Leeds United's EFL Trophy campaign comes to an end at the hands of Blackpool

Leeds United's first foray into uncharted EFL Trophy waters came to an end at the group stage on Wednesday night with a 3-0 defeat at Blackpool.

The Whites - who were debuting in the tournament this term - earned category one academy status after promotion to the Premier League last summer and opted to utilise the competition for their Thorp Arch stars.

Mark Jackson's side travelled in the knowledge that an upset against League One opposition would see them claim a spot in the knockout stages as runners up in Group H, a feat that seemed unlikely after an opening day hammering at Accrington Stanley in September.

Leeds handed a start to former Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, who must have felt a long way from the Bernabeu in the shadows of Blackpool Tower on a cold rainy November night with head coach Marcelo Bielsa watching on.

Ian Poveda was also selected alongside England youth trio Charlie Cresswell, Nohan Kenneh and Cody Drameh in a strong line-up which featured summer signings Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood.

Seasiders boss Neil Critchley made seven changes for the hosts with full-back James Husband captain for the evening.

Leeds knew a good start was needed at Bloomfield Road but hopes of a cup shock were quickly dashed as Blackpool raced into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes.

Dan Kemp opened the scoring from inside the box after good work from Bez Lubala allowed the forward to deliver an inch-perfect ball with the outside of his boot.

United's nightmare start got worse 11 minutes later as Drameh turned a Blackpool corner into his own net under pressure.

Jackson's side were missing their usual zip and it was noticeable with a number of sloppy errors forcing unnecessary pressure on the defence.

United opted to throw caution to the wind at the interval with Poveda, Oliver Casey and Leif Davis making way for Jack Jenkins, Niall Huggins and Stuart McKinstry.

After a poor first half Leeds started brightly after the break and began to show their true colours with Summerville and Greenwood causing problems.

Huggins proved the best of changes, injected pace down the left and linking up well with his team-mates.

With 20 minutes to go Leeds worked the opportunity of the night as Gelhardt pressured defender Jordan Thorniley into a mistake.

The front man raced in on goal with the net gaping but goalkeeper Jack Sims pushed his low drilled effort wide of the mark leaving screams of agony to echo around the empty stands in eerie fashion.

Leeds, though, were given a lifeline with 12 minutes to go with the hosts reduced to 10 men.

Debutant Cameron Antwi saw red for a second bookable offence, his late lunge on Drameh leaving referee Sebastian Stockbridge little option than to reach for his pocket.

The Seasiders were to have the final say as they added a third late on with Ethan Robson curling an emphatic finish off the inside of Casilla's post.

It was the exclamation point that signalled a disappointing night for United's youngsters, who failed to show their best as they bowed out of the competition at the first hurdle with Blackpool progressing along with group winners Stanley.

Blackpool: Sims, Gabriel (Howe 70'), Turton, Thorniley, Husband, Antwi, Robson, Ward, Kemp, Lubala (Anderson 70'), Yates (Apter 84'). Subs not used: Fojticek, Dougall, Ekpiteta, Hamilton.

Leeds United Under-21s: Casilla, Drameh, Cresswell, Davis (Jenkins 45'), McCarron, Casey (McKinstry 45'), Gelhardt, Kenneh, Summerville, Poveda (Huggins 45'), Greenwood. Subs not used: Caprile, Kamwa, Moore, Dean.