DANIEL Farke’s decision to make wholesale changes to his starting line-up backfired as Leeds United crashed out of the FA Cup at home to Millwall.

Only skipper Ethan Ampadu retained his place for the fifth-round tie from the side which won at Coventry in midweek as the club’s Championship promotion charge was made a priority.

United’s main players were protected from cup action ahead of tomorrow night's league game at Watford and Millwall, who also rested a number of players, took full advantage with a 2-0 victory courtesy of two Femi Azeez strikes.

The South London outfit became the first side to prevent Leeds scoring at Elland Road since Burnley won 1-0 in mid-September, United’s last loss on home turf.

Farke said: “We need to move on quickly. I know when you’re not in your best rhythm it’s not always that easy.

It’s important the players don’t take this defeat too serious. We should be disappointed but from my side there is no moaning about this.”

Leeds boss Daniel Farke cut a frustrated figure. (Image: PA) Both Dan James and Joe Rodon were absent from the matchday squad with knocks.

“We didn’t want to risk injury. I hope to have them back for Tuesday evening. We have three normal nights to repair and recover. I hope the situation for Tuesday looks better,” said the Leeds chief.

Given he made ten changes it was not surprising that the Whites were nowhere near their best with the new midfield combination of Joe Rothwell and Joshua Guilivagi failing to control the game.

Millwall’s opener on the hour was a defensive mess.

Willy Gnonto tried to play himself out of trouble on the touchline but his pass put Isaac Schmidt in a tight spot.

Although the full-back may have been fouled the visitors won the ball, Azeez breezing past Ampadu and his shot deflected off Guilavogui past Karl Darlow.

It should have been 2-0 minutes later when Ampadu lost possession, Azeez shot against the bar and Luke Cundle headed the rebound wide with the goal gaping.

Veteran French international Guilavogui was struggling with the pace of the game and could have seen red, not yellow, for a foul on the impressive Casper De Norre before half-time.

The lively Azeez did double his side’s lead ten minutes after the restart as Guilavogui lost the ball, Millwall broke quickly and the Lions winger fired the ball past Darlow at the goalkeeper’s near post.

Femi Azeez was at the double for Millwall. (Image: PA) Leeds were handed a route back into the game when Cundle fouled Gnonto, operating as a number ten, but Pascal Struik’s spot-kick was brilliantly tipped on to the post by Millwall’s second string goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

That was one of several excellent stops by Roberts, who denied Gnonto, Rothwell and teenage full debutant Sam Chambers who showed some neat footwork on the right flank.

A disappointing afternoon for Leeds was compounded by Sheffield United’s 2-1 win against Portsmouth at Bramall Lane which cut the Whites' lead at the top of the Championship to two points.