Southampton completed their second successive away victory thanks to David Hirst's eighth goal of the season in the 54th minute of today's Premiership game at Elland Road.

But former Leeds midfielder Carlton Palmer marred his team's excellent performance when he was sent off in the 76th minute for a second bookable offence.

Palmer had been barracked constantly from the moment his name was first announced to the Leeds supporters and the crowd afforded their biggest cheer of the first half when he entered the referee's notebook for a poor 18th-minute challenge on Gunnar Halle.

Palmer surpassed that with an appalling tackle on Ian Harte 14 minutes from time and left the field in disgrace.

But Southampton rarely looked in trouble as they cruised to a comfortable three points.

England international goalkeeper Nigel Martyn will be kicking himself after his error allowed Saints strike duo Egil Ostenstad and Hirst to combine nine minutes into the second half.

Leeds had the majority of first-half play but both Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Rod Wallace were unable to make progress beyond Southampton keeper Paul Jones.

As early as the 13th minute Bruno Ribeiro had released Wallace but Jones proved he was the quicker man and quickly took the ball from the striker's feet.

A minute earlier Southampton should have taken the lead when a clever Ostenstad back-heel afforded him space to cross behind Robert Molenaar.

But the invitation to score was spurned by Hirst, who arrived late at the far post and failed to connect.

In the 20th minute Leeds had their closest effort when Hasselbaink rose above Richard Dryden to meet Alan Maybury's cross, but Saints keeper Jones was unperturbed by the effort which sailed wide.

Then six minutes from the break Ostenstad was guilty of missing a gilt-edged opportunity to give the visitors the lead.

Matthew Oakley found the striker in space on the left but Ostenstad trod on the ball as he prepared to run one-on-one at Martyn in the Leeds goal. Dutch defender Molenaar was able to recover in time and cleared.

Little had been seen of Matt Le Tissier throughout the first period bar one corner. But with the final kick of the half he announced his presence with a poor challenge on Maybury and referee Keith Burge was again forced to open his notebook.

In their 54th minute Southampton took advantage of Martyn's mistake. John Beresford launched a free-kick to the head of Palmer on the edge of the box. His flick on was missed completely by Martyn and Ostenstad was on hand to pounce at the back post.

But Hirst, on the other side of goal, ensured the strike counted by crashing home from just a yard out.

Four minutes later Ostenstad should have added a second when he was put through by a lobbed pass from substitute David Hughes.

But the Norwegian international pushed the ball too far beyond Martyn as he rounded the Leeds keeper and Harte rushed across to clear.

Palmer's departure in the 76th minute was inexcusable. The midfielder lunged at young defender Harte leaving the Irishman on the floor.

Referee Burge had no option but to dismiss the ex-England international. Palmer stormed from the field but immediately returned to angrily confront the Tonypandy official before Hirst pulled him away.

Four minutes later Hopkin was denied by a brilliant Jones save after a Hasselbaink pass had given the Scottish international space in the area.

But it was not to be Leeds' day as they failed to capitalise on their one-man advantage.

Leeds: Martyn, Wallace, Hasselbaink, Ribeiro, Hopkin, Halle, Kewell, Harte, Hiden, Maybury (Matthews 86), Molenaar.

Subs Not Used: Beeney, Jones, Jackson, McPhail.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Palmer, Lundekvam (Hughes 46), Le Tissier (Richardson 78), Oakley, Ostenstad, Dryden, Beresford, Benali, Hirst (Williams 86).

Subs Not Used: Todd, Moss.

Sent Off: Palmer (76).

Booked: Palmer, Le Tissier.

Goals: Hirst 54.

Att: 28,791

Ref: K W Burge (Tonypandy).