THE first defeat of the season, albeit in controversial circumstances, gave Aitor Karanka plenty to think about at Elland Road.

Albert Adomah had what looked a perfectly good goal disallowed after referee Stuart Attwell adjudged an overhead kick to have been dangerous play, then Billy Sharp snatched a late winner after Tomas Mejias had spilled a Michael Tonge shot.

"We didn't play well today," admitted Boro's Head Coach after the game.

"We had chances, not many, but chances. In the 25 minutes we were better than them and scored what looked a good goal and I don't understand why it was allowed.

"But it wasn't that that cost us the game. We didn't play the way we can and the way we like to play. I would have liked to play our way, with passing and movement, but we ended up playing Leeds' style of long balls and second possession and they are stronger than us at that. I think we ended playing the way Leeds wanted us to play."

Karanka refused to be drawn on the mistake from Mejias, saying: "I don't want to speak about one player. I didn't want to speak about Kike last week and not Tomas this week. We win as a team and we lose at a team."

There was a debut for right-back Damia Abella, while another new boy Adam Clayton was introduced on the hour.

"It was difficult to change the dynamic of the game," admitted Karanka, adding: "It was difficult for Damia today and he is the first to understand he has to improve. But I was pleased with him. I have been looking at him for eight or nine months and there is confidence there for him to play well in the future."