Cambridge United: Van Heusden, Chenery, Mustoe (Walker 78'), Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Taylor, Butler, Benjamin, Russell.
Subs not used: Kyd, Eustace.

Carlisle United: Caig, Barr, Searle, Whitehead, Clark, Hopper, Dobie, Paterson, Finney (Stevens 78'), Ormerod (McAlindon 78'), Couzens.
Sub not used: Anthony.
Booked: Paterson (foul 6'), Searle (dissent 24'), Hopper (foul 51')

Ref: Mr J. P. Robinson (Hull).

Shots On Target: Cambridge 8, Carlisle 3
Corners: Cambridge 10, Carlisle 7

Martin Butler scored his first league goal for exactly three months to decide this game, as a superb first half performance gave way to a tense second, but Cambridge United passed their way to a deserved victory and maintained second place in the table.

There was one change today as John Taylor reclaimed his place from Richard Walker after missing out through illness last weekend. Marc Joseph was fit to start despite a scare over a thigh injury, confining new signing Scott Eustace to the bench.

United lost the toss and had to attack the Newmarket Road End in the first half. The game got off to a lively start in cold and damp conditions, and Carlisle underlined their recent resurgence in form by dominating the opening exchanges. They got men behind the ball and counter-attacked well, but United had the first chance as early as the fourth minute. Martin Butler fed the ball to John Taylor, his flick-on found Trevor Benjamin 15 yards out in more space than he realised, and the youngster blazed the shot over.

In the 12th minute no-one closed down Alex Russell as he took possession about 40 yards out, and he was allowed to advance to 25 yards out before rasping a shot just wide. Two minutes later Taylor headed Russell's cross narrowly wide as United got to grips with the game. After 21 minutes United won a freekick 20 yards out and for a change Russell did not take it. Instead Jamie Campbell threaded the ball through their six man wall but Paterson was behind the wall and cleared. Five minutes later United had faint claims for a penalty when Benjamin worked himself an opening but saw his shot parried by Caig, and as Taylor followed up he was sent tumbling to the ground. Referee Mr Robinson was not impressed.

On the half-hour Benjamin hit a great ball down the line to Campbell, whose cross was cut out by Caig as Martin Butler was poised to finish the chance. A couple of minutes later Steve Finney - who had a spell on loan at the Abbey early last season - found Dobie whose shot from the edge of the box was fluffed by Arjan Van Heusden, but the shot was so tame that the Dutch keeper had time to recover. In the 35th minute a Marc Joseph long throw found Taylor, he flicked the ball on to Butler whose diving header was just wide.

Then United took the lead in the 38th minute with the goal that all U's fans have been hoping for. John Taylor put in Trevor Benjamin whose powerful long-range shot was parried by Caig, but the ball was not cleared and Martin Butler pounced to stab home his first league goal since October. Butler's head and workrate have never dropped in that time and the goal was well-deserved.

The U's had dominated the first half but Carlisle exerted some real pressure just before the break, and with a couple of minutes left Paterson's shot from 25 yards took a nasty bounce just in front of Van Heusden and the keeper did well to tip it round the post. (Half-time 1-0)

After the break United started strongly and after just two minutes the unmarked Taylor met a Russell corner only to see his header cleared off the line by Couzens. A few minutes later Tony Hopper was booked for a foul on Ben Chenery that left the young defender looking groggy for a short while, and in the 52nd minute Taylor found Benjamin with a good ball but the striker screwed his shot well wide.

The second half was a tense affair as despite some superb passing and movement, Cambridge failed to kill the game off and Carlisle looked as though they might get back into it. Luckily their play broke down in the final third and chances were few and far between, although they won a freekick just outside the box in the 62nd minute when Dobie appeared to slip just outside the box. The ball was tapped to Couzens who cleverly flipped the ball into the air before volleying over the bar.

Searle rasped a shot just wide in the 77th minute just before three substitutions were made. United's change was an interesting one as Richard Walker replaced not the tiring Taylor but midfielder Neil Mustoe, and scorer Martin Butler dropped into a deeper position. However, Taylor proved his value on the field in the closing stages as his experience helped United to run the clock down, and Carlisle were restricted to just one final chance, when Couzens barged his way into the box but ran into the massed ranks of the U's defence.

This was Cambridge United's NINTH consecutive home win and proved vital as leaders Cardiff and third placed Scunthorpe won to keep the pace hot at the top of the table. The home crowd of 4,128 is also welcome as word gets around that something exciting is happening at the Abbey Stadium.

Reporter Mark Johnson agreed with the match sponsors in their choice of today's Man of the Match: Martin Butler - "he worked as hard as ever and got that long-overdue league goal".

In this morning's draw for the area Semi-Finals of the Auto Windscreens Shield, Cambridge United were drawn away at second division Walsall. The match will be played on Tuesday 16th February (7.45pm kick-off) and sees Martin Butler and David Preece return to the club where they began their careers.

In the other Southern Semi-Final, Bournemouth or Millwall will play Gillingham, and in the Northern draw Lincoln face Wrexham and Rochdale or Stoke or Halifax will play Wigan.

As announced in today's match programme, three forthcoming home games have been designated ALL-TICKET fixtures - Cardiff City, Peterborough United and Brentford. Season Ticket holders are reminded that they do not need to buy tickets for these games as they can use their Season Ticket books as normal, However, as an incentive to the ever-increasing number of 'pay-on- the-day' supporters the Club are offering a special deal for those supporters who buy tickets for ALL three games as a package. The prices are as follows:

		Offer Price	Usual Price	Saving
Main Stand	Adult	£30	£36	£6
	Concession	£15	£18	£3
Family Enclosure	Adult	£20	£24	£4
	Concession	£12	£15	£3
North/Habbin Terrace	Adult	£20	£24	£4
	Concession	£12	£15	£3

Defender Marc Joseph is battling a thigh strain and centre-half Scott Eustace is on stand-by to replace him. The powerful 23-year-old was added to the squad for tomorrow's home clash against Carlisle after an impressive midweek display in the reserves.

Roy McFarland told the Cambridge Evening News, "It was the best performance of the season by the reserves, and Scott was the man of the match. It's put him into the first team squad and I'm sure he won't let us down if Jerry (Joseph) fails a fitness test, although he was training quite well yesterday."

McFarland predicts a hard game against a Carlisle side with wins in their last two away games, saying, "Nigel Pearson looks as though he's getting Carlisle going again. He was a very strong player, and I expect his team to be the same. He's made a few changes, and they'll be confident after some good results. But we are going well at the Abbey, and if the fans can find the money to come along to another home match in a month full of them we can continue our run."

Striker Michael Kyd is in the reckoning after scoring twice for the reserves in mid-week, and veteran John Taylor is in the squad after missing out through illness last weekend. On-loan Richard Walker was Taylor's stand-in last week but he will be competing for a place on the bench if the influential player-coach is restored to the starting eleven.

McFarland was questioned by shareholders at the AGM on Monday about Trevor Benjamin's link with an agent and repeated his disappointment that the young striker had ignored his advice.

"I advised Trevor not to get involved," he said. "There is enough experience at this club to help him shape his career. I told him to come to me or David Preece, John Taylor or Paul Wanless if he had any problems. Unfortunately, he was recommended to an agent I feel he doesn't need, by a friend.

Roy McFarland was delighted with yesterday's reserve team win over Gillingham, describing it as "one of the best performances" by the reserves all season.

Ian Ashbee's ankle injury is not as bad as originally feared and the midfielder will probably return to training at the end of next week.

In conjunction with the Cambridge City Council Leisure Card scheme, Cambridge United has a number of free tickets available for the forthcoming games against Carlisle, Hull and Rochdale.

Leisure 'A' Card holders are entitled to one free ticket per card and must claim the ticket in person prior to the match, taking their card with them. There are 50 tickets available for each match and they will be issued on a 'first come, first served' basis. These tickets will not be available on the day of the match concerned.

Key midfielder Alex Russell misses the game at Scarborough on 6th February after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season against Chester.

United's reserve team were in Avon Insurance Comination action against Gillingham reserves at the Abbey this afternoon and won 3-0. The goals came from Michael Kyd (right), who pressed his claims for a return to the first team with a brace and a fine all round performance, and trialist Sam McMahon. McMahon, a 22-year-old Leicester midfielder, was one of three trialists in the side, the others being Richard Barrett of Atherstone and Tom Culshaw of Liverpool.

United also fielded 23-year-old former Leicester and Mansfield central defender Scott Eustace, who has signed a monthly contract after an extended trial.

The Cambridge Evening News reports that the formal business of the AGM took less than ten minutes to complete, which included the re-election to the board of John Howard and Gerald Lowe.

Also at last night's meeting, Chairman Reg Smart revealed that the estimated cost of redeveloping the Abbey Stadium, including new stands behind each goal, is £4.2m, and the plans were on show. However the Club will not apply for planning permission for the first stage, which comprises the new stand and offices at the Newmarket Road end, until they know they can acquire the necessary allotment land behind the South Terrace.

Talks between the Club, the allotment holders and the City Council are in progress about the allotment land, but the CEN points out that there are several stages remaining - including clearance from the Department of the Environment. In the meantime, the question on every supporter's lips will be "where is the money coming from?"

Trevor Benjamin was linked with a number of clubs at the weekend, with the Observer claiming that Watford are interested in the big 19-year-old, while Teamtalk claim that Premiership strugglers Southampton have been watching him. First Division leaders Sunderland, who signed Jody Craddock eighteen months ago, are also rumoured to be interested.

"We picked it up well," he told the Cambridge Evening News. "We like playing that way towards our fans don't we. But we needed to improve quite a bit. We were slow and sluggish in the latter part of the first half. There was no urgency, right from the goalkeeper through the team. We were too static, and there were quite bad lapses of concentration.

"When I looked at the fixtures for January this was the one which stood out as a tricky one, because Chester play good football, and when they hit back it confirmed that. So I said, come on we've got to get those second balls, sort out our shape and play our football, and there was an excellent response. We caught them right from the restart.

"Paul Wanless (left) was important I thought in getting us on top, and with the wind at our backs we were able to control things once we scored, although without really pressing home our advantage."

McFarland saw his side move up to second in the table on Saturday and conceded that they haven't even been playing very well recently!

"We haven't been on the boil for the last two or three games, yet we kept our run going against one of the hardest teams to beat in the division. Chester are the draw specialists.

"We haven't lost since Brentford before Christmas, and it's eight home wins on the trot. So, considering we can play better than we are doing at the moment, it's very encouraging. Every team has a dip in form at some stage of the season, but the ones who can keep on grinding out results are the ones who stay in contention."

There is varied news from the treatment room as striker John Taylor feels confident he will be fit to face Carlisle on Saturday, but defender Marc Joseph will need treatment for a thigh strain. Player-coach Taylor has been suffering with a virus but he felt well enough to to along and watch Saturday's match.

On Joseph's injury McFarland commented, "Marc felt something in the thigh, but was able to complete the game. "There could be a problem with one or two fibres, but we don't think it is going to be a serious problem."

Cambridge United's AGM will be held at the Club in the Harris Suite tonight, when shareholders will discuss the recently published accounts and put questions to the board of directors.

United's youth team were due to travel to Blackstones tonight for an Eastern Junior Cup match, but the game has been been postponed. The youths drew 2-2 against Leyton Orient on Saturday morning, the goals coming from Michael Steward from the spot, and Matthew Hanniver.

Young striker Mark McCammon was named man of the match on Saturday ... playing in defence for Cambridge City! The 20-year-old has recently recovered from injury but has been unable to get a run out for the reserves due to all the recent games being postponed.

City, troubled in recent weeks by managerial changes and players leaving, were assured by United's coaching staff that the young Londoner could "do a job" for them in defence and his vital tackles earned him the award. He also went close to adding a late goal for the side he represented regularly last season as part of his non-contract arrangement with United.

Cambridge United: Van Heusden, Chenery, Mustoe, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Walker (Kyd 85'), Butler, Benjamin, Russell.
Subs not used: Preece, Youngs.
Booked: Russell (foul 32')

Chester City: Cutler, Davidson, Woods, Richardson, Crosby, Lancaster, Flitcroft, Priest, Murphy, Conroy, Reid (Beckett 71').
Subs not used: Wright, Shelton.
Booked: Priest (unsporting behaviour 48')

Ref: Mr M. D. Messias (York).

Shots On Target: Cambridge 7, Chester 3
Corners: Cambridge 10, Chester 8

A stunning second half performance from Cambridge United swept aside a good Chester City side and propelled the U's to second in the table.

There was one enforced change to the side with Richard Walker replacing John Taylor who missed out through illness. Neil Mustoe was fit to start despite being a slight doubt yesterday.

This was a game that was a great advert for third division football; skillful, exciting football played in chilly mid-winter conditions. Striker Trevor Benjamin gave Chester's Ross Davidson a torrid time all afternoon, and in the tenth minute he got away from him again before putting over a deep cross that was retrieved by Richard Walker. The Aston Villa youngster passed to Martin Butler but the shot was straight at Neil Cutler, a man who was going to have a busy afternoon in the Chester goal.

Moments later Andy Duncan's freekick was inches away from Benjamin's outstretched boot, and in the fifteenth minute Benjamin found Walker whose cross towards Butler was headed over his own bar by Davidson. Walker had probably his best game in front of the Abbey crowd this afternoon, showing glimpses of his class, and a few more games should see him on the same wavelength as his teammates more frequently.

United had what looked like a justifiable penalty claim turned down in the 22nd minute after Walker met Jamie Campbell's freekick and headed the ball back to Martin Butler. The striker was hauled back which prompted appeals for a penalty but referee Matt Messias was not, however, impressed. Chester came closest to scoring just before the half-hour when Nick Richardson struck a 25 yard effort, but the ball curled conveniently into Arjan Van Heusden's arms.

Walker was involved again for United when he jinked into the area after 35 minutes and wrong-footed Matt Woods, but his curling, goalbound shot was tipped round the post by a diving Cutler. United then forced a string of corners which culminated in the first goal after 38 minutes. Paul Wanless did brilliantly to reach a long cross from Alex Russell and he glanced home his fourth goal of the season, but the first at the Abbey.

Two minutes later Chester could have levelled the scores from a corner of their own, but Chris Priest's goalbound header was seen late by Van Heusden who produced a reflex save. Then in the 45th minute John Murphy cut into the area, Marc Joseph seemed to have won the ball but Murphy hit the ground and a penalty was awarded. Andy Crosby stepped up and placed the ball straight under the crossbar as Van Heusden dived. In first half injury-time Neil Mustoe found Butler in the area, he miscued a shot that found its way to Walker, but from eight yards out he blazed wide. (Half-time 1-1)

You could be forgiven for expecting that a penalty late in the first half would give Chester the momentum to attack and possibly go on and win the game, but instead Cambridge United produced a breathtaking 20 minutes of football. The midfield unit of Mustoe, Russell and Wanless was at the heart of it all, running, passing and probing as the U's displayed their full range of skills, and it is to Chester's credit that they were not completely swept aside.

In the 51st minute United broke out in a sweet four-man move, culminating in a curling left foot shot from Martin Butler that was saved by Cutler, after Alex Russell had released the striker. United were on a charge and produced another string of corners, and in the 54th minute the lead was restored. Russell's cross was flicked on by Wanless to Jamie Campbell who swept the ball in from just inside the penalty box.

After 62 minutes Murphy beat Mustoe but the ball ran away from him as he advanced into the box, and that was Chester's only chance of the half. They are a good side but their manager Kevin Ratcliffe admitted after the game that our midfield unit won the game for United. With twenty minutes left Butler and Walker combined to put in Wanless, but the skipper's shot was blocked by Crosby.

Martin Butler's unselfish work upfront was nearly rewarded a couple of times before the final whistle, first in the 74th minute when a great through ball from (possibly) Mustoe left him one-on-one with Cutler, but the Chester keeper was out quickly to block the shot with his legs. Then in the 87th minute a neat corner routine ended with Butler's shot on the turn, but his shot flew straight at Cutler.

Today's was a very exciting game between two good sides, decided by a superb second half showing from United, and it is fitting that reporter Mark Johnson's man of the match should be the heartbeat of the U's side. His choice is Paul Wanless for "a buccaneering performance in midfield and a great goal".

This eighth consecutive home win lifted United to second in the table, two points clear of Scunthorpe and Brentford (who have a game in hand), and five points behind Cardiff with a game in hand on the leaders.

Neil Mustoe is said by the Cambridge Evening News to be rated doubtful, while veteran striker John Taylor will also miss out after being struck by a virus. His absence could allow Michael Kyd a chance to stake his claim after missing most of this season with a knee injury.

"It's a double blow for us," Roy McFarland told the CEN. "With David Preece recovering from a pulled hamstring we don't have any other midfield cover in the squad, and John Taylor's contribution has been important for us.

"But we have some back-up in attack, and I'll be having a look at Michael Kyd as well as Richard Walker. Whoever plays, everybody knows we have to do much better than we did against Exeter if we are to beat a Chester side who are on a good run. We have the incentive, though, of going second in the table, and with support like we got the other night we can do it if we produce our best."

He added, "Chester are another of the draw specialists and like Torquay, who we played the other week, are sure to make life difficult for us."

Beall, who was out of contract when he eventually signed for Leyton Orient last October, has already recorded 15 appearances for the O's. The package represents healthy compensation for the loss of the 20-year-old product of United's youth scheme, and is also a great improvement on Leyton Orient's initial offer of £10,000.

Roy McFarland commented, "We are very pleased with the outcome of the Football League Appeals Committee."

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn said, "I think we have got a cheap player, I am very happy. In today's market a player with Billy's ability for £25,000 up front is a good deal for Leyton Orient."

He added that the meeting was good natured and he is looking forward to the two sides meeting in February.

United director Gary Harwood, who attended the tribunal hearing with Roy McFarland, has commented on the deal on the message board on this site, saying, "In the circumstances it was the best deal we were ever going to get.

"On October 19th last year LOFC were still refusing to go to a tribunal and 'Billy' was threatening to pack up football and go to college. Had we not done something then we would have got a big fat nothing. Roy, therefore agreed a fee of £50,000 that day (as was widely reported on various web sites and in the press) just to resolve the matter and get us something for a player we had 'invested' in for 6 years.

"Unfortunately LOFC then 'decided' that they hadn't agreed £50,000 with us and at that point agreed to go to a tribunal. Having stated the truth to the tribunal, i.e. we believed we had agreed £50,000 on 19 October 1998, there was no way in the world any tribunal would award us any more than that. Clearly LOFC were expecting a ruling of about half way between the two figures, ie roughly £30,000. I believe the tribunal, therefore, ruled mainly in our favour.

"I didn't need to say much in the changing room afterwards. The team knew they hadn't played well. We looked tired, and never really got into our game. Trevor Benjamin was a threat at times, and Arjan Van Heusden did well in goal, but that was about it."

The game was littered with misplaced passes, unforced errors and woeful finishing, and the manager added "It followed over from our training game when the reserves beat the first team 1-0. But winning after a very long night will lift everybody for the weekend. Often getting a result when you know you've been a bit below par can be very good for confidence.

"We said we were taking this competition seriously, the supporters have responded -- it was an excellent gate -- and now we are three games away from Wembley."

He revealed that, mindful of the huge disappointment of the penalties defeat in the Worthington Cup at Nottingham Forest, there had been no practice sessions in training beforehand: "We had a special practice session before the Forest game and it went wrong," McFarland said.

"This time I didn't want the players having them on their minds. I just made a list of the five names 10 minutes before the end of extra time, asked John Taylor to do the same and we had the same people. Richard Walker was the gamble. We weren't sure whether it would put too much pressure on the youngster, but we went with it."

As events unfolded, Walker - on-loan from Aston Villa - had to take a vital kick straight after Arjan Van Heusden had saved Brian Quailey's kick for Exeter, but he slotted it past Ashley Bayes very coolly. Walker told the CEN that taking the penalty "didn't bother" him, adding, "I'd have been happy taking the first one. It made up for not scoring in the match. I had a clear shot, but I tried to slide it past the keeper and hit him."

The draw for the southern semi-final of the shield will take place on January 28th or 30th, depending on whether the draw is selected for radio and TV coverage. Also in the draw with United will be Walsall and the winners of the ties between Bournemouth and Millwall, and Torquay and Gillingham.

There is a worry over midfield Ian Ashbee though, ahead of Saturday's home League game. United went into last night's game with a full squad to choose from, and such an embarrassment of riches in attack that the fit-again Michael Kyd could not even make the bench, but Ashbee limped off in the 119th minute after a clash with a defender and may now be doubtful for the visit of Chester City.

The 'Billy' Beall transfer tribunal finally takes place tomorrow morning to decide what fee Leyton Orient must pay for the former United midfielder. Roy McFarland and director Gary Harwood will attend the meeting in London, and McFarland told the CEN, "Billy has become an Orient regular, and I hope that's reflected in the tribunal's decision. We've had to wait a long time for some compensation."

Tonight's reserve game vs Spurs at St Albans has been postponed. United's second string have not been able to play an Avon Insurance Combination fixture since the defeat at Ipswich Town on the 9th November and this must be a source of frustration for McFarland who has trialists to look at, including former Mansfield defender Scott Eustace.

Cambridge United: Van Heusden, Chenery, Mustoe (Ashbee 76', Youngs 119'), Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Taylor (Walker 67'), Butler, Benjamin, Russell.
Booked: Joseph (foul 23')

Exeter City: Bayes, Gayle, Power, Breslan, Clark, Gittens, Quailey, Rees, Flack, Curran, Gardner (Wilkinson 66').
Subs not used: Fry, Waugh.
Booked: Gayle (foul 71'), Power (fouls 80' and 105'), Quailey (unsporting behaviour 90')
Sent off: Power 105' (two bookable offences)

Ref: Mr M. J. Brandwood (Lichfield).

Shots On Target: Cambridge 6, Exeter 4
Corners: Cambridge 6, Exeter 7

Cambridge United's second penalty shootout of the season ended happily for most of the bumper AWS crowd tonight as the distant smell of Wembley tempted a surprising 2,741 to take advantage of the discounted prices. But unlike the shootout disappointment at Nottingham Forest in October, they saw five successful penalty kicks and a save from Arjan Van Heusden ensure that the U's are in the hat for the Southern semi-final draw.

As expected, United fielded an unchanged side tonight in the third round of the Auto Windscreens Shield, with the same 14 on duty from the victory over Torquay ten days ago. The Grecians included former U's skipper Jason Rees and Cambridge-born striker Steve Flack, but were without skipper Jon Richardson and midfielder Chris Holloway who were injured in their weekend defeat at Scarborough.

After heavy rain this morning, the Abbey Stadium pitch was described as 'soggy' down the Main Stand side but otherwise in remarkably good condition. United got off to a poor start, possibly hampered by having to play into a strong wind, and after just four minutes a slip by Mark Joseph let in Brian Quailey. The on-loan WBA man found Steve Flack, leaving the big striker one-on-one with Arjan Van Heusden, but the Dutchman saved well. United broke away immediately and Jamie Campbell's cross was just inches over Martin Butler's head.

Then in the ninth minute United took the lead after another quick breakaway. Butler led the charge before feeding the ball to Trevor Benjamin just inside the box, and he fired the ball through the diving keeper's hands to put the U's ahead.

Four minutes later the weather gave United a scare when Jimmy Gardner's freekick caught on the wind and Van Heusden was forced to tip it onto the bar, but United countered with a chance in the 18th minute. Butler escaped down the right, his cross was brilliantly controlled by Alex Russell who fed the ball to Mustoe, but the little midfielder's shot flew into the allotments. In the 21st minute Quailey was through but as he was poised to shoot Campbell nicked the ball off his toe and behind for a corner, and Gardner's corner kick eluded a host of Exeter forwards before flying to safety.

With the wind affecting proceedings and both sides making errors and looking shaky in defence it was surprising that neither scored before half-time, although United had another clutch of chances. After 35 minutes Butler broke away before slipping the ball to Russell, who sidefooted the ball at Ashley Bayes. Crossed wires between the 'keeper and defender Shaun Gayle over a 43rd minute back-pass let in Benjamin whose toe-poke from just outside the box went wide of the post. Then in injury time the lively Benjamin burst into the box and his shot deflected off Gayle to draw a brilliant one-handed reflex save from Bayes. (Half-time 1-0)

United started the second half with the wind behind them and created some good early chances. First Alex Russell's dipping shot from 25 yards was just over the bar (51), then on the hour Benjamin put a cross into the danger area but Paul Wanless - who picked up a head wound in a clash with Bayes in the first half - just failed to connect with a diving header.

Exeter had another scare in the 64th minute when Bayes mis-controlled a backpass and Butler got a foot in, but the ball spun to safety and a minute later the Grecians were level. Quailey seemed to have lost the ball to a Jamie Campbell challenge but somehow won the ball back, beat Campbell and set up local boy Steve Flack for a simple finish at the far post.

United pressed forward looking for another goal and produced a flurry of chances in a good spell. First Ben Chenery went on a mazy run in the 70th minute but placed his cross straight into the goalkeeper's arms, and then in the 73rd minute Wanless' dangerous cross was just missed by Benjamin. Two minutes later a Russell freekick was glanced wide by Benjamin, and in the 80th minute Campbell's deep cross was headed inches over by Wanless. Then in the 90th minute substitute striker Richard Walker found himself alone running at Bayes, but the keeper spread himself well and Walker's shot struck him. The final chance of normal time came when Alex Russell's freekick flew over the bar. (1-1 at 90 mins)

The game went into 'sudden death' extra-time, where the first goal scored would settle the game. Exeter forced the pace of the first 15 minute period and after 100 minutes Breslan got on the end of Power's deep cross, but headed tamely at Van Heusden. Then five minutes later a corner was cleared to Jason Rees but his effort dipped over the bar. United broke away, Martin Butler was fouled by Power and the referee had no alternative but to show a second yellow card and send Power off just before the short break to change ends.

After the short break to change ends the edgy game continued in the rain and United continued to carve out chances. In the 113th minute Alex Russell's raking cross found Trevor Benjamin at the far post but the big striker was robbed by Clark as he brought the ball down. In the 118th minute Benjamin turned provider when his cross was knocked down by Wanless to Ian Ashbee, but the substitute was stretching to connect and the ball flew over the bar. Ashbee limped off to be replaced by Tom Youngs a minute later, but as late as the 123rd minute the U's could still have avoided the nail-biting climax. Richard Walker found some space and slid a great ball to Benjamin, leaving the striker one on one with Bayes on the angle eight yards out, but somehow he contrived to put the chance wide. (Full-time 1-1)

The penalties were taken at the Newmarket Road End and there was a scramble of bodies from the Main Stand as they raced to swell the home support behind the goal.

1-0 - Butler, sent keeper wrong way
1-1 - Flack, central shot as Van Heusden dived
2-1 - Wanless, central shot as Bayes dived
2-2 - Wilkinson, sent keeper wrong way
3-2 - Russell, confident shot bamboozled stationary Bayes
3-2 - Quailey, Van Heusden saved to left-hand side
4-2 - Walker, sent keeper wrong way
4-3 - Rees, tucked past keeper
5-3 - Duncan, coolly fired under the crossbar to win the tie!

Mark Johnson's Man of the Match: Martin Butler - "he kept going for the whole match".

Cambridge United now go into the draw for the Southern Semi-Final of the competition, and details will be here as soon as possible. Of the remaining ties in our half of the draw, Walsall knocked out Brentford on penalties, while Bournemouth v Millwall was postponed tonight and Torquay v Gillingham will be played on Saturday.

Roy McFarland has a full strength squad to select from and is expected to name an unchanged side to face Exeter City in tonight's third round of the Auto Windscreens Shield. Key defender Andy Duncan is expected to have recovered from a bout of 'flu, although he would have lined up on Saturday anyway had the game at Swansea gone ahead.

The popular 'Quid a Kid' scheme is in operation again for tonight's game, and all ticket prices have been discounted for tonight's game as follows:

Main Stand £9 (Concession Book holders £4)
Family Stand & Terrace £5 (Concession Book holders £4)
Juniors - 16 years and under - £1 anywhere in the ground.

Assistant secretary Mark Johnson said, "We asked Swansea to have an earlier inspection but they kept it at 10am, which wasn't helpful."

Speaking to the Cambridge Evening News, manager Roy McFarland said, "This sort of thing is unacceptable. There should be more co-operation between clubs for the sake of the fans.

"It made no difference to the players. We were down in South Wales overnight, but we suspected a postponement after the torrential rain in the night, and I was concerned about our supporters. The referee was there in Swansea as well as us, and there would have been no problem organising an 8.00am inspection. There wasn't going to be much difference in the conditions a couple of hours later.

"I've no complaint about the decision to call off the game. The Vetch Field pitch was very soggy all down one side, and the referee was rightly worried about the possibility of injuries. But we thought we'd persuaded Swansea, with the help of the League late on Friday afternoon, to hold an early inspection. In the end though they failed to do it. We will be following this up with the League because we don't want it to happen again.

"It meant our supporters did about three hours travelling for nothing. It was a frustrating weekend, but there was the consolation of two of the other top teams, Cardiff and Mansfield, losing." "

The players returned to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday and had a training session in preparation for tomorrow's Auto Windscreens third round tie against Exeter City. McFarland again has a full squad to select from but is expected to name an unchanged side. The prize for tomorrow's winners is a place in the semi-finals of the southern section of the competition.

TAvon Insurance Combination match, at home to West Ham reserves, postponed on January 12th, will now be played on Wednesday April 28th with a 7pm kick-off.

The youth team were due to be in action tonight at Blackstones in the Eastern Junior Cup, but the match has been postponed and a new date will be announced in due course.

The games at Brentford and Darlington were also called off. Peterborough beat Cardiff with a last minute goal to peg back the leaders, and Scunthorpe won at Carlisle to leap up to second place, moving Brentford and Cambridge down to third and fourth respectively.

The top of the table looks like this tonight:

There has been some confusion over the time of the inspection but United's assistant secretary Mark Johnson informs me that any inspection will take place not at 8.00am (when there would be plenty of time to stop U's fans travelling), but at 10.00am.

United's Clubcall line will be updated as soon as possible after a decision is made (0891 555885)

The Hammers travel to Swansea tomorrow for their FA Cup replay and are struggling to raise a fit team so the rearranged date, when the Hammers have more fit players, will no doubt be more appealing to U's fans.

In yesterday's Sport First newspaper he commented, "We kept at it and after getting away with that scare in front of our own goal, we put together some play which in the end brought us the victory I think we deserved."

In today's Cambridge Evening News he adds, "I thought we deserved it because we were the more positive side. We weren't getting enough possession in the first half, but we stuck at it and got the reward. With five League wins in a row at the Abbey, we are building the kind of home record you need if you are going to get promoted."

Former U's midfielder Gary Clayton, now with Torquay but currently sidelined by injury, thinks his old side look as good as anyone in this division and tipped United for promotion: "Martin Butler is a class act up front, and I know nobody looks forward to having to come and play at the Abbey now."

His manager Wes Saunders was unhappy with the Gulls performance, saying: "We deserved nothing, we folded. To their credit, Cambridge wanted it more than we did. We've drawn a lot of games, but we have to be more ruthless in getting out to attack. You can't come to places like this and just hope to get away with a draw."

Scorer of the second goal Neil Mustoe said he had expected United to go on and win, despite the poor first half: "It was a hard game, but they never really hurt us," he told the CEN. "As it went on, I had a feeling we were going to get the break we needed. We fully deserved it in the end."

The youth team were back in action for the first time since the week before Christmas, and gained a point from a goal-less draw at fourth placed Wycombe Wanderers.

United's reserves are in Combination action tomorrow night (7pm) against West Ham in a game that was brought forward by a day due to the Hammer's FA Cup replay on Wednesday. Big striker Mark McCammon is due to make his comeback from injury and the coaching staff will get another look at trialist Scott Eustace. The 23-year-old former Leicester and Mansfield defender has been on extended trial with United as McFarland seeks cover at the back.

Admission for the game is £2 for adults and accompanied children will be admitted free.

A date has still to be set for the 'Billy' Beall transfer tribunal, and the situation grows steadily more farcical. The midfielder played his last game for United at Hull on May 2nd, when he was replaced halfway through the second half, and since then has not kicked a ball for United. He had declined several new contract offers and allowed his last one to expire in June, and in July he refused to return for pre-season training. Instead the 20-year-old sat at home waiting for his future to be sorted out between United and Leyton Orient, the club who had initially opened talks with the U's in May.

In the meantime United had to keep paying his wages to retain the right to a transfer fee, while Orient made a succession of paltry offers for a player who was a regular for most of last season. In October the London club eventually agreed to go to a transfer tribunal to settle the fee and Beall signed for them, since when he has been a fixture in their side, but the transfer tribunal which was arranged for December had to be called off because of the tribunal chairman's illness.

The clubs hope to arrange a date for later this month but in the meantime Roy McFarland's patience is obviously wearing thin by today's comment: "It really has been an amazing business. Perhaps we'll get some interest on the fee when they eventually set it."

United's plans for major ground redevelopment have received a boost with the news that Ian Cooper, Cambridge City Council's director of leisure services, has recommended to councillors that they approve the release of allotment land - even if that is against the wishes of plotholders.

If the club is to proceed with the planned new North Stand some land at the south end of the ground will be needed to maintain the pitch size, which would mean building on part of the allotments at the south end of the ground. The plotholders would still have the right of appeal to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which has to give permission for allotment land to be used for another purpose.

Mr Cooper told the Cambridge Evening News "Possession of the area required by Cambridge United could, of course, be achieved earlier by agreement with the society if current opposition to the project can be overcome. He has also asked for the authority to proceed with negotiations with the club re planning permission, compensation and the provision of community facilities.

"This latest proposal has been developed over the last two years and is a result of a range of meetings between the council and Cambridge United," he added. "Members are asked to give, in principle, approval for the release of a small area of Whitehill Road allotments."

If approval is given at a meeting of the Community Development and Leisure Committee on Thursday, the club will make an outline planning application for the extension which would increase the grounds capacity and include community facilities.

Director Gary Harwood, responsible for community relations at the club commented, "We are aware they would recommend the release of the land and we are delighted that over the past six to twelve months our relations with the council have improved remarkably."

He added that the club would prefer to get the consent of plotholders because it would allow their plans to proceed faster, but a spokesman for the Whitehill Allotment Society said there was no change in the stance of their members, even after they were invited to a presentation at the club in December about the proposals.

He said "The majority of allotment holders do not want this land released for development. We will have to talk to the council to convince them. It is not agreed in principle by the allotment holders - the general feeling is they don't want to lose it."

However U's Net understands from one unconfirmed source that the sticking point is not with the majority of the allotment holders, but more with some members of the committee.

Cambridge United: Van Heusden, Chenery, Mustoe, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Taylor, Butler, Benjamin, Russell.
Subs not used: Walker, Youngs, Ashbee.
Booked: Mustoe (unsporting behaviour 50')

Torquay United: Southall, Gurney, Herrera (Forrester 72), Robinson, Thomas, Leadbitter, Watson, McGorry, Lee, Partridge, Hill (Healy 54').
Sub not used: Tully.
Booked: Leadbitter (foul 50')

Ref: Mr P. Danson (Leicester).

Shots On Target: Cambridge 6, Torquay 1
Corners: Cambridge 6, Torquay 5

Cambridge United recorded their sixth successive home win this afternoon, proving that the early season Abbey Stadium jinx has been laid to rest for the time being at least. Another goal from record scorer John Taylor and a second career goal for former Old Trafford trainee Neil Mustoe clinched the points for United as two second half goals warmed up the crowd and wiped away the memory of a lifeless first half.

Roy McFarland named what would probably be the first choice eleven for most supporters, although Richard Walker and Ian Ashbee can count themselves unfortunate to drop to the bench after playing their part in Tuesday's AWS win. Neil Mustoe, Paul Wanless, John Taylor and Martin Butler returned to a familiar looking line-up to start the match on a very cold afternoon. Torquay came in search of their first ever win at The Abbey and included goalkeeping legend Neville Southall - whose arrival had coincided with an unbeaten run - on-loan striker Alan Lee, and former U Chris Leadbitter.

The first half was a dull affair with very few goal-scoring chances as neither side took the game by the scruff of the neck and just cancelled each other out. The half got off to a misleading start when after just 18 seconds Trevor Benjamin's 20 yard snap shot was safely held by Neville Southall. United struggled to break down Torquay's five at the back and the next chance of note came after seventeen minutes. A neat move on the edge of the U's box saw Chris Leadbitter find Scott Partridge, and the striker's shot from the edge of the box trundled through to Arjan Van Heusden.

A minute later Alex Russell's corner was met firmly at the far post by Paul Wanless but Southall brilliantly clawed the ball away, although only as far as Wanless whose follow-up was saved more easily. The scrappy first half was summed up in United's 36th minute move when Benjamin scampered away down the left but his cross went out of play, and in the 46th minute Jamie Campbell found John Taylor but his header was just over the bar.

The 'highlights' of the numbing first half were described by Mark Johnson as the way Southall delayed each and every goalkick, and the person in the stand who shouted 'YES' at random intervals and for no apparent reason! (Half-time 0-0)

The half-time talk from Roy McFarland produced the usual increase in tempo but to little avail in the early stages. A player from each side was booked after 50 minutes when Neil Mustoe held on to the ball too long after it had gone out of play, for both Mr Danson's and Chris Leadbitter's liking. Mustoe was booked for time-wasting and Leadbitter for a little bit of argy-bargy as he tried to get the ball off Mustoe.

United suffered a heart-stopping moment after 55 minutes when Marc Joseph's back pass was mis-kicked by Van Heusden. The giant Dutchman had to race back and dive full-length to claw the ball around the post as Partridge closed in and the Torquay fans prepared to celebrate.

Three minutes later Martin Butler found John Taylor who turned on the penalty spot but his shot was blocked by Thomas, and a minute later Alex Russell's 25 yard free kick was inches wide. United were still struggling to break down Torquay as the visitors sat back and absorbed the pressure, but Trevor Benjamin proved that he is rediscovering his early season form when one of his trademark runs produced the opening goal.

In the 63rd minute the big forward out-paced Thomas as he raced down the left wing and then crossed to John Taylor at the far post, and United's record goalscorer had the time and space to side-foot the ball home from about two yards, reaching double figures for the season.

United added the second goal in the 71st minute after some good teamwork. Martin Butler found Benjamin at the far post but the teenager's header was going wide before Taylor did well to rescue the ball, played it back into the danger area and Neil Mustoe thumped the ball past Southall from about ten yards after a well-timed run from midfield.

United then ran the clock down quite well with just one more late chance for each side. In the 87th minute Gulls substitute Mark Forrester had a shot from over 20 yards pushed round the post by Van Heusden at full-stretch, and in the 92nd minute Mustoe put Butler through and his diagonal shot from about 12 yards was well saved by the veteran Southall.

The three points maintained United's hold on third place, while Mansfield's 3-1 win over second-placed Brentford kept things tight at the top of the table.

Reporter Mark Johnson's Man of the Match was Neil Mustoe: "Another hard-working game, he just pipped Alex Russell".

In midfield, skipper Paul Wanless and Neil Mustoe have both reportedly recovered from the strains that kept them out of the mid-week win and McFarland will have to select three from that pair, Alex Russell and Ian Ashbee,

Torquay are unbeaten in their last six games and produced an upset to knock big-spending Fulham out of the AWS in mid-week. United won there on the opening day of the season, largely thanks to a wonder-save from Arjan Van Heusden and a Martin Butler penalty awarded after Trevor Benjamin was brought crashing to the ground just outside the box.

Roy McFarland told the Cambridge Evening News, "It'll be a hard game. Even during their poor run, Torquay were draw specialists, no-one rolled them over. Neville Southall has given them a lift, as well as a striker, Alan Lee, they have on loan from Aston Villa. But we've sorted ourselves out at home now, Trevor Benjamin and Martin Butler are getting goals again, and we have to be confident of continuing our good run. Coming back twice from behind to beat Northampton was a measure of our development."

Commenting on yesterday's draw for the third round of the Shield, which sees Exeter visiting the Abbey, he added, "Any home draw was what we wanted. I think the supporters will get behind us, even more so than last time now that we are at this stage of the competition."

McFarland also gave the CEN an insight into his squad and his hopes for the rest of this season, and there were reassuring words for supporters fearing departures from the current team.

"There is a maturity about this squad which gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season," he said. "It hasn't been a shock for me exactly because we have worked on the players' all-round development, but it's certainly a pleasant surprise when you are working with such a young squad. Early in the season we played a lot of cup matches, had to go to Premiership grounds, and were hit by injuries. But we coped with it all and are in the top three going into the second half of the campaign.

"It was a big test for our resources when Arjan Van Heusden, Marc Joseph, Michael Kyd and Ian Ashbee were injured. But Shaun Marshall, Martin McNeil, Neil Mustoe and, at the other end of the scale, John Taylor more than filled the gaps. The youngsters gained some very important experience, John proved he can still be a top striker at this level, and we've managed to play with the consistency you need to stay in the top places."

Despite the financial muscle of Brentford and the huge crowds attracted by leaders Cardiff, McFarland told the News that he does not think alack of transfer funds will de-rail United's season.

"We can't match the spending of some other clubs," he admitted, "but we have quite a strong squad now, and myself, David Preece and John Taylor are constantly checking on players we might need to bring in. Fortunately, we aren't in a position where we have to sell anyone at this stage to pay the bills, and if somebody did go it would be for what I call 'silly money', for a very big fee.

The full draw is as follows, with all games to be played in the week beginning January 18th:

Northern Section
Wrexham v Darlington or Chesterfield
Hartlepool or Preston v Lincoln
Scunthorpe or Carlisle v Wigan or Scarborough
Rochdale or Stoke v Halifax

Southern Section
Torquay v Gillingham
Brentford v Walsall
Bournemouth v Millwall
Cambridge v Exeter

"That was Trevor back to his best," he told the Cambridge Evening News. "He was taking defenders on and using his pace and power again, something we haven't seen for a few matches. He started getting it together again in training towards the end of last week, and at the moment the signs look good."

But Benjamin was not only player to earn a special mention, as the manager added, "Michael Kyd also had a very useful run-out after his long injury, and with Ian Ashbee having a good game in midfield, we have some very keen competition for places in attack and midfield."

The gate of 2,391 was higher than anticipated and McFarland extended his praise to the Abbey supporters who turned up to back their team, and chanted 'Sign your contract for the lads' to Benjamin before taunting the Cobblers fans with 'We hate Boro more than you do'.

"To get more than 2,000 for this game was excellent. They really got behind us, and it demonstrated the backing we are building up now,"said McFarland. "I thought we put on a good performance for them after a patchy first half when we put ourselves in trouble by defending too deeply. There's a Wembley final at the end of this competition so we are going to have a go in it.

"We've knocked out a second division team and outplayed them. They were relying on hopeful long balls producing something and they wasted a striker like Carlo Corazzin. It was a hard fought game and we showed plenty of spirit to come back and win. "

The away fixture at Shrewsbury Town in March has been brought forward from Saturday 27th to Friday 26th (kick-off 7.45pm), to avoid a clash with the England game that was thoughtfully arranged for 3pm on the Saturday. Quite a few Nationwide League fixtures have already been moved due to this clash.

The third round AWS game will be played on Tuesday/Wednesday 19th/20th January, depending on our opponents and whether we are drawn at home or away. The draw takes place tomorrow morning at 9.15am.

There is a chance that the Cardiff, Peterborough and Brentford games at the Abbey in April and May could be made all-ticket, and confirmation will follow when a decision has been made.

Cambridge United: Van Heusden, Chenery, Ashbee, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Preece (Butler 46'), Walker, Kyd (Youngs 73'), Benjamin, Russell.
Sub not used: Wilde.
Booked: Joseph (foul 76')

Northampton Town: Turley, Warner (Hunt 81'), Frain, Sampson, Howey, Spedding, Peer, Hope, Freestone, Corazzin, Savage (Hill 71').
Sub not used: Lee.
Booked: Howey (foul 87')

Ref: Mr S. Baines (Chesterfield).

Shots On Target: Cambridge 6, Northampton 3
Corners: Cambridge 7, Northampton 4

Cambridge United made four changes to the team tonight, with Ian Ashbee in for Neil Mustoe (suspected thigh strain), David Preece replacing injured skipper Paul Wanless, on-loan Richard Walker named in place of John Taylor and fit again Michael Kyd in for Martin Butler. Butler joined Tom Youngs and Adam Wilde on the bench, and former U's star Carlo Corazzin was named in the Cobblers line-up. The weather was mild and breezy, and the pitch looked in excellent shape despite the battering it took before Christmas, a credit to Ian Darler and his staff.

United got off to a scrappy start and only managed a couple of half chances before going behind. After six minutes an Alex Russell cross was cleared to David Preece, the player-coach played the ball back to Russell who fed Michael Kyd but the rusty striker, making his first start since the end of August, scooped the ball over the bar.

Then in the eleventh minute Russell, with two goals in the last two games, burst forward but his shot was tame and wide. Billy Turley's goalkick was allowed to bounce through United's midfield, Carlo Corazzin sprung a hesitant offside trap and while the defence appealed in vain for handball the former U's hero rounded Arjan Van Heusden and scored. (Ironically, just five minutes later his former Abbey partner Steve Butler was putting Peterborough ahead in Bournemouth.)

United's next half-chance came in the fifteenth minute when Ian Ashbee received the ball from Preece and curled a shot wide from 25 yards. But three minutes later United were level and it was thanks to a first goal from Richard Walker (right). In a crowded box the Aston Villa loanee met a cross from Russell with a looping header, and Billy Turley fumbled the ball over his head to gift the 21-year-old his first senior goal.

The rest of the half was fairly uneventful with both sides having just one chance to go ahead. After 27 minutes Jamie Campbell met an Alex Russell corner with a header but the ball was cleared off the line by Warner with the 'keeper nowhere. Then in the 45th minute Corazzin had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside. (Half-time 1-1)

Martin Butler replaced David Preece at the beginning of the second half, and took up a midfield role. United's only chance of note before the goals explosion came when Ben Chenery burst forward down the right and fired in a shot that clipped the top of the North Stand on the way into the car park! United were playing neat football and producing some good moves that broke down on the edge of the area, but it was the more direct Northampton side that took the lead again in the 56th minute after a goalmouth scramble.

John Frain's corner was met by Ian Sampson whose header was clawed away by Van Heusden, but the rebound was headed back by Chris Freestone and crossed the line before Russell could clear. However United were level again almost from the re-start as Jamie Campbell met another Russell cross and headed it back across goal, the ball was flicked on by Michael Kyd and Trevor Benjamin out-jumped his defender and beat Turley with a powerful header.

Then three minutes later United took the lead for the first time in the tie. Ben Chenery got forward again to send in a cross, Benjamin stole in at the far post and thundered a header against the bar from a narrow angle, it bounced down onto the line and Martin Butler was on hand to tap the ball home from close range. It was Butler's first goal since mid-November and one he has thoroughly deserved for his non-stop effort.

After that Northampton pressed forward and threw everything at United, yielding a chance in the 67th minute when Chris Freestone ran across the face of goal but scuffed his shot wide. Then in the 73rd minute his shot was intercepted by stand-in captain Andy Duncan who slammed the ball into the side-netting and caused a few hearts to skip a beat or two as it bounced off the hoardings.

The pace of the game finally exhausted Michael Kyd after 73 minutes and the shattered striker was replaced by Tom Youngs, but he had tried hard and looked full of running before his long lay-off caught up with him, and he left the pitch to an ovation. Youngs caught the eye too, doing a good job of harrying the Cobblers defence and forcing Turley to rush his clearances.

Trevor Benjamin had been terrorising the Cobblers since his goal and after 84 minutes he could have added United's fourth. His shot was blocked and flew up into the air, and the big striker followed up with a header that was saved. Two minutes after that Lee Howey put the ball through to Corazzin near the penalty spot, and the Canadian was poised to shoot when Ben Chenery brilliantly nicked the ball off his toe. United's final chance of note came with two minutes left when Russell's effort from 20 yards flew high over the bar.

Reporter Mark Johnson said choosing his Man of the Match was a close-run thing after Trevor Benjamin had an impressive game, but Ben Chenery was his choice for "An assured game at right back".

The draw for the next round takes place at 9.15am on Thursday and the details will be shown here as soon as possible afterwards, but Peterborough will not be in the hat as Steve Butler's goal was wiped out by five from Bournemouth. The third round games will take place on the 19th or 20th January.

Talking to Mark Johnson for Clubcall (0891 555885) after the game, Roy McFarland declared himself happier with the second half performance than the first, and said he was pleased for Martin Butler after the striker had broken his goal drought. He was also very pleased for Trevor Benjamin who had looked "a different player" after his goal, and revealed that there had been some confusion over the third goal with Benjamin trying to claim it, but that in the dressing room they had decided it was Butler's goal.

He said that the club was delighted with the gate of 2,391, boosted by reduced prices and a "Quid a Kid" offer, and added that the result was "one for the fans". In the third round he wants "anyone at home".

Ahead of tonight's AWS clash with local rivals Northampton Town, the Nationwide web site reports that Paul Wanless faces a late fitness test, although yesterday's CEN report suggested that the U's skipper was ruled out. Ian Ashbee is his likely replacement, although David Preece is tipped to figure at some stage.

Both teams have taken Premiership scalps in the Worthington Cup this season, with Northampton beating West Ham in a televised game, and the Cobblers will provide United with a useful test despite their lowly position in Division Two.

Trevor Benjamin is tipped for a recall to partner fit-again Michael Kyd in attack, but Neil Mustoe is doubtful with a possible thigh strain. Roy McFarland explained why he would be sending out a strong side tonight:

"We are four matches from a Wembley final," he said, "and our Worthington Cup success showed that these games can have a good effect on the League campaign."

McFarland has responded to Trevor Benjamin's statement, in which the player seemed to suggest that the breakdown in their contract talks should not have been made public. In the statement issued by Norwich-based Sportlink, Benjamin was quoted saying: "A new contract has been offered and I would like this to remain private between myself, the manager and my agent."

But talking to the Cambridge Evening News today McFarland replied, "If I had not disclosed what was happening it would have amounted to conning our supporters. The club released the news that Trevor had agreed a two-year extension to his 18 months contract after he shook hands with me on the deal.

"He then pulled out of the agreement, and I didn't reveal that for four or five weeks, giving him time to re-think and sign. But when it was clear that wasn't going to happen, I had no alternative but to go public with it."

McFarland also made it clear that despite the wording of yesterday's statement there are no ongoing talks with Benjamin or his agent.

Assistant secretary Mark Johnson has confirmed tonight's ticket prices are as follows:
Main Stand: Adults - £9; concession book holders £4
Family Stand and Terraces - Adults - £5; concession book holders - £4
Children - £1 for any part of the ground

As no tickets will be available in advance of the match, Season Ticket holders wishing to sit in their usual seat should present voucher N, from the back of their season ticket book, at the turnstiles.

"I have 18 months of my contract left to run and as far as I am concerned, my No 1 priority is to help Cambridge United gain promotion to the Nationwide League, Division Two, and score goals that will help us achieve this. My loyalties, commitment and ambition lie here.

"A new contract has been offered and I would like this to remain private between myself, the manager and my agent. Unfortunately, discussions have not come to an agreement as yet, but this will hopefully reach a favourable conclusion for all concerned in the near future.

"I would like to say that I have always appreciated the support I have had from the fans and I will continue to give them 100 per cent every time I pull on a Cambridge United shirt."

Roy McFarland has publicly criticised Benjamin three times in recent weeks, accusing him of allowing 'outside influences' to affect his performance on the pitch, but he praised him after Saturday's match, when the teenager was dropped to the bench and only featured for the last five minutes.

"There's been an improvement in Trevor's training," he told the CEN. "I was considering leaving him out of the squad altogether, but he earned his place in the 14. I still believe though I need to get him together with his parents and talk about the whole issue of his refusing the extended contract and signing up with an agent."

Benjamin may start tomorrow's Auto Windscreens Shield match when Northampton are the visitors, and Michael Kyd could also be involved as he returns from a niggling knee problem. But influential captain Paul Wanless is ruled out after having to leave the game at half-time on Saturday with a mysterious pain in his thigh.

Physio Ken Steggles thinks the pain could be caused by a nerve problem in his back which might be affecting his thigh, and added, "We'll be hoping to sort it out pretty quickly, but, at this stage, it's impossible to put a time on it."

Cambridge United: Van Heusden, Chenery, Mustoe, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless (Ashbee 46'), Taylor, Butler, Walker (Benjamin 85'), Russell.
Sub not used: Kyd.
Booked: Wanless (foul 39').

Hartlepool United: Miotto, Knowles, Clark, Barron, Lee (Miller 46'), Ingram, Beardsley, Stokoe (Brightwell 46'), Howard, de Lella, Stephenson.
Sub not used: Midgley.
Booked: Lee (foul 37'), Ingram (dissent 47'), Barron (foul 58').

Ref: Mr M. Jones (Chester).

Shots On Target: Cambridge 4, Hartlepool 6
Corners: Cambridge 3, Hartlepool 10

Cambridge United made one change to the team that drew at Carlisle, although not an altogether surprising one in view of recent utterances from manager Roy McFarland. Out-of-sorts striker Trevor Benjamin made way for Richard Walker, who has signed on loan for the rest of the season from Aston Villa. There was another 'new' face on the bench too, with Michael Kyd involved for the first time since early November after recovering from a knee injury. Former England star Peter Beardsley made his Hartlepool debut after signing on Thursday.

The game kicked off in bitterly cold conditions and the floodlights were already required to supplement the weak sunshine. The playing surface was rough and pitted, showing signs of the the ground-share arrangement with a local rugby team, but with the wind behind them United dominated the opening exchanges.

In the second minute Jamie Campbell picked out John Taylor who found Alex Russell and the midfielder went close from 25 yards. Then in the fifth minute Martin Butler scampered down the right and found Taylor, who couldn't turn but found Neil Mustoe instead and the former Manchester United man hit the bar from 20 yards.

The tide showed the first sign of turning after nine minutes when Hartlepool went close. A long throw found Graeme Lee and his looping header was saved by Arjan Van Heusden under the bar. But then came the inevitable - a debut goal from Peter Beardsley. After 19 minutes an inswinging Pools corner nearly caught out Van Heusden but he punched the ball away, the ball was cleared to Beardsley who struck from 25 yards and his left-foot shot was deflected past the keeper into the top right hand corner.

They continued to exert pressure just as United failed to impress, and in the 23rd minute the ball was deflected behind off Campbell and the subsequent corner whistled across the goalmouth without anyone making contact. After 29 minutes a Russell free-kick was cleared as far as Mustoe whose shot from the edge of the box flew just wide.

Then both goalkeepers were called into action. First Steven Howard slipped the U's offside trap and forced a good save from Van Heusden in the 31st minute, then four minutes later Marc Joseph's long free kick was flicked on by Taylor to Richard Walker. The Aston Villa man, making his full League debut, stole into the area and from about the penalty spot drew a good low save from Simon Miotto.

That was about it for first half action as Cambridge United failed to build on their good opening and exploit the wind at their backs. The players looked lack-lustre and there was a further blow when skipper Paul Wanless finished the half with a leg injury. He was replaced by Ian Ashbee for the second half, while Hartlepool swapped Tommy Miller and Stuart Brightwell for Lee (injured) and Stokoe. (Half-time 1-0)

United got back into the game after 49 minutes after Butler got away down the left and crossed into the box, the ball was deflected to defender Ian Clark and he sliced the ball past his 'keeper from close range. After 58 minutes the U's had a half-chance when Ian Ashbee led the charge out of defence, slid the ball through to Walker who was tripped on the edge of the box by Mickey Barron, who was booked for his efforts. Jamie Campbell took the quick free kick, Taylor found Butler but the flag went up for offside, which was just as well as he put the ball wide.

But five minutes later Alex Russell put United ahead with a quite superb goal. John Taylor's cross-field ball put the midfielder in wide on the left, he jinked between two defenders and then slid a low ball inside the far post. There were scenes of jubilation from the United bench and David Preece could be seen leaping about on the edge of the pitch, celebrating a goal worthy of winning the game but Hartlepool had other ideas. In the 68th minute David Stephenson took a free kick mid-way into the United half and found Mickey Barron unmarked at the far post, and the defender rose to head home the equaliser.

After that it was all Hartlepool as they pressed forward, backed by the rejuvenated home crowd, and even the late introduction of Trevor Benjamin's pace and power failed to lift the side. The last incident of note came in the 90th minute and it was a heart-stopper for the frozen travelling U's when a through ball was misjudged by the usually immaculate Andy Duncan. The ball dropped over his head to that man Beardsley and there was a collective intake of breath in the stadium before Marc Joseph arrived from nowhere to hack the ball clear. He received a pat on the head from his relieved partner.

Reporter Mark Johnson's Man of the Match was Neil Mustoe - "another hardworking performance from the midfield dynamo, whose repertoire of searching passes was also on display".