LEEDS United emerged from the Keepmoat windtunnel in bright and breezy mood with a 3-0 win which blew them back into the top six of the Sky Bet Championship.

The margin of victory was harsh on struggling Doncaster Rovers who were controversially denied an equaliser which could well have altered the outcome.

Swirling wind doesn’t make for good matches and for long periods of Saturday’s game both sides struggled to master control of the ball.

Matt Smith, a handful for the Rovers defence throughout, stooped low to head in a 16th-minute free-kick from Doncaster-born Alex Mowatt and Leeds could easily have been further ahead before half-time.

It was a different story after the break. United were penned in their own half as Richie Wellens and Martin Woods took control of the midfield, moving the ball accurately and swiftly.

The visitors’ defence, in which the three centre-backs – Tom Lees, Jason Pearce and Marius Zaliukas – excelled, was finally breached by Theo Robinson on 66 minutes only to be denied by a late, late offside flag.

Baffled Doncaster boss Paul Dickov said: “It’s a massive decision because we were all over them at that stage and had we got a goal it could have changed the course of the game.”

Leeds took full advantage of their let off by doubling their lead ten minutes later with their first attack of the half. Ross McCormack glided through the defence and finished superbly for his 16th League goal of the season to make the points safe.

Salt was then rubbed into deflated Doncaster’s wounds three minutes from time when Rodolph Austin thumped home the third.

Relieved Leeds manager Brian McDermott said: “I’m happy to come away with three points and a clean sheet because they put us under the cosh for a good 20 to 25 minutes.

“But you have to find a way to win in these situations and it helps when you have a player like Ross McCormack who can’t stop scoring and took his goal really well.”