VALIANT Town marched off with their heads held high after pushing Leeds United to the verge of breaking point at Elland Road last night.

Roared on by more than 5,000 travelling fans, Peter Jackson's side gave their derby rivals from the new Championship a real fright in a closely contested Carling Cup first round tie.

Three times Town had contentious penalty appeals turned down - Clarke Carlisle and Paul Butler were particularly lucky to escape handball decisions in the second half - and when Pawel Abbott hit the bar from the Terriers' closest effort on target, the ball bounced down for Butler to clear.

Town could have done with similar luck in the 21st minute when a Michael Ricketts long-range header bounced down off the bar to Danny Pugh.

The 21-year-old who was part of the Alan Smith transfer deal to Old Trafford saw his follow-up parried by Ian Gray (who might have held it) but then followed up to complete the job.

It proved enough in the end to edge Town out of a competition in which, last season, they covered themselves in glory against Derby County and Sunderland, and the result leaves Jackson assessing four matches without a goal.

Last night he called up Abbott for a first start of the season at the expense of Junior Mendes to try and end the draught and, while the ex-Preston man went close with that flying header off the bar in the 29th minute, he was not close enough.

The man who looked most likely to create something for Town was the lively Chris Brandon, but his final passes were often just off the mark from midfield and, when he got a chance to shoot, there was usually a white shirt in the way.

Brandon even went round the keeper just before half time only for his pull-back to go behind the onrushing Andy Booth.

Young substitute John McAliskey also later impressed with his full-on enthusiasm and workrate.

Leeds' most dangerous player was right winger Frazer Richardson as Ricketts and Julian Joachim hardly got a look-in against the solid Nathan Clarke and David Mirfin, while Efe Sodje showed glimpses of better form.

Richardson was lucky, however, to avoid a penalty when blocking a Rob Edwards cross with his left arm and referee Eddie Ilderton was far from popular with the Town contingent.

This was an excellent Town effort and a gutsy display, but they are now desperate for a goal as Peterborough come to the Galpharm on Saturday and Jackson prepares for the Bank Holiday trip to meet Doncaster at Belle Vue.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Chris Brandon

Gritty effort to spark a goal with his lively running from midfield. Created chances and unlucky not to get a clear strike at the target despite some quality build-up play

HOW THEY RATED: Ian Gray Should have held the follow-up before Pugh scored but made a super save to deny McMaster on 72 mins Rating: 7/10

Andy Holdsworth Made some decent tackles and clearances but missed a tackle which allowed McMaster a good shooting chance Rating: 7/10

Rob Edwards Unlucky not to earn a penalty when blocked by Richardson and worked very hard down the left flank. Rating: 7/10

David Mirfin Excellent again at the back. Solid tackling and decent use of the ball, he went close with a shot after 76 minutes Rating: 8/10

Efe Sodje Did well to mark big Michael Ricketts out of the game apart from the header from which Leeds got their goal Rating: 7/10

Nathan Clarke Did splendidly and Joachim never got a look-in. Unlucky not to score with first-half header tipped over Rating: 8/10

Tony Carss Supplied some good corners and a great cross for Abbott's header against the bar. Worked hard again. Rating: 7/10

Jon Worthington No-one worked harder and he seemed to be everywhere with quick forward breaks and lots of defensive doggedness Rating: 8/10

Chris Brandon Caught the eye with his breaks through midfield and unfortunate not to get a clean strike at goal. Terrific effort Rating: 9/10

Andy Booth Teed up Clarke's close range header and grafted before getting a knock on the left leg and being substituted Rating: 7/10

Pawel Abbott Hit the bar with a cracking header in his first start of the season. Looked sharp and keen to impress up front Rating: 7/10

Leeds United:

Sullivan, Kelly, Crainey, Carlisle, Butler, Richardson, Pugh, Wright, Guppy (McMaster 70), Ricketts, Joachim.

Subs not used: Carson, Walton, Duberry, Hignett.