The first half of this local derby was such a turgid affair that many may have elected to remain in Borough's superb clubhouse to watch the Champions League game, those who braved the night air thankfully saw the game liven up in the second period as United struck twice, both teams saw a red card and Adam Thomson was in fine form.

In fact to say the first half was turgid is probably an understatement as the first noteworthy chance came on 27 minutes when Chris Pape stretched to reach a Daryl King corner but could not guide his effort on target. Just a minute later the home side forced Thomson to work as the ball fell nicely to Lucas Williams on the edge of the area and his sweetly struck drive was well handled by the United keeper.

The only other goalmouth action of the half saw Pape again fail to hit the target, this time with a shot from the edge of the area and a rare United attack saw Mohamed Dikuizia flick on to Jake Lovell who beat Pape into the area but fired across the face of goal and wide of the far post.

The second half certainly started quicker as less than 60 seconds had passed and United could have scored twice. Firstly Joao da Silva saw a shot from just inside the area deflected wide and then the Brazilian met the corner but his header was just off target.

Shortly after these chances the home side could have been three up in as many minutes. Tinio Christie raced along the byeline, his deep cross was held up by Williams who returned it to the striker whose shot appeared to be destined for the bottom corner only to be denied by a superb full length save by Thomson. Next came a free-kick played into the area that fell to Williams at the far post, his drive beat Thomson but came back off the post to Joe Khan who was denied by Thomson. Within a minute Williams again found space on the right, again beat Thomson with his drive and thankfully for United was yet again denied by the post, this time the inside of it and the ball was cleared away.

Having reeled in disbelief at not having their noses in front, the home side were then hit with a sucker punch as United took the lead. James Walters played a free-kick from halfway out wide to Lovell, the diminutive striker hitting a first time cross that perfectly sailed over keeper Matt Davies to be netted on the volley by da Silva.

United could have increased the lead minutes later when an upfield ball was flicked on by Dikuizia to da Silva who spread it right to Lovell who was denied by Davies who saved at the foot of his post. Play quickly moved to the other end and Christie outpaced Ray Curtis but the defender did enough to make him fluff his shot and Thomson swept up the loose ball.

Eighteen minutes remained when having gathered the ball Thomson appeared to kick out at his opponent, a mass confrontation ensued and after many minutes of deliberations referee Hicks showed a red card to Borough's King for an alleged spitting offence and our own Esmond James for his reaction to it while Thomson received a caution and a drop ball being the final action from Mr Hicks where the home players wanted a spot kick.

A spot kick for the home side was not long coming though as Curtis was adjudged to have pushed James Bridges while defending a corner. Jordan Trimm stepped up only to be denied by Thomson who guessed correctly.

Four minutes later the game was won by United, skipper Matthew Madders picked the ball up some 40 yards from goal and having seen Davies off his line planted a perfect chip that gave the backpeddaling keeper no chance.