IT’S all about hanging in there at this stage of the Championship season, according to Leeds United boss Brian McDermott.

“In the Championship you have to grind it out at times and we did that,” he said after United’s 2-0 win against Yeovil Town at windswept Elland Road lifted the Whites into eighth place.

“If we can be there or thereabouts at Christmas it will be interesting. We have some good young players who are learning all the time and we are close to where we want to be.”

Leeds dug out the win even though some square pegs ended up in round holes in McDermott’s new-found wing-back system.

Key man Sam Byram was missing through injury and the York-based youngster’s replacement, Lee Peltier, although solid in defence, offers much less of an attacking threat on the right. When left wing-back Stephen Warnock limped off, Leeds had no natural replacement on the bench.

Lithuanian defender Marius Zalikuas came on for his debut with Jason Pearce moved out to the right, meaning Leeds had four centre-backs on the pitch.

Leeds upped their game in the second half after struggling against their lowly visitors, who took a grip of the first half from the moment Matt Smith missed an early chance to settle home tensions.

Leeds were given the runaround for long spells but the visitors lacked a cutting edge to match their slick approach work.

Three minutes after the interval, Rodolph Austin drove into the heart of the Yeovil defence which included former York City junior Byron Webster. Austin released Ross McCormack, who smashed the ball past Wayne Hennessey.

The same combination struck 20 minutes later when Austin fed McCormack who thumped in his eighth goal of the season.