Leeds United Under-23s suffer first defeat since November after early red card at Crystal Palace

Leeds United Under-23s suffered defeat for the first time since November after an early sending off against Crystal Palace.

The Premier League 2 clash saw defender Gaetano Berardi return to competitive action on Monday afternoon following a torn ACL last summer.

Ian Poveda was also named in the squad for the first time in a month due to an ankle injury but was an unused substitute in the capital.

Mark Jackson's outfit were given an uphill task on the 20 minute mark in South London with Crysencio Summerville picking up a second yellow card.

The Dutch wide man had been booked earlier for what appeared to be dissent after giving away a free-kick and was handed his marching orders just minutes later for his next foul.

Despite the man advantage for the hosts Joe Gelhardt tested the palms of Oliver Webber in the Palace goal in what was a relatively uneventful first half.

Leeds, though, fell behind just four minutes into the second period as Jesuran Rak-Sakyi calmly finished low into the net after Shaun Derry's men had hit the post in the build-up.

The Whites responded in a bid to find a leveller and full-back Leif Davis saw a cross-cum-shot cleared off the line with time running out.

It was the Eagles who had the final say with Leeds committed forward as home captain Sion Spence prodded a low effort past the onrushing Elia Caprile.

With defeat United's nine-match winning streak came to an abrupt end as they lost for the first time in league action for nearly five months.

Leeds remain 10 points clear at the top of Premier League 2 Division 2 standings and will travel to face third-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.

Leeds United Under-23s: Caprile, Huggins, Davis, Casey, Berardi (Cresswell 45), Drameh, Summerville, Jenkins, Gelhardt (Kamwa 45), McKinstry, McCarron (Kenneh 60). Subs: Van Den Heuvel, Poveda.