THOSE fans with memories of previous promotion campaigns will have no doubt now: "the U's are going up."

Apart from the nail-biting year when it went all the way to a Wembley play-off, there has always been a point, before the figures confirm it, when you just know the season will end in success. That feeling must have swept through the bank of 500 Cambridge United supporters at Priestfield last night during a victory which seemed little more than a formality.

Homeless, hapless Brighton were still theoretically in with a chance for almost almost an hour, but right from the kick-off an air of inevitability hung over the game. Roy McFarland's men were going to win and regain their place at the top of Division Three. It was only the little details such as goals and scorers which needed to be filled in.

Skipper Paul Wanless settled his side down with a header midway through the first half, Jamie Campbell put the result beyond doubt as early as the 56th minute, and the exhibition stuff began to flow after Neil MacKenzie's first goal for the club in the 73rd.

It was not quite as easy as it often looked of course. What appeared to be a laid-back third gear approach to the first half had much to do with the team getting used to changes in their attacking play due to the introduction of Richard Walker up front and MacKenzie in a new midfield line.

It was not so much disorganised as disjointed. And while United were working on their game there was the occasional inconvenient interruption from bustling midfielder Jeff Minton, one of the few Brighton players not apparently resigned to defeat from the start.

His glancing header, flashing across Shaun Marshall's goal in the 20th minute gave some hope to the south coast fans after five consecutive 90 minute journeys to Gillingham to see their side go down without much trace. But instead of stirring the struggling Seagulls, the near miss acted like the right kind of shock to United's system, saving them from becoming locked into one of their first half slumbers.

Martin Butler, too often a lone toiler against Cardiff, gained support from Benjamin's power plus the kind of persistence from Walker which won the free kick leading to the opening goal. Mackenzie, an experimental striker on Saturday, was able to use his Stoke City skills to better effect in midfield, and United took control, although without exerting much pressure before the break.

There were enough languid spells almost to justify the assistant of the Radio Kent reporter bringing along his copy of The Complete Eurovision Song Contest Companion. Introduced by Terry Wogan. Fortunately there was a lot more "boom bangabang," after the break.

United, probably as much to the surprise of the Brighton fans as to themselves, had to weather a brief storm during which Gary Hart forced a save from Marshall, and Minton headed wide at a corner kick. But it was plain sailing after left-back Campbell supplied one of the important goals which have punctuated his season.

Even the desperation which had driven Brighton drained from their play, enabling United to stroke the ball around at will. The only thing which eluded them was their biggest away win of the season, which would have been clinched with a brilliant 83rd minute goal if Ormerod had not made a reflex point-blank save.

Campbell, clearly revelling in the freedom to join the attack, produced a startling David Ginola impersonation in the Albion box, jinking past a couple of defenders and crossing to Walker whose header was so well saved.

"We are top of the League," rang out from the United terrace until the final whistle, interrupted only by the slightly bizarre moment when the Albion fans roared as loudly as though Hart had grabbed an 88th minute match winner. But they had been waiting nine hours and 21 minutes to see their side score.

What a difference six months make. On Friday October 9th 1998 Brighton visited the Abbey Stadium on the back of one of the worst runs in their Football League history. They were in free fall with the worst form in the country. The result? They left with all three points, three goals and the first in a succession of consecutive away victories of course. They still, to this very day, remain the last side to record a victory against Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.

174 days later Cambridge United found themselves in almost the same position prior to this match, facing a confidence starved Brighton side who once again 'boasted' the most remarkable lack of form in the country. Most teams would relish the opportunity to take on teams with such poor form, but as any fan will tell you United just love to make a habit of tripping over the very shortest hurdles.

This time however they cleared it by some distance, a distance which had it not been for some fine goalkeeping and wayward finishing would have been a great deal longer. It almost sums up the whole season, as well as almost wrapping it up in a nice little bundle. United stormed back to the top of the league as they swept aside the Brighton team who seemed to remember halfway through the first half that they had nothing to play for as they disintegrated into a shambles.

The 90 minutes United played was a microcosm of the season to date. We started brightly, took our foot off the throttle, burst into life, then coasted home to victory. In the opening 5 minutes United were teasing the Brighton defence with the power and strength of Benjamin alongside the tireless running and skill of Butler.

Despite the territorial advantage a few wayward shots from Paul Wanless were all United had to show it. Brighton were looking every bit the mid-table also ran, never looking as though they could gather the momentum to sustain any degree of concerted pressure. They did enjoy one opportunity to take the lead, but as in the previous eight hours of play failed to see the ball end up in the back of the net as Minton's header flew wide of Marshall's near post.

Just a few seconds later United were gifted the lead. Neil Mustoe chipped in a free kick from the far side which the Brighton goalkeeper failed to meet allowing Paul Wanless to ghost in at the far post to head home from a narrow angle. A welcome goal for our captain fantastic, who is enjoying a rich vein of form.

A rare defensive mistake from Andy Duncan gave Minton the opportunity to level the scores shortly after, as he ran through on goal. His finish was as accurate and clinical as his team's ability to play football ... it went out for a throw in. United were a little relaxed during the first period, and could have done with an extra goal to settle the nerves of the 500 or so travelling supporters. Just before half time they were convinced this had occurred, as Richard Walker surged thorough the Albion defence only to see his final shot graze the far post on it's way out for a goal kick.

The U's had to survive an unexpected early second half onslaught from Brighton and Shaun Marshall was never found wanting in the United goal. He saved well from Hart shortly after the restart, and from the resulting corner punched the ball away from his far post to relative safety. Then came the moment which as good as ripped the three points from the heart of Brighton. Jamie Campbell, whose form of late could only be rather flatteringly described as average, scored a wonderful goal to double the U's lead. Neat play from Trevor Benjamin inside the box put the free transfer from Barnet clear through on goal. His neat chip over the 'keeper saw him register his 5th goal of the campaign ... and people have the nerve to say he isn't much cop going forward.

This goal seemed to crush any remaining Brighton reserve, and they were fortunate United only managed to find the net on one more occasion. Once again Trevor Benjamin was involved as he threaded the ball through a needle in the penalty area to give Neil Mackenzie the simple task of rifling past the helpless 'keeper with the clock registering 73 minutes. There was ample time remaining for United to turn on the style, and Richard Walker had one headed attempt superbly saved moments later which denied him a goal to cap his encouraging performance. Brighton managed a late consolation when Hart fired a shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net after neat play from the midfield had set him free. The goal had few interested spectators however as many of the Seagulls fans had already vacated the ground and started their long journey home.

Professional performances such as this will guide the United ship firmly into promotion dock. We used the Brighton team as some sort of toy, which after providing brief entertainment were discarded into the corner without any real degree of effort being necessary.

"We gotta get out of this place!" screeched the loud speakers before kick off, highlighting Brighton's desperate plight with regards to their lack of a stadium. I was dreaming of something completely different when I heard it ... with 'this place' being the basement league of English football. At the end of the game I wasn't just dreaming ... I was starting to even believe it.

Man of the match: Neil MacKenzie put in a very accomplished and promising performance to stake a claim for a regular place in the squad. His neat and controlled style of play when taking the ball forward was occasionally a joy to behold, and regularly the spine of all the United attacks.

Apart from the three little beauties from tonights game that puts us back on the top of the pile again.

a.) We made heavy going of it to start with.

b.) Eustace was outstanding again

c.) McKenzie had an excellent game

d.) Walker played well once he'd settled, although it took until the second half for him to get to grips with the game.

e.) Buts was as superb as ever.

f.) apart from one or two hair raising moments Chenery had another good game.

g.) Campbell managed to play well and score a good goal all in the same game.

h.) I can't remember Marshall needing to make to save (bar the one he couldn't make when Albion scored)

i ) all our goals came from midfielders.

j.) we scored from a corner for the first time that I can remember.

k.) that's the seventh time this season in the league that we've scored 3 or more goals away from home

l.) after the third goal we played some tremendous football which just goes to show how good the players really are when there is no pressure on.

m.) I think the Albion fans are bloody amazing, that's their twelfth "home" defeat this season yet they cheered their side on right up to the final whistle, once they get settled in a home of their own we might see the Brighton of old.

P.S. did anyone else think that the linesman in the first half was hopeless?

Say "WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!"

United got off to a bright start and enjoyed most of the early possession without really carving out any clear chances. Trevor Benjamin looked lively and saw plenty of the ball, but for the opening 20 minutes United had only a couple of speculative shots from Paul Wanless to note. Brighton, without a goal in almost eight hours play, replied with a Mayo cross but Minton's glancing header sailed a couple of feet wide. Then in the 22nd minute Richard Walker's persistence won a free kick near the right hand corner flag, Neil Mustoe's deep cross was missed by everyone except Paul Wanless at the far post who powered a downward header into the net.

In the 26th minute a mix-up between former Old Trafford team mates Mustoe and Duncan let in Minton but his shot was across the face of goal, then in the 31st minute Wanless robbed Bennett and found Walker, who just failed to link up with MacKenzie. Two minutes later Ross Johnson made a good run before flicking the ball to Minton, but the danger was snuffed out by Ben Chenery who produced a cool cushioned header back to Shaun Marshall.

In the 38th minute Minton was intercepted by Walker who glided the five yards to the edge of the box before sliding an angled drive just wide, and a minute later Bennett's back pass brought a hint of mis-control from Ormerod, but as Martin Butler nearly robbed him the Brighton keeper recovered. Then in the 41st minute Gary Hart nicked the ball from Wanless and launched a swift attack down the right, but Richard Walker got back to make a very good covering challenge.

United had played well within themselves during the first half, but Brighton's fragile confidence had been drained by conceding the goal and they rarely looked capable of breaking the current run of five home defeats. (Half-time 1-0)

The U's were under the cosh after the break and had to defend well as Brighton came out charged up and produced their first chance after just 25 seconds. Bennett's shot was blocked and Hart fired the rebound straight at Shaun Marshall, the first save the young keeper was called upon to make. His next came after 54 minutes when Hart burst into the area, controlling the ball with a hint of handball, but the ball went for a corner which Marshall punched clear under a lot of pressure.

Then in the 56th minute United relieved the pressure by extending the lead after a brilliant move down the left. Jamie Campbell passed to Benjamin who drew two defenders before laying the ball off to Campbell again, and the fullback advanced on the keeper before lifting the ball over him and into the net.

In the 64th minute Minton placed a 25 yard free kick over the wall but it was caught confidently by Marshall, who had little to do behind an impressive back four and a hard-working midfield. For the next nine minutes there was little to note other than a couple of Brighton corners which Marshall handled well, then United extended the lead in the 73rd minute. Walker took possession just over the halfway line and picked out Benjamin who drew the defence before finding the unmarked Neil MacKenzie, and from the edge of the area the Stoke City midfielder produced a precise finish.

United were cruising now, watched by maybe 500 travelling fans who celebrated with a conga, and in the 83rd minute Jamie Campbell was inspired to get into the box and beat a defender with a flash of brilliance by stepping over the ball before crossing to Walker. The young striker had probably his best game so far for United but his header was just tipped over by Brighton keeper Ormerod.

Brighton surprised no-one more than themselves when they broke their long spell without a goal by nicking one with three minutes left, when Gary Hart sent an angled drive across Marshall and into the far corner. But United returned to the top of the table after tonight's win, level on 71 points with Cardiff but with 12 more goals scored and two games in hand.

Mark Johnson's man of the match: Neil Mustoe - "He was everywhere and covered every blade of grass ... seven or eight times! He was even winning headers on the edge of his own area."