County made a change from the team announced earlier today with Gianluca Havern selected to partner Gaz Owen at the heart of the County defence.

James Tunnicliffe who was in the original eleven dropped to the bench.

Chris Adamson was called into action on seven minutes when he denied Michael Barnes.

And six minutes later the County 'keeper made another good save to keep out Chris Eagles' low drive.

The Hatters responded immediately with a 20-yard effort from Anthony Pilkington that hit a defender and deflected wide for a corner.

United took the lead on 16 minutes when Eagles curled a 25-yard free kick into the top corner.

Minutes later Gary Neville received a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Dan Ellis.

County were back on level terms on 27 minutes, Gary Dicker sprayed the ball out to the left where Tommy Rowe took a touch before crossing to Ellis who turned the ball past Tom Heaton.

United came close to regaining the lead when Sean Evans ran 40 yards before unleashing a left foot shot that bounced just wide.

Gaz Owen then tested Heaton with a powerful angled drive from distance.

Six minutes before the break David Gray became the second United player to be booked for a foul on Rowe.

Neville was the lucky to escape with a lecture after another foul on Pilkington.

Half-time: Man United 1 County 1

County made a change during the interval with Irish trialist Declan Murphy replacing Dicker who picked up a knock in the first period.

United regained the lead two minutes after the break when a corner was only half cleared to Sean Evans who gave Adamson no chance with a shot from the angle of the box.

Gaz Owen was next to make way, on the hour, for James Tunnicliffe.

Havern came close to equalising with a header that was cleared off the line.

Then Murphy, and Rowe on the follow up, saw shots blocked.

Chris Coward was then introduced into the action for Pilkington.

Two goals im three minutes swung the game United's way. Dong hit the first with a blistering free kick then Fabien Brandy netted from close range.

Brandy made it five with an agled shot across Adamson.

The 'keeper then denied Brandy a hat-trick with a smart save after the diminutive striker had jinked past two challenges.

It was soon six, though, when Dong applied the finish to another flowing move.

Just before the end Briggs was booked for bringing down Brandy.

County: Adamson; Bowler, Havern, Owen (Tunnicliffe), Rose; Briggs, Dicker (Murphy), Turnbull, Rowe; Pilkington (Coward), Ellis.

Attendance: 828