Premier League 2 Division 2

Stoke City U21 1 (Redfern 90+2’)

Leeds United U21 1 (McGurk 16’)

Stoke City U21: Jackson (GK), Macari (C), Adebambo, Lewis (Redfern 46’), Okagbue (Roney 78’), Badley-Morgan (Mears 66’), Holland-Wilkinson, Smith, James-Taylor, McGuiness, Griffiths. Subs not used: Singh, Hayder.

Leeds United U21: Van Den Heuvel (GK), Spencer, Mullen, Monteiro, Moore, Gyabi, Allen (Thomas 66’), Gray, Joseph, Perkins, McGurk (Crew 81’) Subs not used: Christy (GK), Ferguson, Debayo.

Venue: The Swansway Stadium, Nantwich Town FC

Referee: E Duckworth

Booked: Okagbue, McGuiness, Adebambo, James-Taylor, Mears (Stoke) Spencer, Monteiro, McGurk, Allen (Leeds)

Leeds United U21s were denied a win by a 92nd minute Stoke equaliser, in a scrappy affair at Nantwich Town.

Leeds had defended Sean McGurk’s first half goal for over 75 minutes, but a late goal from Luke Redfern saw the hosts steal a point.

Paco Gallardo was able to name a strong side, including the Division’s top scorer Mateo Joseph who captained the side. 

Both goalkeepers had to be alert early on, with Dani Van Den Heuvel sweeping up after a Stoke counter and Jackson coming out of his box to head clear at the other end.

The hosts were enjoying a positive start to the game. Douglas James-Taylor had a chance on four minutes, but Van Den Heuvel was quick off his line to close the angle and make the save.

The Leeds stopper was again on hand to claim Jacob Holland-Wilkinson’s dangerous cross, before James-Taylor dragged an effort wide from outside the box after 14 minutes.

Despite the hosts’ bright start, it was Leeds who made their first chance count to take the lead on 16 minutes. Charlie Allen’s deflected cross seemed an easy gather for Jackson but he fumbled the ball, allowing Sonny Perkins to pick it up, he had the awareness to find McGurk who took a touch before firing home.

The game became very scrappy from there, Leeds were unable to kick on and really dominate after their goal and the referee was heavily involved, booking five players before half time.

A flurry of corners just before half time was the best spell Leeds could really muster.

McGurk was involved at the other end, making a brave block to deny Jack Griffiths, but Van Den Heuvel wasn’t called upon again before the break.

HALF TIME: Stoke City U21 0-1 Leeds United U21

Neither side seized control after half time as the scrappy nature continued into the second period.

The first chance of note in the second half came on 73 minutes for Leeds. Joseph saw an effort saved by Jackson before McGurk’s rebound was deflected into the side netting.

Stoke responded and forced Van Den Heuvel into the save of the game two minutes later, a fantastic acrobatic stop to keep out Holland-Wilkinson’s deflected effort.

Leeds continued to battle in a stop-start game, with a further four yellow cards shown by the referee, taking his total to nine for the evening.

But the hosts never gave up and got their reward in added time, as Redfern nodded home a deep free-kick to deny Leeds all three points. 

Gallardo’s side are back in action on Sunday as they host Middlesbrough at the LNER Community Stadium, 12pm kick-off. 

FULL TIME: Stoke City U21 1-1 Leeds United U21