In the opening quarter Ian Rutherford and Jermaine Darlington wasted a couple of chances. But on 20 minutes Fleet hit back on the break as Sewell released Bullard and the ball sat up nicely for him to volley a 20 yard shot over Richard Wilmot to open the scoring.
Two minutes later Ian King latched onto a Gary Crawshaw cross but keeper Smith dived full-length to parry. On 26 minutes another Crawshaw cross found Darlington who passed to Browne. With his back to goal Browne suddenly turned and angled a great chip over Smith to make it one apiece.
The one-way traffic continued and soon after Darlington shot over. On 36 minutes Crawshaw on the edge of the box buried a low shot past Smith to give United a deserved lead. Just before the break a byline cross from Browne gave Rutherford a simple chance but, from six yards out he put the ball over. A 5-1 lead at the interval would have been about right.
The second half was scrappy, not helped by monsoon like conditions and a bitterly cold wind. United swallowed up pressure with ease, relying on the counter. Jason Soloman fired over and Smith raced out to deny Browne. In the closing minutes a Dean shot flew just wide - an injustice if it had crept in as United thoroughly deserved the points.