Harry Gray earned more valuable minutes for the Leeds Under-21s as they claimed a dramatic late win against Sporting Lisbon’s under-21s side.
Having joined James Milner in an exclusive club by taking his place in Leeds’ Premier League squad for the game against Wolves, the exciting prospect returned to the academy side for their Premier League International Cup fixture.
Although Gray did not find the scoresheet, he led the line as the Whites pulled off a dramatic late victory, coming from behind to win 2-1.
Reuben Lopata-White was the hero for Leeds on this occasion as his header secured the win in the 90th minute. However, Gray was not on the field at this stage, in a potential hint towards his involvement with the senior squad against Bournemouth this weekend.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesHarry Gray substituted in Leeds United under-21s win
Wearing the number nine shirt, Gray started as Leeds’ main striker as they faced high-quality opposition in Sporting Lisbon’s under-21s.
Gray was lively for Leeds, testing the keeper in the first half with a free-kick which was reminiscent of the one he scored in his hat-trick against Scunthorpe in the National League Cup.
However, Gray did not play the full 90 minutes on this occasion. He was substituted midway through the second half, as Leeds searched for a winner in the game.
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Speculating that this may be to save his legs in case Daniel Farke needs him at the weekend, former Leeds left-back Ben Parker praised Gray on the LUTV coverage of the game.
Parker said: “It just goes to show his form at the start of the season and the rewards that you can have as a young player.”
Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty ImagesReuben Lopata-White is the hero for Leeds
With Gray’s involvement limited to an hour, Leeds had to find a winning goal without their star man on the field.
Leeds had already been forced to come from behind after Rayhan Momade opened the scoring in the first half, scoring from inside the box after 22 minutes.
The young Whites found their way back into the game on the stroke of half-time as Harry Vincent reacted first to tuck home a cross from Rhys Chadwick.
Leeds’ winner came from a free kick on the edge of the box. As the Sporting defenders prepared for a shot from Chadwick, the Leeds man delivered a pinpoint cross that Louie Whitehead nodded back across goal for Lopata-White to head home.