SHELBOURNE 2 (Bates 48, Crawley 56 pen), LEEDS UNITED 2 (Beckford 27, 41)

Shelbourne: Whelan, McMenaman, Crawley, McMillan, Doherty, O'Brien, Costigan, Cassidy, Klanas, Georgescu, Baker. Subs: Farrell, Murray, Flood, Sinnott, Bates, O'Reilly, Moran, Kavanagh.

United (1st half): Ankergren, Hughes, Lees, Michalik, Sheehan, Robinson, Delph, Howson, Showunmi (White 28), Beckford, Grella.

United (2nd half): Ankergren, Hughes (Darville 65), Crowe, Huntington, Parker, Snodgrass, Prutton, Johnson, White, Grella (Elliott 65), Becchio. 

Att: 3343

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United manager Simon Grayson again planned to make full use of his squad, with wholesale changes after 45 minutes, and on this occasion Fabian Delph was handed the captain's armband for the opening period.

And the manager was almost celebrating a goal inside the opening 90 seconds when Mike Grella capitalised on a defensive error, but he squared to Jermaine Beckford who was immediately crowded out.

Grella also tested Shelbourne goalkeeper Vinny Whelan after good work by Enoch Showunmi on the left created the opening.

Leeds continued to press and Grella was again involved when he created an opening for Beckford, who failed to make a sweet connection.

Beckford also came within a whisker of opening the scoring on 21 minutes when he rounded goalkeeper Whelan, but saw his shot from the tightest of angles cleared off the line.

Moments later, following more good build-up play, Beckford tried his luck with a speculative overhead kick.

But on 26 minutes, Beckford bagged his first goal of the season. Last season's leading goalscorer finished off another good move with a well-placed finish which left Whelan with no chance.

Beckford almost bagged a second within the space of three minutes, but Andy Robinson's cross fell just behind him and he was unable to make firm contact.

United were dominating proceedings and Beckford almost profited from more good attacking play when he headed an Andrew Hughes cross against the underside of the bar.

The follow-up was scrambled clear, but Leeds immediately came forward again and Jonny Howson skidded a shot wide after the Shelbourne defence allowed him to run.

The second goal did come on 41 minutes and was thoroughly deserved. Aidy White was the provider with a by-line pull-back and Beckford made no mistake with another good finish.

Robinson almost made it three before half-time when he tried his luck from distance and Whelan failed to hold his shot before managing to turn it over the bar.

Grayson made a number of changes at the break with Jason Crowe being handed the opportunity alongside Paul Huntington at centre-back, and Luciano Becchio lining-up alongside Grella in the front-line.

The second half started as the first ended with White embarking on a mazy run down the left before Bradley Johnson headed a David Prutton cross at the goalkeeper.

But, amazingly, Shelbourne pulled a goal back with their very first serious attack of the game. Ritchie Baker delivered the cross from the right and Guy Bates powered a header past Casper Ankergren.

Rather like the previous weekend at York, the home side started the second half looking more of a threat and Paul Huntington had to work to snuff out the threat of Hans Klanas.

Ankergren also saved well from Baker, but in the ensuing melee, the referee adjudged Hughes to have handled and David Crawley stepped up to equalise from the penalty spot.

In keeping with the theme of many pre-season games, the match slowly lost its impetus during the second period and by the midway stage there was little in the way of entertainment for the 3,000 plus crowd.

Shelbourne, in the middle of the current league campaign and boasting superior fitness, were working Leeds much more, though, and Ankergren was called upon again to beat away a free-kick in the 70th minute. Klanas also lifted a shot over the top for the home side. 

But it was Leeds who fashioned out a chance with just 10 minutes remaining when Becchio headed a Johnson cross over the bar.

Tom Elliott almost prompted a goalmouth scramble when he went up for a header with the home goalkeeper, but play was halted while the Shelbourne man received treatment.

Leeds were finishing the stronger and on 87 minutes, Robert Snodgrass hooked an effort over the top as Grayson's men sought a winner.

But the final whistle brought the contest to an end, and the United manager will have been happy to see the majority of the squad play at least another 45 minutes football.