by Martin Jarred Sports Editor

Leeds United'S second string quickly made themselves at home at Bootham Crescent with a convincing 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

In the first of United's FA Premier Reserve League Northern Division games to be played at York City's ground, they literally made a flying start.

Five of the Leeds players were on the bench for the Champions League qualifying round victory in Munich the previous night and, considering the squad didn't land at Leeds-Bradford Airport until 2.30 in the morning, they put on a super display.

Jamie McMaster fired Leeds ahead after three minutes with a volley from the edge of the box after Blackburn failed to clear a corner, but the real star of the show was striker Tony Hackworth, who netted a hat-trick.

His first came from the penalty spot after Gareth Evans, who came on for his first team debut in front of 56,000 in the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, was clipped inside the box by David McNamee in the 43rd minute.

Nine minutes after the break Hackworth robbed McNamee and cracked in an angled right foot drive.

He completed his treble on the hour when another surge by Evans down the left paved the way for the deadly Hackworth to thump the ball into the roof of the net.

That signalled a spell of crisp midfield passing by Leeds under a spectacular panoramic sunset as they closed the game out in impressive style.

England Under 21 international Paul Robinson was rarely threatened in the Leeds goal as Robert Molenaar subdued Norwegian striker Egil Ostenstaad, while midfielder Kevin Dixon, who had a brief loan spell with York City at the start of last season, was the springboard of many Leeds attacks.

United reserve team manager Roy Aitken declared himself delighted with both the performance and the quality of the Bootham Crescent pitch.

He said: "The pitch is first class. It is ideal for our passing style and is nearly the same dimensions as Elland Road.

"It is in excellent condition and is well maintained. It is just right for us."

The game attracted a crowd of 425 - about four times as many as a York City reserve game - and is likely to be bigger at the next Leeds game at Bootham Crescent on October 17 (7pm) when Liverpool are the visitors.

There was a minute's silence before the start of last night's game for Jack Walker, the Rovers benefactor, who died last week.

Leeds United Reserves: Robinson, Maybury, Molenaar, Hay, Lynch, Richardson (Lennon 64), Dixon, McMaster, Evans (Sherman 79), Hackworth (Farrell 81), Johnson.

Subs (not used): Candsdell-Sherriff, Milosevic.

Goals: McMaster 3, Hackworth 43 pen, 54, 60.

Blackburn Rovers Reserves: Bingham, Kenna, Douglas, Howson, Murphy (McNamee 21), Johnson (Corbett HT), Carsley (Baldacchino HT), McKinlay, O'Brien, Ostenstad, Thomas.

Subs (not used): Hind, Burgess.

Referee: Colin Boyeson (Hull)

Attendance: 425

MIDDLE MEN: Leeds United midfielder Frazer Richardson battles for possession with a Blackburn player at last night's FA Premier Reserve League Northern Division game at York City's Bootham Crescent ground