Crewe Alexandra 0, Leeds United 1

Jermaine Beckford's 36th-minute header gave Leeds a 1-0 win at Crewe, enough to lift them to third in the League One table.

United dominated most of the match, with Darren Kenton and Peter Sweeney impressing on their debuts and former Bradford loan player Ben Parker producing a display that might persuade Dennis Wise he does not need to pay out for a left back.

As well as putting Kenton and Sweeney in the starting line-up, the Leeds manager named fellow new signing Bradley Johnson on the bench alongside Matt Heath and Alan Thompson, who were back from suspension.

United took the game to Crewe from the start and Beckford created a half chance in the first minute while Sweeney hit a shot that flew just wide.

Crewe did not look to have much to offer in attack except at set-pieces and Casper Ankergren had to pull off a good save from Chris McCready's header.

But mostly it was Leeds piling on the pressure, although they had to wait until almost half-time to get the breakthrough they had been threatening.

Sweeney sent in a well-placed cross and Beckford climbed above keeper Ben Williams and headed home his 16th goal of the season.

Leeds had a shout for a penalty early in the second half when Ben Rix appeared to deflect Frazer Richardson's shot with his arm but their protests were waved away.

They continued to dominate but could not find a way through and, with only the one goal in it, there was always a danger that Crewe would make one of their set-plays pay off.

McCready was denied by the bar from a corner and, in the ensuing scramble, Leeds only just managed to clear their lines.

Wise sent on Johnson and Tresor Kandol to try and get a second goal and Kandol did set up a good chance for Beckford but the striker scuffed his shot wide.

Having used their three substitutes, Crewe were reduced to ten men when central Julien Baudet limped off with five minutes to go but Leeds were unable to take advantage.

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