[jQuery] Validate first and the carry on

[James W]

I am using some jquery code to validate a form and then post the
results of the form via an ajax request to a script. I am struggling
with the code as when I click submit the form validates but then also
makes the ajax request. What I would like to be able to do is validate
the form and then if the form checks out ok then I would like the
other code to run.

I am using the plug in

http://dev.jquery.com/view/trunk/plugins/validate/jquery.validate.js

I am new to jquery, I understand the validation how how to validate a
form using the plug in, and I am comfortable with the ajax request and
how to show and hide layers. I am in the tricky place where I cant get
the two to work together!

<script language="javascript">
$(document).ready(function()
{

  $("#login_form").validate({
  rules: {
    namea: "required",

    town: "required",

    emaila: {
      required: true,
      email: true
    }



  }

});


  $("#login_form").submit(function()
 {
  $.post("login.php",{ name:$('#namea').val(),password:$
('#password').val(),rand:Math.random() } ,function(data)
        {
    if(data=='OK')
    {
       $('#loginbox').hide();
        $('#ajax_failed').hide();
   $('#ajax_show').show();
   $('#RegisterForm').show();

    }
    else
    {
 $('#name').val("");
      $('#ajax_failed').show();
          }

        });
   return false;
 });
 $("#password").blur(function()
 {
  $("#login_form").trigger('submit');
 });
});
</script>

If anyone could point me in the right direction or show me how to
achieve this I would be most grateful.

JW