Leeds United defender Liam Cooper has admitted he was disappointed with side's performance in the first half of their 1-1 draw with Preston on Boxing Day, but feels they did enough to win the game in the second half.

Having made a slow start against Alex Neil's side at Elland Road, Leeds found themselves behind at the break thanks to Alan Browne's strike midway through the opening 45 minutes.

Marcelo Bielsa's side rallied in the second 45 however, and eventually snatched a late equaliser courtesy of Stuart Dallas' strike from distance.

Speaking after the game, Cooper appeared far from impressed with the way his side started the match, as he told Leeds Live: "I think the first 20 minutes they pressed us well.

"We struggled to get out, we couldn’t get it flowing as much as we have been, but we’re always in the game, obviously we conceded a sloppy goal on our behalf. I think that sort of gave us a nudge to get going."

While Cooper was not surprised by the quality of Preston's start, it seems the defender was still left expecting more from his own side, as he continued: "They’re a good side, we expected that, we weren’t getting it flowing as much as we’re used to.

"We were disappointed, but I think after half-time we got back to ourselves, we played our way out, we created chances and we could have scored a lot more goals today."

Cooper was happier however with Leeds' performance after the break, as they came back to secure a point that could yet prove crucial in the fight for promotion this season, with the 28-year-old adding: "I think second half we’ve created some very good chances, hit the woodwork a couple of times.

"I think when you’re behind in any game you just don’t want to get beat, so we’re happy with a point, but I think we should have scored more goals. We shouldn’t concede.

"Disappointed on our behalf, we’ve got to take it on the chin because we’ve got another massive game in a few days."

That draw with Preston keeps Leeds second in the Championship table, eight points clear of the play-off places ahead of their trip to St Andrews' to face Birmingham on Sunday afternoon.

The Verdict

It certainly wasn't a vintage first-half performance from Leeds against Preston.

That will of course be frustrating for Leeds against one of the teams that make up the chasing pack in the race for promotion, although the fact they were able to respond after the break should at least be a source of encouragement for Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Even so, that is now three games without a win for Leeds, and they will want to end that run sooner rather than later, or the gap to the play-off places that has somehow managed to remain comfortable for Leeds in the past few games will surely start to close.