Leeds were unceremoniously dumped out of the Caribou Cup on penalties by League 2 outfit Salford City, as three former players from yesteryear came back to haunt them. Matt Smith had put the hosts ahead on 34 minutes, rising highest to head Luke Garbutt's cross past the despairing dive of Karl Darlow; and it stayed that way until fifteen minutes before the end.

Sam Greenwood had just been bought on, at the expense of Archie Gray. His first touch of the ball, a free kick on the edge of the Accies penalty area caused panic amongst their defenders, allowing Pascal Struijk to double his tally for the season from close range.

It was nothing more than Leeds deserved. With 70% possession and 33 strikes at goal (a new Leeds record) the Whites must have been wondering why they weren't comfortably ahead. The answer being Alex Cairns, the Salford shot stopper. The 30yo had spent four years at Elland Road learning his trade, before moving around in the lower leagues. He was equal to everything Leeds threw at him, and on the odd occasion he was beaten, the woodwork came to his rescue.

With the scoreline deadlocked after 90 minutes, the match went to penalties. If it had been settled by dodge ball, Leeds would have won handsomely. Somehow Darlow managed to evade the ball on every occasion, even when diving the right way.

Rutter and Shackleton missed for Leeds as Salford City ran out 9-8 winners, progressing to the third round of the League Cup for the first time in their history.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
		Darlow, Karl Goalkeeper
		Shackleton, Jamie Midfielder
		Cresswell, Charlie Defender
		Struijk, Pascal Defender
		Hjelde, Leo Defender
		Ampadu, Ethan Midfielder
		Gray, Archie Midfielder
		Summerville, Crysencio Midfielder
		Gelhardt, Joe Forward
		Gnonto, Wilfried Midfielder
		Rutter, Georginio Forward
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
		Sinisterra, Luis Midfielder
		Greenwood, Sam Midfielder
		Meslier, Illan Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
		Ayling, Luke Defender		Unused Sub
		Klaesson, Kristoffer Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
		Rodon, Joe Defender		Unused Sub
		Gyabi, Darko Midfielder		Unused Sub
		Bate, Lewis Midfielder		Unused Sub
		Drameh, Cody Defender		Unused Sub

	References
	LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2023/2024
	Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2023-24
	Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2023/24