A below-par Cambridge United were knocked out of the Setanta Shield by Rushden & Diamonds on Friday evening, on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline that could have been much worse.

Defender Gavin Hoyte opened the scoring last weekend against King's Lynn but wasted United's best chance to level in the opening moments of the second half, although all of United's attacking players were disappointingly toothless in this disappointing and low key encounter.

"In the first half in particular we never got going," admitted Jimmy Quinn. "I thought that was more down to their formation - they played one up front and packed the midfield and made it difficult - but we weren't sharp enough onto the ball.

"You could see the goal coming and after they scored we livened up a little bit, but we didn't really do enough. We had a couple of really good chances and we didn't take them and we didn't really concentrate enough on hitting the target, which is what wins you games.

"I felt we went through the motions a little bit in the first half and you have to start games properly, because if you don't it's very hard to switch the light on. They know that and they're all very disappointed in there, so we'll put that one down to experience and move on.

"We played in the FA Trophy last week and the Setanta Shield this week and I don't know what it was but we were a bit dead today. I told the lads I want to win every game we play because it keeps the confidence going, and they can't explain what happened today.

"We had some good passages of play in the second half but we didn't put the ball in the back of the net. If that one of Gavin's had gone in I think we would have won the game but we missed a gilt-edged chance and if you don't take your chances you won't win games. And we were doing finishing in training yesterday!" he added.

"But we've got to put this down to experience and take the good things out of it, but there was a lot of bad in the first half and the players weren't happy with the performance. You've got to say that overall Rushden deserved to win the game because they scored the goal and they had a couple of really good chances and didn't hit the target. But they had some clear cut chances and we were struggling to work an opening today.

"I made some changes and put two of the young lads in to have a look at them, but overall as a team we never really got going and never got to grips with the game, and although the second half was a lot better we didn't get the breakthrough.

"But I'm sure we'll bounce back against Histon on Boxing Day and if we'd have scored we'd have won the game," concluded Quinn.

"We need to concentrate on hitting the target because a lot of stuff was going over the bar. We need a little more composure and taking our time to get it under the crossbar and force a save from the keeper."

United are next in action at home to Histon on Wednesday 26th December at 3pm. The Main Stand is completely sold out and although this game is not all-ticket we are selling tickets for the terraced areas and seats in the South Stand in advance. The Ticket Office will be open on Monday from 9am until 1pm and may be contacted on 01223 566500.

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