Post-match reaction

Leeds are in danger of seeing their Premiership hopes destroyed by a lack of firepower.

David O'Leary's side failed to score against Coventry at Highfield Road and rarely troubled the home side's defence.

The Yorkshire club were tipped to challenge Manchester United and Arsenal for the title this season, but now find themselves off the pace after another disappointing display.

To make matters worse, they will be without Australian striker Mark Viduka for up to six weeks on Olympic duty - and young star Harry Kewell is out until Christmas through injury.

England under 21 star Alan Smith came closest for Leeds, but failed to improve his record of five goals this season.

Smith was called up to Kevin Keegan's England squad after he fired Leeds into the Champions' League and started the campaign in a rich vein of form.

But he squandered his side's best chance on 21 minutes. French defender Olivier Dacourt provided the young striker with an inch perfect cross, but Smith managed to screw his shot wide.

Coventry seemed content to defend, but could have snatched a late winner through Ysrael Zuniga. Zuniga found himself unmarked in the penalty area but chipped his shot over the bar.

Coventry: Hedman, Edworthy, Williams, Shaw, Chippo, Roussel, Hadji, Telfer (Eustace 71), Palmer, Bellamy (Zuniga 64), Hall.
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Breen, Normann.
Booked: Shaw.

Leeds: Martyn, Kelly, Harte, Dacourt, Radebe, Bridges, Bowyer, Huckerby (Wilcox 73), McPhail, Smith, Duberry.
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Mills, Jones, Hay.
Booked: Bowyer, Smith.

Att: 20,377
Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).

 O'LEARYUNHAPPY WITH REFEREE

David O'Leary took a sideswipe at referee Paul Durkin following Leeds' stalemate at Coventry today.

O'Leary's side had claims for a penalty waved aside in the second half when Darren Huckerby was brought down by Youssef Chippo.

He said: "There were a lot of dubious decisions today, and we should have had a penalty.

"Darren is not a cheat. The referee was right on it - but he walked away."

Coventry boss Gordon Strachan said: "Both teams today went at it hammer and tongs, but you get that in the opening days of the season.

"Everybody stuck to their job, and while I was obviously hoping we'd pick up three points I'm not unhappy with one."