Despite neither goal being breached the Blades Reserves and Leeds United served up an interesting, well-fought affair at Don Valley Stadium on Wednesday night.

Two young teams - with only ex Owl David Lucas and the Blades' Nick Montgomery returning from injury with any real experience - played the game properly and both could have won with better finishing.

Elliott half-volleyed the first chance well over as Leeds made the better start and although Kerry wasn't far over with a floated 20 yard chip, the visitors continued to look more threatening and the Blades were relieved that Elliott, particularly, kept missing the target.

United were finding it difficult to find space up front as Leeds closed down quickly, and goalkeeper Ho Lee should have at least been tested when Lees headed a corner-kick wide.

As the half neared its close there were signs that the Blades were getting to grips with the game as Abdi took the eye with some delightful skills and Kerry forced Lucas into tipping the ball over the top.

On the restart United escaped when Elliott's centre flashed across goal with no-one getting a vital touch, then Hotchkiss blazed too high.

At the other end Kyle Naughton surged past two defenders on a run to the edge of the area but his shot skipped just a yard past the left-hand upright.

In the 54th minute Leeds really should have opened the scoring from a corner-kick but United scrambled at least two efforts away in a crowded six yard box, and a minute later Ameobi put a header virtually at Ho Lee from point blank range.

From then on, though, the Blades made a couple of substitutions and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

They produced their best move of the game through Quinn and Naughton but Donnelly - perhaps surprised to suddenly have space - snatched at a good opportunity and lifted it over.

Although Elliott had one more decent strike fly just wide, the energy was with United now and Ashmore hurriedly blazed another drive too high, and then Wedgbury came closest of all, turning to smack the ball against the post.

Coach Ron Reid: "It was an excellent game of football. People complain about Reserve football but they couldn't argue about this one - two teams trying to play and in the end they cancelled each other out.

"There were lots of positives we can take from this, as can Leeds. Chapman was very composed and the two centre-backs, Ross and Chanot, were excellent."

United: Ho Lee; Chapman, Chanot, Ross, Walker; Ashmore, Kerry (K Quinn 60), Montgomery, Eagers (Donnelly 57); Abdi (Wedgbury 74), Naughton.
Unused: Lowton.

Leeds: Lucas; Gardner (Darville 70), Madden, Bayly, Lees, Wilkinson, Rothery, Hotchkiss, Ameobi, Elliott (Ovington 73), Delph (Cartman 63).
Unused: Edwards, Grace.