UNITED 2 (Beckford 32, 90), MILLWALL 0

United: Ankergren, Hughes, Marques, Naylor, Dickinson, Snodgrass (Howson 88), Douglas, Delph, Robinson (Johnson 79), Beckford, Trundle (Becchio 74). Subs: Lucas, Michalik.

Millwall: Forde, Craig, Duffy (Dunne 53), Whitbread, Frampton, Bolder, Fuseini (Grimes 77), Abdou, McLeod (Harris 67), Alexander, Martin. Subs: Pidgeley, Barron.

Referee: A Wiley

Booked: Marques, Douglas, Beckford (United), Bolder, Fuseini, Grimes (Millwall).

Att: 19,314

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

With Leeds lying seventh, the visit of sixth-placed Millwall was an opportunity for Simon Grayson's men to close the gap on the top-six places.

And the game almost got off to the perfect start when United skipper Richard Naylor, making his first appearance since joining the club on a permanent basis, headed wide.

United started off well, Jermaine Beckford being presented with two half-chances, and Naylor was also threat at early set-pieces.

Andy Robinson also went close for Leeds as the visitors took a while to find their feet at Elland Road.

But Millwall did come into the contest and the visitors were denied the opening goal thanks to a terrific save from Casper Ankergren and a goal-line clearance from Naylor.

The visitors thought Gary Alexander's 22nd minute header had crossed the line, but TV pictures showed that the combination of Ankergren and Naylor did enough to clear the danger.

And it was Leeds who took the lead shortly after the half-hour, courtesy of a superb strike from Beckford. United's leading scoring cut inside from the right and delivered a superb curling effort which left David Forde with no chance.

Beckford also sent a shot fizzing wide of the mark, past an advancing Forde, after a great ball from Jonathan Douglas.

Robinson also went close again with a dipping effort two minutes before half-time.

United started the second half brightly, and Lee Trundle forced Forde into making a good save when he tried his luck with a curling effort.

When Millwall threatened, Douglas earned himself his fifth booking of the season - for a foul - and he will now miss next Tuesday's trip to Hereford United.

Millwall had an opportunity shortly after the hour-mark, but Alexander's free-kick failed to trouble Ankergren as it fizzed wide of the mark.

With 16 minutes remaining, Grayson made his first change, introducing Luciano Becchio in place of Trundle. Bradley Johnson was also handed the final 11 minutes in place of Robinson.

It was Millwall who were doing much of the pressing, but Rob Snodgrass tried his luck for United with a free-kick from the edge of the box.

Ankergren was called into action on 87 minutes, though, to make a good save from David Martin, who tried his luck from outside of the box, following a quickly taken free-kick.

The visitors also felt they had claims for a penalty when Rui Marques tangled with Jimmy Abdou, but referee Alan Wiley waved away the appeals.

In the final minute it was Leeds who almost added a second when Becchio teed up Beckford, United's leading goalscorer blasted his shot over the top.

The duo combined again moments later, though, and this time Beckford made no mistake as he fired home goal number 23 of the season to wrap up an important victory for United.