Joe Burgess, Ollie Brown-Hill and James Blunden netted the vital goals to keep Stamford in second spot in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division table.

However, it wasn't all plain sailing for the Daniels who had to weather some strong pressure from the Lilywhites in the second period before the vital third goal arrived with 10 minutes of the match remaining. The Daniels had top scorer Jonathon Margetts back in their starting line-up after he had missed last week's excellent win at Sporting Khalsa due to injury.

There was also a welcome return for striker Jack Duffy who was on the substitutes' bench after taking a break from the game due to personal reasons. Stamford went into the match on the back of a strong run of form and they started the game confidently.

Billy Bennett tested the reactions of Cambridge goalkeeper Joe Welch as he whipped in an early free kick that the City custodian did well to turn away. The deadlock was then broken after six minutes with Bennett the provider as his cross to the back post was converted by Burgess.

However, the lead lasted just two minutes as City pumped a ball forward and Stamford goalkeeper Dan Wallis made a rare error of judgement as he came for the high ball on the edge of his area, only for Taylor Parr to rise first and head into the unguarded net.

Stamford were soon back on the offensive and Burgess saw a good chance to double his and the Daniels' tally elude him after Brown-Hill and Margetts had linked well. Bennett saw a well-struck shot blocked by Ally Conway before the post denied the Daniels as Welch got a fingertip onto Harry Vince's low drive. Jake Stronge struck a low shot past the home goal before Brown-Hill jinked his way through the city defence with Welch blocking his shot and then Bennett seeing his follow up cleared off the line.

Stamford hit the front again just ahead of the half-hour mark as Brown-Hill intercepted a back pass before rounding Welch and slotting home. The hosts looked the more likely side to add to their advantage as Jake Duffy saw an in-swinging corner cleared off the line while Margetts headed over from a Bennett set piece. However, the tables were turned after the break as City showed more attacking threat and forced the Daniels onto the defensive.

Wallis did well to turn away a fierce strike from Jake Battersby before showing his agility to fingertip a decent hit from Ed Rolph to safety. City then forced a succession of corners with Blunden doing well to clear after one had evaded the grasp of Wallis before a cross-come-shot was deflected onto the home crossbar.

Wallis continued to keep City's set pieces at bay as he got either a vital touch on their dangerous deliveries or bravely thrust himself into the melee of bodies to ensure Stamford kept their lead. The all-important third goal then came with 10 minutes remaining as Jake Duffy played an excellent pass out to Connor Bartle whose low cross broke into the path of Blunden who rifled home his finish into the far corner of the city net.

It was just what the Daniels needed and, with Wallis again making an excellent double block in injury-time, Stamford dug deep to secure their 11th league win from 14 outings.