Goals for new boys Harvey Grice and Anthony Dwyer in the first half, followed by a penalty from Courey Grantham in the second, looked to have sealed the win for Mark Clifford’s side, but the visitors fought until the very end and scored twice in the last five minutes remaining.

Both sides had a number of chances early on, but it was United who struck first after Matt Thornhill's free kick into the box resulted in a goal mouth scramble that saw Grice poke the ball home, mere hours after he joined the club on a permanent deal from Alfreton Town.

Clifford’s men almost scored a second shortly after, when Dwyer showed excellent skill to work his way into the box and play the ball back to Thornhill, but his effort flew wide of the target.

19 was next up for United and his effort from inside the box looked destined for the back of the net when he picked out the bottom corner, but the Clifton 'keeper was on hand to deny him with an excellent save.

The away side weren’t without chances of their own; after some dazzling foot work a frontman sliced his effort wide of target. Shortly after, he had another glorious chance go begging, when he found himself facing an open goal from just outside of the area, but he struck the crossbar.

Clifton always looked promising and finally got a goal shortly afterwards when the lively forward smashed it into the back of the United net beyond Kieran Preston.

The hosts wasted no time restoring their lead, though, and immediately after the restart, a long ball over the top found Dwyer one-on-one and he showed excellent composure, calmly poking the ball beyond the 'keeper.

It was more of the same in the second half, with a trialist showing superb skill to work his way into the box early, but he fired his effort well wide of target.

Clifford’s men almost had a fourth when academy prospect Lewis Rourke caused real problems for the visiting defence, displaying a tremendous amount of skill as he worked his way into the box but Grantham's prod clipped the crossbar.

Shortly after the hour mark, United had a third when Grantham converted from the penalty spot after a trialist was felled by the eager visiting 'keeper.

Clifton pulled one back with just over five minutes left, before they completed their comeback just moments later after a forward took aim to fire beyond scholar Daniel Morledge in the home goal.

United will return to action when they host Notts County on Tuesday 5 July (7.45pm).