Barnet skipper Danny Collinge delighted to make the difference against Cambridge

Collinge scored the winning goal in the second half, poking home from Mark Shelton’s corner to secure the vital three points.

“I am happy with the win and, most importantly, getting a clean sheet. In recent games, we failed to keep clean sheets and couldn’t get it over the line, but we finally did,” said Collinge.

“We’ve come up against two really good sides recently, and we need to maintain that level now. I love playing for this club and it’s nice to score in successive games.

“I wish my goals tally was higher, to challenge my team-mates. I felt these were the two hardest chances I’ve had despite missing easier ones this season. You take your chances when they come and practising those drills helps translate it into goals.

“The gaffer (Dean Brennan) always talks about completing your runs. I saw they were light at the front post, so I went for it. It was a bit of an instinctive flick, checked my shoulder and it’s gone in. Mark Shelton takes all the credit for the assist again.

“The fans were superb and brought a huge following. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but whenever the fans watch us, the lads fight and work hard, giving everything and sticking to the standards the gaffer sets.”

Cambridge boss Neil Harris felt his side lacked the cutting edge in the final third.

The loss leaves them in fourth place, with a game in hand, as they target the final promotion spot and prepare to face Swindon next.

“We played with a lot of quality, and it was clear we were under difficult conditions. Barnet are a tough team to play against, especially after comfortably beating MK Dons last weekend,” said Harris.

“When we did get into the final third, we didn’t take care on the cross or shot, and were too reactive around the box. We were a bit stuck there.

“Barnet didn’t do enough to win, but we were punished for switching off for a split second and didn’t do enough at the other end.

“In the second half, playing forward a bit quicker and having two centre-forwards might have created more pressure.

“It wasn’t about the substitutes or set-up; we just made poor decisions with the ball, and that’s League Two football. We’ve been outstanding for six months, but sometimes you have to accept setbacks.

“We didn’t create much, and a goalless draw might have been fair. Basics of football are key, and they were better in both boxes.

“If you told me before the season we’d be in this position with seven games to go, I’d have taken it immediately. That’s my mentality.”