UNITED 1 (Becchio pen 42), BARNSLEY 0

Leeds: Kenny, Peltier, Pearce, Lees, White, Byram, Austin, Brown, Tonge (Norris 54), Diouf, Becchio (Gray 72). Subs: Ashdown, Drury, Green, Varney, Poleon.

Barnsley: Alnwick, Wiseman, Foster (Hassell 46), Golbourne, Stones, Dawson, Perkins, Cywka (Etuhu 70), Mellis, Harewood, Davies. Subs: Kennedy, Steele, Done, Clarke.

Referee: D Deadman

Booked: Austin, Becchio, Pearce (Leeds) Davies (Barnsley)

Att: 22,569

United manager Neil Warnock named an unchanged side for the visit of Barnsley, a side who had done the double over Leeds last season.

The visitors had lost to Peterborough last time out, but had beaten Birmingham 5-0 at St Andrew's and started on the front foot at Elland Road with an early chance falling to Jacob Mellis. The visitors looked to apply the early pressure and looked to put Leeds under pressure. 

Aidy White was United's biggest early threat with his pace and he did well on 20 minutes, but Luciano Becchio was unable to find the space to turn and get in a shot on goal. Becchio also headed over the bar after El-Hadji Diouf did well down the right before whipping in a great cross.

Barnsley goalkeeper Ben Alnwick also had to react well to smother a Rodolph Austin cross at the second time. Austin also sent another cross-cum-shot over the bar.

But the visitors were still a threat and Marlon Harewood sent a shot just wide of the upright after an incisive break.

United had an opportunity before half-time though when a Lee Peltier run was halted by Stephen Foster on the edge of the box and referee Darren Deadman pointed to the penalty spot. Having scored one at Bolton in midweek, Becchio stepped up again to convert coolly.

The spot-kick ensured United went in 1-0 at the break, but Warnock was forced into making a change right at the start of the second period when Michael Tonge suffered a shoulder injury and was replaced by David Norris.

Leeds also had the first sight of goal in the second half when Austin tested Alnwick's reactions with a fierce strike.

Thomasz Cywka did have a shot deflected wide on the hour and from the resulant corner Paddy Kenny made a great save to deny Marlon Harewood.

Andy Gray replaced Becchio with 19 minutes left on the clock and one Norris cross was just too far in front of his fellow sub to make a decisive touch.

Both sides continued to work hard as the game headed towards its conclusion, but chances were at a premium at both ends. Kenny had a save to make in the final minute when Jon Stones got on the end of a free-kick inot the box, but