Despite creating several chances, Leeds United Under-21s failed to find the finishing touch and fell 1-0 to a strong Stoke City Under-21s side at Thorp Arch on Friday afternoon.

After the match, Whites boss Scott Gardner spoke to LUTV and was still able to take positives from the Premier League 2 encounter.

“We should have been maybe two up before they had their opportunity, which comes from our error,” Gardner said, of the Potters’ 58th-minute goal.

“Not ruthless enough with the chances we had in the second half. We had lots of chances and were not ruthless enough to go and finish the game.

“With the chances that we created, we are getting in good positions. Obviously, rotating the teams, new players coming in that have not played for a while, like Freddie Lane, was very, very good. But if you do not take chances, you are not going to win games.”

Gardner spoke on his decision to include a number of Under-18s regulars on the bench, prior to Monday’s FA Youth Cup clash against Swansea City:

“We want to expose these players into the 21s game between now and the end of the season and they can see that the difference. That is your chance to shine.”

Looking ahead to United’s next fixture, against Anderlecht in the Premier League International Cup, the boss was full of praise for the Belgian outfit.

“An excellent team. I am really looking forward to it. We want to be playing the best teams across Europe and that is an excellent opportunity for the players to show that they are capable of playing at that level.”