[funkdoctorspock]

The reserves get the win with Eagles and Brandy scoring to seal a 2-0 victory.

Was hoping that Neville would play in this match to continue building his match fitness. Just worrying to me that he hasn't played in so long.

UNITED leapt five places to second in the Premier Reserve League North with a convincing victory at Northwich's Victoria Stadium - but Gary Neville did not feature.

Neville played 56 minutes for the reserves at the start of the month but has not played for the first team since suffering an ankle ligament injury in last season’s Premier League clash with Bolton on March 17.

A club spokesperson told manutd.com: “Gary has been training with the first team and will continue with that as opposed to playing with the reserves.”

Nevertheless, this was by some distance the reserves' best performance of the season and they could easily have trebled their goal output, but for some wayward finishing and a fine goalkeeping display from the Black Cats' Trevor Carson.

Both Febian Brandy and Dong Fangzhuo went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the first half and winger Michael Barnes watched as his close-range shot struck the crossbar.

And, it was a similar story after the break with United dominating proceedings.

Chris Eagles gave his side the lead with a cracking low shot, which gave Carson no chance, and Brandy sealed a good night for the Reds with the second goal in injury time.

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