FOUR minutes in a nine-month campaign, during the last lap of a 46-match marathon, decided the third division championship.

An agonising near miss at one end and a wobbly moment in defence at the other, meant Brentford's young star Lloyd Owusu ended up wearing a winner's medal instead of Cambridge United stalwart John Taylor.

After somehow surviving the shakiest of starts, United were in control of the Abbey Stadium showdown between the top two when Taylor breezed through the Bees defence in the 57th minute. Controlling Trevor Benjamin's well-struck pass, he turned and shot with a clear view of goal and only the keeper to beat from 15 yards.

What followed was scarcely believed by the thousands in the grandstand who shouted what sounded like "Goa . . . ohh." How could he have missed from there? they thought, as the keeper prepared for a goal kick. The greatest goal grabber in United's history, the 'legend,' super-sub double scorer of the promotion goals 10 days earlier.

No-one really took much notice of Taylor waving his arms at the referee. But, as he disclosed afterwards, he was complaining about not getting a corner -- the 'miss' was, in fact, a wonder save by goalkeeper Andy Woodman.

"It was going in," said the United player-coach. "I got the perfect pass from Trevor, set up and hit the ball well. It was on the way inside the post, I was starting my run to celebrate when I saw him get fingertips to it. It was a great save, and it should have been a corner."

You could hardly say Woodman looked like a star player. He looked like a jumble sale -- red socks, black shorts, mauve and pink jersey, flourescent lime-green gloves. But four minutes later he switched from goal-stopper to maker with a huge clearance which exposed a vulnerability United will have to work hard on before tackling Division Two.

They have struggled in many games to cope with the simple ploy of a high ball down the middle of the pitch, and crucially this occasion was no exception. Andy Duncan was unable to reach goalkeeper Shaun Marshall, and Owusu was in for his 25th goal of the season.

United needed two goals for the title in half an hour -- including stoppage time -- after that, a task far too tough against a Brentford side on a 15-match unbeaten run.

Although not quite "annihilating them" in overall play, as Taylor suggested, Roy McFarland's men had more possession and created more chances. But they were guilty of glaring misses during the first half, and were blocked again by Woodman in a tense last 10 minutes.

It looked like being a cakewalk for the Londoners at the start when Andy Scott forced three excellent saves from Marshall, with a deflected shot, inswinging corner and 20-yard drive all inside the opening 12 minutes. And the 20th minute chance Benjamin headed over the crossbar was from an isolated raid.

It took a foul by Icelandic international Hermann Hreidarson on skipper Paul Wanless seven minutes later to stir United's blood and get them into the contest. Limping back on to the pitch after being stretched off in obvious pain, Wanless channelled his anger into some thunderous tackles which rocked Brentford's midfield and allowed Alex Russell to become noticeable for more than his startling new blond dye job.

Taylor had the ball taken off his toe a couple of yards out, just before the break, but it was confident United who started the second half, playing their favourite way with a strong wind at their backs.

The £42,000 team bossed Ron Noades' £1m-plus collection, before and after Owusu's glory goal. It might have been a dream end to a tremendous season, but Woodman made superb saves from all three of United's 57-goal forward line: a reflex block to stop a Taylor header, solid save from a Butler bullet, and a brave dive at Benjamin's feet.

The final whistle signalled one of the strangest ends to a successful United season as they trudged off leaving Brentford to spray champagne around and collect the Division Three trophy on the Abbey pitch.

They came back out to acknowledge the fans, but the air of disappointment and anti- climax was obvious among players and supporters.

It probably took until well into yesterday before many fans suddenly thought: "Hey, we won promotion -- and Peterborough didn't even make the play-offs!"

At some games I get "good" feelings, and "bad" feelings. Saturday was a "good" day, and there was no way we were going to lose, the only worry was that a draw would not be enough.

A quick pint in the Supporters club, threw my draw tickets into the pile. As I had to be at pitchside by 2:15 I extracted a promise from Dave that we would split any winnings, however whether he would let on if we won anything is another matter!

Got to the pitch and with Keith presented Young Player of the Season award and a bottle of bubbly to Andy Duncan, while Andrea and Wil presented U's Net Player of the Season to Martin Butler. So at least 4 United fans got onto the pitch! The Abbey looked pretty full 45 minutes before kick-off, and it was amazing to see the movement as the crowd sang "jump around if you're going up". It was the first time I've seen it instead of participating! Getting to my usual place proved difficult, and having room to write notes was almost impossible!

Brentford started the game livelier, mainly due to having the swirling wind at their backs. Marshall had to tip over a deflected shot that would have dropped just under the bar (echo's of their winner in December!) after 3 minutes, then saved a shot following the corner. He saved again on 9 minutes from a curling near post corner, the ball glancing off the bar on the way. We gradually got into the game, by realising we had to match them physically or keep the ball away from them. Russell was taken late by their #8, who was booked, and from the free kick Benjamin headed over.

On 24 minutes Wanless was fouled after the ball had gone, and had to be carried off on a stretcher. We feared the worst, but after a couple of minutes of treatment he came back on, with a lot of finger pointing at the perpetrator of the foul, but he kept control and didn't go looking for retaliation.

Eustace headed wide from a corner on 33 minutes, a few minutes later their #2 was booked but nothing came of the free kick. on 43 minutes Marshall had to save low at his post conceding a corner which came to nothing, then 2 minutes into injury time Butler shot over from around 20 yards.

In the second half the wind died down, but it didn't stop Duncan having a fierce shot which was going into the top corner before being deflected wide, and from the corner the ball was headed past the post. 11 minutes into the half Taylor had a good chance from around 16 yards, his shot looked to me to have been pushed away for a corner by the 'keeper, but the referee only gave a goal kick.

A minute later Butler was booked, but I don't know what for. It couldn't have been for pushing as the central defenders were about a foot taller than him! Brentford scored after 16 minutes, from a long kick forward from the 'keeper, Duncan headed the ball back to Marshall but didn't get a good enough contact, Marshall slipped as he came for the ball, and in nipped Owusu to dink the ball over Marshall and into the net, Eustace not able to get back quick enough to keep the ball out.

After 30 minutes Mustoe and Walker came on for Campbell and Ashbee, and a few minutes from the end Kyd came on for Russell. The last 10 minutes or so was constant attack by United, their 'keeper pulled off a number of superb saves, one from a cross headed back across goal by Chenery to Taylor whose header on goal was saved, then other reflex saves. They also had a lot of luck when balls were pulled back into the 6-yard box and last ditch tackles or kicks almost off the line were required.

Eventually the final whistle went. The pleas to supporters to keep off the pitch was heeded by all but a couple of visiting fans as the Brentford team went over to celebrate. United trooped off to loud applause, apparently a couple of players had tears in their eyes.

A few minutes after both teams had left the pitch, the Brentford team came out to accept the winners trophy and individual medals, and then United re-appeared for a lap of honour. Both teams went to their opponents ends and were applauded by opposition supporters, which for me made the game end on a friendlier note.

The noise in the Abbey during the second half especially was absolutely deafening, I think the loudest I have ever heard. We were the better team over the whole of the game, making more chances, but unfortunately unable to take them. Their 'keeper, Woodman must have been their man of the match, he single handedly won them the game. Their defenders were uncompromising, and their #5 in particular seemed under orders to kick the ball as far as possible the way he was facing, which usually meant into touch! Their most dangerous player was #10, Partridge, who could run with the ball.

For us I'll go for Wanless, leadership of the highest order. No-one did particularly badly or was especially outstanding, and although Campbell disappointed with his crosses, he defended OK. Chenery even got into the Brentford penalty area on a couple of occasions! Benjamin was not as good as he has been recently, and if I'd been manager I would have replaced him with Kyd for the last 15 minutes. Also I would have started with Walker in order to bring on Taylor later.

At the end of the day it's the result that counts, and for all our better football failure to score cost us dear. As I've said before, our style now is to play football rather than battle, which will hopefully stand us in good stead next season. Brentford might struggle with their current team, but then they'll probably spend loads of money on new players during the close season.

After the there was the walk to Chillis for a few drinks (in my case a few too many!) which eventually seemed to lift the disappointment of not winning the championship to enjoyment of being promoted. It was nice to meet a few more Moosenetters. People had mostly drifted away by 9ish when Graham Eales popped in, it was nice of him to show up. I must have left around that time as I got home about 9:30. My wife says I was in a bit of a state, singing various football songs, but I don't remember. I do remember talking to God on the big white (well, peach in our case) telephone about 4 in the morning! Good job we didn't win the championship or I would have been in an even worse state!

Finally, I'd like to thank the club for making the season so good for us all, and thank Andrea firstly for the superb website, secondly for giving me the opportunity to present an award to a player. It is much appreciated.

Here's to a successful season in Division 2.

There was one change to United's line-up as veteran goalscorer John Taylor returned at the expense of Michael Kyd, who joined Richard Walker and Neil Mustoe on the bench. Before kick-off myself and regular match reporters Will Jones, Keith Webb and Terry Wilby presented Martin Butler with the U's Net Player of the Season award and Andy Duncan with the equivalent young player award. Alex Russell received the Cambridge Evening News award and John Taylor received a silver salver from chairman Reg Smart in recognition of breaking the club's goalscoring record this season.

The first half kicked off in sunshine but with a tricky swirling wind blowing at the Newmarket Road End, and ended in pouring rain.

Brentford made the most of the wind at their backs to put early pressure on United and Shaun Marshall had to make three saves in the first ten minutes. But the Us then started to get hold of the ball and Trevor Benjamin saw a 20th minute header tipped over before the stadium fell silent as Paul Wanless crashed to the ground under a heavy challenge. United's captain courageous had to be stretchered off, obviously in great pain, and it was a huge surprise and relief when he was cheered back onto the field a couple of minutes later, jabbing an accusing finger at Brentford's Hreidarsson as he hobbled back into action.

The incident seemed to boost the home support and the team were roared on by three sides of the ground as they resisted the wind and matched Brentford up to the break, with Eustace heading a corner wide and Martin Butler sending a late chance wide of the post. (Half-time 0-0)

United were, as always, better in the second half as they attacked the Newmarket Road End and Andy Duncan saw his early long-range shot deflected wide. Shortly afterwards John Taylor saw a chance pushed away for a corner but a goalkick was awarded, for which goalkeeper Andy Woodman shrugged apologetically to Shaggy.

Moments after a mysterious booking for Butler Taylor's goal-bound shot forced an excellent finger-tip save from Woodman, and four minutes later the 'keeper's long kick set up the decisive goal. Andy Duncan couldn't get enough distance on his back-header and Lloyd Owusu sprinted past him to lift the ball over Shaun Marshall into the net in agonising slow motion. Three sides of the ground were stunned into shocked silence while the packed away end roared their approval. The highest irony comes in the fact that 21-year-old Duncan has been, in the words of so many fans, a "rock" all season but he will blame himself for Brentford's goal.

Roy McFarland threw on more attackers as the game advanced, first sending on Walker and Mustoe for Campbell and Ashbee and, with a couple of minutes left, Kyd for the newly-bleached blond Russell, and United had the Bees goal under siege for the closing stages. The impressive Woodman had to make more saves from Taylor and Butler to break United's hearts and ensure that his side were crowned champions.

The noisy travelling Bees erupted at the final whistle and as their players went to celebrate in front of them it was hard to watch Andy Duncan trudging from the pitch ahead of his team-mates with his chin near his boots, and a big, brave footballer like Paul Wanless being comforted by player-coach David Preece as tears streamed down his face.

The trophy was eventually presented to Brentford by League officials but the biggest cheer of the afternoon came when the United players trotted back onto the pitch for their own lap of honour, accompanied by Roy McFarland, the coaching staff, physio Ken Steggles and kit-man Roger Parker among others. Both sets of supporters applauded each other's teams which ended the afternoon on a friendly footing, although not lessening the disappointment of once again seeing a championship celebrated by another team on our immaculate pitch.

Today's result and Cardiff's defeat at Mansfield mean Cambridge United are promoted two Division Two as runners-up and can look forward to facing the likes of Reading, Oxford, Stoke and possibly Manchester City next season. The attendance figure of 8,936 is United's biggest home crowd for seven seasons.