Leeds ease through in Cup

Leeds eased through in the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy, despite a stubborn resistance from Grimsby Town for most of the first half.

Leeds made four changes from the side that beat Oldham Athletic at the weekend, Michalik, White, Gradel and Vokes replacing Bromby, Kisnorbo, Howson and Doyle.

The home side started on the front foot and Sam Vokes had a good chance inside the first minute but his header went over the bar.

In the fifth minute, a quick break by Leeds found Johnson at the back post but he took far too long on the ball and had to settle for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Forbes blocked Kilkenny`s shot rather unorthodoxly.

Grimsby had their first glimpse of goal soon afterwards and Clarke`s deflected shot went just wide of the post.

Grimsby were beginning to come into the game and looked dangerous on the break.

Former Leeds midfielder Peter Sweeney had the visitor`s next chance but his free kick was straight at Ankergren.

Max Gradel had Leeds first effort in quite a while, half way through the half but his shot went well over the bar.

Vokes had another headed chance for Leeds but once again cleared the bar after an excellent cross from Hughes.

Leeds were beginning to pressure the visitors defence and Kilkenny`s long range effort just cleared the bar.

The home side eventually took the lead with five minutes of the half remaining when Gradel`s drilled cross was turned into his own goal by Lancashire.

Grimsby would have been disappointed to be trailing at half time and it was made worse in the one minute of added time, Kilkenny played a one-two with Beckford before coolly picking his spot with a right foot shot that found the bottom corner.

Leeds extended their lead ten minutes into the second half when a good run by Johnson found Beckford whose quick foot work and shot found its way past Colgan in the Grimsby goal.

Grimsby quickly reduced the arrears when ex Leeds midfielder Peter Sweeney hit a sweet 25 yard shot which went in off the underside of the bar.

Andy Robinson returned from injury when he replaced Robert Snodgrass halfway through the second half, he was quickly in the action and had three long range efforts within ten minutes of coming on.

Grimsby had a chance to get right back into the game with eight minutes remaining when Wood was put through on goal but Ankergren came out to save his effort.

Leeds move into the Northern Area Semi Finals after this victory and are now just two ties away from the final at Wembley.

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