ALAN Irvine couldn't hide his dejection after his Norwich City side threw away a three-goal lead against Leeds United on Saturday.

The Canaries looked to be heading for back-to-back away wins for the first time in the league this season after goals from Steven Naismith and Nelson Oliveira (2) put them in a commanding position in the first half.

Conceding immediately after going 3-0 up proved the turning point in the match, however, as Kyle Bartley and Pablo Hernandez goals after the break earned the home side an unlikely point.

"Right now I feel angry and I feel disappointed because we allowed them back into the game after being outstanding for 45 minutes," Irvine said after the game.

"In the 46th minute, we were unprofessional. We didn't players back in position for their kick-off and we paid the price.

"I went mad at half-time in the dressing room when I should have been telling them how good they'd been.

"I told them the importance of their first goal; what it had done to the crowd here who were ready to boo them off, what it had done to their players.

"I should be standing here with a big smile on my face and saying how good we've been, but I'm going to leave being very disappointed."

Irvine reserved praise for City's vocal away following at Elland Road, adding: "They were great. Obviously they had a great 45 minutes like I had but a disappointing time for the 46th minute onwards.

"I've said all along that I would treat every game as a really important game.

"I wanted to win here today. I was a Leeds United fan as a boy but that doesn't mean I didn't want to win.

"I am bitterly disappointed. I've not been involved in that kind of situation before where we've been so good and let a lead slip."

ALAN IRVINE'S LEEDS REACTION

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