Smith is a beacon of hope for Leeds

Yet Leeds refused to crumble as Kilgallon scored a fine header from Ian Harte's 75th-minute cross and they were unlucky not to snatch an equaliser. It was enough to encourage Eddie Gray that all is not lost and the caretaker boss had special words of praise for his teetotal talisman, who tracked the length of the pitch in the dying moments to dispossess Ormerod.

'Alan played well but I thought a few of the boys played well,' said the Scot. 'They kept at it, which was the important thing. James Milner and Jermaine Pennant were always a threat. James is only young and he's playing for his hometown club at a difficult time, so it has not been easy for him. But he's mature beyond his years.

'The players are bound to feel bad about what is happening but all they can do is try to win matches. The important thing is

to stay in the Premiership. There's no need for us to be nervous. What is going on off the pitch is out of our hands. When I came here in 1963 they were a Second Division club. It happens, but Leeds United will survive.'

There were also words of encouragement from Southampton, as Phillips empathised with a plight he endured at Sunderland last season.

'It was harsh for Leeds,' he said. 'They have quality players and have to keep going. Hopefully, it is not too late for them. Alan Smith typified the performance you would want from a player in Leeds' position. He was by far their best player and the best example was when he chased to the other corner of the field.'

Southampton boss Gordon Strachan was subject to chants from the Leeds fans of 'Strachan's coming home', an optimistic reference to where the former Elland Road skipper might end up when he walks away from St Mary's this summer.

Strachan, whose side won for first time in six games, was relegated while at Coventry and said: 'It's nice to be remembered, but I know what it is like to be in their position. What you don't want now is to be patronised. I am confident Leeds will come back, it goes in cycles.'