Manchester Senior Cup
Oldham Athletic Res 0-2 Manchester United Res
Stu Vose
Premier League giants Manchester United needed a last-ditch penalty to finally see off Athletic after a spirited performance from Lee Duxbury's hosts.
Midfielder Ritchie Jones slammed home a late spot-kick to secure victory for Brian McClair's side after the impressive Chris Eagles established a first-half lead.
But the eventual scoreline belied the contribution a young Latics side made to the contest.
They pushed a strong United side hard and created chances of their own before finally succumbing to the visitors' quality.
Duxbury was able to recall Paul Black and Lewis Alessandra to a starting side also featuring three trialists.
But it was Reds starlet Chris Eagles -- called into Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team fold this season -- who was the real difference between the teams.
He produced a super display and caused Athletic problems throughout, slamming a well-struck free kick just wide after just three minutes.
The expected dominance didn't come straight away, though, as Latics twice wasted chances to take the lead in the opening stages.
Trialist Eduardo Jesus poked Aaron Chalmers' feed just wide before forcing United keeper Ben Amos into a smart save with a first-time shot following Rory Winters' raking crossfield ball.
The omnipresent Eagles had a goal ruled out for offside 21 minutes in, and respondede by supplying a teasing cross that Sean Evans headed inches wide at the back post.
One sensed United were getting into their stride after the early scares, and they went ahead when Eagles twisted inside his marker before slipping the ball under Bell from eight yards out just after the half-hour.
And they could have had a second before the break, as Paul Black cleared Craig Cathcart's bullet header off the line while Danny Wellbeck struck a post with a low shot.
That man Eagles began the second period in fine form, forcing Bell into an excellent save and thundering a powerful 30-yard free kick just wide of the upright.
Striker Wellbeck was having a frustrating evening, shooting low at Bell before eventually beating the keeper only to see Winters successfully complete a last-ditch clearance on the goal-line.
Meanwhile Aaron Chalmers was busy at the other end, forcing Amos to gather smartly after loosing off a powerful volley from way outside the area.
But a home goal didn't come and United put the gloss on the scoreline when substitute Chris Rowney felled Tom Cleverley just inside the box and Jones blasted home from the spot.
Latics: Bell, Winters, Black, Kilcourse, Chalmers, Knight, Kelly, Bargmann, Jesus, Alessandra (Owen, 46), Diaz (Rowney, 76).
Subs Not Used: Fitzgerald, Walsh, Ollerenshaw.
Booked: Chalmers.
Man Utd: Amos, Gray, Cleverley, Chester, Cathcart, Jones, Possebon, Hewson, Wellbeck (Bryan, 76), Eagles, S. Evans (Fagan, 82).
Subs Not Used: C. Evans, Galbraith.
Booked: None.
Goals: Eagles (34), Jones (pen 90).
Referee: Mr M Thorley
