Scott Gardner: We deserved our point today | OneFootball

A young Leeds United Under-21s showed their character on Friday afternoon in West London as they rallied from two goals down to earn a point against Chelsea Under-21s.

United fell behind late in the first half and conceded early in the second, but always looked more than a match for their opposition despite the setback. Fine goals from Freddie Lane and Rhys Chadwick saw the Whites emerge with a point against the PL2’s second placed side and they now move just three points off the league’s playoff places.

Following the draw, Under-21s lead coach Scott Gardner spoke to leedsunited.com.

“I felt like we deserved our point today,” Gardner explained. “They have done unbelievably well to get back into it.

“It is just about believing in yourself and backing yourself because I thought there was nothing between the sides, before the first goal definitely.

“We talked a lot in the last couple of weeks about ‘maybe the results have not gone our way but there have been moments in games where we have looked really good.’

“It felt like the last couple of games, we have had some nice bits, but we have lacked a little bit of that cutting edge at both sides of the pitch that we showed today.

“I am really pleased for him,” Gardner then responded, speaking about 18-year-old goalscorer Lane. “A long time out, and I think in the last run of games we have seen more from him. He just needs to keep pushing.

“And obviously it is a young side today. There is always a pathway for the younger players to come in. If they are consistent with Rob Etherington in the Under-18s, we will give them the chance with us.”