Will kills off Leeds hopes in Boro success

Will Annan proved to be the punisher in chief as he pounced to bag the only goal of the day to make it four wins in out of six in their preparations for the Evo-Stik Premier season.

The game moved away to a tepid start, with Leeds being happy to retain possession in the defence and midfield, Boro trying to break at pace when they were given the chance.

Despite all Leeds' retention of the ball, they did little to hurt the Boro back-line, even though the Championship youngsters gained more and more confidence the longer the first half went on.

The deadlock was still unbroken going into the break, but that was due mainly to two outstanding saves by either keeper.

Firstly, Wayne Brooksby was brilliantly denied by the palms of Bridlington youngster Harrison Male in the Leeds goal, that came after the Boro man had been flicked in by Michael Coulson.

Then Boro's Tommy Taylor was at his best when he pushed away a point-blank drive from Eunan O'Kane, who had ghosted forward from the midfield.

Having set these high standards, Leeds let theirs slip at the back and allowed Boro in to take the lead just after the interval.

Oliver Casey headed the ball beyond keeper Male and then collided with his teammate. Will Annan took full advantage, lifting the ball into the back of the net.

Leeds had the opportunity to hit back almost immediately when Josh Lacey's backpass fell short and was intercepted by sub Kun Temenuzhkov, but he smashed against the post.

Coulson was the next to squirm free in the box, but having elected the lift the ball over the advancing stopper, his effort ended up in the grateful Male's hands.

Annan was unlucky not to add his second of the afternoon after 73 minutes when he linked up delightfully with Coulson, but stabbed his shot just wide.

Leeds, despite sending on a host of substitutes, continued to look a real threat, with the lively Oliver Sarkic drilling wide after the ball had fallen to him in the box.

The game once again dampened down as the rain started to fall, though there was still time for a couple of half chances.

Michael Coulson collected a lengthy throw from Lacey and spun, but his strike skewed over the bar.

There was a similar fate for Temenuzhkov's drive after he had steadied himself on the edge of the box.

That was the last test of Boro's defence as Tommy Taylor departed with a clean-sheet and Steve Kittrick's men left with a good victory.