KEEGAN DETERMINED TO SEE IT THROUGH

Last updated : 23 December 2003 By Ben Collins

The Blues secured a 1-1 draw with Leeds last night through Antoine Sibierski in the closing stages but were well on top throughout. A committed performance warranted a win but City were frustrated by misfortune in front of goal and some appalling decisions by the officials.

Keegan said: "I thought everyone of the players, the eleven who started and the three who came on gave it a real go against Leeds. We just need that one vital ingredient to win football matches and that is luck.

"We gifted them a goal. They didn't pass it through us, David (Sommeil) made a mistake and held his hands up for it.

"We looked like a team that wanted to get back into a winning position and I thought we set about the task well. We just need that little bit of luck."

Not only were 50-50 calls going against the Blues, but the referee and his assistants were awarding clear-cut decisions in favour of the visitors. However, the referee also missed a trip by Sommeil on James Milner when he broke clear as City pushed for a winner.

"I felt all night every decision went against us so maybe that was the one that went for us," said Keegan.

"I thought in the last ten minutes there were some bad tackles that a lot of players will not be pleased with when they see it. I thought maybe David had come through him, but I didn't really see it."

Keegan also joked: "If they had gone away from here with a win, Dick Turpin would have met them half way up the M62."

The draw means City have now gone 9 games without a win but Keegan dismissed suggestions that he is considering his future.

"Whatever some people may think, I am as enthusiastic as ever about City and what I am trying to achieve," he said.

"The job I was given by the last chairman was to get this club into the top six of the Premiership in five years. If we can get a few wins and get our confidence back there is still a chance of achieving that goal inside three years.

"I have the rest of this season and two more years left after that and I intend to fulfil my contract. If we all stick together - management, fans and players - we will get ourselves out of the trough and continue to take this club forward."