LEEDS United goalkeeper Paul Robinson was confronted by a male streaker last night towards the end of his successful comeback game at a packed Harrogate Town.

Robinson was making his first appearance since undergoing a finger operation after the final game of last season when the streaker raced on to the pitch and cavorted in front of the astonished keeper before running back into the capacity crowd of 3,500.

Robinson shrugged: ''The streaker got the crowd amused but I was just concentrating on the game. I got through the 90 minutes fine and am available

for selection against Southampton on Saturday if called upon.

''I needed that game or I wouldn't have stood a chance of being back on

Saturday. ''

Robinson, who excelled while deputising for Nigel Martyn for a long spell

last season, expects to be on the bench against the Saints, with Martyn

starting as first choice.

''Nigel will almost certainly be playing for England on Wednesday so I've just got to keep working hard to push him for his place,'' he said. ''I have to keep myself in good mental and phys cal shape for when I get another chance.

''I've had to be patient because Nigel is such a great goalkeeper. I'm not normally the patient type, especially when I'm driving - just ask my

girlfriend and my parents - but that's the way it is.''

A Leeds side that included Michael Duberry and Jason Wilcox won the game 3-1 with goals by Simon Johnson, Duberry and Australian left back Shane Cansdell-Sherriff. Mick McNaughton headed the Harrogate goal three minutes into the second half, after Johnson had opened the scoring just before the break.

Updated: 12:38 Tuesday, August 14, 2001