DJ Campbell grabs two as Leicester City Reserves romp to comfortable win

Two goals from DJ Campbell and another from Max Gradel helped secure a 4-1 win for Leicester City Reserves against Tranmere Reserves in the Totesport.com Cup at the Walkers Stadium last night.

The pair hit the target as Gerry Taggart's men made it two wins out of two in the group stages of the competition. Luke O'Neill scored City's fourth.

Club skipper Stephen Clemence continued his return to full fitness after an 18-month injury lay-off by starting last night's game and City were ahead after eight minutes when Campbell scored with a header from Astrit Ajdarevic's left-wing cross.

Tranmere managed a decent response and, four minutes later, Kithson Bain's goalbound effort was pushed away by City keeper Carl Pentney.

City had a break after 23 minutes, but Adi Yussuf shot straight at the keeper.

Yussuf was similarly wasteful on the half-hour after latching on to Luke O'Neill's right-wing cross but volleying over.

Yussuf was replaced at half-time by free-scoring Academy product Elliott Chamberlain and within 30 seconds he burst clear of the defence but his shot was smothered.

Gradel had threatened very little in the first hour, except for a long-range effort comfortably held by keeper Joe Callister.

Clemence left the action after 65 minutes to be replaced by Ben Milnes.

After 69 minutes, Gradel earned his reward, sliding in at the far post to turn in a Chamberlain cross and increase City's advantage.

Bain pulled a goal back for Tranmere after 79 minutes before Campbell's close-range finish and an O'Neill header wrapped up the win.

City: Pentney, O'Neill, Ajdarevic, Hicks, Bolger, Parkes, Gradel, Clemence, Yussuf, Campbell, John. Subs: Milnes, Ambrusics, Chamberlain, Hoban, Moore.