Three goals in the space of seven minutes spared Leeds United reserves at Gateshead on Wednesday night.

A diving header from Aidy White five minutes from time sealed a quick-fire comeback that saw Leeds hit back from being 2-0 down with less than 20 minutes on the clock.

A thrilling finish hadn't looked on the cards as the home side appeared to be comfortable with their lead.

United had gone close during a dull first half with Dominic Poleon and Lubo Michalik firing wide while White hit the post, but the hosts took the lead on the stroke of half-time thanks to a Craig Nelthorpe free-kick.

That advantage was doubled on 72 minutes courtesy of skipper Alex Francis and Gateshead appeared home and dry.

But United burst into life to create a grandstand finish.

Mike Grella got on the end of an Andy Robinson cross to make it 2-1 on 78 minutes and two minutes later, the American showed good skill before smashing home a Jason Crowe cross from deep to level the scores.

Five minutes later, the comeback was well and truly complete when Grella was involved again as Robinson supplied the cross for White to power home a diving header.

That looked like game over, but even then there was still time for some added drama.

First Robinson had the ball in the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside, then Joe McCann was handed a second yellow card for a handball offence. From the resultant free-kick, which was charged down, James Booker picked up a yellow for encroachment as the home side pressed for a late leveller.

Alex Cairns was forced into making one late save in stoppage time, but the 10 men of United held firm to get the league campaign off to a winning start.

United: Cairns, Crowe, Michalik, L Turner, Sheehan, Robinson, Hatfield, Payne (McCann 54), White, Grella, Poleon (Booker 70). Subs: Paulat-Brigg, N Turner, Lenighan, Clamp.

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