Leeds United defender Luke Ayling gave his thoughts to the media after his side were knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup at the Third Round stage.

The Whites travelled to East London to take on West Ham and lost the game two-nil after a controversial opener, before the Hammers scored in stoppage time to secure progression.

Speaking after the game, Ayling gave his thoughts on the 90 minutes. 

“I think it’s a tough place to come,” he said. 

“We had some young lads playing who did really well and we got stuck in, in the first half. 

“For the first goal I am not quite sure what happened, I think everyone thought it was offside. I’m not sure what was checked on it. 

“Goals change games and they are so strong, so well coached, so that first goal was always going to be vital. 

“In the second half we stayed in the game but they probably made enough chances to win the game and like I said, it’s a tough place to come.”

On the young side that Marcelo Bielsa had out in this cup encounter, United’s captain on the day was quick to praise the players the played in the game. 

Ayling commented: “Sam Greenwood and Lewis Bate came off at half-time but I thought they played really well.

“Then there is Leo Hjelde at the back. You don’t get many bigger tests than facing the big man up top, Michail Antonio, but I felt he handled himself really well.

“We then had Cody coming on from the bench as well, so we’ve got a good bunch of young lads coming through."