After a two-month absence from Premier League 2 duties, Leeds United Under-21s recorded a dominant 2-0 victory over Reading Under-21s away from home.

Striker Harry Gray and midfielder Rhys Chadwick netted for the Whites, firing United to what Scott Gardner believed was an important result.

“We fully deserved it,” the U21s boss began. “We should have scored a few more goals, particularly in the first half.

“I thought we controlled the second half pretty well. We knew what they were doing in the second half, particularly coming after us a little bit more but, yeah, we got what we deserved in the end.

“I think we are making good progress and the fact that we have kept a clean sheet and won that type of game I think shows where we have come from.

“I remember having a similar game against Forest and losing it and that is something that we referenced at half-time. I am pleased that they listened and got us over the line!”

Gardner was also able to hand a maiden appearance for the U21s to young forward Carrick Njinko who, alongside fellow substitute and U18s teammate Callum Mills, helped the Whites see out the encounter in Berkshire.

“We saw the lads that came on towards the end. Hopefully we can give them more minutes as we go forward in the second part of the season and hopefully we can push a few more players into the senior game.”