Leeds midfielders find their scoring boots and pip the Cherries

With the exception of new loan signing Dougie Freedman on the subs bench, Leeds United fielded an unchanged side at Elland Road yesterday.

We listened to the match on Radio Leeds as we drove back from the Lib Dems Spring Conference in Liverpool.

The Cherries were in a confident mood as they faced United in strong winds and at times driving rain. They had beaten Pools 2-0 last Saturday and Manager Kevin Bond was a little over optomistic in his pre-match comments. This will have helped spur on United who were unbeaten in four.

Just 11 minutes into the game David Prutton sent in a ball from the right which caused a mix-up between a Cherries defender and on-loan goalie David Forde. Their collision allowed midfielder Bradley Johnson to gently tap a loose ball into the net and score his first goal for Leeds, 1-0.

Bournemouth had plenty of chances during the game but they could not make them count. As the rain began to lash down United's lead was doubled, in the 63rd minute, when another midfielder, Neil Kilkenny. collected as pass from Jonathan Howson and drilled in a shot from 18 yards. It was his first goal for the Whites, 0-2.

Kilkenny, who has recently recoved from injury, was replaced by Freedman in the 68th minute. Andy Hughes replaced Howson (84 mins) and Anthony Elding came on for Tresor Kandol (89 mins).

Whatever was the real cause of United's loss of form since Christmas seems to have been overcome as Gary McAllister got his first home win as manager and that makes it five games unbeaten.

Attendance 21,199

Leeds United 2 AFC Bournemouth 0