Tranmere Rovers 4 Leeds United under-21s 1 - Recap from Prenton Park as fine Whites football proves in vain

FIRST TEST: Leeds United's under-21s face Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park, above. Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images.

Leeds United's under-21s are beginning a second crack at the EFL Trophy with tonight's clash at Tranmere Rovers - and you can follow all the latest here.

The competition which is now known as the Papa John's Trophy sees teams from English football's third and fourth tier taking on the country's best Academy sides with Category One status.

Leeds got no further than the group stage last season, falling to a 7-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley which was followed by a 2-2 draw at Barrow and a 3-0 reverse at Blackpool.

League Two trio Oldham Athletic, Salford City and tonight's hosts Tranmere are providing this season's Northern Section Group B opponents, from which the top two go through.

Tonight's hosts Tranmere were beaten by current League One table toppers Sunderland in last season's final under former boss Keith Hill.

Micky Mellon is now back in charge of Rovers for a second time having left Dundee United back in May.

The YEP is live at Prenton Park and you can follow all the pre-match build up and team news followed by live match updates and then reaction and analysis here.

Tranmere Rovers v Leeds United under-21s LIVE

Key Events

EFL Trophy Northern Section Group B opener for Leeds and Tranmere.
Oldham Athletic and Salford City are in the same group. Oldham 1-0 winners in first game.
Top two progress to the next round. Tranmere runners up last season.
7pm kick-off at Prenton Park.

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:23 BST

Nice from McGurk

23: McGurk’s quality already apparent here. Lovely footwork on the left. Looks a bag of tricks.

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:20 BST

Nice football from Leeds

20: Some decent passing, McGurk gets into the box but his cross sails behind. Better side so far, shame about the start.

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:18 BST

Half a chance

18: McGurk free kick whipped in, Dean heads over but ball was behind him, hard chance

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:17 BST

Leeds free kick 25 yards out

17: Neat skill by Gray who is then fouled.

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:14 BST

Sutcliffe and Miller

14: Combine well again down the right, Miller gets into the box but cross cleared, looked like a corner but goal kick given.

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:12 BST

Better from Leeds

11: Sutcliffe gets away down the right but his cross is cleared. Leeds come again, neat turn from McGurk, two shots are blocked and then Miller has a go and his shot is also blocked.

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:08 BST

Goal Tranmere

7: Leeds carved open down the right, Clarke storms forward out of defence, feeds Maynard who makes his way into the box and fires a strong low finish into the bottom left. Leeds need to be strong here.

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:06 BST

First attempt

6: From Tranmere, Maynard attempt blocked on the edge of the box

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:05 BST

Leeds positions - but as always it’s fluid

6: Sutcliffe at right back, Moore and Mullen at centre-back, Snowdon left back, Kenneh is CDM. Allen centre midfield, Miller right wing, McGurk left wing, Gray no 10, Dean upfront. Fairly even start, no chances yet.

Tue, 14 Sep, 2021, 19:00 BST

Players are out at Prenton Park, live updates to follow here

1: Leeds to kick us off