Leeds United: Whites come a Cropper against Clarets in Youth Cup

United’s line up included 17-year-old striker Jack Clarke who first team head coach Thomas Christiansen had planned to hand a full Whites debut to in October’s Carabao Cup clash at Leicester City.

Christiansen refrained from doing so with Clarke having yet to sign a professional deal with the Whites, but the teenager signed pro’ terms last Thursday on his 17th birthday.

Clarke featured in a Whites team at Turf Moor that also included former Barcelona striker Kun Temenuzhkov.

United’s Liam Kitching headed just wide in the first half before Clarke was then denied by a Scott Wilson block nine minutes after the break.

But Burnley bagged the game’s only goal four minutes from time when Cropper netted into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

United then had six minutes of added time to bag an equaliser and went close when Clarke’s free-kick produced a strong save from Adam Bruce.

Earlier on Monday afternoon, Leeds United’s under-23s fell to a 2-1 loss at Sheffield Wednesday under-23s who claimed Yorkshire derby bragging rights with a late penalty. The Owls took the lead after just three minutes when Daniel Pudil’s cross looped over Whites keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and crossed the line off the post.

Leeds drew level 12 minutes later when Oliver Sarkic netted from the penalty spot after being fouled by Freddie Nielsen.

Wednesday were then handed a golden chance to seal victory in the second half when Paul McKay conceded a penalty for bringing down Preslav Borukov but Matt Penney’s effort from 12 yards struck the post.

But the Owls were awarded a second spot kick with two minutes left after Adrian Balboa fouled Fraser Preston and Jack Stobbs held his nerve to convert the game’s winning goal.