A 43rd-minute goal from Onome Sodje denied United a winning start to their close season schedule, but McAllister admitted he had drawn encouragement from the attitude of his squad on their return from a short summer break.

Leeds kicked off their opening friendly at KitKat Crescent yesterday evening less than two months after the club's defeat to Doncaster Rovers in last season's League One play-off final, but McAllister's players will fly out for their tour of Eire next week on the back of a lively stalemate against York.

A remarkable crowd of 4,405, which included 2,287 of United's supporters and forced a 15-minute delay to the scheduled kick-off time, watched Sodje cancel out a 25th-minute strike from Jermaine Beckford.

McAllister took the opportunity to field 23 different players during the clash with City, and United's boss, who recalled his squad for the start of pre-season training last Friday, said: "There were little glimpses of quality and some good performances but it was all about getting 45 minutes of match practice, and getting closer to match fitness.

"A few guys are blowing in (the dressing room), and they've worked really hard this week. It's been a good start for us, and a promising one.

"Our training's been very impressive so far, and I've been really pleased with the players' attitude.

"They've come back in good shape and with the right mentality, and it's good that they've got 45 minutes under their belt now.

"We scored a well-worked goal and (Beckford) was hungry for it. He looked quite threatening and we worked the ball well in the first half. At times we looked decent."

Beckford opened the scoring with a close-range volley after Andrew Hughes picked out the striker with a measured cross from the right wing and Leeds were dominating the contest until Sodje forced home a scrappy effort at the end of the first half.

McAllister fielded a completely new line-up at the start of the second period, handing debuts to new signings Andy Robinson and Enoch Showunmi, and United's boss is now preparing to name his squad for the club's three-match tour of Ireland which begins with a friendly against Galway United on Wednesday night.

Last night's fixture was United's first appearance since their loss to Doncaster at Wembley and McAllister said: "I don't think we'll be seeing any ill-effects from last season.

"There's a good atmosphere among the players, and that game is dead and buried. That's how you have to see it.

"We can look back with a bit or pride at the season as a whole, but we've got plenty to look forward to and plenty to concentrate on.

"We're looking forward to the trip to Ireland now, and we can get some proper work done there and really bond everyone together."

McAllister was given a minor scare last night when Bradley Johnson limped from the field at KitKat Crescent four minutes from time, but a minor hip injury is not expected to affect the midfielder's involvement in United's Irish tour.

McAllister said: "He got an awkward knock on his hip, but he'll be fine."

Meanwhile, Luton boss Mick Harford has committed his future to the League Two outfit despite the club being handed a 30-point penalty.

The Football League announced a 20-point deduction for applying to come out of administration in addition to an earlier 10-point penalty for breaching rules over payments to players' agents.

But the former Town player has vowed to stay despite being out of contract since May and facing the daunting penalty.

Harford has cited the honesty and vision of incoming owners LTFC 2020 as the main reason for staying at Kenilworth Road.

He said: "I have a great deal of experience in the game but never before have I been so encouraged and enthusiastic about working in such a strong management team.

"It won't be easy by any means (to stay in the League) but the team we're building will be strong in character and will rise to the challenge."