LEEDS UNITED 2 (Beckford 13, 89), EXETER 1 (Russell 73)
United: Higgs, Crowe, Kisnorbo, Marques, Parker (Hughes 28), Snodgrass, Howson, Doyle, Johnson (Robinson 74), Becchio (Showunmi 84), Beckford. Subs: Ankergren, Prutton, Grella, Michalik.
Exeter: Jones, Duffy, Russell, Seabourne, Taylor, Harley, Golbourne, Corr, Cork (Sercombe 90), Edwards (McAllster 60), Stewart (Norwood 70). Subs: Marriott, Tully, Burnell, A-Henville.
Referee: N Miller
Booked: Showunmi (Leeds), Edwards (Exeter).
Sent-off: Corr (Exeter)
Att: 27,681
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After an impressive pre-season it was time for the real stuff to begin against Exeter City for the opening home game of the new season, and manager Simon Grayson handed four players their debuts.
Shane Higgs, Jason Crowe, Michael Doyle, and Patrick Kisnorbo were the debut men in front of a sizeable Elland Road crowd.
And it was United who came out of the traps quickly against the newly-promoted Exeter, Luciano Becchio going close with a header. Jermaine Beckford was also denied by visiting keeper Paul Jones after he latched onto a Jonny Howson ball forward.
Jones also got down well to deny Beckford on 10 minutes, and moments later the striker tried his luck with a curling effort from distance.
It was no surprise when the opening goal came inside 13 minutes. Doyle fed Parker, who embarked on a strong forward before playing the ball into the path of Beckford, who coolly slipped the ball past Jones into the corner.
Exeter had been pretty much on the back foot, but Barry Corr did have an opportunity on 23 minutes when he failed to trouble Higgs.
Leeds replied quickly and after Beckford hit the bar with a header, Doyle couldn't quite get over the top of the rebound and headed over the top.
United were forced into making a change before the the half-hour, though, when Ben Parker limped out of the action with an apparent thigh injury, to be replaced by Andrew Hughes.
Grayson's men continued to press and after Bradley Johnson won a corner, visiting goalkeeper Jones conceded another when he flapped at a cross.
The visitors did mount a rally in the moments up to half-time. Ryan Harley had a free-kick blocked while Kisnorbo made a good block at the far post.
It was a deserved lead for United at the break, and after a bright start to the second period, there was a brief delay when Kisnorbo needed treatment for a cut on his head.
United re-grouped quickly with Kisnorbo back on the field, and Beckford came close to adding a second goal on 57 minutes when he lifted a shot over the top.
And there was drama on 59 minutes when Exeter striker Barry Corr was sent-off following a bizarre off the ball incident involving Doyle.
Down to 10 men, Exeter were forced onto the back-foot, and Beckford again lifted a shot over the bar following a good ball from Jonny Howson. Johnson also headed wide after a good cross from Rob Snodgrass.
At the other end, Harley sent a shot from distance over the top of Higgs' goal and as United responded with a quick break, Jason Crowe was denied a first goal in a Leeds shirt by Exeter goalkeeper Jones after being put through in the clear.
Moments later, United were made to pay when Exeter snatched an equaliser. Crowe conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box, and Alex Russell unleashed a terrific strike to level the scores.
That was the cue for Leeds to put the pressure on, in search of a winner, and Exeter had to scramble the ball clear after some intricate build-up play almost created a great close-range opportunity for Luciano Becchio.
Becchio was replaced by Enoch Showunmi, and it was the substitute striker who had a major role in the build-up as Leeds went 2-1 up on 89 minutes. Showunmi held the ball up well, created space, fed Crowe on the right, and his short cross was met by the head of Beckford.
The goal brought the roof of Elland Road, and the striker almost bagged a hat-trick in stoppage time when his solo run was only ended by the outstretched arm of Jones.
But it mattered little as United kicked off the campaign with a victory and extended the winning run of home league matches to 12.
