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United's bid to win the trophy for the first time ended in a heavy 4-2 loss at Don Valley Stadium, and their backline bore the brunt of Gary McAllister's criticism in the wake of Leeds' failure to qualify for the northern section quarter-finals.

Click here to read a match report from Leeds United's JTP defeat at the hands of Rotherham United.

Click here to watch a picture slideshow of match action from the game.

Click here Leeds United player ratings from the Rotherham game.


Rotherham, who are two places off the bottom of League Two having fought a 17-point deduction this season, scored twice in either half to settle their second-round tie against a United side who conceded four goals in a single match for the first time since their 4-1 defeat at Preston North End in October 2006, the second match of Dennis Wise's managerial reign.

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Leeds were among the favourites to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy but the chance of a second visit to Wembley in the space of 12 months slipped away amid a poor defensive display at Don Valley Stadium.

United created enough chances to win last night's tie, striking the frame of Rotherham's goal twice and forcing their goalkeeper Andy Warrington into a string of fine saves, but McAllister focused his attention on a defence which has kept just two clean sheets in 14 matches this term.

McAllister said: "It's very difficult for me to defend the back four.

"As a team, we simply didn't keep the ball out of the net and sometimes it's as basic as that. When the ball comes into the box we've got to defend it. We didn't attack it well enough.

"We've only had two clean sheets this season and while it's not a major concern, it's something we've got to improve.

"We've got to be better in our own box because at the other end we look not bad.

"It's a disappointing result because there's a fantastic carrot at the end of this competition, and the incentive of playing at Wembley has been taken away.

"You want to gain momentum from everywhere, and MK Dons gathered a bit of momentum from getting to Wembley last season. They were (League Two) champions.

"Winning games is a habit and the more you can get on a roll the better. The players are disappointing and they know they're better than that, but there's still a lot to play for and a lot that's good about us."

Leeds conceded the opening goal on 18 minutes after a long throw into their box, and the damage to their chances of reaching the quarter-finals was done at the start of the second half when two quick goals left United to chase a 4-1 deficit.

McAllister's line-up last night showed eight changes from the team beaten 2-0 by Peterborough United at London Road last Saturday, but he denied that the spate of alteration had affected the standard of their performance against Rotherham.

"Even though we made a lot of changes, we came here looking to win," he said.

"I don't think we played an under-strength side.

"We did create a few chances and we looked inventive in the final third. The players worked hard and I can't point the finger at anyone from that point of view.

"We're all in it together. We've had some nice things said about us recently when we were on a good run so we'll win together and lose together."

Alan Sheehan added to United's disappointment by sustaining a hamstring injury 17 minutes after taking to the field at Don Valley as a substitute.

The left-back, who was making his comeback from a three-match suspension and a minor fitness concern, now looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with McAllister saying: "I think he could be out for quite a bit."