UNITED 2 (Beckford 37, 54), MK DONS 0

United: Ankergren, Douglas, Naylor, Sodje (MIchalik 61), Parker, Snodgrass (Dickinson 90), Kilkenny (Hughes 72), Howson, Delph, Beckford, Becchio. Subs: Lucas, Robinson.

MK Dons: Gueret, Regan (Johnson 59), O'Hanlon, Llera (Gerba 82), Lewington, Navarro, Baldock, Leven, Puncheon, Cummings (Stirling 67), Wilbraham. Subs: Abbey, Howell.

Referee: N Swarbrick

Booked: Howson (United), Leven, Regan, Puncheon, Johnson, Navarro (MK Dons).

Att: 27,649

United boss Simon Grayson gave a debut to new loan signing Sam Sodje in place of the injured Rui Marques, and Jermaine Beckford returned from suspension to take the place of Liam Dickinson.

United were looking for an eighth straight league success at Elland Road, and knew that a victory would close the gap on fourth-placed MK Dons to just one point.

Elland Road housed its biggest crowd since Boxing Day, and the fans were rewarded with an enterprising opening to the contest.

The visitors certainly opted an attacking approach and after Jason Puncheon fired high over the top from distance, Casper Ankergren was called upon to make a good save from an 11th minute free-kick.

Leeds also played some bright football with some good approach play, Luciano Becchio almost profiting inside the opening 20 minutes.

Beckford was next to try his luck after he showed real quality to beat Sean O'Hanlon and Shaun Cummings to force an opening.

On 31 minutes, Robert Snodgrass tested Dons keeper Willy Gueret for the first time with an effort from distance.

But it was United who got the first goal on 37 minutes, courtesy of the trusted boot of Beckford.

The leading goalscorer linked up with strike partner Becchio and he bagged his 30th goal of the season with a clinical finish.

Moments later, Dons skipper Dean Lewington averted a second goal after Fabian Delph and Beckford combined well.

It was United who threatened first in the second period when Jonny Howson lifted a shot over the bar.

Beckford also fired over from an acute angle after good build-up play, but the striker made no mistake after 54 minutes with a great strike.

Snodgrass was the architect with an incisive pass, and Beckford applied the finishing touch to double United's advantage.

On the hour-mark, Beckford had an opportunity to record his fourth hat-trick of the season, but he screwed a shot wide after escaping the clutch of two visiting defenders.

Moments later, Grayson made his first change with Sodje, who picked up a knock in the first half, being replaced by Lubo Michalik.

United were dominating the contest, and Gueret made a good low save to deny Becchio on 65 minutes after the striker got up well to meet a Snodgrass cross.

But the visitors came within a whisker of pulling a goal back on 69 minutes when Sam Baldock turned a Puncheon cross across the face of goal.

On 72 minutes, Grayson made his second change, Andrew Hughes replacing Neil Kilkenny.

There was a scare moments later when former Leeds loan man Jemal Johnson took a swipe at Snodgrass, but the Scotsman returned to action after lengthy treatment.

MK shuffled their pack in the closing stages, but the visitors failed to give Leeds any serious concerns as Grayson's men edged towards victory.

Three minutes of stoppage time mattered little as United marched on to an eighth straight league win at home.