Gary McAllister's side have fallen nine points behind leaders Leicester City

Leeds United manager Gary McAllister has called on his players to pull together to reignite their League One promotion push.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Tranmere was their eighth in 10 away games.

McAllister told BBC Radio Leeds: "We're in a little bit of a rut where things aren't dropping for us, that's clear.

"Like the last three games I feel we've been unlucky but there's no excuse - we're going through a bad period and we've got to come out the other end."

McAllister was again critical of his side's defensive display - Leeds have kept just five clean sheets in 28 matches this season.

He was particularly unhappy with Tranmere's equaliser as Leeds failed to deal with a free-kick into their area.

"Disappointing goal again," McAllister said. "It's the same goal.

"We spent a good 40 minutes to an hour yesterday. Deliveries was the thing that was very prevalent in the reports about Tranmere's recent games, the in-swinging ball, and we don't deal with it.

"We've got to be brave and hold the line but we sink in far too early."

"I've got people in there holding their hands up and saying 'Yes, it's my fault', but it's the same people and it's the same type of goal we're losing."

The defeat saw Leeds lose further ground on the leaders, McAllister's old club Leicester City, and he has already promised to bring people in during the January transfer window.

Until then, it seems that he will have to make do with what he has at his disposal.

606: DEBATE It is going to take a massive change in form and a long unbeaten run to get back into the automatic promotion places. oldlufc

"The facts are that I can't flip it round that much where I need to be making changes," he said, "but there's going to be changes."

While unhappy with certain aspects of his side's display at Prenton Park, McAllister could not fault his players' commitment.

"We're working hard, and in possession we look a better side than Tranmere, but we lose two goals and we're on the end of another defeat.

"If you're coming here as a neutral and you're looking at Leeds United, then I don't think it takes a lot to work out where the problems lie."

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