UNITED 2 (Marques 6, Naylor 11), SOUTHEND 0

United: Ankergren, Hughes, Naylor, Marques, Dickinson, Robinson (Snodgrass 69), Douglas, Delph, Johnson, Beckford (Becchio 84), Trundle (Howson 73). Subs: Lucas, Michalik.

Southend: Mildenhall, Sankofa, Francis, Barrett, Herd, Betsy, Robinson, Christophe, Moussa, Walker (Scannell 42) O'Keefe (Barnard 75). Subs: Ademeno, Joyce.

Referee: D Foster

Att: 20,392

You can hear live commentary on Yorkshire Radio (DAB only), Minster 104.7FM and LUTV...

United manager Simon Grayson handed a Jermaine Beckford a recall in place of Luciano Becchio afer the 21-goal striker signalled his return to action with a two-goal salvo against Peterborough United last weekend.

United were aiming for a third successive victory and Grayson's side got off to the best possible start, taking the lead in the sixth minute courtesy of Rui Marques' first goal of the season.

Bradley Johnson sent over a corner from the right and Marques rose well to plant a header firmly in the bottom corner.

That advantage could have been doubled four minutes later, but Southend skipper Adam Barrett made two tremendous blocks.

Neverthless, it was 2-0 in the 11th minute. Johnson again delivered a good corner and loan man - and skipper - Richard Naylor marked his second Elland Road appearance with his first goal for the club with a good header.

It almost got even better inside the opening 15 minutes, but Beckford had appeals for a penalty waved away after he appeared to be impeded by Simon Francis when through on goal.

There was another opening for United in the 21st minute when Beckford lifted a shot over the top, following a good ball forward.

The early goal blitz took any sting out of the contest and with United already in firm control, the visitors looked to play the ball around.

But Southend were dealt another blow before half-time when the already injury ravaged Shrimpers lost James Walker with an apparent hamstring injury.

The game had gone flat before the break, but United had an early opportunity in the second period when Andy Robinson was off target after some good build-up play.

Southend goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall also made a good save to deny Beckford when he spread himself well to block the striker's shot with his left hand.

Beckford was also denied by Johnny Herd after Jonathan Douglas seized upon a poor clearance from Mildenhall.

Out of the blue, Southend came within a whisker of pulling a goal back in the 64th minute when Theo Robinson drilled a low shot against the upright.

As the second half wore on, Grayson introduced both Robert Snodgrass and Jonny Howson to proceedings in place of Robinson and Lee Trundle.

Becchio was also handed a run-out for the final five minutes in place of Beckford and the striker went close to adding a third within moments of his arrival.

The South American also headed over his own bar in stoppage time when Southend swung in a corner, and that proved to be the last action of the game as United made it three straight wins.