Leeds were boosted by the return to the starting line-up of Richard Cresswell, David Healy and Alan Thompson, while Rangers, thrashed 5-0 at Southend ten days ago, gave a debut to Lee Camp and the keeper on loan from Derby responded with a string of acrobatic saves.
Although Rangers had won only one of their last five matches and were without an away win in three months, chairman Gianni Paladini gave manager John Gregory a vote of confidence before the game and paid for three coach-loads of fans to make the trip to Elland Road.
And the visiting supporters should have been celebrating in the14th minute when a mistake by Leeds defender Matt Heath left Dexter Blackstock with only Casper Ankergren to beat, but the former Southampton striker's close control deserted him, giving the Danish keeper time to leave his line and make a vital blocking save.
Camp's nerves on his debut were calmed by excellent saves from deflected shots by Robbie Blake and Jonathan Douglas.
Blake came the closest to breaking the first-half deadlock a minute before the break when his 20-yard free-kick shaved the right post with Camp groping.
Healy had a chance immediately after the interval but Camp saved with his legs and Ankergren saved well from Adam Bolder at the other end.
Healy was only denied his first goal since New Year's Day by the woodwork when he tried a speculative 35-yard shot from wide on the right but Leeds were almost caught out when Lee Cook broke away and his shot deflected off Kevin Nicholls' knee, but Ankergren saved, much to Leeds fans' relief.
After Blake had twice gone close he was replaced by Jemal Johnson who made his debut on loan from Wolves but chances failed to come his way.