U's concede last minute penalty to share points

Both sides were aware of the stakes leading up to the top of table clash. For Cambridge United a win would see them top momentarily, a draw would give Bromley a chance to go further in lead and a loss could have seen the U's drop to the playoff places. For MK D*ns, a win would have leapfrogged them up to 2nd and anything else would see them pushed down the table or as they were.

The first half lacked quality and flair in both boxes. Both sides looked visibly nervous to make a risky pass or run. It seemed as if the ball was out of play for more time or in the air more then on the grass. Both sides entered half time as they entered, both with their starting 11 in tact and 45 minutes to win the game. 5 shots was what the 7,500 fans at the Abbey saw with only 1 being on target. A perfect split of 50% possession summarised the opening 45.

The 2nd half could only get better and better it did. MK D*ns attempted to dominate the ball but only left themselves exposed on the counter attack. 10 minutes after a triple change from Harris, the U's took the lead in the 75th minute through Shane Lavery. The substitute busted a gut in the counter attack and after Nevitt's shot was saved and Knight's rebound was blocked, Lavery slid in to put the ball in the back of the net right in front of the NRE.

The U's almost immediately made changes following that brining on Purrington and Raggett. The U's had a clear game plan with 10 minutes of the 90 left to play. Fans were celebrating being top of the league, players were time wasting and even the sun was out.

However, as the clouds headed to CB5, MK D*ns progressed up the pitch. With 1 minute left, the MK D*ns player takes a throw in from 5 yards further up then where it should have been taken and the ball found itself in the penalty box. Raggett gets in front of Hepburn-Murphy who goes down in dramatic fashion. The appeals from the players seemed to convince the referee that there was enough contact for a penalty. With the game on the line Aaron Collins stepped up and calmly slotted past Eastwood and the points were shared.

Despite what felt like a loss, the U's took a very good point from a side that will likely go up. The U's remain 2nd and now 4 points below league leaders Bromley with the return fixture still yet to be played. Up next is Accrington Stanley (A) next Saturday.