BIG striker Michael Ricketts responded to Richard Cresswell's arrival at Elland Road with his first competitive goal for a year as Leeds eased past Carling Cup opponents Oldham last night.

United's new £1.1million acquisition was introduced to the sparse crowd before the tie and has effectively shoved Ricketts down the front-line pecking order.

With Rob Hulse, David Healy, Robbie Blake and Ian Moore also keen to nail down a forward berth in Kevin Blackwell's plans, competition is red-hot up front.

Ricketts, considerably slimmer than when he first arrived at the club 12 months ago, has a love-hate relationship with the Leeds fans who have taken to the ironic chanting of "Ricketts for England" whenever he plays.

But last night he earned genuine cheers of the home faithful when he opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a crisp shot from a tight angle. It was his first Leeds goal since scoring against Swindon in the same competition last year.

Four minutes later, Healy's back-heel set up Frazer Richardson to thunder in the second to seal United's passage into the next round. It was Richardson's first goal since the opening game of last season.

Healy, whom Blackwell insists is staying despite rumours that West Ham are poised to bid for the Northern Ireland international, was the class act on show last night. Oldham could not contain his skill and intelligent running.

But despite having six strikers on his books Blackwell insists none are leaving.

"This is a big club and we need that competition for places," he said. "We still only have a squad of 24, which is not big by Championship standards, but I decided to go for quality rather than quantity."

Of Ricketts, Blackwell added: "Michael has responded outstandingly. Last season he was going nowhere in a racing car. That's why he deserves all the credit for the work he has put in. He's a wealthy lad and could have walked away from it but he's buckled down and all the lads are delighted he's coming good."

Leeds, making eight changes from the side which beat Wolves, strolled through the second half as Oldham, so positive and slick in the opening period, deteriorated as the game wore on.

Such was the dominance of central defenders Sean Gregan and Matthew Kilgallon that goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was rarely tested, while Gylfi Einarsson and Jonathan Douglas put in hard-working midfield shifts.

The 14,970 crowd was the lowest Elland Road crowd since 8,806 saw United beat Bristol City 3-1 in the old Coca-Cola Cup on September 16, 1997.

Carling Cup First round

Leeds United 2, Oldham 0

(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Sullivan, Rui Marques, Kilgallon, Gregan, Crainey, Richardson, Douglas, Einarsson, Pugh, Healy (Blake 80), Ricketts. Subs (not used): Bennett, Wright, Harding, Moore. Goals: Ricketts 20, Richardson 24.

Oldham Athletic: Day, Forbes, Owen, Branston, Scott, Wellens, Hughes, (Bonner 73), Liddell, Warne (Edwards 73), Facey. Subs (not used): Stam,

Eyres, Smith.

Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).

Attendance: 14,970.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, August 24, 2005