LEEDS United striker Billy Sharp came off the bench to clinch a dramatic 2-1 victory at Huddersfield in a Sky Bet Championship match overshadowed by a serious head injury to Town defender Tommy Smith.

Sharp, linked with a loan move to Ipswich, nodded home the dramatic winner in the 90th minute. As he scored, Smith appeared to collide with goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

The 22-year-old was treated for eight minutes on the field before being carried off. After the game finished, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance landed on the pitch to take him to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment.

Leeds had taken the lead in the seventh minute when Luke Murphy's lobbed pass unlocked the Town defence and York-based Sam Byram slipped in behind and lifted the ball over Murphy.

The Terriers lost striker Nahki Wells through injury and his replacement Harry Bunn levelled in the 26th minute, heading home Jacob Butterfield's deep corner at the back post.

Sharp went on to snatch the late winner and Leeds head coach Neil Redfearn said: "He's a real fox in the box, a nightmare for defenders."

Sharp, 28, signed from Southampton in August, has been restricted to substitute appearances in recent weeks, but Redfearn stressed his importance to the squad.

"We have changed the way we play, with Steve Morison the lone striker, and Billy's chances have been limited," he said. "Billy has come off the bench and looks to be getting back to his best."

On Sharp's rumoured move to Ipswich, Redfearn said: "You want to keep your best players, bring in better players and keep building for the future."

Leeds are now unbeaten in four matches - including back-to-back wins - and Redfearn added: "It was a great win because it sends out a message.

"It's a culmination of the four matches and is similar to when I was caretaker. We have two wins and two draws and we are going in the right direction.

"It wasn't a great game quality-wise, but it was a classic derby with blood and guts.

"For the first 25 minutes we were the better side and dominated, but the second half was pretty even.

"Billy's goal at the end epitomised our togetherness and resoluteness. The players are showing the right reaction and talking to each other, and this has a good smell about it."