OLDHAM 0, LEEDS UNITED 2 (Kilkenny 37, Becchio 83)

Oldham: Flahavan, Lomax, Gregan, Black, Whitaker, Marrow, Colbeck, Furman (Stephens 90), Smalley (Brooke 78), Heffernan, Parker (Blackman 87). Subs: Brill, Jacobson, Lee, McKerr

United: Ankergren, Crowe, Bromby, Michalik, Capaldi, Howson, Prutton, Kilkenny, Ephraim (Snodgrass 74), Gradel (Grella 87), Vokes (Becchio 77). Subs: D Martin, Beckford, Marques, White.

Referee: C Webster

Booked: Marrow, Black (Oldham)

Att: 7793 (4151 Leeds)

Extended highlights available on LUTV           

United manager Simon Grayson rang the changes for the trip to Oldham Athletic with Jermaine Beckford and Rob Snodgrass dropping to the bench, and Micky Doyle sitting out the game.

It meant a debut for loan man Hogan Ephraim, a first league start since Boxing Day for David Prutton, and recalls for Max Gradel and Sam Vokes, who started as the striking partnership.

Once again, United were greeted by heavy rain on what was a cold night in Oldham, but over 4,000 travelling fans filled the Rochdale Road End to supply over half of the Boundary Park attendance.

It was a solid opening 10 minutes from both sides before Oldham fashioned out the first good chance of the game. Joe Colbeck got the better of Jason Crowe and Dean Furman should have done better with a free header in front of goal.

When United carved out an opening on 13 minutes - Neil Kilkenny threading through for Prutton who was clear on goal - an offside flag was raised.

Another great pass from the United midfielder almost led to a United opener on the quarter-hour. Kilkenny picked out the advancing Crowe with a precision pass, but the United defender steered his shot past Darryl Flahavan and also past the upright.

Oldham looked more of an attacking threat than in the recent FA Cup tie, particularly when they looked to get the ball into wide areas, but as the game headed towards the half-hour mark, it was a fairly even contest with little action in either goalmouth. Prutton did fire over for United and both sides had corners cleared.

On 30 minutes, Deane Smalley was called upon to get the decisive touch on an Ephraim free-kick when Prutton was well-placed, and the Oldham striker was also called upon to clear the resultant corner. When Leeds came forward again, Vokes beat the offside trap to latch on to a Lubo Michalik ball forward, but his shot was straight at Flahavan.

But the opening goal came on 37 minutes and it was fitting that it came from the boot of the influential Kilkenny. Gradel was the provider, showing good skill to get in a cross from the Leeds left, and Kilkenny was on hand to tap the ball home inside the six-yard box.

Moments later, Gradel tried his luck from distance, testing Flahavan with a swirling strike. Kilkenny also tried his luck again with another good effort, this time from outside of the box.

Leeds finished the first half very strongly, Gradel almost released Vokes with a good through ball, and it took some good defending from Oldham during the closing stages to keep Grayson's men at bay.

United also came out of the traps flying the second half and Flahavan had to come off his line to deny Vokes, who latched on to a long ball over the top to run clear on goal. Prutton also headed over the top after Ephraim got in a cross from the left.

Oldham also gave away a needless free-kick deep in their own half when Paul Black appeared to clip Gradel while in pursuit of a ball that was well covered by home goalkeeper Flahavan. Ephraim's delivery was good and was scrambled away as United won back-to-back corners.

It was from the second of those that Vokes again went close on the hour-mark. Leigh Bromby met Gradel's corner with a powerful downward header and Vokes couldn't quite keep his shot down and he lifted it over the bar.

Leeds were the dominant side and Flahavan was again called upon to come off his line and punch clear another good free-kick delivery from Ephraim. Gradel was also denied by some quick thinking from Flahavan after some great work by Vokes.

But Oldham did have an opportunity on 69 minutes. Paul Heffernan seized after some hesitant defending, but he sent his shot into the side-netting when he had the goal at his mercy.

With 16 minutes left on the clock, Grayson made his first change of the night, Snodgrass replacing Ephraim, and Luciano Becchio was also introduced in place of Vokes two minutes later.

Snodgrass was denied almost immediately by more good thinking from Flahavan - the Oldham goalkeeper again racing off his line, after Gradel was the provider with a good ball through.

At the other Dean Furman sent a shot wide for Oldham, but as the game entered its final 10 minutes, United were looking in control of the game.

And the result was in no doubt in the 83rd minute when Gradel again provided a good pass, and Becchio showed good composure to finish beyond Flahavan. The goal sparked wild scenes on the away end, a mass exodus in the home areas, and a nice celebration involving the players, Grayson and his coaching staff.

The second goal also appeared to be the cue for the rain to fall even heavier, and the closing stages were played out in a near torrential storm. But United continued to be untroubled as the position at the top of the league was further strengthened with another clean-sheet victory.