A method for use in a user terminal in a cellular communications system. According to the method, the user terminal applies a first timing advance value to its transmissions to a controlling node, and the user terminal requests communication with the controlling node in a contention based procedure by transmitting an access request (MSG 1), in response to which the controlling node transmits an initiation message (MSG 2) along with a second timing advance value. According to the method, the user terminal uses the first timing advance value if the user terminal loses the contention based procedure, i.e. if the controlling node subsequently continues the initiated communication with said other user terminal.