Robbie keen in Leeds romp

Robbie Keane stakes claim for place in Leeds line-up

Robbie Keane produced a virtuoso display to help Leeds maintain their unbeaten pre-season run with a 4-0 win against York City.at Bootham Crescent.

The Republic of Ireland forward scored twice and set up strikes for Alan Maybury and Jacob Burns to end York's brave challenge.

City had restricted Leeds' second-string side to a series of long range efforts until the 24th minute.

Keane, who had been kept relatively quiet until then, threaded a delightful through ball to Maybury, who slotted past the reach of City keeper Alan Fettis.

Jason Wilcox could have doubled Leeds' advantage seconds later but his left-foot drive flashed past the far post.

City boss Terry Dolan changed the entire team after the break and his gamble very nearly paid off.

Youngster Marvin Boyce found Marc Salvati with a superb cross from the left, but the striker's header bounced back into play from off the crossbar on 47 minutes.

Seconds later Keane combined with Maybury again, but this time York were rescued by Fettis' outstretched leg.

Australian midfielder Burns then made the game safe for the visitors when he latched onto Keane's defence splitting pass and turned in the second after 53 minutes.

Keane then completely took over as he netted his seventh and eighth goals of the pre-season campaign in the space of four devastating minutes.

First he tormented York with a dazzling solo run, jinking past four defenders, before coolly placing the ball beyond Fettis on 64 minutes.

O'Leary - delighted

And the Northern Ireland keeper was helpless to prevent Keane scoring Leeds' fourth with the calmest of finishes from close range.

The home side battled hard to compete with their illustrious opponents, but the difference in class was too wide.

York defender Neville Stamp tested Danny Milosevic from long range and Graham Potter could have done better from outside the box in the first half.

Substitute Jamie McMaster could have scored for Leeds but Richard Cooper blocked his effort from close range.

City striker Salvati was denied by the woodwork for the second time with a sweet strike in the final minute, while Fettis denied Harpal Singh with a fine right-handed save at the death.