"We hadn't been as dominant as the first half but Shola conjured up a good goal, we didn't deserve to lose.

"Lee Bowyer got 90 minutes under his belt, as did Shola Ameobi. Titus Bramble was outstanding."

Shola Ameobi grabbed an injury time equaliser at Liverpool's Academy ground in Kirkby to rescue a deserved point for an experienced reserve side.

Lee Bowyer and Brian Kerr both made successful returns from injury while Craig Bellamy got another 90 minutes under his belt as he looks to reclaim his place back in the Wales Newcastle starting line-up.

United got off to good start and looked the more dangerous and composed of the two sides in the first half, although Liverpool's Danny Murphy hit the bar and Riise put the rebound over in the 39th minute.

It was Murphy who gave the home side the lead in the 76th minute with a fine solo effort and the one-time Newcastle target almost snatched the points a minute after Ameobi's strike only for Caig to deny him with a fine save. 

There was still time for Craig Bellamy to almost grab a dramatic winner in the fourth minute of injury time but his shot went just wide.

A good game ended all square in front of around 200 fans that had managed to negotiate the change of venue from the waterlogged pitch at Chester's Deva Stadium. Also spotted was our usual reserve captain, Bradley Orr, currently on loan at Burnley.

Meanwhile on an adjacent pitch, one of Liverpool's youth sides entertained their Glasgow Celtic counterparts, as Lou Macari, a former Hoops hero from another age was spotted watching our game.

PS - We appeared with only four subs after the coach taking the team from Tyneside had to turn back and drop off Steve Caldwell, included in Tommy Craig's squad but moving to Leeds on loan hours before the transfer window closed.