The miracle manager David O'Leary had demanded was cruelly snatched from his grasp in the dying seconds of a thriller at Elland Road on Tuesday night.

No-one gave Leeds a prayer of reaching the second group phase of the Champions League when the draw was made in August, least of all the 42-year-old Irishman.

But after a backs-to-the-wall display, which was epitomised by the brilliance of goalkeeper Paul Robinson, Leeds were left hanging their heads in despair as World Player of the Year Rivaldo shattered their dreams.

Against the odds and with Leeds in the middle of arguably the worst injury crisis in the club's history, the scene was set for another of those magical never-to-be-forgotten nights at Elland Road.

Lee Bowyer had dramatically put Leeds ahead in only the fifth minute, before rookie keeper Robinson produced a one-man show of defiance with five world class saves - including four from man-of-the-moment Rivaldo.

Robinson was helped in his cause by a white-shirted wall as every single Leeds player threw themselves in front of everything and anything Barcelona could muster.

It appeared as if it was going to be United's night, but then the fourth official held up the board to show an incredible four minutes of injury time.

With just 25 seconds remaining, Phillip Cocu swung over a last-gasp cross from the left-wing, which was met by a downward header from substitute Gerard which smacked against the base of the post.

The rebound fell into the path of Rivaldo and he needed no second invitation to drill home the dramatic equaliser from 10 yards.

The dejection swept round the ground and at the final whistle a melee ensued in the Barcelona half as players from both sides squared up to one another.

Others were forced to intercede to stop the scene turning into an ugly brawl, but it came as no surprise to see emotions spill over at the end of a pulsating 90 minutes.

The scenario is now a simple one for Leeds as they need just a point from their final game against AC Milan at the San Siro on November 8 to join the Italian giants in the second stage.

Defeat for O'Leary's braves would mean Turkish side Besiktas having to beat Barca or hold them to a draw at the Nou Camp - an unlikely prospect.

Teams:

Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Woodgate, Mills, Bowyer, Dacourt (Burns 75), Bakke, Matteo, Smith, Viduka.

Subs Not Used: Milosevic, McPhail, Jones, Hay, Evans, Hackworth.

Booked: Dacourt, Bakke.

Goals: Bowyer 5.

Barcelona: Dutruel, Reiziger (Dani 66), Abelardo, Alfonso, Cocu, Rivaldo, Sergi, Xavi, Simao, Enrique (Gerard 66), Puyol.

Subs Not Used: Arnau, de Boer, De la Pena, Gabri, Santamaria.

Booked: Enrique, Abelardo.

Goals: Rivaldo 90.

Att: 36,721

Ref: Terje Hauge (Norway).