TWO-GOAL David Healy gave Leeds United a winning start to their Championship campaign against stubborn Millwall at Elland Road.

It was hardly a classic, but Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell reasoned the 2-1 victory was the sort of game his side would not have won last season.

Among United's biggest failings last term was their number of drawn matches - 18 - and their inability to beat the so-called lesser sides.

United have won only 20 home League matches in the last three years and won just seven of their 23 league home encounters last season.

When one-time Leeds target Don Hutchison fired in Millwall's second-half equaliser another below-par result looked to be on the cards.

But Blackwell's current squad is packed with experience and they were able to see off the Lions' revival and Healy converted a 72nd-minute penalty to complete his brace after Eirik Bakke had been brought down.

Healy had looked sharp throughout and showed great athleticism and awareness to hook Leeds ahead on 29 minutes.

Blackwell has spent plenty of cash this summer on seven new players and three of those new signings, Robbie Blake, Eddie Lewis and Dan Harding, made their debuts against the Lions.

The industrious Lewis was the pick with a string of fine crosses and appetite to track back, Blake was neat and tidy, while England Under-21 left-back Harding looked nervous and was at fault in the build up to Hutchison leveller.

Generally, it was solid, if unspectacular from Leeds.

Blackwell said: "There are so many new players trying to gel into the club and to get that continuity takes time, but I'm pleased with David Healy because as a striker there's nothing better than getting off the mark quickly.

"Having Eirik Bakke back in the side is like having a new player and he grew in stature as the game went on."

Just 20,440 supporters were in attendance at the 40,000-capacity stadium despite Leeds averaging 29,206 last season - by far the highest in the Championship.

The last time Leeds were watched by a League crowd of less than 22,000 at Elland Road was against Swindon Town in September 1989 when 21,694 attended the old second division clash.

There were no Millwall fans at the match after violence at last year's fixture. Increased ticket prices, an early kick-off live television coverage of the match and the Ashes Test series, along with the summer holiday period, also contributed to the poor turn-out.

Leeds match facts:

Coca-Cola Championship

Leeds United 2, Millwall 1

(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Harding, Wright (Richardson 79), Derry, Bakke, Lewis, Blake (Ricketts 75), Healy. Subs (not used): Bennett, Einarsson, Kilgallon. Cautions: Healy, Gregan. Goals: Healy 29, 72 (pen).

Millwall: Marshall, Dunne, Lawrence, Phillips, Vincent, Hutchison, Morris, Elliott (Igoe 78), Serioux (Braniff 90), Simpson (May 78), Hayles. Subs (not used): Robinson, Peeters. Caution: Phillips, Goal: Hutchison 60.

Referee: Graham Law (Whitley Bay).

Attendance: 20,440.

Updated: 09:33 Monday, August 08, 2005