BECKS IN WIN AT THE DEATH; LEEDS 2 NORWICH 1 COCA-COLA LEAGUE ONE FROM ELLAND ROAD.

Byline: DAVID ANDERSON 

JERMAINE BECKFORD showed why is one of the most coveted strikers outside the Premier League as he fired Leeds back to the top of League One.

But he only just managed to register his eighth goal in 11 league matches in the nick of time to crush classy Norwich.

Keeper Fraser Forster's weak clearance in the second minute of stoppage time went straight to Beckford, who galloped clear to bag the winner.

Paul Lambert's Canaries had deserved at least a point and played the better football.

But Beckford demonstrated his predatory instincts to send Simon Grayson's side two points clear with a game in hand.

After Saturday's events at the Stadium of Light, Leeds could not resist poking some fun at their old rivals Liverpool by putting five huge inflatable beach balls on the pitch before kick-off.

They weren't laughing early on, though, as their record as the only side unbeaten in the league in the top four divisions was threatened in front of a 19,912 crowd by a revitalised Norwich outfit.

Leeds keeper Shane Higgs just about managed to claw the ball away after failing to hold Darel Russell's shot as the visitors appealed that it had crossed the line.

Leeds survived several scares to take the lead in the 15th minute when Robert Snodgrass showed why he is the David Beckham of League One. No-one can match his delivery at this level and Snodgrass flighted a corner from the right to the back post, where Bradley Johnson rose highest to head home his sixth goal in 12 league games.

Little had been seen of Beckford so far, but he showed how dangerous he can be when he ghosted past Gary Doherty and shot narrowly wide of a post.

Leeds were in control, only for Norwich to regain the initiative with an equaliser in the 38th minute.

Russell crossed from the right for Grant Holt to slide home his 10th goal of the campaign at the back post.

Norwich looked attractive but Leeds finished strongly and after Forster made a great save from Beckford in the dying minutes, the keeper dropped his almighty clanger.

LEEDS: Higgs, Crowe, Naylor, Bromby, Hughes, Howson, Doyle, Johnson, Snodgrass, Beckford, Vokes.

NORWICH: Forster, Otsemobor, Doherty, Berthel Askou, Drury, Hughes, Russell, Hoolahan, Lappin, Holt, Martin.

REF: Lee Mason

CAPTION(S):

BEACH BAWL Leeds warm up with a little dig at Liverpool HE'S THE MAIN MAN Jermaine Beckford celebrates after firing the last-gasp winner