Hartlepool United 1, Leeds United 1

Late-goal specialists Leeds United did it again as Jermaine Beckford snatched an 89th-minute equaliser today for his 14th goal of the season.

It was far from a festive spectacular at Victoria Park as both teams looked as if they had eaten too much Christmas pudding, but the early kick-off combined with the 1-1 draw to take Leeds briefly to the top of League One.

Later in the day they slipped back to third, behind leaders Swansea City and second-placed Nottingham Forest - leaving the visit to Swansea on Saturday the division's undisputed match of the day.

Leeds manager Dennis Wise said: "In the first half, we didn't play at all. A few of them hadn't prepared for the game mentally.

"We conceded a sloppy goal because Matt Heath was nowhere near the man he was supposed to be marking and I told him so at half-time.

"We improved in the second half and overall we created the better clear-cut chances but we made our own problems at times.

"Our passing was poor and too often we made the wrong decisions. We just didn't perform well but we kept going and were rewarded with the equaliser."

Former Bury defender Michael Nelson headed Hartlepool into a 21st-minute lead from a free kick by Robbie Elliott, who was released by Leeds in the summer.

Nelson had been off the field receiving treatment for a head wound but the injury failed to prevent him giving his side the advantage.

Hartlepool could have gone further ahead almost immediately when Ian Moore fired wide of the target against his old club but Leeds had their first-half chances.

Tresor Kandol shot into the side-netting after being put through by Jonny Howson, and when Kandol nodded the ball down Beckford should have scored but his weak effort struck goalkeeper Jan Budtz's legs.

Leeds improved when Seb Carole and Alan Thompson replaced David Prutton and Radostin Kishishev but Moore wasted two more opportunities for Hartlepool before Leeds' third substitute, Tore Andre Flo, shot over.

However, Leeds never know when they are beaten and Beckford punished poor marking inside the area by shooting into the bottom corner.