Leeds were on the cusp of beating Sunderland on Friday night before a bizarre error from ’keeper Illan Meslier cost them

The 24-year-old was spotted smiling after full-time with Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris, who coached the goalkeeper in Lorient’s academy in his native France, but was said to be reduced almost to tears when consolidating with his team after making his way through the tunnel. Here is what has been said about Meslier’s cataclysmic error:

A costly mistake from Meslier gifted the Black Cats an equaliser in the dying seconds of stoppage time as Alan Browne’s attempted cross brushed off Junior Firpo’s head and the ball bounced past the goalkeeper as he tried to collect it.

When Leeds were in possession Tanaka and Joe Rothwell looked a good back-up midfield partnership with a dangerous passing range but as they had at 0-0, Sunderland players were able to get strikes off from the edge of the area in too much space at the end of the half.

Leeds players were left with their heads in their hands as they looked towards their No 1 as Sunderland celebrated a result that could prove to be priceless amid the battle for promotion. It was Alan Browne who was the one claiming the goal, with Irish midfielder's hopeful pass seeming as though it would float kindly into arms of Meslier.

Illan Meslier had a night to forget away to Sunderland on Friday night.Despite falling behind to a nine-minute goal from Chris Rigg, Leeds United fought back well to turn the game around.Joel Piroe