For the second game in succession United faced fellow promotion chasers Swindon Supermarine, this time at the SKYex on a mild Saturday afternoon as Paul Hughes' side took the spoils with a 1-0 victory that sees United move up to third in the table.

The gaffer made three changes to the starting lineup as Callum Buckley, Scott Donnelly and Hassan Jalloh came in for Matt Hall, James Clark and Manny Duku.

United started off quickly and with seven minutes played were awarded a free-kick near the left hand corner of the Swindon area. Scott Donnelly fired the ball past the wall only for his goalbound effort to be pushed wide by visiting stopper Martin Horsell.

Five minutes later United were ahead. Karl Cunningham and Omar Rowe combined on the edge of the box before slipping the ball through to Francis Amartey who beat Horsell to the ball before firing across both 'keeper and covering defender into the far corner of the Swindon net (below left just before firing home).

Stunned into action by going behind, the visitors created a good opportunity of their own minutes later when Jamie Edge fired in a corner from the left, Dan Lincoln got his fists to the ball but his punch only found Henry Spalding who saw his drive blocked wide by Rowe. The resultant corner being cleared away firstly by Lincoln and then Rowe again.

Amartey almost had another on 21 minutes as having fed the ball to Hassan Jalloh in the area, the United man showed excellent close control with quick feet holding four defenders at bay and when the ball finally ran free to Amartey his shot was well blocked by the visitors defence.

On the half hour mark another Edge free-kick caused consternation in the United box until the ball dropped to Brad Hooper who drove too high from the edge of the box.

Minutes later the visitors from Wiltshire went much closer, Hooper appeared to foul Sanmi Odelusi in winning possession but with no whistle being forthcoming play continued and he fed the ball to Ryan Campbell who saw his low drive beat Lincoln only to go inches wide of the upright thankfully for United.

United were soon advancing upfield again as Amartey turned Swindon skipper Mat Liddiard inside out before making for the byeline, his pull-back was partially cleared to Cunningham who chipped the ball back to the far post where Rowe reached the ball at full stretch but his volley went wide.

In stoppage time Jack Williams won the ball and found Rowe, his attempt aimed at the top corner with the outside of his boot was wide of the target and referee Staynings brought the first half to its conclusion with United a goal to the good.

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half were really much ado about nothing with the visitors having more possession than United without overly troubling the United back line.

Just beyond the hour mark Hooper collected the ball inside the right corner of the box but his drive only found the side netting of Lincoln's goal but five minutes later Lincoln's agility was required when Liddiard rose highest to meet a Henry Spalding corner, the United stopper tipping the goalbound effort over the bar.

With fifteen minutes left to play Joe Grant made his way down the right side and his low centre was only cleared as far as Scott Donnelly who fired the ball back but a little too high to trouble Horsell.

Two substitutes, one for each side, went close soon after. For United Manny Duku got his head to a Grant centre but his effort was too high and just a minute earlier at the other end Harry Williams fired just wide of the target after exchanging passes with Hooper.

Just into stoppage time United supporters must have felt their hearts jump a beat when the ball dropped down inside the United six yard box only for the very alert Callum Buckley to clear the ball upfield ending a moment of panic for the home fans.

Minutes later with no further incidents to report, the referee closed off the game with United's three points seeing Paul Hughes' side move to a season high third place.

Report by Kevin Watts.

Photos by Ray Peploe.

United Man of the Match: Francis Amartey.

Print the Teamsheet: Here.