Jimmy Quinn was philosophical after seeing his side reduced to ten men at Ebbsfleet after just 27 minutes when Danny Potter was dismissed for a professional foul, and proud that they manage to level the score for half an hour before conceding the 65th minute deciding goal.

Of Danny Potter's sending-off after bringing down John Akinde inside the area, the U's boss commented, "It changed the game.

"I'm proud of the players, I thought we played extremely well but when we went down to ten men it was going to be difficult.

"I didn't think it was a sending-off and I've seen it on the TV monitor since and I think the lad's first touch was taking him wide of goal. There was a covering defender and I thought it should have been a booking, but obviously from his position the referee thought it was a penalty and gave it."

With no substitute keeper, Mark Peters came off the bench to take over in goal at the expense of unfortunate striker Lee Boylan, and the ten men of United put in a tremendous performance to draw level just six minutes later, for long spells belying their lack of numbers.

"I'm disappointed because I thought our lads put a lot of effort into the game," added Quinn, "but I'm disappointed with both goals. I thought we switched off for the first one - it was just a long ball up the middle and we didn't mark the forward so I'm disappointed with that - but I can't fault the ref and I thought we showed a lot of endeavour and there were some really good performances.

"I thought we should have had two goals before they got the penalty but you've got to take your chances at any level to win a game.

"There are a lot of positives to be taken out of it and it's not the end of the world. Ebbsfleet is always a tough place to come but the lads are disappointed because we feel there was probably a little bit of injustice done."

Although United dropped from second to fourth today due to victories for Torquay and Burton, Stevenage and Exeter both lost and the U's are still six points inside the play-off places - a gap Quinn wants to extend as soon as possible.

"We're still in there, six points clear, but we would have been nine points clear if we'd have won today so we're going to have to do it next weekend when we're back at home. This is a disappointing result but a good performance so there are positives to be taken out of the game.

"I thought there were one or two outstanding performances in our team," he added. "Dan Gleeson had a great game in the middle and then I put him at right back, and 'Mags' (Vieira) up front, although he should have scored early in the game, but I'm quite sure that if he gets some more chances he'll score a few goals.

"I'm proud of the players and I thought we were a little bit unfortunate with the sending off."

United are next in action at home to Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday at 3pm.

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