Owen Betts was adjudged to have handled from Aaron Skinner’s strike and Dawson coolly stepped up to send Kieran Preston the wrong way and Brig held on for only their second win in ten.

United welcomed Barnsley loanees Jordan Helliwell and Harrison Nejman to the starting line-up, after they joined on deadline day, and both impressed throughout.

Helliwell’s deft shot, after only 3 minutes, was easy for visiting ‘keeper Matthew Hudson, but it was an early sign of attacking prowess from the young full-back.

Another loanee, Lirak Hasani – from Doncaster – then stung the hands of Hudson with the first real shot in anger after 15 minutes but Brig’s shot-stopper matched the effort.

Despite the positive start, the visitors embarked on their first real attack and after a Matthew Thomson cross was spilled by Preston, Skinner pounced to strike straight at Betts’ unraised arm and referee Elliott Kaye pointed to the spot.

Picking up the ball, Dawson’s experience told, and he calmly passed the ball beyond Preston’s dive for the lead.

The hosts reacted well and could not have come closer to an equaliser.

Looking to amend for a harsh call at the other end, Betts latched on to Kane Richards’ delayed pass and his stunning half-volley crashed off the top of the crossbar and away to safety with Hudson well beaten.

Minutes later, Richards looked destined to equalise, but the ball wouldn’t drop, before the rebound from Nejman - on target - lacked the power to beat Hudson.

A frantic half settled, but just before the break, Betts again strode forward and, similar to his earlier effort, flashed a low strike that beat Hudson but clipped the outside of the right-hand post to sum up a frustrating half for the hosts.

Continuing on trend in the second period, Richards galivanting run from the left tempted Nathan Pond into a lazy tackle in the area and Kaye – without hesitation – awarded a penalty for the second time.

Striker Liam Hearn took his time, but his high effort struck the top-end of Hudson’s crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Tyreace Palmer made a return from injury and was introduced on the hour, and he was involved in some encouraging build-up play later on, though Betts strayed offside and another promising attack yielded nothing.

Late on, another replacement in Courey Grantham found space down the left, seconds after being introduced, and with an unmarked Palmer lying in wait, his low cross was under hit and Brig cleared their lines.

Jake Daniels was sent off late on for his side, but they stood firm to take home maximum points to the jubilation of the travelling support.

United are in Notts Senior Cup Quarter-Final action on Wednesday night when they host Mansfield Town (19:45), before a trip to the seaside and Whitby Town awaits next Saturday (15:00).

UNITED: Preston, Betts, Helliwell, Roma, Gascoigne, Dunn, Nejman (Grantham 80’), Hasani, Hearn (Palmer 65’), Richards, Wilson
SUBS (not used): Carr, Frogson, Musson (GK)

ATT: 303