An 86th minute strike from Dan Hopper ensured the under-18s got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory against Walsall at Creighton on Tuesday afternoon.
United started proceedings positively with both Romeo Park and Dan Hopper causing the Walsall defence headaches in the opening minutes.
It was Park who created the first opportunity of the game on eight minutes, he drove into the area but his cross flashed across the six-yard-box just out of the reach of Anton Dudik, who couldn't stab it home.
Minutes later, Walsall's forward saw Thomas Randall off his line and tried his luck from just inside the United half, but the effort was overhit and comfortably flew over the bar.
Park and Dudik both had efforts go narrowly wide of the target before the break as United continued to dominate, but the Blues were unable to breach the Saddlers' defence and the contest was goalless at the interval.
Half-time: United 0-0 Walsall
James Murray had a chance to open the scoring on 67 minutes after Will Maddison's deep cross was headed down by Dudik for Murray to strike, but he sliced his volley wide.
With six minutes of normal time remaining, United thought they had broken the deadlock through Dudik. Freddie O'Donoghue did well to bypass the Walsall defender and cross it to Dudik who finished it off, however, the assistant referee signalled the ball had gone out of play before the cross was delivered.
Two minutes later, United did take the lead. Park picked up the ball and found Hopper on the edge of the box, who shifted the ball onto his left foot and released a powerful effort that flew over the Walsall 'keeper into the back of the net.
Full-time: United 1-0 Walsall
Starting: Randall, Maddison, Nicholson, Walsh, O'Brien, Skinner (Smith 78'), Chapman (O'Donoghue 70'), Murray (Penney 74'), Dudik, Park, Hopper.
Unused subs: Atkinson, Fleming.
United goal: Hopper (86').
