Leeds United 4, Huddersfield Town 0

Huddersfield became the latest victims of Leeds United's surge towards promotion in the first league derby between the West Yorkshire rivals for 20 years.

United's 15th league victory of the season and their third four-goal haul was witnessed by over 32,500 spectators, who braved the weather and saw Dennis Wise's team eventually show Town's 17-year-old keeper Alex Smithies no mercy.

Wise was far from amused by United's failure to test Town's third-choice keeper until Jonathan Douglas beat him from 30 yards in the 24th minute.

Until then, Town had looked much the better side without managing to find a cutting edge but the Terriers fell away badly as United responded to Wise's half-time instructions to go for the jugular.

On a day when a minute's applause was afforded to the memory of Billy Bremner, ten years after the renowned Leeds and Scotland skipper's death, it was fitting that a Leeds captain with the number four on his back should open the floodgates to a handsome victory.

Douglas was given far too much time and space to line up his shot and fire the ball between Smithies and the left post - and Town manager Andy Ritchie was quick to absolve the youngster from blame for the defeat.

Ritchie said: "It was a big game for Alex to come into. He is not pleased that four goals have gone past him but no blame attaches to him at all."

With first-choice Matt Glennon suspended and Simon Eastwood out with a fractured foot, Smithies was Ritchie's only option for the unenviable job of taking the gloves on a rain-lashed, greasy pitch.

Whether the youngster should have held shots from David Prutton and Ian Westlake in the build-up to the final two goals for Jermaine Beckford and substitute Tore Andre Flo is open to debate. But there was nothing Smithies could do to keep out the first of Beckford's goals, struck first time from Prutton's inviting cross.

Town had encouraging performances from left back Gary Williams, midfielder Michael Collins and striker Phil Jevons until he was substituted, having missed the 4-1 defeat at Southend in midweek with a groin injury.

Yet once Leeds slipped into gear there was only one outcome and Town's veteran striker Andy Booth had to admit: "Leeds are a cut above the rest in this league.

"Their front two, Beckford and Kandol, are very strong. We are all disappointed because four-nil doesn't look good. It was closer than that."

Beckford now has 13 goals to his name this season, while Kandol earned praise from Wise for the unselfish work he got through, including his many headers and passes in and around the danger zone.

Earlier in the season, Wise was more concerned with guiding his team to safety in the wake of the Football League imposed 15 point deficit.

But even he confesses his ambitions are now much higher. "I am expecting us to survive now," he smiled.

"That won't be enough. We are looking beyond that. We have set the players targets and so far they are doing very well but many things can happen between now and the end of the season, including injuries and suspensions, so I won't get carried away.

"I was disappointed that Tresor Kandol picked up his fifth booking because we will lose him to suspension.

"I told him he had no need to get himself booked.

"I wish I had substituted him three or four minutes before his yellow card."