Two goals from Mark Viduka helped put Leeds in firm control of the first leg of their UEFA Cup second-round tie against Troyes - but not until after enduring a scare from the French side.

Troyes, who had beaten French League leaders Auxerre 3-1 at the weekend, had the first chance after just 90 seconds with Nigel Martyn at full stretch to turn aside a 25-yard right-foot drive from Morocco international Guarib Amzine.

It was a mistake by Tony Heurtebis which led to Leeds' initial opportunity in the fifth minute, the Troyes keeper spilling a Robbie Keane cross, but despite Mark Viduka in close attendance the Australia international was slow to react.

Viduka quickly made amends, feeding on a pass from Bowyer after the midfielder had robbed Boutal, the 26-year-old then evading three challenges before driving a shot from the edge of the area beyond Heurtebis into the bottom right-hand corner for his third goal of the season.

Viduka should have added a second in the 13th minute after being sent clear by Ian Harte, but was too elaborate with the shot.

And it was Viduka who inadvertently prevented Leeds from going 2-0 up in the 20th minute as the United striker was in the way of a goal-bound header from Eirik Bakke.

With pressure mounting, Troyes were finally undone again in the 24th minute, with Viduka initially beating Danjou to the punch following a Harte throw.

The ball kindly fell into the path of Bowyer to sweep home a 15-yard left-foot shot for his first goal since the opening day of the season victory at home to Southampton.

Leeds were cruising, but just after the half-hour mark Elland Road was silenced as Troyes scored a potentially crucial away goal.

Gousse split the United defence with a through pass which found Loko who had beaten the offside trap, the 31-year-old then rounding an advancing Martyn before sliding the ball into an empty net.

Spanish referee Fernando Carmona Mendez then prevented Leeds from restoring their two-goal cushion, wrongly accusing Bakke of a foul on Heurtebis which led to Viduka firing home.

Leeds then survived two scares before scoring a third in the 44th minute as Martyn just kept out a long-range Jerome Rothen free-kick, while Boutal then headed inches over the bar.

Nerves were eased with Keane flicking in a cross for Bowyer to nod on to the far post where Viduka headed home his second of the night.