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Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 1 Leeds United: Tonge Screamer Earns Leeds Undeserving Point as Mindless Thug Tarnishes the Game

A poor performance, yet great point was spoiled by actions of one fan as Kirkland attacked on pitch.

Paul Thomas

An embarrassing incident from a member of the public in the Leeds end (he's no Leeds fan) ruined tonight's game and a great point for Leeds United.

Leeds fans should have been celebrating after a wonder goal from Michael Tonge. But after a mindless decision from a fan the game will be in the headlines for all the wrong reasons once again.

Neil Warnock named an unchanged side from the side that beat Barnsley with Rodolph Austin starting from the off despite worries over his fitness. New signing Ryan Hall earned a place on the bench.

Wednesday had the first chance of the game when Jay Bothroyd's long range shot hit the bar with the helpless Paddy Kenny grinning nervously as he caught the ball.

The Owls should have taken the lead when Antonio found space in the box, but his header wasn't pretty and went well over the bar. Leeds midfielder Michael Tonge tested Chris Kirlkand with a free-kick but that was the only chance United had in the opening 45 minutes.

Instead, Wednesday went on the charge and should have scored from a corner but a blatant handball from Luciano Becchio kept the game level with Anthony Gardener looking certain to score.

Wednesday defender Llera was also lucky to remain on the pitch, hitting both Micheal Brown and Becchio in the face during the first-half. With two minutes remaining Wednesday took a deserving lead with Bothroyd climbing above Jason Pearce to head the ball into the bottom corner.

At half-time, Neil Warnock introduced David Norris in place of the shattered Austin. The opening 15 minutes of the second-half saw Leeds settle and obtain the ball in the Wednesday half. Tonge tested Kirkland again with another free-kick but this time his right-footed effort curved just over the bar.

The home side had several chances to finish the game but Bothroyd and Gardener missed chances from close range as Leeds were stretched at the back.

United held on and made another sub when Lee Peltier had to be replaced by Luke Varney due to an injury. Leeds pushed on and looked dangerous down the flanks with Diouf spreading the play to try and open the Wednesday defence.

With defeat looking ominous, Tonge took it upon himself to level proceedings with a beautiful long range effort which swerved into the top corner and stunned the home support. The incidents in the aftermath ruined the game for me and many fans in attendance.

A point is a great result considering our performance. We can now move on to three games in a week but the over-riding memory will be the attack on Kirkland and yet again more bad press for the game we all love.

As a Leeds United site, we don't condone the actions which were seen tonight and join the 99% of fellow Leeds and football fans who would like to see this moron deal with accordingly.