ROY McFarland was a little harsh on his Hillsborough heroes when he gave "lady luck" a large slice of the credit for the humbling of Sheffield Wednesday.

There was no doubt though at Roots Hall on Saturday she was clad from head to toe in black and amber, sitting in the visitors section and shouting "Come on you U's."

United had their moments in attack, played some pleasing football and were tight at times in defence. But you had to sympathise with Southend boss Alvin Martin when he said: "If I was the Cambridge manager now I'd be down on my knees in a prayer of thanks. They played well, but there's no way we shouldn't have had at least a share of the points. I can't remember a more frustrating match."

His side carved out good chances, most of which they squandered, but they saw United goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden stick out a leg for a save he knew little about in the 11th minute, then Trevor Benjamin get the winning goal when the ball hit him in the face midway through the second half.

And the big teenager was close to being on the substitutes' bench at that stage after a first 45 minutes in which the United boss spent most of his time shouting and waving instructions at him.

"Trevor just wasn't putting himself about," he said. "I brought young Mark McCammon in on the other side of the attack for his first start, and understandably he drifted in and out. But with Trevor doing it as well Martin Butler was isolated and running himself into the ground.

"I was considering bringing both of them off early on the second half,but Trevor just did enough to stay on. We got the breaks, no doubt about it. Southend are the best team we've played this season. But we played well in patches, and we've built up a bit of confidence with the recent results."

It was an open, entertaining game in the Southend sunshine which could have finished 4-4 if both sides had taken their chances. The pattern was set, however, in the opening quarter of an hour when Barry Conlon's point-blank header hit Van Heusden's leg, and Paul Wanless' header flashed over the home crossbar.

The United midfield worked hard in the heat, but Southend player-coach Mick Gooding, looking remarkably sprightly at 39, and the mobile David Whyte were more dangerous.

Whyte had a shot deflected wide, and looked like he should have had a penalty when Jamie Campbell dragged him down. And Conlon missed his second sitter just before the break when he aimed a free header wide of the far post.

United's attacks were more intermittent, although Butler was only an inch away from a header with goalkeeper Martyn Marge-tson at his mercy as an Alex Russell centre curled across the face of goal just before the break.

Both sides continued to play attacking football after the interval, but it seemed the breakthrough just would not come. John Taylor, substitute for the promising, but exhausted McCammon, got tangled up with the keeper a few yards out in the 59th minute, then Whyte, expertly controlling another Gooding pass, fired inches over the bar.

After all those chances going begging, the winning goal came from an accident, although Marc Joseph's deep cross was a good one and Benjamin, no doubt happy to be on the other flank where the manager's exhortations were not quite so audible, got himself into a good position.

What United have suddenly become able to do, however, as the understanding between goalkeeper and back four develops, is protect a lead. And for all Southend's desperate pressure, it was United who went closest to the next goal when Butler broke clear five minutes from time, beat the centre-back, but stubbed a shot straight at the keeper.

No-one was worrying about that, though, after eight days which produced three clean sheets, six third division points, and a glory night in the Worthington Cup.

Got to Sarfend and found I had left my notebook behind, so these notes come from memory and jottings on the back of the programme, and will be fairly short!

McCammon started in place of Taylor, who joined Preece and Youngs on the subs. bench.

Sarfend started brightly, passing the ball around quickly, but not causing too much trouble. However, as the game went on they did make a few chances, Van Heusden saving most easily, once with his legs, the defence occasionally going missing. We did make a few chances of our own, Russell put a free kick into the side netting, and Butler having a shot saved. Sarfend had the better of the half overall, but we were stronger towards the end.

5 minutes into the second half Taylor came on for McCammon. We continued to look lively. Benjamin heading across the face of the goal and wide by about a foot from a free kick. There was also a big scramble in the Sarfend goal after 14 minutes, with their keeper making a double save at the feet of Shaggy.

Preece came on for Wanless on 23 minutes, the captains armband going to Duncan. Wanless may have taken a knock as he didn't seem quite his usual self. A few minutes later they managed to clear a corner off the goal line. On 27 minutes a long throw from Joseph was cleared back to him, he crossed to the far post and Benjamin headed in.

Sarfend were limited to long range shots, most of which went into the second tier of the stand, or tamely through to Van Heusden. In the last 5 minutes Benjamin had a run through towards goal, his strong shot being saved, then Butler had only the 'keeper to beat but managed only a weak shot which was saved easily.

Van Heusden's only error of the game was to put a goal kick straight into touch, his handling was good. The defence looked reasonable, whenever one was beaten there was someone else covering, especially Duncan. In the middle Russell looked good, as did Mustoe, who gets my MoM for his all-round good play and continual running and tackling. At the front Butler and Benjamin looked lively, McCammon made some good moves, but needs a few more games to get to the pace of the game, although his confidence looks good. Taylor did a few stumbling runs, and was unfortunate not to score. Preece looked quality as always, seemingly able to make enough space to appear un-hurried when he passes and consequently the ball going to the player he intended should get it.

Sarfend look to be one of the better teams in the division, so a win away was pretty good. Crowd was 5009, I reckon about 300 U's fans there. At half time the announcer said boring were winning 1-0, so finding out they had lost 2-0 with a goal by Heathcote was icing on the cake, and we move above them. Oh what a perfect day!

Ratings: Van Heusden 8, Chenery 8, Mustoe 9, Duncan 8, Joseph 8, Campbell 8, Wanless 7 (Preece 8), McCammon 7 (Taylor 7), Butler 7, Benjamin 8

Three games, three goals, three clean sheets and ultimately three victories. These are the clear statistics that have swept away the cobwebs of doubt, as Cambridge United's victory at Southend completed their third victory in a week and underlined once again that the defensive partnership we have at the club is second to none.

As manager Roy McFarland suggested, United had to weather an early storm as Southend came out firing on all cylinders. Van Heusden was once again on tremendous form as he made two brilliant reflex saves in the first half an hour. This, accompanied by some wayward shooting and tremendous defending, managed to keep Southend at bay.

The surprise inclusion of Marc McCammon in the United team appeared to be backfiring as he failed to show that he is ready for league football and did not show the awareness and creative ability necessary at this level. Martin Butler was as hard working as ever, but a well-organised Southend defence meant that real goal scoring chances were few and far between for United. The three pronged attack force was completed superbly by Trevor Benjamin whose ability to close down defenders and get stuck in are an essential part of the team.

John Taylor replaced McCammon, and he once again steadied the ship and ensured that Cambridge cruised to victory. He broke clear on 67 minuets and fired a good shot at the Southend keeper and then, when the ball broke clear, Trevor Benjamin and then Alex Russell had shots blocked.

The United fans only had to wait five minutes before the frustration of this missed opportunity was released. After a superb cross from outstanding Marc Jopeph, Martin Butler jumped for the ball and missed it but behind him was Trevor Benjamin to crash a looping header into the back of the net, and once again ensure that the Cambridge fans went home happy.

The goal was probably against the run of play, as Southend showed why they are one of the most fancied teams in this division. Their forwards always looked dangerous on the break, but on the few occasions they managed to break clear a last ditch tackle or fine save ensured that we came home with all three points.

Ben Chenery, if he continues to perform as he is doing at the moment, is surely going to attract Premiership scouts, as he was once again a joy to behold. Words can only begin to describe the quality of our central defensive partnership of Duncan and Joseph who now, after sorting themselves out at set pieces, are one of the most formidable in the division.

Two years ago it took us until after Christmas before we managed to keep a clean sheet. We have now kept six clean sheets so far this season and we aren't even in October, just a measure of how far I feel the club has progressed under the leadership of Roy McFarland.

It was heart in the mouth time for the last 10 minutes and Southend laid siege on the United goal. Our last three visits to Southend have all ended in draws with on two occasions United being in the lead. They had a free kick on the edge of the area in injury time (when don't the opposition if you are winning?) which was tamely hit into the hands of Van Heusden.

A fantastic result which after our collapse at Rotherham after our last Worthington Cup glory night, appears to show that the complacency of some players has been wiped out. Southend were probably the best team we have played so far this season, and as Roy McFarland said on the Radio he expects them to be right up there at the end of the season, one place behind Cambridge United.

A valuable, if unlikely three points from Roots Hall against a Southend side that is easily the best I have seen this season, their crisp passing football meant that for the majority of the game it was backs to the wall defending for United, which they achieved admirably, although Southend were often victims of their own over elaberation, trying to walk the ball into the net when shooting may have been easier and more fruitful.

Much of the pressure United were under was self inflicted as time and again they gave the ball away cheaply either in midfield with poorly placed passes or from deep in defence when wild clearances were made, despite defenders having time to look up and build from the back. Having said that, for all Southends' pressure, the back four managed to protect Van Heusdens' goal from all but a handful of real goal scoring chances.

'Ice' had another fine game and commanded his area efficiently and is starting to gain a good understanding with the defence, also of note was his distribution which was excellent with several quick throw-outs resulting in breaks for United. He kept us in the game after 20 mins when he instinctively saved with his feet after Southend strung several passes across the United area, the ball was chipped into the area straight to the feet of a Southend player who had run through the defence, he hit the bill hard on the half volley and 'Ice' stuck out a foot as he fell back to stop the ball going in, then as the ball bounced around just inside the area someone powered in a shot that Van Heusden did well to hold as he regained his feet.

As far as attacking went the U's struggled up front as the team struggled to get their game going in the face of heavy Southend pressure, Butler ran his socks off as ever but rarely got a look in as United were restricted to long passes from deep within their own half, although one flowing move that involved Mustoe, Russell and Butler resulted in Wanless heading just over. A few minutes later United came within a whisker of scoring when Russell curled in a scorching free kick from just outside the are that shaved the post and ended up in the side netting.

Benjamin drifted in and out of the game and seemed uncertain as to whether he should be playing wide or in the centre of the attack. Mark McCammon tried hard and showed some neat touches and plenty of pace but looked out of his depth, eventually ending up out wide leaving only Butler in the middle, but United held on until half time, much to our relief as you really got the feeling that if Southend scored first then there would be no way back for the U's.

The second half started with United looking a little more lively, Trev Benjamin started putting himself about a bit and Russell and Mustoe began foraging forward with the ball. However after about ten minutes Southend really started to turn the screws and United were on the back foot again, defending deep and needing to put plenty of men behind the ball. Again Southend seemed to want to walk the ball in the net and were restricted to shooting from outside the area, although they had a couple of free headers from set pieces that the United defenders never got near, prompting 'Ice' to remonstrate with his defenders which was a good thing to see.

Following ten minutes of almost relentless pressure, Taylor came on for McCammon and United slowly but surely started to claw their way back into the game, the improvement was slow though with passes often being hit long from defence, giving Butler no chance and he showed his frustration by berating Chenery for an aimless ball that went out for a goal kick after Butler had sprinted through from midfield into a good position, only to see the pass sail miles over his head.

Shortly after that, following some good posession and neat football from United, Taylor almost put us ahead after the ball pinged around the Southend area after the keeper beat out a shot from Benjamin, Taylor just failed to reach the ball as it skidded past the far post from a Butler cross.

Southend kept up the pressure but with the introduction of Taylor United started to look increasingly dangerous on the break, Benjamin in particular was giving the Southend defence a lot of problems with his powerful running. It was Benjamin who put us ahead against the run of play following a lightening break by United which ended in a cross that just went over Butlers' head but fell perfectly for Benjamin to head powerfully home, having arrived in the box just at the right time and being exactly where a striker should be. The United fans went mad and Bruno and his team mates rushed across to the jubilant travelling U's to share our joy and relief.

Following the goal United still had some resolute defending to do as Southend piled forward and threw everything at us, but the defence stood firm and the U's definitely finished the stronger side, Butler had a golden opportunity after being put clear by Benjamin but hit his shot low and hard but too near the keeper who managed to grab it at the second attempt as Benjamin and Butler raced in for the rebound. Then following another break Benjamin powered down the left wing and cut inside the area leaving the Sothend defence for dead, unfortunately he chose to shoot from a tight angle instead of passing to an unmarked Butler, although his shot was very powerful and almost got past the keeper, who again needed two attempts to gather ball with Benjamin bearing down on him.

There was one late scare for United when Southend were awarded a free kick just outside the area with two minutes to go. A well worked free kick ended in a shot that skidded through the wall but Van Heusden was down smartly to smother the ball.

And then relief and jubilation for the team and fans as the final whistle went sparking much celebration and singing. This was made even sweeter when the result from London Road came through, although at half time the score was given out as 1-0 to 'boring, maybe it was done on purpose to subdue the United fans who were noisy throughout the game, easily outsinging the quiet and almost passionless home fans.

All in all it was an excellent result, although the performance was not as good as I would have hoped. Defensively we were superb, but all too often we switched to 'hoof-it mode' when under pressure and we gave the ball away too cheaply in midfield. On the upside it's another clean sheet and a welcome three points, there were great performances from Joseph, Mustoe and Chenery. Also Trev Benjamin (a player whom I reckon plays well within himself) had a good second half, he has great skill and pace and is starting to develop into an exciting prospect, a bit of a rough diamond at the moment and is prone to go into 'headless chicken' mode at times, but with the ever heroic and tireless Mr 150% John Taylor as his mentor, he could well be going places :)

P.S. Just for the record,Trevor Benjamin repeatedly acknowledged the chants of "Bruno, Bruno" before, during and after the game ;)

Jamie Campbell survived the injury scare over his ankle to take his place in United's line-up this afternoon, and the only change to the side was up front where 20-year-old Mark 'Hightower' McCammon took the place of John Taylor. It was McCammons's first appearance of the season and 'Shaggy' joined fellow player-coach David Preece and Tom Youngs on the bench.

Long delays on the M25 meant that some United fans missed the kick-off and reporter Mark Johnson commented that it took him half an hour longer to reach Southend than it did to drive back from Sheffield on Wednesday night!

The game got off to a bright start, and indeed the whole first half was an exciting clash of two good footballing sides. After ten minutes Southend went close through recent signing Barry Conlon, but Arjan Van Heusden saved superbly. The former Manchester City man met a corner with a header but was denied by Van Heusden's outstretched foot.

Alex Russell went closest for United in the first half from a 25th minute free-kick. The midfielder has lethal dead ball skills and it was no surprise when he curled the ball around the defensive wall, but he was a fraction wide and the ball ended in the side netting.

There were chances a-plenty as both sides got to grips with the game, and United were called upon to defend stoutly throughout the half as Southend carved out more chances. At the other end Rob Newman impressed as he shackled Martin Butler and 39-year-old Mick Gooding dominated the midfield area for Southend. Trevor Benjamin was, as ever, full of running and enthusiasm while Alex Russell caught the eye too. The midfielder sometimes seems to think too quickly for his teammates, resulting in a loss of possession, but that will resolve itself as this young side continues to gel and he is proving to be a good signing. (Half-time 0-0)

Southend resumed very strongly and continued to dominate after the break, despite John Taylor's early entry in place of McCammon. Andy Duncan was called upon to produce a towering performance at the heart of the U's defence as United faced probably the best footballing side in the division this season. However, in the 73rd minute and against the run of play United went ahead through Wednesday night's hero Trevor Benjamin. A looping cross from the impressive Marc Joseph bounced and bobbled over Martin Butler's head but Benjamin was perfectly placed beyond him to nod the ball home.

Almost immediately afterwards Conlon missed a chance to level for Southend but their attacks became more wayward as desperation set in while United could have gone on to score again. In the 85th minute Martin Butler broke through one on one with Margetson but the 'keeper was out quickly to smother the danger. A minute after that David Preece, who had replaced the tired-looking Paul Wanless just before the goal, fed Trevor Benjamin down the left flank but again Margetson was out bravely to deny the big teenager.

This was an excellent victory snatched against the odds from a strong side and moves United up to 8th place in the table. It is even more welcome coming on the heels of a famous Cup win when the players might have been expected to be suffering the after-effects of that hard-fought win at Hillsborough. Manager Roy McFarland will no doubt be delighted with a third successive win and third successive clean sheet, but after the game he acknowledged, "I can understand Southend's frustration at not getting something out of the game".