COTTBUS2 (Aloneftis 18, Skela 20), UNITED 1 (Kandol 47)

Cottbus: Tremmel, Bassila, Kukielka, Rangelou, Kloyd, Zivic, Skela, Szeelesi, Nitreski, Aloneftis, Luitanovic. Subs: Nickel, Baungart, Rost, Schuppan, Wachsnuth, Lelchal, Ziebig, Kanik, Trytko, Sandrowski, Ipsal.

United: Loach, Richardson, Heath, Marques, Lewis, Douglas, Prutton (Weston 72), Thompson (Howson 72), Westlake (Carole 72), Kandol, Beckford. Subs: Elliott, Hamman, Weston, Howson, Parker, Bayly, Mouloud.

You can hear live match commentary on LUTV and Yorkshire Radio (DAB)

United boss Dennis Wise re-shuffled his starting line-up again for the final game of the tour with Jonathan Douglas, David Prutton, and Alan Thompson all returning to the midfield.

Tresor Kandol was named as Jermaine Beckford's strike partner, Leon Constantine missing out through injury.

The game, played in Dessau, attracted the smallest crowd of the three-game tour, but the match was clearly viewed as an important part of the pre-season build-up for Cottbus, who are on the verge of starting their season.

The hosts looked fresh and sprightly, and United goalkeeper Scott Loach was called upon to make a good early save from a curling effort.

But United also carved out a good opening when Kandol did well to release Beckford, and the striker had the home goalkeeper at full stretch as he sent his shot inches wide of the upright.

It was the hosts who took the lead, though, on 18 minutes when Stathis Aloneftis latched onto a diagonal ball over the top before unleashing a great strike to leave Loach with no chance.

And it was 2-0 moments later when Ervin Skela converted a free-kick from the edge of the box.

United did have an opportunity shortly before the half-hour. Alan Thompson sent in a free-kick from deep, but Kandol's header back across goal drifted out of play. Kandol also got up well to head a Frazer Richardson free-kick into the arms of Gerhard Tremmel.

Another Thompson free-kick caused problems when the ball drifted narrowly wide after Beckford was involved in an aerial challenge with Igor Nitreski.

And the lively Beckford shot over the top, following good work by Kandol, as United battled hard against the Bundesliga side. In return, Cottbus played some neat, incisive football, and looked a lively outfit, particularly when in possession.

United had composed themselves well after the early set-back, though. Matt Heath, Rui Marques, and Richardson all made timely interventions and the midfield showed a good work ethic.

Nitreski also made a timely challenge for the hosts to deny Eddie Lewis after an intelligent ball from Ian Westlake. Moments later, Kandol found the space behind the defence to head wide after Jonathan Douglas and Richardson linked up well down the right.

Rui Marques also headed wide of the mark on the stroke of half-time after arriving late at the far post to meet a Thompson corner.

And just two minutes into the second half, the goal United deserved for their efforts finally came. Kandol latched onto a great ball forward from Thompson and coolly slotted the ball home.

But United were reduced to 10 men when Douglas was on the receiving end of a red card in the 69th minute for foul and abusive language.

Within two minutes, United were down to nine men after Beckford was amazingly shown a red card for apparently speaking out of turn.

The second card prompted the remaining players to enter into a touchline huddle before re-grouping for a free-kick which was cleared by the hosts.

The dismissals prompted some re-organisation and, unsurprisingly, United were forced onto the back foot as Cottbus looked to make their numerical advantage count.

Yet, United didn't give up, and only an offside flag prevented Kandol a late chance to level after an excellent ball from substitute Jonny Howson.