Scott Rendell netted twice in a close encounter at the Abbey to secure a fourth successive win for United, but the U's were made to work hard by a side yet to collect a point on their travels this season.

Northwich came to contain the U's with five men in midfield but were dangerous on the break and it took until the 41st minute for Scott Rendell to break the deadlock when he turned home Rob Wolleaston's cross.

The striker could have doubled the lead just before half-time but lifted the ball over the bar, and Northwich levelled half a minute into the second half when Lee Steele beat Michael Morrison to a long ball and buried it beyond the advancing Danny Potter.

Lee Boylan spurned a good opportunity to restore the lead nine minutes later and it was only after youth team forward Robbie Willmott was introduced along with Leo Fortune-West in the 74th minute that United looked like finding a way through the stubborn visitors.

Willmott showed good pace and skill to cross for Rendell to score again in the 79th minute, while in stoppage time Willmott himself fired over when well-placed and Boylan was denied by a good save.

"I'm pleased that we kept going because a team is going to come here and have a go at you, particularly when they've got nothing to lose," said Jimmy Quinn afterwards.

"I've just said to the players that it was a great result and a great three points, but let's get rid of this bit of fear or apprehension that we had in our play today because we're a good side and we're near the top of the league and we could have scored another two or three goals near the end.

"But we've won the game and got the three points and if you'd said to me before the game that we'd win 2-1 I'd have taken it."

On Northwich's equaliser right after half-time, Quinn admitted, "We were a bit sloppy at the back. We were too square at times and we weren't dropping off and covering each other well enough, and our clearances were poor.

"We were setting up a lot of their attacks because we didn't show enough composure on the ball, but from set plays and long throws I thought we got our heads on things and if we'd just produced a little bit more quality I think we would have won the game easily.

"When you're just leading by one goal you're always on tenterhooks, particularly when everybody expects you to beat teams like Northwich, but the league's not like that. There are a lot of hard games to be played and with teams like Northwich and Droylsden and Altrincham we mustn't give them a head start by thinking that we've won the game before we've kicked a ball.

"We really need to give people the respect they deserve, and any team in our league on their day are more than capable of getting a result. I'm just delighted to get the three points."

The U's boss also admitted that his side missed suspended wingback Dan Gleeson on the right flank today, although left-footer Stephen Reed worked manfully to deputise.

"We had a look at it in training and Reedy was using his right foot all the time, but for some reason he didn't want to use his right foot today and it made it a little bit easy for them to read. They were showing him inside on his left foot and shutting him down but to be fair he's done a tremendous job for us.

"He's a natural fullback who's been playing in midfield and wingback and taking all the set plays so we can't really have too much of a go at him. When I said to him I wanted him to play right wingback he didn't complain and he got on with it, but he didn't really hit it off in that position.

"But that's the beauty of having substitutes and I put young Robbie on, and what a tremendous cross for the goal; it was worthy of winning the game. That's what they're on the bench for, it's a squad thing and these lads who are going on the park are making a difference to our season, and that cross in front of his home fans would have graced any level of football.

"We would have been disappointed to finish 1-1 and we deserved to win it."

United are next in action at fourth-placed Burton Albion on Friday 23rd November at 7.45pm.

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