SOFIA. Dec 3(Reu-ters/ Internet) :

I 1 Spartak Moscow

I jSw WJ produced a pulsat-

W "^4 ing second half I————< performance on Thursday to come from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 in their UEFA Cup third round first leg match.

The victory was Spartak's first home leg victory In Europe this season, but came at the neutral Georgi Asparuchov Stadium in Sofia after the clash was postponed last week because of a frozen pitch in Moscow.

England's Premier League leaders went desperately close to taking the lead after Just five minutes when a Harry Kewell header from a corner thudded off the crossbar with Spartak goalkeeper Alexandr Filimonov rooted to the spot.

The newly-crowned Russian champions were a little ring-rusty having not played a competitive match since their 5-2 Champions League defeat by Sparta Prague a month ago. and Leeds took control despite missing key players David Batty and captain Lucas Radebe.

Australian Kewell made that early pressure count with a superb opportunist goal in the 13th minute, seizing on an underhit back pass by Dmitri Khlestov to slot the ball past Filimonov.

Leeds 'keeper Nigel Martyn was called on to make a good save shortly after the half hour when Brazilian Luis Robson hit a crisp shot from 20 metres.

Spartak's pressure began to tell as Leeds sat back and Alexander Schirko levelled the match eight minutes before the break, slamming the ball past Martyn after collecting it on his thigh from a comer.

Leeds regrouped, started the second half brightly, and Kewell went close twice. Yuri Kovtun was booked for a late tackle on Lee Bowyer and wife miss next Thursday's second leg at Eiland Road.

David O'Leary replaced lone striker Michael Bridges - who picked up a shin injury in a clash with the Spartak keeper - in the 55th minute and Darren Huckerby was introduced.

But, as in the first half, Spartak weathered the early storm and Robson finished off an incisive move by slotting past Martyn was unable to keep possession.

The frustration got to defender lan Harte who went Into referee Anders Frisk's book for a foul with 10 minutes to go.

Spartak weren't finished, though, and both Robson and Schirko could have added to their total.

"I didn't think we played par-

ticularly well in the second half and I w«I) settle for that result. Under the circumstances.

missing the players we were without. I think we did okay." Leeds manager David O'Leary said.

"They always looked dangerous in the second half but I am confident we can do a good job at home next week."