United's players were suffering the bumps and bruises of Saturday's FA Cup second round tie with non-league Bamber Bridge yesterday. Summoned for training and treatment ahead of tomorrow's League game at Wrexham, they were not shy about telling the Cambridge Evening News about the match.

Tough midfielder-turned-fullback Ian Ashbee commented, "It was a horrible game," while striker Michael Kyd added, "They were pulling and tugging and kicking heels, everything. We just had to keep going and get through it."

Meanwhile Roy McFarland admitted United were "fortunate" that Bamber Bridge failed to get a single shot on target after some poor defending handed them chances to score. But he added, "We didn't play anywhere near as good as we can do, but although we are told not to criticise referees, I've no doubt the tone of the game was totally the fault of the referee.

"There were situations he could have handled a lot better. Trevor Benjamin was fouled and manhandled all afternoon. The only protection my players can get is from the referee. They can't hit back themselves because I tell them not to retaliate, but that protection wasn't there. In the end we were just pleased to get through, and it was probably a bit of justice that we should win because of a foul on Trevor which produced a definite penalty."

However opposite number Tony Greenwood disagreed, saying, "I don't think the refereeing was lenient. After all the goal came from a dubious decision against us. I don't think it was a foul. It's the sort of thing you see every week without it leading to a penalty."

In today's Lancashire Evening Post he commented, "I can honestly say that I have never seen a better team show from a Bamber Bridge side than that. The players were fantastic, I'm proud of everyone of them because I couldn’t have asked for more from anybody."

He expanded upon his comment about the penalty decision by adding, "I was gutted for my players because they didn’t deserve to lose, I thought the penalty decision was very dubious – one that could have gone either way.

“The fact we didn’t try to spoil and aim for a goalless draw is something I have no regrets about – despite the defeat. “My players should be very proud and the club should be very proud of them.

For a continuation of that theme and the different viewpoint of the Lancashire Evening Post, check out the match reports page.

On the third round tie next month against Crystal Palace at the Abbey, McFarland commented, "Palace aren't pulling up any trees, and it's a draw which gives us a very good chance of making more progress in the Cup. They'll have been far less satisfied than us when they saw the numbers come out.

"That's three at home in a row, and we also got a home draw on Saturday in the Auto Windscreen Shield, against Barnet, so we must be doing something right.

"Last season I felt the Worthington Cup run helped us, rather than hindered us in the League, and the FA Cup can do that this time. And as far as the Auto Windscreen is concerned, some people knock it, but it's still our most realistic chance of getting to a Wembley final."

Browse news stories