McAllister pleads for time to get Leeds up

Published on Monday 1 December 2008 23:20

GARY McAllister admitted that speculation over his future as Leeds United manager had left his "stomach churning," but insisted he is still the man to steer the club to promotion, despite their humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league minnows Histon.

The former Scotland captain was left stunned as his League One side slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the home of the Cambridgeshire Blue Square premier outfit.

Postman Matt Langston was the hero for semi-professional Histon, his first-half header proving to be decisive in a classic FA Cup upset.

For the former cup winners Leeds, however, it represented one of the worst results in their history and left a red-faced McAllister trying to justify why he should keep his post.

But the Scot, who has only been manager at Elland Road for ten months, said: "I think I've taken this club and pushed them in the right direction. It's not my decision, but I feel that I'm the guy who can take this club into the Championship."

Leeds, who also lost to Northampton in the league last Tuesday, are currently seventh in League One, though they are only six points behind leaders Leicester and still well placed for a promotion push.

But McAllister will need to quickly lift his side after their stunning defeat, starting with their next league match away at Tranmere.

Histon, meanwhile, can look forward to a third round home tie against Swansea City, and they will take heart from the fact that the same opponents came unstuck last season against another non-league side, Havant and Waterloovile.

Histon manager Steve Fallon welcomed the fact his side had been rewarded with a home tie in the next round. "From a supporters' point of view it is great. I am glad we are at home and Swansea are a great Championship club," he said.

"You could have the big boys but it's a good little tie for us. I'm sure we'll have a full house again and maybe a chance of getting into the fourth round."

When asked about his team's performance against Leeds, which saw the former Hibs midfielder Antonio Murray come off the bench to make a last-minute goalline clearance, Fallon enthused: "It was a magnificent rearguard action in the second half.

"We had a bit of luck when we needed it but we were magnificent. We deserved that victory. This will do this club the world of good."