A young Pools Reserve side gave Leeds a Halloween scare at Elland Road before the Yorkshire outfit hit back to secure a slender victory.

The home side bossed proceedings for large periods of the game with Filipe Da Costa the main dangerman probing at the Pools defence from just behind the attack.

The referee also played a big part in the game by making some strange decisions, the first of which came early on when David Foley looked to have been upended in the box but no penalty was given.

Da Costa came close to opening the scoring at the other end when he was picked out in the area by Simon Madden but this time Portugeuse talent saw his shot cannon back off the post.

Stephen Turnbull tried his luck with a free-kick but the wall stood firm and deflected it wide as the sides finished the half goalless.

Leeds started the second half in determined mood and looked odds on to make their pressure pay but Shaun Derry headed over and then Jonny Howson powered a shot too high.

Robert Bayly drilled a shot low at goal but Arran Lee-Barrett kicked it clear well, while Turnbull and Foley both tried their luck at the other end unsuccessfully as Pools relied on the counter-attack.

But then Pools stung Leeds with a flowing move down the left. Foley picked up possession and charged for the byline and took a tumble in the box which this time did result in a penalty.

Michael Rae fired hard and low in to the net to give Ian Butterworth's men a slightly fortuitous lead - one that was relatively short-lived thanks to the official.

A hopeful ball in to the box was attacked by Howson who looked to have used an arm to help him control and shoot - however, in a bizarre twist the referee awarded Leeds a penalty saying the contact was with Micky Barron's arm.

Leeds took their gift with glee as Da Costa finally got his name on the scoresheet with a confidently-taken penalty.

The hosts were now well in the ascendancy and almost forged ahead when substitute Stefan Connor muscled his way through on goal but was denied brilliantly by Lee-Barrett.

However, there was late heartbreak for Pools when Howson popped up at the far post to steer home a long ball forward and Leeds claimed all three points.

Full Time: Leeds United 2 Pools 1

Leeds: Edwards, Gardner (Wilkinson), Parker, Derry, Lees, Madden, Weston, Howson, Ameobi (Connor), Da Costa, Bayly.

Subs not used: Rothery, Hotchkiss, Cartman.

Subs not used: Proudlock, Ruddy, Trevena.