POOR SECOND HALF ENDS A DISAPPOINTING DECEMBER

An even first half gave little clue as to what was to follow after the break as United took on Cleethorpes Town in front of 425 supporters.

The Whites looked in control and restricted the home side to just one scoring opportunity when Scott Matthews was able to slide the ball away from an advancing Town striker. Rob Norris came close with a long range effort that was tipped over the bar and United had a couple of other half chances in a tight first period.

Disaster struck in the 47th minute when a Josh Batty shot eluded stand-in keeper McGann. Lively ex-Mariner striker Scott Vernon made in two from close range in the 61st minute, but Whites hopes were lifted 13 minutes later when the lively Lynton Karkach lashed the ball home from eight yards.

These hopes didn’t last long when Vernon struck again two minutes later and Alex Flett made it 4-1 late on as the home side’s confidence grew and Whites heads dropped.

This was a poor display by United, especially in the second half, and manager Sam Wilkinson will look for a significant improvement when his squad return to Ashby Avenue to take on AFC Mansfield on New Years Day.