United's reserve side were in friendly action for the second successive Monday, repeating last weeks feat of scoring four goals on their travels.

Again we were hit by an early goal from the home side - but while it took Benfield almost 20 minutes to beat Mark Cook last week, the United 'keeper was retrieving the ball from his net after barely ninety seconds at Shielfield.

In fairness there was an element of fortune about midfielder Stuart Fraser's swerving strike, which took a strong deflection before bobbling in off both posts.

From there on we dominated possession and knocked the ball about reasonably well, but it took until just before the half hour to fashion a worthwhile chance.

At that point Finnigan and Troisi sprang the offside trap, setting Pattison galloping away down the right. His centre reaching Carroll, but he could only stab the ball goalwards under pressure from a defender.

Within six minutes though the same duo had combined to good effect, a out-swinging corner from the left flank being met by Carroll who powered his header home. 

And within two minutes we were ahead, after Carl Finnigan unselfishly rolled the ball across the box for Pattison to convert easily.

Four minutes before the break it was 3-1 when the Berwick 'keeper lost possession on the edge of the box under pressure from Phil Cave and the Newcastle man steered the loose ball home.

A low-key start to the second half saw the Scottish Division Three side enjoy a good period following a clutch of substitutions.

However United struck again in the 64th minute after James Troisi turned and cracked in a 25-yard effort that the 'keeper got a hand to, but couldn't keep out.

Rangers got a late second when substitute Iain Thomson chipped Cook with a couple of minutes remaining.

United were once again in the hands of Lee Clark and Terry McDermott, with Academy coach Kenny Wharton (a former Ranger) watching from the terraces.

They can report back on another game for Bernard in which he showed hints of his previous form, winning a couple of confidence-boosting tackles in the early stages. However he does look quite literally, a shadow of his former self.

Some good touches and another goal for Pattison will boost his confidence also as he tries to regain his place in the first team squad, while at right back the inexperienced Mark Bertram gave an encouraging display. 

Biffa

Reserves