Cambridge United extended the only unbeaten record in the Blue Square Premier to eleven games, setting a new club record in the process, and knocked leaders Stevenage Borough off the top of the table with a hard-fought 2-1 win.

Mark Convery headed United ahead in the first half with his first U's goal and Scott Rendell extended the lead on the hour with his sixth of the season, but Stevenage narrowed the gap with a 67th minute penalty.

Although they were reduced to ten men at the same time, the home side threw everything at United for the rest of the game and it took some determined defending to preserve the lead.

"It wasn't one for the faint-hearted but I thought we worked our goals well and played to our strengths," stated Jimmy Quinn afterwards.

"You'd have to say Stevenage are probably a better footballing team than we are but we've got lads with the attitude that it doesn't matter what happens, they keep going and doing their best.

"I got a bit concerned in the second half because I said to the lads that away from home - particularly when coming to the better teams - we need to show that bit of composure and keep the ball, and we were giving too many free kicks away and there were balls coming into the box, and when they went a man down we didn't produce enough quality to kill them off.

"Football is always a learning process but what a great performance. I think a lot of teams in our league now will look at that result and they'll know that they've got a tough game when they play us, so I'm delighted for the players because it was a boiling hot day but they stuck to their guns.

"Mark Peters assures me that it wasn't a penalty, he's kicked it off Adam Miller, but I'm just glad that we hung on because we put a lot of hard work into it."

Quinn added that he was not surprised that Stevenage threw men forward in search of an equaliser once they had scored from the spot, saying, "They'll do that, and we do too when we're behind. We have a 'plan b' where we'll go direct as well and push a centre half up. They sent Mark Arber up there at the end and fair play to them, you've got to try to change the direction of the game and you can't always play the same way.

"They threw everything at us but we held on and we just need to learn to produce a bit of quality when we're in possession, particularly when they're pushing men forward and you've got a bit more space. I thought we didn't use the ball well enough when we had opportunities, but it's a great win that sets us up for a good game on Tuesday."

Quinn was fulsome in his praise of the Cambridge United supporters who created a noisy and electric atmosphere from before kick-off to after the full-time whistle.

"They were absolutely fantastic, it was like we were the home team," he commented. "That result is for every one of them that travelled down the road today. I know it's not that far to come but they were at Altrincham on Tuesday, they're at every game, and I keep saying it but they're an important part of the team.

"There will be times this season when the players will need an extra bit of help and those fans were shouting from start to finish today and all credit to them because it's certainly helping us get the results we need."

Quinn was pleased with the goals; Convery's a near post header from a Gleeson cross and Rendell's a far post header following Convery's cross.

"I knew if we got the balls in the right areas - and we've worked on it for the last two or three days - I knew the two big lads are a handful for any team. Big Leo hasn't scored today but you wouldn't want to play against him; he's a very awkward customer and even on days when he doesn't play particularly well he's 6ft 4ins and he's still got to be marked, and that perhaps frees up other players to get in the game.

"Scott scored a good goal off that sort of thing, and there were some good crosses today."

The manager also showed faith in the younger players in his small squad by sending Darren Quinton, Stephen Smith and especially 17-year-old scholar Robbie Willmott into the heated atmosphere during the second half.

"It's a learning process for them and I'm desperate for little Robbie to get a goal because Scott Rendell worked his socks off all day and Robbie has that little bit of pace that unsettles people. Pace is the only thing you can't defend against in football and he's got that. He's only 17 and he'll remember days like this and hopefully it will help him progress and turn him into a better player."

United now look ahead to Tuesday at the Abbey Stadium when new leaders Aldershot are the visitors (k.o. 7.45pm) and Quinn is relishing the next challenge.

"The lads are buzzing and that goes with success," he said. "We're more than a match for anybody but it's a different type of game on Tuesday. They've got a very young team and they're full of legs and they've had some great results, particularly away from home, so we're going to have to be on our mettle, but I can't fault the players' effort.

"Right from the start of pre-season, mentally and everything, the organisation has been spot on and it's a credit to them because they're the ones who have got to go over the white line and do the business, which they have.

"It's a great result."

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