Farsley Celtic 0, Leeds United 0: Celtic came out with a lot of credit against a strong representative side from their Premiership neighbours Leeds United as the honours were shared at Throstle Nest.

England hopefuls Michael Bridges and Seth Johnson were the main attractions in a Leeds side that also included Stephen McPhail, Jacob Burns and keeper Danny Milosevic.

The visitor's also had fringe player Harpal Singh in their starting line-up, two seasons ago he was in Farsley's under-17's side. For good measure the home side featured ex-Leeds men Damien Henderson and Matt Smithard.

The evening had a strong feeling of a pre-season friendly and the crowd, a few thousand strong which is huge by Farsley standards, were treated to a walk past from all the junior sides at the club.

Once Peter Ridsdale and Celtic chairman Andy Firbank had ceremoniously cut the ribbon opening the ground following extensive redevelopments, under the glare of the Sky Sports News cameras, the main event kicked off.

Bridges was quick to show his class and in the fourth minute he curled a shot in from the edge of the area that home keeper Liam Sutcliffe did well to palm, one handed, round the post for corner.

Celtic's first noteworthy effort was a fierce 20 yard drive from Wes Freeman just after the quarter hour but Milosevic was not troubled as it drifted well wide of his right hand post.

Leeds should have taken the lead midway through the half. A swift attack saw Singh put through but he scuffed his shot across the face and Bridges just failed to connect with the loose ball at the far post.

The visitors had a grip on the game but so many crosses went through the Celtic area that their supporters often begged the question 'who is on the end of that?' before one wag piped up 'Bill, billboard' as ball after ball clattered into the advertising hoardings.

Sutcliffe went on to make several fine saves, most at full stretch, as Leeds tried to break the deadlock.

The obligatory changes from both sides ensured the teams lacked cohesion and direction in the second half. There were chances and the visitors attempted to step up the pace of the game but Celtic held on for a deserved draw.

"It was a big night for us and I think the fans have gone home happy," said Celtic manager Martin Haresign. "It was a typical pre-season friendly, it's hard to get 17 or 18 players all a game but none of our lads would have missed this for the world. If Bridges had taken half his chances we would have been beaten but I thought our defenders did well against this kind of class and Liam Sutcliffe was excellent."

Leeds were under the guidance of Eddie Gray and Roy Aitken, though with the legendary Gray in the directors box for most of the game it was Aitken who ran the side from the dugout.

He said, "It's been a good work out for all of our lads and I wish Farsley Celtic all the best for the coming season. It was a fair game, I hope we see them again next season."