Leeds United U21s suffer Crystal Palace defeat despite Callumn Mills opener

Leeds United Under-21s suffered a 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Thorp Arch despite taking an early lead through Callumn Mills, as an Adier Nascimento hat-trick and a second-half strike from Nathanael Kalembo earned the visitors all three points.

Scott Gardner's side had been looking to make it back-to-back victories in Premier League 2, but were unable to build on a promising start as Palace responded before the break and took control after half-time.

Leeds began brightly after a cagey opening, gradually building momentum through their pressing game and looking to exploit space behind the Palace defence.

Mills was involved in the early attacking play, finding Sam Alker with a cutback after being released down the left flank. Leeds were unable to make the most of the opportunity, however, as Palace recovered defensively to prevent the opening goal.

The Whites continued to apply pressure, with Carrick Njinko leading the press from the front and forcing Palace goalkeeper Harry Lee into a misplaced pass.

The ball fell to Rhys Chadwick, who fired narrowly over as Leeds threatened to make their early dominance count.

Their pressure eventually paid off in the 10th minute when captain Ollie Pickles raced in behind the Palace defence down the right flank.

His low, driven cross found Mills inside the penalty area, and the forward made no mistake in guiding his finish into the bottom corner to put the hosts ahead.

Leeds looked to extend their advantage, with Pickles testing Lee from the edge of the penalty area.

The Palace goalkeeper reacted well to get a hand to the effort and turn the ball around the post, preventing the Whites from doubling their lead.

Despite Leeds' positive start, Palace found an equaliser against the run of play just after the 20-minute mark.

Nascimento collected the ball in the centre of the United penalty area before firing home to bring the visitors level.

The goal did little to discourage Leeds, who came close to restoring their advantage when Louie Philpott met a cross from Lane.

His header drifted just wide of the left-hand post as the home side continued to search for a second.

However, Palace grew into the contest following their equaliser and were rewarded before half-time when Joe Gibbard won a penalty.

Nascimento stepped up and converted from the spot to complete the turnaround, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead heading into the interval.

Half-time: Leeds United U21s 1-2 Crystal Palace U21s

Leeds returned from the break looking for a quick response, but instead found themselves further behind six minutes into the second half.

Sebastian Williams worked space down the right flank before delivering a low cross into the penalty area.

Nascimento arrived around the penalty spot and finished to complete his hat-trick, putting Palace in a commanding position.

The visitors added a fourth in the 62nd minute after a free-kick failed to beat the first man.

The loose ball fell to Kalembo on the edge of the penalty area, where he struck a superb volley that flew into the top corner to leave Leeds facing an uphill battle.

Despite the scoreline, Gardner's side continued to look for a way back into the game.

Alker came close to reducing the deficit after capitalising on a mistake in the Palace back line, but his powerful effort was matched by another impressive save from Lee.

Leeds continued to push forward, with Josh McDonald driving towards goal and forcing a decisive intervention from Palace defender Chuks Okoli.

The defender brought down the Leeds attacker and was shown a red card, leaving the visitors to see out the closing stages with 10 men.

The dismissal gave the hosts a late opportunity to apply further pressure, and Jayden Lienou came agonisingly close to finding a second goal from the resulting free-kick.

The Leeds defender curled a powerful left-footed effort towards goal, only for the ball to strike the underside of the crossbar before bouncing away from danger.

It proved to be the final major opportunity of the afternoon, with Palace holding on to secure a 4-1 victory and condemn Leeds to just their second defeat of the Premier League 2 campaign.

For Gardner's side, Mills' early opener and several promising attacking moments offered encouragement, but Palace's clinical finishing ultimately proved decisive as the visitors capitalised on their opportunities to take all three points away from Thorp Arch.

Full-time: Leeds United U21s 1-4 Crystal Palace U21s