Adrian Forbes’ side started the brighter with two good chances in the opening minutes. Firstly, Aidan Francis-Clark went close with a header before Archie Heron shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The young Hatters came even closer on the 12-minute mark when Jake Burger saw a shot saved before Leeds defender Diogo Monteiro volleyed a clearance against his own post.

Burger then saw a shot tipped over the bar with an angled drive on 19 minutes as the Town hunted the opener.

However, the first half wore on, the visitors began to get on top and the Yorkshire side hit a quickfire double to put them in command ten minutes before the break.

Sonny Perkins fired in the first, drilling a shot beyond Oliver Camis in the Hatters goal and barely a minute later Charlie Allen’s shot from outside the area flew past Camis.

Behind at the break, the Town rallied in the second period. Six minutes after the restart Burger’s free-kick was saved and just after the hour mark Joe Johnson’s deep cross was headed goalwards by Oli Lynch.

With 20 minutes left Alex Piesold drove an effort over as the Hatters sought a goal to give them hope before As the game entered its final 10 minutes, Francis-Clarke tested Cristy once more, this time the Leeds stopper saving well to keep out the Town’s defender’s well-hit goalbound drive from 25 yards.Camis then prevented Leeds from putting the game beyond doubt on 83 minutes when stopping Luca Thomas’ effort from the edge of the Hatters penalty area.Burger volleyed a late effort just wide, narrowly missing out on a deserved goal, as the Hatters ended their Premier League Cup campaign with a sixth defeat from their six matches.

Town: Camis, Pinnington, Johnson, Piesold, Francis-Clarke, Bateson, Heron (sub Lorentzen-Jones 72) Burger, Lynch, Phillips, Matthews-Lewis (sub Anderson 77).

Subs not used: Blackledge, Kayibanda, Allen.

Attendance: 470