Becchio volleyed home from 10 yards on the half-hour before former Carlisle loanee Beckford wrapped up the win late on with his 11th goal of the season.

Carlisle started the brighter of the two sides and David Lucas breathed a sigh of relief when Simon Hackney's miscued cross bounced along the top of the bar.

But Leeds were soon into their stride and Jonathan Douglas fired narrowly wide after a neat one-two with Beckford.

Neil Kilkenny then did well to force a corner and from his cross Paul Telfer stretched to pull the ball back for Becchio to clip the ball into the roof of the net.

Beckford had two chances to double the lead before half-time but tame finishes from good positions let him down.

Man-of-the-match Hackney, a source of constant headaches for Frazer Richardson on the host's left wing, then delivered a cross that Scott Dobie somehow headed wide, before the winger stung Lucas's palms with a smart volley.

By now Carlisle were flooding forward and Becchio went close on the break from Kilkenny's cross and, at the other end, Rui Marques saved what seemed a certain goal to thwart Danny Carton.

With 10 minutes to play, Richardson burst upfield and cut inside only to see his ripping 30-yard drive cannon off the top of the bar.

Hackney then produced yet another moment of magic but after bamboozling Richardson his angled shot was deflected inched wide before a classic counter-attack killed off the Cumbrians.

Becchio won the ball and poked through for substitute Robert Snodgrass, who wasted no time in finding Beckford sliding in at the back post.

Delighted United manager Gary McAllister said: "We've defeated one of our closest rivals for the title and while picking up three points is always pleasing, there's more to come from this team – it's only early in the season."

Carlisle manager John Ward added: "Leeds are the future champions and the best team won today."

Carlisle United: Williams, Raven, Livesey, Keogh, Horwood, Taylor (Bridges 63), Bridge-Wilkinson, Thirlwell, Hackney, Graham (Dobie 46), Carlton (Myrie-Williams 72). Unused substitutes: Howarth, Joyce.

Leeds United: Lucas, Richardson, Marques, Telfer, White (Howson 54), Hughes, Kilkenny (Snodgrass 75), Douglas, Delph, Beckford, Becchio (Robinson 90). Unused substitutes: Ankergren, Prutton.

Referee: P Walton (Northampton).

Man of the match: Simon Hackney.