BLACKBURN Rovers boosted their hopes of a top six finish after a fine victory at Elland Road.

A first half penalty from David Dunn and second half strikes from Andy Cole and Andy Todd left Leeds sweating on their Premiership status.

United had taken a 21st minute lead when Mark Viduka headed home his 20th goal of the season after Brad Friedel had brilliantly parried a shot from Harry Kewell.

But Rovers hit back when Paul Durkin spotted a handball by Michael Duberry eight minutes before the break and Dunn stepped up to confidently beat Paul Robinson from the spot.

Friedel then had to make another sharp save from Kewell 60 seconds later to ensure Rovers went in level at the break.

In the second half Friedel made further telling interc eptions to deny Viduka.

But it was Rovers who snatched the lead again when Cole scored his first Premiership goal since December after following up his own shot in the 68th minute.

The visitors then added a third 10 minutes later when Todd connected with a Duff corner at the far post.

But they had to survive an anxious final few minutes when Alan Smith made it 3-2 in injury time with a header.

LEEDS: Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Viduka, Kewell, Wilcox, Smith, Mills, Bakke, Matteo, Duberry. Subs: Martyn, Radebe, Bravo, Barmby, Johnson

ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Tugay, Short, Flitcroft, Dunn, Cole, Duff, Taylor, Gresko, Sukur. Subs: Kelly, Todd, Johansson, Yorke, Ostenstad