THERE was Wembley heartache for Cambridge United last Sunday when they lost 1-0 to Exeter City in the playoff final. A first half goal from Rob Edwards was enough to take the Grecians back into the football league at the expense of Jimmy Quinn s men, who

THERE was Wembley heartache for Cambridge United last Sunday when they lost 1-0 to Exeter City in the playoff final.

A first half goal from Rob Edwards was enough to take the Grecians back into the football league at the expense of Jimmy Quinn's men, who now face another season in the Blue Square Premier League.

Over 42,000 fans ensured that there was a great atmosphere inside Wembley, but the match itself was poor, with neither side playing to the best of their ability.

Exeter were the better team in the first half, and United's old vulnerabilities at set pieces were exposed when a right wing corner from Dean Moxey found its way to far post where Edwards stooped to head in from close range.

United improved in the second half, with Lee McEvilly and Mark Peters having efforts cleared off the line and substitute Magno Vieira curling a shot just wide of the post, but they were unable to force the equaliser, and Exeter could have extended their lead at the death when Moxey saw his shot blocked by Danny Potter.

Afterwards Quinn admitted that the better side won on the day, but vowed that United would come back stronger next year.

He said: "We've had a great season, but we froze out there today. We're better than that.

"There's a lot of hard work and planning to be done in the summer.

"We have the nucleus of a good squad but just need that bit of extra quality and I don't think we're that far away," he said.

United have already announced one pre-season friendly. They will travel to local rivals Peterborough United on Wednesday July 16.