Honours even at Beechwood

United fought back from a two goal deficit to earn a draw in this pre-season friendly against Auchinleck Talbot. Options for Steve Kerrigan were limited due to player availability and there were three trialists in the smaller than usual match squad. Talbot started the brighter and came close with efforts from Mark Shanklamd and Dwayne Hislop in the opening stages. In the 14th minute they took a deserved lead when Shankland found himself in space 25 yards out, and he thundered a spectacular shot in off the crossbar leaving the trialist goalkeeper helpless. Five minutes later it the lead was doubled when Gordon Pope turned expertly in the Bo'ness penalty area and hit a superb effort into the far corner. Bo'ness improved after the opening 20 minutes and grabbed a goal back on the stroke of half time. Josh Mcdonald found Brian Morgan free on the Bo'ness right, when his Talbot marker slipped Morgan took advantage to get a shot away which was deflected past goalkeeper Leishman by the unfortunate Pope. In the second half the game was played mostly in the Bo'ness half but good defending and goalkeeping kept Talbot at bay. Bo'ness had a rare chance well saved by the legs of Leishman after Morgan played in the young trialist with a neat through ball. With little over five minutes remaining Bo'ness levelled the match. Allan MacKenzie linked up with Morgan, held off his marker and his shot looked to be deflected on its route to the back of the net. An injury time rally from Auchinleck nearly saw them grab a winner, but Will Snowdon made a goal line clearance and substitute Murphy a few vital blocks to ensure the match finished a draw.