Leeds United's hopes of taking a giant step towards securing a play-off place crumbled in a 1-0 defeat at Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield .

Just hours before they hold a meeting with an independent panel to try and overturn the 15-point penalty imposed by the Football League at the start of the season, Leeds knew victory at the Galpharm Stadium would go a long way to sealing the vital sixth spot in the table.

Things quickly went downhill in a stormy encounter and they had Jonathan Douglas sent off for his second bookable offence, just six minutes before half-time.

However, Jonathan Worthington was dismissed for serious foul play on the stroke of half-time for the hosts to make it 10-a-side.

And Andy Holdsworth's close-range header 15 minutes from time was enough to give the Terriers victory.

Fortunately for Leeds, their rivals for a play-off spot Walsall also crashed 1-0 at home to lowly Bristol Rovers .

The visitors went ahead at the Bescot when Richard Lambert headed in Joe Jacobson's left-wing cross and it was sufficient for victory.

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