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Beckford sent off after scoring vital goal
STRIKER Jermaine Beckford scored the game's only goal but was then sent off for a controversial second yellow card offence as Leeds United claimed a seventh successive home league win by beating Swindon Town 1-0 at Elland Road on Saturday.
Beckford bagged his 29th goal this season when he headed home from close-range three minutes from time.
However, Beckford was then shown a second yellow card in injury-time, having earlier been booked for a foul, and now faces another ban after only recently completing a suspension.
He was red carded after objecting to a borderline offside decision that denied him a second goal in injury time.
United had struggled to find a way through lowly Swindon's defence before Beckford's crucial goal.
But they dominated the first half and both Robert Snodgrass and Jonny Howson tested Swindon goalkeeper Phil Smith with shots.
Snodgrass also curled an effort a foot over the crossbar as United attempted to turn the screw, but the Whites almost came unstuck in the final minute of the half when Simon Cox met Owain Tudur Jones' free-kick and nodded a glaring chance wide of Casper Ankergren's right-hand post.
Leeds struggled to create chances in the second period. Smith saved comfortably from Howson before watching Beckford hook an overhead kick wide of his goal.
But Smith was unable to intervene when Snodgrass' looping cross was met by Beckford at the far post to earn Leeds three vital points in their League One promotion push.
The game then ended in controversy when Beckford was sent off by referee Keith Stroud and it appears he will now miss two games, including the crucial promotion tussle with MK Dons.
Match facts
Leeds United 1
(Beckford 87)
Swindon Town 0
Saturday, March 14
Coca-Cola League One
Att: 21,765
Leeds: Ankergren, Douglas, Marques, Naylor, Parker (Grella 84), Snodgrass, Kilkenny (Johnson 80), Howson, Delph, Beckford, Becchio (Dickinson 80).
Swindon: Smith, Amankwaah, Greer, Morrison, Vincent, Robson-Kanu, Timlin, Tudur Jones, McNamee (Smith 83), Cox, Paynter.
Referee: Ken Stroud
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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