Wise hails Kilkenny

Kilkenny: Fine debut

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Manager Dennis Wise was thrilled with the performance of debutant Neil Kilkenny in Leeds' 3-0 win over Northampton.

Leeds bounced back from two successive defeats by outclassing the defensively-minded Cobblers with Kilkenny - signed on Friday - winning the man-of-the-match award.

And Wise was pleased with the boost the midfielder gave United after a recent dip in performances.

"Everyone saw how Neil gave us a lift against Northampton," said the Leeds boss.

"Neil made us tick on Saturday; he made us pass it. He's not scared to get hold of it and not scared to try things. He's got a good delivery and he's a good footballer. I saw him a long time ago."

Frazer Richardson, Rui Marques and substitute Curtis Weston scored the goals that got Wise's team back on course for promotion.

Northampton left out Bradley Johnson, who is in talks with Leeds, for the clash at Elland Road.

Impressed

Peter Sweeney's capture from Stoke came too late for him to play but Kilkenny was included after his initial loan move from Birmingham and impressed with his quality passing.

Tore Andre Flo, making his first start for Leeds in almost a year, was foiled by Brett Johnson's goal-line clearance in the 23rd minute, after Jermaine Beckford's shot had been blocked by goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

But after Town had defended stubbornly, Leeds opened the scoring when defender Richardson cut in from the right on a long run before shooting home from just outside the 18-yard box for his first goal since the Championship play-off semi-final at Preston in May 2006.

Fellow defender Marques headed home in the 52nd minute when Northampton failed to clear Kilkenny's corner and Weston shrugged off a goalmouth challenge from Mark Hughes to hit the ball past Bunn in injury time.

In between, Jermaine Beckford could have had a hat-trick but hit the bar with one rasping effort while a couple of other chances were scrambled off the line.