THREE wins from their last four games should secure Leeds United a Championship play-off slot – but don’t bet on it.

Statistically, Simon Grayson’s men may be in the box seat but they have collected only five points from their last six matches and are in danger of seeing a promising season fritter away.

More dire defending saw the Whites throw away the chance of a priceless victory against Watford which would have given them more leeway on the chasing pack.

A frustrated Grayson said: “We needed to win the game. But our undoing was communication and concentration. We have four games to go, we’re two in front of everyone else. It’s a simple equation.”

With in-form Reading the visitors on Good Friday, followed by a trip to Crystal Palace and a sell-out home game against play-off rivals Burnley, Leeds need to get points in the bag quickly before finishing the regular season at leaders QPR.

Surprisingly, Grayson opted for 4-4-2 rather than the 4-3-2-1 system which has generally served United well this season and, despite rotating his players in various permutations of the formation, it didn’t work.

Apart from Max Gradel hitting the woodwork, stuttering Leeds manufactured few chances until substitute Luciano Becchio headed home his 20th goal of the season with 20 minutes remaining. The Argentinian then missed a great close-range opportunity to double the lead.

Regular watchers know Leeds have struggled defensively and full-back Lee Hodson stole in behind the wobbling home defence to head in.

The talisman Becchio limped off and United’s plight grew worse when Danny Graham rode a feeble tackle by Andy O’Brien to set up a simple finish for substitute Andy Weimann with four minutes left.

There was, however, one final twist as Leeds immediately equalised as Troy Deeney sliced Barry Bannan’s into his own net for a goal which effectively killed off the Hornets’ own play-off ambitions.