The game started with periods of possession for both sides but a well-worked move involving Brodie Hughes, Xavier Simons and Dion Rankine resulted in Rankine cutting the ball back and finding Ballo who directed his effort into the net.

There were opportunities to score more goals, most notably from Simons who seemingly had an open goal, but Leeds shot-stopper Dani van den Heuvel somehow clawed the ball onto the post to prevent a second goal in the game.

Amari Miller for the away side had an open goal of his own which he missed from point-blank range but despite that, we kept the away side relatively quiet throughout the game with Teddy Sharman-Lowe only needing to make one save of note.

This win takes us out of the relegation zone to 12th with two games in hand over all three teams directly above us.

Team news

Andy Myers named an unchanged side from the team that drew last time out with West Ham as Harvey Vale who made another men's first-team appearance in yesterday’s FA Cup win over Middlesbrough was deemed able to start for our development side.

Xavier Mbuyamba who netted a brace in the reverse fixture against the away side was named on the bench while the other goalscorer in that fixture, Lewis Baker, has since departed for Stoke City.

Ballo strikes again

We could not have asked for a better start as following a lovely ball down the line from Brodie Hughes which released Dion Rankine, the winger played an inch perfect cut-back which found Ballo who finished well; his second in as many games since his return from a loan spell at Vitesse.

Following the goal, both sides enjoyed periods of possession with technical quality on display, but it was a game of few clear-cut chances.

Archie Gray had the Yorkshire side’s clearest opportunity as he found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a shot which almost gave Sharman-Lowe in goal some trouble, but the strike went wide.

In search for a second

Ballo almost created a chance out of nothing just before half-time. Jinking his way into the box beating a few Leeds defenders, he somehow poked the ball to Jayden Wareham whose goal-bound shot was blocked well.

There was enough time for Harvey Vale to beat his man on the stroke of half-time and sting the gloves of Van den Heuvel as a good stop prevented our development squad from doubling the lead.

One minute into the second half we should have been 2-0 up as a lovely ball played in behind released the pacy Rankine who beat the offside trap and one on one with the keeper, he unselfishly laid the ball to Xavier Simons, but Van den Heuvel was able to make up the distance and deflect the effort onto the post when it seemingly looked destined to go in. A fantastic save.

The pressure was mounting on our opponents, and they were lucky to have not conceded a penalty as a rash tackle on Wareham was waved away by the referee despite appeals from all the players. A massive let-off.

We were suffocating our opponents as we fashioned another opportunity with Rankine dancing his way past two challenges. He found Ballo who swivelled and attempted a first-time finish that went over despite having more time than he probably knew.

It took 75 minutes for Leeds to have their first real opportunity which almost brought them an equaliser.

Job done

Max Dean’s effort from a free-kick was saved well by Sharman-Lowe but he could only parry to Amari Miller and with the goal gaping he put his shot wide.

Our boys managed to see the game out excellently, keeping possession and preventing any other chances for the away side.

Three points secured and we move out of the relegation zone with Blackburn playing Derby County tomorrow. Nonetheless, as we are two points behind Leeds in 11th place and we have two games in hand over them, Myers and the rest of the boys will be in good spirits that we can steer clear of relegation.

Due to an international break, our development squad will next be in action on Sunday 3 April when they travel to Merseyside to face Liverpool.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ted Sharman-Lowe; Brodi Hughes, Josh Brooking, Bashir Humphreys (c); Dylan Williams, Xavier Simons (Lewis Hall 70), George McEachran, Dion Rankine (Charlie Webster 82); Jayden Wareham (George Nunn 76), Thierno Ballo, Harvey Vale.

Unused subs Lucas Bergstrom, Xavier Mbuyamba.Scorer Thierno Ballo 14.Booked Xavier Simons 21; Thierno Ballo 67; George Nunn 90+2.

Leeds United (3-4-3): Dani Van Den Heuvel; Harvey Sutcliffe, Liam McCarron, Nohan Kenneh, Jeremiah Mullen, Jack Jenkins (c), Amari Miller, Lewis Bate (Joe Snowdon 60), Max Dean, Archie Gray (Charlie Allen 68), Stuart McKinstry (Mateo Joseph 85).

Unused subs Harry Christy, Sean McGurk.Booked Jack Jenkins 3; Max Dean 90+3.