The hosts had decent chances throughout to find their first win in eight, but Uchegbulam raced through to slot beyond Kieran Preston and consolidate Town’s firm position in the play-offs.

Callum Chettle made his return after an injury lay-off, as did Matt Thornhill who started on the bench.

However, it was a familiar face in Liam Hearn who registered the first shot of a half arguably dominated by the swirling wind in Nottinghamshire.

After a poor lay off from former United midfielder Terry Hawkridge, Hearn’s first-time hit – whilst well struck – whistled over the crossbar with Joe Young well beaten.

Kieran Preston then saved superbly from Reece Kendall’s towering header at the other end, before Hearn found the back of the net, only the lineman’s far-side flag cutting celebrations short.

Hearn then found himself in space down the right from Chettle’s astute pass and a low cross found Courey Grantham at the near post, however a touch evaded the striker, and the chance was lost.

Brad Gascoigne stung an effort goalwards after a low free-kick from Chettle went all the way through, some excellent defending from Ioan Evans preventing that one, before another Kendall header was flicked wide.

The half ended with an almighty scramble following Danny Greenfield’s corner, only a combination of Preston, Gascoigne, Dom Roma and Declan Dunn prevented Town opening the scoring.

5 minutes after the break, Chettle took matters into his own hands and nearly found the go-ahead goal.

Driving at a retreating defence, the midfielder took aim and curled a fine effort that bent the wrong side of Young’s post and United were on the up.

A Derby Day crowd of just shy of 500 then saw Grantham race through after neat link-up play with Hearn, but some hesitation allowed the excellent Evans to race back and clear.

Roma then nodded Thornhill’s driven corner wide of Young’s woodwork and Owen Betts – impressive throughout – took aim with a neat touch-and-volley which skimmed marginally over the crossbar.

The best chance came just after the hour and it went to the visitors.

The lively Uchegbulam was allowed time to utilise his pace and after getting beyond United’s back line found himself one-on-one with Preston who did tremendously to thwart with a fine save to his left.

However, the striker wasn’t to be denied a second time when, on 81 minutes, he had the same intention in mind.

His pace, power and precision took him all the way to the by-line before slotting under Preston and into the far corner, much to the jubilation of the bumper away attendance, draped in blue and white.

United threw the kitchen sink at their County near-neighbours; a siege on the away goal.

A scramble in the box saw Tyreace Palmer and Thornhill test Young who desperately tipped wide with help from Kendall and a late handball claim against Evans went ignored.

Another dangerous corner was flicked on by Hearn and the loose ball was kept alive for Grantham whose header looped over and a late corner was hacked clear by Town’s stoic defence before referee Harry Jones called time.

United’s next outing sees them travel to Stafford Rangers next Saturday (3pm).

UNITED: Preston, Betts, Helliwell (Wilson 45’), Roma, Gascoigne, Carr (Palmer 82’), Hasani, Dunn, Hearn, Grantham, Chettle (Thornhill 61’)
SUBS (not used): Richards, Musson

ATT: 463