Leeds United failed to secure a fourth pre-season win in as many games, as the Whites crashed to defeat against League One outfit Peterborough at the ABAX Stadium in front of a crowd of 4,125.

Leeds United arrived at the ABAX Stadium seeking to continue their fine form in pre-season. Prior to this clash, United had seen off Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers, and Guiseley, and so the incentive on offer was a fourth win in four pre-season matches.

United took the lead on 16 minutes through Alex Mowatt, and the visitors appeared to be in complete control of the match.

However, they were caught cold twice by Shaquille Coulthirst in the second-half, as the former York City man netted an impressive brace to inflict a first defeat on United under Garry Monk's tutelage.

Team News

The team that saw off the challenge of Guiseley at Nethermoor last night was a blend of youngsters and first-team players. With that in mind, Garry Monk opted for the following team.

Rob Green, Alex Purver, Kyle Bartley, Sol Bamba, Charlie Taylor, Matt Grimes, Luke Murphy, Alex Mowatt, Hadi Sacko, Kemar Roofe, and Marcus Antonsson all started the game in an attacking 4-3-3 formation.

The bench was a youthful one, consisting of goalkeeper Will Huffer, defender Michael Taylor, midfielder Jamie Shackleton, and forward Jack McKay.

First Half

It was the visitors who created the game's first opportunity on 2 minutes. Intelligent play from Kemar Roofe created space for Alex Mowatt, who saw his effort from outside the area parried by Peterborough stopper Ben Alnwick.

Mowatt would have another chance just 5 minutes later, the academy graduate turned away from the Peterborough defenders on the edge of the box, before firing in a shot that was deflected into the arms of Alnwick.

It would be a case of third time lucky though, as it was indeed Mowatt who gave United the lead on 16 minutes. Some swift, slick passing saw the ball find its way to Kemar Roofe, who proceeded to turn his marker inside out before crossing into Mowatt who volleyed the ball into the back of the net from inside the area. 1-0 to United on 16 minutes and just the reward that their early dominance merited.

Just 4 minutes after the opening goal, and Roofe came awfully close to scoring a goal of his own. A sweeping break ended with Antonsson feeding Roofe, who then curled a shot just wide of the post.

Roofe was orchestrating much of United's forward forays, and with 23 minutes played he nearly assisted Mowatt once more. The former Oxford talisman squared for the midfielder, who could only conjure up a low effort that was straight at the keeper.

For much of the opening 30 minutes, Rob Green had been left with little to do. However, the former England man was almost given a rude awakening on 36 minutes, as a lapse in concentration from himself and Sol Bamba allowed Shaquille Coulthirst an opportunity to equalise. The pair however were spared their blushes as Alex Purver hacked the ball off the line after Coulthirst opted to shoot, and the score remained 1-0.

Just moments later and Leeds came agonizingly close to doubling their advantage through Hadi Sacko. The Frenchman broke through on the right before attempting to squeeze in a shot past Alnwick, but the keeper saved and Sacko failed to finish the rebound.

The last opportunity of the first period would go to Peterborough in first-half stoppage time. Shaquille Coulthirst was fouled on the edge of the Leeds penalty area by Alex Purver, but the resulting free-kick came to nothing, as Paul Taylor leathered it over the bar and into the stand.

Half Time - Peterborough 0-1 Leeds United - Mowatt (16)

United's positive passing, along with their dictation of the game's fast-paced tempo, saw them edge out their opponents in the first-half with relative ease. The Whites deservedly led at the break thanks to Alex Mowatt's goal, which came after fantastic creative play from Kemar Roofe.

United could and should have had a larger lead at the interval though, after creating a whole host of chances that were not put to bed.

Second Half

After enjoying such dominance during the first-period, the fact that it took just 5 second-half minutes for United's lead to be cancelled out came as a major surprise. A long ball was played forward and headed down into the path of Coulthirst, who was allowed too much time to steady himself before lashing a volley into the bottom corner from 25 yards out. 1-1, and United were made to rue their missed opportunities.

Just 10 minutes later and Peterborough came mightily close to turning the game on it's head thanks to Marcus Maddison. The former Gateshead man fired across goal only to see his effort fly just wide of Rob Green's left-hand post.

On the 63rd minute both managers opted to make changes to their side, with Garry Monk throwing on Jack McKay for Kemar Roofe, and Grant McCann opted to replace Jermaine Anderson with recent signing Gwion Edwards.

United had surpassed 60 minutes of game time for the first time under Garry Monk's tutelage, and as Monk's men began to tire, Peterborough struck again to take the lead on 65 minutes. Coulthirst added a second goal of the game with another high-class finish into the bottom corner from 25 yards out to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

The increasingly lethargic Leeds did not create another opportunity of their own until the 77th minute, when Marcus Antonsson fed Hadi Sacko. Sacko went for goal, but Alnwick stood tall and beat the shot away with his chest to keep Peterborough's lead intact.

Peterborough then decided to make another substitution, with Callum Chettle replacing Leonardo Da Silva Lopez.

United huffed and puffed to try and find a way back into the game, and a nice exchange of passes on 82 minutes presented Jack McKay with an opportunity to level up the scores. However, the young Scot passed up the chance, lashing the ball high into the away end rather than into the back of the net.

Leeds pushed forward once more just 2 minutes later, but Hadi Sacko was once again denied by Alnwick in the Peterborough goal, who moved decisively to block the Frenchman's low effort.

Marcus Maddison almost killed the game off in the last minute with an audacious, looping effort that went just wide of Rob Green's right-hand post.

That would prove to be the last action of the game, as Peterborough's improved second-half showing was enough to see off United on this occasion.

Full Time - Peterborough 2-1 Leeds United - Coulthirst (50 , 60) Mowatt (16)

Summary

Well, a first defeat of pre-season for Leeds United, and a rather disappointing one given the impressive first-half display. Both Kemar Roofe and Alex Mowatt impressed, and although United looked composed on the ball throughout the first period, there were no further positives of note after the break.

Unfortunately, critics of the pre-season schedule were proven right today, as Leeds really began to tire from the 60th minute onwards, and they had no answer to Coulthirst's stunning brace as a result. Peterborough went on to secure victory with the help of Alnwick in goal, who made several crucial stops to deny the Whites throughout the game.

United though must refrain from dwelling on this disappointment; as Garry Monk's men still have one more friendly in which they can secure an important victory to gain momentum ahead of the trip to Queens Park Rangers on the 6th of August. The friendly in question is due to take place at Elland Road next Saturday, with Serie A side Atalanta providing the opposition.

Atalanta's roster boasts reputable internationals such as Mauricio Pinilla and Carlos Carmona, and so the game will prove to be a stern test of United's abilities. The Whites will have to be at their best to beat the boys from Bergamo, and we'll have all the action right here, on To Ell and Back.

Photo: Action Images

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