Beckford's treble joy

Jermaine Beckford's hat-trick fired Leeds United into the Second Round of The FA Cup and a date with giant-killers Histon from the Conference Premier.

After a barren run in front of goal, Beckford's treble made for ominous watching for Histon boss Steve Fallon, who admitted he wanted to face Leeds in the next round.

Fallon should be careful what he wishes for - Beckford blew Northampton Town away and added to his League Cup treble earlier this season with an FA Cup masterclass.

Fallon said: "Leeds were fantastic, they were really good to watch and we are going to have to stop them from passing as well as they did.

"Our centre-backs are a little quicker than Northampton's, so hopefully we can stop him."

Gary McAllister made six changes from Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Huddersfield Town, including a debut for Malcolm Christie.

Perennial injury victim Christie started his first match for Leeds and he could have been forgiven for being a little rusty in the opening minutes - his last taste of action was for Middlesbrough back in April 2007.

Strike partner Beckford was chomping at the bit to play - and the Leeds striker finally ended his seven-game goal drought after 13 minutes.

Latching on to David Prutton's pass, Beckford buried the ball past Frank Fielding for his 14th of the season.

Beckford's strike settled the travelling Leeds fans, who were hoping to put an end to their dismal record away from Elland Road. McAllister's troops had lost five out of the last six away from home in all competitions, but they had clearly settled into a rhythm early on.

The visitors doubled their lead 15 minutes later - thanks to Cobblers defender Mark Hughes, who diverted Jonathan Howson's effort into his own net.

With no wins in their last five going into the match, Stuart Gray's men looked deflated. And it went from bad to worse for his side when Ben Parker's harmless looking shot slipped past Fielding to give Leeds a third.

But such is the Yorkshire club's record in The FA Cup of late - they hadn't won in nine matches in the competition before kick-off - there was a slight sense of nervousness and Northampton capitalised. Jason Crowe met Luke Guttridge's corner to head his side back into contention.

But just when murmurings of a monumental comeback were whispered around Sixfields, Beckford smashed home in first-half stoppage time to restore Leeds' three-goal advantage.

The Leeds hitman claimed the match ball on 55 minutes after his low drive found the middle of the net as McAllister's men made light work of their fellow League One rivals.

Crowe nodded home in the final two minutes to salvage some respectability for the hosts, but they were always on the ropes and can have no complaints over their FA Cup knockout.