Newcastle's Reserves were unwrapped at Kit Kat Crescent on Wednesday night as Leeds' second string took full advantage of the Magpies' soft centre (that's enough confectionery-based puns).

Leeds took the lead after just four minutes when a suicidal backpass from Stephen Folan was intercepted by Enoch Showunmi who beat Jak Alnwick at the near post from close range.

Despite dominating after that early setback United, clad in yellow, only had a Nile Ranger shot that flashed wide to show for their efforts.

However, Newcastle had a great chance to get back on terms in the 35th minute when Ryan Donaldson was fouled in the box but Ranger's weak penalty was saved and the taker blasted the rebound over the bar.

That miss proved costly two minutes before the break when Showunmi nodded on a goal kick and Davide Somma ran into the box to fire past Alnwick.

The hosts extended the lead seven minutes after the break when James Baxendale scored with a shot from the edge of the box as a static defence looked on.

Ryan Donaldson pulled one back in the 69th minute with a low first time finish from Sam Adjei's cross from the right and just three minutes later Nile Ranger finished off a fine move started by LuaLua, turning in Folan's cross first time to make it 3-2.

Leeds almost sealed the victory with seven minutes to go when Showunmi hit the bar and then drove just wide but another goal ultimately wasn't needed as they held out for the victory.

Those three points were enough to send an unbeaten Leeds side to the top of the table, while Newcastle lost their second successive away game - beaten again by a more experienced side.

While injuries and youth international commitments partly dictated our team selection, the absence of first team squad players was noted. With both Lovenkrands and Harewood badly in need of match practice, this looked to have been a missed opportunity for them - it was good enough for Smith last season...... 

Biffa

Reports