TRANMERE 1 (Welsh 19), LEEDS UNITED 4 (Snodgrass 9, Beckford 16 pen, Becchio 34, Beckford 65)

Tranmere: Daniels, Broomes, O'Neill (Logan 72), Goodison, Bakayogo, Welsh, McLaren, Edds (Mahon 76), Thomas-Moore, Curran, Sordell (Savage 46). Subs: Collister, McCready, Barnett, Cresswell.

United: Ankergren, Hughes, Naylor, Kisnorbo, White, Snodgrass (Gradel 76), Doyle, Howson, McSheffrey, Beckford (Dickov 83), Becchio (Kandol 76). Subs: Martin, Kilkenny, Johnson, Bromby. 

Referee: R Shoebridge

Booked: Becchio

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United manager Simon Grayson welcomed captain Richard Naylor back from injury as he made just one change for the trip to Tranmere.

After watching Colchester held at home on Monday evening, the game represented another opportunity for Leeds to open up a gap ahead of the promotion chasing pack, and Grayson's men started brightly at Prenton Park.

A good passing move inside the opening two minutes earned Leeds a corner, and Luciano Becchio headed narrowly wide from the delivery.

also whipped in a teasing free-kick which two runners narrowly failed to connect with the head. But the Scot was claiming United's opener inside the ninth minute with a similar delivery.

Snodgrass again whipped in a ball from the right and despite Paddy Kisnorbo's best efforts to get in a glancing header, it was the Scot who was able to claim the effort as his own as the ball flew home.

United had a chance to double that lead on 15 minutes when, after Jermaine Beckford held the ball up, Gary McSheffrey's surging run was ended in the box by the leg of a home defender.

Beckford stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake in smashing the ball home.

Tranmere's response was quick though. Luke O'Neill forced Casper Ankergren into making a good low save after a free-kick was blocked and as United failed to clear the corner John Welsh stroked the ball home to make it 2-1.

Tranmere goalkeeper Luke Daniels was next to be called into action when he was at full-stretch to push away a McSheffrey effort. Becchio was waiting to pounce, but an offside flag was raised.

McSheffrey also had a shot blocked by O'Neill after some great passing play from Leeds with a move that started after Snodgrass had tracked back 70 yards to regain possession in his own half after being tackled by Ian Goodison.

But it was 3-1 shortly after the half-hour. Beckford, who showed great movement, was the provider when he delivered a cross from the right and Becchio raced through to plant a diving header firmly beyond Daniels.

Moments later, Becchio looked to make it four when he seized upon a defensive error, but his chipped effort was just over the bar. And Beckford tested Daniels with a grass-cutter of a shot after barging his way into space outside of the Tranmere box.

Fittingly, the half-time whistle went just as Leeds were mounting another threatening raid, Micky Doyle smashing the ball towards goal as a halt was called.

Tranmere made a change at half-time, Bas Savage replacing Marvin Sordell, and the big striker won an early corner for the home side which resulted in Marlon Broomes scooping a shot well over the top. The hosts also had a penalty shout waved away, following claims of a handball by Aidy White.

At the other end a late offside flag for a Beckford run denied McSheffrey the chance of shooting at an open goal.

Tranmere certainly weren't giving up the ghost - it had been a fairly open game throughout - but when Leeds had the ball the added quality was always in evidence in terms of passing and movement.

Beckford was next to go close for Leeds on 59 minutes when his first time strike was narrowly wide. Broomes also came within a whisker of scoring an own goal when he stuck out a leg to divert a cross just the wrong side of the upright.

But the fourth goal came moments later and it was a strike of real quality. Beckford latched on to a long ball forward and delivered an exquisite chip which dipped at the right moment.

The striker almost bagged a hat-trick on 72 minutes, but Daniels pulled off a great save. Becchio was the provider with a clever back-heel, and Beckford spun quickly to deliver a good strike, but Daniels reacted well.

With 14 minutes remaining, Grayson made a double change introducing Tresor Kandol and Max Gradel to proceedings. The 2,000 plus away following immediately welcomed Kandol with a reminder about his goal at Prenton Park back in 2007.

He was also re-united with his strike partner of the same afternoon, Beckford, along with three other surviving members from that summer's day almost three years ago.

As the game headed towards its enevitable conclusion, Grayson handed Paul Dickov his second run-out in a Leeds shirt, the club's newest recruit replacing Beckford for the final seven minutes.

There was still time for Ankergren to pull off an excellent save in the final minutes when Alan Mahon tried his luck from distance, but that was the last shot at goal as the Leeds eased towards victory and the game fizzled out.

The win was enough to take United five points clear of third-placed Charlton, nine clear of fourth placed Colchester, and to within four of leaders Norwich City.