CAMBRIDGE United made the most of the transfer window by drafting in some extra muscle to their midfield.

Weymouth midfielder Ritchie Hanlon has been snapped up on loan for the rest of the season and is expected to add some instant stature to the middle of the park in an otherwise lightweight 4-4-2.

Left-sided midfielder Mark Angel has also had his loan extended from King's Lynn until December.

The Us were relegated last season and have had a mixed start to their first Conference campaign with inconsistency the only consistent feature so far.

After an opening day defeat at Forest Green, they had back-to-back home wins over Hereford United and Accrington Stanley. A point at Gravesend and Northfleet was the only consolation for a miserable Bank Holiday weekend where they went down 2-0 at home to fellow relegatees Kidderminster Harriers.

Another young side - the majority of the team are under-24, with regular first team centre midfielder Stephen Smith still in the academy - they will offer an interesting challenge for City, especially as none of the strikers have managed to get off the mark as yet.

Key players to watch out for are the lively Smith and new skipper Mark Peters in the heart of the defence. He was released by Leyton Orient in the summer and has already made a big impression with the fan's dubbing him their opening month favourite.

Centre-back Greg Heald, who quit City, much to the annoyance of manager Billy McEwan, before the start of the season after signing for the Minstermen has moved on again.

He had joined Ashton United but has now left them after only a few weeks to join City's Conference rivals.

Another of the more interesting of the deadline day Conference transfers saw Crawley Town, who have been struggling for goals, snap up Boston United striker Daryl Clare.

Updated: 10:38 Friday, September 02, 2005