Goals: McNeill 39′
The young Reds had picked up valuable wins over Sunderland and Everton in their last two outings, and welcomed United to Kirkby looking to push ahead of their rivals in the title race.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson made three changes to his side from the Merseyside derby, with Balagizi among those to come in as him, Jakub Ojrzynski and Ethan Ennis took the places of Sean Wilson, Fabian Mrozek and Max Woltman.
United began the game on top, however, with Ojrzynski – fresh from a stint with the first team – required to make a save to deny Joe Hugill, before the striker then skewed another effort wide.