A brilliant second-half display saw United come from behind to defeat Preston North End, 3-2, in their latest group stage game of the Youth Alliance Cup.
Proceedings began slowly, with the majority of action occurring in the middle third of the pitch, as neither side settled into the game.
On 14 minutes, United had their first chance of the game. Louis Lambert picked up possession inside the Preston half, before firing goalwards only for his effort to be cleared off the line.
One minute later, the visitors took the lead. Following that goal-line clearance, Preston countered down the left with Haji, who found Gairns in the box to give the Lilywhites a 1-0 lead.
After going behind, United began to apply some pressure on the Preston defenders with Jamie Hodgson and Trent Chapman getting in behind the opposition full-backs on several occasions but unable to produce any clear-cut chances to test O'Shaughnessy in the Preston goal.
HALF-TIME: United 0-1 Preston North End
Seven minutes after the restart, United drew level. A deep cross was headed back across the box by Lambert to Olly Penney, who volleyed home from close range to equalise.
Four minutes later, United took the lead. A long ball forward caused great confusion between the Preston defender and 'keeper, who both ended up leaving it for each other, allowing Jonah Lowes to swoop in to steal the ball and roll into an empty net.
United continued to dominate proceedings and were denied a third goal in quick succession via the crossbar. Some delightful work from Lowes created a shooting opportunity for himself, but his effort thrashed against the bar and out for a goalkick.
On 73 minutes, United did have a deserved third. Seb Mason's effort cannoned against the woodwork, but fell kindly to the feet of Trent Chapman who made no mistake from a tight angle to make it 3-1.
With 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Gairns doubled his tally after lobbing Casey Sillitoe from distance to reduce the deficit to one and give United something to worry about.
Momentum fell the way of the visitors, and with four minutes left, Preston were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Gairns to complete his hattrick, but Sillitoe got down well to his left to push the penalty effort to safety and maintain United's 3-2 lead.
Sillitoe's heroics proved to be the last act of the game as the final whistle blew shortly after, as United made it two wins from two games in the competition.
FULL-TIME: United 3-2 Preston North End
United - Sillitoe, Chapman, Hodgson (45' Hatton), Porter, Nicholson (77' Cairns), Penney, Hopper (63' Towers), Lowes, Lambert (63' Bell), Rigby, Mason.
Unused subs - Randall, Smith.
United goals - Penney (52'), Lowes (56'), Chapman (73').
