Mark Robins praised Duane Holmes – despite ending his full Huddersfield Town debut at half-time.
Meanwhile his opposite number Brian McDermott criticised referee Neil Swarbrick’s decision to wave away a late penalty claim as Leeds suffered a fourth successive away defeat.
The Premier League referee from Lancashire was unimpressed when Rudy Austin went down under a challenge from Town match-winner Jon Stead.
But former Town loan player McDermott insisted: “The ref’s missed a stonewall penalty right at the end.
“He was close to it as well, so it’s unfortunate he’s missed it.”
Leeds midfielder Luke Murphy fluffed a great opening with the score 1-1, and McDermott added: “We created an awful lot of chances, but have to learn how to manage games away from home.
“For a long time now, away from home, Leeds haven’t been doing what they need to do to get results.
“The football for Luke Murphy’s chance was terrific, it really was.
“It was good football and if that goes in maybe it’s a different game.”
Town boss Robins reckons Holmes, 18, will have benefited from his first start, even though he replaced him with Sean Scannell for the second half.
“I like Duane, I think he is a really good footballer,” he said of the academy product who had more four bright appearances from the bench.
“Our ethos is to get young players through, give them a chance and show there is a pathway from academy to first team at this club.
“I thought we needed something different, and Duane offers that. He is a talent, and I will dip him in and out of games. It’s about making a call on the right times to put him in.
“Perhaps it was a little bit too much too soon, and the game was a bit different to the ones he’s been used to.
“But he worked hard, he picked up good positions and he enjoyed himself and has been part of a winning team against Leeds, which bodes well.
“His impact from bench has been phenomenal. This was another step forward and there is plenty more to come from him.”
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