Leeds entertained Swindon Town hoping to cement their place in the League One play off positions.
The only change to the Leeds squad from Tuesday`s win over Yeovil was new signing Liam Dickinson replacing Lee Trundle who has returned to Bristol City on the bench.
Beckford full of confident after his midweek hat trick had Leeds first effort but his header went wide of the post.
Snodgrass had Leeds next decent effort, his long range effort was turned out for a corner by Smith in the Swindon goal.
Leeds were controlling the game and on the half hour both Howson and Delph had chances in quick succession to give them the lead.
Leeds continued to huff and puff without managing to break through, they was given a warning just short of half time when Simon Cox`s header just went wide after a free kick for the visitors.
Leeds continued to struggle in the second half and the Leeds fans were becoming more and more frustrated has the minutes past by.
The Whites finally threatened the visitor`s goal just past the hour mark when firstly Beckford`s effort was cleared off the line, from the following attack Howson shot straight at Smith.
Howson had another chance soon after but his shot was straight at the keeper again.
Liam Dickinson came on to make his debut with ten minutes remaining replacing Luciano Becchio who didn`t look pleased with the decision to replace him.
Leeds threw on striker Mike Grella for defender Ben Parker with just five minutes remaining has they tried desperately to find a winner.
Beckford who had been quiet most of the afternoon brought out a save from Smith with his glancing header.
Soon afterwards Jermaine Beckford broke the deadlock when his header beat Smith for his 49th goal for Leeds United and his 29th of the season.
Another stupid moment by Jermaine Beckford spoilt the afternoon when he was sent off for knocking the ball away in the last moments.
A hard afternoon for Leeds against a team who are at the wrong end of League One, the good news is Leeds are now firmly in the play off positions and now hope to sort out their away form at inform Crewe Alexandra next weekend.
Teams
Leeds United
Ankergren, Douglas Naylor, Marques, Parker, Delph, Snodgrass, Howson, Kilkenny, Becchio Beckford
Substitutes
Luca, Michalik, Grella, Dickinson, Johnson
Swindon Town
Phil Smith, Amankwaah, Morrison, Greer, Vincent, Robson-Kanu, Tudur Jones, Timlin, McNamee, Cox, Painter
Substitutes
Brezovan, Jack Smith, Ifil, Razak, Nalis
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