Martin Ling saluted his side's third successive victory, and called on his players to go on and secure a top half finish this season.

Speaking after Paul Carden's late goal secured a 2-1 win over near-neighbours Histon, Ling said: "In the first half we weren't good enough at times. Josh Coulson was excellent at the back, and Simon did well to save the penalty, but I felt there were too many people out there waiting for someone else to take responsibility and make things happen.

"But second half we were the better side and we've got our rewards in the end."

On the penalty, awarded for handball against Danny Crow as the striker charged out to block a free kick, the manager commented: "It looked a soft one to me. I haven't seen it on the video but the ball has been struck at him hard, and if penalties were always given for those kind of things you'd have them awarded in every football match played anywhere in the world.

"But Simon's made the save and given us a platform to build on in the second half." he said.

Despite Brown's heroics, United were in trouble after Histon took the lead through on loan striker Andy Pugh, who finished well at the far post after meeting a long throw from the left.

"I wasn't happy with our defending on the goal, but it was important that we reacted quickly and we did that with Scotty Neilson's equaliser," said Ling.

Indeed, United were level within six minutes thanks to Neilson's second in three games. Substitute Antonio Murray provided the cross for Neilson to score, and Ling was pleased with the contribution of Murray and fellow substitute Dan Gleeson.

He said: "I was going to make the change anyway because I felt we needed to freshen things up a bit. Both players were ready to come on and then they scored, so we switched things around and it paid off."

Re-emphasising the importance of the strength in depth the U's now possess, Ling said: "It's nice when you can take off players like Robbo (Kevin Roberts), who has done well for us in the last couple of games, and Simon Russell, and bring on an attacking full back in Dan Gleeson, and Antonio Murray, who is a forward who plays wide as opposed to Simon, who is a midfielder who plays wide.

"I thought both of them gave us a bit extra going forward, which we needed. Our squad is looking strong now, and it shows the kind of quality we have that we can send Sam Ives - who has been involved in the first team squad for every game before today - away to play for CRC," he said.

On the winning goal from his player/assistant boss Carden, who scored an equally spectacular strike against Rushden earlier this season, Ling said: "I'm told he usually scores one of those a year and wins goal of the season, so he's got two to chose from this year now!

"It's been difficult for Paul during this bad run because he's in there with me as assistant manager, but he's got to go out on the pitch as well. So he's got that duel role and it was nice to see him score the winner today."

United are now unbeaten in six Blue Square Premier matches, and with three wins in a week they have moved eight points clear of the relegation zone.

The victory over the Stutes was their first at home in the league since October, with Chester's results having now been expunged.

Ling said: "We've been getting all sorts of monkeys off our backs, with the first away wins since August, and now the first home win for a long time.

"The job isn't finished yet, but now I want the players to aim for a top-half finish. That's my target and if we keep putting in the effort I see no reason why we can't achieve it."

Matthew Gooding