Martin: It Was Hard Work

Lee Martin admitted an energetic Orlando Pirates side tested his and United's fitness in the Reds' 1-0 Vodacom Challenge win.

Midfielder Martin scored the only goal of the game in Durban, slotting home after running onto Fraizer Campbell's flick-on, but the youngster knows United did not have it all their own way in the second game of the South Africa trip.

"It was a good game but it was hard work, especially in the last 20 minutes when we found it hard to keep the ball and a little bit of fatigue set in," he told MUTV.

"It was humid out there and they are halfway through their season and fighting fit, whereas we have only just started our campaign. Pre-season is all about fitness and they definitely tested that and made it hard for us."

Martin has made a habit of scoring goals on United's pre-season tours but was happy to credit striker Campbell for his contribution to the 23rd-minute winner.

"Fraizer did all the hard work for my goal, I just made the run and fortunately got a little touch on it, got in front of the defender and slotted it in," Martin said.