Trouble at Yorkshire derby as Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday draw 1-1

By ALAN ROBSON
Published on 20/10/2012 00:00

FORMER Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge rescued a point for Leeds to deny Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday in a 1-1 derby clash marred by crowd trouble.

Tonge, who spent a large chunk of his career under former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock, fired home a swerving 25-yard shot in the 76th minute to cancel out Jay Bothroyd’s first-half header and deny Wednesday a first win in eight league matches.

But despite rescuing a point with a much-improved second-half display, Leeds are sure to find themselves in serious trouble from the game’s authorities after the mindless antics of one supporter in particular, who celebrated Tonge’s fine equaliser by running on to the pitch and hitting Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland in the face with two hands.

Riot police had earlier filtered out to try and diffuse ugly scenes in the away end prior to Tonge’s strike, with bottles thrown between baying sets of home and away supporters.

Leeds boss Warnock, returning to his home city for the first time since former club Crystal Palace triumphed over the Owls at Hillsborough in an FA Cup tie in 2010, will have been grateful for Tonge’s rescue act after his side stretched their unbeaten run to five matches despite being outplayed for long periods.

Wednesday have now failed to win any of their last eight league games, collecting only two points in the process and the pressure is mounting on manager Dave Jones.

Tonge’s brilliant equaliser in the 76th minute following Aidy White’s lay-off prompted some Leeds fans to pour through fencing, with one supporter running round in front of Kirkland’s goal before pole-axing the Wednesday keeper by pushing both hands into his face.

Kirkland required treatment before the game could resume.