LEEDS United literally let victory slip through their fingers at Sunderland after an extraordinary error by goalkeeper Illan Meslier at the Stadium of Light.
With seconds remaining the Yorkshire side were leading 2-1 when the Black Cats pumped an aerial free-kick forward.
It was nudged on to Alan Browne, who punted the ball straight towards Meslier but incredibly it somehow evaded the Frenchman’s grasp and rolled into the net.
It was a mistake which cost Leeds victory and enabled Sunderland to stay on top of the Championship ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
Meslier’s horror show will find its way on to online blooper videos and he will need plenty of support within Elland Road to recover.
Sunderland started like a train as their young side ripped into Leeds gaining an eighth-minute lead. Leeds were opened up on their right before the ball fell to Dennis Cirkin on the opposite flank. His shot was well saved by Meslier but the ball span to the feet of teenager Chris Rigg who netted from close range.
United grew into the game and recalled Joel Piroe justified leading the attack when he expertly headed the equaliser from Willy Gnonto’s cross.
The leveller rocked Sunderland who came under pressure as Leeds took a grip of midfield in which Joel Rothwell shone while Gnonto was a major attacking threat. The home side had to scramble in defence for a period and with some calmer finishing Leeds could have got their noses in front.
However, Regis Le Bris’ side got a second wind as the interval approached and threatened with Jobe Bellingham finding space to twice shoot from the edge of the box.
The Wearsiders began the second period well but it was Leeds who went ahead on 56 minutes through an unlikely scorer. Junior Firpo powered towards the Sunderland box, slipped the ball to Gnonto who returned the ball to Firpo who calmly passed the ball into the net.
Farke’s side showed little ambition to add to their lead and were content to break up play and preserve their advantage. Sunderland huffed and puffed but Leeds defended well to frustrated the bulk of the 41,769 crowd.
United were within seconds of grinding out a hard-earned victory when Meslier’s catastrophic error in the seventh minute of additional time gifted the Black Cats a point.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke said: “I've worked in professional football for 30 years but it’s the first time I’ve experienced that.
“Normally the goalkeeper takes the ball, clears it and the referee blows the final whistle and the game is won, but not this time.
“You don’t have to speak to him (Meslier) about it right now, you wait until the dust has settled but we were fantastic in the first half after going behind.”
On the same evening Leeds’ Under-21s beat West Brom Under-21s 2-1 at York’s LNER Community Stadium.
The Baggies led but Luca Thomas netted his ninth goal in seven games before Rhys Chadwick netted the winner.
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