STICKING to their principles paid rich dividends as Leeds United powered closer to a Coca-Cola League One play-off slot by beating fellow promotion chasers Carlisle 3-2 in a real thriller.
Despite falling behind to Scott Dobie's 16th-minute tap-in, Gary McAllister's side refused to panic, continued to pass the ball with purpose and were rewarded with victory which gives them a four-point cushion over the other play-off rivals.
Class act Dougie Freedman, whose clever use of possession epitomises the McAllister mantra, lit the blue touchpaper on a slow burning match by snaffling a close range equaliser four minutes after the interval.
Jonny Howson bundled in his first goal at Elland Road to give Leeds a short-lived lead as goalkeeper Casper Ankergren dropped a Carlisle corner for Danny Graham to level.
Leeds' defence, so solid in recent weeks, had looked jittery, but at the other end they were starting to carve open a Carlisle side expertly managed by ex-York City boss John Ward.
Fittingly, the outstanding Freedman thumped in the winner with a crisp volley, although Leeds should have won by a bigger margin in the end.
Freedman may have been the star turn, but the contribution of master tackler Jonathan Douglas should not be underestimated as his work enabled the skills of fellow midfielders Neil Kilkenny and Howson to drive Leeds forward.
A third successive victory leaves them in a strong position going into tomorrow's West Yorkshire derby at Huddersfield, but defeat at the Galpharm Stadium, coupled with a Walsall victory over Bristol Rovers the same night will crank up the pressure again.
The independent tribunal considering the 15-point penalty imposed on United by the Football League at the start of the season will start on Wednesday.
It is expected that the tribunal's ruling will be announced before United's trip to Millwall.
Leeds United: Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington, Michalik, Kenton, Kilkenny (Prutton 80), Douglas, Howson, Johnson (Hughes 87), Freedman, Beckford (Kandol 51).
Subs (not used: Lucas, Elding.
Carlisle United: Westwood, Raven, Livesey, Murphy, Horwood, Smith (Taylor 74), Bridge-Wilkinson, Lumsdon, Hackney, Dobie (Madine 82), Graham.
Subs (not used): Howarth, Carlton, Reid.
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
Attendance: 28,530.
