Scunthorpe drew 1-1 with a Manchester United XI at Glanford Park on Friday night.
Mark Duffy had given the Iron a first half lead but the visitors hit back through big money summer buy Nick Powell to claim a draw.
New signing David Mirfin slotted into the heart of defence to partner Niall Canavan.
There was also a start for trialist Tom Newey at left-back, with Christian Ribeiro completing the back four.
Duffy and Andy Barcham began on either wing with Robbie Gibbons taking up a central midfield berth next to Josh Walker.
Bobby Grant and Mike Grella began up top for the Iron.
The Red Devils fielded a strong side including senior players such as Bebe, Federico Macheda and summer signing Nick Powell, who were hoping to impress first team manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was watching from the stands.
The visitors started brightly, and had a goal disallowed after just four minutes when Bebe’s cross was tapped home by Macheda, only for the strike to be disallowed for offside.
The Iron’s first real effort came after ten minutes when Duffy made a strong run from midfield but his shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Most of the possession was dominated by the away side, with Macheda acting as a target man, bringing wingers Bebe and Lingard into the game on numerous occasions.
Captain David Petrucci pulled the strings in the midfield, and looked to play a lot of balls in behind the Iron defence, but more often than not, Mirfin and Canavan were aware of the danger.
Lingard then threatened Slocombe’s goal after linking up with Macheda, but the shot was easily saved by the young keeper.
Alan Knill’s men started to come back into the game mid-way through the half, matching the young United side for possession.
After 20 minutes, ex-Crewe youngster Nick Powell tried to break the deadlock with a blistering strike from 30 yards out, however Slocombe was equal to the effort.
Despite not having the pick of the chances, the Iron took the lead just before the 25-minute mark with a beautifully crafted goal.
As the away side were attacking, Grella won the ball back in his own half and broke past three players.
A perfectly weighted pass put Grant through, and after twisting inside and out, he laid the ball across the 18-yard box for Duffy to hammer into the bottom corner.
The visitors tried to respond, regularly looking to play Bebe in down the right. The first time the Portuguese winger managed to get some space in the area, he fired in a shot which went just wide of the far post.
With the Iron beginning to come more and more into the game, Gibbons began to get further forward. He bombed down the left wing to put in a dangerous ball which had to be pushed away by Johnstone.
Just minutes later, Gibbons again got in an advanced position. After a reverse pass by Grant, the Irish midfielder seemed to be taken down by a United defender, but the referee’s verdict was no penalty.
The final chance of the half came from the lively Bebe, who hit an exuberant effort from around 35 yards straight into the arms of the keeper.
At the break, the home side went in with a 1-0 lead over the Manchester United youngsters.
No substitutions were made at the interval, and after just three minutes of the second half, Slocombe was at full stretch as he turned a firm Powell effort wide of the right post.
Despite United bursting out of the traps in the second half, the Iron looked dangerous on the attack, with another claim for a penalty turned down by the referee after Grella had dribbled his way into the box.
However, after nine minutes of play, the deficit was reduced. The away side’s bright start to the half was rewarded when Lingard picked the ball up on the right and broke past the United defence.
After a quick look up, he eased the ball across the unmarked Powell who coolly slotted home from just inside the 18-yard-box.
The Red Devils tried to press on after the goal and take the lead. Macheda had his first effort since the disallowed goal at the beginning of the game, but his drive hit the side netting.
Walker and Duffy kept the ball much better in the second half, and this seemed to give the home side confidence as they looked much more composed when in possession.
The first substitution was made after 70 minutes, with Knill bringing off Gibbons - who had been industrious on the left side of midfield - and replacing him with trialist Mark Hughes.
With players tiring towards the end of the match, Grant tried to catch keeper Johnstone off guard, but his strike went wide.
Connor Jennings replaced Grella, while another trialist - Jordan Keegan - came on for Barcham.
Almost immediately at the other end, Petrucci hit a powerful curling shot just over.
This was to be the Italian’s last involvement in the game, after being replaced by pacy forward Joshua King, who spent time on loan at Hull City last season.
With only minutes left, sub Jennings almost sealed the win for the home side when he hit a powerful strike on target, but Johnstone held the ball well.
A last minute effort from United’s young guns had to be hacked off the line but the scores finished even.
After a lively encounter, the home crowd applauded the Iron on what was a very productive performance.
TEAM LINE-UPS
Scunthorpe United: Slocombe, Ribeiro, Mirfin, Canavan, Newey; Duffy (Godden 90), Gibbons (Keegan 69), Walker, Barcham (Hughes 81); Grant Grella (Jennings 75).
Substitutes: Severn (GK), Howe, Bopp, Smythe, Vernam.
Manchester United XI: Johnstone, Vermijl (Cole 83), M. Keane, Wootton, Brady; Tunnicliffe, Petrucci (King 86), Powell; Bebe, Macheda, Lingard.
Substitutes: Sutherland (GK), King, Giverin, Veseli, Blackett.