Lee Bowyer's first return to Leeds since he left the club for West Ham ended in defeat.

Bowyer received a hostile reception getting off the coach and during the pre-match warm-up with his day getting worse shortly after the game began.

Midfielder Seth Johnson put Leeds ahead with his first goal for the club and it proved to be the eventual winner.

KEY MOMENTS

20 mins: Johnson puts Leeds in front 48: Cole hits the post 70: Kanoute sent-off for West Ham

West Ham's Freddie Kanoute was red-carded for violent conduct in the second-half as they did little to help their relegation plight.

Leeds were without Alan Smith, Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka and they had a makeshift strikeforce of midfielder Eirik Bakke and 17-year-old James Milner.

It was a welcome three points. I thought we played excellently Leeds boss Terry Venables Full match reaction

Michael Duberry was making a rare appearance as cover for the injured Lucas Radebe and it seemed a promising opportunity for West Ham to earn three vital points.

But Leeds were the team who looked the more committed and desperate for a win.

They were almost gifted the lead by West Ham defender Tomas Repka only for his blushes to be saved by his back-tracking goalkeeper David James.

James was in the right place to gather a Bakke header from the resultant corner but he could not stop Leeds going ahead after 20 minutes.

Lee Bowyer was booed with every touch of the ball

Seth Johnson powered home a 22-yard shot which seemed to take a slight deflection and a touch from James on the way into goal.

Leeds were dominating against the disappointing Hammers, especially from set-pieces.

This was emphasised when a Jason Wilcox cross found Bakke but he headed high with an excellent chance to extend the home team's lead.

We still have 11 games to go and there's no need to talk about desperation West Ham boss Glenn Roeder Full match reaction

Joe Cole's trickery was West Ham's only ray of hope and he was agonisingly denied an equaliser when his 25-yard shot hit the post early in the second half.

Cole had another crack at the home goal but Leeds keeper Paul Robinson rose to the task and pulled off an impressive save.

Kanoute clashed with Johnson after 70 minutes and was sent-off for violent conduct as West Ham failed to stop themselves going down to a 15th Premiership loss.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Duberry, Matteo (Kilgallon 90), Bravo, Kelly, Okon, Seth Johnson, Wilcox, Bakke (McMaster 90), Milner.
Subs not used: Martyn, Harte, Barmby.
Booked: Bravo, Okon.

West Ham: James, Johnson, Repka, Pearce, Brevett (Sinclair 83), Bowyer, Lomas, Carrick (Hutchison 90), Cole, Kanoute, Di Canio (Defoe 73).
Subs not used: Van Der Gouw, Dailly.
Sent Off: Kanoute (70).
Booked: Brevett, Bowyer.

Attendance: 40,126

Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).