Rovers were given a tough workout by Leeds United on their return to home soil.

After pre-season matches away in Italy and Croatia, sunny Yorkshire was the location for the next of the warm-up games, with a late Paul Gallagher penalty earning a share of the spoils in this Roses encounter.

Rovers boss Sam Allardyce wasn't at Elland Road, instead choosing to continue his search for striking reinforcements, and he'll have missed Leeds dominated the first half with Fabian Delph striking a post and Gael Givet heading against his own crossbar. Jason Roberts coming closest for Rovers but he was denied at close-range by 'keeper Shane Higgs.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the second half when Jermaine Beckford netted from close-range, but Leeds were to rue those missed chances as Rovers levelled right on the ninety from the penalty spot.

Paul Gallagher netting after Martin Olsson's surging run had been brought to an abrupt halt.

In the absence of Sam Allardyce who was off continuing his search for strikers, Assistant Manager Neil McDonald named a strong starting eleven for the match at Elland Road.

A back four of Jacobsen, Nelsen, Givet and Warnock ahead of Paul Robinson was full of experience, whilst in midfield Steven Nzonzi had the opportunity to add to his growing reputation alongside Keith Andrews fresh from his new four-year deal that was signed this week.

El Hadji Diouf and Morten Gamst Pedersen filled the wide positions, whilst up front the familiar partnership of Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts lead the line.

Simon Grayson's side certainly provided the stiff workout that Rovers required, creating a host of chances in the early stages of the game.

Just four minutes were on the clock when striker Luciano Becchio attempted an audacious effort, with his back to goal the Argentine turned and lashed a 30-yard effort towards goal, the ball flashing just over Paul Robinson's crossbar.

Moments later and the home side went even closer, quick passing play saw Rovers opened up and the highly rated midfielder Fabian Delph raced through, but whilst his shot from the edge of the area beat former Leeds man Robinson, he was unfortunate to see his effort bounce off the foot of the post.

It was all one-way traffic in the opening quarter, another chance presented itself to Leeds when Delph lofted a ball over the top of the Rovers back line, Jermaine Beckford was first to the ball, but as he lobbed it over the on rushing Robinson, Gael Givet was in the right place at the right time to clear the danger.

Defending was the order of the day for Rovers' but they once again watched on helplessly as Leeds struck the woodwork. This time it was from a corner on the right, the ball skimmed off the head of Givet but it looped onto the bar, somehow from the rebound Jermaine Beckford fluffed his lines, putting the ball high over the bar.

There was little to cheer for the travelling Rovers fans as Shane Higgs' goal was rarely threatened in the opening period.

A 34th minute strike from Morten Gamst Pedersen that struck the side-netting, followed by a free-kick that flashed wide from the Norwegian were their only meaningful efforts up until that point.

At the other end however Paul Robinson was much the busier of the two goalkeepers, he was called into action once again in the 39th minute when Beckford let fly from the edge of the area, but the Rovers number one saved well and then dealt with Becchio's tame effort on the rebound with ease.

On the stroke of half-time Rovers forced Leeds goalkeeper Shane Higgs into making his first save. A ball up to Benni McCarthy was flicked onto his strike partner Jason Roberts, left-footed he shot low, but Higgs was out quickly to block the effort.

The home side picked up the second half where they left the first, with the lively Beckford racing in on goal but Givet blocked the shot. However they didn't have long to wait before the deadlock was finally broken.

It had come from a Rovers attack whereby Roberts just failed to latch onto a Pedersen knockdown, Shane Higgs in the Leeds goal quickly hit the ball up field to Luciano Becchio who struck a low effort towards goal, but Robinson, with the chants of 'England's number one' echoing around the stadium, pulled off a superb one-handed save to turn the ball aside.

But Robinson's good work was undone from the corner, the ball was swung in from the right and Beckford evaded his marker to poke home from close-range.

Rovers almost hit back immediately, breaking quickly Morten Gamst Pedersen fed Jason Roberts in the area, but Higgs blocked the shot, El Hadji Diouf raced onto the rebound, but the Leeds goalkeeper somehow kept his effort out.

Former Leeds trainee Robinson was given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Jason Brown just past the hour mark, his last involvement was to turn aside a well-struck free-kick from Bradley Johnson.

The travelling fans got their first glimpse of all of the club's summer signings as David Hoilett and Elrio van Heerden were both introduced in the second half.

The South African, who had returned following a week's break set up Paul Gallagher for a chance on 75 minutes but the Scottish international curled his shot wide of goal.

The second half changes by Neil McDonald saw Rovers gain more of an upper hand, David Dunn looking lively with a couple of charging forward runs, then David Hoilett set Martin Olsson away on the right, the Swede cut into the area and went to ground, but his penalty claims were waved away.

But just as it looked like Rovers would return to Lancashire beaten, Martin Olsson again showed good pace into the area before being hauled to the ground. This time the referee pointed to the spot.

Despite usual penalty taker Benni McCarthy being on the pitch, it was Paul Gallagher who grabbed the ball. Thankfully he made no mistake, sending Higgs the wrong way with a low strike to the 'keeper's left.

Its a return to Yorkshire for Rovers in seven days time when they continue their build-up to the big August 15th kick-off when they face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

LEEDS UNITED: Higgs, Crowe (sub Hughes 56 mins), Parker (sub Sheehan 69 mins), Howson (c), Marques (sub Huntington 74 mins), Kisnorbo (sub Michalik 56 mins), Snodgrass, Delph (sub Robinson 69 mins), Beckford (sub Showunmi 79 mins), Becchio (sub Grella 79 mins), Johnson (sub Prutton 74 mins).

Subs not used: Martin (GK).

ROVERS: Robinson (sub Brown 61 mins), Jacobsen (sub Olsson 66 mins), Nelsen (c), Givet (sub Khizanishvili 72 mins), Warnock, Diouf (sub Hoilett 72 mins), Nzonzi (sub Dunn 67 mins), Andrews, Pedersen (sub van Heerden 72 mins), Roberts (sub Gallagher 66 mins), McCarthy.

Subs not used: Doran, Judge.

Attendance: 11,885