Jimmy Quinn wants his players to improve their attacking play but felt that a point from the game against Burton Albion was a fair result.

The Brewers came to the Abbey just three points and two places behind United, and defences were on top in blustery conditions.

"Burton have come here and set up a formation to get a point and that's what they've gone away with, and on the balance of play they probably deserved it," admitted Quinn.

"We probably needed to do a bit more to win the game, which was highlighted at the end where we had a shot and they threw a body in the way and blocked it.

"But I'm not disappointed with that. That's four points we've taken off Burton and if we take four points off everybody then we won't be too far away; they're a good side and you can see them causing a lot of teams problems.

"They gave us a lot of respect by playing just one forward and space was at a premium, so overall I'm pleased we got a point and we could have won it at the end. I thought both teams defended well overall, although a couple of times the wind was a factor, and it was probably a deserving result."

United dropped back to fourth place because Stevenage won 5-1 at Altrincham to leapfrog ahead again, but runaway leaders Aldershot lost 2-1 at Grays to bring them slightly back towards the chasing pack.

"I knew that was going to be a tough game for them because Grays don't give many goals away there," observed Quinn. "So we've made a bit of ground on them and there's a long way to go, and if I can get one or two new faces here in January I think it will give everybody a lift.

"We've got another big game coming up on Tuesday and we'll be going there to try to get three points, as we do in every game, and there's a bit more onus on Histon to come at us. I'm looking forward to that one, I think it will be a decent game.

"But at the end of the day, whether it's Histon or anyone else, it's about getting the points and staying in contention and that's what we need to do. I would particularly like to do well in the next game," he added, "because it takes us into the Wolves game with a bit more confidence.

"We need to do a bit of work on our forward play because I don't think we're at the races at the moment, particularly when the ball is flicked on - I think the second defender is getting too many clearances at the moment, but that's just being picky. Overall I think the effort was there from the lads in very difficult conditions."

Quinn also made mention of referee James Linnington and his effect on the game. He booked three players, including United's Courtney Pitt and Michael Morrison, and the U's boss commented, "I think he had a poor game. I don't think there was a bad foul in the game and I hope he looks at that; he was whistle-happy and blowing up for everything, and half the time the decisions were the wrong way round in my opinion."

Returning to the Histon match on Tuesday, Quinn added, "If we can put in a good performance and show the effort we have in the last couple of games, it's very important in this period that we stay in contention. Especially with Aldershot losing points today it would have been nice to get three points, but that was a good result against Burton because they've still got to play Aldershot and I can see Burton being in the mix at the end of the season."

At the start of the season Quinn's first stated aim for this season was to reach the relative security of 50 points, and at the halfway stage of the season we are only five points away from that target, as he acknowledged.

"It's great," he said. "We were searching for 50 points to stay in the division last season, right up to the death, and it's nice to be near that target but we've got to take it forward and be looking at 80 points plus. That's the total you're looking for to either win the the league or at the very least be in the play-offs.

"It's all about setting goals and targets and making sure that we stay fit and focused on the job. We've played all the best teams and we've got some big teams to come here; we've got Exeter coming up and Torquay to come here, and we've got to go to Aldershot.

"That was a great result for Grays today because Aldershot are actually a better team away from home than they are at home. They're a little bit nervous at home so maybe we can go there and get something out of it."

United are next in action at Histon on New Year's Day at 3pm. This is an all-ticket fixture and there will be no cash admissions on the day. All away tickets have now been sold. The game will be televised live on Setanta Sports.

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