IF ever a game summed up the nature of the Championship, it was Leeds United’s 2-1 home victory against Hull City on Saturday.

Unpredictable, tough, relentless, frenetic, infuriating … these are just some of the words to describe a league, which although it may lack the skills and finesse of the Premiership, remains tantalisingly watchable.

Few Leeds fans gave their struggling side a pre-match prayer against a Tigers outfit pushing hard near the top for an instant return to the top flight.

Unhappy with the way their club was being run by owner Massimo Cellino, a temporary walk-out protest had been organised by a section of supporters.

That turned out to be a bit of a damp squib more in keeping with Hull’s first-half display.

Leeds went 4-1-4-1 with home debutant Liam Bridcutt patrolling in front of the back four and Chris Wood operating as a lone striker. The midfield swamped the Tigers, taking the ball off the visitors and forcing mistakes.

On the half-hour Wood got on the end of a fine move involving Lewis Cook and Stuart Dallas to sweep United ahead. Moments later Alex Mowatt rattled the bar with a shot from the edge of the box as Leeds’ pressing high up the pitch created another opening.

But the crucial second goal came just before the interval when Tom Adeyemi reacted quickly to hit home a loose ball after goalkeeper Allan McGregor did well to keep out a Cook shot.

Leeds had clear daylight but Hull, blasted by manager Steve Bruce in the dressing room, returned to action on the front foot. From the moment Ahmed Elmohamedy halved the arrears with a 51st minute header, Leeds were hanging on in the swirling Elland Road wind.

United, unable to get any momentum, were penned back as a series of well-flighted crosses produced several nerve-racking moments – none more so than substitute Chuba Akpom’s glaring headed miss in the 89th minute.

Leeds coach Steve Evans said: “It is always fine margins but the level of intensity in our performance was excellent and we turned round deservedly 2-0 up. We were strong all over the park and the supporters were fantastic.”

At the final whistle, the Leeds squad carried head physio Harvey Sharman shoulder high to thank him for almost 15 years service at the club. Sharman, who is moving to America to take up a post with baseball team Washington Nationals, has been one of the few stabilising factors in the club’s recent seasons of turmoil.

Victory was a suitable send-off and gives United a platform to help move away from the lower reaches of the division. Hopes of achieving more than that, however, remains pie in the sky.

Leeds United: Silvestri, Wootton, Bellusci, Cooper, Taylor, Bridcutt, Mowatt (Byram 73), Cook, Adeyemi, Dallas (Murphy 79), Wood (Doukara 90). Subs (not used): Antenucci, Erwin, Botaka, Peacock-Farrell. Cautions: Cook, Silvestri, Adeyemi.

Hull City: McGregor, Odubajo, Bruce (Davies 20), Maguire (Akpom 71), Robertson, Elmohamedy, Diame, Livermore, Huddlestone, Clucas, Aluko (Snodgrass 80). Subs (not used): Taylor, Jakupovic, Hayden, Luer.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Manchester)

Attendance: 24,962