UNITED 1 (McCormack 33), BURNLEY 0

United: Schmeichel, Lichaj, O'Brien, Naylor, McCartney, Johnson, Kilkenny, Howson, Gradel (Watt 89), McCormack (Bromby 90), Paynter (Snodgrass 76). Subs: Higgs, Connolly, Bruce, Livermore.

Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Fox, Duff (Wallace 74), Bikey, Eagles, McCann (Delfouneso 64), Elliott, Cork, Iwelumo (Thompson 79), Rodriguez. Subs: Grant, Alexander, Bartley, Carlisle, Thompson.

Referee: P Crossley

Booked: Kilkenny, Lichaj, Johnson (Leeds), Duff, Rodriguez, McCann, Bikey (Burnley)

Att: 31,186

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United manager Simon Grayson re-shuffled his pack once again for the visit of Burnley with Ross McCormack returning to the starting line-up to partner Billy Paynter in the front line. George McCartney and Neil Kilkenny were also recalled while Robert Snodgrass was named among the substitutes.

It was a game both sides needed to win to keep alive hopes of a Play-Off place, and it was McCormack who had first sight of goal when Jonny Howson crossed and he tested Burnley keeper Brian Jensen for the first time.

Billy Paynter also drilled an early shot wide after good play by Max Gradel and McCormack, while Burnley had an opportunity inside the first 10 minutes after a surging run from Chris Eagles.

Leeds dominated the early exchanges in terms of possession, but it took a good block from Kasper Schmeichel to deny the visitors as the 20-minute mark loomed.

Eagles was next to try his luck with a strike from distance which flew over the bar, and United responded by testing Jensen with a powerful effort from Gradel.

On 27 minutes, McCormack tried his luck with a free-kick from distance which went just wide and the Scot also whipped in a cross for Paynter that led to Jensen scrambling his header around the post.

And on 33 minutes McCormack deservedly scored his first goal in a Leeds shirt. He used good pace to latch onto a ball over the top before tucking the ball home.

Burnley looked to respond immediately, and McCartney cut out a cross from Danny Fox. From the resultant corner, Chris Iwelumo should have done better with a headed opportunity.

McCormack's movement was causing all manner of problems, and Michael Duff found his way into the referee's notebook for fouling the Scot.

As the game entered first half stoppage time, Eagles blazed a first-time effort over the bar, but United were worthy of an interval lead.

Leeds also carved out the first good chance in the second half when Paynter was denied by Jensen, and moments later the striker fired into the side netting after an incisive pass.

Tempers boiled over on the hour mark when players from both sides became embroiled in a melee after Chris McCann caught Gradel high in a challenge. From the resultant free-kick, Jensen saved well from And O'Brien.

And McCormack came within a whisker of adding a second when Jensen had to make another great save after the Scot picked out the far corner when shooting through a ruck of players.

Burnley had been second best, but Jack Cork served a reminder against complacency when he was allowed to run from midfield before taking aim and firing over the bar.

But with 16 minutes remaining, Jensen was called upon to deny Jonny Howson while Gradel's follow-up shot fizzed across the face of goal.

McCormack also forced another good block out of Jensen when he whipped in another powerful free-kick.

United had enjoyed the better chances, but Grayson's men still had some defending to do during the closing stages and Schmeichel turned a Ross Wallace free-kick over the bar. A Wade Elliott shot was also scrambled clear before Leeds broke quickly and Sanchez Watt fired high and wide.