Norwich City 1, Leeds United 0

The prospect of competing in the dreaded play-offs looms ever larger for Leeds – and manager Simon Grayson declared after this latest defeat: “It’s game on.”

Chris Martin’s 21st goal of the season late in the game lifted leaders Norwich 11 points clear of Grayson’s men, while Millwall’s 5-0 thrashing of Stockport left the Lions level on points with second-placed Leeds and the Londoners’ goal difference is now inferior by just one.

To compound United’s problems, they lost striker Luciano Becchio with a facial injury and substitute Tresor Kandol was sent off in time added on.

It was a much improved display from Grayson’s side but they have now lost three successive games for the first time in 15 months and desperately need a win against fourth-placed Swindon at Elland Road on Saturday.

Grayson was encouraged by the performance but disappointed with the result. He said: “We totally dominated the game and I thought we were the only team who would win it. But football has a horrible habit of kicking you where it hurts at times.

“Our back four were outstanding and the goal was the only chance Norwich had. We didn’t deserve that defeat because we dictated the tempo and quality of the game.

“If that’s how we play from now until the end of the season, we will win nearly every game. We didn’t get the breaks but I was very encouraged by the way we played.

“We knew Millwall would win unless Stockport pulled a freak result out of the bag, so it’s game on for the rest of the season. Millwall maybe face a different kind of pressure now.”

Grayson made five changes to the team beaten by Millwall five days earlier, with Neill Collins, Neil Kilkenny, Shane Lowry, Jermaine Beckford and keeper Shane Higgs replacing Patrick Kisnorbo, Bradley Johnson, Leigh Bromby, Paul Dickov and Casper Ankergren.

But Becchio’s early injury caused another change. He was carried off on a stretcher after accidentally being caught full in the face by Michael Nelson’s boot, so Mike Grella left the bench to partner Beckford in the attack.

There was no place in the 18 for Sanchez Watt, the winger or striker signed on loan from Arsenal on Thursday.

United used Micky Doyle to man-mark midfield playmaker Wes Hoolahan, who was unusually subdued as a consequence and was substituted in the 73rd minute.

Grella slotted in smoothly, showing good ball control, Kilkenny played some intelligent passes in midfield and Collins was an imposing figure in defence on his debut after joining United on loan from Preston.

There was a refreshing zest and purpose about Leeds’ play after recent disappointments, while Norwich rarely looked like a top-of-the-table side. However, neither keeper had much to do.

United had skipper Richard Naylor and Robert Snodgrass booked during the first half, Snodgrass counting himself fortunate to stay on the field after leading with his arm against Adam Drury.

Norwich, who were repeatedly hustled into mistakes, wasted a scoring opportunity just before half-time when 28-goal leading marksman Grant Holt was badly off target from just inside the penalty box.

Grella was also guilty of a poor miss for Leeds just before the hour when, after cutting inside and beating two opponents, he shot weakly, but Snodgrass and Jonny Howson went close in an untidy second half.

Kilkenny was clearly unhappy at being substituted with five minutes left as Johnson took his place and Norwich substitutes Stephen Hughes and Martin combined to fashion the late winner.

Hughes made a run down the right with Johnson failing to make a challenge and Hughes’ cross was headed by Martin past Higgs, who had no chance of making the save.

There was still time for Kandol to be shown the red card for foolishly raising his arm towards Darel Russell shortly after leaving the bench and he could face club discipline as well as picking up a ban.