It was Brig's second game of pre-season, with Jamie Milligan's side recording a 2-1 defeat against AFC Blackpool earlier in the week. In contrast, Ryan Lowe's side were in action for the first time since the last day of the Championship season.

A crowd of 2,152 came through the Irongate turnstiles to watch the match - only a marginally smaller amount than the record 2,300 attendance for Brig's famous friendly against Czech Republic in 1996.

As is usual in pre-season, the fans in attendance witnessed plenty of trialists taking part, with Brig naming five in their starting XI and a further three on the bench. PNE, meanwhile, gave a debut to Ben Woodburn, as well as to goalkeeping duo Freddie Woodman and Dai Cornell.

The game started in a relatively quiet fashion. Brig created several opportunities to challenge the visiting defence, but they were unable to break through into the final third. At the other end, Emil Riis fired the ball across the face of goal but none of his team-mates were able to get on the end of it.

PNE's first clear cut opening came on 22 minutes, when Jordan Storey's well-struck half-volley from a corner was well blocked by the Brig defence.

Lowe's side began to hit their stride as the half wore on, Noah Mawene hitting the crossbar from close range on 30 minutes after Riis' effort was deflected. Mawene later hit the outside of the post with a header, before PNE captain Daniel Johnson curled a left-footed effort narrowly wide just before the interval.

Brig went into the break on level terms, a fair reward for their efforts in the first half. And Milligan's side caused problems within the opening minutes of the second half, with Nathan Pond rising highest from a corner but seeing his knockdown reached first by an opposition defender.

On 51 minutes, the visitors were awarded a penalty when Andrew Hughes was brought down in the box. Ben Whiteman stepped up and placed his spot kick straight down the middle and into the back of the net.

Brig then had an opening at the other end. Isaac Sinclair capitalised on a loose ball and took an effort from 20 yards out, which substitute goalkeeper Dai Cornell was able to keep out.

Then, on 57 minutes, North End made it two when Woodburn found the bottom corner of the goal with a first time effort.

And it was three on 68 minutes, Mikey O'Neill meeting Woodburn's low cross with a first-time effort past Brig's trialist goalkeeper.

The scoreline was unchanged in the final 20 minutes, with O'Neill seeing an effort kept out by the goalkeeper late on. It was another good runout for Brig in pre-season, with the next test for Jamie Milligan and his side coming on Tuesday when they take on Wigan Athletic at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.