41 mins Peacock shot 0-1

Half time: Town 1 United 0

53 mins Inman shot 1-1

57 mins Ranger penalty 2-1

64 mins Lawther shot 2-2

74 mins Ranger shot 3-2

90 mins Inman shot 4-2

Full time: Town 2 United 4

Peter Beardsley marked the first anniversary of his taking charge of United's reserve side with victory against the reigning Northern League champions Spennymoor Town at their Brewery Field ground on Saturday afternoon.

After a lively first half display from the Moors, they went ahead four minutes before the break through Anthony Peacock and the same player then crashed an effort against Ole Soderberg's crossbar before the interval.

With Phil Airey restored to a forward position but Michael Richardson reprising his defensive role, United's liveliest performer in the opening 45 minutes was Mehdi Abeid. The recent arrival had three attempts on goal, finally bringing a fingertip save from home 'keeper Robert Dean moments after the opening goal.

Midfielder Brad Inman then levelled things eight minutes into the second period, stroking the ball home after seizing on a pass from Yven Moyo - nominally occupying the left back role but frequently pushing forward.

That was an early reward for a more industrious display by United and within four minutes they were ahead for the first time in the game, one of Spenny's innumerable subs upending Ryan Donaldson in the box. Up stepped Nile Ranger to confidently fire home from the spot, but that succeeded only in stoking up Town and Chris Lawther then tested Soderberg on 61 minutes.

Newcastle's Swedish goalkeeper then made contact with another Lawther effort three minutes later but was unable to keep it out of his goal, leaving the score at 2-2.

The goal of the game then saw Nile Ranger ghost across the Moors area with 16 minutes remaining, evading two challenges before finding the net and then indulging in a private celebration with former housemate Brad Inman (pictured)

And with the referee just about to blow for full time, Inman himself netted with a low effort for his second and United's fourth of the afternoon.

Both Xisco and Wayne Routledge were expected to play in this game but neither appeared, leading to speculation that their departures from the club could be imminent. 

Absent also were Fabio Zamblera, Samuel Adjei, Conor Newton, Tamas Kadar and Stephen Folan.

Biffa - with thanks to David Nelson, David Todd and Adam Mackman for photos.

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