United got back to winning ways as Sam Deering's first of the season and Matt Green's tenth earned them all three points against ten man Histon. United rarely looked in trouble and created numerous chances but had to settle for Deering's free kick and Green's 88th minute killer second.

Having played well before the cruel ending at Luton, United kept an unchanged side, allowing Chris Hargreaves to captain the side at home for the first time since his return to the club.

After an even opening United's first half chance came on fifteen minutes as Simon Clist's determined burst ended with a low cross which went just in front of the on-rushing Jack Midson and Alfie Potter. That sparked a good spell for The Yellows who started to dominate possession and should have been a goal up on 21 as Midson flicked the ball over  the Histon defence for Potter. The wing wizard did everything right by putting the keeper on the ground and jinking round to the left, but with the goal at his mercy he somehow passed the ball outside the post rather than in to the net.

Deering then got through again on 24 after a move enginerred by Clist and Tonkin, but his stabbed effort was deflected wide by the body of keeper Naisbitt as he closed down Deering's space. When Hargreaves headed a corner over the bar a minute later United had squandered three great opportunities to take the lead, and had at least that number of shots bravely blocked around the edge of the Histon area. They were almost made to pay on 29 minutes as Rhys Day's short back pass sold Ryan Clarke short but Histon striker Danny Wright as he advanced at goal.

After that scare it was back to the pattern of United pressing and Histon holding out, with loud appeals for a penalty turned away on 33 when Potter seemed to be hauled down inside the box, but Potter was causing untold damage and on 40 minutes that gave United a huge advantage as Histon went down to ten men. Midson cleverly flicked over the top for Potter who sprinted clear then cut across Adam Bygrave right on the edge of the box. It was a foul, but just outside the penalty area, leaving ref Bennett with only a decision of what colour card to show.  He opted for red despite Bygrave's protests and United were left to face ten men for fifty minutes.

There was still time in the half for Clist to hit the wall with the resulting free kick and Deering to screw a shot marginally wide of the left hand post, but at the break it was still scoreless despite United's best efforts.

What it needed was a nice early goal in the second half, and one minute and 44 seconds into the second half it came from the right boot of Deering. Having been scythed down on the corner of the box by Nathaniel Knight-Percival, who was rightly booked for the tackle, Deering picked himself up and  curled the free kick towards the far post. It was brilliantly flighted and when the heads went up they somehow all missed it which wrong footed Naisbitt who could only watch the ball drift into the far corner of the net. What better way to erase the memory of Luton's last minute winner than a similar set piece opener?

A goal down and a man light the visitors continued to soak up pressure, with Day's header grasped on the line by Naisbitt on 57, Batt's free kick on the hour clipping the wall again and Potter's left footed drive on 64  deflected wide by the torso of Adam Tann.

It was a 1-0 thrashing but as we have seen so often, Histon's team spirit is unquenchable and even against all the odds they were still hanging in and living in hope. Seven bookings shows their resolve and determination (among other things) but that lack of discipline almost proved costly on 75 as Langston gave away yet another free kick on the edge of the area and Batt's fizzing drive smacked against the right hand post.

The one worry came on 80 as Potter pulled up clutching his left hamstring, seconds before he was due to be replaced by Matt Green anyway, but United were full value for the win. Every department played its part, from the impeccable defence through the superb midfield trio of Bulman, Clist and Hargreaves to the clever front three of Midson, Potter and Deering.

It needed a second goal to kill the game and on 88 it came via some comic defending and selfless play from Midson. Langston was very composed but forgot that he needed to watch the ball, allowing it to roll past him for the alert Midson and Green to run clear. Midson, against his former team was perfectly entitled to shoot but chose instead to draw the keeper towards him then roll the ball square for Green to tap into the empty net. Splendid, especially with leaders Stevenage going behind at Rushden at precisely the same moment.

This was the first of three home league games in a row and the perfect way to start that run. Rushden and Diamonds come to visit on Tuesday night; grab that scarf and get behind The U's

Att: 5,365

Away: 29

Report by Chris Williams

Fifty/50 wining number: 74724 (£1213.50)

See video reaction and all the goals in Yellow Player