Our Under-23s were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Crewe Alexandra on Friday evening.

17-year-old forward Mallik Wilks converted from close-range to open the scoring after 70 minutes at Elland Road, but Crewe’s Owen Dale nodded home on the rebound just five minutes from time to ensure the spoils would be shared.

It took Jason Blunt’s side just five minutes to muster the game’s first attempt on goal, Frank Mulhern seeing his dipping free-kick tipped over the bar by back-pedalling Crewe ‘keeper David Richards, before Bailey Peacock-Farrell was called into action at the opposite end to thwart Daniel Udoh with his legs.

Wilks then fired wide with two efforts as the United youngsters began to assert their authority on the game, and Richards was there again to deny Mulhern’s powerful drive from inside the area with a strong, two-handed save.

It remained goalless heading into the break, though, as Wilks send a flying header over the bar after meeting Billy Whitehouse’s cross on the stroke of half-time.

Chances were few and far between during the early stages of the second half, although Crewe did threaten twice in quick succession as Dale just failed to meet a whipped cross from the right with a diving header before seeing his low effort blocked.

It was a largely uneventful start to the second period but the deadlock was eventually broken after 70 minutes, United deservedly taking the lead as Wilks poked the ball home from close-range following Jamie Shackleton’s low cross.

However, Crewe were able to salvage a point in the 85th minute as Dale headed beyond Peacock-Farrell from six yards out after an initial strike had been parried into his path.

Under-23s team vs Crewe: Peacock-Farrell, Whitehouse, M Taylor, Vann, Pearce, Oduor, Shackleton, Stokes, Mulhern, J McKay (Shaughnessy 59), Wilks (Wollerton 89). Subs not used: Richardson, Kitching, Nicell.