YORK City have netted a welcome £45,000 from their opening two high-profile pre-season games.

Last night's 7,295 attendance at Bootham Crescent for the visit of Leeds United was the biggest since 7,856 turned up for the Boxing Day clash against Hull City.

Receipts from last night's match will be split with both clubs expected to net around £25,000, said communications director Sophie McGill.

Premiership paupers Leeds, reportedly £82million in debt, requested the game with City after a tournament in Switzerland in which they were due to play was called off.

United asked for half the gate money, a request City were happy to grant as they knew Leeds were guaranteed a big following. Last night's attendance included 3,208 visiting fans.

Sunderland, who won 5-0 at York last week, didn't require a slice of the receipts from their game, so City were able to pick up around £20,000 from a crowd of 3,082.

City had budgeted for a gate of around 4,000 from last night's game so the extra cash will come in handy.

City's next game is against North Yorkshire rivals Scarborough, also at Bootham Crescent, on Saturday.

Updated: 11:28 Thursday, July 24, 2003