Leeds made the best possible start to their UEFA Cup campaign this afternoon when they beat FK Partizan 3-1 in Heerenveen. After going a goal down mid-way through the first half, they battled back well - to achieve a victory which should set up a comfortable return leg at Elland Road, in a fortnight's time.

O'Leary, hampered by the fact that he had previously not had a chance to see Partizan play live, opted for a 'safety first' approach - in terms of his team selection. With Duberry unfit, he decided to play with a flat back four but with five across the midfield. Gary Kelly made his first full start of the campaign, occupying a position on the right of midfield, whilst Michael Bridges served as the lone striker.

However, if there was a note of caution in the Leeds Manager's formation, this was not evident once the game kicked off. In fact, the opening half proved to be a highly entertaining affair, with both sides playing openly and looking for the opening goal.

Unfortunately for United, however, it was Partizan who were to take the lead - after 20 minutes. Kezman made progress down the left and made his way past Mills to the edge of United's area. His shot was driven straight at Nigel Martyn but, uncharacteristically, the England keeper fumbled the ball to the feet of Tomic, who slotted coolly home. It was a blow to United who, until this point, had looked to be fairly comfortable.

Thankfully, though, it didn't take them long to get back on level terms. Just six minutes later, Harte swung over a corner from the right. The Partizan keeper, Damjanac - who was to have a torrid time all afternoon - made a half hearted attempt to punch the ball to the edge of the area, where Lee Bowyer was waiting. The England U21 midfielder controlled the ball neatly with his right foot before hitting a powerful left footed half volley into the top right of the net.

Leeds were back in the game but then, just two minutes later, they almost undid all their good work again. Kezman, the Partizan left winger, was once more involved in the build up. Skipping into the Leeds area, he came inside Bowyer, only to be scythed down by Radebe - for a cast iron penalty. Up stepped a confident looking Rosovic to hit his penalty low and crisp to Martyn's left. However, redeeming himself for his earlier blunder, Nigel pulled off an outstanding fingertip save, turning the ball round the post. It was to prove the turning point of the match.

From this point onwards, United began to gradually assert themselves on the game and it came as no real surprise when they managed to take the lead, just shortly before the break. Harte floated a long ball into the Partizan area, which Woodgate just managed to get his head to, flicking it into the path of Radebe. What followed was as bizarre a goal as you are likely to see all season. With the keeper seemingly cemented to the spot, the ball seemed to take an eternity to come down to Radebe, by which time the Leeds skipper had fallen flat on his back. Amazingly, though, from this prone position, he somehow managed to hook the ball into the corner of the net, past the hapless - or should I say hopeless - keeper. United took a deserved 2-1 lead into the break.

The second half was nowhere near as open or entertaining as the first. However, from Leeds' point of view, it was highly satisfactory. Now a goal up on their opponents, they slowed the pace of the game down - and Martyn had very little to do from this point. With twenty minutes remaining, Bridges - who had been sporting a dramatic looking bandage, following an earlier head injury - was replaced by Smith. The latter was immediately into the action, finding himself one on one with Damjanac. However, the angle was so tight that the keeper was easily able to parry the ball away for a corner.

With the game seemingly about to peter out, United took a surprising two goal lead on 82 minutes. After some neat interplay on the right hand edge of the Partizan area, Bowyer moved past two defenders, square on with the goal, and hit a firmly struck left foot effort. However, the keeper looked to have the attempt easily covered until, inexplicably, he palmed the ball downwards into his own net. A schoolboy error of monumental proportions - and the worst piece of goalkeeping you'll witness all season.

Thanks to a spirited fightback, a solid defensive second half and some charitable work by Damjanac, Leeds are now able to take a 3-1 lead to Elland Road, in a fortnight's time. Barring catastrophes, our passage into the next round looks assured.

United Star Man: Lee Bowyer