Battling basement boys Bedford get the better of misfiring Biggleswade

However, Cristian Colas’ side were left disappointed as the former United pairing of Mark Gearing and Mark Royal rallied their side in impressive style and took all three extremely valuable points with a 1-0 home win.

Ironically, it was a former United favourite, Chinua Cole – who has just secured a pro contract with Barnet – who was instrumental in what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the 12th minute.

Running from deep, Cole went unchallenged as he charged at the United back line. His strike from the edge of the United penalty area was parried by keeper Tom Wyant, but the ball fell neatly on to the boot of striker Peter Williamson to power home.

United responded strongly and for the rest of the half the hosts were confined to their own half as the visitors went on the hunt for an equaliser.

Crosses rained in from both flanks, with Adam Drakulic and Jake O’Neill finding time and space to exploit the stretched Bedford back line.

Three good chances came and went in a 15-minute flurry before the break.

Tom Cookman arrived a fraction too late to connect to a superb cross from Drakulic and Lee Bilcock headed wide when a precision cross from O’Neill fizzed through a crowded Bedford six yard area.

United’s top goalscorer was seen holding his head in his hands on the stroke of half-time as another cross from the left, this time from Kane Farrell found Cookman at the far post but he hit the side netting when an equaliser looked a certainty.

The second period started in much the same fashion as United continued to press to get themselves back in the game.

However, Bedford were holding firm, and resilient defending from another former United player, Adam Randall, saw the hosts battling hard for every ball and their determination to hang on to their one-goal lead were clearly evident.

Chance after chance came to nothing for Colas’ men and even the addition of substitutes Charlie Joy and Nyasha Sagwete to add to the United firepower just couldn’t find a route through a solid and well drilled Bedford defence.

A frustrating day for United but all credit to their hosts who mustered a valiant effort that rewarded them with a possible lifeline in their bid to maintain their Premier Division status.