No matter how rich a vein of form we're in, a trip to Selhurst Park is always one of the trickiest of the season. Our last win there was the Yeboah inspired 4-2 in 1995/96.

Wimbledon midfielder Robbie Earle claims that the Dons are back to their best and have rediscovered their hunger. "We'll go out there to make it hard for Leeds. We'll fight for everything. We're back in the groove and ready to make it tough for our visitors." A touch of bravado from a team who've only won two Premiership games all season? Perhaps - but even though Wimbledon are not the team they were under Kinnear, they are always difficult to beat, especially on their home patch. The 13 points they've managed this season include seven draws - and they've only been beaten twice at Selhurst Park.

United need to win to go back to the top of the Premiership. Much will depend on how we've recovered from the trip to Moscow last week. Last time, we had an away game in Europe, against Partizan, we returned to beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at Elland Road - and O'Leary will be expecting a similar battling performance tomorrow.

The United Boss expects to pick from a near full strength squad, although there are slight injury doubts hanging over Kewell, Woodgate and McPhail. However, all three are expected to play. O'Leary will probably play a different tactical game against the Dons, reverting back to a four man midfield, with Eirik Bakke giving way to Alan Smith.

Wimbledon expect Dean Blackwell to return and Neal Ardley is also included in the squad.

Selhurst Park continues to haunt us. Of all the places you could wish to visit, knowing that a win is needed to go back to the top of the Premiership, Selhurst Park would be near to the bottom of the list. This afternoon's match was typical of games against Wimbledon, in so far as we rarely looked like scoring, despite enjoying the majority of possession. In the end, the match was settled by two goals: a first half strike by Hartson and a second half effort by Gayle.

The afternoon's disappointment began even before a ball had been kicked, with news that Thursday's golden boy, Michael Bridges, was unexpectedly out with a back injury. This meant that Huckerby had a rare starting opportunity to partner Smith up front. Otherwise, O'Leary's team selection was as expected, with Woodgate, McPhail and Kewell all passed fit to play.

The game stated entertainingly with a clash of styles instantly apparent. Whilst Leeds tried to build everything on the ground, the Dons were understandably happy to play the ball long - and immediately caused problems for the united defence, who were to have a very busy afternoon.

On 10 minutes, Huckerby made a chance out of nothing, for himself. he cut in from the left wing, past three defenders, before hitting a well hit shot - which Sullivan got down well to save. Immediately, though, Wimbledon carved out an even better opportunity. As a ball was crossed in from the right, Hartson rose brilliantly over the Leeds defence to power what looked like an unstoppable header low to Martyn's right. However, the England keeper responded superbly to pull off a fingertip save and keep the score goalless.

On 18 minutes, Woodgate suffered a nasty clash of heads with one of the Wimbledon forwards and the game had to be halted for several minutes, for him to receive treatment to a badly cut eye. Then, just four minutes later, Radebe seemed to get away, yet again, with a possible penalty appeal against him. Thankfully, though, the referee allowed play to go on.

On 27 minutes, Huckerby showed more clever footwork, this time on the right. However, with three teammates waiting in the box, he played a poor ball across goal, which was easily cleared by the Wimbledon defence. Two minutes later, we made more good progress down the right flank. However, this time, as the cross came over, Bowyer tried an over ambitious bicycle kick with Kewell well placed behind him. The two appeared to exchange words as Harry expressed his frustration. Two missed half chances within a minute would prove costly - with immediate effect.

With the very next attack, Cunningham broke down the Wimbledon right. With Leeds exposed at right back, Radebe found himself out of position, attempting to stop Cunningham's cross. He failed and, as Harte - ironically finding himself where Lucas would otherwise have been - scuffed his clearance, the ball fell to Hartson, who hammered the ball past Martyn.

Again, with the next attack, Leeds made an immediate attempt to equalize. Harte attempted one of his renowned free kicks from a good position. However, his rather tamely hit attempt went straight to Sullivan.

Kewell then cut in from the left and attempted a right foot curler. However, his attempt had little pace and failed to trouble Sullivan. Finally, with half time beckoning, more good work down the left from Huckerby led to Bowyer getting his head to the cross. Unfortunately, though, in a good position, he failed to get any power into the attempt.

For the first fifteen minutes of the second period, we enjoyed almost non stop possession as we progressed towards the Wimbledon goal. However, if truth be told, the Dons defended so well that we made very few inroads into the Wimbledon area, In fact, despite all the possession, it was the home team who were looking the most likely to grab themselves another goal. On 49 minutes, Hartson had a half chance when the ball reached him inside the Leeds area. He attempted a spectacular first time volley but, thankfully, failed to make contact. Then, just five minutes later, Cunningham - who was proving something of a thorn down our right, crossed a useful looking ball into the box. Fortunately for us, again, it fell just behind Carl Cort, who could only scoop the ball over Martyn's goal.

The deciding goal came from more disappointing defending. Radebe was pressured into giving away a needless corner by the impressive Hartson. From the set piece, taken by Kimble, we failed to place anyone on the line, and Gayle smashed a bullet header past the onlooking Martyn. Game over!

The remaining 25 minutes were pure frustration as we continued to plug away manfully at the home defence, without ever really looking like scoring. Indeed, Sullivan barely had to make a save all afternoon. On 71 minutes, Huckerby had a half chance, following a clever flick by Kewell, but Earle defended well. Then, from the resultant corner, Radebe almost sneaked in. However, as O'Leary use all three substitutes (Duberry, Bakke and Hopkin had replaced Woodgate, Bowyer and Smith, respectively), it was painfully clear that this wasn't going to be our day.

As if to prove the point, Bakke saw an effort cleared off the line by Anderson, with just four minutes remaining, then in injury time, Hopkin surged forward to hit his shot tamely at Sullivan.

United were maybe a little tired after recent excursions. However, it would be wrong to take anything away from Wimbledon. They had done what they are best at: getting stuck in and causing havoc in opponents' defences with their aerial prowess. They also scored two powerfully converted goals at just the right moments - something that we have been doing regularly to other teams, in our recent run.

O'Leary could not be critical at his players' workrate this afternoon. However, what he would be only too well aware of was just how one dimensional we looked at times this afternoon. We badly missed Bridges - but when the going gets tough, how nice it would be to have someone with Hartson's physique and aerial prowess, to pump the ball up to. The acquisition of a powerfully built striker would be a priority over the next two weeks, if I could get my hands on some of the money in O'Leary's transfer kitty.

United Star Man: David Batty