Leeds United live to fight another day - thanks to a dubious penalty which gave them a priceless 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

Mark Viduka's contentious 75th-minute spot-kick gave chairman Gerald Krasner and the new Leeds board the best possible start to their reign.

The victory saw United claw off the bottom of the Premiership, but had City been able to convert their superiority into goals then United would already have one foot in Division One today.

The match hinged on referee Alan Wiley's penalty decision which left Leeds grateful and City boss Kevin Keegan seething.

Alan Smith, for once, managed to escape his marker Daniel Van Buyten, who made contact with the Leeds striker outside the box. Smith's momentum took him inside the area where he went down and Wiley pointed to the spot.

To rub salt into City's wounds, Van Buyten was red-carded while ice-cool Viduka despatched the spot-kick - United's first this season - to settle a tense match.

"It was debatable," said Leeds caretaker-boss Eddie Gray. "But we are not in a position to be gracious."

Keegan was fuming in the post-match press conference and launched a bitter attack on Wiley.

"It was a poor, poor decision in a major, major match. He got it wrong. He has been suckered but it is not his job to help Leeds United," he railed.

Had Keeegan's team converted their chances then the penalty row would have been a sideshow instead of the main event.

Leeds sneaked in front on 23 minutes when Stephen McPhail's curling free-kick evaded all the bodies in a packed penalty area, pitched in front of goalkeeper David James and skidded into the net.

But rather than settle Leeds down, City, sent out in an ambitious 3-5-3 formation, seized the initiative with their fluid movement.

While Leeds looked tense and nervous, City were confident and relaxed. Leeds gave the ball away cheaply, City kept it with precision.

Led by the darting runs of Shaun Wright-Phillips, City, outmanning Leeds in midfield, poured forward.

Michael Tarnat saw a free-kick clip off United's defensive wall in front of the Don Revie Stand and on to a post. Paul Robinson had to be alert to get down low to save from Nicolas Anelka and Robbie Fowler had a goal-bound volley deflected over the top.

Just when Leeds looked as though they would make it to the break ahead, another crisp City move ended with Anelka sending a low angled drive from the edge of the box past Robinson.

City continued to dominate after the interval - Antoine Sibierski's header was blocked by Robinson and both Sibierski and Anelka shot over when well placed.

For a period Leeds were being run ragged but Dominic Matteo and Stephen Caldwell got in some important blocks.

Having survived a spell of intense pressure, United grabbed their penalty lifeline with both hands but they will need to play much better in the run-in if they are to scramble clear.

Match facts:

Leeds United 2 Manchester City 1; Barclaycard Premiership(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Robinson, Kelly, Matteo, Caldwell, Domi, Pennant, Seith Johnson, McPhail, Milner, Smith, Viduka. Subs from: Carson, Harte, Radebe, Lennon, Simon Johnson. Cautions: Seth Johnson, Viduka.

Goals: McPhail 23, Viduka pen 76.

Manchester City: James, Bosvelt (Jihai 82), Dunne, Van Buyten, Distin, Tarnat, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Sibierski, Fowler, Anelka. Subs from: Arason, Wanchope, Macken, Sinclair. Sent off: Van Buyten. Caution: Jihai.

Goal: Anelka 43.

Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

Attendance: 36,998.

Updated: 11:22 Tuesday, March 23, 2004