Harry Kewell finally ended Leeds' miserable six-match winless run on a UEFA Cup night when it appeared as if Lady Luck would again desert Terry Venables.

Just as in their first-round tie with Ukrainian minnows Metalurg Zaporizhia, Leeds left it late in scoring a priceless goal against Hapoel Tel-Aviv, but it means they are now firmly in the driving seat for the away leg of this second-round clash.

If Leeds were heading to Tel-Aviv for the return then it perhaps might be a very different proposition for Venables and his side, but the relative comfort of Florence awaits in a fortnight's time.

Due to safety and security concerns, all Israeli teams - both at international and club level - have been forced to play their home matches in neutral venues for the last nine months.

The 47,000-capacity Artemio Franchi stadium is the setting for the second leg, and there are likely to be more Leeds supporters making their way to Italy than those from Israel in light of this result.

Up until the 82nd minute, though, the good fortune which Venables has been lacking of late was distinctly absent as the woodwork frustrated both the former England manager and his players on three occasions.

Hapoel goalkeeper Shavit Elimelech was a virtual bystander as first Nick Barmby and then Mark Viduka struck post and bar respectively in the first half to at least warm the hearts of the club's often fickle fans.

Prior to the game Venables had called upon the supporters to show loyalty and unity following events in the last home defeat to Liverpool when there were cries for former manager David O'Leary, with chairman Peter Ridsdale echoing such sentiments in his programme notes.

Venables has only been in charge for just over three months, but the natives have become restless at United's lack of progress, all in stark contrast to what they have become accustomed to.

Leeds started the match in 12th place in the Barclaycard Premiership, their lowest position for 21 months, but Venables is firmly of the belief the tide is beginning to turn.

There were signs against Hapoel, particularly as the Israeli side showed pace and power on the counter-attack, Leeds are beginning to get used to Venables' methods, especially in the second half when they ran the show.

The move which led to Barmby's brush with success was delightful as Kewell, Eirik Bakke and Mark Viduka worked the ball from one side of the penalty area to the other.

The Australia international then produced a clever chip to an unmarked Barmby whose stunning overhead scissor-kick in the 20th minute struck the base of the post, with Elimelech rooted to his goal-line.

He was statuesque again five minutes before the break when Viduka conjured up a stunning free-kick from 22 yards after he had initially been brought down, his neat lift over the wall bouncing off the top of the bar.

That was after a lively-looking Hapoel side, who had reached the quarter-finals of this competition last season - beating Chelsea in the second round en route - had served notice of their own intent in the opening exchanges.

Leeds were caught square at the back in the sixth minute when a raking through ball from Salim Toema found Pini Balili with only Paul Robinson to beat, and but for a yard more height on his attempted 16-yard lob then the Leeds keeper would have been picking the ball out of his net.

Robinson was at least well placed to turn aside a well-struck 25-yard left-foot free-kick from Toema soon after, the 23-year-old at full stretch in parrying a drive which had been driven round the wall.

Harte, who had only just cleared the bar with a free-kick of his own just prior to Toema's effort, then went closer still just before the hour mark, but again Leeds were left cursing.

When summer Blackburn target and Tel-Aviv skipper Shimon Gershon hauled down Alan Smith just outside the area, up stepped Harte, but from 20 yards his left-foot shot clipped the angle of bar and post.

That was during a purple patch for Leeds as Tel-Aviv were placed under considerable pressure, and it was not until eight minutes from time that the breakthrough United deserved finally materialised.

Viduka's ball into Smith saw him flick the ball over his own head into the path of Kewell to drive in a low shot which skidded off the Elland Road turf and into the bottom right-hand corner for his fourth goal of the season.

It could have been 2-0 a few minutes later as a Kewell cross from the left skimmed off the head of Domb and narrowly over the bar, but in the dying moments Leeds were indebted to Robinson for maintaining the vital clean sheet as another excellent save denied Toema from another fine free-kick.

Teams

Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Radebe, Woodgate, Harte, Barmby (Bridges 70), Dacourt (McPhail 65), Bakke, Kewell, Smith, Viduka (Mills 90).

Subs Not Used: Martyn, Duberry, McMaster, Singh.

Booked: Bakke, Radebe, Smith.

Goals: Kewell 82.

Hapoel Tel-Aviv: Elimelech, Halis, Gershon, Halmai (Abutbul 65), Antebi, Domb, Toema, Afek, Abuksis, Balili (Udi 83), Welton (Clescenko 59).

Subs Not Used: Salem, Halfon, Luz, Saban.

Booked: Toema, Domb.

Att: 31,867

Ref: Jack Van Hulten (Holland).