Leeds United manager Simon Grayson praised his side's character after the Boxing Day success against Hartlepool United at Elland Road.

Grayson's men fell behind in a league game for only the third time this season - but a crowd of over 30,000 watched his players come from 1-0 down to win the contest 3-1.

Jermaine Beckford scored twice and a deflected header from Luciano Becchio proved the difference between the two sides as United came back to win the contest comfortably.

"I was delighted with the result and the performance," said the manager.

"Maybe we were quite fortunate for a couple of the goals, but you take what comes and we'll take the breaks.

"I tell the players that you have to shoot or take your chances because these things can sometimes happen.

"This club hasn't had a lot of luck over the past few years so when something goes for you, you accept it and move on."

United had threatened to overwhelm Hartlepool, but after Armann Bjornsson fired the visitors into a shock lead, Beckford somehow turned home a Neil Kilkenny shot and a Becchio header was turned home by Gary Liddle, pictured above.

"I thought we started the game well," said the manager.

"You have to earn the right to play and hope your quality comes through, but they got a goal, and we had to come from behind which is an unusual situation for us.

"I thought the players worked hard, showed a lot of character, and they dug in to get the result we deserved.

"We gave Hartlepool too many opportunities in the first half and we were too open, but we were better in the second half."

Grayson was also full of praise for striker Beckford, just seven days after expressing his disappointment at the striker's reaction to his substitution against Southampton.

"I didn't expect anything less from Jermaine," he added. "We've moved on from last weekend and he responded.

"He took his goals well and he worked the opposition keeper well. He would have had a hat-trick had it not been for the bar.

"If you give him opportunities he will take them, and that's what he did."

See the reaction on Boxing Day with extended highlights available from Sunday evening...