Bristol Rovers were soundly beaten by a strong Leeds United side at the Memorial Stadium this evening.

Jermaine Backford opened the scoring in the first half, before the Yorkshire club went on to score a further three to finish the game 4-0.

Beckford added a second just after the break, and Sam Vokes and substitute Tresor Kandal adding to the tally.

Rovers manager Paul Trollope made three changes to the side that lost to Yeovil Town. Injured duo Chris Lines and Danny Coles were replaced by Dominic Blizzard and Steve Elliott, while Mark Wright made way for Andy Williams to make his first League start of the season.

Leeds came to the Memorial Stadium on the back of their first defeat of the season to Millwall, but soon showed the capacity crowd why they are the current League leaders.

The Whites had the best of the opening exchanges, and Beckford broke the deadlock after just 15 minutes. The ball in from Michael Doyle fell to Beckford who slipped the ball past Mikkel Andersen in the Rovers goal.

Minutes later Beckford almost got another after getting away from Byron Anthony and Andersen, but his shot flew into the side netting.

Rovers then began stringing some good passes together, and had a bit of possession. Chris Dickson did well to hold off his marker and feed Andy Williams, who was unable to get a shot away.

Stuart Campbell then has a long shot that is misjudged by Leeds keeper Casper Ankergren, and the ball bounced onto the cross bar before being hoofed to safety. Replays later showed that it may have actually crossed the line.

Vokes then forced Andersen into action to push his shot wide, before Snodgrass hit an effort well over the bar. A mistake by Andersen then almost gifted Beckford a second on the stroke of half time.

A very organised Leeds again came out strongly in the second half, and continued to control the game in midfield.

Steve Elliott cleared a ball off the line, before dangerman Beckford fired wide of the post, before Sam Vokes doubled the lead for the visitors, firing home from close range.

Minutes later Byron Anthony did well to clear off the line when Vokes again went close, and Andersen was kept busy in the Rovers goal.

Beckford's second, and Leed's third, came thanks to a superb individual effort on the counter attack. The talented striker sliced through the Rovers defence before slotting the ball past Andersen.

Paul Trollope tried to changes things round, making a double substitution after 72 minutes - Blizzard was replaced by Wright, with Dickson making way for Duffy.

Leeds restricted Rovers to only a few chances, but The Pirates didn't give up, and Andy Williams was unlucky not to get on the team sheet after picking up the ball on the right hand side and making a dangerous run into the box.

Jo Kuffour then put a good cross into the box, which Duffy could not quite get on the end of.

Substitute Tresor Kandal completed the route for Leeds, getting on the end of a low cross and slotting home from close range.

It was a disappointing night for Rovers, but they must taken heart from knowing they were beaten by a quality Leeds United who were strong and organised all across the park.

Rovers: Mikkel Anderson, Carl Regan, Byron Anthony, Steve Elliott, Aaron Lescott, Andy WIlliams(Charlie Reece 84), Dominic Blizzard (Mark Wright 72), Stuart Campbell, Jeff Hughes, Chris Dickson(Darryl Duffy 72), Jo Kuffour.

Substitutes: Ben Swallow, Rhys Evans. Elliott Richards and Charlie Clough.

Leeds: Casper Ankergren, Patrick Kisnorbo, Richard Naylor, Leigh Bronby, Michael Doyle(Neil Kilkenny, 73), Jonathan Howson, Bradley Johnson, Andrew Hughes, Jermaine Beckford(Max Gradel 76), Sam Vokes(Tresor Kandal 80), Robert Snodgrass.

Substitutes: Alan Martin, Jason Crowe, David Prutton, Lubomir Michalik.

Referee: Andy Woolmer.