Stuart McKinstry bags brace as Leeds United Under-23s take control of Premier League 2 promotion race

A brace from Stuart McKinstry helped Leeds United's Under-23s to a 3-0 victory over Reading in Premier League 2 action on Monday afternoon.

The Whites extended their winning run to eight games at Thorp Arch and moved 13 points clear at the top of the group two standings with an impressive win over the Royals.

Joe Gelhardt led the line for Mark Jackson's side as Niall Huggins was named on the bench less than 24 hours on from his senior debut at Arsenal.

Leeds battled hard to open the scoring with Gelhardt seeing two penalty claims turned down in the first half.

United, though, scored twice in a little over a minute just before the interval to take control of the encounter.

Liam McCarron latched onto a Crysencio Summerville cross before Stuart McKinstry drilled a low effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The 18-year-old Scot then capitalised on a mistake from the Royals at the back as Gelhardt put pressure on visiting goalkeeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke.

The stopper took a heavy touch in his own box which was pounced upon by United's striker to leave McKinstry to sweep home into an empty net unchallenged.

Reading responded but Leeds held firm as Kiko Casilla tipped an effort onto the frame of the goal late in the match.

United ensured a clean sheet with some crucial defending and with the win continued a fine run of form which has seen them take control in the promotion race.

Leeds United U23s: Casilla, Drameh, Davis (Huggins 45), Kenneh, Cresswell, Casey, Summerville, Jenkins (Allen 60), Gelhardt (Dean 60), McKinstry, McCarron. Subs not used: Caprile, Moore.