LEEDS UNITED 0, CHARLTON 0
United: Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Kisnorbo, Hughes (Robinson 65), Howson, Doyle, Kilkenny (Grella 79), Johnson, Beckford, Becchio (Showunmi 36). Subs: Prutton, Michalik, Kandol, Fielding.
Charlton: Elliott, Richardson, Dailly, Sodje, Youga, Sam (Wagstaff 46), Bailey, Spring, Racon (Basey 89), Shelvey (McLeod 76), Burton. Subs: Randolph, Llera, Solly, Tuna.
Referee: S Mathieson
Booked: Sodje (Charlton)
Att: 31,838
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United manager Simon Grayson was forced into making one change for the visit of second-placed Charlton with Neil Kilkenny stepping in to the starting line-up in place of the injured Robert Snodgrass. Jonny Howson moved to the right hand side of midfield.
The Charlton side read like a Leeds old boys line-up with former United skipper Frazer Richardson joined by Sam Sodje and Matthew Spring in the visiting ranks.
Elland Road had sold out for the game with only a handful of empty spaces in the visiting section as both sides looked to strengthen their own positions at the top of League One.
Two of those former players were in the Charlton defence, and an early throw-in from Leigh Bromby caused confusion among the visiting defenders before being scrambled clear. At the other end, Sodje headed wide on seven minutes following a Charlton free-kick.
But it was United who carved out the first real chance. Kilkenny found an advancing Beckford with a superb pass and the striker's first-time effort flew just wide.
Leeds were an early threat and Nicky Bailey was lucky to escape without a caution when the referee played advantage after cynically he hacked down Luciano Becchio.
United's work-rate and pressing made life difficult for a Charlton side that were clearly looking to pass the ball around.
But the visitors created a great chance themselves on 25 minutes when Richardson got away down the right to deliver a good cross for Jonjo Shelvey. The striker wasted the chance, though, heading wide.
United's response was immediate and Beckford came within a whisker of latching on to the end of a low ball into the box from Howson. Bradley Johnson also had a shot deflected into the arms of Charlton goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
And shortly after the half-hour, Elliot pulled off a good save to deny Johnson who worked himself the opportunity to deliver a goalbound effort.
There was more injury concern for Leeds when Becchio caught himself on the ball and landed awkwardly. The stretcher appeared, but the striker was carried off by physio Harvey Sharman and strike partner Beckford before being replaced with Enoch Showunmi.
United had enjoyed the better of the opening period and Charlton were again forced into the clearing their lines on 40 minutes when a Kilkenny cross looped into the six-yard box after taking a deflection.
But, again, Charlton almost created another opening when a Lloyd Sam cross was deflected across the face of goal for a corner. The visitors also enjoyed a little spell in first half stoppage time that resulted in Spring firing over the bar.
Charlton made a change of their own at half-time with Sam being replaced by Scott Wagstaff.
The opening exchanges of the second half were scrappy, the heavy wind which was swirling around was doing little for the game as a spectacle.
United mounted an attack of 54 minutes with Showunmi showing good pace on the right to get his cross in and win a corner.
As the game entered the final half-hour it was turning something of a war of attrition, but Showunmi forced Elliot into making a low save as he stabbed the ball across the face of goal.
With 25 minutes remaining, Grayson introduced Andy Robinson on to the left flank, Johnson reverting to left-back in place of Andrew Hughes. And the substitute's first involvement was to chase down a Beckford flick and win a corner after pressurising Richardson.
The game continued to ebb and flow with both sides enjoying brief spells, but chances were few and far between with both defences making timely challenges and blocks.
Casper Ankergren made his first real save in the 73rd minute when Shelvey tried his luck from distance. The United goalkeeper also had to deal with a well-hit opportunist strike from outside of the box from Spring.
With 11 minutes left, Grayson madce his final change as he looked to find a spark to clinch the game, Mike Grella replacing the industrious Kilkenny.
It was threatening to turn into a frustrating afternoon for Leeds as the game entered its final stages, but when Beckford worked himself an opening on the right and sent a shot fizzing just wide, there was still a suggestion that Grayson's men could force the result.
Moments later, Showunmi came within a whisker of doing so when his chip from outside of the box went agonisingly wide.
Charlton cleared a couple of late free-kicks from Leeds and Richardson headed away a Howson cross when Beckford was waiting to pounce.
Micky Doyle tried his luck from distance in stoppage time, as did Robinson, as Leeds looked the most likely to break through, but there were no late dramas as honours ended even.
The win keeps United in pole position - three points ahead of Charlton - and Grayson's men must now wait two weeks for the next league action.
