THE GLORIOUS goal which set Cambridge United on the way to victory should have been disallowed. Who says so? The man who scored it.

John Taylor broke the deadlock in a hard-fought clash with a 25-yard thunderbolt seconds before half time. Southend boss Alvin Martin raged that it should have been chalked off for handball, and Taylor agreed.

"I had to use my arm to bring the ball under control," he said. "I just carried on and hit the shot hoping I wouldn't hear a whistle. It could have gone over the top, but the ball flew in, probably one of my best strikes, and the referee didn't notice the handball. I said to their centre-half, some you win, some you lose."

Not quite placated by that, Barry Hunter got himself booked for his protests as the players and officials left the field.

United's 34-year-old player/coach, in the glittering twilight of his career, went on to score another breathtaking (and perfectly legitimate) goal as his side cut Cardiff's lead at the top of the table to just one point. But it was quite a struggle until Southend took a few risks too many in the last 20 minutes, as they strove for the equaliser they might just have deserved on overall play.

Taylor's controversial first goal seemed to act more as a motivator for the angry Essex men than his own side. They pinned United into their penalty area for almost a quarter of an hour after the restart, and goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden needed to make a couple of vital saves.

The giant Dutchman tipped a Lars Unger shot, which deflected off Marc Joseph, on to the crossbar, then jabbed out an arm to push a header from Neville Roach on to the post and away for a corner.

With United struggling to get their attacking game going, it was just as well Unger squandered the best chance of the match late in the first half. Completely clear after springing the offside trap, the former German under-21 international, reputed to be one of half a dozen Southend players on £2,000 a week, sliced an appalling shot yards wide under no pressure.

United were unable to create anything so clear cut in the first half. Trevor Benjamin, recalled once more after being dropped for a second time, got off to a bright start, worrying the seasiders' defence with a surging run or two, and leaving his marker standing with one superb turn, then a classy dummy run. But he was unable to sustain it, fading out as a force in the game, as fortunately for United, Martin Butler and Neil Mustoe became the main influences as the second-half wore on.

Butler nutmegged the left-back to set up a chance Mustoe wasted in the 62nd minute by blazing over the crossbar. But 12 minutes later when creator and striker combined in the correct order they produced the second goal which broke Southend.

Martin had brought on two substitutes, and changed his formation just a minute earlier in order to step up the search for the equaliser, and United hit them as they were trying to settle into the new pattern. They were still all at sea when Taylor got his brilliant third goal, which must have enforced the fans' belief that promotion is United's destiny this season.

It was a patchy display, laced with luck, in which generally Roy McFarland's men defended more competently than they attacked, yet they were able to coast through the last 10 minutes for their biggest home win of the campaign.

ROY McFarland will step up his attempt to sign Leicester City midfielder Sam McMahon this week after Cambridge United's suspension crisis deepened at the weekend. Bookings for skipper Paul Wanless and centre-back Marc Joseph in the 3-0 victory over Southend mean United have five players banned over the next two weeks.

Wanless hit out at the Football League's disciplinary system after receiving his fifth booking of the campaign. If you're a competitive player," he said, "you are almost certain to be banned by this stage of the season.

"I went in to try to win the ball and kicked the underside of the Southend player's boot. It hurt me more than him. It wasn't so bad last year when you could get a booking quashed if you went five games without getting a yellow card. The League has to take a look at it because it's starting to turn some matches into lotteries."

He and Joseph will miss the match at Barnet a week on Saturday, and United will be without defenders Andy Duncan and Jamie Campbell, plus midfielder Neil Mustoe at Exeter this weekend.

McFarland said: "We are hopeful of getting Sam McMahon in, and Alex Russell could be back after injury for our next game. We took the decision not to risk him against Southend because to rush him back could have meant him being out for another five weeks or so.

"As it happened, Neil Mustoe had a good game in midfield for us, and I thought our centre backs and goalkeeper did very well. We weren't at our best, but John Taylor, the old warhorse, hit a couple of cracking goals and again the other results went well."

The victory lifted United to within a point of leaders Cardiff, who could only draw at Rochdale, and they have a game in hand over the Welsh club. The chasing pack made no real progress and United have a six-point cushion, with two games in hand over fourth-placed Mansfield.

Horrendous misses, weak defending and bizarre decisions bluntly demonstrated why Southend United are just about keeping their heads above the Conference.

Blues made it hard for themselves again at the Abbey Stadium on Saturday as they allowed their incurable bout of travel sickness to extend to six league games without a victory away from Roots Hall.

Cambridge would be the first to admit that the three-goal margin of the final scoreline was a touch flattering, but the harsh reality is that Southend's players have forgotten how to execute the basics of their trade. Southend more than matched their opponents in goalscoring opportunities and dominated for long spells, but they could not capitalise on any one of a hatful of chances.

The biggest culprit was midfielder Lars Unger, who had a rare opportunity to fire Southend into the lead away from home, but the big German blazed wide from close range with a shot that would not have looked out of place on You've Been Framed.

However, that was only the beginning of the video nasties as the Shrimpers conceded the latest in a long line of goals that have come in first-half injury time to give Cambridge the lead. Southend came back strongly after the break and created numerous chances to haul themselves back into the game. However, the script was all too familiar and it did not matter if you were one of the 800 Blues fans perched on the Abbey Stadium terraces or you were sitting up in the press box - you knew the goal was never going to come.

The icing on another rotten cake for Southend supporters came in the last 17 minutes after Seasiders boss Alvin Martin substituted disappointing debutant forward Neville Roach and amazingly Shrimpers skipper Simon Coleman. Within 60 seconds Blues' flapping defence had conceded a second goal and Cambridge wrapped up the points with a third strike 11 minutes from time as the Shrimpers ended up on the receiving end of another worrying thumping.

Southend chief Martin stuck by the 5-3-2 formation which had been so successful in last weekend’s 3-0 Roots Hall win over Brighton. However, he made two changes - right-back Andy Harris was harshly dropped for Mark Beard, returning from a one-game suspension, and Reading forward Neville Roach, who joined Blues on loan on Friday, came in as a late replacement for departed goal machine Kevin Rapley.

Southend started the game solidly, restricting Cambridge to wild long-range shots, and gradually began to get more adventurous themselves. Left-back Martyn Booty registered Southend's first effort, drilling Scott Houghton's cross wide of the left-hand post from 18 yards after 25 minutes. Booty's effort lifted Blues and midfielder Kevin Maher blazed over the bar from 12-yards before seeing a goalbound effort from the edge of the box deflected agonisingly wide of the right post by Neil Mustoe.

However, these misses should have been a distant memory three minutes before the break when Barry Conlon played a neat one-two with Unger to carve open the Cambridge defence. As the German raced forward unmarked from the half-way line Southend's supporters prepared themselves for a frenzied celebration, but they were left staring on in disbelief as Unger somehow dragged his shot wide of the left-post from ten yards.

Then the inevitable happened as 34-year-old marksman John Taylor opened the scoring three minutes into injury time with a 25-yard piledriver. As Taylor controlled the ball in the right channel Southend’s defence appealed in vain for handball, but the lanky striker cut inside and smashed home.

Unger nearly atoned for his miss three minutes after the restart when he rattled the crossbar from a similar distance and Coleman headed over from Houghton's corner 60 seconds later when he should have hit the target. However, Houghton turned culprit soon after when he volleyed wide of an open goal from 18-yards after Conlon had beaten Cambridge keeper Arjan Van Heusden to Booty's centre from the right.

Blues kept the momentum flowing and after 57 minutes Unger's left-wing cross found Roach whose neatly flicked near-post header was pushed onto the upright by Van Heusden. Booty found the Cambridge custodian's midriff with a curling shot from outside the box ten minutes later, but the game quickly turned on its head within another six minutes as Martin threw on substitute forwards Trevor Fitzpatrick and Alex Burns for Roach and Coleman.

Less than a minute later Cambridge extended their lead with Blues' rearguard in an unorganised tangle, which allowed Mustoe to cut the ball back from the right by-line to Martin Butler who nudged the ball into the net. Within another five minutes Southend’s defence was caught floundering again as Jamie Campbell's cross from the left found Taylor in acres of space on the edge of the box, leaving the big forward to chip the ball over Blues keeper Martyn Margetson.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. On the back of a poor performance and result against Leyton Orient last Saturday, and still without the inspirational play making skills of Alex Russell, Cambridge United knew their match against inform Southend United was going to be a real test. To be honest it was a test which they might consider themselves fortunate to have passed with such flying colours. John Taylor moved to within two goals of being the highest league goal-scorer in Cambridge United's history as he bagged a brace that would grace football at its highest level. The Shrimpers can point to various things which didn't appear to go their way, yet ultimately John Taylor turning the clock back and the style on was their main undoing.

Shortly before Taylor rattled in his 11th goal of the season just on the stroke of half time, he had controlled the ball with his hand. Southend boss Alvin Martin ran on to the pitch and had to be restrained by stewards, and unconfirmed reports at half time suggested there were heated exchanges in the player's tunnel, resulting in names being taken in the referees book. I expect his frustration is more likely came from watching his Southend side throw away several glorious opportunities to take the lead during a first half they controlled in spells, and dominated on occasions.

United had started the game well, controlling the midfield and looking lively and creative up front. Trevor Benjamin went on a trademark surging run down the left wing after 3 minutes, but his final ball into the box lacked any degree of accuracy. This was perhaps his most useful contribution to the match, but he lost his way and failed to link up with the rest of his team for the rest of the encounter. It was one of his most ineffective performances of the season, and to be honest players producing effort and play of this worryingly low standard are a liability to the rest of the team.

Arjan Van Heusden and Andy Duncan got in a muddle on 5 minutes, and the giant Dutchman was hurried into a clearance that rebounded off Houghton and fortunately ran behind for a goal kick. United did not let this scare panic them and just before the quarter hour mark should have taken the lead. John Taylor's neat play found Ben Chenery inside the Shrimpers box, but the young defender scuffed a weak shot into the hands of the 'keeper.

United were looking both competent and creative in midfield and during the first 15 minutes were most definitely the better side. Quite what happened after that is a mystery, as Southend began to stroll through the midfield, and reduce United to half chances for the rest of the half. Disappointingly though, many of their players deemed it necessary to influence the referee by making fair challenges appear like cases of grievous bodily harm. Barry Conlon won himself no friends in the crowd of 5,013 as he got Marc Joseph booked on 34 minutes. This certainly livened up the crowd, but the team remained stuck in second gear. Martin Butler managed to beat the Southend goalkeeper to the ball on 35 minutes, but with a narrow angle was unable to capitalise and Rob Newman cleared the ball.

The last two minutes of the half were the turning point in the match. Barry Conlon showed neat skills and awareness to spot the run of Usange on 43 minutes, putting the striker clear through on goal. Ajran Van Heusden spread himself well, and watched the striker scuff a chipped attempt two feet wide of the post. It was a welcome miss, as Southend had been consistently improving their movement and passing as the first half went on.

If this left their few fans distraught, events a minute later might have sent them into a state of distress. John Taylor latched onto a Martin Butler pass 25 yards from goal and with a combination of chest and hand brought the ball under control. He then unleashed a sweet shot that whistled into the net, giving United the lead against the run of play. The Southend players had done little to deserve any luck though, as some neat approach play was eclipsed by their un-gentlemanly and at times disgraceful conduct.

Southend had obviously been wound up by Alvin Martin at half time as they emerged for the second half in defiant mood. Indeed they once again were left luckless as Unger unleashed a shot from 20 yards which cracked off the woodwork. Their midfield players continued to look powerful but Neil Mustoe was doing his best to turn that particular battle around.

Mustoe fired a shot over on the hour mark, and Martin Butler scampered away down the right flank on numerous occasions shortly afterwards. John Taylor continued to look both competent and confident on the ball as his neat lay- offs and runs began to look capable of extending the lead. He went on a stunning run where he took on and beat most of the Southend defenders before unleashing a shot which fizzed inches over the bar and behind for a goal kick. Wanless latched on to a Neil Mustoe cross a minute later but showed little composure and struck an attempt over the bar.

Southend were beginning to show signs they had nothing more to offer, and were teetering on the edge just waiting to be pushed off. Ian Ashbee and Neil Musote combined well on 74 minutes to give Martin Butler the simple task of tapping in from 2 yards, for his 16th goal of the season, and end any hopes Southend had of taking anything from the match.

The raptures of "We are top of the league" ironically coincided with a Cardiff equaliser at Rochdale, but their most accurate chant came four minutes later. Jamie Campbell, who had one of his best games of the season, found Taylor unmarked in the box and the veteran coolly chipped the ball over the 'keeper to send the crowd into raptures of "Shaggy for England" which as unlikely as it might be, sums up the extra-ordinary contribution he has made to Cambridge United this season. The man is not just a legend, and is not just a star. He is proving this season that the 24t October 1964, his date of birth, is one of the most important dates in the history of Cambridge United Football Club.

The game then faded out, and Taylor was replaced by Michael Kyd. He received one of the most spontaneous standing ovations I can remember, as the entire Main Stand were on their feet as soon as they saw the number 8 card being held in the air. Overall it was one of the most important victories of the season, as it vanquished the nightmare of last Saturday's poor performance and result at Orient. The most worrying thing was the three booking United picked up, and Paul Wanless is likely to miss the match at Barnet after receiving his 5th booking of the season.

Southend probably left the Abbey Stadium wondering how they lost the game so heavily. They did not get the breaks, but to be honest did not deserve them. Cambridge United had that touch of class as their relentless charge towards the Second Division continued.

Man of the match: John Taylor scored two goals during a performance of pure skill and ability. In fact, his march towards the record league goal-scorer in the clubs history appears to be relentless, and if he continues at this rate he wont have to wait very long.

I left Melbourn around 1:30, dropped my wife off in Shelford, but the traffic was so bad due to it being Rag Day I didn't get to the ground until 10 minutes before kick-off, so no chance to get in the Supporters Club for a lucky pint, swap draw tickets or see other Moosenetters.

In the first half we continued much as we had against Orient, some neat play was ruined by being caught in possession by close marking. Again we seemed to lose any 50:50 tackles. However we did make chances, as early as the 3rd minutes a good run by Campbell gave Ashbee a shooting chance which went over, a few minutes later Chenery combined well with Mustoe and Taylor, but the shot by Chenery was weak and easily saved. Taylor did a good turn on the edge of the penalty area, but lost his footing and fell in a heap!

Later from a free kick the ball was played square to Duncan whose goal bound 25 yard shot was blocked. Butler got booked on 26 minutes, apparently for trying to tackle but not making contact with either the player or the ball! Joseph followed him into the book on 33 minutes, their #9 fell over holding his face. Joseph didn't seem to touch him, and this wasn't the last time the #9 would collapse claiming a foul when he hadn't been touched!

Butler was as always lively at the front, but with a big ex-Norwich defender Rob Newman behind him had trouble holding the ball, but looked dangerous when he could turn and get a run going. He chased lost causes, and shocked their 'keeper by getting to the ball on the bye-line while the 'keeper tried to shepherd the ball out, but no forward was in the middle to take advantage. From a Chenery cross Ashbee headed the ball back to Benjamin, but his close range shot was well saved.

The final action of the half saw Taylor get the ball on out right side, cut inside a defender and unleash a superb shot from around the edge of the penalty area which sailed over the 'keeper and nestle in the net at the far post. Their defenders claimed a handball at some stage, and their #11 got booked for arguing after the half time whistle was blown.

In the first half Southend had the occasional foray forward, a half volley went high and well wide on 30 minutes, later this was repeated by their #9. 3 minutes from half time their #8 looked yards offside (even the player seemed surprised that the flag had not gone up!) but spurned the chance by shooting past the advancing Van Heusden and past the far post. Van Heusden had little to do, but looked confident taking crosses. He was helped by some good defending by Joseph and Duncan.

Southend started the second half the brighter, although it only took a minute for their #5 to be booked. They hit the bar in the second minute with a long shot, I think Van Heusden got fingers to the ball to make the save. Soon after Campbell got across the edge of our penalty area to take the ball away from the forward just as he was about to shoot, and soon after we needed a reflex save at the near post from Van Heusden to keep our lead.

We began to impose ourselves, and they almost scored an own goal when the defender headed a dangerous cross behind for a corner. A quick break from defence allowed Butler a run on our right side, his square pass to Mustoe was put over the bar. On 19 minutes a corner was headed back across goal by Wanless to Shaggy just outside the post, who hooked the ball back into the middle, but Butler could not quite make contact from a couple of yards out. Soon after Wanless got booked, I'm not sure what for though.

Taylor then decided to try to repeat his first half goal, but his shot was a foot outside the post. From a Butler cross Taylor knocked the ball down to Mustoe who set up Wanless for a shot but again it was high. On 26 minutes Butler was taken late by their #2 and was rightly booked. At this time Southend made 3 substitutions. A couple of minutes later we got the all important second goal, from a deep cross Mustoe crossed into the middle of the goal where Butler couldn't miss on the goal line. In fact I think it was his loin that put the ball over the line!

5 minutes later Taylor was picked out just inside their penalty area with no defenders around, he waited for the 'keeper to get really close before lifting the ball over him and we watched almost in slow motion for the ball to drop just under the bar and into the net.

Taylor was fouled late but their was no booking. Like an episode in the first half the trainer came on, the referee called for a stretcher, the player got up, but unlike the first half when their player was allowed to continue, Taylor had to go off and wait for the signal to come back on. From the free kick Butlers fierce shot was saved at the second attempt. 5 minutes from the end Taylor and Benjamin made way for Kyd and Walker.

The linesman in front of the Habbin seemed to be consistently inconsistent, players being flagged for offside when they didn't look offside, or no flag when they looked way offside. Any comments from those in the Habbin? Similarly the referee seemed to give a lot of unnecessary free kicks for attempting to win possession of the ball.

So 3 valuable points which keep us in second place a point behind Cardiff with a game in hand, and another crowd of just over 5,000. We didn't play much better than against Orient, and I thought Southend looked a better team than Orient, but his week we took our chances, and didn't play the second half with only 10 men!

Particularly the second half we looked much stronger physically, and there were less failures in the 50:50 tackles. As I've said before, against football playing sides we can match anyone for skill, but when it comes to a battling game we take a while to get going. Nobody had a bad game, the defence did well, Ashbee had a good game in the middle, but for me the outstanding players were Butler and Mustoe, Mustoe just shading the MoM for his industry all over the pitch.

Listening to Radio Cambs in the traffic coming home, Roy MacFarland managed 7 "without doubts" and 2 "in a sense", which must be a record for a short interview!

Ratings:
Van Heusden 7, Chenery 7, Mustoe 9, Duncan 8, Joseph 8, Campbell 7, Wanless 7, Taylor 8 (Kyd 7), Butler 8, Benjamin 7 (Walker 6), Ashbee 8

A BIG YAWN
This pretty much describes the first half for Cambridge as things just wouldn't come together - passes went astray, chances were few and far between and it was remarkable that Southend didn't take their own opportunities to go into the break in the lead.

GETTING AWAY WITH IT
Utd were far from convincing in this first half and were extremely lucky that Southend's players had left their shooting boots at home. First, left back Booty had a good chance inside the box but seemed to think that the goal was three times wider than usual. Next, another good opportunity was blazed over from the edge of the box. However, the most unforgiveable miss was produced by German midfielder Unger who was put clean through as Utd's offside trap failed - he tried to fool Ice into committing himself but only succeeded in confusing himself as he placed a weak shot well wide of the goal.

GETTING AWAY WITH IT (2)
The other main facet of the first half was the very physical play of Southend's defenders and a weak referee who was not prepared to get his cards out and was often so far behind play that it was easy to hoodwink him. It really was incredible that Cambridge players were the only ones in the book at half time. Firstly, Butler was stupidly booked (presumably for arguing) after another physical challenge on him but the referee fell for a particularly outrageous piece of gamesmanship after about half an hour.

Striker Conlon fell when challenging Marc Joseph and acted as if he had been shot. From my position, Joseph didn't look to have touched him and even if he had, it was accidental. Now, in this situation, the referee can either ignore the challenge as accidental or show the red card if he felt that Joseph had intentionally struck Conlon. He did neither, awarded a free kick and gave Joseph a yellow card.

BOLT FROM THE BLUE
The game was heading into the break goalless when Taylor picked the ball up on the right hand side of the penalty area. With little on he struck for goal and a wonderful 25 yard strike ended up arrowing just inside the far post to give Cambridge a welcome but undeserved half time lead.

EARLY SCARES
Southend were bound to come out fighting after the break as they probably felt they deserved to be level at this stage. A succession of corners and attacks again should have led to an equaliser but they were denied by a combination of poor finishing, poor luck and great goalkeeping. From memory, they missed two free headers, hit the bar with a fabulous looping shot from 20 yards and were denied by a sharp piece of goalkeeping from Ice when he saved at his near post.

HE'S ON FIRE
The second half, though, was all about one man - the mighty John Taylor. He had a hand in numerous chances and was unlucky not to score a hat-trick but his 2 goals have taken him just two away from equalling Alan Biley's league scoring record. His first was a very good strike while his second was an example of the coolness of the man. However, he also had a hand in creating two other good chances and was partially involved in Butler's goal. At 34, he might have lost a little pace but when he produces performances like this, it doesn't matter.

ARJAN VAN HEUSDEN
Again not called on to do too much but was alert to a shot in the second half which would have brought the scores level. His kicking and all round distribution was extremely poor though.

BEN CHENERY
A very poor game - his wing play is well below standard for this position and his defending was nothing to write home about either. No particular incidents spring to mind but for him to be a worthy member of the team, he really must give more to it, particularly in terms of being available on the wing when required.

JAMIE CAMPBELL
A much better performance, particularly in the first half when he produced a few decent passes. Seemed to stay further back in the second half so we saw little of his attacking runs but reasonably solid defensively.

ANDY DUNCAN
Not a great performance but still very solid and calm. Involved in a slight mix up with Ice in the first half which could have ended up with a chance for Southend but they managed to clear the danger between them. Will be missed at Exeter next week.

MARC JOSEPH
Impresses me every time I see him and this was no exception as he had another fine game despite dreadful provocation from Southend's strikers Conlon and Roach. Can't recall any mistakes from him and although his partner gets all the credit in defence, it is probably time to recognise them as a true defensive unit.

NEIL MUSTOE
Should have scored when given a great opportunity by Martin Butler but his performance was a good one - full of simple effective passing and strong, fair tackling. This is what we want from Mustoe but he still has the worrying habit of talking back to referees and he really must learn to curb this.

IAN ASHBEE
Well, he is no Alex Russell but he did produce a wonderful pass in the first half which was cut out at the very last moment by a stretching Rob Newman. Seemed more subdued in the second half.

PAUL WANLESS
For me, he is in pretty poor form at the moment - passing is poor and he isn't getting into the goalscoring positions that he usually does. With injuries and suspensions biting, we really need the skipper to get back to his best and this will be particularly important next week when Mustoe will be missing.

TREVOR BENJAMIN
The most disappointing of Utd's striking trio who now seems to be resting on his laurels somewhat. Needs to get back to his early season form for the last quarter of the season because the other two will be off form from time to time and his influence will be needed. Undoubtedly a talent but must combine this with the effort shown by Taylor and Butler.

JOHN TAYLOR
Every now and again, he produces a tremendous performance and this was one of these. His two goals were wonderful examples of finishing and his runs always trouble defences at this level. Sandwiched between his two goals was an attempt which would surely have ended up as goal of the season when he ran half the length of the pitch before making space for himself inside the box and firing just over. Utd are very very lucky that one of their former stars was committed enough to come back and produce these sorts of performances in the twilight of his career.

MARTIN BUTLER
Would have been man of the match on practically any other day as his unselfish running had a lot to do with Utd's success in this game. He is now a marked man in this division and was again closely watched but he still managed to be in the right place at the right time for a simple tap in. Also set up a couple of other second half chances and had a good shot saved in the first.

Subs:

MICHAEL KYD and RICHARD WALKER
As they both came on in the 87th minute, there was not enough time for either to have an impact.

Man of the Match:
Well, if you've got this far, you know what I'm going to say here. John Taylor's performance (particularly in the second half) won this match for Utd so he has to be my man of the match.

On an afternoon when the leading teams dropped points here, there and everywhere, United held their collective nerve to beat Southend and move to within a point of the leaders, with a game in hand.

Trevor Benjamin returned to the starting line-up at the expense of Michael Kyd this afternoon, but that was the only change to the side that lost at Leyton Orient last weekend. Alex Russell failed to recover from his thigh strain. The game kicked off in bright Spring sunshine although the pitch was a little damp along the Main Stand side after overnight rain.

United started brightly and in the second minute Trevor Benjamin produced a great turn to leave two defenders for dead. The move came to nothing but it set the tone for an excellent first half by the young striker, although he faded in the second. Two minutes later Jamie Campbell and Martin Butler combined well down to set up Ian Ashbee, but his shot was 20 yards was always rising and cleared the bar. Seconds after that, a moment of indecision from Arjan Van Heusden caused a mix-up between him and Andy Duncan as the ball ran through, and his kick struck an onrushing Southend forward before flying behind for a goalkick.

In the 12th minute some neat build-up play down the right saw John Taylor put Ben Chenery through, but as Chenery advanced into the box it was the wrong man in the right place as his shot bobbled along the ground to the 'keeper. United completely dominated the first 20 minutes and played some excellent football, especially in midfield where Mustoe and Ashbee were outstanding without ever finding the killer pass.

Southend looked particularly poor during this period, restricted to trying to break up the play, but then they started to get into the game and seasoned supporters might have thought that United's best chance to score had gone. However a superb four man move ended with Mustoe feeding Chenery, whose cross clipped the back of Mustoe's heel and went away for nothing.

The Southend players, and especially Barry Conlon, had shown themselves unafraid of trying to influence the referee by diving and looking for decisions, and in the 34th minute Marc Joseph was booked following claims that he had elbowed Conlon in the face. Conlon fell to the ground as though he had been shot as they both challenged for the ball, although there did not appear to have been any contact. While the arguing continued the ball was passed to Maher whose shot from the edge of the box was brilliantly blocked by Mustoe and went behind for the corner.

After 37 minutes Campbell sent Butler clear down the left, the striker brought the ball forward and rounded the keeper near the bye-line, but he was too wide to get a cross in for the waiting Taylor and the ball was cleared. Then in the 43rd minute Conlon put Unger through to beat the offside trap, the Southend man wandered forward in a leisurely fashion towards the waiting Van Heusden, and when he was within three or four yards of the keeper Unger put his shot well wide for an incredibly bad miss.

From a U's point of view, justice was seen to be done when United scored three minutes into the stoppage time added on for Conlon's apparent injury. Receiving a pass from Martin Butler, John Taylor chested the ball down and amidst appeals for handball he thumped a rising shot home from 25 yards. (Half-time 1-0)

United endured a nervous spell at the beginning of the second half as Southend started the better, and after just three minutes Unger's 20 yard shot deflected off Joseph, onto the bar and away. Two minutes later Houghton beat Chenery and his cross was headed over by Roach. In the 51st minute Coleman headed Jamie Campbell's cross past his own post with Taylor lurking behind him, and in the 54th minute Booty fed the ball to Houghton whose shot went across the face of goal and wide.

Then as United started to get back into the game a 62nd minute Southend corner got no further than Ben Chenery who slipped the ball to Butler on the halfway line. The striker skinned Beard and scampered away down the right before finding Mustoe in space on the edge of the box, but the midfielder fired over. Two minutes later Mustoe found Butler who sprang the offside trap but his cross was poor, then in the 67th minute Mustoe won one of many headers in midfield and found Taylor. The veteran striker went on a trademark 30 yard jinking run as the Southend defence backed off, but his shot was just wide from about 12 yards.

United kept the pressure on and two minutes later it was Taylor who found Mustoe, the midfielder picked out Paul Wanless with his cross but the skipper fired over the bar from just inside the box. Then came the breakthrough on 74 minutes when Ashbee found Mustoe in acres of space at the far post, and his ball across the line hit Martin Butler and flew into the net.

Almost before the celebrations around the ground had died down again, United put the game beyond reach four minutes later. Jamie Campbell's deep cross found John Taylor in acres of space and from the edge of the box the 'King of the Abbey' coolly lifted the ball over Margetson and into the net. United had one further noteworthy chance from an 82nd minute freekick. Butler's shot went through the wall and was spilled by Margetson, but he managed to smother the ball just before Trevor Benjamin could pounce. Richard Walker and Michael Kyd replaced Taylor and Benjamin with three minutes remaining.

Despite the scoreline it was not a very comfortable victory. Southend took the game by the scruff of the neck after the break and gave United some nervous moments, but the finishing of Taylor and a lucky strike from Butler settled things and put the game beyond the Shrimpers' reach. There were also excellent performances in midfield from Ian Ashbee and Neil Mustoe.

Reporter Mark Johnson's Man of the Match: "Neil Mustoe - Dynamic in midfield"

Cambridge move to within a point of leaders Cardiff, who drew at Rochdale, and still have the postponed away game at Rochdale in hand. Brentford were held 1-1 at home by bottom club Scarborough, Scunthorpe lost 2-1 at Mansfield, and neighbours Peterborough did us a favour with their 2-0 win at Plymouth.

Subject to official confirmation, Paul Wanless' second half booking was his fifth of the season and he will miss the game at Barnet on March 13th.