Martin stuns ailing Leeds
Norwich City 1 Leeds United
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Your support makes all the difference.The jitters are now showing as Leeds look likely to blow promotion to the Championship. Their defiant manager, Simon Grayson, insists they are good enough but they are not making it easy for themselves.
Leeds looked to have done enough to grab a point and keep their noses a point in front of Millwall, but were beaten a minute before time when Norwich captain Grant Holt headed the ball wide for Stephen Hughes who crossed for fellow substitute Chris Martin to head in.
Leeds lost Luciano Becchio after 15 minutes when a high boot by Michael Nelson knocked him out and things went downhill from there for the Yorkshire club. Deep into stoppage time they also lost Trésor Kandol who was dismissed moments after going on as a substitute after an altercation with Darel Russell.
After being in an automatic promotion place for much of the season, Leeds are in danger of being overtaken by Millwall, who they led by 20 points at the turn of the year.
Millwall's 5-0 win over Stockport County leaves Grayson's side ahead in second only on goal difference and after missing out in three of the previous four seasons, they won't want to go down the play-off road again.
"If we put in performances like that we will get where we want to be," said Grayson. "I didn't get carried away when we were top of the League and performances like that just enhance my belief." Norwich are now 11 points clear with eight games to go and manager Paul Lambert admitted they have an excellent chance of a return to the Championship at the first attempt. "We have given ourselves a hell of a chance," he said. "We have handled the expectations very well and we are in the mix.
"The lads have been terrific for me and I could not have asked for any more. We have had a few barren years here and now we have the chance to give the fans something back."
Although Lambert has played down any prospect of him taking over as Celtic manager at the end of the season it is easy to see why the Bhoys would think he is their boy.
The former Hoops captain has done wonders at Norwich since taking over as manager, just a couple of weeks after handing them a 7-1 opening day home thrashing when in charge at Colchester United.
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