UNITED 2 (Gradel 60, Becchio 83), SOUTHEND 0

United: Higgs, Bromby, Naylor, Collins, Hughes (Johnson 58), Howson, Doyle, Kilkenny, Snodgrass (Watt 86), Gradel, Beckford (Becchio 58). Subs: Ankergren, Becchio, Grella, McSheffrey, Parker.

Southend: Mildenhall, Baldwin, Francis, Sankofa, Barrett, Herd, Grant, Christophe, O'Keefe, Vernon, Paterson (Laurent 64). Subs : Mvoto, Malone, Crawford, .Jack.

Referee: E Ilderton

Booked: Johnson (Leeds), Christophe (Southend).

Att: 21,650

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United manager Simon Grayson had challenges his side to win the six remaining games after returning to winning ways at Yeovil on Easter Monday.

He named an unchanged side for the visit of a depleted Southend outfit who were in the thick of the relegation battle.

It was a slow opening, but Southend goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall had to react quickly after 10 minutes to cut out a cross from Robert Snodgrass when Max Gradel was well-placed to apply the finishing touch.

Visiting skipper Adam Barrett also averted the danger when Snodgrass delivered another good cross from the Leeds left, and moments later, it took a good tip-over from Mildenhall to deny the Scot after a great cross from Gradel.

Snodgrass was a real threat for Leeds and his movement saw him get on the end of some more good build-up play, but is shot was straight at the keeper.

It was all United, and shortly before the half-hour, Jermaine Beckford headed wide at the far post after being picked out by a great ball from Neil Kilkenny.

On 32 minutes, Beckford had a shot deflected wide after Snodgrass barged  his way through the Southend defence to create the opening.

Southend did have an audacious attempt before half-time when Matt Paterson lifted a shot over the top from distance.

On 41 minutes, in a near repeat of Monday's win at Yeovil, Richard Naylor found the space to meet a Kilkenny corner, but this time his header was just wide.

Gradel also sent a first time effort high and wide in first half stoppage time.

The opening exchanges in the second period saw both sides create half-chances,  but it was Leeds, who again pegged Southend back, deep into their own half.

Jonny Howson was denied by Mildenhall, following some good passing play, and shortly before the hour, Grayson replaced Beckford with Luciano Becchio and Andrew Hughes with Bradley Johnson.

And the deadlock was broken on the hour-mark, courtesy of Gradel. Becchio was involved, Snodgrass was the architect and Gradel delivered a good finish from a tight angle.

United maintained the pressure, Kilkenny firing over, and Leeds were controlling the contest, and Gradel again had a shot blocked.

With 12 minutes remaining, Johnson was booked following a challenge on Jean-Francois Christophe, and the yellow card, his 10th of the season, rules him out of the games at Carlisle and Gillingham.

Becchio had made a big impression since his arrival, and it was fitting that the South American wrapped up the points with 83 minutes left. Gradel was the provider and Becchio supplied the finishing touch with a good back post header.

United pressed for a third in the hope of further boosting the goal difference, but 2-0 proved enough to secure the three points and a move up to third place in the table.