Just 48 hours after a humbling defeat to Scottish Third Division side, Stranraer, the Sky Blues were back in action at the Showgrounds to take on Owen Coyle's SPL chasing outfit.

United playing with a re-jigged line-up, were put under severe pressure from the off as Paul Murphy had to pull off two tremendous saves in the first fifteen minutes, firstly from Dyron Daal and then from William McClaren.

Wright must have feared the worst as only the post saved his side from going a goal down in the 23rd minute, as teenage striker Steven Doris' shot beat Murphy but not the woodwork.

The tide suddenly started to turn the home side's way as United's wide players Stephen Lowry and Gavin Melaugh took on their Scottish counterparts with consumate ease, as United tried to find a way back into the game.

United's opening goal came after 38 minutes, from a unlikely source as full-back Craig McClean surged forward and cut inside before rifling an unstoppable shot from nearly 30 yards past Kevin Cuthbert in the Saints' goal.

Five minutes later, the Braidmen doubled their lead in equally breathtaking circumstances, as Simon Kelly delievered an inch perfect free-kick from the same sort of distance into the top right hand corner of the goal.

The second half drifted into a typical pre-season encounter, as the Sky Blues continued to match their Scottish First Division opponents.

Stephen Lowry continued to cause problems going down the left hand side, forcing a good save from Cuthbert midway through the half.

Wright introduced a number of substitutes including Randal Reid, Mark Picking, Gary Haveron and Johnny Flynn - the latter celebrated his call-up to the Northern Ireland Elite Milk Cup side yesterday.

Saints manager Owen Coyle, who made a late substitute appearance was not too dispondent after his side's defeat: "I don't like losing any game and it would have been nice to have made it three wins out of three over here but overall I'm pleased. In terms of improving fitness and team spirit the trip has more than fulfilled its requirement."

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