Premier League Cup

Leeds United U21 2 (Njinko 32’, Lienou pen 75’)

Stoke City U21 2 (Fearn 15’, Nixon 40’)

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Lane, Egan-Riley, Cresswell, Lienou, Philpott, Pickles, Chadwick, Mills (Enahoro-Marcus 65’), Hodja (White 61’), Njinko. Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Thompson, McDonald.

Stoke: Knight (GK), Agina (Bardsley 46’), Iddrisa, Mears (C), Anderson, Nixon, Fearn (Osei 86’), Morrison, Bradbury (Enabulele 64’), Achu, Martin (Connell 90’). Subs not used: Clothier (GK).

Venue: Nethermoor Park, Guiseley | Referee: Garreth Rhodes | Booked: Philpott (Leeds) Morrison, Bardsley (Stoke)

Leeds United Under-21s were held to a draw by Stoke City Under-21s in the Premier League Cup, despite goals from Carrick Njinko and Jayden Lienou.

Having taken four points from the opening three Group I fixtures, the Whites began the encounter in Guiseley on the front foot and dominating possession.

The visitors were content to sit in looking to break and did that after soaking up the early pressure, crossing to that back post which Freddie Lane did well to head away from danger.

A fine chipped ball over the top from Jayden Lienou then found the run of Callum Mills in behind the Potters’ backline though under pressure from a retreating defender, the versatile midfielder was unable to get a shot on target.

Stoke took the lead after a quarter of an hour. The visitors capitalised on a mistake at the back allowing Elliot Fearn to round Rory Mahady and bundle into an empty goal.

One would have become two if not for a magnificent diving save by Mahady moments later. Freddie Anderson rose highest to meet a swirling delivery and powered towards the far corner but the Scotland youth international brilliantly clawed the ball off the line at full stretch.

Another cross from the flank almost brought Stoke a second. Following a scramble in the middle, the ball ricochetted one way before squirming narrowly beyond the upright.

Gardner’s side reaped the rewards of that reprieve within minutes as Njinko continued his rich vein of form with a close-range finish. Callum Mills did brilliantly on the left, hooking a ball into the path of Ditmir Hodja who headed goalwards, with his team-mate on hand to make sure.

The turnaround was almost complete immediately as Njinko looked to turn provider for Hodja this time but the North Macedonian saw his first-time strike blocked.

Approaching the break, the Potters retook the lead against the run of play. Mahady had initially produced an impressive reaction save but Finley Nixon was on hand to tap in the rebound.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 1-2 Stoke City U21

The Whites emerged from the break unchanged and almost restored parity instantly. Njinko had won a free-kick 25 yards from goal which Lienou stepped up to take. The Welsh defender curled up and over the wall, forcing Knight into a good save.

Njinko then twisted and turned his way into the penalty area and cut an inviting pass back into the middle but a Stoke shirt was on hand to clear before either Rhys Chadwick or Mills could get there.

Whatever Gardner said at half-time had seemed to work as United continued to threaten in Guiseley. A cross from the right was dummied excellently by Alfie Cresswell allowing Njinko to set his sights, whipping agonisingly past the post.

After the visitors had a goal rightly ruled out for offside, the lively Njinko tested Knight once more with a rasping drive which the stopper was equal to. Just after the hour mark, first activity from the dugout introduced Logan White and Louis Enahoro-Marcus into the action.

The second half had been all Leeds as the hosts searched for the equaliser. Moments on from Njinko dragging narrowly wide from close range, referee Garreth Rhodes pointed to the spot when Cresswell was felled breaking into the area.

Knight saved the first penalty from Lienou but the referee awarded a retake and the full-back made no mistake second time around, chipping calmly straight down the middle.

In the closing stages, the Whites threw everything at Stoke but the Potters’ defence stood frustratingly firm until the full-time whistle sounded.

The Whites complete their Group I campaign with clashes against Charlton Athletic and Stockport County in November and December.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 2-2 Stoke City U21