of the back was everywhere.

The title will now go to the wire and Wilkinson said: "I haven't a clue how it will finish. It's now down to what Newcastle do at Forest on Thursday but Manchester United have got to be favourites: they're ahead and they've got the points."

Peter Beardsley, whose corner led to Gillespie's winner, said: "Three weeks ago we thought it was all over so it's nice to still be in with shout."

Match winner Keith Gillespie admitted he hoped his close range, header would, at least for the moment, end the dressing room jibes. "I'm not renowned for heading goals and I get a bit of stick from the lads," said Gillespie, who marked his first start in 10 matches with the vital strike. Hopefully that will shut them up.