STEVE Payne's return from injury and Tommy Rooney's superb strike were the highlights as Macclesfield Town Reserves went down against a strong Manchester United side at Hyde United last Tuesday night.

The defender played for an hour in his first start since suffering a serious knee injury during pre-season training.

But Payne could do little to prevent United taking a two-goal lead courtesy of fine first-half efforts from Markus Neumayr and Mads Timms.

Rooney replied for the Silkmen when he received Andy Smart's on the edge of the area and cracked an unstoppable shot past United goalkeeper Tim Howard.

After the break, Macc pushed for an equaliser but striker David Bellion increased the home side's lead with another well-taken goal.

• MACCLESFIELD: Wilson, Payne (Cropper), Smart, Jones, Briscoe, Teague, Brackenbridge, Morgan, Rooney, Sheron (Owens), Whitaker. Subs not used: Deasy, McDonald, Cooke.

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