United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Wilson (Taylor 65), Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Brebner, Barnwell, Kyd (Youngs 76), Beall.
Sub not used: Preece.
Booked: Brebner (foul 27')
Ref: M E Pierce (Portsmouth).

Despite the scoreline this was a fairly even match decided by some more inept defending that granted Barnet a goal in each half. From a free kick by the 'other' Paul Wilson, ex-Posh defender Greg Heald headed past Barrett to put Barnet ahead. But United were not without chances to get back into the game.

Grant Brebner showed his confidence to shoot at goal has not been affected by recent results although after getting on the end of a Chenery pass his 36th minute effort was saved at point-blank range. The terribly out-of-sorts Michael Kyd is still getting into shooting positions, but minutes after Brebner's shot he contrived to head Wilson's cross wide of an open goal.

In the second half United were toiling up the (in)famous Underhill slope but there was plenty of effort and a fightback was on the cards until Barnet's second. The home side counter-attacked from a United corner, Scott McGleish fed the ball to Phil Simpson on the edge of the box and he dummied the defence before sliding the ball under Barrett. For United, a golden chance to get back into the game went begging when three or four United players failed to connect with a cross from Paul Wanless that passed straight in front of Barnet's goalmouth.

The other main action of the afternoon was on the terraces where sadly some United followers spent more time barracking the management and directors than supporting the team. Police and stewards were required to step in and cool the situation when the 'debating' between different factions threatened to get ugly.

United dropped two places to 18th in the table after this sixth game without a win.

The youth side drew 2-2 at Gillingham.

After a difficult few days in the hot seat at Cambridge United, Roy McFarland told the Cambridge Evening News that he is not a quitter. He stressed that he knew the scale of the task when he accepted the job, knowing his hands would be well and truly tied in the transfer market, and he is not about to start complaining now.

"I'm not a quitter," he said. "I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. The team we put out, for various reasons, was young and inexperienced. They should still have known how to kill off a game we were winning 2-0 with minutes to go, but a lesson like that could help to ram home the things we've practised and talked about. We've got to stick at it, learn from the mistakes, and then we might start getting some breaks at last."

McFarland decided today not to offer a contract to goalkeeper Jim Larkin after his three-week trial at the Abbey. The 22-year-old Canadian was called up for a surprise League debut at Rotherham in midweek and was not at fault for the late goals as his defence fell apart in the dying moments, but his search for a League club must continue.

McFarland explained, "Jim has the makings of a League keeper, but I think we are looking at a timescale of about six months, and with Shaun Marshall on our books as number two to Scott Barrett it isn't a viable proposition to take Jim on."

Larkin arrived at the Abbey for his trial as one of two foreign players recommended by agent Graham Smith, the man who brought Carlo Corazzin and John Filan to Cambridge. But former Swedish under-19 midfielder Anders Paulsson, who would probably stood a better chance of a contract, suffered a recurrence of an injury after a few days.

Scott Barrett will therefore be recalled to the starting-line-up for tomorrow's visit to high-flying Barnet, and John Taylor is also thought likely to start. McFarland takes his injury-hit squad into action against a Barnet side enjoying a six-match unbeaten run.

"We are going to have to be at our best," warned the manager. "Barnet are probably the best team we've played this season. They gave us a very hard time at our place."

Squad: Barrett, Chenery, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wilson, Wanless, Brebner, Beall, Kyd, Barnwell, Taylor, Preece, Youngs, Rees.

At this week's AGM the supporters made it plain to the directors that they would not accept the Habbin Stand being allocated to Peterborough fans for the derby in April. The 80 or so in attendance were agreed that, although they understood the financial considerations, to do so would be to hand a huge advantage to the visitors, and they found support from director Richard Summerfield.

Mr Summerfield, who worls closely with the Cambridge United Supporters Association, stated, "I gave my word to the United Supporters Association that I would not vote in favour of the Habbin being handed to Peterborough supporters, and I will stand by it. If the rest of the board go against that I will feel let down."

Cambridge Police Football liason officer Trevor George made it clear that the decision was one purely for the club to make, and said that the Police would have no objections. The match will be played on Easter Saturday (April 11) and will attract probably the biggest crowd of the season at the Abbey. Peterborough will be restricted to around 2,400 tickets if the Habbin is not made available.

The proposed transfer of striker Lee Charles is definitely off. The 26-year-old failed to report to Cambridge for his medical on Monday and he had not been in contact with the club since the deal was agreed. His baby son was taken into hospital last week but the player had not contacted either club or his agent for several days, and by yesterday Roy McFarland decided that Charles was obviously having second thoughts about the move and called it off.

Club secretary Steve Greenall said: "We were waiting with all the paperwork but have had no contact, giving the manager second thoughts. The deal is off."

Confirmation was later received from QPR assistant manager John Hollins that Charles had changed his mind. "He has decided to stay and battle for a place in the first team," he confirmed.

Dave Thompson has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent. The big defender has been dogged by injuries for the last two seasons and the club agreed to release him from the last five months of his contract to allow him to find another club.

Roy McFarland stormed away from the ground after last night's match, unable to face his players after they had throw away two points in the closing seconds. He was tracked down sitting in the front of the team coach and refused to go through the customary 'post mortem' with the press, leaving player-coach David Preece to say, "I don't think Roy wants to say anything now."

Last Saturday United threw away a point when Chester scored in the last minute to snatch their first ever win at the Abbey. Last night they went one worse by allowing Rotherham - urged on by their angry home crowd - to claw back a two goal deficit with goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes.

Paul Wanless

Stand-in skipper Paul Wanless spoke up for McFarland after the game, saying, "We have a manager who is working his socks off, the best boss I've played for, but we let him down badly tonight. I feel sorry for him and for the supporters who came to the game, but not for myself or the other players. I'm embarrassed by what happened at the end."

Wanless limped off the pitch in the 89th minute with the score at 2-0 and the game apparently won. Preece, his replacement, only touched the ball a couple of times in that vital four minutes but it bounced off his knee in the packed penalty area for striker Scott Taylor to snatch the vital equaliser.

"I was struggling after a bad tackle," Wanless told the CEN. "But you don't expect to go off in the 89th minute and not win a game you are leading 2-0. It was ridiculous, terrible."

News late this evening suggests that United have called off their bid to sign Lee Charles after the QPR striker failed to make contact for five days.

Also, central defender Dave Thompson, who has not featured for the first team this season, is leaving the club. The last five months of his contract have been cancelled by mutual consent.

United line-up: Larkin, Chenery, Wilson, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless (Preece 89'), Brebner, Barnwell, Kyd, Beall.
Sub not used: Youngs, Taylor.
Booked: Wilson (foul 45'), Chenery (foul 63')
Ref: C J Foy (St Helens).

When the side in fifth place entertain a side who have not won away since the 5th September you might reasonably expect a home win. But after a dire first half in which defences were on top, United almost upset the odds in style. Rotherham pushed forward after the break and United were able to exploit the spaces in style.

First Michael Kyd put United ahead in the 59th minute after a good move down the right. Jamie Barnwell's shot on the turn rebounded to Kyd who curled his shot past the keeper for his first goal since the end of November. The travelling U's understandably went barmy.

Unbelievably United then went on to double the lead in the 72nd minute, and the goal came from a most unlikely source. Ben Chenery - yes, the man who rarely crosses the half-way line - got on the end of a pass from stand-in skipper Paul Wanless to score his first ever League goal with an emphatic finish. By now the United supporters could hardly believe their eyes.

United were fielding their most inexperienced side of the season and it showed when they failed to kill the game off at that stage. Instead, as we have seen so many times before, the U's have a tendency to give away late goals and so there was no great surprise when Rotherham pulled one back with 90 minutes on the clock. Marc Joseph conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Neil Richardson curled the ball around United's wall from 25-yards.

It was all hands to the pump once again as Rotherham threw everything at a packed U's defence but, as on Saturday, it wasn't to be enough. In the 93rd minute Scott Taylor got on the end of a goalmouth scramble to bury the ball and snatch an undeserved point for his side.

United have been unable to contact QPR striker Lee Charles, who failed to arrive in Cambridge for his medical yesterday morning. His young baby is in hospital in London and United, QPR and his agent have all been unable to make contact with him.

Roy McFarland said, "It's baffling. We know the lad's 11-day-old baby has had to be taken into hospital, but no one knows where that hospital is, or why he hasn't got in touch with anybody. Even his agent who says he talks to him about four days every week can't track him down.

"We just hope it's not too serious with the baby and that Lee can join us later this week. He obviously wouldn't have been in the right frame of mind anyway to have made the trip to Rotherham."

McFarland faces other selection problems ahead of tonight's match at fifth-placed Rotherham. Defender Ian Ashbee is ruled out by illness while centre-back Colin Foster and striker Martin Butler are still injured, so Ben Chenery will be recalled and Manchester United loanee Andy Duncan looks set to make his second start.

It all points to an inexperienced defence against an in-form side but McFarland is philosophical. "We've just got to get on with it," he told the CEN. "We've got good, young players who will relish their opportunity. It's a tough-looking match, but I prefer these games against the leading teams because I think it brings the best out of us."

At the club's Annual General Meeting last night it was revealed that Roy McFarland has still not signed a contract with Cambridge United, nearly 15 months after taking over as manager.

The news emerged when chairman Reg Smart was questioned by a shareholder during the meeting, and he explained, "Roy went to a solicitor about his contract, as is his right, and came back with one clause which proved a bit of a problem. We will be talking about it and I expect the matter to be resolved by Monday, one way or the other."

When he joined the club fifteen months ago McFarland was offered a two-year deal, but Smart said he could not comment on what the current terms might be. McFarland told the meeting: "There are one or two little things to sort out, but I'm sure we can come to an agreement."

McFarland also revealed that another Manchester United player, defender Tommy Smith, has joined the club, but on trial rather than on loan.

Smart also told the shareholders that talks with an interested party were ongoing about buying a controlling share in the club. It is understood the mystery man is the Bermuda-based businessman who made contact with United in the summer.

Smart, who stressed it was a case of somebody joining the board with a controlling number of shares rather than a big money purchase of the club, added: "We are hoping to be able to make a statement by the end of March."

Directors Richard Summerfield and Gary Harwood, who retired by rota, were re-elected to the board.

Cambridge United have been unable to register striker Lee Charles in time for him to be eligible for tomorrow's game at Rotherham. Family reasons have prevented the QPR man from finalising the move.

United revealed today that they are one of the 25 League clubs calling for David Mellor to be dismissed, or to stand down, as head of the Football Task Force. Club secretary Steve Greenall commented, "The controversy over Mellor's radio remarks about Chris Kamara's sacking at Bradford City highlighted the problem. We at United and many other people in football believe it is incompatible for him to be heading the Task Force and at the same time to be presenter of a programme like 606."

Steve Greenall

Mellor caused widespread comment and a public row with Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond after asking a Bradford supporter on air if he thought race had anything to do with Kamara's dismissal. Kamara himself stated it did not, there were protests at matches from City fans, and the angry Richmond circulated all Football League clubs asking them to back him in the argument.

So far 69 of the 92 clubs have given him their support and 25 have gone further and demanded that Mellor be removed from the Task Force. Greenall added: "Mellor stated on 606 that his role was to represent supporters, and he would "pack it in" if he had to worry about the reaction of the clubs. But surely as head of the Task Force he should be working in the best interests of the industry as a whole.

"The first thing tackled by the Task Force on their current talks tour of the country has been racism in the game. Yet by his radio comments he has stirred up that subject in a very sensitive place like Bradford. If he wants to do a good job with the Task Force he should show his commitment to it by concentrating on it and giving up the radio show. Then he might have more credibility in football."

Roy McFarland has given his reactions to Saturday's match, when he saw his team outplay seventh-placed Chester but lose to a 90th minute goal. The match statistics show how one-sided the game was, with United having fifteen shots at goal to Chester's five, with eight on target to their two. Unfortunately City made their two count while United were denied by slack finishing and an inspired Ronnie Sinclair.

"We left the back door open," McFarland commented. "That's bad enough at any time in a game, but you certainly don't do it in the last minute."

The team has an early chance to put things right tomorrow night, when United travel to fifth-placed Rotherham United, but it remains to be seen whether the same players will be on duty. The return of Paul Wanless to midfield gave Manchester United loanee Grant Brebner the chance to demonstrate his skills, and the young Scot tested Sinclair with two long-range shots that David Beckham might have been proud of.

Brebner saw a 30-yard shot turned onto the the crossbar in the 32nd minute, and Sinclair dived to push a 25-yard blast around the post in the 74th. The resulting corner gave Barnwell another chance, but his header was stopped by Sinclair.

"I don't know how he kept them out," Brebner told the CEN. "I might have had two or three goals in another match. I thought we really played some football today, but we end up with nothing."

United line-up: Barrett, Duncan, Wilson, Ashbee, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Brebner, Taylor, Kyd, Beall (Barnwell 65').
Subs: Preece, Youngs.
Booked: Beall (foul 56')
Ref: Mr S.G. Bennett

Roy McFarland made two changes to the starting line-up: Manchester United loanee Andy Duncan made his full League debut in place of Ben Chenery in the number two shirt and Paul Wanless made a welcome return to midfield in place of David Preece. Seventeen-year-old forward Tom Youngs joined Preece and Jamie Barnwell on the bench.

Despite Chester striker Rod McDonald missing a first minute sitter, this was yet another match that United dominated for long, long periods without making it count. The U's were on top to an embarrassing degree in the first half but the only red faces on show were those of United's strikers as chance after chance went unconverted. Michael Kyd fired wide in the 25th minute, John Taylor headed wide in the 30th and 'Billy' Beall sliced his shot in the 36th. Our only shot on target was Grant Brebner's 30-yarder which Sinclair pushed onto the bar.

It was more of the same after the break until Stuart Rimmer's opener after 53 minutes. The veteran striker burst through a static defence to take his chance well. United redoubled their efforts but Sinclair was in brilliant form and among his excellent saves he tipped a 25-yard shot from Brebner round the post while another hit the post. From the resulting corner Jamie Barnwell headed straight at the 'keeper from close range.

The game seemed to be drifting away until the U's were awarded a slightly fortunate 81st minute penalty when Neil Fisher was adjudged to have handled the ball. Paul Wilson took the kick and drove the ball hard and low inside the left hand post, giving Sinclair no chance despite diving the right way. It was Wilson's sixth goal of the season and his fourth from the spot.

A point was the very least United deserved but the players seemed to sit back and settle for that, only to be denied in the last minute by Rod McDonald's strike. He made amends for his early miss when he slid in to finish from close range after Gary Bennett headed the ball down into a crowded goalmouth. However City's hero was undeniably goalkeeper Ronnie Sinclair who produced a handful of outstanding saves to deny United and ensure City's first win at the Abbey - and only their second over United in 21 meetings.

Elsewhere in Division Three there were some high-scoring games with struggling Hull City beating second-placed Peterborough 3-1, allowing Notts County to extend their lead to 13 points after their 5-3 win at Lincoln.

United's youths notched their second consecutive home win by beating Southend 2-1 this morning.

Cambridge United have today agreed terms with Queens Park Rangers for the transfer of forward Lee Charles. A small fee is involved for the 26-year-old.

Secretary Steve Greenall said, "It was too late to get everything required for this weekend although we hope to get things done and dusted by noon on Monday so he can play at Rotherham on Tuesday night."

Playing for non-league Chertsey, Charles scored a hat-trick against QPR reserves in a pre-season friendly, and Rangers promptly signed him in August 1995 for £67,500. The following month the Hillingdon-born forward was loaned to Barnet, where he made his League debut at the age of 23 and scored three goals in two League appearances. For QPR in the first division he made a total of 16 League appearances, ten from the bench, and scored once. He is described as a confident forward with good first touch and pace, who is always keen to take on his opponents.

Manager Roy McFarland revealed to the Cambridge Evening News: "We've watched him closely for a few weeks. He's a lean, mobile striker who should add a spark to our squad. He's had a good grounding at QPR, and is still very enthusiastic after coming into the pro game just three years ago."

Unfortunately Lee's son has been ill, delaying negotiations and making him unavailable for the visit of Chester when United have injury worries over two strikers. Martin Butler is struggling with a knee problem while Michael Kyd twisted his ankle last week at Shrewsbury, and despite intensive treatment neither have been able to train this week.

Butler would probably have made an immediate return to the side after serving a three match suspension, and Kyd faces a late fitness test tomorrow so striker Jamie Barnwell returns to the squad after his surprise omission from the 14 on duty at Shrewsbury.

Roy McFarland commented, "Martin has been to a specialist. He's had some advice on how he might overcome the injury, but he's a very doubtful starter at the moment. We have better hopes for Michael."

There is better news of Paul Wanless who returns from his own three match ban to add some power to midfield, but veteran defender Colin Foster may not automatically regain his place after missing out last weekend. McFarland explained, "Marc Joseph did a good job when Colin was out injured at Shrewsbury, so that's food for thought."

Squad: Barrett, Chenery, Ashbee, Joseph, Campbell, Wilson, Wanless, Brebner, Taylor, Kyd, Beall, Benjamin, Barnwell, Foster, Rees, Duncan.

Visitors Chester City come looking for their first ever win at at the Abbey Stadium. They slipped up at home to Barnet last week, but are in the play-off places after consecutive away victories at Hull and Lincoln City. Meanwhile United are 11 points below that zone in 16th place, but McFarland has urged the fans not to give up hope of making the play-offs.

Roy McFarland

With 19 games remaining McFarland pointed out, "There are a lot of points to play for. We've had a revival, then a knock-back, but with the suspensions out of the way we can get going again. There is an 11-point gap between us and the play-off places, but there's still time to make that up."

United have taken just one point from the last three games, but United's manager believes that does not reflect the true form or potential of the team. He told today's CEN: "The 13-match run without a win crippled us, but we broke out of that and were on a recovery when we ran into the FA Cup match at Stevenage. It put Paul Wanless and Martin Butler out for three matches and we dropped points after leading against Colchester and Scarborough which I'm sure we would have held on to if they'd been in the side.

"With them back we have a squad which gives us a chance against any team in this division. And we are not under the kind of pressure we were this time last year to sell any of our better players before the end of the season. We had no option then but to let Danny Granville go to Chelsea. But there is no reason why the squad should be weakened during the remainder of this campaign."

The upturn in fortunes needs to start very soon for the supporters to share McFarland's belief and, as the newspaper points out, United probably need at least 68 points to finish in the top seven. That means taking 36 from the 19 remaining matches, having taken only 32 from 27 so far.

The cut-price sale of Matt Joseph has sparked rumblings of discontent among United fans which rival the backlash over the departure of Tommy Taylor just over a year ago. Ironically it is the statements of Taylor - the man who walked out on United to join Orient - that are at the centre of the confusion.

Matt Joseph

Since Tuesday the Cambridge Evening News has been running a voice-mail line to record fans' opinions and, unsurprisingly, the majority have slammed the club over the way Joseph's departure was handled.

The right-back made it clear at the start of the 1996-97 season that he would not be signing a new contract with United, in common with the likes of Danny Granville, Jody Craddock and Micah Hyde. When Roy McFarland picked up the reins in late 1996 he was faced by eight players who had turned down new contracts, and he criticised the way Taylor had not addressed the issue earlier. Although some of the players later agreed new deals Danny Granville was the first departure in March 1997, and his success at Chelsea only served to harden the resolve to leave for Craddock, Hyde and Joseph.

In comparison, McFarland has made it a priority to agree new long-term deals with young players like Michael Kyd and Marc Joseph, mindful of the effect that the extended Bosman ruling will have on football in this country.

On transfer deadline day in March Tommy Taylor revealed to the News that a potential swap deal that would have taken Matt Joseph to orient had been rejected by United as they were not prepared to lose the players he wanted. There were also tales of a £150,000 bid from an unnamed club and the fans calling the CEN have been quoting these facts as they are understood and slamming the club for having to settle for between £10,000 and £20,000 for Joseph.

Today United chairman Reg Smart and financial controller Steve Greenall spoke to the newspaper and countered the criticism. Firstly they deny that Tommy Taylor was quoted a price of £160,000 for the player last season, as he stated this week. They also claim that the proposed swap deal in March was a non-starter as Paul Wanless was one of two players Orient wanted in exchange for Scott McGleish, although Orient refused to allow McGleish to talk to United, anyway.

Mr Smart said: "People in football will look at this transfer and say what a good deal we got. We offered Matt a good two-year contract which he turned down because he said he only wanted to sign for a year, and on terms which would have broken the club's wage structure. It was obvious he thought he was going to get a bigger club in the summer when under the new Bosman ruling he could move for nothing. There were no inquiries about him when we put him on the transfer list, so £20,000 was as good a deal we were going to get.

"Yes, there was an offer of £150,000 for him last season from a club who asked us to keep it confidential, but the terms were such that Matt would probably be retired before we got all the money. And at that time we were selling Danny Granville to Chelsea for a lot more money.

Wanless - wanted

"As for the swap deal for Orient's Scott McGleish, Tommy Taylor said he wanted Matt plus Paul Wanless, which wasn't a good deal from our point of view. And in any case he wouldn't allow us to talk to McGleish about a move. I know Matt was popular with some fans, but under the circumstances they should see we had no real choice but to accept this offer."

Steve Greenall agreed that he understood the deal involved key midfielder Wanless, plus one other player, but Taylor's version of the possible swap, at the time, did not include the midfielder. However the CEN has reported a Taylor enquiry about Wanless before, which met with no encouragement from United.

Roy McFarland would not name the two players for whom Orient were asking, but in the News on April 2 Tommy Taylor is quoted saying: "Roy McFarland told me I could have any two players, excluding Jody Craddock. But when I went for Matt (Joseph) and Tony (Richards) he changed his mind and said I couldn't take Matt."

The newspaper points out that Richards, who was out of contract, joined Orient in the summer for £20,000. McGleish was transferred to Barnet this season for £70,000.

Media reports this afternoon suggest that out-of-contract defender Matt Joseph is poised to join former manager Tommy Taylor at Leyton Orient. The fee mentioned is £10,000 - possibly rising to £20,000 - a paltry sum for last season's Player of the Year. Joseph's agent was understood to be discussing the terms of a two year contract - the duration he rejected from United - with Orient today.

Matt Joseph

However, from United's point of view to get any cash at all at this stage will be better than nothing - which is exactly what United would receive if the 25-year-old moved at the end of the season when the Bosman ruling will extend to domestic transfers. But this deal calls into question the wisdom of United rejecting a swap deal for Orient's striker Scott McGleish on transfer deadline day in March. The prolific McGleish recently joined Barnet for around £70,000. There are also claims that United turned down an offer of around £150,000 from an unnamed club.

The Cambridge Evening News understands from Tommy Taylor that Orient will pay just £10,000 up front, followed by two instalments of £2,500 after 15 and then 30 appearances, plus £5,000 if the 11th placed Londoners are promoted from Division Three.

Roy McFarland said today, "To have let Matt go at that time last season when Danny Granville was set to join Chelsea would have been a sign to our supporters that we were not an ambitious club. Circumstances changed considerably this season though. Matt missed pre-season training due to his groin injury and has not been able to command a first team place.

"He rejected our offer of a two-year contract, saying he only wanted a one-year deal, and we faced the prospect of getting nothing at all for him at the end of this season under the Bosman over 25's ruling."

Meanwhile Tommy Taylor, apparently enjoying the chance to put one over on his former club, explained why he moved to end Joseph's four year stay at the Abbey Stadium: "There's no way a player with his pace should be left out of a third division side. I wanted to bring Matt here last season but Cambridge were holding out for £160,000."

Martin Butler and Paul Wanless made a welcome return to the black and amber in yesterday's reserve match at Northampton, but could not stop the Cobblers snatching a 1-0 win with a goal 10 minutes from time. Butler has collected a slight knee injury and his League comeback against Chester City on Saturday depends on whether that clears up in time.

Once again Roy McFarland was left struggling to find the plus points to take from a disappointing display from his side. A dire second half performance at Shrewsbury on Saturday left United hanging on desperately for the draw, but McFarland said: "We defended very well, and that will be a lift for the team after letting in three goals in the previous two games.

"I thought we were the better side in the first half but we couldn't sustain it on the very heavy pitch."

But he can take genuine cheer from the fact that Martin Butler and Paul Wanless have now served the third and final game of the suspensions earned by their sendings off in the FA Cup match at Stevenage. Both players were due back in action today as the reserves travelled to Northampton for a Capital League.

The manager regards the game as vital match practice for them ahead of a run of three vital home games out of four. The CEN points out that United took seven points from the last three games the pair played in but only one from the period when they were banned, and this dismal record which leaves United 11 points adrift of the play-off places.

McFarland agreed: "We've missed their strength in the side. I'm fairly sure we would have beaten Colchester and Scarborough if they'd have been playing. We faded in both games after leading."

The reserve game will give trialist goalkeeper Jim Larkin another chance to impress McFarland in his bid to earn a professional contract. The 22-year-old is the Canadian number three and comes highly recommended after playing in the NCAA league in the USA while studying in Virginia.

United line-up: Barrett, Chenery (Duncan 78'), Wilson, Ashbee, Marc Joseph, Campbell, Brebner, Preece, Taylor, Kyd (Benjamin 74'), Beall.
Sub not used: Williamson.
Booked: Beall (foul 34'), Duncan (unsporting behaviour 85').
Ref: Mr Jones.

Taylor - both goals

As anticipated, Roy McFarland made three changes to the starting line-up although one was forced upon him. Colin Foster failed his late fitness test on a calf strain and was replaced by Marc Joseph, while David Preece and Michael Kyd returned at the expense of Jamie Barnwell and Trevor Benjamin. Alongside Benjamin on the bench were Davey Williamson and Manchester United loanee Andy Duncan after impressive displays for the reserves in midweek.

The opening ten minutes at Gay Meadow were quite extraordinary. First the home side won a free kick almost immediately after the kick-off and were ahead after just 51 seconds, courtsey of John Taylor. The United skipper gave the home side a massive boost when he headed Paul Evans' inswinging free-kick past Scott Barrett as he was challenged by Peter Wilding.

United had a mountain to climb against a Shrewsbury side stung by last week's defeat by bottom club Doncaster, but going behind so early and in such bizarre circumstances certainly encouraged United to come out and attack. In the ninth minute a neatly worked short corner routine saw 'Billy' Beall cross from the right and Taylor headed powerfully home, cancelling out his earlier aberration to the delight of the 100 or so travelling U's.

Shrews keeper Paul Edwards saved at Michael Kyd's feet in the 14th minute, but that was United's last attack of any menace as the the game failed to live up to its early promise and went rapidly downhill. The U's definitely missed the ideas and power of suspended pair Martin Butler and Paul Wanless from attack and midfield. John Taylor drifted back into midfield, helping out and looking for the ball, but that left the U's attack looking increasingly toothless with Michael Kyd full of running but still well short of his early season form.

Trevor Benjamin replaced Kyd with 15 minutes left which coincided with the home side's late charge. United had to resort to some 'all hands to the pump' defending to repel their late threat and Andy Duncan replaced Ben Chenery in the 78th minute. But apart from collecting a yellow card five minutes from time for kicking the ball away, the Man Utd youngster was as anonymous as his team-mate Grant Brebner had been for the whole game. Ian Ashbee hacked the ball off the line a minute from time to deny substitute Brown the winner, and he and his fellow defenders are the only United players to emerge from this match with any sort of credit.

The 1-1 scoreline was probably a fair result for this dire match and United remain in 16th place. Elsewhere Notts County maintained their lead with a 3-1 home win over Cardiff, Peterborough stayed seven points behind in second place after a 3-1 win at home to Rochdale and Rotherham moved up to third with a 3-0 win over Darlington at Millmoor.

Veteran central defender Colin Foster is struggling to make tomorrow's match at Shrewsbury. The big defender, who has only missed the Auto-Windscreens Shield game this season, has a calf strain and faces a late fitness test. If he cannot play Marc Joseph stands by to return to the starting eleven and Manchester United defender Andy Duncan could make the final 14 this week.

Roy McFarland has hinted at other changes after seeing his team throw away the lead in the last two matches. United have not won away from home for four months and the last seven League trips have produced only three points.

"There could be two or three changes," said the manager. "We weren't closing players down quickly enough in our last match or winning enough of the high balls in the box."

The pacy Michael Kyd could be recalled to the attack in place of Trevor Benjamin, while David Williamson's good performance in the reserves on Wednesday could have earned him a recall to midfield. Another who impressed in the reserves was Canadian goalkeeper Jim Larkin who kept a clean sheet on Wednesday and he could be in the squad.

Tomorrow's hosts Shrewsbury Town were beaten by bottom club Doncaster Rovers last weekend, only the second club to meet that fate, and they will be out to make up for the embarrassment. They have midfielder Roger Preece and striker Lee Steele unavailable while for United Paul Wanless and Martin Butler complete their three match bans.

United squad: Barrett, Chenery, Ashbee, Foster, Campbell, Wilson, Brebner, Beall, Taylor, Barnwell, Kyd, Marc Joseph, Williamson, Duncan, Rees, Larkin.

Cambridge United have released midfielder Michael Rodosthenous after an extended trial. Rodosthenous, who joined United in October after being freed by West Bromwich Albion, made only three first team appearances although he scored four times for the reserves.

Roy McFarland commented, "Michael has talent as a footballer, but just didn't show us enough to justify a contract."

However there was a new face in the reserves yesterday, when Shrewsbury Town midfielder Darren Currie played in the goalless Capital League draw at the Abbey. Currie is the 23-year-old nephew of ex-England star Tony Currie and is currently transfer-listed at Gay Meadow. He is a left-winger who can also play in midfield, a pacy player who can dribble at the opposition and deliver accurate crosses, but despite being popular with the fans, Currie has struggled to establish himself at Shrewsbury. His manager Jake King is trying to bring in new faces and has been told he must trim the wages bill before he can do so, paving the way for Currie to leave if he impresses McFarland.

The United boss told the C.E.N., "Darren Currie isn't a regular this season at Shrewsbury and we are having a look at him in a couple of reserve games."

He revealed that the players who impressed him most in the Fulham game were Manchester United loanees Grant Brebner in midfield and defender Andy Duncan, as well as Canadian goalkeeper Jim Larkin and midfielder David Williamson. After two consecutive defeats some of them could be knocking on the door for the first team on Saturday.

Scarborough goalkeeper Andy Rhodes has denied making any offensive remarks to United striker Trevor Benjamin during a goalmouth incident last Saturday. Several fans on the North Terrace claim Rhodes directed a racist comment at the big striker and reported him to the stewards and the Police. Rhodes was interviewed by the Police after the game and their report has been forwarded to the Football Association.

However in a statement today, Scarborough manager Mick Wadsworth defended his player, saying, "Andy has denied it and rightly so. It is hard to imagine him saying anything of that nature. Both of the central defenders who play in front of him are coloured players. Andy is old enough, wise enough and experienced enough as a professional not to make such remarks."

For his part, 18-year-old Benjamin told the Cambridge Evening News he heard something shouted at him, but couldn't make out what it was: "There's a lot of shouting going on in a penalty area," he said. "You are only thinking about trying to get the ball and you don't usually hear exactly what's said."

Meanwhile Roy McFarland continues his search for a midfielder and he has taken Darren Currie on loan from Saturday's opponents Shrewsbury Town. The 23-year-old former West Ham player, described as speedy and with an eye for goal, will feature in today's home reserve fixture against Fulham. Another new face will be the highly-regarded trialist goalkeeper Jim Larkin, the Canadian number three.

Scarborough goalkeeper Andy Rhodes will be reported to the Football Association for remarks allegedly made to United striker Trevor Benjamin during Saturday's match.

Football liaison officer PC Trevor George confirmed, "It was decided to inform the FA rather than the Crown Prosecution Service because the incident occurred on the field of play. We will be making our observations and forwarding the comments of the supporters and club stewards who made the complaints about the player's behaviour to the police at Saturday's match."

Cambridge United club secretary Steve Greenall welcomed the police move, saying, "The football authorities have a campaign against foul and abusive language, and racism in sport, so it's right they should be informed of any allegations of this nature. Fans who hear what they feel is abusive language on the pitch or in the crowd should always bring it to the attention of the stewards or the police. It can help to stamp it out."

Scarborough chairman John Russell said the club were considering the police action and would be issuing a statement.

Trevor Benjamin

It has emerged that the Scarborough goalkeeper was spoken to by the police after Saturday's match at the Abbey Stadium. Following complaints from several supporters on the North Terrace, Andy Rhodes was interviewed in the changing room about alleged abusive and racist comments he made to United striker Trevor Benjamin.

The exchange was witnessed after Rhodes had thrown the ball out to allow a Scarborough player to receive treatment. When play recommenced with a throw-in Benjamin threw the ball towards the goalkeeper, the ball went behind for a goalkick and Rhodes made comments to the United striker which were heard by fans behind the goal.

Football liaison officer PC Trevor George confirmed to the CEN: "A Scarborough player was interviewed after the match as a result of complaints. A decision will be taken in the next day or so whether to send a report to the Football Association, the Crown Prosecution Service, or both."

In a separate incident, and despite a warning in the match programme about language used in the ground, a supporter on the North Terrace was ejected from the ground for persistent use of foul language.

Club secretary Steve Greenall said, "We have received complaints about one particular person's language during matches, and this time we were able to pin-point him. We are getting more women and children coming to matches these days, and we want an atmosphere in which they feel comfortable and are not offended by extreme swearing."

The match programme included a warning from police commander David Summers that read:

The match ended in a second successive 3-2 defeat after leading, and Roy McFarland struggled to find something positive to say about a performance that saw chances squandered and the defence gift goals to the visitors. "Again we showed we can match the top teams in the division, but we looked edgy in defence and let Scarborough back into the game. " he said. "We must recover quickly and put a run together or the season will get away from us."

United's Man of the Match Grant Brebner admitted after the game, "I still wasn't quite with the pace of the game after the goal, but it was great to score in my first League appearance. I enjoyed it apart from the result."

McFarland also suffered a blow to his squad with the news that Swedish trialist Anders Paulsson has had to return to his American base. The 25-year-old midfielder earned nine caps at Under-19 level and came highly recommended, but he aggravated a knee injury during his first few days training with United.

Matt Joseph

Meanwhile McFarland has addressed some rumblings among the supporters about the absence from the side of United's Player of the Year, Matt Joseph. The out of contract defender has barely featured at all this season but in Friday's C.E.N. Roy McFarland explained that there is no "political" motive for keeping Joseph on the sidelines. He said that Joseph's absence from the first team was purely down to football ability and form and has nothing whatsoever to do with him being out of contract. The manager even admitted that it would probably be better for the former United skipper to be playing so he is in the shop window for interested clubs.

In the article Joseph himself agreed that the defence had been playing well, making it difficult for Roy McFarland to drop any of them, but he added that obviously he felt he was good enough to be in the team.

One of the constant criticisms from the terraces this season is that the 5-3-2, or more recently 5-2-3, formation is too defensive and leads to a lack of width if the wing-backs don't get forward. Ben Chenery admitted at the start of the season that he has always been a traditional full-back and he was finding it strange to adapt to life as a wing-back, whereas Matt Joseph is the perfect wing-back, keen to get forward whenever possible and pacy enough to get back to cover in defence.

Chenery was signed on a free transfer last summer and the youngster was plunged into first team action ahead of schedule due to an injury to Matt Joseph. Since then - apart from when Chenery himself was injured - Joseph has found it impossible to break back into the team on a regular basis. The fans have no complaints with Chenery as a defender but argue that he and Wilson are reluctant to get forward and support the often over-worked midfield, and Saturday's game was a case in point. 'Billy' Beall and Grant Brebner are good young players but they were over-run by Scarborough in a midfield crying out for the power of the suspended Paul Wanless.

From McFarland's point of view, no doubt he views Ben Chenery as a player who has something to offer United's future while Matt Joseph will more than likely leave on a free transfer in the summer, if not before. In the meantime United's slide down the table has barely been arrested.

At least the youth team provided a small relief from the gloom when they beat Watford on Saturday to record their first win for five matches. The prolific Darren Cockrill opened the scoring with his 9th goal in the League and 16th of the season, and two second-half strikes from Michael Barrows ensured the victory.

Youth team coach Dave Batch commented, "It was just a question of who it was going to be against. We looked dangerous throughout the whole match, even if in the first half we didn't defend particularly well. In the second half we got our shape a bit better, getting the ball out wide on a very heavy pitch. That helped create plenty of chances and I thought we could have had a few more goals. It isn't all about results at this level, but it is nice for confidence to get a win under our belts after a bit of a lean spell."

Saturday's programme featured three schoolboys who have been awarded YTS places in next season's intake. Defender Adam Tann is from Norfolk and midfielder Matthew Hanniver and centre-forward Daniel Chillingworth are both from Huntingdon. They are the first of the Under-16 squad to be offered YTS places, with the rest of the squad still competing to join them. Daniel has had training sessions and games with the England Under-16 squad and scored his third goal for United earlier this month against Arsenal.

United line-up: Barrett, Chenery (Rees 87'), Wilson, Ashbee, Foster (Marc Joseph 86'), Campbell, Brebner, Benjamin, Taylor (Kyd 81'), Barnwell, Beall.
Booked: Wilson (dissent 44').
Ref: D R Crick (Worcester Park).

Gary Bennett put Scarborough in front with an 18th minute header from a corner, outjumping United's home defence to head the ball inside the near post from eight yards. But 20-year-old Brebner made a dream debut when he scored the equaliser on 21 minutes after a United corner was only partially cleared. The Manchester United youngster took his goal well as the defence charged out at him, controlling the ball and flicking it from his right foot to his left before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box. Visiting goalkeeper Andy Rhodes dived at full stretch but could only palm the ball into his own net.

Brebner demonstrated a willingness to work and some good passing, but he and 'Billy' Beall were outnumbered in midfield for a lot of the game, largely due to the reluctance of the wing-backs to get forward. The hard-working Beall had a scoring opportunity just before half-time but failed to test goalkeeper Andy Rhodes.

In the 54th minute Paul Wilson caught out the Scarborough defence with a quickly taken free-kick from 20 yards, curling the ball around the defensive wall for his fifth goal of the season. For a while United were ahead and in the driving seat at last, and Jamie Barnwell and Billy Beall had chances to extend the lead before two goals in eleven minutes from Steve Brodie gave victory to Scarborough and took them up to third in the table.

Brodie's first came when he got on the end of a three-man move to score a 70th minute equaliser, and he scored the winner with an overhead kick as United's static defence failed to deal with a bouncing ball in the box. Jamie Barnwell had wasted a great opportunity to restore the lead two minutes after Brodie's equaliser, when he met Paul Wilson's cross at the far post only to fire over the bar from a couple of yards out.

Scarborough looked a reasonable side while United were once again made to pay heavily for failing to convert chances. If we could only maintain a performance for 90 minutes there is no telling how high up the table we could be, but as it is we slipped a place to 16th and the task of climbing back into the play-off places starts to look like 'Mission Impossible'.

Grant Brebner was named Man of the Match and said afterwards, "I enjoyed the game but not the result."

The youth team notched a welcome home win over Watford this morning in the South East Counties League, ending a run of four straight defeats. The final score was 3-2.

Hot on the heels of two trialists with international honours, two young Manchester United reserves have arrived at the Abbey Stadium on a month's loan.

20-year-olds Grant Brebner - a midfielder - and central defender Andy Duncan signed for Cambridge United today after impressing Roy McFarland during a week's trial earlier this season. Brebner is set to make his League debut tomorrow against Scarborough and Duncan is included in the squad but may not feature in the final 14 for this match. Both have come through United's youth system and have progressed from their 'A' team to make half a dozen Pontins League appearances for the reserves. Brebner, a Scot from Edinburgh, has scored twice.

McFarland is pleased to have secured their services and said, "It's a chance for them and for us. We get a couple of quality players with a great pedigree, and they get the opportunity to play League football. Alex Ferguson is keen for them to get that kind of experience. And who knows where it might lead for them and for us. Grant Brebner could start the game against Scarborough. There might be another change because I wasn't very happy about the way we fell away in the second half of our last match at Colchester."

Brebner could replace Jason Rees or Billy Beall in midfield, while the other change hinted at will probably be in attack, although Jamie Barnwell should be safe after scoring two goals at Layer Road.

United squad: Barrett, Chenery, Ashbee, Foster, Campbell, Wilson, Brebner, Beall, Rees, Barnwell, Taylor, Kyd, Benjamin, Marc Joseph, Rodosthenous, Duncan.

The bitterness provoked by United's FA Cup exit at Stevenage rumbles on with the news that United's report to the Football Association included evidence which would have backed up Newcastle United's attempt to get their FA Cup fourth round tie switched from the non-League ground. However the FA confirmed this afternoon that the tie would definitely be played at Broadhall Way.

Cambridge United club secretary told the Cambridge Evening News, "I have sympathy for Newcastle's case. There were things that went on in our replay at Stevenage which we weren't happy about. We were concerned about Stevenage manager Paul Fairclough addressing the crowd over the PA before the game, and about the problems our people in the dugout experienced.

"Roy McFarland and his staff were barracked by the crowd, and talked to by a steward and the police for standing up when League rules clearly allow them to do so."

Teenager Mark McCammon was set to re-join Cambridge City on loan but the big striker broke down in training this week with a recurrence of a foot injury.

The youth team play Watford at the Simoco ground tomorrow (11am) and two local schoolboys are set to play in the South East Counties match. Daniel Chillingworth and Matt Haniver come in as United look to end a four-game run without a win. Youth team coach David Batch commented, "The performance in the second half against Arsenal last week was excellent and I am looking for the same again. At this level the performance is the important thing, but the result should follow on from that. Hopefully this week it will."

United have taken two foreign players on trial this week and they come recommended by the man who unearthed Carlo Corazzin and John Filan. Football agent Graham Smith represents midfielder Anders Paulsson and goalkeeper Jim Larkin who have been playing American college soccer and the former United goalkeeper believes they are capable of doing well in England.

25-year-old Paulsson has nine Under-19 caps for Sweden and has been near the top of the NCAA Division II scorers list while playing for the University of Tampa.

Ontario-born Larkin (22) is the Canadian Number Three keeper and has been playing for Virginia Commonwealth University in the NCAA East Region. In 1994 he was a finalist for the Canadian National Player of the Year honours and in recent years has collected his fair share of Most Valuable Player awards.

Smith told the Cambridge Evening News, "They are good prospects who should be able to make their way in the Football League. United are a club with a record of giving players like them a chance, so it's a good arrangement all round.

"Anders went to the States to do a Masters degree, but would probably having been with a Premier club in Sweden by now if he'd stayed. Jim has played in the Canadian Olympic team, and was in the squad for the recent match against Portugal. He's huge, 6ft 3in, which reminds me what a small keeper I was."

Roy McFarland has been scouting for a pacy midfielder since the start of the season so he is likely to be particularly keen to see if Paulsson is the type of player he wants. Goalkeeper Scott Barrett has dropped one or two howlers recently which is probably why he also wants to look at Larkin, especially if the big young keeper can be added to the squad for minimal cost.

McFarland confirmed, "We'll be having a close look at them in training this week. Ideally we want to see them in a match, but that'll have to wait for a while with today's reserve game against Reading called off because of the state of the pitch. Graham Smith has a good record of bringing overseas players into the League, and we are always interested in the chance of finding people who are not going to cost big fees."

There is very little in the way of news at the Abbey Stadium at present, with the squad currently half-way through an unplanned 'mid-season' break. United's interest in this weekend's FA Cup third round ties is already over and our scheduled League game was postponed as Rotherham were in cup action, but Roy McFarland hopes the rest will help to get the team back on track.

He told the Cambridge Evening News: "We were trying to fix up some kind of game at the weekend when we had a blank fixture but the weather probably would have beaten us anyway."

Several cup and League matches had to be called off on Saturday morning due to the rain and high winds but McFarland believes the lack of a game could pay dividends: "It might not be a bad thing after a run of two matches in a week for the players to have had this kind of break. It's like we are starting the season all over again, and we need to do as well as we did back in August and September."

United are in action again on Saturday when Scarborough are the visitors to the Abbey Stadium, nearly a fortnight after the disappointing derby defeat at Colchester. Paul Wanless and Martin Butler serve the second game of their three match suspensions after both were sent off in that eventful cup replay at Stevenage.

The C.E.N. also reported that McFarland gave no indications of any imminent signings, but it is thought that Jamie Barnwell's proposed transfer will not go ahead. He was linked with a move to Brighton in exchange for their forward Robbie Reinelt, but reports suggest that Barnwell has turned down the move.

The youth team lost 4-2 at Arsenal in the South East Counties League on Saturday but coach David Batch was full of praise for his side. In a brave second half performance they came back from 2-0 and 3-1 down and Batch commented, "In the second half we were absolutely excellent," said Batch. "If the boys continue to play like that I can pack my bags and go home because I won't be needed. We passed better than them, there was lots of movement and created plenty of chances. A fair scoreline would probably have been about 6-6."

Tom Youngs and schoolboy Daniel Chillingworth scored United's goals before Arsenal got a late fourth.

"In the first half we defended a bit too deep," Batch told the C.E.N. "Their forwards had time to control the ball and come at us. In the second half the back four pushed on and got closer to our midfield and we were the better side."

As Cambridge United sat out FA Cup third round weekend, results elsewhere left a bitter taste. Stevenage Borough, who progressed after winning against a United side reduced to nine men in the first half of their second round replay, yesterday beat Swindon Town. Robins boss Steve McMahon was so disgusted by his team's performance that he made it clear some players could have played their last game for Swindon. Meanwhile one of the Borough players admitted that he was astonished when the anticipated fightback from the Division One side failed to arrive.

The draw last night handed Stevenage a plum tie when they were matched with the winner of this afternoon's all-Premiership tie between Everton and Newcastle United. The North East side triumphed courtesy of an Ian Rush goal and opened debate on whether the tie should be switched to St James' park, a move which would guarantee Stevenage a massive pay-day.

The media interest in Stevenage Borough just serves to rub salt in the wounds of Cambridge United and the team's supporters, who still believe that the second round tie was settled by Mr Coddington's bizarre refereeing decisions and the gamesmanship of some of the Conference side's players.