U's crumble late at home to promotion challengers Chesterfield

The U's made 5 changes from the FA Cup victory 11 on Saturday to face Chesterfield in League Two. The U's started with a 4-4-2/4-5-1 with Kachunga and McConnell as the furthest forward in amber.

The U's started the game in fine fashion and dominated the ball and won most 50/50 duels both in the air and on the ground. A fantastic start was rewarded from an inch perfect cross from wonderkid McConnell who's cross found the glancing huge head of the greatest Geordie Centre Back. The rock at the back was able to make himself free and glanced the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring. With the score at 1-0 the U's weren't done and continued to threaten with multiple good crosses from all attacking outlets and only lacked the clinical edge that Harris' side has missed at times. The U's thought their lead to 2 after comical defending saw an own goal by Chesterfield's 38 year old veteran defender McFadzean. However, the celebrations were silence swiftly following an offside flag. What proceeded was a dictionary worth of abuse hurled towards the linesman, who likely got the decision correct.

Following a half time break that saw the U's lead 1-0 and on top of the game, it was Chesterfield who took control of the League Two promotion clash. The U's were under pressure in the midfield third of the pitch but Eastwood still didn't face much pressure. Jobe and Watts were fantastic but both full backs could have been a lot better, Purrington going forward and Bennet defensively. Smith was superb once again for the U's in midfield and has added to his consistent performances. Kachunga was poor again but was unbelievable in the air and this was one of his better performances this season. I think it's best if U's fans gatekeep McConnell as I can see a big Championship signing him on a free in the future.

That being said the game was not finished and the U's only had 4 minutes of added time to see out a home win and take all 3 points. Lets take a moment to remember we are Cambridge United and like to make everything more stressful than it needs to be. Now that it's clear, Smith had his late shot cleared off the line. 120 seconds left. United led 1-0 at home. Scene is set. A poor cross was met by Appere who cleared the ball, 5 yards to McFadzean who thumped the ball into the bottom corner and the Chesterfield players, staff and fans went ballistic.

A draw is a good result but for the U's to lose it so late and to a self inflicted goal is so painful. The amount of times that we have done it this year is even more frustrating. With a big game on Saturday away to MK Dons we can only focus to another top of the table clash with such importance behind it.