Leeds United 3 Tranmere Rovers 1

Last updated : 18 April 2009 By Footymad Previewer
Jermaine Beckford returned from injury to set Leeds on their way to a tenth home win on the bounce and a place in the play-offs with his 32nd goal of the season.

Beckford and Andy Robinson replaced Liam Dickinson and the suspended Fabian Delph in Leeds' starting line-up, while Ian Goodison started a four-match ban for Tranmere who brought in Gareth Edds.

Leeds almost took a sixth minute lead when midfielder Jonny Howson tried a speculative volley from 30 yards which hit the upright with keeper Danny Coyne beaten.

However, the opening goal arrived in the 15th minute. Robinson, who started his professional career at Tranmere, gave the ball away deep inside his own half but won it back.

Robert Snodgrass fed Beckford, accepted a return pass and crossed for Beckford to prod his shot just inside the far post.

Leeds doubled the advantage in the 26th minute when a long ball from Jonathon Douglas towards Beckford found Neil Kilkenny who slotted a low angled shot past Coyne.

The cheers had hardly died down when Tranmere struck back with a 27th minute own goal from Sam Sodje who hadn't seen Casper Ankergren leave his line.

Sodje headed over the advancing keeper who couldn't get back in time to prevent the ball crossing the line.

Anthony Kay's header was only inches away from producing an equaliser as Tranmere continued the recovery from their nightmare start and Edrissa Sonko shot fractionally outside the far post just before the interval.

Ankergren made a superb double save to deny Kay and Ryan Shotton before Leeds snatched their third goal on 56 minutes.

Snodgrass sent over a free-kick from the left with the ball brushing against Beckford before going in off Luciano Becchio's shin to make it 3-1 and complete Leeds' best run of home league wins for 40 years.