The Real League One Champions?

Leeds United's excellent 2-0 away victory at Leyton Orient on Saturday saw Gary McAllister's side gatecrash the League 1 play-off party. Paul Huntington's header gave the Whites the lead before Jermaine Beckford sealed the win with his 20th league goal of the season, the first United marksman to achieve the feat since Mark Viduka in 2003.

Leeds have now gone an impressive six hours without conceding a goal, having accumulated 10 points from a possible 12 during that time. The club's league record this season stands at 23 wins, 10 draws and eight defeats - clearly the second best record in the division. Without the fifteen point deduction the Whites would be locked in a title battle with Swansea City.

The Football League's persecution of the club meant that United were forced to start the current campaign with one foot in League 2. The season has seen the club suffer major upheaval, first after Gus Poyet jumped ship to join Spurs, and then when former boss Dennis Wise followed suit after realising he had no answers to an alarming slump in form. Fortunately chairman Ken Bates swiftly appointed Leeds legend Gary McAllister to breathe new life into a flagging season. Slowly but surely Macca has turned the ship around, and his side are hitting form at exactly the right time.

Although the club have an upcoming arbitration hearing, it is extremely unlikely that our fifteen points will be returned. So instead of going head-to-head for the title, United are jockeying for position in the play-offs. Should Leeds fail to gain promotion back to the Championship this season the fact that the club are in with a shout at promotion at all is truly remarkable, given how events have conspired against them. No side has ever escaped relegation after incurring a mere 10 point penalty - United's punishment was 50% harsher.

Whatever happens in the remaining few weeks Leeds fans can be proud of the efforts of those privileged enough to wear the white shirt this season. If there's any justice the club will be celebrating promotion at Wembley in May. Without the intervention of the Football League they would no doubt have taken the title too.