Simon Grayson remains convinced that Leeds can still win automatic promotion despite the loss of three games in a row.

Dejected after the recent defeat by Millwall, Grayson took heart from last Saturday’s match at Norwich despite United losing to a late goal.

“It was a disappointing result but the signs were there that if we play like that between now and the end of the season we will be okay,” said the Leeds manager.

“We were dogged, worked hard and passed the ball as we can. We need a bit more composure in the last third but I was really encouraged by the way we played.”

Leeds have failed to score in the last three games and their hopes of keeping ahead of Millwall and finishing in the top two League One automatic promotion spots would seem to depend on Jermaine Beckford rediscovering his appetite for goals.

The prolific scorer is expected to leave for the Premier League on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Some fans are already regretting that Leeds did not cash in on Beckford in the January transfer window after he hit the headlines for scoring the goal that beat Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Having scored 15 goals in the league before that, he has only netted five since, two of which have been penalties, and supporters on a number of websites are questioning his commitment.

That gives Grayson one of the biggest tests of his managerial career – can he motivate Beckford to refind the goal touch or should he look for a different answer up front in the hope that someone else will provide the goals to win promotion?