Luciano Becchio's eight-yard strike, and neat finishes from Gradel and Howson propelled Leeds to victory.
At the other end, Schmeichel had to tip a Sears drive over the bar, but Leeds were in total command by this point and Howson underlined that with his second, a back-post header after a Gradel cross.
Beckford, who is a target for a number of leading clubs, took advantage of defensive indecision to latch on to a long ball from Jonny Howson and hold off Wes Brown before beating Tomasz Kuszczak from an acute angle.
There are also 10 sketches of Madonna and early drawings of Howson's teachers.
BBC: Peter Howson's wife to sell rare Bowie and Madonna work
The points were secured when Luciano Becchio played Howson through on goal and he coolly completed a maiden career treble.
Driver Christopher Howson, who had no licence and was twice the legal alcohol limit at the time, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
BBC: Driver jailed for crash death of soldier Gordon Quigley
Forest remained on top for the remaining 10 minutes of the opening half but found themselves behind five minutes after the restart when Robert Snodgrass and Eric Lichaj combined to play in Howson.
Howson is best known for paintings of the Bosnian war and the singer Madonna.
"We could be talking about a team not making the playoffs and missing out on millions of dollars in playoff gates, " Howson, the Blue Jackets' general manager, wrote on his blog on Feb. 2.
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The tension increased the longer the game went on and, just when it seemed extra-time was inevitable, Howson shot into the corner of the net to put Leeds one step away from promotion to the Championship.
Howson's barrister said his client had been Mr Quigley's best man and did not want to offer any mitigation.
BBC: Driver jailed for crash death of soldier Gordon Quigley
James Howson, 24, of Haslewood Close, Leeds, earlier admitted racially aggravated harassment and was due to be sentenced at Leeds Magistrates' Court.
The court heard that Howson had agreed to drive a friend's car home after a day out watching football and drinking.
BBC: Driver jailed for crash death of soldier Gordon Quigley
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