Premier League Cup

Leeds United (0)

Birmingham City (0)

Red Card: Jonathan Grounds (38)

Venue: The Global Stadium

Leeds United: Meslier, Galloway (Burlace 75), Hudson, McCalmont, Cresswell, Casey, Huggins, Jenkins (Temenuzhkov 83), Edmondson, Bogusz, McKinstry (McCarron 82). Subs: Skerry, Kenneh

Neither side could break the deadlock in tonight's Premier League Cup opener, as 10-man Birmingham hold on for a point against the Whites.

Leeds started brightly and had a early penalty shout turned down as Niall Huggins went down in the box but the referee waved play on.

The visitors grew into the game and Jack Concannon had a strike from the edge of the box but Olly Casey blocked well and Leeds cleared the danger.

Agustin Medina then cut inside from the right wing but saw his long range shot saved by Illan Meslier.

Another chance for Birmingham fell to Miguel Fernandez who had a snapshot from inside the box, but Meslier got down to it and claimed the ball.

Leeds hit back with a chance of their own as Theo Hudson marauded down the left wing and cut the ball back to Niall Huggins but he fired over the crossbar.

Midway through the first half Stuart McKinstry played a lovely into the box for Ryan Edmondson who controlled well, but his shot was blocked and deflected behind for a corner.

The biggest chance of the game was somehow missed by Birmingham number nine Adam George who ballooned the ball over the bar from six yards out.

The turning point of the game then occurred in the 38th minute as Jonathan Grounds was sent off as he fouled Mateusz Bogusz who was clean through on goal and gave the referee no alternative.

Minutes before the break, Bogusz intercepted the ball from the Birmingham defender and was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but a last ditch tackle from Josh McEachran ensured he didn’t get a clean strike on goal.

Half Time: Leeds United 0-0 Birmingham City

Birmingham started the second half quickly and almost took the lead through Miguel Fernandez with a shot from the edge of the box, but Meslier got fingertips on it and pushed it to safety.

Debutant Josh Galloway whipped in a low shot for Leeds but the Birmingham goalkeeper saved down to his left.

On the hour mark, Bogusz stepped up from 25 yards out with a free kick but his effort flew into the side netting.

Agustin Medina was denied superbly by Meslier from close range, the shot stopper was down receiving treatment for a long period of time but managed to carry on.

Leeds pressed for a winner against 10-man Birmingham and the best chance fell to late substitute Liam McCarron who’s fantastic left footed strike narrowly missed the target.

Birmingham stayed resolute and Leeds failed to break the deadlock and the game ended 0-0

Full Time: Leeds United 0-0 Birmingham City