Leeds United Under-21s earn battling draw with Barrow in EFL Trophy action

Leeds United’s Under-21s earned a battling 2-2 draw with Barrow in the EFL Trophy with the hosts claiming the extra point on penalties.

United’s development side took on the League Two outfit at Holker Street on Monday evening in Group G of the competition.

Whites manager Mark Jackson picked a strong side with Pascal Struijk, Cody Drameh, Leif Davis and Jamie Shackleton all featuring with the latter captain for the evening.

Leeds began the night on top and striker Max Dean pounced on an early mistake shortly after the 10-minute mark.

Barrow were caught with a loose back pass and the forward leapt in to steal the ball and take a touch out of his feet before firing home past debutant Josh Lillis in the home goal.

The Bluebirds responded as they forced Elia Caprile into a string of saves but it was the visitors again who found the back of the net before the break.

David Dunn’s side were caught on the ball once more with Crysencio Summerville breaking into the box and squaring to Dean who tapped home for his second of the clash.

Barrow, though, produced a fightback after the interval as they piled the pressure on the young Whites.

Dior Angus pulled one back as he rounded Caprile following a brilliant save from Lillis to deny Dean his hat-trick in the opposite box.

Luke James then found Josh Taylor free on the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining as the midfielder looped a header home to level up proceedings.

Neither side were able to find a winner as the tie went to penalties to decide which side would take home the extra point.

It was Jack Jenkins who saw his sudden death penalty saved as Chris Taylor stepped up to earn the hosts the shootout win following the draw.

Leeds United Under-21s: Caprile, Struijk, Davis, Drameh, Summerville, McKinstry, Shackleton, Jenkins, Casey, McMillan, Dean. Subs: Van den Heuvel, Gibbon, Galloway, Moore, Mullen, Bray, Allen.