BILLY SHARP made the perfect start to his Leeds United career with a late winner against Middlesbrough at Elland Road.

The striker pounced in the 87th minute when keeper Tomas Mejias could only parry substitute Michael Tonge’s low shot to give head coach David Hockaday his first win at Championship level.

“It’s what he does,” 56-year-old Hockaday said of the predatory Sharp. “There’s more to his game, he linked the play and it was the complete performance from him.

“It was a tough game, there were quite a few chances and it took a goal poacher to sneak the win.”

Sharp was one of three signings made in the wake of a poor opening day defeat at Millwall, with central Liam Cooper also making his debut after joining from Chesterfield.

New-look Leeds worked hard to disrupt Boro’s passing game and created the better chances.

There was no way Sharp was going to miss from two yards with three minutes remaining, reacting quickly after Mejias failed to gather Tonge’s effort from 18 yards.