RANDALL BUTT reports as Cambridge United run out of steam and are held to a 1-1 draw with Exeter

THEY almost got away with it. An excellent goal and an exceptional save looked like being enough to get weary Cambridge United home against ineffectual Exeter. Until two of their curses -- vulnerability at set-pieces and lack of concentration in the dying minutes -- combined to strip two points away from them.

Despite losing Worthington Cup hero Trevor Benjamin, victim of a harsh red card decision in the 70th minute, United were comfortably playing out time and easily holding the lead John Taylor gave them midway through the first half. But sluggishness when a corner was cleared, allowing Exeter's big men to remain in the penalty area, gave Jon Richardson the chance he took to grab his team's first away point of the season.

"We moved out quicker, catching Exeter off-side after other set-pieces," said United manager Roy McFarland. "But this time we were slow and paid for it.

"We looked leg-weary after the cup match against Sheffield Wednesday, and there was some mental tiredness as well. Unfortunately, we don't have the kind of squad to be able to bring in two or three fresh players with sufficient experience. Under the circumstances I thought we did well to get so close to winning."

It would hardly, however, have been the most-deserving victory of the season so far for his men.

It was not difficult to see why Exeter had travelled unsuccessfully until they reached the Abbey, but a stronger referee than rookie Lee Cable might well have granted one of their three penalty appeals.

It looked suspiciously like handball just inside the box by Marc Joseph after 15 minutes, and although Darren Row-botham's bounce off goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden just before the break was undoubtedly theatrical Richardson's second half fall, aided by Joseph, was more convincing.

Exeter boss Peter Fox said: "When Jon got into the box, I thought keep going and you're either going to get a shot on goal, or they are going to have to bring you down. He got clobbered, the referee looked at his linesman, but nothing happened. I couldn't believe it."

Cable, an edgey, first-year referee was was also criticised by McFarland for chopping the match into a scrappy low-key encounter suffered by just over 3,000 fans. Which meant, at best, around 300 of the extra 4,500 curious Cambridge "followers" attracted by the Worthington Cup tie returned for another look.

The best of what they witnessed was a classic centre-forward's goal by Taylor from Neil Mustoe's pin-point cross in the 27th minute.

AFTER Trevor Benjamin followed his match-winning efforts against Sheffield Wednesday with the first red card of his career, his Cambridge strike partner John Taylor, who has seen a few cup runs and careers launched in his time at the Abbey Stadium, had some advice for the Third Division's answer to Emile Heskey.

Taylor, the Worthington Cup heroes' goalscorer on Saturday with an awesome header which looked to have won the game, was one third of a legendary Cambridge attack in John Beck's early 90s team which steamed through to successive FA Cup quarter-finals and from the Fourth Division to the verge of the Premiership.

He has witnessed his old pals Dion Dublin and Steve Claridge hit some heady heights while his tour of the lower divisions has brought him full circle back to the Abbey Stadium where young forwards Martin Butler, with seven goals this season, and Benjamin, who scored in both Worthington Cup games with Wednesday to earn a third-round date at Nottingham Forest, are forging their reputations.

But Benjamin's elation at scoring against Premiership opposition was offset by Saturday's dismissal for a high tackle on Geoff Breslan, a harsh decision in keeping with a poorly-officiated game which encouraged Exeter to gain their first away point in six months with Jon Richardson's injury-time header. "I suppose there's a first time for everything," said Benjamin.

The Black & Amber bar code shirt was not washed, so I had to revert to the white Beaumont one. I had considered buying a new shirt, but the shop had sold out of big ones. I got to the Supporters Club soon after 2:00, and saw Keith in there for the first time for a long time, Justin, and a few of the Moosenet regulars.

I usually offer to swap my £1 of raffle tickets with Dave Brown, today he chose to keep his own, which was a mistake as I won £20. Better luck next time Dave!

The team stayed the same again, and was exactly as the programme. I presume we lost the toss, as we attacked the Abbey first half, never a good sign! Both sides started reasonably well, but made no real scoring chances. Even this early on we seemed a little slow, minds not recovered from Tuesday night. Exeter hustled when not in possession, and looked a reasonable team.

On 15 minutes Russell had a header past, almost immediately Van Heusden made a superb reflex save and a few minutes later Campbell had to make a good recovering tackle and concede a corner. We had a good move which resulted in a cross from Mustoe which was headed away for a corner, from which one of their players went down holding his face with no-one else around. I think he got a knock from one of his team-mates when jumping for the corner.

Mustoe and Russell were working well together, and on 26 minutes from a Mustoe cross from our left Shaggy got on the end to put a looping header over the 'keeper and into the opposite corner of the net. Their #2 was booked on 30 minutes for jumping at Mustoe.

Both side made half chances, Van Heusden saving easily, their defence happy to concede corners, and on one occasion their keeper got down to take a low cross by Chenery just before Butler could get to the ball. Just before half time Shaggy was blocked by two of their players as he jumped for a corner, but no penalty was given. The half time lead was just about deserved.

4 minutes into the second half Joseph was booked, he kicked the ball away just as the referee blew for a foul, unfortunately the ball hit their player laying on the ground. Soon after their #7 was booked for kicking the ball away, then later another player booked (I didn't see which one) for a tackle from behind on Butler. The free kick was saved by their 'keeper.

Campbell made another good covering tackle when Exeter threatened, then on 18 minutes Duncan was booked. 5 minutes later Benjamin and one of their players went for a 50-50 ball, Benjamin appearing to catch the other chaps foot. A booking perhaps, but the referee sent him off.

With us reduced to 10 men little happened until the last minute of normal time when they equalised, a cross from our right headed just inside the left hand post from around 6 yards in a packed penalty area, Van Heusden having no chance. In the last minute of play Shaggy headed over from a Campbell cross.

The referee had a good first half, but in the second half there were a lot of slightly odd decisions, sometimes blowing for nothing tackles, other times doing nothing for far worse tackles.

Having played 2 games a week for the last 4 weeks it's not surprising that the players seem a little jaded, especially as some have been big games, so I think having a full week without a game will help both physical and mental recovery. Usually after a cup win we manage to lose at home, so a point is probably OK. A substitution or two towards the end would have allowed a fresh pair of legs a run out, and also have wasted a little time.

Mustoe gets my MoM, continual running, closing down, and being constructive when in possession. Russell also looked good. Our defence dealt reasonably well with Flack (who usually scores against us), Chenery also able to get forward quite a lot and put in some decent crosses. Van Heusden came for crosses, only dropping one when fouled. Our forwards got little out of their defence, their #6 (Gittens) seemingly able to get to most crosses, and Benjamin not able to get a run at the defender.

Ratings: Van Heusden 7, Chenery 7, Mustoe 8, Duncan 7, Joseph 7, Campbell 7, Wanless 6, Taylor 7, Butler 6, Benjamin 6, Russell 7

Cambridge United conceded a last gasp equaliser against Exeter City to deny them of all three points in a hard fought, yet uninspiring match at the abbey.

It appears like the players, the fans were still nursing hang over's from the midweek aggregate victory over Sheffield Wednesday as they stayed away in their droves, and missed this dull and rather poor example of a third division football match.

United never really got going, but until 75th minute into the game it looked as though John Taylor's first half header would be enough to give them all the points against a poor and un-ambitious Exeter side. He rose majestically and directed a well timed header into the net to become the joint second most prolific United goalscorer of all time.

Without an away victory since last November, and failing to score a point on their travels this season, Exeter were handed a second half lifeline by referee Lee Cable as he reduced United to ten men when he sent of Trevor Benjamin for a tackle which warranted no more than a yellow card. Exeter then began to push men forward, attempting to capitalise on having an extra man. The United defence never really looked troubled though, and the gaps Exeter were leaving at the back made United look like the most likely scores.

Neil Mustoe and Alex Russell were as busy as ever, with Mustoe having another excellent match. Wanless however looked tired and struggled to infect the midfield with his usually dominant presence. This was matched up front as John Taylor and Martin Butler who both had average games, looking like their midweek exploits had drained them physically and mentally of all their creative energy.

Arjan Van Hughson gave another promising performance saving well from Flack twice in the first half. He stood little chance with the Exeter equaliser and picking the ball out of the back of the net was perhaps his main task of the day.

At the back once again Andy Duncan and Marc Joseph gave dominating performances, with Ben Chenery and Jamie Campbell continuing to build on their recent good run of form. The organisation of the defensive unit for the corner leading to the Exeter goal was suspect however, as he rose unchallenged to flash the ball into the top left hand corer of the net.

Overall their were no really bad displays, it just looked like the team, as an entire unit, lacked the creative energy that is necessary to break down and unlock strong and powerful division three defences. In the end was our downfall as Exeter's last minute goal should have been noting more than a consolation.

I would have bet my life that when it came, Exeter's goal was going to come from a set piece. They had the power and height that has proved earlier in the season to be the United defences down fall, and the flashing header from Richardson ensured that United were held to their first league draw of the season.

The stoppage time specialists, who had twice in recent years scored last gasp goals against United, barely deserved a share of the spoils on a day when they came to spoil rather than to add to the entertainment.

Based on this game, Exeter City are going to be a team who will be satisfied with consolidating their league statues by grinding out the odd result. Cambridge United on the other hand are a team who must learn how to deal with such teams in a more professional manner. It is clear that we posses more skill and talent than your average run of the mill Division Three side. What is also clear is that the team is yet to develop the ability and understanding as a unit to produce the penetrative and energetic style of play necessary to make this extra ability count.

We can't afford to drop points at home to teams like Exeter, whatever the circumstances, as by the time Trevor was shown the red card they should have been dead and buried. The inability to beat lowly teams, which was our downfall last term, will once again mean we will struggle to keep in touch with the automatic promotion contenders.

It was back to earth today for Cambridge United after the euphoria of Tuesday night and the aggregate win over Sheffield Wednesday. Roy McFarland had the luxury of naming an unchanged side as player-coach John Taylor continued in attack. United had to maintain their recent standards against Exeter City, who had not won away since last October and had lost all their games on their travels so far this season.

United looked jaded after their mid-week efforts while Exeter had by far the better of the game, and the Grecians could well have felt aggrieved at two early decisions which seemed to go against them. After 17 minutes the ball hit Marc Joseph in the area but referee Mr Cable ignored claims for a penalty after what appeared to have been a clear handball by the young defender. Immediately afterwards a long throw was flicked on for Rowbotham but his stooping header produced a great save from Arjan Van Heusden. Then after 23 minutes there was a heated confrontation after Baddeley went down clutching his face with Trevor Benjamin nearby.

But in the 27th minute United scored against the run of play after a rare attacking foray. A Ben Chenery cross went behind for a corner which appeared to have been wasted, but from the resulting throw Neil Mustoe collected the ball, crossed into the box for the unmarked John Taylor to head home from 15 yards. It was Shaggy's 61st League goal for United and moves him level with Tom Finney on 61 goals. Only Alan Biley with 74 has scored more League goals for the Club.

There were few incidents between the goal and half-time, although Trevor Benjamin had to go off the pitch for about five minutes after a clash of heads. Then Exeter were on the end of another controversial refereeing decision in the 46th minute, when Rowbotham got on the end of a Flack flick-on, collided with Van Heusden and went down in the area claiming a penalty. It was a decision that could have gone either way and Mr Cable waved their claims away, but most of the Exeter team wanted to talk to him on the walk back to the dressing-rooms. (Half-time 0-0)

During the interval Club Secretary Steve Greenall was on the pitch to thank the fans and say farewell before he leaves for Norwich City. He also referred to a recent discussion on Moosenet about why Trevor Benjamin does not react to the chants of "Bruno". He revealed that he has asked the big striker what he prefers and the answer is "Trev", "Trevor" ... anything but "Bruno"!

The second half failed to live up to even the limited excitement of the first, with the major talking point being the way that Mr Cable slowly lost control of the game. There were niggling challenges, flying elbows, players throwing themselves to the ground, and the referee seemed reluctant to punish the obvious offences while concentrating on the innocuous. The card count rose steadily as first Marc Joseph was booked for kicking the ball at Rowbotham (50mins), then Rowbotham was booked for kicking the ball away (53mins), Baddeley was booked for a foul on 60 and Andy Duncan was punished for apparently winning a header four minutes later.

But the decisions went from being mildly irritating to potentially costly as current goal hero Trevor Benjamin was sent off after 70 minutes. He arrived late for a tackle with Geoff Breslan, committing an offence that was bookable at worst, and Mr Cable demonstrated that he had completely lost control of the game by immediately flourishing a red card.