Leeds United under-23s: Whites fall to seaside defeat at Scarborough

In real pre-season fashion it was a slow start to the game with the wind wreaking havoc during the opening 45 minutes.

United were much the better side as the first half wore on with Caleb Ekuban and Eunan O'Kane both forcing saves from Tom Taylor in the Scarborough goal but it was Harrison Male who produced the stop of the half for the visitors.

A high ball left Pascal Struijk floored after a stay elbow from 'Boro forward James Walshaw wasn't spotted by referee George Roberts, the ball then broke to Wayne Brooksby who gathered in the area but was met by the onrushing Male who got down low to beat away the effort.

It was the hosts who broke the deadlock just minutes after the break following United's positive play in the early exchanges.

A mix up at the back for the Whites saw Oliver Casey's looping header elude Male in the United goal which left Will Annan to tap home unchallenged into an empty net.

Leeds fought back and second half substitute Kun Temenuzhkov was handed a glorious opportunity to level proceedings in similar circumstances.

Scarborough right-back Josh Lacey played a blind ball across his own defence which found the former Barcelona man all alone on the edge of the area but his low drilled effort cannoned back off Taylor's post.

United were left frustrated and Oliver Sarkic, who had been instrumental in much of Leeds' play throughout the 90 minutes, dragged a final effort just wide of the post from inside of the box after his initial effort was blocked with the clock ticking down.

Appeals for a penalty for the use of a 'Boro hand in the build-up were turned away by referee Roberts as United left the coast licking their wounds on a performance that had many positives but no result to match.

Leeds United XI: Male, Wollerton, Davis, Struijk, Casey, Nicell, Sarkic, O'Kane, Ekuban, Kamwa, Oduor. Subs: Sheytanov, Temenuzhkov, Gotts, Amissah, Siddiki.

Scarborough Athletic XI: Taylor, Lacey, Dixon, Killock, Gooda, Brooksby, Cadman, Walshaw, Coulson, Annan. Subs: Valentine, Scott, Jowett, Hewitt, Bowman, Beadle.