LEEDS UNITED 4 (Johnson 14, 28, Howson 46, Beckford 80), GILLINGHAM 1 (Barcham 50)
United: Higgs, Crowe (Kilkenny 67), Bromby, Kinsorbo, Hughes, Snodgrass (Michalik 67), Doyle, Howson, Johnson, Becchio (Grella 80), Beckford. Subs: Ankergren, Prutton, Robinson, Showunmi.
Gillingham: Royce, Fuller, Gowling, Bentley, Palmer, Maher (Payne 83), Weston (Rooney 88), Barcham, Jackman, Oli (Erskine 81), Jackson. Subs: Nutter, Richards, Miller, Julian.
Referee: G Salisbury
Booked: Bromby (Leeds)
Att: 21,026
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After dropping the first league points of the season at Southend United, Leeds were looking for a return to winning ways - and 15th successive on home soil in the league - against Gillingham.
Simon Grayson named an unchanged team for the visit of the Gills and from the outset it looked like it could be an open contest.
The visitors adopted an attacking formation, but even inside the first 10 minutes there were signs that such an approach could leave them vulnerable at the back if Leeds looked to move quickly.
But it was Gillingham who created the first chance on 12 minutes. Simeon Jackson fed former United midfielder Curtis Weston, who after shaping himself a good opening held on to the ball too long before cutting back to Andy Barcham who fired wide.
United responded immediately, cutting straight through the Gills, but Luciano Becchio was unable to apply the finishing touch to a Robert Snodgrass cross. Moments later, Becchio again got himself into a decent position, but his shot was cleared by Josh Gowling.
And, from the resultant corner, United took the lead. Snodgrass whipped in the corner and Bradley Johnson continued his fine scoring streak, bagging his fourth goal of the season with a powerful header.
The game tightened up a little after United's opener, but it was 2-0 before the half-hour when Johnson conjured up a second goal from nowhere. A short played was played on the left and Johnson, in space, was able to run on goal before scoring from the tightest of angles through Simon Royce's legs.
With two goals in the bag and Gillingham's early intentions clearly voided, United were in a position of comfort as the game cruised towards the half-time interval. The visitors did fashion out one half-chance before the break when Weston delivered a low cross which Jackson failed to get a touch on.
If it was easy enough for United in the first half, then Grayson's men took just 30 seconds of the second period to slip into the comfort zone. Jonny Howson latched on to a Snodgrass pass, nudged on by Jermaine Beckford, and the midfielder made no mistake hammering the ball home.
It was almost 4-0 within the space of another 60 seconds, Beckford striking the crossbar with a lovely, first time effort. And Becchio could have made made it four in the 48th minute when he headed a Snodgrass corner wide.
But it was Gillingham who clawed a goal back on 50 minutes, Andy Barcham scoring with a first time shot, following a free-kick. It was the first goal Leeds had conceded in the league from open play this season.
It had almost become too comfortable for Leeds and Grayson was on the edge of the technical area reminding his players of their responsibilities as the Gills threatened to rally. The visitors were also showing more belief, and Patrick Kisnorbo made a good block to deny Jackson after Danny Jackman lifted the ball over the top.
With 23 minutes remaining, Grayson made his first changes, Lubo Michalik and Neil Kilkenny entering the fray in place of Jason Crowe and Snodgrass.
As the game entered the final 20 minutes, Becchio again came close to adding to the tally following some good play outside of the box, but the visitors were still putting in plenty of effort, and Dennis Oli headed over the top when well-placed to test Shane Higgs.
But it was all over for certain in the 80th minute when Leeds made it 4-1. Micky Doyle's effort from outside of the box came back off the woodwork, and Beckford was well-placed to head home the follow-up from close range.
Beckford also came within a whisker of adding a fifth moments after the arrival of Mike Grella from the subs bench as United edged closer to a 15th successive home league victory. Lubo Michalik also headed an Andrew Hughes cross just wide of the mark with three minutes remaining.
Four minutes of added time mattered little in the scheme of things as United cruised towards another important three league points.
Attentions now turn towards Tuesday's sell-out Carling Cup third round tie with Liverpool.
