If ever Leeds needed proof that champagne goes straight to the head, it came here last night. In France's fizzy wine heartland, they were left punch drunk and giddy before riding their luck to scrape into the third round.
In the end, Robbie Keane's late goal proved decisive and capped a rip-roaring contest. English clubs will be glad to see the back of Troyes, who had already dumped Newcastle out of Europe this season.
Last night they came close to wrecking the Yorkshire club's ambitions with a swashbuckling performance that left the visitors' defence looking ragged. Wilting under Troyes' attacks, Leeds conceded more goals in this two-leg tie than they have in the Premiership all season. Only Nigel Martyn's late save from the substitute Nicolas Gousse prevented the ignominy of extra-time.
It was a baptism of fire for the returning Michael Duberry, in for the hamstrung Rio Ferdinand. Making his first start for 13 months, the 26-year-old's shaky display was indicative of much of the defending.
Duberry's mix-up with Martyn led to Patrice Loko's eighth-minute corner which was presented to Gharib Amzine on the edge of the area. The midfielder, untracked, hit a first-time shot which flew beyond Martyn into the top right-hand corner.
Luckily for Leeds Troyes revealed a soft underbelly and just six minutes later, Ian Harte's free-kick was tipped round a post by Tony Heurtebis, who then flapped feebly at the Irishman's corner. The ball was gathered by David Batty, who chipped into the six-yard box for Mark Viduka to nod over the goalkeeper.
This was the cue for madcap attacking. Jerome Rothen's volley was grasped by Martyn before Viduka chipped to the far post where Mohamed Bradja did well to block from Keane. The Australian should have headed his second, having burst between Boutal and Olivier Thomas on to Harte's free-kick, but his effort looped over.
Troyes soon punished such profligacy. David Hamed's free-kick would have been gathered easily by Martyn had it not flicked Dominic Matteo, his touch deflecting the ball inside the post.
Yet any ear-bashing administered by David O'Leary at the interval had negligible effect. Only 13 minutes after the break Rafik Saifi, whose darting runs from deep had ripped Leeds to shreds all evening, eluded Danny Mills and cut his cross back to the six-yard box. Rothen, again unmarked, shot past Martyn.
Leeds did not learn their lesson. They lost possession to Hamed on the edge of the Troyes penalty area. The midfielder passed to Rothen, who darted down the left and crossed for Loko. The striker, six yards out and faced only by Martyn, shot over the bar.
Suddenly, Leeds needed a goal to stay in the tie. In that respect, the departure of Harry Kewell at half-time was devastating - the Australian had flitted in and out of the play, but induced panic whenever he found space to dribble. His replacement, Jason Wilcox, was booked within seconds.
But, with the Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale looking increasingly fraught in the stand, Leeds found relief. Batty's pass sent Viduka scurrying into the area and, when the striker's shot was scuffed and deflected across goal, Keane rose to head back across and beyond Heurtebis.
TROYES: Heurtebis, Boutal, Olivier Thomas, Saifi (Gousse 74), Hamed, Rothen, Bradja (Adam 81), Tourenne, Amzine, Loko, Danjou. Subs Not Used: Sekli, Jbari, Leroy, Niang. Booked: Olivier Thomas, Hamed. Goals: Amzine 8, Hamed 38, Rothen 58.
LEEDS UNITED: Martyn, Mills, Duberry, Matteo, Harte, Bakke, Dacourt, Batty, Kewell (Wilcox 46), Viduka, Keane. Subs Not Used: Robinson, Kelly, McPhail, Smith, Burns. Booked: Batty, Dacourt, Wilcox. Goals: Viduka 14, Keane 76.
Referee: M De Santis (Italy).
Leeds win 6-5 on aggreagte
