Leeds United under-18s: Whites season ended by Charlton following play-off defeat

Mark Jackson's side claimed the northern league title last weekend after defeating Bolton Wanderers 1-0 to leapfrog them to the top of the pile and secure home advantage in the one off play-off game.

The Addicks though proved a step too far in what was a tight and feisty encounter at Thorp Arch.

It was the visitors who started the better of the two teams as Leeds struggled to dominate much of the play in midfield. The pressure finally told after 25 minutes as Charlton striker Alex Willis found space on the edge of the United box to drill home a fine effort past Harrison Male in the Whites goal.

The game continued to ebb and flow with both sides enjoying spells of possession but it was Leeds who looked much the better side after the break.

Jamie Shackleton and Jack Clarke forced saves from the visiting goalkeeper stopper with the latter seeing a glorious chance to tie up proceedings blocked as his headed effort blocked was punched away just a minute before time expired.

Leeds pushed on and were unlucky not to find a leveller in the closing minutes but it was the Addicks who held on to progress into the final where they will face southern league counterparts Crystal Palace.

Under-18s coach Mark Jackson reflected on the campaign following the defeat: "We're delighted with the season."

"There's numerous reasons, obviously. Straight away you can see we've had success in the league where we've won the title. We've not quite got there today and we're a little bit disappointed in that.

"Ultimately you've seen progression of players at the football club which is key to what we want as an academy and that is success in itself."