Leeds United moved away from the Championship relegation zone as second-half goals from Luke Murphy and Sam Byram gave Neil Redfearn's side a priceless 2-0 win over Reading at the Madejski Stadium this evening.
A dull first half briefly burst into life when Oliver Norwood's misplaced pass sent a grateful Steve Morison through on goal, but the Leeds man fluffed his lines, sending his shot against a Reading post.
Daniel Williams's long-range strike was well held by Marco Silvestri in first-half injury time in the only other chance of note in the opening 45 minutes.
Michael Hector's header from Jordan Obita's corner was tipped around the post by Silvestri inside the opening five minutes of the second half as the home side stepped up a gear.
However, it was the away side that took the lead when Murphy's speculative effort from range crept under Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.
Williams then wasted a good chance to level the game when his low shot was beaten away by Silvestri after the Reading midfielder had been put through.
Yakubu was then sent on for his Reading debut, and within minutes he had a sniff of goal, but could only drag his shot wide.
Fellow substitute Jamie Mackie was the next to be denied as his header was gathered by the Leeds goalkeeper in the final five minutes.
However, Redfearn's side weathered the late pressure and wrapped up the three points when Byram headed home at the back post in the last minute to round off a swift Leeds counter-attack.
Joe Sharratt
