Leeds 2 Oldham 0

 Two second-half goals by Luciano Becchio put Leeds’ promotion quest back on track tonight and deepened Oldham’s relegation worries.

The Argentine striker netted a tap-in and a header in the 53rd and 61st minutes to take his goal tally for the season into double figures and lift the tension that has undermined their league form since the turn of the year.

In his continued search for a winning formula, Leeds manager Simon Grayson made three changes to the side which drew against Brighton, Robert Snodgrass, Becchio and Aidan White coming in for Neil Kilkenny, Gary McSheffrey and Bradley Johnson, while Oldham kept the team narrowly beaten at Colchester.

Leeds had beaten the Latics twice at Boundary Park this season – in the league and FA Cup – but with confidence urgently in need of a lift after just one win in the last eight league matches, the pressure was on.

Jermaine Beckford, who had been particularly subdued in recent weeks, was a whisker away from a goal for Leeds after seven minutes, his first-time shot flashing just outside the near post from a right-wing cross by Snodgrass.

Pawell Abbott, Oldham’s former Huddersfield marksman, was equally unfortunate when his angled drive veered narrowly wide of the far post.

Beckford’s claims to a 17th-minute penalty were ignored after Reuben Hazell fell on him clumsily.

Leeds had most of the possession, with Snodgrass and White threatening down the flanks, but when keeper Dean Brill spilled a shot from Snodgrass no-one could take advantage and the Scot wasn’t far wide with a speculative 25-yard drive.

Micky Doyle then spurned an excellent chance created by Snodgrass and Becchio, Doyle firing straight at Brill from the edge of the six-yard box.

Oldham were looking to hit Leeds on the break but Richard Naylor and Patrick Kisnorbo kept a tight rein on Abbott and Jason Price.

Leeds had a second penalty claim rejected by referee Paul Taylor in the 44th minute when Hazell appeared to bring down Becchio as the Argentine tried to meet a cross from the lively Snodgrass.

Chants of “You’re not fit to referee” rang around Elland Road but Hazell was even more unpopular with home fans as he cleared a shot from Andrew Hughes off the line!

The jeers turned to cheers eight minutes into the second half. White’s long pass from the centre circle found Beckford on the left and, after cutting inside Alex Marrow, Beckford had his shot parried by Brill but Becchio was on hand to stab home the rebound, much to the crowd’s relief.

Eight minutes later Becchio pounced again. This time Jonny Howson and Snodgrass combined on the right and Snodgrass crossed for Becchio to rise in the goalmouth and head his tenth goal of the season.

Chris Taylor almost pulled a goal back in the 68th minute but Casper Ankergren brilliantly turned the winger’s 12-yard shot round a post.