A combination of determined defending, good goalkeeping and a slice of luck coupled with teenage striker Alan Smith's fourth goal in three games, claimed Leeds a place in the lucrative group stages of the Champions' League.

United's new favourite local boy again was in the right place at the right time to ensure his side take their place amongst this season's elite clubs in Europe.

Leeds held a narrow 2-1 lead over TSV 1860 Munich in the final Champions' League qualifying round and faced what manager David O'Leary called his most difficult test in his career as boss in the second leg in the Olympic Stadium. With a long list of absentees through injury, and without Olivier Dacourt and Eirik Bakke suspended after they were both shown red cards in the first leg at Elland Road two weeks ago, O'Leary was able to recall Welsh midfielder Matthew Jones for his first game of the season, but decided to drop Michael Bridges to the bench and bring in Danny Mills.

The England under-21 international was drafted in at right back, as United lined up with a 4-4-2 formation with Gary Kelly and skipper Lucas Radebe pushed into midfield.

1860 Munich brought in Daniel Borimirov for the suspended Ned Zelic.

In front of a packed house, Leeds were immediately under pressure, with Passlack just failing to connect with Hassler's early corner and a shot by Bierovka flashing past the post.

Munich piled forward looking to peg back the one goal deficit and Agostino's header was well save low down by Martyn before a shot by Hassler was blocked by Ian Harte.

But gradually United got into their stride, Mark Viduka just failing to reach Ian Harte's cross and Gary Kelly seeing his shot deflected over the bar.

On 18 minutes Alan Smith felled Munich keeper Michael Hofmann and was fortunate to escape with only a lecture from Norwegian referee Claus Bo Larsen, who was making it quite clear who was in charge without producing an early yellow card.

Minutes later Leeds had a great shout for a penalty when Smith was tripped by Martin Starnzl inside the are, but no flag was raised, much to the disgust of United boss David O'Leary who was on his feet immediately.

£6M Mark Viduka then went close to opening his goal account for Leeds, but his chip come lob was parried by Hofmann and the chance was gone.

Leeds were looking more comfortable as the half wore on, but Nigel Martyn did make one crucial save when Paul Agostino found space 12 yards out shooting goalwards from Martin Max's cross and as the ball rebounded off the keeper the United defence somehow scrambled the ball clear.

The impressive Harald Cerny was causing Leeds problems down the right flank, teasing the United defence with floated crosses, but the biggest let off came seconds before the break.

Michael Duberry gave a free kick away just outside the area and Thomas Hassler's wicked free-kick hit the angle of post and crossbar which meant Leeds were still one goal up at half-time.

If United had rode their luck in the first period, a minute after the restart they were delirious when they took the lead.

Determination by Viduka who beat two defenders to the ball and as it broke to Smith, he finished superbly with a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Martyn then made a superb one handed save from Borimirov and Agostino's follow up shot was hacked off the line by Mills and Duberry.

With Radebe now marshalling the midfield superbly United were keeping Munich at bay, but Martyn again had to be alert to make good saves from Cerny and Borimirov.

Late substitutions by the Germans failed to find Werner Lorant's side a way back in the tie and the thousand or so United fans in a 56,000 crowd were the ones who left knowing that a visit to Barcelona, Juventus or Milan was now a distinct possibility when the draw is made on Friday in Monaco.

Or could it be United's manager David O'Leary, who pulled off his undoubted best result in his short managerial career, who gets his dream tie with a return trip to Munich to face the mighty Bayern.