Cambridge United s faint hopes of capturing the Blue Square Premier league title were dealt a blow last ­Saturday. Jimmy Quinn s side missed the chance to close the gap on the leaders Aldershot as they went down 2-1 at lowly Farsley Celtic. After a goall

CAMBRIDGE United's faint hopes of capturing the Blue Square Premier league title were dealt a blow last ­Saturday.

Jimmy Quinn's side missed the chance to close the gap on the leaders Aldershot as they went down 2-1 at lowly Farsley Celtic.

After a goalless first half, Lee Boylan gave United the lead with his fifth goal in three games. Boylan met a Courtney Pitt centre, and although his initial effort was saved by home keeper Curtis Aspenden, the rebound deflected into the net off the striker's legs.

This was harsh on Celtic, who looked the better side for long periods of the game, and they notched a deserved equaliser through Damien Reeves.

Dominic Krief grabbed the winner with a wind-assisted 70th minute free kick.

Quinn conceded that his men were second best throughout.

He said: "I'm not making excuses. We weren't at the races today. We got the goal not long after half-time, and instead of fighting tooth and nail to keep what we had, we didn't do our jobs well enough."

The Farsley match saw new signing Magno Vieira make his debut. The Brazilian-born player has joined on loan from Crawley until the end of the season, and will provide cover in both the forward and wide areas.

His arrival could signal the end for West Ham loanee Jack Jeffreys, who has made little impact since arriving at the Abbey Stadium last month.

This Saturday mid-table Woking are the visitors to the Abbey Stadium. Quinn will be hoping Wayne Hatswell is fit to return, after he missed last weekend's game with an ankle ­problem.

Ben Farrell is also a doubt after ­picking up a knock against Farsley.

Then on Tuesday night United make the trip to East Sussex to face Crawley Town.