The Whites began well but without overly troubling Saints keeper Alex McCarthy whose side went ahead in the 24th minute through clinical striker Adam Armstrong who had been played in by Will Smallbone. It proved the only goal of the game.
Leeds had plenty of possession after the break but Daniel Farke's Whites were unable to find a way back, substitute Dan James coming closest when seeing his thunderous strike crash back off the crossbar. After James clashed heads with Kyle Walker-Peters, the contest went to 11 minutes of added time but the Saints held firm to seal their place in the Premier League next term.
Bengal Brasserie Arena Quarter – serving authentic Indian cuisine in the heart of the city. Proudly supporting Leeds United and the YEP.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from an awful afternoon at Wembley for the Whites whose dreadful play-offs curse continues.
7. Glen Kamara
5 - Wasn't enough of a factor in the first half. Didn't give Leeds control of the middle. Couldn't get on the ball to link defence and attack well enough. Photo: Mike Hewitt
8. Willy Gnonto
6 - Some early promise down the right. Didn't quite catch his shot when well placed. Took up some good positions in the second half before being replaced. Photo: Alex Pantling
9. Crysencio Summerville
5 - Struggled to create under heavy pressure in the first half. Set-pieces were poor. Didn't make anything happen. Withdrawn for the last 15 minutes. Photo: Adam Davy
10. Georginio Rutter
6 - Leeds' most likely creator. Won free-kicks, made some nice runs and dribbles. End product was lacking but the effort wasn't. Photo: Alex Pantling
11. Joel Piroe
5 - Very little impact in the first half. Made more of a scrap of it in the second but couldn't make something happen offensively. Photo: Alex Pantling
12. Dan James (sub)
8 - Added another dimension with the ball in behind. Hit the crossbar, drew a save from McCarthy. Threw himself into the task, quite literally. Photo: Alex Pantling