He may not get many goals for United but this one, coming as late as it did, ranks alongside the screamer that he belted in last season against Oxford. The United captain was delighted that this time it was one that gave the Club three points over the neighbours and he knows just who he wants to dedicate it to.

"I don't get too many to be fair and I have made them a bit special in the past but I think this one was more so because it turned out to be the winner. The fans have been owed a win over them and to send them home happy is a really good feeling."

Looking back over the 2-1 victory the midfielder reflected on a case of never mind the quality, feel the win and was quick to point out the moment the game changed.

"We needed a wake up call in that first half and should've kicked on from the penalty save but we didn't. You see penalties given like that - Danny Crow has jumped and turned a little bit and the ball has hit him, with myself being in the wall I didn't get a good look but in the circumstances it seemed very harsh. Justice was done though with Simon Brown's save aided by the crowd behind the goal making their taker as uncomfortable as possible. I honestly thought he'd dived passed it but all of a sudden he flicked his right arm out and put it over the bar.

"It took until they did manage to score for us to wake up. We didn't start the second half as we would've liked. We needed to push on and the onus was on us as the home side to step our game up and we only managed that when the double substitution was made. Both Dan Gleeson and Antonio Murray came on not only with fresh legs but also with something to prove to the opposition - Antonio against his old club and Dan being United through and through  - they definitely added something to the team performance."

With young centre-back Josh Coulson again getting the man of the match plaudits, Paul heaped praise on the big defender and the part he has played in the recent turn of fortunes for the U's.

"Josh Coulson got man of the match again and his performances show's how far we have come as a team in the last few weeks. Josh has always had all the tools to make himself a great player. That was apparent from the day's when I first came here on loan. He needed to toughen up a little to add that bit of steel to the ability he possesses. With that he would be able to get to grips with the centre-forwards in this league. In the last two months he has shown just how he has done that and his performances on the pitch and in training have been absolutely superb.

"You hate to say it but whoever from other clubs are watching him will be impressed because he's got everything now. He's composed, he does the right things at the right times and is as beast in there air which also makes him one hell of a threat at set plays at the other end. He has everything to go on and do well at a higher level and he deserves the man of the matches that he's been getting."

Finally looking to the future Paul has his eyes on the visit of Salisbury on Tuesday and the run in to the end of the season.

"In the bigger picture the result is all what matters. It's great to beat them but the three points to push us up the league is far more important and whoever we beat is all that matters. We have to keep the form we have had over the last few games going. Three wins in a week is fantastic for everyone concerned with the Club and hopefully we can take this on for the rest of March and right through to the end of the season. "

Interview by David Gray


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