Cambridge United came from behind to win 2-1 at Halifax Town, Barnsley loanee Simon Heslop giving the home side the lead after 15 minutes but Mark Beesley scoring the equaliser on the stroke of half-time and Lee McEvilly netting a well-worked winner in the 57th minute.

Mark Peters was dismissed for a professional foul three minutes later but United mounted a superb rearguard action to withstand further pressure from the home side, and in the process inflicted only their second home defeat of the season.

"The second goal and the way we passed it and moved it was unbelievable - it was a tremendous goal," purred manager Jimmy Quinn afterwards. "The linesman on this side asked if it was an own goal and I said 'no, that was one of the best goals you'll see', because we moved the ball really well and ran off it into space and it was a good cross from Dan."

The first goal was an intelligent strike by Mark Beesley, who collected a rushed clearance by goalkeeper Adam Legzdins, spotted the keeper off his line and delivered a cool finish into the net from 30 yards, and Quinn commented, "I'm glad Mark's got off the mark. It's always nice when you come to a new club to get a goal under your belt and he can relate to the fans a little bit more now.

"It was a really coolly taken finish and it got us back into the game so we could go in at half-time and re-group."

United struggled to get to grips with the home side's three man attack before the break and Quinn admitted,"I thought we didn't really get to grips with their midfield in the first half, so we solved the problem in the second half and I told the lads 'there's goals here for us if we make the right decisions in the forward areas', which we did.

"I thought both goals were well-taken and yes we had to hang on, but you have to do that sometimes and we just put bodies in there to defend and keep what we had, and all the players played a big part in the getting the three points.

"We did really well and I think we deserved it overall. They have a very good home record and it's nice to come here and get three points after not doing so for so long."

On the sending-off, Quinn admitted it was probably the correct decision: "The lad was running through the centre; if he'd been running wide I think we would have had covering players. Mark is a wholehearted player and he's experienced enough to know if he hadn't made that tackle the lad would have been clean through.

"Danny Potter has made some tremendous saves again, particularly in the first half because we never got to grips with their third man running. Halifax played the same system that a lot of teams have been playing against us, which is all credit to our lads again.

"Teams are playing one man up front on his own and pushing two wide men on, and for a home team to do that shows you again how well we've come on.

"The other aspect I was very pleased about was the discipline," added the manager. "I know we had Mark sent off but we didn't have any bookings, and we've got some players who are a booking or two away from a suspension. I told them they've got to try to get to the end of February without picking up any more so we've got to be extra-disciplined in our performances and they've gone and done that."

United played the last half hour with ten men and had to defend almost constantly as Halifax manager Chris Wilder threw caution to the wind with substitutions to add extra attacking options, and Quinn declared himself pleased with the way his men adapted accordingly.

"It was about holding a good line and making sure we were squeezing the ball and squeezing that 18-yard line. They put a lot of corners into our box but we had a lot of heroes out there and that's what it's all about. Sometimes you keep what you've got and defend well, and we've done that on numerous occasions on away games this year.

"They all did a great job - Mark Albrighton hasn't played for a few weeks, and young Josh Coulson went on there too and I said to him 'just kick it as far as can' and he did that, and that's what you've got to do sometimes. It was a terrific performance."

At the final whistle the players and staff were quick to celebrate in front of the away fans and Quinn again praised them for their support: "They give the team a great boost when you need it. It's difficult coming away from home, particularly when you get a man sent off, and we could hear them shouting from start to finish.

"It's great to see and that's what it's all about - that feel good factor and putting a smile on the supporters' faces, and we've got that this season. They do a lot of travelling and it's nice to give something back."

Quinn confirmed that midfielder Ben Farrell missed his second successive game as a precaution due to headaches and suspected mild concussion following a clash of heads during last weekend's win against Stevenage.

United are next in action at home to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday at 3pm.

[Match report] [Fixture list] [League table]

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