U's:1 Terras:0

Man flu is a particularly nasty business: sore throats, runny noses, and mouth ulcers big enough to park the proverbial bus in are common place at this time of year, and last week I must confess that I was struck down with a particularly nasty combination of all three.

But despite missing several training sessions, I passed my pre-match fitness test and was able to take my place at the Abbey on Saturday afternoon. Danny Potter also clambered off his sick bed to put in an appearance, and it was a good thing that he did as his last minute heroics secured a third 1-0 success in four games.

Browny and Tonker are clearly softer than me (although I wouldn't tell the former that to his face), and both wimped out with lurgy, meaning a first start since the 06/07 season for Jordan Collins. I'd almost forgotten that young Jordan played for us, but he took his chance well, putting in a solid performance, although some of his distribution left a bit to be desired.

Another change saw Farrell return in place of Jardim, as United switch to 4-3-3, with Willmott joining Evil up front with Bees taking a slightly withdrawn role. And it was the ex-Forest Green man who should've created the opening goal inside five minutes. Breaking clear down the right, he advanced into the area, but with Evil and Willmott screaming for a pull back, he tried to beat Richard Barnard at his near post and saw the keeper turn his shot behind.

But it wasn't long before United did hit the front. Gleeson arced in a long throw, Willmott and Evil helped onto Jon Challinor, who turned his marker and slid a left-footed shot towards the corner. Barnard initially seemed to think it was going wide, and his dive came too late to stop the ball nestling into the bottom corner.

John Hollins' sides are usually prepared to have a go at you, and Weymouth are no exception. In Stuart Beavon and Pierre Joseph-Dubois they have two willing runners up front, and much like ourselves last year they have the ability to knock the ball around for a while and then go a bit direct. They received plenty of help from hopeless referee Long, who gave possibly the most one-sided display of officialdom I've ever seen at the Abbey. Every Weymouth tumble brought a free kick, including the triple roll from Stephen Reed (boooooooo) that earned Collins a caution. When he finally did give us a decision, it was when ex-CRC man Sam Cutler flattened Chally with a two-footed lunge which he deemed worthy of just a yellow card.

Anyway, Willmott enjoyed probably his most effective outing of the season, playing on the shoulder of the last man and using his pace. Twice he set up Beesley for shots at the keeper before running onto Farrell's pass and lobbing the ball narrowly over. Weymouth's best chance fell to skipper Anton Robinson, who volleyed wide when well placed.

Part two began with what looked like a good penalty shout for United, when Bees appeared to be bundled to the ground as he was about to shoot. Nothing doing said the ref. After this, the half went quiet, with United content to let Weymouth have the ball and do little of note with it. Hatswell thought he'd doubled our lead just after the hour, but his header was ruled out for pushing, a decision which would've probably gone our way on another day. Poor old Hats didn't hear the whistle, and executed a full on air-punching celebration before realising that his goal had been chalked off.

Despite the introduction of top-scorer Michael Malcolm, Weymouth weren't looking likely to break the deadlock until the dismissal of Evil. He charged clear of the backline onto a long ball from Carden, but was caught by three chasing defenders. After losing possession he lunged into two tackles before catching Reed with a third. His foot was off the ground but it wasn't a particularly malicious challenge, so it was a bit of a shock to see Mr Long produce a straight red card, especially as Cutler had got away with a similar challenge in the first half.

Weymouth immediately set up camp on the edge of our box: A Sandwith free kick hit the wall, Malcolm headed against the bar, and Farrell was forced to hook a shot off the line. Then Potter intervened with two marvellous saves, fingertipping Malcolm's curler over and palming Scott Does' goalbound header away for a corner. But despite this nailbiting finish, United clung on for a deserved win.

We definately need to be more decisive in front goal, and this game should've been in the bag long before Evil's misdemeanour. It's good that we're still picking up the results during this little barren spell, but you have to think a better team will make us pay for all those missed chances.

Man of the Match: Paul Carden - Kept things ticking over in midfield and put in some crucial challenges.

Mong of the Match: Referee Long - I don't usually agree with Brabin's constant whinging about not getting decisions, but this guy gave us absolutely nothing. Hopefully we won't get him again for a while.