Rushden & Diamonds manager Garry Hill was generous in victory after seeing his side knock a below-par Cambridge United side out of the Setanta Shield.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge and Weymouth manager commented, "We changed things around a little bit; there were a few players I thought needed a run out and I changed the formation a bit as we knew whatever team Cambridge put out they are a good side, as shown by the fact they've only lost twice this season and are still in two cup competitions.

"I read that Jimmy was taking the Shield seriously and would be putting out a strong side, giving respect to the competition just as we have done.

"On the night we've won the game one-nil but on chances we could have won by more. We've hit the woodwork twice and missed several other chances and you think to yourself 'hello, I know what's going to happen, they're going to nick one at the end', but when the chance came Paul Bastock made a great save.

"I don't want to get carried away with tonight, but I felt the football we played showed we have some good players. We are now becoming a hard side to beat and the consistency we are showing is very pleasing. We have a squad of 18 or 19 players that are really moving in the right direction and there are more positive things to come from them."

Hill concluded, "We are very pleased with the result tonight; I think earlier in the season when we came here and lost one-nil we were very unlucky not to take a draw out of that night.

"Jimmy Quinn and Alan Lewer and everyone at Cambridge United have done a great job over the last 12-14 months and I'm pleased to see it. A lot of people look at other clubs and get a little bit jealous, but I'm full of praise for Cambridge United.

"I think they've done absolutely superbly, the support has been great and as a football club it's nice to see they've all worked really hard together on and off the pitch to take the club in the right direction. Every other manager in non-league football would love to be going to Wolverhampton Wanderers next month and I wish them all the best."

Rushden's former United keeper Paul Bastock thought he had a quiet night on his latest return to the Abbey, saying, "We were out in Cambridge earlier in the week for our team Christmas party so I've been here twice in a week but I do love coming back to the Abbey.

"I don't know how many more years I can keep coming back though, I think this might well be my last!

"I had a fairly quiet night tonight, apart from a difficult cross in the first half which was when we really dominated. We played some good football and that was probably the best we've played at any time this season. The only other time I was called into action was the block when I got my body behind Lee Boylan's close range effort, which is what I'm paid to do.

"I'm surprised Cambridge weren't more direct," he added, "because that's what you expect from Cambridge, but they tried to play it around. But I thought we played well all across the pitch and were well worth the win."

Interviews by David Gray

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