Ross McCormack bounced back from another international snub by bagging all four-goals as Leeds rectified their misery on the road at Charlton.

The game only got the all clear at 2:15 following torrential downpours in south east London. As a result, kick off was delayed until 3:30 and the sodden Valley turf was not conducive to good football as Brian McDermott made three changes to his side.

Two changes were enforced, Stephen Warnock was replaced by Danny Pugh, who made his first Leeds appearance in nearly a year. Michael Brown was a surprise inclusion as injury to Akex Mowatt was kept under wraps and McDermott preferred striker Dexter Blacstock over Matt Smith.

And it was Blackstock who combined superbly with NcCormack on 17, knocking the ball down for him to fire home his and our first past Hamer in the Charlton goal.

Simon Church struck a post on the half hour mark, but Charlton with just one win at the Valley this season drew level with a stunning strike in first half time added on. Youngster Cameron Stewart struck a quite superb finish from outside the box giving Kenny no chance. Stewart again went close and Lees had to clear off his own line as the hosts nearly made it a perfect recovery before the interval.

The half-time break brought yet more injury woe for McDermott as Scott Wootton limped off, replaced by Marius Zaliukas. However our joy was restored just three minutes after the restart, Pugh was felled and up stepped McCormack from the spot to restore our lead.

Both sides had chances to score the fourth goal of the day but it eventually went Charlton's way, Church, one time servant of McDermott at Reading bamboozled the Leeds back line and fed the ball to Jackson who finished from close range on 70.

However it was McCormack who ensured we were not bemoaning our defensive frailties on the road once more when on 73 again Blackstock provided the perfect foil, knocking down for him to and the Jimmy Seed stand into raptures and bag his hat-trick which I believe is his first for the club.

On 91 minutes, McCormack made it four and thus became the first Leeds player since Brian Deane to grab a quartet of goals, Deanes feat coming nine years ago against QPR. McCormack sealed his most memorable outing in a Leeds shirt by sweetly striking home a free kick from the edge of the box.

It seems a travesty that McCormack has been overlooked by Strachan yet again, but personally I wouldn't want him risked in a meaningless Scottish game midweek. Let him put his feet up for a fortnight and continue his goal glut against Middlesbrough, the team who were so desperate to sign him inte summer!

Photo: Action Images

mick added 18:56 - Nov 9 viduka scored 4 v liverpool also, but ross and his 4 today were away from home,, some achievement, anyone know last time that was done
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mick added 18:56 - Nov 9 viduka scored 4 v liverpool also, but ross and his 4 today were away from home,, some achievement, anyone know last time that was done
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mick added 18:57 - Nov 9 viduka scored 4 v liverpool also, but ross and his 4 today were away from home,, some achievement, anyone know last time that was done
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