Leeds United 0, Doncaster Rovers 1

Leeds United supporters have had better days.

Those who bought a club programme learned that season ticket prices for 2008-9 will leap by a minimum of ten per cent depending on when they are bought.

And things did not improve as too many Leeds players had an off-day against Don-caster in the first league meeting between the teams for 52 years.

A Rovers side beaten only once in their previous 17 league matches looked every inch promotion material.

Their victory lifted them above fifth-placed Leeds who followed successive victories against Northampton and Crewe with an alarmingly disjointed display.

The row over the Football League imposed 15 point deduction rumbles on, with chairman Ken Bates revealing United are to sue the League in the High Court - and those 15 points may well make the difference between promotion and failure' at the end of the season, judging by Saturday's dismal performance.

From the moment Bradley Johnson and Doncaster's former Hull City striker Jason Price wrestled each other to the ground within seconds of the kick-off, the tone was set for a rugged Yorkshire derby.

At least Rovers managed to play some incisive football through the midfield on a heavy pitch which did nothing to improve the game as a spectacle.

United created only half-chances, with strikers Jerm-aine Beckford and Tore Andre Flo well below par - and the pair were not alone.

Neil Kilkenny, who had such an inspiring home debut against Northampton, was largely anonymous, while Peter Sweeney's free-kicks and corners left something to be desired, though he looked the most likely to unlock the door when running at defenders.

Neil Sullivan, Doncaster's former Elland Road goalkeeper, kept a clean sheet to answer Leeds manager Dennis Wise's pre-match taunt that he wasn't good enough to play for the club, though he was rarely tested.

Wise and assistant manager Dave Bassett accepted part of the blame for Brian Stock's free-kick winner in the 21st minute. Bassett explained that United should have had an extra man in the defensive wall and this should have been made clearer to the players.

However, Bassett confessed: "In fairness to Doncaster they played very well and deserved their win.

"They had more shots on target and more efforts on goal. We are still in a play-off position and at the start of the season we would have settled for that but we haven't given up chasing top spot.

"We have brought in new players and they need time to settle. We have a chance to redeem ourselves when we go to Doncaster on February 16.

"Our pitch isn't the greatest at the moment but we are not making excuses. We just didn't do enough and were off the pace. Although it wasn't a great free-kick from them it caught our keeper Casper Ankergren unaware."

The goal arrived when Paul Huntington brought down Richie Wellens 20 yards out and Stock took full advantage of the shortened wall.

Leeds defender Darren Kenton, making his home debut, turned his ankle over, missed the second half and is doubtful for the trip to Luton Town on Saturday.