Peterborough United 1 Leeds United 2: Whites strikers back in Warnock’s good books.

Argentinian hitman Luciano Becchio swooped for both goals at London Road as Leeds ensured struggling hosts Peterborough equalled their worst start to a Football League season with a 2-1 win.

Becchio broke the deadlock after seven minutes with a smart finish past home keeper Bobby Olejnik, and doubled the advantage five minutes into the second period when allowed a free header to convert a classy Ross McCormack chip to take his goal return to four in as many matches this term.

Warnock had been hugely critical of his front four for their displays in defeat at Blackpool in midweek but it was a different story on this occasion.

He said: “We thoroughly deserved the victory.

“The front players were poor in the defeat at Blackpool and I let them know as much, but they were much better today.

“We looked dangerous, Luciano got his goals and we did a very professional job.

“You always get greedy when a couple of goals up, but I thought we could have seen it out before Peterborough got their goal back.

“The lads are adamant we should have had a couple of penalties and we had so many promising breakaways that fell down.

“You can always be guaranteed that Peterborough will fight for their lives but we managed to get the win. Our back four and goalkeeper were also fantastic.”

Becchio’s second strike, on 50 minutes, effectively killed the contest and he came close to completing his hat-trick moments later when McCormack’s delivery flashed in front of his feet.

But Leeds were made to work for their first away win of the Championship season in the final half hour.

Lee Tomlin almost pulled a goal back on 62 minutes when goalkeeper Paddy Kenny tipped his header over the crossbar and Michael Bostwick beat Kenny 10 minutes later with a brilliant volley from the edge of the area, setting up a dramatic finish at London Road.

Peterborough United: Olejnik, Alcock (Little 62), Zakuani, Brisley, Ntlhe, Bostwick, Tomlin, McCann, Frecklington (Swanson 62), Boyd, Sinclair (Taylor 64). Unused subs: Day, Newell, Knight-Percival, Clarke-Harris.

Leeds United: Kenny, Peltier, Lees, Pearce, Drury, Diouf (Byram 75), Norris, Austin, Varney, Becchio (Gray 87), McCormack (Poleon 78). Unused subs: Ashdown, White, Brown, Pugh.

Referee: Scott Mathieson.

Attendance: 10,432.