Mirco Antenucci scores double for Leeds United

Mirco Antenucci scored twice for Leeds United as they beat high-flying Derby County 2-0 at Elland Road this afternoon.

The Italian struck either side of the break to give his side the points, but results elsewhere see Derby stay top of the Championship.

On-loan Liverpool youngster Jordon Ibe found Jeff Hendrick early on but the latter dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box shortly before Chris Martin's heavy touch thwarted a decent move.

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Ibe was once again at the heart of the move when he danced down the left before the half-hour mark but Martin could only poke his teammate's cross wide of the post.

Alex Mowatt forced Lee Grant into a save with a long-range effort before Souleymane Doukara dragged a shot wide for the visitors from around 25 yards out.

With the first half petering out, Antenucci struck with two minutes of normal time remaining to give the home side the lead over the high-flying Rams.

Antenucci then doubled his tally for the afternoon five minutes into the second half when he calmly slotted from around 12 yards out.

Grant made a good stop to deny Antenucci his hat-trick on 67 minutes before the visitors saw appeals for a penalty waved away by the official.

Derby boss Steve McClaren made a triple substitution in an attempt to turn the game around, but Leeds held firm under pressure.