Pre-season matches can be as mundane as they are perfunctory, but Leeds arrived in York at the start of their schedule of friendlies with no obvious signs of festering wounds sustained in or carried from the League One play-off final in May.

Though Gary McAllister may have privately wondered how severe the after-effects of United's defeat to Doncaster Rovers would be, there were few worthwhile concerns raised by their 1-1 draw at KitKat Crescent.

His players looked reassuringly lean – unaffected, in the main, by their recent break from training – and approached their game against York City with a satisfying level of interest.

In the stadium's uncovered terracing, reserved for away crowds, almost 2,300 of United's supporters braved the rain and the lack of a competitive edge to witness the club's first performance of the summer. Neither sight smacked of a club wallowing in their own failure.

The first game of the close season is traditionally designed as a fitness exercise, a fact epitomised by McAllister's decision to field a total of 23 players over the course of 90 minutes and different line-ups at the start of each half, but United's following were typically oblivious to the lack of significance surrounding last night's match.

The travelling pack provided half of the 4,405 attendance seen at KitKat Crescent, a figure which unexpectedly eclipsed the impressive crowd drawn in for the pre-season match between the clubs at the same ground exactly 12 months ago. York will do well to attract a larger gathering at any stage of next season.

So beleaguered were Leeds in the summer of 2007 that Dennis Wise, their equally besieged manager, relied on a blend of trialists, out-of-contract professionals and academy players to fulfil the game in York. Had it not been for the express permission of the Football Association, who sanctioned the game despite United's struggle to conclude their period in administration, the friendly would not even have kicked off.

McAllister can count himself blessed that as a result of the club's defiant rehabilitation last season, in which he played his part, he was able to look out on a large and settled squad yesterday – and one consisting entirely of players who are already contracted to Leeds for the 2008-09 season.

He should also rest assured that the nasty surprises which awaited Wise at the end of every turn last summer will not hinder his own path before Leeds begin their season at Scunthorpe United on August 9.

United presently lack a shirt sponsor, as they did 12 months ago, but the vacancy is an isolated issue rather than one of many.