On This Day: 'Embarrassing, frightening' - Leeds United cannot be saved by star's last strike at Elland Road

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
ROSS McCormack took his seasonal tally to 28 goals on this day in 2014 but could not prevent a deeply troubled Leeds United from defeat to Doncaster Rovers at Elland Road.

Leeds were in their fourth season back in the Championship following their promotion from League One in 2010 and looking to better the previous season's finish of 13th.

Brian McDermott was at the helm but United's bigger issues were off the pitch as the club's players agreed to defer half of their wages for March to ease the financial burden on the troubled Whites.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Italian businessman Massimo Cellino was looking to buy a majority stake in the club from owners GFH Capital but saw his bid rejected by the Football League and an appeal was set for two days after the Doncaster game which took place on Saturday, March 29, 2014.

RESPONSE: Ross McCormack celebrates his 28th goal of the season in Leeds United's clash against Doncaster Rovers of March 2014 but ultimately to no avail. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.RESPONSE: Ross McCormack celebrates his 28th goal of the season in Leeds United's clash against Doncaster Rovers of March 2014 but ultimately to no avail. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
RESPONSE: Ross McCormack celebrates his 28th goal of the season in Leeds United's clash against Doncaster Rovers of March 2014 but ultimately to no avail. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Leeds approached the contest having lost four of their last five and an attendance of 23,476 saw relegation-battling Rovers go 2-0 up at the interval through goals from David Cotterill and Billy Sharp.

McCormack then hit back with his 28th strike of the season after the break but the damage was done and Leeds fell to a fifth defeat in sixth which left them 15th - the position in which they would finish.

Whites boss McDermott pulled no punches after the 2-1 defeat, saying: "The big picture is that Massimo Cellino has his appeal heard on Monday which is a very important day for this club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Forget about me. It is all about what is right for Leeds United going forward.

"We need this ownership issue sorted out as of yesterday because it has been a very difficult few months. I am not looking for excuses.

"I spoke to the players on Friday about the wages situation and it wasn't an easy day but an agreement was reached.

"We were in the top six around Christmas and what has happened since is frightening. Our first-half performance was embarrassing. It was just horrible to watch."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

McCormack's strike proved his penultimate goal for Leeds and last at Elland Road as one more goal followed in the 1-0 success at Barnsley the following month.

The Scot finished on 29 goals for the season but was then sold to Fulham in the summer.

A message from the Editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.