SHELBOURNE 0, UNITED 2 (Blake 32, Prutton 76)

Shelbourne: Hussey, L'Estrange, McCullogh, Keely, Gartland, Roche, Chambers, O'Brien, Leech, Quinn, Lacey. Subs: Harte, Flood, Curran, Gilbert, O'Reilly, Broughan, O'Dowd, Byrne.

United (first half): Gay, Bayly, Marques, Coughlan, Lewis, Carole, Fry, Howson, Westlake, Blake, Elliott.

United (second half): Gay, Richardson, Heath, Douglas, Boertien, Mullan, Thompson, Prutton, Delph, Constantine, Kandol.

Just 24 hours after administrators KPMG said that they were prepared to listen to new offers for the club, attentions turned to the field of play as United opened up their pre-season campaign against Shelbourne in Dublin.

Dennis Wise included a number of trialists in his travelling party and assistant boss Gus Poyet stated pre-match that it was their intentions to hand the players 45 minutes apiece.

The opening period saw ex-Norwich and Southend goalkeeper Danny Gay start in goal, former Sheffield Wednesday skipper Graham Coughlan at the heart of the defence, and Russell Fry, released by Hull, in the middle of the park.

The remainder of the starting line-up were familiar faces, including youngster Tom Elliott, who partnered Robbie Blake in the front-line.

And it was Blake who earned United an early crack at goal after he was fouled by Mark O'Brien, following a weaving run on the edge of the box. Blake took the free-kick himself and clipped the top of the bar.

At the other end, Rob Bayly reacted quickly to thwart at Shelbourne raid as both sides started the contest with plenty of zest.

Blake almost carved out another opening for United following some good link-up play with Tom Elliott, but there was too much power on the final ball for Ian Westlake.

Moments later, it was Elliott who showed good feet outside the box and his excellent cross was hacked to safety by Alan Keely.

United were enjoying plenty of early pressure, and on 16 minutes Seb Carole rattled the underside of the bar with a fine strike from distance.

The Frenchman did well again - Russell Fry spraying a delightful cross-field pass - and his efforts won a corner as Shelbourne brought men back to defend.

United finally took a deserved lead on the half-hour mark when Blake converted a free-kick on the edge of the box.

Three minutes later it was almost 2-0. Blake picked out an umarked Elliott at the far post and Shels goalkeeper James Hussey spread himself well to deny the youngster.

The impressive Elliott was handed another great chance moments later - Westlake delivered an excellent cross - but the striker headed over the top.

As the half-time whistle went the large travelling contingent, delighted to have their attention diverted to football matters, could feel happy with what they had seen from the opening 45 minutes of the season.

The second half saw a major re-shuffle - Wise made 10 changes - and there were opportunities for former Derby left-back Paul Boertein, young winger Jamie Mullan, former Southampton midfielder David Prutton, and ex-Port Vale marksman Leon Constantine.

The home side started the second half the livelier of the two sides, but it was United who won an early corner after Fabian Delph, Alan Thompson, and Prutton all combined well to cause Shels problems.

The tempo was slower in the second period, but with the experienced Thompson anchoring the midfield, United still looked comfortable. Jonathan Douglas, playing at centre-back, took responsibility for marshalling the defence, and Shelbourne were thwarted by an offside flag on more than one occasion as a well-organised back-four stepped up well.

Trialist keeper Danny Gay enjoyed a fairly quiet evening and he made his first real save midway through the second half from Anthony Flood.

Opportunities weren't as frequent in the second period, but home keeper Hussey reacted well to clear a Frazer Richardson cross when under pressure from Tresor Kandol.

Marc McCullogh came closest for Shelbourne on 72 minutes when he forced Gay into making a save after Thompson was found guilty of a late challenge on Jamie Gilbert on the edge of the box.

But United furthered their advantage on 76 minutes when Matt Heath held up a Thompson free-kick back at the far post and Prutton marked his first appearance for the club by converting from close range.

And with four minutes to go, Constantine almost followed Prutton's lead by marking his first appearance with a goal. The ex-Port Vale man unleashed a sweetly struck effort which was beaten away for a corner.

 Click here to read Gus Poyet's thoughts on the game