Mark Albrighton acknowledged Weymouth's effective game plan to stifle Saturday's match at the Abbey Stadium and backed Cambridge United to bounce back at Ebbsfleet on Monday evening.

"Weymouth defended well and it's obvious that they came here with a game plan to not concede, but although they did that well I don't think they caused us any problems at the back," commented United's captain afterwards.

"It's disappointing the amount of shots we created during the game, despite our pressure. That's the problem when we are faced with sides that defend so resolutely - unless you get an early goal that brings them out of their game plan, it becomes easier for them to shut up shop.

"You've seen that earlier this season when other sides have come here and played the same style as Weymouth but we've got the break and gone on to win the game. Today wasn't a lack of trying from the team, it's just sometimes these things happen."

The game was played in appalling weather as waves of rain, sleet and snow rolled across Cambridge, but Albrighton felt his team could have used the conditions in their favour: "We'd weathered the storm in the first half but we failed to create enough after half-time when we should have used the wind, sleet and snow to our advantage.

"We kept the ball well but it was just in the last third of the field that we didn't do enough to get the breakthrough."

There was some booing at the final whistle as some supporters showed their disappointment at the result, and Albrighton acknowledged, "I think the supporters at the end were as disappointed as we are. We've created a culture here this season that people turn up expecting a victory and goals, especially against teams in Weymouth's position.

"The opposition know this and play like Weymouth did to try and turn it to their advantage. To be fair the crowd kept up the support during the ninety minutes and were fully behind the lads so they are entitled to react like some of them did at the end."

The game marked a return for former assistant manager Alan Lewer, who left the club two months ago to recreate his Crawley partnership with new Weymouth manager John Hollins, but 'Brights' felt that had little bearing on the result.

"I don't think Alan Lewer's presence on their bench made that much of a difference," said the 32-year-old centre half.

"Our set piece styles have changed since he has left so that may have nullified any inside information he had, but I don't think this result had anything to do with Alan - it was more a bad day at the office that we have to put right in training on Sunday and put into practice at Ebbsfleet on Monday."

Interview by David Gray

United are next in action at Ebbsfleet United on Monday at 7.45pm.

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