Blackburn Rovers 1 (Gent 65’)

Leeds United 1 (Bradbury 87’ pen)

Rovers: Goddard, Olsen, Haddow, Gent, Weston, Caddick, Batty, Drury, Chmiel (Edmondson 78’), Wood, Montomgery (Ngangou 63’).

Leeds: Christy, Mullen, Littlewood, Buchan (Bradbury 45’), Godden, Sutcliffe, Carole, Ferguson, Coleman, Allen, Andreucci (Picksley 45’).

Scott Gardner’s Leeds United side secured a deserved point away from home against top of the league Blackburn Rovers, thanks to Lui Bradbury’s late penalty. 

A rain-soaked pitch at Blackburn’s academy ground in Brockhall Village saw the Whites having to defend early on against their hosts, when the game got underway. Charlie Weston had two early sighters with strikes from the edge of the box, both of which called Harry Christy into action. 

After standing firm early on, Leeds created a top quality chance of their own. Keenan Carole - who would prove difficult to handle for the Rovers defence all game - found space on the left-wing to whip in a cross which Jay Buchan connected well with at the back-post, but he saw his volley superbly saved by Felix Goddard.  

After the early exchanges, Gardner’s side had the majority of the play in what was becoming a well contested match. The composure of Jeremiah Mullen to play out from the back often saw Leeds dominate the ball.

Set-play opportunities were the only real chances of note throughout the rest of the first half. Both Christy and Goddard had to be alert to claim a flurry of balls into the box at either end, in what were testing conditions, and they did so well to send the teams in level. 

HALF TIME: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Leeds United

Continuing his fine form from the first half, Christy had to be alert between the posts early in the second. Finding space in the United box, Jay Haddow’s header looked to have put the league leaders in front, but for the fingertips of the Leeds stopper who produced a superb diving save. 

Back down the other end, captain Cian Coleman was the next to go close to opening the scoring. Again, inside the box, his strike was heading in before a last-ditch block from a blue and white shirt on the line amongst a flurry of bodies. 

The opening goal did then arrive. Moments before scoring, Georgie Gent had a practice attempt by curling a free-kick narrowly wide of the post. That was a warning to Leeds and from the next set-piece, Gent produced a stunning left-footed strike into the top corner from 30-yards out.  

United weren’t downhearted though and continued to create chances. Charlie Allen was creating opportunities from the centre of the pitch whilst Carole continued to cause issues out wide. 

Into the final few minutes and that combination was finally rewarded. Carole collected a neat pass inside and broke into the box, only to be brought down as he was about to unleash a shot. The referee had no hesitation and pointed to the penalty spot. 

Having come off the bench at half-time, it was Bradbury who would step up and take the penalty in the closing stages. He remained calm, approached the ball and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to hit the back of the net. 

There was still time for a couple of late attacks and both teams had opportunities to get a winner, but the defences stood firm this time, meaning the match finished level with a point apiece to show for it.

FULL TIME: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Leeds United

Venue: Blackburn Rovers Academy

Referee: A. Sykes

Booked: Batty, Olson, Weston (Blackburn) Picksley (Leeds)