Leeds United 1, Cardiff City 1

Leeds boss Simon Grayson revealed that defender Darren O’Dea was suffering from dizziness when his error gifted Cardiff a goal in yesterday’s draw between the sides at Elland Road.

The Republic of Ireland international had a clear start in a foot race with City striker Joe Mason as he headed towards his own goal in the 17th minute.

But he hesitated, failed to clear and was pick-pocketed by the lively striker, who promptly scored his third goal in as many games.

Grayson felt the Celtic loanee received a shove in the back from Mason in the build-up to the goal but also confirmed that his player, who took a head knock against Birmingham on Wednesday, had suffered another blow early on and was struggling to find his bearings.

O’Dea was substituted after 30 minutes and Leeds went on to level through Robert Snodgrass, although they would have won were it not for a stunning performance from Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall.

Grayson said: “He (O’Dea) got a knock on the head in the last five minutes against Birmingham, suffered a bit of dizziness, declared himself fit on Saturday after training then got a bang on it in the first part of the first half.

“He had a lack of vision down one side and a bit of blurriness as well, so he’s got concussion.

“I think it probably did (affect him leading up to the goal). He got a little nudge. He knows he maybe should have cleared it and that was something that maybe contributed to it.”

Mason’s strike looked set to send the Bluebirds to a seventh straight win over Leeds, only for Snodgrass to put paid to that when he got on the end of a Tom Lees flick with 18 minutes left.

United have still not beaten Cardiff since 1984, though, but would have done had Marshall not excelled while denying Snodgrass, Ross McCormack, Adam Clayton and Jonny Howson.

“When you look at the chances we created and the number of top saves their keeper made, we can feel unfortunate not to win the game,” said Grayson.

“We didn’t start as brightly as we could and we had to up the tempo after half-time. But we found their keeper in inspired form and on another day we could have won.”

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay agreed with Grayson’s assessment of his goalkeeper. The 26-year-old Scot is rediscovering his best form after suffering a serious elbow injury last year and recently returned to the full Scotland squad as a result of his club form.

“He’s been really calm and collected and I’ve been really happy with him,” said Mackay of the former Celtic stopper.

“He had a good pre-season and has forced his way back into the Scotland squad. It’s testament to the hard work he’s putting in. Goalkeepers are all about confidence and I’m looking at someone who is ice-cool at the back.

“I’m really happy with him. He’s been top class and has gone from having a bad injury to being back involved with the Scotland team.”

Mackay accepted that his side had been outplayed at stages in the second half but, after an impressive opening 45 minutes, he was happy to return to Wales with a point.

“I thought we were resilient and in the first half we passed well and looked on top,” he said.

“In the second half, Leeds came at us, pushed their full backs on and had to go for it.

“But they’re a very good team and have never given anyone an easy game at Elland Road in their lives, so it was a tough battle and a good Championship game.”