With David Lynn and Andy Gledhill unavailable from the side that had beaten AFC Dunstable four days earlier, Finlay Murray came in at right back, with Harry Mepham switching to the left and Aaron Jewell returning at Centre Back.

The first half saw United playing against a strong breeze that, ultimately, made it difficult for both sides to find any real rhythm. The first opportunity came the way of the home side when, from a corner, Sheikh found himself in space but could only head over the bar. On ten minutes United had a great chance to open the scoring when pressure from Dan West and Lynton Goss saw home keeper Harness miskick a clearance, with Goss collecting the ball on the edge of the box only for Harness to redeem his error with a fine save. The end-to-end action continued and, on 13 minutes, the home side broke the deadlock. Another corner from the left was swung over and this time Sheikh made no mistake, comfortably heading home at the far post.

United looked to get back in to the game and won a number of free kicks in dangerous positions, but were unable to find a way past a resolute defence. On 22 minutes West almost created something from nothing, collecting a loose ball on the edge of the box and firing a left foot effort towards the top corner that Harness acrobatically pushed over the bar. That, for the first half at least, was as good as it got for United.

The second half opened with United on the front foot, benefitting from the wind at their backs, but making close control difficult. On 52 minutes Harry Scott centred, but the effort from Goss went just wide of the post. Whilst United continued to enjoy the majority of the possession, they were unable to create any real goal scoring opportunities, and it came as no surprise when the home side extended their lead on 71 minutes. Good play down the Thame right resulted in a cross to the near post that, in a melee of players, was forced home by Okito.

Shortly afterwards United came close to pulling a goal back when another spectacular save from Harness saw him keep out a strong header from West following a Scott cross. In a bid to change the outcome, manager Mark West made a triple substitution but the stubborn home defence continued to make life difficult for the visitors. Indeed, just as it looked as if the home side would keep a clean sheet the referee awarded United a free kick 25 yards from goal after a foul on Goss. West stepped forward and sent a curling effort over the wall and beyond Harness. That, however, was in the 93rd minute and left United no time to repeat the heroics at Coleshill Town a few weeks earlier when they came back from a similar deficit.

The result still leaves United in the play-off places, but they will be looking to get another unbeaten run going next weekend when Welwyn Garden City are the visitors to the ASM Stadium.

United:

Hill, Murray (Martin), Mepham, Carter, Jewell, Ashworth, Tack (Evans), L Goss, Sturgess, West, Scott (A Goss).