Robinson's influential performance – his most convincing since signing for Leeds from last season's League One champions Swansea City – helped guide United through an eventful contest with Bradford and into the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The 28-year-old scored the opening goal of a 2-1 victory from the penalty spot before hitting the crossbar late in the first half and his confident outing has put him in line to reclaim the starting place he lost after last month's League One clash at Yeovil Town.

Robinson was arguably McAllister's most high-profile signing of the summer but an unspectacular start to the term saw him left out of United's 16-man squad for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers.

But McAllister moved to praise the winger after his display against City, saying: "I'd seen Andy play quite a bit before we tried to bring him here.

"I've got no doubt in my mind that this season there'll be numerous games at Elland Road where teams come here and pack themselves in front of their goal, and it's people like Andy Robinson who've got the ability to unlock that."

Robinson tucked away a neat penalty in the eighth minute, after Bradford midfielder Paul McLaren was penalised for handball, and the goal sent United towards a narrow win in the first West Yorkshire derby between Leeds and City since 2001.

Last night's first-round tie drew in an attendance of 20,128 – marginally lower than the record for a Johnstone's Paint Trophy game outside the final – and a lively crowd were treated to an intense contest at Elland Road.

The penalty decision was one of two crucial calls which favoured Leeds before half-time and McAllister admitted his side had been fortunate to see a strike from City midfielder Joe Colbeck dubiously disallowed for offside with United leading by a single goal.

The Leeds boss said: "I've no idea (why it was disallowed). I'm presuming it was offside, that's all I can think.

"But we'll take that because you need the rub of the green in cup competitions and over the course of the match we had hit the post and the crossbar, whizzed a few fantastic balls across the face of the goal and made some good passing movements.

"The objective in cup tie football is to progress and we've progressed."

United led their League Two opponents 2-0 at the interval but were forced to fight their way through a tense finish to the match after Kyle Nix pulled a goal back for Bradford with 19 minutes remaining.

"We made heavy weather of it in a game where we were absolutely cruising at 2-0," said McAllister.

"We were moving the ball well and creating chances but when you take your foot off the accelerator, one sloppy decision can allow the opposition back into the game.

"Credit to Bradford because at 2-0 they could easily have settled for that.

"But they kept going and were praying for a little mistake and they got it. In the last 15 minutes it was game on."

Bradford manager Stuart McCall was also mystified by the decision to disallow Colbeck's strike but paid tribute to his side's performance in front of more than 4,000 of their fans.

McCall said: "I thought the penalty award against us was harsh because there was nothing intentional about it and we had a goal harshly disallowed too – I think for offside, though Leeds had a player on the line.

"But I was as proud of the players as they were of the supporters. I came here determined that we would put on a decent show and we did that."

Last night's fixture left McAllister with a doubt over striker Enoch Showunmi, who was substituted after only 29 minutes having sustained a back injury and he may be forced to miss Saturday's League One game against Crewe at Elland Road.

But United were hoping to see Alan Sheehan complete his recovery from concussion during a practice match at Thorp Arch today and experienced defender Paul Telfer is also nearing full fitness after a groin strain.

Ends