Terry Venables paid tribute to the attitude of Leeds' fans after his side beat Gillingham 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round on Tuesday.

The victory came after a torrid week which saw Jonathan Woodgate sold to Newcastle, followed by speculation that Venables might quit.

But the home supporters got behind their team as goals from Mark Viduka and Eirik Bakke secured a place in the fifth round.

With him having been at Barcelona... perhaps he's a little too big for us Hessenthaler on Venables

"The fans were absolutely fantastic," said Venables. "I cannot say enough about them.

"They were expected to act in a certain way and they didn't as much as to say 'well, what's done is done'.

"Instead, they looked forward and they helped the team who did well tonight to give us an important, badly-needed win.

"It was nervy at the end but that's cup football."

And there was more good news for the troubled club on Tuesday as star striker Alan Smith agreed to sign a new three-and-a-half-year contract.

"Alan's staying is good news for everybody," said Venables. "It's the sort of news we need and the supporters need."

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler was disappointed with Venables' attitude after the match, claiming the Leeds manager snubbed him.

"It would have been nice to have shaken Terry's hand at the end of the game," said Hessenthaler.

"I don't mind him not shaking my hand because I was still out on the pitch.

"But it would have been good of him to have shaken the hand of my two coaches just to say 'well done' or whatever.

"All of Terry's other boys did, but with him having been at Barcelona and some other big clubs perhaps he didn't need to do it.

"Perhaps he's a little too big for us."