Leeds show off Sharpe moves

Dodgy plumbing, alien linesmen and downright awkward opponents. George Graham was not a happy camper

Dodgy plumbing, alien linesmen and downright awkward opponents. George Graham was not a happy camper. After his side had just managed to scrape a 2-1 victory over hosts, Shelbourne, the Leeds manager marched his troops back to the dressing-room only to discover that there was no hot water. The oversight earned officials a tongue-lashing but Graham hadn't finished. "That linesman looked to be from another planet," he said, referring to several offside decisions that went against Leeds. "We were a bit rusty out there, but I was pleased with our work on the left flank. Shelbourne, to be fair, held their line very well, it augurs well for them in the future."

The game began badly for the hosts, former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe sending in a 10th minute cross that managed to deceive the Shelbourne defence and Lee Bowyer was on hand to pounce from 10 yards out.

Shelbourne however did not have to wait long for the equaliser when a distastrous clearance from Nigel Martyn cannoned off Dessie Baker and the Irish U-20 striker duly dispatched the ball into an empty net with 17 minutes gone.

It remained that way until the 75th minute when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink fed off a pass from Rod Wallace and the Dutchman made no mistake with a low strike past keeper Nicky Byrne.

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Shelbourne: O'Brien, Vaudequin, Geoghegan, Neville, Scully, Smith, Fitzgerald, Fenlon, Mannix, Baker, Rutherford.

Leeds: Martyn, Kelly, Robertson, Halle, Molenar, Radebe, Haaland, Bowyer, Ribeiro, Sharpe, Hasselbaink. Subs: Wallace for Ribeiro (45 mins), Hopkin for Bowyer (45 mins), Harte for Haaland (81 mins)

Referee: P Dempsey (Dublin).