City's pre-season preparations continued as they were put through their paces by a strong Dundee United side at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

With the competitive action getting underway against Livingston next Saturday, Manager Andy Kirk continued to run the rule over a number of trialists, with new signings Iain Davidson, Murray Mackintosh, David Cox and Garry Wood also featuring from the start.

Under the watchful eye of recently appointed Manager Tam Courts, the visitors opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a move straight from the training ground. A corner was fizzed low to the edge of the box which NICKY CLARK met with a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner.

United doubled their advantage just over ten minutes later. Following a well worked move, PETER PAWLETT played a neat one-two with Shankland inside the box before showing great composure to lift the ball over the advancing keeper.

The trialist keeper made a couple of fine saves to keep out Liam Smith and visiting skipper Mark Reynolds, but he was unable to stop the Terrors making it three just before the half hour mark. Peter Pawlett whipped in a free kick which was glanced home by NICKY CLARK.

Benjamin Siegrist was called into action on 32 minutes when a cross from the left found Garry Wood inside the box, he set up the advancing Kieran Inglis who saw his shot palmed away by the Swiss keeper at his near post.

Three minutes before the break, United were awarded a penalty after Lawrence Shankland went down under a challenge inside the box. The impressive NICKY CLARK notched his hat-trick, confidently dispatching the penalty into the top corner.

After a first half largely dominated by the Premiership side, City settled into the game and pulled a goal back on the hour mark. David Cox floated a corner into the box which IAIN DAVIDSON met with a towering header which crossed the line despite the best efforts of the defender to clear it.

A few minutes later, United very nearly restored their 4 goal advantage however City's trialist keeper showed great reflexes to deny Ian Harkes who lashed a powerful volley towards goal.

City grew in confidence as the game wore on and came close when a trialist forced Danny Rogers into a fine save at his near post following a neat passing move.

City's trialist keeper continued to impress in the closing stages, making two good stops to deny Fotheringham and ensure United didn't add to their advantage.

Overall, a very worthwhile workout for Andy Kirk's side as they prepare for the visit of another Premiership side in the shape of Livingston in the Premier Sports Cup next Saturday.

Brechin City XI: Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Iain Davidson, Trialist, Michael Paton, David Cox, Murray Mackintosh, Garry Wood, Rory Currie, Kieran Inglis. Subs: 5 x trialists.