Leeds United Reserves 1, Blackburn Rovers Reserves 1

STUART Ripley's "champagne moment" was ruined by a last-minute Leeds equaliser.

The Rovers winger, who hasn't scored a senior goal since April 16, 1994, was on target after 32 minutes of a one-sided game at Elland Road.

Put clear by Billy McKinlay just over the halfway line, Ripley raced away to beat Mark Beeney for a long-awaited goal. But it should have been only one of many as a strong Rovers side fathomed the Leeds offside trap.

A number of chances went begging, they should have had a penalty when Matty Holmes was tripped and Niklas Gudmundsson hit a post when the referee played advantage instead of giving him a penalty for another trip!

Nicky Marker and Marlon Broomes were an impressive partnership in the centre of defence but victory was thrown away in the last minute.

A tired-looking Graeme Le Saux had just been substituted, Leeds broke down their right and, with their only serious goal attempt of the night, sub Lee Matthews finished well.

ROVERS: Given, Gill, Marker, Broomes, Le Saux (sub Whealing), Ripley, Holmes, McKinlay, Duff, Gudmundsson, Beattie.

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