Three days lazing on the sun-kissed beaches of Spain might be just what the doctor ordered for Ipswich Town.

Because this defeat - the Blues' fourth in a row - suggests their season is in serious danger of careering off the rails.

At least, that's what those with a tendency for cynicism might argue as the club prepares for its winter break.

Out of the FA Cup, eliminated from the Worthington Cup and having only won once in the top flight since the turn of the year, things appear to be spiralling from bad to worse for George Burley's leg-weary battlers.

But they can take great heart from this spirited display. It was never a classic performance but the least they deserved was a share of the spoils.

Missed chances are beginning to cost the club dear, though. That was the case at St Andrews in midweek and again at Portman Road on Saturday where Marcus Stewart - who marked the First anniversary of his £2.5 million transfer from Huddersfield Town on Thursday - made the wrong sort of impact.

The Premiership's 17-goal top scorer was given his marching orders for a second-half tackle on Ian Harte.

Yes, it was a mistimed challenge and warranted a booking but the decision of referee Peter Jones to dismiss the striker perplexed just about everyone in the ground.

Burley and Leeds boss David O'Leary agreed the ruling was harsh and the look of stunned bemusement on Stewart's face spoke volumes for his feelings.

That was the low point of a forgettable afternoon for the Loughborough official, conned by Harte's over-reaction and the poorest referee to control an Ipswich match at Portman Road this season.

Inconsistent in the extreme, he chose merely to book Lucas Radebe for a crude challenge on Stewart while Danny Mills escaped even a caution after sliding in on Mark Venus.

Coming with 16 minutes left to play, Stewart's dismissal represented a body-blow for Ipswich.

Yet for all the criticisms of the referee, his decision could never be used as an excuse for defeat because Town were their own worst enemies.

A combination of questionable defending and poor finishing is hardly a recipe for success, especially against opposition bolstered by the talents of Robbie Keane.

The Irishman started with five goals in seven matches and could have finished with another three.

First Lee Bowyer arrowed in a cross towards him. Venus slid in to avert the danger, but succeeded only in poking the ball beyond goalkeeper Richard Wright.

It was wretched luck because, with Keane ready to pounce, the defender had no option but to stretch and attempt to make contact.

More blame can be levelled at the defence for Leeds' second goal, scored four minutes before half-time.

Jamie Clapham backed off and allowed Mills to run at him before the defender played a neat one-two with Bowyer.

Having totally flat-footed Town's defence, Mills delivered a cross from the right which evaded Titus Bramble's outstretched leg.

No prizes for guessing Keane would be lurking at the far post.

Town pressed after the break, without creating too much to worry Leeds.

Venus was given the opportunity to atone for his own goal, though, when Radebe upended James Scowcroft. The free-kick specialist stepped up to drive home his fourth goal of the season.

By then Town had already squandered their best opportunities. Things might have been different if Stewart, under pressure from Radebe, had taken advantage of a one-on-one situation with Nigel Martyn, instead of poking his effort against the England goalkeeper's leg.

Alun Armstrong, who last week had his second goal in the 3-1 triumph against Southampton taken away by the Premiership's Dubious Goals Committee, could have done better.

Then when Scowcroft centred from the right Clapham, with the goal at his mercy, was wrong-footed and contrived only to pass the ball to a grateful defender.

Matt Holland, setting a new club record of 201 consecutive appearances, also had a header well saved and a shot from the edge of the area flash over.

At the other end, Leeds exposed gaps in Town's defence when Alan Smith and Mark Viduka surged beyond last-line-of-defence Hermann Hreidarsson.

Smith unselfishly laid the ball off to Viduka who rifled into an empty net.

But the effort was ruled out for offside, despite the fact the Australian timed his run to come from behind his team-mate.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.