YORK City boss Russ Wilcox is looking to forge a closer partnership with Championship neighbours Leeds United.

The Minstermen staged a behind-closed-doors match against the West Yorkshire club's development team yesterday at their Wigginton Road training ground with the hosts securing a 1-0 win thanks to Cameron Murray's first-half goal.

Senior professionals Marvin McCoy, Dave Winfield, Lewis Montrose, Tom Platt and Lindon Meikle, who are all currently on the first-team fringes at Bootham Crescent, enjoyed welcome run-outs too, while Wilcox also took the chance to cast an eye over possible transfer targets in the visitors' side.

Former City youth-team chief and assistant manager Neil Redfearn is currently in charge at Elland Road and, on the benefits of developing a strong relationship with the former Champions League semi-finalists, Wilcox said: "The game was a really good workout and a very competitive game that helped get some of our players up to speed.

"It was also good for us to have a look at some of their younger players because they've got a couple of 19-year-olds who are ready to go out on loan.

"That's not something we'd necessarily look to do now but it would be great to establish that type of contact with Leeds. They are on our doorstep and it would be good to set up something like what we are doing with Middlesbrough and Brad (Halliday).

"I don't know Neil Redfearn too well but know of his connections with York City and I think games like this also benefit both clubs and sets of players. I'd like to do it again this season because, while we're not in a reserve league, there's nothing better than creating a match situation for players who need games and, travelling wise, games against each other suit both parties."

Midfield marksman Murray is back at Bootham Crescent having sat on the bench as an unused substitute during the last four games of his loan spell at Evo-Stik League outfit Frickley Athletic, where his only start came in a 1-1 draw with Whitby Town.

On the Halifax-born 19-year-old's current situation, Wilcox added: "His loan is up so he needs games again and we will discuss what's the best next step for him this week."

The City boss, meanwhile, was watching Cambridge United against Dagenham & Redbridge last night with the latter the next visitors to Bootham Crescent a week on Saturday.