United's reserves picked up their fourth point of their Pontin's Holidays League East campaign last night with a creditable goalless draw against league leaders Sheffield United at the Don Valley Stadium.

Neil Thompson's young side turned in their best display of the season and shaded the goalless draw to earn their point.

The Whites started the game brightly with Tom Elliott volleying over from a Gavin Rothery cross before midfielder Oliver Hotchkiss struck a powerful drive from 25 yards which stung the hands of the Blades' keeper.

Leeds continued to push the Sheffield defence throughout the game and the best chance fell to Tomi Ameobi just after the break. His strike partner, Elliott, crossed the ball into the six-yard box and Ameobi was inches away from putting the Whites a goal up.

On 57 minutes Rothery found Simon Madden down the left hand side and his cross picked out Elliott whose header on goal was somehow kept out by the keeper at close range.

The Whites' overall performance delighted reserve team boss Neil Thompson.  "We had a few first year lads playing and there were a lot of positives for us to take out of the game.

"We created three or four really good chances in the second half and we have to be bit more ruthless. But overall I was very pleased with the lads and I think it was our best performance of the season so far," he added.

The Leeds line-up included right-back Scott Gardner, who had been out for the last five weeks with a hamstring injury, and he played for 72 minutes and came through the test successfully.

United: Lucas, Gardner (Darville 72), Madden, Bayly, Lees, Wilkinson, Rothery, Hotchkiss, Ameobi, Elliott (Ovington 74), Delph  (Cartman 64)  Unused subs: Edwards, Grace