ANOTHER week of trauma off the pitch for Leeds, a controversial one on it for referee Neale Barry, who was escorted off the pitch by four security men at the finish.

Barry’s decision to award a second-half penalty allowed Cardiff to score the equaliser which they deserved, stretching Leeds’s run to 19 matches without a clean sheet. That is probably the least of their problems, because few teams are in their predicament.

The latest saviour, Sebastien Sainsbury, having announced he was not bidding for the club, was yesterday rumoured to be preparing a smaller package to solve their financial crisis. He had better be quick. Chairman Gerald Krasner has said that administration will happen eventually, and it could be within three months. Never mind needing every penny they can find, such a scenario would mean a 10-point Championship penalty which could leave them in the bottom three when the season nears its finale.

Leeds are only eight points away from that position now, after failing to build on a tremendous start. Simon Walton scored an excellent goal after 14 minutes, slotting the ball under Tony Warner after a one-two with David Healy, and the constant way they were allowed room on the right to attack should have brought more.

But seven minutes into the second half Barry adjudged that Neil Sullivan had fouled Richard Langley in the box, and Peter Thorne sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Having been accused of favouring Manchester United at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea on Wednesday, Barry was surrounded by six Leeds players protesting about the decision. He had been on the edge of the area when Langley went down, but took a long time to decide even though his assistant was waving.

Leeds carry on, not knowing what their future is and with manager Kevin Blackwell doing his best to prevent the team being affected. “We made a conscious decision not to talk about the situation,” said Blackwell. “But it is on television and in the papers and everyone is trying to turn this club around.

“I am trying to keep us in a position of stabilisation; what goes on behind the scenes is the result of three or four years of indulgence.” And of the penalty? “I don’t want to get fined because with the financial situation I might need all the money I can get for the mortgage,” said Blackwell. “I didn’t think it was one.”

Lennie Lawrence, the Cardiff manager, thought it was a correct decision but said: “After 20 minutes, I would have gone down on my hands and knees and taken a draw.” That was unnecessary.

STAR MAN: James Collins (Cardiff)

Player ratings. Leeds: Sullivan 6, Kelly 7, Butler 6, Kilgallon 6, Richardson 6, Walton 7 (Spring 84min, 5), Wright 5, Pugh 5, Lennon 6 (Carlisle 56min, 6), Healy 5, Joachim 6

Cardiff: Warner 6, Weston 6, Collins 8, Gabbidon 7, Barker 7, Langley 7, Kavanagh 7, Inamoto 7 (Ledley 88min, 5), McAnuff 6, Jerome 7 (Lee 30min, 6), Thorne 6

Scorers: Leeds: Walton 14

Cardiff: Thorne 52 pen

Referee: N Barry

Attendance: 29,548

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