And only the heroics of Nigel Martyn and a large slice of luck saw O'Leary's men through after a 2-0 defeat on the night.

Djalminha fired Deportivo ahead with a ninth-minute penalty, after Harry Kewell's needless foul on Victor.

And Leeds rode their luck - Martyn tipping a Romero drive onto the bar and Roy Makaay rattling the crossbar with a header - before substitute Tristan pulled another goal back in the 73rd minute.

But Leeds somehow held on to reach the last four in their first season in the Champions League and O'Leary saluted his players' achievement.

"We looked tired but we're in the last four of the Champions League," said the Irishman.

"It's an unbelievable achievement and it's all down to the players. I'm so delighted for them.

"Let's not kid ourselves, nobody expected us to get to the semi-finals. We play Valencia now and who knows over two games.

"I'm delighted we're through - we deserve it - but we didn't play well tonight.

"People said I talked it (Leeds' 3-0 first leg win) down but we needed three goals at home to come here and get through.

"We've got through against a very good side but we didn't really play tonight. We've got big hearts but lots of my players didn't play tonight."

Leeds were always up against it after Kewell's rash challenge on Victor gave the Spaniards the early goal they had needed.

"It doesn't help giving a goal away so early," admitted O'Leary. "That gave them an incentive.

"But, as I've said all along, they are a team that can score goals, a team that can hurt you.

"Valencia are a quality side and they will be two tough games. They've beaten Arsenal who are a quality side.

"But the adventure continues. We've come a long way and played lots of big teams. Valencia are another big team."