Ten men Leeds made it back to back wins for the first time this season, once again thanks to a late Ross McCormack goal.
Leeds looked like having to settle for a draw against Bristol City after being reduced to ten men for the final twenty-six minutes when Patrick Kisnorbo was shown a straight red card for a professional foul.
McCormack had other ideas though when he reacted to a flick on in the area to beat Bristol keeper David James to the ball and earn Leeds the win.
Leeds boss Simon Grayson was boosted by the return of midfielder Adam Clayton and he gave Leeds a dream start after just three minutes when he fired past James.
The home side started well and Andy Keogh had two great chances to double the lead in the opening ten minutes but failed with both.
James saved his second chance when just one on one and Leeds were punished immediately.
Neil Kilkenny made his first return to Elland Road since leaving to join Bristol in the summer and his dipping shot from the edge of the area came off the underside of the bar to bring Bristol level.
Keogh again had a good chance to restore Leeds advantage but he just failed to get on the end of a McCormack cross.
Nunez fired over from distance as Leeds looked to retake the lead.
McCormack then went close when his deflected shot went just wide.
Leeds started the second half on the front foot, McCormack shot wide and Snodgrass really should have been testing the keeper when he fired over from close range.
The game turned just past the hour when Patrick Kisnorbo clumsily fell over Nicky Maynard in the area when the striker was through on goal.
The referee was left with no option with Kisnorbo being sent off and awarding a penalty to Bristol.
Maynard picked himself up to take the spot kick but Leeds keeper Andy Lonergan was equal to his kick to keep the score level.
Bristol were now enjoying the majority of the play and Lonergan was forced into another good save to deny Maynard again.
Leeds only likely way of scoring was from a set piece and it was from a long Leigh Bromby throw that Leeds scored the winner.
Becchio flicked Bromby`s throw on and McCormack was there to pounce for his seventh goal of the season.
With the fourth official showing four minutes of injury time it was backs to the wall for the Leeds defence.
Bristol thought they had salvaged a point deep into added time when they put the ball in the back of the net but referee Fred Graham had already blown for a foul on Lonergan.
Leeds held on to make it back-to-back wins but it was once again a poor performance with Leeds somewhat lucky to grab the three points.
Leeds now can look forward to a Carling Cup clash with Manchester United on Tuesday before travelling to Brighton and Hove Albion on Friday night.
Teams
Lonergan, Lees, O`Dea, Kisnorbo, White, Howson, Clayton, Snodgrass (Keogh 71), Nunez (Becchio 58), Keogh (Bromby 69), McCormack
Subs not used
Rachubka, Brown
Bristol City
James, Spence (Stead 89), Skuse, Elliott, McGivern, Wilson, Campbell-Ryce, Kilkenny (Pitman 75), Maynard, Adomah (Bolasie 87), Nyatanga
Subs not used
Gerken, Carey
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