Injuries dictated many of Burley's choices, with a much changed line-up for Saints.
At the back Rudi Skacel came in from the cold to put in a real team performance out of position at left back. Claus Lundekvam returned to the starting line-up after injury, alongside Pele, with Powell ruled out with a knee injury.
In truth the defence had little to do, particularly after the sending off, but Pele and Lundekvam swept up what danger there was to good effect, bar one key moment in the second half when Leeds carved through our defence. Fortunately, Pele was on hand to make a vital block.
In midfield with Wright out with his hernia injury, Idiakez went straight back into the side after his loan spell at Leeds, although he looked understandably unfamiliar with his teammates. It took Belmadi's introduction to really start to open up a tiring Leeds defence, as the Algerian wizard showed his quality with two great crosses from the right.
Up front it was all change again, as Rasiak was finally restored to the starting line-up with the prolific Saganowski out with a groin injury. Jones got his first start after injury. Both could have done with better service, but had enough chances to get on the scoresheet, missing headers when well placed and having a goal each ruled out for offside.
Bialkowski
Baird, Lundekvam, Pele, Skacel
Viafara (Wright-Phillips, 54), Idiakez (Belmadi, 65), Guthrie, Surman
Rasiak (Best, 88) , Jones
On the Cross verdict
Despite eight five nervous minutes, everything went Saints' way in the end. Nearly all results went for us with Saints tantalisingly two points off fourth. Two wins should be enough to get us in the play-offs, with nearly all the sides at the top dropping points on a regular basis.
On the pitch, it looked like being another one of those days as ten man Leeds understandably parked the proverbial bus in front of our goal, with two banks of four, helped by some poor delivery into the box and equally average finishing.
The sending off was debatable, if foolish of Thompson. Viafara was upended and reacted badly when the ball was hit into him on the ground. A fired-up Thompson went to restrain him, but went over the top pulling him back round the neck.
It looked to be a yellow card, but the ref and linesman thought otherwise and then it was a case of attack v defence. Saints conspired to miss our usual hatful of half and clear-cut chances, until Bradley Wright-Phillips powered in his volley to the surprise and massive relief of the home crowd.
It wasn't pretty, but with both sides under pressure and looking nervous, it was all about the result. Saints will need to be much more clinical against Norwich and it is a worry that Saganowski is ruled out until the play-offs, if indeed we get to them.
Hopefully Rasiak can return to his previous clinical form and will benefit from a run in the side. Likewise 90 minutes will have benefited Kenwyne Jones, as we get to squeaky bum time. With our play-off chances changing from one week to the next, it looks destined to go down to a nervy final day against Southend.
Man of the match: Pele showed he's more than a man with a famous nickname with a great performance. Made a number of important interceptions, including a vital block when Leeds finally opened up Saints in the second half. Tried to make the extra man count kickstarting Saints attacks by taking the ball out of defence.
Cameo of the day: Although Djamel Belmadi failed to spark in the centre of midfield, he came alive when he drifted wide and added the touch of quality we needed with two great crosses, one missed by Rasiak and the other buried by Wright-Phillips.