LEEDS United could not have wished for an easier run-out ahead of their FA Cup replay against Arsenal than this 4-0 stroll against poor Scunthorpe.

The Iron were beaten into submission at Elland Road as Leeds knocked in three goals inside a 13-minute spell midway through the first half.

Such was the Whites’ dominance boss Simon Grayson was able to withdraw Luciano Becchio and Robert Snodgrass with the third round replay in mind.

Leading 3-0, Grayson replaced Becchio, who was suffering from a slight knock. However, neither Billy Paynter or Ross McCormack could find their first Leeds goals despite the home side fashioning as many chances, if not more, than they had in the first period.

With the Championship promotion race so tight, Leeds missed a great opportunity to improve their goal difference against a side ripe for the picking.

Paynter, though, will feel aggrieved when his goal-bound shot hit fellow sub Davide Somma with Murphy beaten.

Ironically, it was Somma who added the fourth goal, his first strike since October, with a crisp finish near the end following excellent work by Max Gradel.

Sanchez Watt had got Leeds’ rolling by crashing in a 16th minute opener and Gradel then burst through the defence, dipped his shoulder to dummy ’keeper Joe Murphy and rolled in the second.

More woeful defending enabled Bradley Johnson to smash in the third with the aid of a deflection after an eye-catching run from Snodgrass.

The Whites were not in top gear but the movement of Gradel, Snodgrass and Watt caused Scunny endless problems.

Leeds: Schmeichel, Connolly, Bruce, O’Brien, McCartney, Snodgrass, Johnson, Howson, Gradel, Snodgrass (McCormack 67), Watt (Somma 80), Becchio (Paynter HT).

Subs (not used): Higgs, Collins, Parker, Bromby.

Scunthorpe: Murphy, A Wright, Rayner, Reid, Nolan, Togwell, Woolford, Collins, Ibrahim, Dagnall (Godden 77), Grant (Forte 59).

Subs (not used): Slocombe, J Wright, Williams, Cowan-Hall.

Referee: Fred Graham.

Attendance: 25,446.