Wolves 2 Leeds 3: Ayling hits injury-time winner to complete stunning second-half turnaround

JESSE MARSCH saw skipper Luke Ayling complete an incredible comeback – as both benches squared up to each other in a crazy Molineux clash.

Marsch was left in no doubt that his side have the fight to avoid the drop against 10 man Wolves who had Raul Jimenez sent off.

And that translated on to the touchline where players and coaches clashed after Leeds’ wild celebrations.

There had been a bad feeling ever since Jimenez was dismissed after an ugly collision with Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who was forced to come off injured.

But Leeds made the most of Wolves being reduced to 10 men and scored twice in three minutes to level it up after Jonny Otto and Francisco Trincao appeared to have sealed the game before half-time – and put Europe-chasing Wolves back in sight of the top four.

Molineux fans sang: ‘Leeds are falling apart again’.

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But Marsch’s side had other ideas – and the game swung when Jimenez was shown a second yellow card by referee Kevin Friend.

And they levelled the scores with two quickfire goals from Jack Harrison and Rodrigo before Ayling fired past keeper Jose Sa to seal an amazing win.

Marsch and Bruno Lage shook hands at the final whistle.

But the first hour was truly bizarre with FIVE substitutions – four of them for Leeds, a sending off, two goals, a pitch invader and eight minutes of stoppage time thanks to a string of injuries.

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But there was more heartache for Leeds striker Patrick Bamford who only recently returned after suffering a hamstring injury in December.

He appeared to have tears in his eyes as he pulled his shirt over his head after landing awkwardly and having to come off after just 22 minutes.

Bamford had already gone close to scoring for Leeds along with Rodrigo.

Wolves lost a key man of their own two minutes later with in-form Ruben Neves unable to carry on after needing treatment earlier.

Neves was replaced by Trincao – and his first touch set up the opening goal.

Trincao broke clear on the right and pulled the ball back for Jonny who drove home his first goal since returning after 10 months out following a knee operation – a good way to celebrate his 100th Wolves appearance.

Leeds then had to make another switch when Diego Llorente came off clutching his back to be replaced by Robin Koch.

Wolves almost made it two when Trincao hit the post from 20 yards out with a swerving shot.

Leeds’ continuing defensive problems were obvious awn when Jimenez was presented with a chance by Pascal Struijk’s lazy pass – but the Mexico striker sliced wide.

Incredibly, Leeds suffered another injury when Mateusz Klich came off with a cut head and was replaced by a protocol sub in Charlie Cresswell.

Wolves took advantage and when the Leeds backline switched off at a quickly taken free-kick Daniel Podence pulled it back for Trincao who fired into the bottom corner.

The second half saw more drama when Jimenez ran on to a Willy Boly ball and collided with Meslier.

Both players needed treatment but Friend ruled Jimenez committed the foul and sent him for an early bath.

It was the Mexico striker’s second red card of the season after being sent off at Manchester City in December.

Meslier had to come off and be replaced by Leeds’ fourth sub of the night, debutant Kristoffer Klaesson.

But Leeds pulled one back after 63 minutes through Harrison who finally netted after captain Ayling had hit the post and seen the rebound cleared off the line by Conor Coady.

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There was clearly some bad feeling between the two benches with a number of words exchanged as things threatened to boil over.

But then Leeds grabbed a sensational equaliser when Dan James hit the post and Wolves defender Romain Saiss failed to clear – Rodrigo pounced and forced the ball home from close range.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk