NEIL Redfearn praised Mirco Antenucci's "top drawer" finishing as Leeds got the better of leaders Derby in a 2-0 victory.

The Italian's brace secured a first win in 13 attempts for the Whites against their visitors, with Leeds' last success against them having come in 2005.

Redfearn said: "I thought we were excellent. They are a top side, you can see that.

"They caused us problems and it was a great game with two sides trying to play football. The finishing was out of the top drawer.

"To me this is part of the progression. I think we have been playing well and have played well in games and not got what we've deserved. Today we did and the more we put these performances in the better we will get."

Aside from two-goal Antenucci, Redfearn had praise for teenage midfielders Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt, who orchestrated an aggressive display from Leeds.

"They are getting better and better, getting more experience and getting their feet under the table," he said.

"We came on to them and it shocked them. They played well but we were better."

Mowatt was involved in Leeds' first goal after 43 minutes.

He outfought Will Hughes before finding Souleymane Doukara and his pass from the left of the box was tucked in by Antenucci.

The same man was on the spot six minutes after the break too, adding a second. Captain Stephen Warnock got down the left, pulled the ball back and Antenucci showed terrific composure to convert.

Derby boss Steve McClaren said: "After 20 minutes Leeds realised they had to do something as we were controlling the game. We joined in, but credit to Leeds if that was the game plan.

"It's just one of them days, a bad day at the office. We were below our best and when you're not (at your best), you can be beaten.

"In Antenucci Leeds had someone who did what we couldn't. On another day we could have scored three or four, but we could have been here until midnight and not scored."

According to the former England manager, there was no suggestion of his side having taken Leeds lightly.

"I said before the game that if we were below our best this team could hurt us," he added. "Leeds knew they had to get about us, they frustrated us and we lost our heads a bit. You can't do that, we joined in and stopped playing football."