UNITED 4 (Thompson 3, Flo 86, Marques 90, Beckford 90), SOUTHEND 1 (Barrett 70)

United: Ankergren, Richardson, Heath, Marques, Hughes (Parker 72), Prutton (Flo 80), Thompson, Douglas, Westlake (Carole 42), Kandol, Beckford. Subs: Howson, Weston.

Southend:  Flahavan, Wilson, Clarke, Barrett, Gower (Black 90), Campbell-Ryce, Bradbury (MacDonald 82), McCormack, Harrold,. Bailey, Gilbert (Richards 82). Subs: Collis, Hooper.

Referee: N Swarbrick

Booked: McCormack (Southend).

Att: 24,036

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After winning the first two games of the season, the kick-off of the first home match was delayed by 15 minutes due to crowd congestion outside of the stadium.

The 2-1 win at Tranmere saw United reduce the points deficit to minus 12, and boss Dennis Wise made two changes for the visit of Southend.

David Prutton came in for Curtis Weston on the right hand side of midfield and Jonathan Douglas returned to the side in place of the Derby-bound Eddie Lewis. Andrew Hughes dropped back to the left side of defence.

The delayed start meant little to Leeds, though, who took just three minutes to open the scoring.

Jermaine Beckford won a free-kick on the edge of the box and, roared on by the faithful, Alan Thompson delivered a trademark set-play that left Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan with no chance.

It was the perfect opening for United, but Southend came within a whisker of levelling on 14 minutes when Thompson was robbed of the ball and Alan McCormack's powerful shot cannoned back off the woodwork.

Casper Ankergren also pulled off a good reaction save to deny Matt Harrold from close range as Southend looked to attack United.

Moments later, Southend's Flahavan came rushing from his line to collect the ball to intercept a Tresor Kandol flick-on when Beckford burst through the defence.

And Kandol had a chance to make it 2-0 on the half-hour, but his first time shot flew wide of the mark after a good ball from Thompson.

United opened up Southend again moments later. David Prutton fed Beckford, and Kerrea Gilbert had to react quickly to deny Ian Westlake.

As half-time drew near, Flahavan pulled off a terrific save to deny Douglas with a far-post header as United looked to increase their lead before the break.

Two minutes before the interval Wise was forced into making a substitution, Seb Carole replacing the injured Westlake.

Both sides had opportunities at the start of the second half. Ankergren was called upon to make two clearances while Kandol saw a header flash wide at the other end.

Skipper Thompson also tested Flahavan again 10 minutes into the half with another good free-kick.

The Southend goalkeeper then caught Kandol as he punched clear another teasing Thompson cross, but the player returned after undergoing treatment.

Carole was next to test Flahavan when the keeper got down well to save a low drive on 65 minutes.

But disaster struck on 70 minutes when, after Ankergren made a good save to deny Lee Bradbury, Adam Barrett converted from close range to level matters.

Two minutes later, Hughes became the second casualty of the game for United when he limped off to be replaced by Ben Parker, making his league debut for the club.

United responded to the equaliser by coming forward in numbers again. Douglas went close from a corner and Kandol appeared to be denied by a Southend hand as he looked to head the ball home from close range.

Kandol again threatened after Prutton pulled the ball back at the far post with a fine header - but Flahavan pulled off the save.

Tore Andre Flo was introduced to proceedings with 10 minutes remaining and the change paid dividends.

On his first Elland Road appearance since January, the Norwegian smashed home a Carole cross with four minutes remaining to make it 2-1.

It was fitting reward for another good team effort and for the unstinting vocal support of the 24,036 crowd, but there was more to come.

Moments later it was game over when Rui Marques scored his first goal for the club - a delightful back-header following a Carole corner.

And then deep in stoppage time, Beckford rounded off another memorable afternoon when he latched onto a long pass forward and converted with ease.