Micky Cook threatened to spoil the party at Elland Road and his young Colchester United side did just that in this famous old stadium.

The U's youth team boss was substitute for the famous 1971 FA Cup win against Don Revie's side and he was quick to remind his young troops just what underdogs can achieve.

He told them to forget the millions Premiership clubs can afford to throw at their youth team systems and the young U's took in his words of wisdom to the letter.

Leeds, FA Youth Cup winners twice in the 1990s, can count themselves lucky still to be in the competition after surviving a catalogue of scares at this intimidating arena.

And the young U's can hold their heads up high after a night of drama which included magnificent penalty saves from both keepers.

The U's - playing in front of watching first team boss Steve Whitton and the club's owner Peter Heard - battled gamely and were unfortunate not to book their fifth round place against Wimbledon.

Leeds' young guns were unable to make their territorial advantage pay and were always in danger of being carved open at the back by the U's hard-working midfield.

KK Opara - one of six U's players with first team experience - set up Marc Canham but his snap-shot whistled over the crossbar.

The U's, with lionheart skipper Jack Wignall commanding at the back, were always able to snuff out any danger.

They survived Leeds' only serious effort of the first half when England Under 18 international Jamie McMaster's effort went sailing over Andy Walker's goal.

But the real drama was saved for the final minutes of the opening period when the U's began to increase in confidence.

Opara's neat work down the right saw Canham get on the end of his cross but the lively midfielder's 25-yarder went inches over.

Then Sean Hillier's run was ended inside the area when he was hauled down by Leeds keeper Chad Harpur.

It earned the battling U's a 43rd-minute penalty, but after Hillier had dusted himself down his spot-kick was brilliantly saved by the athletic Harpur.

The let-off gave Leeds a boost and they dominated the early exchanges of the second period.

Harpal Singh, a constant menace down the left for Leeds, weaved the magic in the 49th minute to set up striker Simon Johnson but Walker was at his best to deny him.

The U's keeper, who made his debut for the senior side against Blackpool last season, kept his best moment until the 56th minute after Sam Okafor brought down McMaster inside the area.

His tackle earned the home side a penalty of their own but Walker pulled off a spectacular save to deny Alan Cawley's well struck spot-kick.

The U's hit back and Hillier, a pocket dynamo down the right, was behind most of the visitors' attacking threats.

He threaded the ball through for Ricky Metcalf to go it alone in the 75th minute but the striker's side-foot effort was saved well by Harpur.

The U's had further chances to snatch a famous victory late on when Okafor and Pinault had shots comfortably dealt with.

Now they will have another chance to beat Leeds at Layer Road next Thursday.

Colchester's young guns get stuck in at Elland Road against Leeds United

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