Cambridge United extended the unbeaten start to ten games with three well-taken goals in an emphatic win at struggling Altrincham.

Jimmy Quinn made one change to the side that won 2-1 at home to Crawley on Saturday, recalling Courtney Pitt in place of the rested Darren Quinton.

Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote made three changes to the side that lost at Woking at the weekend, calling up goalkeeper Richard Acton and midfielders Gareth Whalley and Val Owen in place of Stuart Coburn, Stephen Aspinall and Colin Little. His side lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Joe O'Neill the lone striker.

United made a bright start and dominated possession for the opening three minutes until a quick counterattack saw Val Owen's 25 yard snap shot deflected behind for the first corner. The danger was cleared but the home side threatened again three minutes later and lively winger Robbie Lawton stole in to meet Logan's cross but prodded the ball wide from a few yards.

Altrincham's five man midfield was proving effective and in the 10th minute Logan skipped forward and tried his luck from distance but lifted the ball into the United supporters behind that goal. With the home fans urging their win-less side on they won two more corners in the next few minutes, both cleared by the U's defence, and on 16 Whalley's long range drive was comfortable for Danny Potter to claim.

Having soaked up the early pressure, United took a welcome lead in the 17th minute with a very well-taken goal. Leo Fortune-West was closely marshalled as he received the ball but controlled it and fed it on to Courtney Pitt who showed a cool head and good control as he took a touch, spotted Acton off his line and delicately lobbed the keeper from the edge of the area.

Within two minutes Rendell peeled away from his marker and shot on the turn from 25 yards, but the on-target shot was deflected wide for a corner.

United's good start was capped by another goal in the 21st minute when Dan Gleeson advanced purposefully into the area, looked to have lost the ball with a heavy touch but the supporting Fortune-West touched the ball back into his path for the U's wingback to rifle home his first goal of the season.

The home side were clearly deflated after failing to capitalise on their early chances and conceding twice in four minutes, and a free kick on 27 was wasted when two Robins players collided with each other when chasing the ball.

United kept the pressure on and crosses by both goalscorers and Rendell were cleared by the Altrincham defence, while Jake Sedgemore launched a 35-yard free kick comfortably wide in the 38th minute, and in first half stoppage time Logan broke away and beat Gleeson but launched a shot high and wide.

Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"A professional half from the U's with the goals to match. Would it be too greedy to ask for more of the same after the break?"

Second half:
The home side came out charged up for the second half and Stephen Reed and then Courtney Pitt were on the receiving end of agricultural challenges in the opening exchanges.

Reed went to ground in the 53rd minute but his penalty claims were waved away, and Graham Heathcote made a double change to bring on Chris Senior and Colin Little for Jake Sedgemore and Joe O'Neill, switching to 4-4-2 in the process.

Convery had a corner claimed by Acton moments after the changes and Altrincham's Lawton drove a 25-yarder wide of the near post a minute later, but the home side's lack of form and confidence was punished in the 59th minute when United extended the lead.

Courtney Pitt turned provider with a superb run to the byline, beating a defender and pulling the ball back into the area where it was met at the far post by Scott Rendell with a brave looping header, squeezing the ball into the narrowing gap between Acton's outstretched hand and the bar for his fifth goal of the season.

The home side threatened three minutes later when Senior met a cross from Whalley but lifted the ball over the bar, and at the other end Val Owen brought down Pitt and Convery's free kick was caught by Acton. Owen found space and tried his luck moments later but drove a shot wide of the far post from 20 yards.

There were short-lived complaints from the away end and bench in the 67th minute when Fortune-West peeled away from the last defender and was clearly pulled back but the incident was ignored by the referee's assistant. United kept the pressure on and moments later Gleeson crossed but the ball was punched away by Acton, and then Convery played the ball into the area but Rendell couldn't quite make contact with his scissor kick.

Further changes followed in the 72nd minute with a like-for-like change for Altrincham at left-back as Sean Clancy came on for Warren Peyton, and for United 17-year-old Robbie Willmott came on for Scott Rendell.

Pitt made another dangerous run on 76, cutting in from the left, and was brought down right on the edge of the area by Chris Lane, who was booked, and from the resulting free kick Stephen Reed had a shot from the penalty spot charged down and cleared.

The home side counterattacked and Logan had a cross plucked from the air by Potter, who immediately sent United away on the attack and Fortune-West put an audacious effort narrowly wide from 35 yards.

Perhaps with half an eye on Saturday's tough trip to Stevenage, Jimmy Quinn withdrew Stephen Reed and sent on Darren Quinton with 12 minutes left, and Logan had another cross claimed by Potter who was playing almost as an auxilliary sweeper.

United had not settled for three goals and continued to probe for another, Willmott showing his willingness to chase everything, and with four minutes remaining Darren Quinton drove a powerful first time shot just wide of the far post from 25 yards.

United finished with a sweeping move, Willmott racing forward and crossing to Mark Convery who did well to charge through the middle and meet the ball but was unable to finish, and the final whistle marked a deserved win for the U's; the second away win of the season and the tenth game without defeat.

Altrincham:
Richard Acton, Chris Lane, Darren Tinson (c), Ryan Shotton, Warren Peyton (Sean Clancy 72'); Robbie Lawton, Jake Sedgemore (Chris Senior 54'), Val Owen, Gareth Whalley, Carlos Logan; Joe O'Neill (Colin Little 54').
Subs not used: Steve Aspinall, Pat McFadden.

Booked: Little dissent 60', Lane foul 76'

Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Mark Peters, Mark Albrighton (c), Michael Morrison; Dan Gleeson, Rob Wolleaston, Mark Convery, Stephen Reed (Darren Quinton 78'), Courtney Pitt; Scott Rendell (Robbie Willmott 72'), Leo Fortune-West.
Subs not used: Stephen Smith, Michael Hyem, Josh Coulson.

Att: 982 (away 199)

Referee: Mr Oliver Langford

Match summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"United's unbeaten run continues and they laid a ghost to rest to boot with a spirited convincing win at Altrincham. There was never the danger of last season's Moss Lane humiliation being repeated as Courtney Pitt and Dan Gleeson netted classy goals apiece in a three minute spell midway through the first half. Altrincham had lost all three of their previous games and that record was safe even before Scott Rendell made it 3-0 on the hour. United were never troubled as their unbeaten start stretched to the best since 1953."

Mark's Man of the Match:
"Courtney Pitt - a classy lob to start things off and he went on to terrorise the Altrincham defence all night. This was a real team performance but honourable mentions go to Rob Wolleaston for a lot of the unsung work in the middle of the park, Stephen Reed who was solid as well, and Dan Gleeson who was awesome at right wingback."

Ref: Mr Oliver Langford - "He didn't have a difficult game and I can't remember him doing too much wrong. 7/10"

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