Paul Heckingbottom bemoans Sheffield United's "lack of quality" in defeat at Leeds United

United were given a glimmer of hope of getting a result at the home of their county rivals when Ben Osborn equalised on the stroke of half-time, with his first goal in United colours.

But Phil Jagielka’s own goal, from the cross of Jack Harrison who had earlier put Leeds ahead, sentenced United to yet another defeat in a season full of them – and Heckingbottom knows why.

“In terms of effort and fight that was there, but there were too many moments when we lacked quality,” the former Leeds boss said.

“We gave it away cheaply and they had their best moments on the counter. The quality wasn’t there with he set plays either and in terms of that we were our own worst enemy today.

“We started slowly and Leeds dropped on too many second balls, we won the ball higher as the half wore on but again, we didn’t open them up in the positions we were in. The first real moment of quality from us got us our goal, which was our reward for sticking at it.

“We were opened up when we didn’t fully commit to the press and there wasn’t much more Jags could do. We couldn’t put our foot on their throat because we’d give the ball away.”

United’s misery was compounded when Jayden Bogle and George Baldock were both withdrawn with concussion problems, which could give Heckingbottom further injury issues ahead of next weekend’s clash with Arsenal.

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