UNITED 2 (Kandol 18, Beckford 49), HARTLEPOOL 0
United: Ankergren, Richardson, Heath, Marques, Clapham, Prutton, Howson (Huntington 90), Hughes, Carole (Westlake 83), Kandol, Beckford. Subs: Bayly, Parker, Ameobi.
Hartlepool: Budtz, McCunnie, Elliott (Gibb 68), Nelson, Liddle, Humphreys, Barker, Monkhouse, Brown, Antwi, Moore (Porter 74). Subs: Clakrk, Foley, Lee-Barrett.
Referee: P Miller
Booked: Nelson, Antwi (Hartlepool)
Att: 26,877
See the reaction of Dennis Wise on LUTV from Saturday evening...Extended highlights available from Monday
Dennis Wise made two enforced changes to his midfield as his United side went in search of a fifth successive league victory.
Jonny Howson and Andrew Hughes came in for Alan Thompson (groin) and Jonathan Douglas (international) as Wise's men looked to hit the zero-point mark in League One.
Hartlepool have also made a good start to the season and they had the first chance of the game when James Brown fired over the top after a half-cleared corner.
It was another great atmosphere at Elland Road and spurred on by the biggest Football League crowd of the season, United's first chance came on 10 minutes when Seb Carole fired a first time effort over the top after Jermaine Beckford headed on a Frazer Richardson cross.
United looked the better of the two sides early on and took the lead on 18 minutes when Tresor Kandol headed home his fourth goal of the season. Richardson provided the cross for Kandol to rise at the far post after a great ball from Howson.
Moments later, visiting goalkeeper Jan Budtz had to get down well to deny Carole with a low drive as United looked to double the advantage.
United continued to press, but the visitors were denied by a fantastic save from Casper Ankergren on the half-hour when the Dane somehow kept out a Richie Barker header on the line.
Ankergren also made a good save from loan man Godwin Antwi, who tried his luck from distance, before former United striker Ian Moore hooked the resultant corner over the bar.
The visitors were encouraged by their mini-spell of pressure, but as the game edged towards half-time, United again looked comfortable with their lead.
That leadwas doubled at the start of the second half, courtesy of Beckford. Carole sent the ball forward and Beckford showed great skill before delivering a delicate chip to leave Budtz with no chance. It was a stunning goal and one which sparked mad celebrations.
Hartlepool did rattle the bar with a Barker shot and Brown headed wide, but with zero points in sight along with a best league start since 1973, the Elland Road crowd were doing their best to roar Leeds to success.
Moore hit the post and Andy Monkhouse also shot wide after a spell of pinball in the United area, and the enterprising visitors showed they were willing to put up a real fight.
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson made a couple of changes as the game headed towards its closing stages, and former United striker Moore was given terrific ovation by the home fans when he was replaced on 74 minutes.
Wise made his first change with six minutes remaining when Ian Westlake returned to action in place of the lively Carole.
Hartlepool still pressed, though, and United's rearguard action included a terrific header off the line from Jamie Clapham and a vital clearance from Howson.
But, even with four minutes of stoppage time, United held on to make five straight wins and ensure a points tally of 0!
The final whistle was greeted with mass celebration and the players toasted the win with the now traditional huddle.
Walsall are now within touching distance and a sixth successive victory, at Bristol Rovers next Friday, would see United off the bottom.
