After successive home wins the Gills were given a harsh reality as Leeds United imposed their superiority at Elland Road

Mark Stimson stuck with the side that cruised past Millwall at Priestfield last weekend with Kevin Maher adding bite to the midfield and Curtis Weston operating in an attacking role off the shoulder of Simeon Jackson.

The game kicked off amid a cauldron of noise with the home side carving out a promising opening after just two minutes. Andrew Hughes long ball over the top fell invitingly for Becchio but he mistimed his volley and failed to test Simon Royce.

Soon after, a well worked move down the right involving Maher, Weston and Oli allowed Barry Fuller to cross only for Higgs to cut out the danger ahead of the lurking Jackson.

In the twelfth minute Jackson's neat through ball sent Curtis Weston into the area but the ball got stuck under his feet as he shaped to shoot, instead he laid off to Andy Barcham but the left winger's shot on the turn flashed wide of Higgs' right hand post.

Moments later Leeds stole the lead as Bradley Johnson rose unmarked in the Gills area to head home Snodgrass' corner in emphatic style.

The attacking midfielder doubled the home side's lead in the 28th minute after Beckford's quick pass played him through on the left of goal, Johnson held off Barry Fuller and slotted home through the legs of Simon Royce at the near post.

37 minutes had elapsed before the Gills registered another shot on target, this time Danny Jackman crossing for Barcham, though his weak header was easily gathered by Higgs.

On the stroke of half time Dennis Oli's surging run through the Leeds half presented Weston with a great chance to score but the former Elland Road man dragged his effort horribly wide.

HT 2-0

30 seconds after the restart the Gills were cut to ribbons as Beckford nodded Snodgrass' lofted pass to Howson in the box who made no mistake from 15 yards.

With celebrations still rolling around Elland Road the home side should have claimed number four as first Beckford clattered a rising drive against the angle of post and bar before Becchio headed agonisingly wide at the back post.

In the 50th minute the ground was stunned into silence as Kevin Maher's free-kick fell to Andy Barcham on the left of the Leeds area and the tricky winger curled a wicked drive into the top right corner.

The goal seemed to rock the home sides confidence and Gillingham enjoyed an excellent spell of pressure but despite a series of corners they struggled to convert their possession into chances.

Their best opening came on 78 minutes as Barcham found space to cross from the left and Weston headed over when a better connection might have delivered a goal.

Moments later Leeds wrapped up the points with a distinctly flukey finish, Becchio's ferocious shot cannoned off the crossbar leaving Jermaine Beckford to head into an empty net.

Three minutes from time substitute Michalik headed inches wide of Royce's left hand post after connecting with a lofted free-kick into the Gills area as the home side finished strongly.

Attendance: 21,026

Gillingham: Simon Royce, Barry Fuller, Josh Gowling, Mark Bentley, Chris Palmer, Dennis Oli (81 Jacob Erskine), Kevin Maher (83 Jack Payne), Curtis Weston (88 Luke Rooney), Danny Jackman, Andy Barcham, Simeon Jackson.

Subs not used: John Nutter, Garry Richards, Adam Miller, Alan Julian.

Leeds United: Shane Higgs, Jason Crowe (67 Neil Kilkenny), Patrick Kisnorbo, Michael Doyle, Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio (80 Mike Grella), Jonathan Howson, Andrew Hughes, Robert Snodgrass (67 Lubomir Michalik), Leigh Bromby.

Subs not used: Casper Ankergren, David Prutton, Andrew Robinson, Enoch Showunmi.