PETER Reid praised the battling qualities of his Sunderland side last night after they withstood a Leeds United barrage to win 1-0 at Elland Road.

Jason McAteer scored the only goal of the game just 28 seconds after half-time as Sunderland ended Leeds' 100 per cent start to the Premiership season.

They defended with increasing desperation for much of the second-half but rode out the storm to grant Reid some breathing space ahead of Saturday's home game with Manchester United.

The Sunderland manager refused to answer questions regarding his Search for a Striker just three days before the transfer window closes until January.

But he said: "We defended ever so well and, as I thought would happen, we were difficult to break down.

"The gameplan worked. Playing one up front is not a negative system but it helps you frustrate teams away from home.

"I'm not classing us with the likes of Ajax but a lot of big European teams use it when they're away.

"We've had it done to us when we've had no space in which to play and you have to be cute. Leeds have a lot of quality in their side but we stayed patient, kept them out and took our chance when it came along.

"This was a great result and the players got what they deserved.

"We always looked dangerous on the break and, to be honest, Thomas Sorensen didn't have too many saves to make.

"We've done well in all three Premiership games and I can't fault the players. Will it relax the fans? Ask me against after we play United."

Leeds manager Terry Venables was fuming after his side had an appeal for a "certain penalty" turned down after McAteer's goal.

Referee Mark Halsey waved away frenzied Leeds cries for a spot-kick after Mark Viduka went down under a challenge from Michael Gray.

Venables said: "It was a certain penalty.

"Michael Gray was not even looking at the ball. He kept his fingers crossed that the referee didn't see him - and he didn't.

"Sunderland got what they came for. They played well in doing what they achieved. We should have been a bit sharper and a bit quicker but it's no good syaing it's nearly right.

"We got caught cold at the start of the second-half and it was uphill from there.

"We have to learn to overcome these tactics. If we think we are near the likes of Man Utd and Arsenal we have to expect teams to line up against us like Sunderland did.

"And we have to be able to deal with it."

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