Chester City 0 Leeds Utd 2

YOUTH team boss Barry Knowles thanked the Chester public for the support they gave his side on Tuesday.

City’s young guns were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup following a battling defeat to Leeds, who progressed thanks to a goal in each half.

Knowles was pleased to see a sizeable crowd turn up at the Deva and was only sorry Chester could not reward their fans with a win.

He said: “I’d like to thank the supporters. It’s fantastic that they’ve turned up to watch the younger players. It gives us heart in the department that they are supporting the youth and it is an important part of a football club like Chester.”

Knowles acknowledged City were beaten by the better team.

“The boys worked ever so hard but Leeds are a strong squad and they’ve got a lot of quality,” said the former Wigan Athletic player. “Two mistakes have cost us, which is disappointing.”

Leeds broke the deadlock on 31 minutes following a mistake by the City defence. Keeper Simon Williams raced to the edge of the box and spilled a back-header from Kristian Platt, who had no idea Williams was so far off his line. United’s Aidan White picked up the loose ball and kept his cool to fire into the net under pressure from retreating defenders.

The hosts had the greater share of possession during the second period, but Leeds put the game to bed with a 74th-minute strike from Joe McCann, who coolly lobbed Williams from the edge of the box.

Chester: S Williams, Dowling, Newman, Rawlinson, Platt, Owen, Smith, R Williams, Ellams (Davidson 76), Jones (Evans 76), Ablett. Subs: Rea, Coulter, Freeman.

Referee: M Pope.

City’s youth team are away to Macclesfield tomorrow.