United's Kandol Burning Brightly

Striker Tresor Kandol celebrated signing an improved contract during the week by bundling home yet another late winner, snatching all 3 points from a tricky away clash against Brighton and Hove Albion. United had lost both previous meetings at the Withdean, an athletics track disguised as a football stadium, but it proved to be a case of third time lucky as the team's surge up the table continued.

A forgettable encounter was settled by a catalogue of errors in the Brighton defence on 79 minutes. Fraser Richardson's right wing cross should have be little problem for Adam El Abd, but the defender somehow sliced his attempted clearance goalwards. Keeper Michael Kuipers flung out his right hand but could only parry the ball into the path of Kandol, who had ghosted between two statuesque Brighton defenders to usher the ball over the line, much to the delight of United's travelling support.

The significance of the victory was not lost on Tresor. 'It's one of the most important games we've had this season.' he said. 'We had to get something out of it and we had to battle all the way through. We're not ready to give up until the whistle goes.' Assistant boss Gus Poyet was also pleased to see Kandol banish the memory of his Elland Road penalty miss the weekend before. 'I was happy to see Tresor scoring again,' added Gus. 'He needed it and the whole team was pleased for him.'