Seth Johnson bagged a first-half brace to hand Leeds United a 2-1 victory over Blackburn, their first home success of the season.

The Yorkshire outfit could have won by a greater margin, but were ultimately grateful for the win after the visitors staged a late fight-back.

Leeds should have gone ahead on eight minutes when Mark Viduka cleverly hooked a return pass into the path of Alan Smith to leave the striker one on one with Brad Friedel, but the England international put his shot wide of the upright from 18 yards.

However, Johnson atoned for Smith's profligacy by opening the scoring just three minutes later. The former Derby County man reacted quickest after Friedel clumsily spilled Viduka's left-footed drive and was on hand to slot home from six yards.

Smith then wasted another good chance as Leeds continued to dominate matters, chipping wide after Johnson had played him in with a clever through ball.

But a second goal was not long in coming, and once again it was Johnson this time firing home a well controlled back post volley after Gary Kelly's headed cross had been flicked on to him by David Batty.

The visitors almost produced an instant response when Andy Cole turned sharply in the Leeds box to fire a low shot against a post, but Peter Reid's men continued to look dangerous every time they went forward.

Smith spurned yet another chance just a minute after the restart when his low left-footed effort was blocked by Friedel, but Rovers began to get more of a foothold in the game as the half progressed without really carving out any clear-cut chances.

Indeed, it was Michael Bridges, on as a substitute for Viduka, who went close to adding his name to the scoresheet when he flashed a volley narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Blackburn did finally claim a breakthrough with four minutes remaining, however, to ensure a nervy finale for the Elland Road faithful, Dino Baggio heading his first goal for the club from Brett Emerton's excellent cross, but despite a few late scares Leeds held on.