By Tim Dudding, at Withdean

Gus Poyet suffered his first defeat as Albion boss after former club Leeds United powered past the Seagulls at rainswept Withdean.

Goals from Robert Snodgrass, Jermaine Beckford and Neil Kilkenny demonstrated the gulf between the two sides, and in truth, Albion never looked like troubling the league leaders.

Frustratingly though, Leeds' opening goal came out of nowhere after 27 minutes. The visitors had begun to probe Albion's back line but without much joy, until Snodgrass lashed a loose ball from 18 yards which flew straight over Graeme Smith and into the back of the net.

Suddenly the league leaders were rampant, and Snodgrass curled in a brilliant cross for Jermaine Beckford, who turned the ball onto the post at full-stretch under pressure from the impressive Tommy Elphick.

Albion seemed to have quelled the onslaught, but shortly before the break Leeds extended their lead when Beckford raced onto Kilkenny's punt forward, controlled brilliantly and slotted confidently past the on-rushing Smith.

It killed the game as a contest, and in fact Leeds almost grabbed a third before the interval, but Sam Vokes dragged his volley past the far post.

Albion got to grips with their aggressive visitors after half-time, but having worked out how to contain Leeds, the Seagulls were unable to create anything meaningful of their own.

Glenn Murray, back in the side after being rested in midweek, had Albion's best chance, but he was at full stretch as he met Dean Cox's near post cross, and could only steer the ball wide.

In fact it was Albion's only real chance, and when substitute David Prutton squared for Kilkenny to seal the win in the final minute, it completed a deserved victory for Simon Grayson's men, who continue their march towards the Championship.

Poyet and the Albion, on the other hand, have had the perfect indication of what is required from a promotion challenging team.

Albion: (4-4-2) Smith; Whing (Navarro 69), Elphick, Tunnicliffe, El-Abd (C Davies 79); Bennett, Dicker, Crofts, Cox (McLeod 69); Forster, Murray. Subs not used: Pelling (GK), Virgo, Hart, Livermore.

Leeds United: (4-4-2) Ankergren; Bromby, Michalik, Kisnorbo Hughes; Snodgrass, Howson (Prutton 81), Doyle, Kilkenny; Beckford, Vokes (Showumni 84). Subs not used: Martin (GK), Grella, Robinson, Gradel, White.

Attendance: 7615 (854 Leeds).

Referee: James Linington.

Yellow Cards: Michalik (Leeds).

Withdean Wager: First 1417 (£545), Second 1575 (ball).