Cambridge United threw everything but the kitchen sink at Altrincham but the visitors came to defend and frustrate, and their resolute performance and heroics from goalkeeper Stuart Coburn thwarted United's slim title hopes.

Although Burton lost 2-1 at Torquay, they clinched the title by two points to leave the U's in second place for the second successive season and facing a two-legged semi-final against Stevenage Borough, beginning with the away game on Thursday evening.

"I knew it was always going be difficult," said Gary Brabin afterwards. "People were saying 'you've got to win four-nil and Burton will get beat', but no one is going to come here and lie down and Altrincham showed a lot of spirit today.

"We've been camped in their half all game but the first 20 minutes were key for us. We had three or four chances but their goalkeeper was outstanding - yet again we've got another goalie coming here and getting 'man of the match'.

"We had that 20-25 minute period when we put them under a lot of pressure and they coped with it well. They got everyone behind the ball and we've played the whole game in their half, but we couldn't break them down.

"I believe if we'd scored in that period we would have gone on and won convincingly, but we couldn't and their goalie was outstanding, and now we've got to move on and concentrate on the play-offs."

United finished with four strikers and two wingers on the pitch as Brabin tried to break the visitors down and close the gap on Burton, and the players were clearly disappointed at the final whistle, but he believes they will be able to bounce back and be ready for the semi-finals.

"Obviously we're disappointed because we've had a free shot at the title, and full credit to the lads for taking it this far. I'm proud of every one of them for taking it to this stage of the season but it was always a big ask, even at home against a mid-table team, to win four-nil.

"Altrincham weren't going to come here and lie down and you could see that in their performance. They were dogged from the first minute, they made no attempt to attack us, they just got everyone behind the ball and made it difficult for us. We tried, but it wasn't to be."

United now face Stevenage Borough away on Thursday evening and at home on Bank Holiday Monday (kick off time to be confirmed), a side who snatched a stoppage time point here on Boxing Day and inflicted our last defeat earlier this month at the Lamex Stadium.

"We have to regroup now, get back to training, work hard and look forward to Thursday," said Brabin. "It's a two-legged affair and let's take it from there."

With almost 7,000 home fans in the ground this afternoon the atmosphere was electric and the U's boss added, "You can't help but get a bit excited before the game and think that you could do it today, and I had a gut feeling we could do it so I'm disappointed at the moment, but the lads have been focused and they've given me everything again today.

"I'm proud of the fact that we took it to the last day of the season, and full credit to the lads, and now we have to concentrate on the play-offs."

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