NEW signing Dino Baggio made an encouraging debut for Rovers reserves but his presence in midfield failed to prevent Alan Murray's men from slipping to their first defeat of the new season.

In a game packed with incident, both sides had a man sent off and Rovers missed a second half penalty.

But it was Leeds who ultimately came out on top thanks to a stunning second half strike from Jamie Winter.

Nevertheless, there was plenty of positives to emerge from the game for watching Rovers boss Graeme Souness, not least the performance of Baggio and an encouraging debut from 16-year-old Academy striker Keith Barker.

Baggio completed a full 90 minutes and showed flashes of the ability that won him 60 caps for the Italian national side.

In fact, the on-loan Lazio midfielder nearly marked his first competitive game in Rovers colours with a spectacular goal but the woodwork came to the visitors' rescue.

Barker, meanwhile, claimed an assist after supplying the cross for Ciccio Grabbi's equaliser which capped an impressive night's work for the Under 17 hit-man.

Rovers started brightly and visiting keeper Scott Carson was forced into making his first meaningful save of the evening when he reacted sharply to keep out a Grabbi free-kick which looked destined for the top corner.

Then a goal-bound effort from Barker was deflected over and Nissa Johansson headed wide from the resulting corner.

But just as the home side appeared to be building up a head of steam, referee Jim Tattan intervened by showing Gary Harkins a second yellow card for an innocuous-looking challenge in the 32nd minute.

As Rovers regrouped, Leeds struck with their first serious attack eight minutes later.

Aaron Lennon, the 16-year-old striker who made his debut for the first team recently, wriggled to the by-line on the right before cutting the ball back for Winter whose shot was cleared off the line but Simon Johnson made no mistake from the rebound.

Two minutes later, it was United's turn to be reduced to 10 men when Simon Walton saw red for bringing down Barker on the edge of the box as he bore down on goal.

That gave Rovers renewed impetus and Baggio nearly scored a brilliant goal with a thunderous drive that bounced back off the crossbar.

Leeds' reprieve lasted just sixty seconds, however, as Barker's cross found Grabbi who lashed a volley into the bottom corner.

There was no let-up in the action in the second half.

Leeds regained the lead in the 53rd when Winter unleashed a 30-yard thunderbolt that rocketed into the bottom corner.

Rovers kept persevering and Ciaran Donnelly was desperately unlucky to strike the bar with a fierce drive.

Grabbi then missed a golden chance to bag his second of the night when Tattan pointed to the spot after the Italian was fouled in the box by Robert Constable, but he planted his penalty against the base of the post.

ROVERS: Yelldell, Peers, McEveley, Donnelly, Taylor, Johansson, Harkins, Baggio, Grabbi, Barker, Mahon. Subs: Nelson (for Barker, 52), Morgan (for Grabbi, 81) Not used: Pelzer, Bruce, Renton.

LEEDS: Carson, McStay, Domi, Keegan, Walton, Constable, Lennon, Winter, McMaster, Woods, Johnson. Subs: Krief (for Winter, 79), Armstrong (for Johnson, 79) Not used: Coyles, Stiens, Gray.

Referee: J Tattan (Merseyside)

ROVERS RESERVES...1

LEEDS RESERVES... 2