York City 3, Leeds United 3

Had all three been in the sticks simultaneously, however, they would have been hard pressed to save thunderbolts from York City pair Adam Smith and Alex Lawless in yesterday’s 3-3 draw.

A lively Smith opened the scoring in emphatic style from 20 yards during a friendly that served as both clubs’ first outing since the summer break.

Following goals from Luciano Becchio, Mike Whitwell and York-born Andrew Milne, new boy Lawless, recruited from Forest Green in the summer, then reduced the deficit from a similar distance and just as spectacularly on 90 minutes.

Seconds later, a stoppage-time Lubomir Michalik own goal ensured Leeds failed to beat City for a fourth successive pre-season.

Earlier, Smith had the first shot of the game – an ambitious, ninth-minute attempt that sailed into a packed away end from 35 yards.

Leeds responded with Robert Snodgrass and Jonny Howson efforts that were both comfortably gathered by Michael Ingham.

The City ’keeper was rescued by an offside flag moments later however, after he fumbled a long-distance Jason Crowe strike and Jermaine Beckford tapped into an inviting net.

Snodgrass sliced wide when well placed shortly afterwards before the Minstermen broke the deadlock against the run of play on 24 minutes.

A Smith corner from the left was only cleared as far as Andy Ferrell.

The former Kidderminster midfielder then played the ball back to Smith who, from the edge of the penalty box, crashed a powerful drive into former Cheltenham ’keeper Higgs’ top right-hand corner.

At the other end, Crowe hit the roof of the David Longhurst Stand from 20 yards before left-winger Aidy White was subjected to tongue-in-cheek chants of “Are you Sodje in disguise?” having failing to convert from a yard after Snodgrass had evaded Alan O’Hare’s challenge and crossed from the right.

Leeds drew level, though, on 39 minutes when Becchio, with his back to goal, deceived O’Hare with the deftest of flicks after receiving Snodgrass’ pass into the penalty box.

The Argentine striker then swivelled and beat Ingham with a sidefooted finish into the City ’keeper’s bottom right-hand corner from eight yards.

Only City trialist Joe Wilcox and visiting ’keeper Martin – a 38th-minute substitute – retained their places for the second half and Leeds acclimatised the better, forging ahead on 50 minutes when Josh Mimms was beaten at his near post by 17-year-old apprentice Whitwell after an Enoch Showunmi cross from the left.

Richard Brodie, full of running down the channels after his half-time introduction, left Slovakian international Michalik on his backside in the 57th minute before crossing for French trialist Gomis, who ballooned over from six yards.

City’s England ‘C’ striker also fired over from the edge of the box after good work down the left flank by James Meredith.

Leeds, though, extended their lead in the 83rd minute thanks to former Fulford School pupil Milne.

The Dunnington-based defender, who has signed first-year professional terms at Elland Road, tapped in from two yards after being picked out on the far post by left-winger Andy Robinson.

Mimms saved a diving header from Robinson on 89 minutes before the Minstermen secured an unlikely draw.

First, Lawless fired an unstoppable effort into the roof of Ankergren’s net from 20 yards after Gomis’ lay-off.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Gomis then slid in to the Danish international ’keeper as both players contested Simon Russell’s dangerous downward header in the six-yard box.

It was an unwitting Michalik, though, who got the last touch after the ball bounced back off him and over the line.

City – first half: Ingham, Wilcox, Parslow, O’Hare, McWilliams, Smith, Mackin, Ferrell, Jackson, Rankine, Pacquette.

City – second half: Mimms, Wilcox (Duckworth, 65), Sangare, Mlaver, Meredith, Emmerson, Barrett, Lawless, Russell, Brodie, Gomis.

Leeds – first half: Shane Higgs (Alan Martin, 38), Jason Crowe, Paul Huntington, Tom Lees, Ben Parker, Robert Snodgrass, Bradley Johnson, Johnny Howson, Aidy White, Jermaine Beckford, Lucciano Becchio.

Leeds – second half: Alan Martin (Casper Ankergren, 65), Liam Darville, Andrew Milne, Lubomir Michalik, Andrew Hughes, Mike Whitwell, David Prutton, Fabian Delph, Andy Robinson, Tom Elliott, Enoch Showunmi.

Attendance: 4,774 (2,679 from Leeds).