Leeds United Under-23s - report: Patrick Bamford hat-trick helps Whites to thrilling victory over Burnley

Marcelo Bielsa made four first-team players available for the trip to Burnley with Patrick Bamford, Izzy Brown, Jack Harrison and Lewis Baker all being handed starts by Carlos Corberan.

The Whites entered the fixture level on points in the PDL northern section with the Clarets but held a game in hand over their counterparts.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche, England Under-19s manager Paul Simpson and United's Head of Medicine and Performance Rob Price, who was casting an eye over his returning players, were among those in attendance.

Corberan's side started the better but found themselves behind after just seven minutes as the hosts made the most of some sloppy defending which allowed Tinashe Chakwana to tap home from close-range.

United winger Harrison found joy down the left as he provided Jordan Cropper with a serious headache cutting in and out of the Burnley defence with ease.

It was the Manchester City loanee who made the most of a Clarets error as he fed through Bamford just before the half hour mark.

The 25-year-old, who was making his first competitive start since September, calmly dinked onrushing England goalkeeper Tom Heaton to level proceedings.

Leeds though would fall behind once again just minutes before the break as more lacklustre defending allowed Rob Harker the freedom of the box as he cut a ball back for Dan Agyei who emphatically shot past Will Huffer.

United started the second period on top once again as half-time substitute Jack Clarke made an immediate impact.

The 18-year-old set off on a run in which he beat three players before curling a perfectly placed shot into the far corner of the net from inside the box.

Leeds were level for less that 45 seconds as Burnley immediately restored from kick-off as Chakwana tested the palms of Huffer who tipped an effort onto the crossbar as the ball landed at the feet of Harker who tapped home.

United again instantly responded as the game saw three goals in a frantic four minute spell.

Bamford held the ball up before laying off for midfielder Baker to slot home into the bottom corner from outside the box. Leeds went close again as Clarke wreaked havoc on the left and it was his ball who found Clarke Oduor as the defender crossed for Izzy Brown.

The Chelsea loanee met the ball on the full to volley home and give Corberan's side their first lead of the afternoon.

United striker Bamford wasn't finished as he again was on hand to tap home for his second as he got on the end of a Clarke flick to give United some breathing space.

The £7million summer signing then went in search of his hat-trick as he smashed the post from the edge of the box as Jordan Stevens also saw a shot well saved by Heaton.

Bamford wasn't to be denied though five minutes from time as Clarke once again found him all alone inside the area to poke into the net and round off the scoring to mark an incredible comeback from injury.

Burnley Under-23s: Heaton, Cropper, Koiki, Benson, Cook, Glennon, Agyei, Howarth, Harker, Chakwana, Bayode. Subs: McMahon, Blair, Woods, Younger, Trialist.

Leeds United Under-23s: Huffer, Gotts, Oduor, Nicell, Shaughnessy, Davis, Stevens, Baker, Brown, Harrison, Bamford. Subs: Rae, Struijk, Halme, McCalmont, Clarke.