In a game that had few clear-cut chances at Elland Road, Nmecha struck the decisive blow in the 91st minute with a smart finish from Ethan Ampadu's inviting cross.

Brenden Aaronson spurned a glorious opportunity to hand Daniel Farke's side the lead in the first half, but his shot blazed over Bernd Leno's crossbar.

The in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin then went close after the break, but he could only find the side netting from close range after being found by Aaronson down the right.

Fulham was unable to involve Harry Wilson in the game, with the Welshman perhaps fortunate to escape with just a yellow card for a late challenge on Gabriel Gudmundsson.

The hosts became more of a threat from set-pieces as the game reached the closing stages, with Pascal Struijk and Nmecha both heading over from corner kicks.

But just like in the reverse fixture, where Gudmundsson's late own goal handed Fulham all three points, more late drama unfolded, but this time in Leeds's favour.

Nmecha brilliantly hooked Ampadu's cross beyond Leno to spark wild scenes among the home fans inside Elland Road, with belief growing of maintaining its top-flight status.

Fulham was one of the in-form sides in the league in the lead up to this match, having gone six matches without defeat, and the victory left Leeds boss Daniel Farke immensely satisfied.

“For me the best win of the season so far," he said.

“We didn't allow them to show their quality in offence. We kept going and we were relentless and we had belief and it was an important three points for us.

“We wanted to go for this win and the lads have delivered in a top class way.”

Nmecha scored his fifth league goal for the club since joining last summer, and Farke hailed his impact from the bench.

"He proved me right and showed his quality in the finishing,” the manager added.

“For me one of the best German strikers we have and he has shown this with a crucial goal for us which wins us all three points."

A strong run of form has put Leeds’s survival hopes firmly in their own hands, and Farke wants his side to enjoy the moment, with his side having lost just once in its past 10 matches in all competitions.

"Other results are not important for us, we know exactly what we have to do," he said.

"We need to win points to come to a point tally where we are safe.

“We have edged closer today with three crucial points. A reason to be happy today and let's celebrate today."

Fulham boss Marco Silva admitted his side was below par as its unbeaten run ended at Elland Road.

"It was not a good performance from us,” Silva said.

“Leeds won the game and we have to congratulate them. We knew that it was going to be difficult with the way they play and the way they press.

“We were below the standards in the second half and we definitely have to do much better.”