Beckford bags brace

Jermaine Beckford's double took his tally to 24 as Leeds ended a five-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Colchester.

United three points behind league leaders Norwich

Jermaine Beckford's double took his goal tally to 24 this season as Leeds ended a five-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Colchester. Beckford opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 38th minute and wrapped up the points for Simon Grayson's men with a second 10 minutes after the break. Colchester could have had a 16th-minute penalty when Lubo Michalik appeared to pull Phil Ifil's shirt but the offence went unpunished at Elland Road. The response from referee Andy Woolmer was the same three minutes later when U's striker Kevin Lisbie went down under another Michalik challenge. Ironically the home side were the ones to be awarded a spot-kick when former Leeds defender Matt Heath brought down Becchio. Beckford fired into the bottom-left corner from 12 yards to carry on his goalscoring form and put more pressure on League One leaders Norwich. Beckford pounced again in the 55th minute when he forced in the rebound after Jonny Howson chested down a high ball from Robert Snodgrass and shot against the far post. The striker was denied his hat-trick by a 64th-minute offside flag before Leeds defender Leigh Bromby headed against the bar late on. The West Yorkshire side are now just three points behind the Canaries with two games in hand.