Luke Ayling missed the opening period of the season but since he has returned from injury he has started every Championship game, highlighting how valuable he is to Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa.
His flexibility to play along the backline has allowed him to make key contributions this term, but he has perhaps never been as valuable as he was in the match against Birmingham.
The right-back scored a brilliant half volley to put the Whites in front at 3-2 before his clever run and brilliant cross led Wes Harding to knock the ball into his own net to hand Leeds a 5-4 win in the dying seconds.
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Supporters were quick to praise the 28-year-old as he has come under fire from fans for his recent displays, and therefore his actions in the win will likely feel even sweeter for the right back and those who stood by him.
Although he was key in attack his defending left a lot to be desired, particularly when he was caught out of position for Lukas Jutiewicz’s late equaliser.
Despite that, he certainly helped his side more than hindering them, with his leadership qualities on show acting as a motivation to his teammates, spurring them on with and without the ball in order to make sure of all three points.
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That attribute wasn’t lost amongst supporters, who have rightly praised him as a result. Fans have appreciated the character he showed and if he and the team can replicate that consistently they may have enough to secure promotion.
Ayling wasn’t the only player who caught the eye of fans yesterday, as Birmingham’s Jude Bellingham also impressed by getting on the scoresheet.
