Rooney is right on the money for Ammies

DELIGHTED Salford City boss Graham Alexander saluted his players after they hung on to claim a gritty win over Cambridge United.

Adam Rooney nabbed the allimportant winner late on as the Ammies went on to complete their first run of back-to-back victories since joining the Football League.

Alexander said: “I’m delighted for all the players. They’ve dug in and got the result. It was a really tight game between two well-organised teams, but we’ve come away with the win and I’m really proud.

“That’s two wins and two clean sheets on the bounce for us now. I really can’t ask for more than that.”

Alexander also praised ex-Aberdeen hit-man Rooney, who bagged his third goal of the season.

“Adam has done what he does best,” said Alexander. “He’s moved across the defender really well and guided his header right into the corner.

“It was a terrific finish, and one which gave us three huge points.”

The home side threatened early on with Joey Jones firing a early 30-yard effort narrowly wide.

Home debutant Craig Conway then lashed in from the edge of the box, forcing U’s ‘keeper Dimitar Mitov into a smart save.

Cambridge’s George Maris was unlucky when his spectacular volley only just cleared the Salford crossbar.

Cambridge upped the tempo in the second half and, after Maris saw a header saved, Salford ‘keeper Kyle Letheren then brilliantly kept out Luke Hannant’s thumping strike.

However, Salford grabbed their winner with 13 minutes to go when Rooney expertly guided a header into the corner as he rose to meet Conway’s cross.

After Rooney’s impressive finish, he then missed a great chance to make it 2-0 when he fluffed a oneon-one opportunity when up against Mitov. Cambridge boss Colin Calderwood was understandably disappointed after his side’s winless run was extended to four matches.

Calderwood said: “It’s a blow because we had opportunities in the second half.

“We really don’t deserve to get nothing from the game but, having said that, this is what happens when you don’t defend a cross properly.

“Frustratingly, though, we’ve got no reward for our efforts.”