CATEGORY A games at Elland Road this Millennium have included Manchester United, Newcastle United and semi-finals in both Champions League and UEFA Cup.

To class the visit of Hartlepool United in that bracket is quite an achievement for all.

But it's a mark of Pools progress over the years as much as a stain of Leeds' demise.

Losing category A games isn't any shame to any club. But when 20,000 Whites fans are crowing "you're not singing anymore'' at 2,800 Pools followers, even most most hardened football fan must raise a wry smile.

And yet, on Saturday, it should have been the home crowd silenced as Pools, on what many feel was their biggest Football League game in their 99-year history, dominated without being rewarded.

When a home side is two goals to the good and their fans start howling derision at the officials when four long minutes of additional time is about to begin, you know they aren't enjoying the best of times.

The last time the sides met was in the FA Cup at the Victoria Ground in 1978 and the visitors won 6-2. On this occasion, the away team could have gone home with the same result.

Instead, the game was akin to the last time Danny Wilson's side encountered Dennis Wise.

The Leeds boss was in charge of Swindon Town last season when, on the opening day, he saw his side utterly outplayed by Pools only to escape with a fortunate victory.

All that was missing this time was two missed penalties and a goalkeeper by the name of Slovakian Peter Brezovan in goal.

Instead Leeds had Danish keeper Casper Ankergren between the sticks and he proved an immovable object.

Richard Barker's header was destined for the top corner. Cue Ankergren, who caught the ball in mid-air after the effort came back off the bar. It's hard to tell even if the much-vaunted goalline technology would have cleared that one up.

When Godwin Antwi creamed a low shot at goal from distance and Ankergren kept it out, it wasn't going to be Pools' day.

And after falling two goals down, Pools continued to cause all the problems.

When the Leeds penalty area was the scene for a game of goalmouth ping pong, the home side might as well have had Middlesbrough's London 2012 table tennis prodigy Paul Drinkhall swatting away the Pools' attacks with his bat.

Barker, Ian Moore and Andy Monkhouse all saw efforts go begging, in the final minutes for good measure two more shots were hacked off the line.

Teams won't create as many chances at Elland Road in five games this season, let alone one. And how Leeds celebrated at the end. Five games in and they have wiped out their 15 point deduction, introduced for a series of spectacular financial catastrophes. (although if you read Ken Bates programme notes, it's the world and his dog ganging up on the whiter than white club)

The match programme features "the real Coca Cola League One table", page No -15 and squad No -15 has been allocated to the Football League. And the points deduction has certainly galvanised all at Elland Road. The siege mentality is alive and kicking. Marching on together they certainly are.

Instead of the North Stand baying to "get the Chelsea out of the club" as was the norm last season, it's "Wisey give us a wave". They did, however, give two of their former players - Moore and Robbie Elliott - rousing ovations when they were substituted.

The favour was returned from the away crowd on the final whistle when Joe Allon was on the pitch to celebrate his side's victory. Now part of the coaching set up at Elland Road, Allon would have surely netted at least one of Pools' chances.

The 2,800 travelling fans applauded their heroes off the pitch, but headed back up the A1 knowing they should have had more than applause and praise.