RICHARD Cresswell enjoyed a successful return to his old York City stamping ground last night.

He played 73 minutes on his comeback in Leeds reserves' 2-1 win over Shrewsbury at KitKat Crescent and must now wait to see if he suffers any adverse reaction.

The former Minsterman was playing at the ground for the first time since City lost 3-1 against Wigan Athletic on March 20, 1999. He was sold to Sheffield Wednesday shortly afterwards.

Last night's game was Cresswell's first match since damaging knee ligaments in Leeds' play-off semi-final last season.

Watched by caretaker-manager John Carver, Cresswell, who has been plagued with injuries since joining Leeds from Preston, had a thorough workout and appeared to come through well.

If he doesn't suffer a setback, he will play again next week against Barnsley Reserves in the hope of getting a first team call against Stoke the following Saturday.

Reserve coach David Geddis explained that it was always the intention to take Cresswell off midway through the second half.

He said: "Cressie's had a careful rehabilitation programme so we wanted to be careful. If he came through OK, we would hope to give him 90 minutes next week but he's been out for a long time and we have to be 100 per cent sure."

Robbie Blake, who along with other first team squad members Ian Westlake and Jermaine Beckford, played the full match and produced an eye-catching display.

Clearly recovered from his recent groin injury, Blake scored United's first goal and set up the second for 16-year-old first-year trainee Nathan Cartman after Shrewsbury had equalised.