NEEDS REWORDING THERE were a few scares along the way, but Leeds moved through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup despite losing 2-1 to Slavia Prague, who came from a goal down to hand United their first defeat since they lost to Manchester United eight games ago.

Perhaps after taking the lead early in the second half with a goal by Harry Kewell, David O'Leary's young side took the foot off the gas and they were hit by the Czechs, who scored twice through midfielder Ivor Ulich.

But there can be little doubt that over the two legs Leeds deserved to go through 4-2 on aggregate and they now await to see who they land in Friday lunchtime's draw in Geneva.

United boss David O'Leary recalled England defender Jonathon Woodgate to the side after injury, as he adopted a three man central defensive line-up similar to the one he employed in Rome three weeks ago, and also brought in Matthew Jones for Jason Wilcox.

Slavia, already without the suspended Karel Rada and Adam Petrous, lost Czech international midfielder Pavel Horvath with a hamstring injury, as coach Fabrisek Cipro looked to pull round the three goal deficit from the first leg at Elland Road last week.

Playing in the blue away strip that has served them so well in Europe this season, Leeds were forced into conceding a corner early on, but Alfie Haaland headed clear and despite Slavia pushing men forward, United tried to unsettle the Czechs.

On six minutes Michael Bridges had a chance to find Harry Kewell on the far side of the area on, but couldn't square the ball, with the Australian in acres of space. Bridges then set up Stephen McPhail inside the area, but Slavia keeper Cerny did well to block the young Irishman's shot from 10 yards out.

Bridges was through moments later, but the flag went up for offside, with United's leading scorer lucky to escape the yellow card that would force him to miss the next European game, after not hearing the whistle and playing on.

Sixteen minutes in, Gary Kelly tried his luck with a 20 yard shot from the right, but his firmly struck effort flashed past Cerny's right hand post, with the Czech international at full stretch. Then after Alfie Haaland gave away a free-kick 25 yards out, Leeds were forced back, but Slavia wasted the opportunity, as Nigel Martyn watched the final ball drift harmlessly over his crossbar.

Eirik Bakke did well tracking back to cut out a dangerous looking ball from the right, but United tactics of letting Slavia play their football well away from Nigel Martyn appeared to be working well.

On a bobbly surface Martyn was having difficulty with some of his clearances, twice making a hash of his kicks, but Slavia failed to take advantage and Leeds survived. just past the half hour he did well to get down and save a low shot from Kuchar, just grabbing the ball at the second attempt with Dosek closing in.

Harry Kewell then had a chance to put the tie beyond the Czechs, but after Michael Bridges' ball found its way through, he side-footed wide from just six yards out. Bridges then chose to ignore his team mate moments later, went for goal, but Cerny saved well at his near post.

Bridges tested Cerny again on 36 minutes, this time from a 25 yard free-kick which the Czech keeper saved, diving to his left. The £5M striker should have done better with half-time approaching. Clean through on goal, he tried to round Cerny but stumbled and a combination of the keeper and a defender sliding in forced him to bungle his attempt.

Slavia then had the final chance of the first period at the other end. A mighty scramble ended with Alfie Haaland hacking the ball clear, after Zelenka had turned inside the Norwegian defender and Radebe had blocked his shot.

Neither side made a change at the interval, but Leeds showed their desire to attack Slavia as Harry Kewell raced clear early on and after being set up by Bakke and McPhail, he blasted the ball past Cerny to give United the vital killer away goal, his fifth goal in five successive matches.

That prompted David O'Leary to make a switch, Alan Smith replacing Michael Bridges with 40 minutes left on the clock, but with one eye on the fact that his top striker was walking a yellow card tightrope.

United were then rocked when Slavia hit back straight way to equalise. The ball somehow found its way to Ivo Ulich on the left of the area, and he finished clinically past Nigel Martyn to drag the Czechs level on the night.

Still United went on the offensive and from a corner on the left, Ian Harte sent a header over the Slavia bar. But the Czechs responded again and a combination of Martyn and McPhail saved Leeds moments later, although to score the four more goals they needed, was always going to an impossible task.

Fabrisek Cipro made a double substitution in attack, Lerch and Vagner coming on for Dostalek and Tomas Dosek. The change seemed to inspire Slavia as they pushed Leeds back, with Ulich firing in a shot which fizzed over Martyn's bar.

Kewell took a knock and momentarily left the field for treatment and the in form striker was soon back in the action, crossing dangerously from the left, but Smith couldn't make up the ground for the final touch and the ball drifted out of play.

Ian Harte then gave away a penalty when he felled Zelenka as he raced into the United area and up stepped Ulich to beat Martyn, who got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out.

Slavia kept pressing foward looking for a third, but it was all too late and Leeds eased through to the last four, a magnificent achievement for a side still learning what European football is all about.

This defeat may also prove a valuable lesson along the way.