City Academy boss Gregor Rioch was proud of his players despite slipping to a dramatic 4-3 defeat at the hands of Leeds in the FA Premier Academy League.

The Sky Blues battled back from 4-1 down to almost snatch a point in Yorkshire with under-16's striker Shaun Jeffers stepping off the substitutes bench to bag a second-half brace.

"It was very disappointing to concede four goals away from home," said Rioch, "especially as we gifted Leeds at least three of them.

"But I was pleased with the attitude of the players in the second-half and we must now play like that for 90 minutes.

"Had we not conceded the fourth goal we could well have walked away with a result. I was especially pleased with the two under-16 players who both came on and looked very comfortable at this level."

The Sky Blues started the brighter of the two sides at Leeds' Thorpe Arch training complex and there were only two minutes on the clock when striker Ashley Cain made a powerful run down the inside left and crossed for Reiss Ashraf , who's weak shot rolled comfortably through to the goalkeeper.

It was a chance City were left to rue as Leeds opened the scoring just three minutes later.

A dangerous free-kick caused problems in the box and the unfortunate Ashraf sliced an attempted clearance into his own net from 12 yards.

Leeds made it 2-0 when they scored from a counter attack when a misplaced pass was intercepted and the home side broke away with pace and scored past Neil Collett.

And they raced further ahead soon after when Curtis Wynter took too many touches 20 yards out and was caught in possession by their striker who calmly slotted past Collett.

The Sky Blues came out after the half time break much the better team and began to dominate the game. An early free kick won on the edge of the box was executed nicely by Kieran Fitzharris to pull the score back to 3-1.

But things turned from triumph to despair moments later when Leeds capitalised on a mistake from Dean Marshall to grab a fourth goal.

Nevertheless, Rioch's young men battled back. Another substitute appearance from Academy U16 starlet Shaun Jeffers by pulling a goal back with a masterful finish.

Then another well executed set piece delivery from Fitzharris found Jeffers in the box and the youngster pounced to reduce the deficit and ensure a nail biting climax.

The Sky Blues could have stolen a share of the spoils in the dying seconds but the ball wouldn't fall kindly for Cain and landed safely into the goalkeeper's hands.

Coventry City: Collett, Wynter (Robinson, 46), Hollist, Richie, Grandison, Francis, Frazer, Fitzharris, Ashraf (J.Grandison, 70), Cain, Marshall (Jeffers, 70). Subs: (Not Used) Quirke, Burgess

Goals: Fitzharris (50), Jeffers (70, 85)