Leeds slipped to their first home defeat of the season as Wasps withstood a Tykes fightback at Headingley.

The visitors led 15-3 just before the break with tries from Alex King and Josh Lewsey, King converting his own and adding a penalty.

But Leeds centre Braam van Straaten landed three more penalties to bring the home side to within three points.

King stretched Wasps' lead with another penalty, but Van Straaten landed his fifth to ensure a tense finish.

The Tykes have turned Headingley into a fortress this year but despite producing their customary determination they could not overcome a powerful Wasps outfit.

King was in commanding form at fly-half, showing his finishing skills to outwit Tykes full-back Dan Scarbrough for the opening try.

Josh Lewsey added another in the 39th minute as the visitors built up a lead they never relinquished, despite the best efforts of van Straaten, who kept Leeds in touch.

Wasps remain sixth in the table, but moved to within four points of Leeds, who stay third - ten points behind leaders Gloucester.

Van Straaten reduced the arrears to 10-6 but Wasps went further ahead a minute before half-time when Lewsey forced his way over after a sweeping move down the right.

A van Straaten penalty five minutes after the interval saw the Tykes close to within three, but another penalty from King kept his side in the driving seat.

Leeds went in search of a winning score but could not break through the Wasps defence, having to settled for a bonus point for keeping the defeat within seven points.

Leeds: Scarborough; Hall, Davies, van Straaten, Albanese; Ross, Hegarty; Shelley, Regan, Kerr, C Murphy, Palmer, Popham, Ponton, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Holt, Rawlinson, Campbell, Hogg, Dickens, Emmerson, Stanley.

Wasps: Lewsey; Roiser, Waters, Abbott, Logan; King, Howley; Dowd, Leota, Green, Shaw, Birkett, Lock, Volley, Scrivener.
Replacements: Wood, van Gisbergen, Denney, Gotting, Beardshaw, McCarthy, Mackenzie.

Referee: Ashley Rowden (RFU)