Leeds bounced back from two successive defeats by outclassing Northampton 3-0 at Elland Road on Saturday.

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

Town left out Bradley Johnson, who is in talks with Leeds. Peter Sweeney's arrival from Stoke came too late for him to play for the Whites but Neil 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 fire home past Bunn in injury time.

Carlisle came from two goals down to beat bottom-of-the-table Port Vale 3-2 at Brunton Park.

The visitors led 2-0 at half-time but a brilliant Simon Hackney double fired a recovery which helped the Cumbrians to a ninth home win of the season.

Vale hit the target with their first meaningful attack after 27 minutes as Adam Eckersley's cross from the left deceived home keeper Keiren Westwood and Danny Glover pulled a low ball back from the by-line for Paul Harsley to slide the ball home from close range.

Vale extended their lead 11 minutes later when Mark Salmon's crossfield pass enabled Danny Whitaker to break through on the left and he skipped round Westwood before slamming the shot into the roof of the net from six yards.

Carlisle pulled one back in the 49th minute when a long throw-in was flicked on by Livesey and half-time substitute Luke Joyce bundled home from close range.

They then drew level on 65 minutes when Hackney blasted an unstoppable shot past Joe Anyon from just inside the penalty area.

Four minutes later it was Hackney again, this time volleying home Garner's right-wing centre to put Carlisle in the lead for the first time.

More news from SportingLife.com