Burley kept with the same back five that have been defending so well of late, but made changes in midfield and attack as he sought to find the answer to our lack of cutting edge.
Converted centre back Pele retained his place in central midfield alongside the ever-present Jermaine Wright and looked like he had played there all his life. He broke up the Leeds attacks well and showed he is no average central defender on the ball, with good skill, pace and an eye for a pass.
This is now the second game in a row that Pele has deputised in central midfield and both games have seen a resurgence in form for our midfield and yet more chances - 19 in total. He formed a decent partnership alongside the dependable Jermaine Wright and now gives Burley a selection headache when Idiakez returns.
On yesterday's form Pele simply has to retain his place, being that all too rare player, a ball playing defensive midfielder, shielding the defence and starting off attacks. Idiakez's ability on the ball and goal threat means that he will surely return, so could the undropable Wright be just that, dropped?
On the right hand side substitute Viafara offered food for thought with a wonderfully energetic cameo, with Surman much more effective when moved to the left. With Saints lacking physical presence in midfield for much of this season, maybe Saints have found the right balance at least away from home with a combination of Viafara, Pele, Idiakez and Skacel or Surman.
Up front Rasiak made a welcome return to fitness alongside the ineffective Wright-Phillips and showed just how vital he is to our chances of promotion with two well taken headers. Give him the service and he will deliver the goods.
Davis
Makin, Lundekvam, Baird, Bale
Surman, Pele, Wright, Skacel
Wright-Phillips (Viafara, 63), Rasiak (McGoldrick, 80)
On the Cross verdict
All in all, a great day's work from Saints. With Rasiak back in the side, we finally got the goals we have been threatening to go along with the improved performances.
As ever away from home, we didn't have it all our own way, with Leeds creating several good chances and putting us under pressure particularly at 1-0. However, once the second went in the fight seemed to go out of Dennis Wise's Leeds side and there was never going to be a repeat of last season's incredible 4-3 comeback.
Certainly Wise has some defensive organisation to do after his side granted Rudi Skacel the freedom of the 6 yard box to control the ball, look up and pick his spot for the second.
I can remember last season watching the Leeds home game and realising that we were not going to go back up. Perhaps yesterday's away win will be the turning point for us this season, with us poised nicely two points away from the play-off positions and nine points off top with Cardiff losing.
However, after several false dawns, it's too early to get our hopes up. Our major problems are consistency and lack of cutting edge up front. We badly need to find a strike partner for Rasiak, with Burley struggling for find an experienced striker to get in on loan.
It was encouraging to see reserve goal machine McGoldrick get 10 more minutes under his belt, as he remains the last option for Burley to try out of the current squad. Burley has been itching to give him a pressure free run out to gain first team experience, but with our inability to kill games off he has had few opportunities to do so.
Certainly we would welcome strikers with the ability of Healy and Blake in the side and it must be particularly galling for Leeds fans having to watch their side under-perform with what remains a decent squad. If it's any consolation we know how they feel after last season!
So, after two good away performances Saints turn our attention to Luton and the question of how to open up teams at home content to defend deep in numbers and try to take us on the break. A decent win and Saints can build some real momentum for a vital clash with Birmingham.
Three points there and we can really start to believe again. Now I am getting ahead of myself!
Man of the match: Harsh on the ever improving Gareth Bale, but Pele deserves it for a driving performance in the heart of Saints midfield that promises much for the season ahead.
Cameo of the day: Viafara let out his frustration after being kept on the sidelines having his teeth put back in, with an all-action cameo down the right side, showing pace, power and an encouraging improving final delivery.
Lemon of the day: For such a talented player Healy was a disappointment, failing to take his chances or impose himself on the game as he can. Maybe a change of scenery down south would do the trick to solve our striker dilemma!