Gary Brabin named the same side that beat Kidderminster 2-1 at home on Tuesday, with new signing Chris Holroyd named among the substitutes.

Barrow joint managers Darren Sheridan and Dave Bayliss made one enforced change, with striker Paul Tait replacing the ill Jason Walker.

Kicking off towards the Newmarket Road End with the swirling wind at their backs, United were roared on from all four sides of the ground and after a cautious opening spell the first chance arrived in the sixth minute when McEvilly brought Potter's long free kick down on his chest and struck a left-footed volley just over.

Two minutes later he met Gleeson's cross but looped a header over the bar, and although the chance had arrived at a difficult the striker was still clearly annoyed with himself. Keeping the pressure on, United forced back-to-back corners and on 12 Robbie Willmott made a jet-heeled run down the right and turned his marker inside and out before firing a shot that the keeper got both hands to and palmed away.

The changeable wind was affecting both sides but United were enjoying the majority of the possession and good interplay between Beesley and McEvilly on the edge of the area saw McEvilly turn and send a shot flying wide of the far post.

Barrow forced their first corner in the 18th minute and in the resulting play Logan lifted a cross into the area that Wayne Hatswell rose highest to head behind under pressure from Barrow skipper Paul Jones, rising again to clear the resulting flagkick.

United began to pile on the pressure again and Felino Jardim cut inside to curl a 20-yarder into the keeper's hands in the 25th minute, and a minute later Beesley and tried a shot from the same range but it was charged down.

The visitors were proving themselves a handy side and showed why they won promotion last season and arrived as unbeaten table-toppers, but a moment of brilliance from Felino Jardim ended the deadlock in the 29th minute.

The Dutchman collected the ball on the left, bamboozled two markers as he tricked his way down the line and cut inside, and although Deasy got his hands to the ball he spilled it and left Lee McEvilly with the simple task of rolling the ball into the empty net for his third goal of the season.

The celebrations had barely died before United hearts were in mouths as Barrow pressed forward, a loose ball ran free in the area for Hunt whose shot was blocked by Hatswell's knees, Elderton played the ball back in and Potter punched it away. Robbie Willmott seized possession and led a lightning breakaway, beating left-back Elderton but holding the ball slightly too long and running into trouble as Barrow skipper Jones nicked the ball off him with United players racing through the middle in support.

Having given warning, Barrow equalised on 36 when Carden fouled Bond and Boyd's free kick was deflected to Tait who looped a header beyond Potter and in off the far post. They threatened again almost from the restart and Hunt headed over the bar following a corner.

It was promising to be an even encounter but United took the lead again on 39 after right-back Pearson cynically blocked Jardim in full flight as he threatened to break clear on the left, deservedly collecting the first booking.

Wayne Hatswell stepped forward and produced a near-repeat of his stunning 'goal of the season' free kick against Forest Green last season as he drove the ball through the keeper's hands from fully 40 yards, leaving Deasy crumpled in an embarrassed heap at the back of his net and requiring attention from the physio.

There was great hilarity in the ground at the manner of the goal but it was ended three minutes later by further uncertainty at the back. Phil Bolland clearly expected Potter to come for a straightforward through ball but the keeper stayed on his line and Lee Hunt darted in to get his foot to the ball but Dan Gleeson got back to clear off the line, and Potter redeemed himself by firmly claiming the resulting corner.

Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"Never comfortable for United - they have looked the more dangerous going forward, but there was more than a touch of fortune about both goals. They need to look a little more solid at the back and more purposeful going forward to keep that 100% record."

Second half:
Paul Carden required treatment midway through the first half, and although he had seemed to 'run off' the injury he was replaced for the second half by Ben Farrell. The energetic young midfielder received a warm welcome from the home fans and Danny Potter took over the captain's armband..

Barrow were lively down the wings and when Tonkin conceded a foul on right winger Matt Henney in the 50th minute it lead to a free kick that was crossed in by Boyd and cleared off the line by Bolland. Willmott led another great breakaway and linked well with Jardim who advanced and crossed it back to Willmott, but the 18-year-old couldn't get the ball under control in a high speed move.

Two minutes later Wayne Hatswell tried his luck with a 35-yard volley from the left but the ball hit McEvilly, at the other end Bolland cleared a Pearson cross, while Jardim was central to a good spell of U's pressure that culminated with a Jardim free kick and a Beesley shot that was blocked.

Bolland was the first United player booked for a 59th minute challenge with studs showing on Carlos Logan, and the Barrow winger was unable to continue and had to be replaced by former Tranmere trainee Paul Brown.

Another change followed on 63 when Nick Rogan replaced striker Lee Hunt and Barrow enjoyed a spell of pressure as Elderton got forward to drive a shot wide from 25 yards and then Henney raced onto Tait's through ball, looking suspiciously offside, and fired wide under pressure from the backtracking Tonkin.

United were chasing a third goal and Beesley's 68th minute cross was just too high for Jardim and cleared with a vital header by Elderton, but there was a let-off at the other end a minute later when Rogan raced onto a long ball forward and was hauled back by the already-booked Bolland, who was perhaps fortunate to escape with a talking-to from referee Amy Rayner.

The game was still finely balanced as Jon Challinor fired inches over the bar in the 74th minute after meeting a clearance from Jardim's cross, and Gary Brabin freshened things up by sending on Swansea loanee Chris Jones for Robbie Willmott, who left the pitch to a standing ovation.

United's final ball had been lacking at times but Barrow keeper Deasy showed his quality with two good saves in as many minutes as the U's battled to make the three points safe.

First a neat McEvilly backheel sent Jardim into the area to slide the ball to Jones and the Wales Under-21 international's shot was superbly parried by the keeper and McEvilly headed the follow-up into the keeper's hands. Then barely a minute later Tonkin crossed to Beesley who struck from close-range but Deasy parried again and McEvilly couldn't direct the ball as it arrived under his feet.

With five minutes remaining, Tonkin went down clutching his calf and Farrell dropped to left-back while he was off the pitch for attention, and with a minute remaining the visitors were reduced to ten men when United broke away from a Barrow free kick and Pearson blocked Jardim to end the move. The defender had already been booked before half-time and received his marching orders from Ms Rayner, who had allowed the match to flow with a light touch throughout.

Jon Challinor drove a wayward shot wide from the left wing in stoppage time but the final whistle signalled celebrations as United took over at the top of the table with the only 100% record in the Blue Square Premier.

Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Dan Gleeson, Phil Bolland, Wayne Hatswell, Anthony Tonkin; Robbie Willmott (Chris Jones 76'), Paul Carden (Ben Farrell 46'), Jon Challinor, Felino Jardim; Lee McEvilly, Mark Beesley.
Subs not used: Josh Coulson, Gavin Hoyte, Chris Holroyd.

Booked: Bolland foul 59'

Barrow:
Tim Deasy, Mike Pearson, Paul Jones (c), Steve McNulty, Ryan Alderton; Matt Henney, Andy Bond, Mark Boyd, Carlos Logan (Paul Brown 61'); Lee Hunt (Nick Rogan 63'), Paul Tait.
Subs not used: Aaron Taylor, Dave Bayliss, Darren Sheridan.

Booked: Pearson foul 39', 90
Red card: Pearson 90

Referee: Ms Amy Raynor

Att: 2,663 (away 138)

Match Summary by match commentator Mark Johnson:
"The U's made it three out of three with a hard-fought win against Barrow. Lee McEvilly fired United ahead before the half hour but Barrow came into the match on a long unbeaten run and proved cussed opponents as Paul Tait quickly levelled the scores. But if the visiting keeper Tim Deasy was disappointed with United's first goal he was devastated by the second as Hatswell's long-range slipped through his fingers like a bar of soap on bath night. United had their chances to make life more comfortable comfortable after the break, but although they couldn't find the final ball to kill off the game Barrow rarely looked like making them pay. It may be early days but the result puts United at the top of the table and leaves a warm glow on the U's faithful."

Mark's Man of the Match:
"Wayne Hatswell - some timely interventions in defence and another long-range goal to add to the collection. Honourable mentions to the rest for a good team performance."

Ref: Ms Rayner - not her worst performance at the Trade Recruitment Stadium. Some interesting decisions but the red card at the end was right . 5/10."

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