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Tranmere Rovers 1 Leeds United 4: Beckford double helps Leeds get back on right track
LEEDS UNITED boosted their automatic promotion hopes with a thoroughly deserved victory against struggling Tranmere at Prenton Park.
Jermaine Beckford grabbed two of the goals, one of them from the penalty spot, to take his tally in the league for the season to 21.
Three goals inside the opening 20 minutes set the crowd buzzing in what was an action-packed first half. Not surprisingly, the pace slackened later on in the game after such a frenetic opening, although the visitors always remained firmly in control.
Luciano Becchio headed just wide from an early United corner and then a Robert Snodgrass free-kick was easily held by goalkeeper Luke Daniels.
As Tranmere countered quickly, Casper Ankergren did well to beat out a smart Craig Curran shot.
United went ahead in the ninth minute after Zoumana impeded Snodgrass, who took the resulting free-kick wide out on the right touchline from where the ball eluded everyone in the penalty box before sneaking inside at the far post.
It got even better for Leeds in the 16th minute as they doubled their margin via the penalty spot.
Paul McLaren tripped Gary McSheffrey and Beckford stepped up to beat Daniels with a calm, low shot into the right corner.
But, just as the Leeds supporters were settling down, Tranmere were levfel three minutes later. Ankergren turned a Luke O'Neill shot for a corner following a free-kick but Leeds failed to clear the subsequent cross by McLaren and John Welsh found the target after firing through a group of players and past an insighted Ankergren.
The visitors' two-goal advantage was restored in the 34th minute, however, following a fine move.
Jonathan Howson won the ball in midfield before setting Beckford clear on the right wing from where he sailed over a pin-point cross for Becchio to plant a flying header into the corner.
Becchio then tried his luck with a chip shot shortly afterwards, but it just cleared the crossbar. He was cautioned soon afterwards for diving.
As Leeds continued to enjoy the better of the possession, Beckford's shot which was well-saved by Daniels was the last action of a lively opening period.
In an attempt to turn things around, Tranmere sent on Bas Savage to bolster their attacking options with Marvin Sordell making way.
After the restart, Marlon Broomes fired over the Leeds crossbar after Savage won a corner and then United escaped vehement penalty appeals after Michael Doyle appeared to handle the ball in the box.
The home side kept up the pressure but Welsh missed the target. At the other end, Beckford fired across the face of goal and then United looked in vain for a penalty as Becchio fell under the challenge of O'Neill.
Leeds made the points safe with a fourth goal on 65 minutes when Beckford latched onto a long through ball from Doyle before beating Daniels with a delightful chip from just inside the box.
Leeds made a double substitution on 72 minutes with Tresor Kandol and Max Gradel replacing Becchio and Snodgrass respectively. Paul Dickov replaced Beckford in the last few minutes before Ankergran saved well from subsitute Alan Mahon in the 87th minute.
Tranmere Rovers: Daniels; O'Neill (Logan 71), Goodison, Broomes, Bakayogo; McLaren, Welsh, Edds (Mahon 76); Curran, Thomas-Moore, Sordell (Savage 46). Unused substitutes: Cresswell, Collister, McCready, Barnett.
Leeds United: Ankergren; Hughes, Kisnorbo, Naylor, White; Snodgrass (Gradel 76, Howson, Doyle, McSheffrey; Beckford (Dickov 83), Becchio (Kandol 76). Unused substitutes: Martin, Kilkenny, Johnson, Bromby.
Referee: R Shoebridge (Derbyshire).
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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