Pascal Struijk strikes late as Leeds United's Under-23s make it eight unbeaten with Crewe victory

Leeds United's Under-23s secured a 2-1 victory over Crewe in Professional Development League action on Monday at Alexandra Park.

Carlos Corberan selected a strong starting line-up for the clash with Jamie Shackleton among those seeing minutes in Cheshire.

The game got underway in awful conditions as wind and rain wreaked havoc for much of the match.

It was Leeds who dominated early on as Jordan Stevens, Ryan Edmondson and Alfie McCalmont all went close to breaking the deadlock.

Leif Davis then saw a shot blocked before United again tested the hands of Alex goalkeeper David Richards.

The hosts wasted a rare attack as an Oliver Finney effort fell the wrong side of Kamil Miazek's post from distance.

Leeds, though, finally had their lead before the interval as Shackleton fired high into the net from the edge of the area following a driving run from Edmondson.

Corberan opted to make three changes at the half-time break with Liam McCarron, Oliver Casey and Mateusz Bogusz stepping off the bench.

Within a minute of the restart Pascal Struijk saw a header fly over the bar from close-range as the Whites threatened to add to the scoreline.

Crewe answered the warning by upping the tempo with Miazek forced into a number of saves as a result.

The Polish stopper produced one fine moment as he clawed an effort back off the line following a low ball to the back post for Joe Robbins.

He was finally beaten with 15 minutes to go as a long ball unlocked the Leeds defence following a blocked free-kick.

James Jones volleyed home from inside the area to give the hosts a deserved leveller and set up a frantic finish.

Leeds mustered a response as McCalmont again shot wide before the midfielder produced an inch-perfect ball from a short corner for Struijk who made no mistake with five minutes remaining.

The goal was enough to see Corberan's side earn all three points and make it eight games unbeaten since mid-November in all competitions.

Leeds United Under-23s: Miazek, Hosannah, Kenneh, Struijk, Davis, Cresswell (Casey 45), McCalmont, Shackleton (McCarron 45), Stevens (Bogusz 45), Huggins, Edmondson. Subs: Male, Jenkins.