Who played for Middlesbrough Under-23s against Leeds United as Ashley Fletcher and Grant Hall feature

Boro boss Neil Warnock watched the match as first-team players Hayden Coulson, Djed Spence and goalkeeper Jordan Archer also started for the hosts.

Despite the Teessiders’ strong line-up, Leeds raced into a four-goal lead before half-time after goals from Nohan Kenneh and Max Dean as well as a brace from Joe Geldhart.

Cain Sykes scored twice for Boro in the second half, yet it was too little too late as Leeds moved 12 points clear at the top of Premier League 2, Division 2.

Boro are ninth in the table but just five points behind second-place Reading.

Graeme Lee’s side will now prepare for a meeting with Sunderland on Friday (2pm kick-off).

Boro XI: Archer, Sykes, Hall, Robinson, Kokolo, Hackney, Gibson, I. Fletcher (M. Dijksteel), Coulson, Spence, A. Fletcher.

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