Leeds star Alan Smith added to a day of woe for the crisis club after being involved in a bottle-throwing incident during the 3-2 Carling Cup defeat by Manchester United.
After a bottle was thrown onto the pitch from the crowd in the final minute of extra time, Smith proceeded to pick it up and hurl it back into a section of home supporters at Elland Road.
It would appear that unbeknown to Smith, who yesterday celebrated his 23rd birthday, he inadvertently hurt a female fan as the returned bottle apparently struck the woman on the head.
Such a distressing situation was the last thing Leeds needed after announcing earlier in the day a catastrophic set of financial results. The club posted a British club record loss of £49.5million for the year up to the end of June.
If Leeds had been hoping for a good cup run to help ease a net debt of £78m, such an aspiration foundered with Eric Djemba-Djemba's winner three minutes from the end of extra time.
Boss Peter Reid, who did not see the incident involving Smith, refused to dwell on the negatives, despite the fact nothing seems to be going for the club at present.
"It's been a difficult time at the football club recently, but the spirit among the players and supporters has been fantastic and that's one thing that money can't buy," stated Reid.
"We have to take it as a positive, a strength, and move onto the next game which is going to be a very difficult one against Arsenal (on Saturday).
"But I'm sure things will change if the players keep on giving me the football and attitude they've shown in the last two games, but it's a difficult time at the minute.
"We are not getting the rub of the green at the moment and the players must be scratching their heads wondering why they can't get a break." Reid concedes the financial situation is out of his hands, with results his only concern, and he remains confident the tide will turn in Leeds' favour.
"I can understand people talking about the doom and gloom, but I'm not getting involved in that," added Reid, who is aware the fans deserve more.
"The fans have been brilliant because they are giving us everything at the minute. It's their football club and we need to get results for them and that's what we are going to do.
"If we play like we have in the last two matches then things will change and we will win football matches.
Brazil international Roque Junior had given Leeds the lead early in the second half, only for that to be cancelled out by a David Bellion equaliser on 78 minutes.
Diego Forlan then put the visitors in front in the 107th minute, and although Roque Junior quickly hauled Leeds level, Reid's side ultimately suffered a third successive defeat.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who fielded an under-strength side as he made six changes to the team beaten by Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday, conceded to surprise that his side emerged winners.
"I couldn't envisage us winning the game at half-time," said Ferguson. "We were very indisciplined in the first half and that encouraged Leeds. They could have been two or three up at half-time, but once they did score we started to play.
"I felt it was the type of game that if we win, fine, but if not, it was good experience for the young players."