CAMBRIDGE United's Spotland misery came of age last night. It is a 21st birthday they will want to quickly forget.

It was 1977 when United last left this corner of Lancashire with so much as a point. Their last victory here was back in 1974 -- in front of the lowest crowd in Football League history.

At least that record was beaten by the 1,192 hardy souls who turned out to watch a match between two sides with little but pride to play for.

Predictably it was the home side who seemed to want the points that little bit more. They had around a 1,000 fans to satisfy, United had less than 50 in front of the lowest crowd in English League football last night.

That may be harsh but even United manager Roy McFarland admitted that United lacked that vital bite.

"We were not as competitive as we should have been," he said. "When we are fighting for second balls we are too often second best. That was a disappointment tonight, as it has been throughout the season."

United were also unlucky ­ but what can you expect at the ultimate in bogey grounds?

For 20 minutes after half time they looked like they might just leave Spotland with something more concrete than the filling of the local pies - a point, possibly even three.

Had Billy Beall's deflected shot not cannoned off the bar ­ or the rebound fallen more kindly for Paul Wanless ­ United would have been level and in the driving seat.

That was eight minutes into the second half and Jamie Barnwell and Michael Kyd were already starting to make the kind of direct runs which terrify less leaden-footed defences than Rochdale's.

Kyd, Lee Charles and Barnwell all had decent efforts during United's purple patch and the home crowd was just beginning to round on their own side when United were hit by a sucker punch.

In the context of United's record here, it may have been inevitable, but it was cruel nonetheless. There was no danger when Mark Stuart headed tamely into the path of Marc Joseph, but Joseph slipped and Andy Gouck passed the ball calmly past Scott Barrett.

As for United's first half performance, McFarland probably summed it up best: "I have not seen us play that badly in a long time," was his verdict.

United wasted possession far too often by lumping the ball hopefully towards the head of Charles, who was dominated by centre half Mark Leonard throughout. They failed to utilise the pace of their front three and rarely looked threatening, just a couple of weak headers keeping Neil Edwards' hands warm.

United did defend efficiently, despite on-loan centre half Andy Duncan failing a late fitness test on a thigh strain, and but for Gouck's wonder strike from 25 yards, they could have gone in level.

But there have been an awful lot of "could have beens" down the years for United on this ground.

The record shows it is 21 years and counting since United last breached Fortress Spotland. The key to that particular door is at least another year away.

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