Pick that one out! Stan volleys his Sunday special (RossKinnaird/Allsport)

Collymore's goal actually seemed to give Chris Hutchings' struggling side a fresh injection of the self-belief that had been so patently lacking a week earlier in their 2-0 home defeat by Ipswich. The fans felt it as well and the fact that Collymore's debut strike had come against their most bitter rivals only added to their delight and the feeling that there is renewed hope for a season that was fast turning into a nightmare.

Somehow, it did not matter too much that Mark Viduka rescued a point for Leeds 10 minutes from time after Alan Smith cut infield from the right and fed Dominic Matteo for the chip that the unmarked Aussie striker headed deftly past Matt Clarke.

The Bradford goalkeeper, who his coach Neville Southall believes is knocking on England's door, pulled off enough great saves to leave Leeds believing they should have won a Yorkshire derby that, on paper, should hardly have been a contest. But though Clarke had a fine game - the club's man-of-the-match award was foisted on him at the end - the day had to belong to Collymore, the nomadic striker who always seems to arrive in a blaze of glory even if he usually leaves in less salubrious circumstances.

Stanley, as he is wont, simply dropped his baggage on the dressing room floor and got stuck into Leeds in the manner that chairman Geoffrey Richmond had prayed he would when he took 'an enormous gamble' in signing the striker from Leicester on a free transfer. Collymore lasted 71 minutes before his lack of match fitness caught up with him and he retired to a huge ovation. 'He said he would carry on as long as possible, then hold up his hand when he was knackered,' said manager Hutchings.

By the time he did, he was already the crowd's darling. Not just for his goal but for the sheer physical presence and power that he brought to a Bradford side that had managed only four goals in the Premiership so far. Make that five now. But look also at the way chests puffed out and tackles went in around him with more fire and passion than Bradford had shown since their solitary win over Chelsea in August.

Richmond has agreed to match Collymore's Leicester deal until the end of the season, which means Stan collected a £13,000 basic wage and another £6,000 in appearance money. But there will be few this morning in Bradford who would begrudge him a penny of that - certainly not the chairman.

Bradford's desire seemed to take Leeds by surprise and when Colly-more put them behind they appeared shaken, even allowing for their tough midweek match against Barcelona. Leeds could have been in front early on when Lee Bowyer caught Clarke out with a surprise shot that the startled goalkeeper was happy to tip on to the framework behind his crossbar. The visitors went close again when Danny Hay's header was hoofed off the line by Ian Nolan with Clarke beaten and Bowyer, for one, claiming the ball had crossed the line.

	Lee Bowyer attempts to stop debut boy Collymore (RossKinnaird/Allsport)

Bradford's goalkeeper took all the headlines last time these rivals clashed, although it was Southall's girth that dominated the back pages after Clarke had been ruled out following a fall down the stairs. This time Clarke was there to make life difficult for Leeds, reacting superbly to an Ian Harte screamer to fingertip the ball over the bar and making the save of the game when David Wetherall appeared certain to concede a spectacular own goal from Smith's low driven cross.

The one time he was caught out, sliding out of his penalty area to challenge Viduka only to end up holding on to his opponent's shirt to prevent the Leeds striker passing him, referee Steve Lodge gave him the benefit of the doubt and produced only a yellow card. When Olivier Dacourt sent Smith through with the perfect pass as the game slipped into time added on, Clarke was there again with lightning speed as the 17,000 crowd held their breath.

Leeds thought they could still win and were unhappy when Smith went down under a challenge from Peter Atherton. The former Sheffield Wednesday skipper accused him of diving, a confrontation that led to a minor melee, but one that Lodge soon dispersed. Leeds manager David O'Leary said: 'Eddie Gray (Leeds' first-team coach) said straight away that Smithy never goes down, that's not his way. The Viduka incident was also debatable but it would have been tough to win in our circumstances after midweek.'

Leeds will distance themselves from an unfolding scandal over AC Milan's Brazilian goal-keeper Nelson Dida, who played three Champions League games - including the 1-0 defeat at Elland Road - while registered under a false passport. Barcelona, already upset that they could go out if Leeds and Milan draw in the San Siro next week, are keen to see the Italians expelled. But Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale said: 'We are aware of the situation but feel that it is something for Milan and UEFA to sort out.'

Bradford City (4-4-2): Clarke; Petrescu, Wetherall, Atherton, Nolan; Lawrence, McCall, Whalley, Beagrie (Sharpe, 89min); Collymore (Ward, 71), Carbone (Saunders, 71). Booked: Clarke.

Leeds United (3-5-2): Robinson; Woodgate, Hay, Matteo; Kelly, Bowyer (Burns, 62), Bakke, Dacourt, Harte; Smith, Viduka. Booked: Bakke, Harte, Dacourt.

Referee: Steve Lodge

Man of the Match: Stan Collymore