Huddersfield Town 1-1 Leeds United: Patrick Bamford salvages point against 10-man Terriers
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Patrick Bamford's equaliser was his third goal in as many matches
Patrick Bamford salvaged a point for Leeds United as their nine-match winning run came to an end in a feisty West Yorkshire derby against 10-man Huddersfield Town.
Bamford slid in the equaliser midway through the second half as persistent Leeds pressure finally broke stubborn Town resistance.
Crysencio Summerville hit the post in the closing stages as Daniel Farke's side were unable to earn a victory and maintain a remarkable run which had seen them win every league game this calendar year.
The Terriers, seeking back-to back wins under new manager Andre Breitenreiter, scored in first-half injury time when top scorer Michal Helik knocked the ball home on the rebound from close range.
However, a deserved red card for captain Jonathan Hogg for a second yellow card left Town playing the entire second period a man down - and they were unable to hold firm for what would have been a fourth win in six games since Darren Moore was sacked as boss at the end of January. Two of those victories came under caretaker boss Jon Worthington.
But the draw against a Leeds side sweeping all before them felt every bit as good as those wins, judging by the jubilant scenes after an impressive performance full of grit and determination at a rainy John Smith's Stadium.
For all their 79% possession, Leeds managed two shots on target, with the only one of the first half an early close-range effort by Summerville that was well blocked by keeper Lee Nicholls.
The chance came after a slick passing move down the right - typical of their incisive, confident attacking play this season.
But the hosts created the better opportunities before the break. Jack Rudoni forced keeper Ilian Meslier into action to beat away a fizzing 25-yard strike and then make a brilliant stop from the same player's clever near-post flick from the subsequent corner.
A succession of fouls and stoppages in an increasingly niggly contest - including a lengthy break for an injury to Huddersfield's Yuta Nakayama - interrupted the flow.
And Town took advantage to go ahead when Nakayama's replacement Helik reacted to net his ninth goal of the season.
The Poland defender showed typical goalscoring instincts after Meslier's initial save after Danny Ward met a delightful Sorba Thomas free-kick.
The visitors finally found an equaliser when Dan James played the ball down the line for fellow substitute Connor Roberts, whose low cross was turned in by Bamford from five yards.
Huddersfield head coach Andre Breitenreiter:
"The boys did a fantastic job today to play over 60 minutes with a player less.
"It's very hard against Leeds with their quality. They did a really fantastic job. They showed hard work, hard fight and good discipline in defending.
"Until the 45th minute we made it hard for them, we pressed high and went into the lead with a set-piece.
"But the red card was unnecessary. It's a derby and we spoke before the game about keeping clear heads, but derbies are full of emotion.
"He (Hogg) knows about his mistake. He apologised. As a leader he's fantastic, but next time please not again.
"The players were fantastic and can be proud of their performance. We can be happy with this point and thank the players for their performance."
Leeds manager Daniel Farke:
"I'm far away from punishing my players for their performance. We have won 28 points out of the last 10 games, so I won't criticise them because they didn't have their best game.
"Individually they didn't have their best day. But you have to expect that sometimes. We have to draw a line under that pretty quickly. It's difficult when a team defends and that's all they do.
"It was a quick turnaround for us and the pitch was not easy to play. We created chances, we got the equaliser, but it was a bit like a cup game with how scrappy it was.
"We had to rely on the offensive players to put the ball into the net. We should have won, Summerville hit the post. But we have to accept the point."