UNITED'S hopes of retaining the Manchester Senior Cup took a significant blow following this group stage defeat at Carrington.

The Reds, with eight points from four games completed, remain in third place one point behind Oldham and Bolton. The top two clubs in the final group table contest the final.

Fifteen consecutive penalties were converted before County keeper Lloyd Rigby made a fine save from Joe Dudgeon's kick to break the deadlock.

Rigby was earlier the main hero, keeping United at bay almost single-handed with a string of fine saves including an astonishing one from Federico Macheda.