GARY Pallister admitted a "shocking" first-half display cost Middlesbrough defeat against Leeds United.

Two early goals by Lee Bowyer and Alan Smith left Boro with an uphill struggle in Saturday's clash at the Riverside Stadium and despite a spirited second-half showing, a late goal by Phil Stamp proved little more than a consolation.

"We weren't at the races early on and we shot ourselves in the foot by giving away two goals," admitted Pallister.

"It was shocking first half. We couldn't keep the ball, there were bad decisions by people and we allowed them far too much room.

"The manager let us know in no uncertain terms it wasn't good enough and he got the right response after that. But the damage was done by then.

"We knew they would get tired. If we had kept it tight then things might have been different.

"We got on top of the game in the second half and with a little more luck we might have got something out of it.

"But we gave them a two-goal cushion. We might have deserved a draw on the second half, but if you look at the game overall, maybe not.

"It's disappointing, but you have got to forget about this game, especially the first half, and look at the positive sides.

"We showed a lot of character to come back in the second half and that's what we have got to continue."

Pallister admitted he was impressed by the energetic Leeds side, but believes they might not be ready to take the Premiership title from Manchester United just yet.

"They are a fantastic team," said the centre-back, who won the Premier League title four times with Sir Alex Ferguson's side during his career at Old Trafford. "They have bundles of energy, great movement and great players.

"What they have also got is work-rate for each other. It's tremendous when they get back and cover each other.

"When you look throughout the team they have got players who can do everything.

"But I still think it might be too early for them to win the title this year, but if they can keep the team together, and get the likes of Harry Kewell back, then I think they will push (Manchester) United more in the future."

Leeds boss David O'Leary hailed another ''great day'' as his young Leeds side grabbed another victory just three days after their epic Champions League win in Munich.

The Leeds boss said: ''We deserved to win today and we were superb. Europe is a bonus and this - the Premiership - is where we want to excite and entertain and win."