Grays manager Justin Edinburgh thought Tuesday's match was a close encounter.

Scott Rendell's headed goal just after half-time decided the game, and Edinburgh commented, "I don't think there was too much between the teams really, no real clear-cut chances. Cambridge may have just had the better chances in the first half but there wasn't much to choose and the scoreline reflected that.

"I went 4-3-3 to counter Cambridge's formation with three at the back and get forward down the wings and use the extra man up front to cause problems, and that worked quite well in the first half.

"I'm disappointed we got out of the traps slowly in the second half and conceded a sloppy goal, but to their credit we regained our shape and created chances at the end, finishing really strongly. Cambridge got a lot of early balls into the box towards the big lads but we were under pressure without any real threat.

"We got caught out on the goal, I don't think we defended it as we would have liked to. You can never allow a free header in that position because if you do it will result in what happened tonight and we paid that price."

There were a number of controversial challenges and United appeared to have strong penalty claims during the game, but Edinburgh commented, "It was a fair strong game and I have no problems with any of the challenges out there today. Both sides were committed to attacking and trying to win the game."

Asked about United's prospects this season, the former Spurs defender concluded, "I always say you can make a judgement after 12-15 games so ask again at the end of this month, but the table won't lie and Cambridge are where we want to be at the moment.

"They are a good side and Jimmy will be pleased to be unbeaten. I felt we could have got something out of tonight and been happy with a nil-nil draw, and save for one piece of poor defending we could have."

Grays striker Dennis Oli, who had a brief spell on United's books in 2004, said, "I thought we did well in the first half but at the start of the second half Cambridge were on top and got the goal and it became a battle, and if there's one thing Cambridge are better at this year it's battling.

"We were disappointed to give such a soft goal away. I know from my time here that Cambridge like attacking their fans in the second half and their efforts definitely helped their team at the start of the second half.

"I think Cambridge are in far better shape than the last two seasons and could well be up there at the end but we will also be there or thereabouts."

Interview by David Gray

[Match report] [Fixture list] [League table]

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