Luke Varney has given Leeds United a slender 1-0 lead over Bolton Wanderers at half time at the Reebok Stadium.

Brian McDermott's men got off to the ideal start, with Varney nodding home Luke Murphy's sixth-minute corner to give the visitors an early lead.

Dougie Freedman sought an immediate response from his men, and nearly found one through David N'Gog, but the Frenchman's effort whistled wide of the post.

The Whites should have doubled their advantage moments later, though, as Noel Hunt let fly from an acute angle but the Irishman's effort flew past the target.

Jay Spearing should have restored parity in the dying embers of the first half, but the former Liverpool midfielder saw his thumping effort from the edge of the area fly into row Z.