The U's recent revival was stalled by this defeat by the odd goal in seven, despite scoring three goals against Wrexham.

Roy McFarland made just one change to the side which won 3-0 at Scunthorpe last weekend, with experienced on-loan left-back Tom Cowan returning from injury at the expense of centre-half Marc Joseph. It could be Cowan's last game for United as his loan spell is due to expire after this match, unless he agrees to stay until the end of the season or makes the move permanent.

The match kicked off in sunny but slightly breezy conditions with United attacking the away end, but Wrexham had the best of the opening exchanges. After just 25 seconds John Taylor was dispossessed by Brian Carey who found Karl Connelly, he knocked the ball down into the path of Kevin Russell whose shot flashed across the face of the goal. After that warning it was no great surprise when a purposeful-looking Wrexham side took the lead after nine minutes. Robin Gibson dispossessed John Hansen and his long ball put Connelly in for a shot from about eight yards which was brilliantly saved by Shaun Marshall, but Danny Williams was on hand to lash home the rebound off Martin McNeil from a similar distance.

Cambridge countered and a minute later Taylor floated a header wide from a corner, but a golden opportunity to equalise was wasted in the 14th minute when Trevor Benjamin was adjudged to have been held down by Carey as he tried to meet Cowan's long throw. Paul Wanless stepped up to take the penalty but fired the shot straight down the middle and Kevin Dearden saved with his feet, and Taylor was baulked by the referee as he tried to reach the rebound.

United managed a decent amount of possession but were unable to make it count, while in the 25th minute Connelly headed Darren Ferguson's far post corner just wide of the post. However in the 29th minute Wanless galloped into the area but fell over under a challenge, and amidst appeals for another penalty the ball came out to Cowan whose cross was met with a stumbling diving header by Tom Youngs, beating Dearden to level the score.

Wrexham produced a 32nd minute scare when Connelly crossed to Gareth Owen and from six yards his header hit the underside of the bar and bounced clear, but United finished the half the stronger. In the 40th minute Hansen won the ball with a great challenge on Carey and fed the ball to Cowan, and from the Burnley man's cross Benjamin fired a sharp shot on the turn just wide. Moments later in another attack, Benjamin rolled the ball into the path of Ian Ashbee and the midfielder's ground shot from just inside the area was parried by Dearden and hacked away by a defender.

United finished the half pretty well and Wrexham will have been glad to hear the half-time whistle, although both managers will have called for an improvement from their players during the break. (Half-time 1-1)

United started the second half where they left off and after just 29 seconds a neat build-up saw Benjamin finding Taylor who floated a cross onto the head of Wanless eight yards out but his header flew over the bar. Five minutes later Benjamin met Marshall's long clearance to knock the ball down to Youngs who rolled it into the path of Hansen, but although the Dane was up-ended in the area referee Steve Bennett waved play on - perhaps making up for his harsh first half decision. A minute later Ashbee got into the area before his clever flick seemed to hit the hand of a defender but the referee once again waved play on, and shortly afterwards Ashbee saw his 20 yard shot deflected wide.

The U's finally took the lead in the 53rd minute during a melee in the area. Taylor's cross was headed up and against the underside of his own bar by Carey, and Tom Youngs followed in strongly to bundle the ball over the line off his chest. At that stage it looked as though there was only going to be one winner, but Wrexham broke away to score against the run of play in the 56th minute when Gibson raced clear. He found Russell who made a great turn on the penalty spot before firing the equaliser in off the far post.

United managed to take the lead, lose it, and fall behind within six minutes once Darren Ferguson curled a 20 yard free kick over the wall and into the top corner and but for Shaun Marshall it could have been much worse with the defence all at sea and Wrexham continuing to create chances. Gibson's 61st minute drive was well-saved low down by Marshall who must have seen the ball late, and two minutes later Russell got clear and the young 'keeper was out to save well at his feet.

The game went through a very flat period in an almost silent Abbey Stadium with Wrexham now looking like the only side who were going to win, but after defending a couple of corners and another smart save from Marshall United briefly looked as though they were getting back into the game and broke away to force a corner of their own. The tiring Tom Cowan had made way for Marc Joseph with 25 minutes left and Roy McFarland made another change in the 77th minute in an effort to shake things up. Just after Gibson had fired a 25-yarder into the side-netting, Neil Mackenzie was sent into the fray in place of Hansen, but Wrexham took gleeful advantage of a non-existent defence with ten minutes left to take a two goal lead. Owen's deep cross was retrieved by Gibson and played back into the area for Russell to side-foot the ball home with the defence nowhere to be seen.

The fresh legs of Zema Abbey were immediately sent on for Taylor, but two minutes later Benjamin collected a yellow card and a stern talking-to for fouling an opponent when jumping for the ball. It was possibly his tenth caution of the season (to be confirmed) and if so it will trigger a second suspension for the young striker who is revelling in the role of spear-heading United's attack following the departure of Martin Butler.

It was Trevor Benjamin who set up a real grandstand finish with a goal in the 90th minute. He rolled the ball out to substitute Mackenzie on the left, Mackenzie lofted the ball into the area and Benjamin dived in low to beat the onrushing Dearden to the ball and directing it under him. With the Abbey roaring them on, the men in amber and black mounted a desperate charge in the search for their fourth and all-important goal and there was still time for Ian Ashbee to have a rasping drive well-parried by Dearden, but the seconds ran out and only results elsewhere prevent United slipping back into the relegation zone.

Oxford, Chesterfield and Scunthorpe all lost while Blackpool, the other club below us in the table, drew at Millwall. This win takes Wrexham several places higher in the table and pretty much guarantees their safety but Reading and Bury both lost and are not yet in the comfort zone.

Reporter Mark Johnson's 'man of the match' was Tom Youngs: "He continued to mine a rich vein of goals and gave us hope."

After the match Mark interviewed Tom Cowan for the Clubcall Abbey Update and he said that Roy McFarland is trying to extend his loan spell, but he has already been 'knocked back' twice by Burnley. Cowan believes McFarland will try again on Monday and said that he is enjoying his time at the Abbey, and confirmed that his contract expires in the summer. You can hear the full interview and match reaction on 09068 555885.

Meanwhile on the radio Roy McFarland revealed that the players will be in for training tomorrow. Although he said it should not be regarded as punishment, the last time he did this was after the dreadful defeat at Blackpool in November. He will also make a statement on Monday about events at last Monday's Sporting Dinner, when the behaviour of a few players led to them being severely disciplined. McFarland said said that events at the dinner had upset the dressing room which had affected today's performance.

Saturday 18th March 2000

        Brentford   0-2   AFC Bournemouth        4,578
   Bristol Rovers   3-1   Chesterfield           8,765
          Burnley   3-0   Reading               14,436
 Cambridge United   3-4   Wrexham                4,591
       Gillingham   3-1   Scunthorpe United      6,822
         Millwall   1-1   Blackpool             10,506
  Oldham Athletic   1-1   Bristol City           4,808
    Oxford United   2-3   Notts County           4,544
Preston North End   1-0   Luton Town            13,731
       Stoke City   1-1   Wycombe Wanderers      9,738
   Wigan Athletic   1-0   Bury                   6,567
   
   
Bottom of Division Two

17  Reading               36 10 12 14  45  56  -11  42
18  Bury                  34  9 14 11  45  45    0  41
19  Scunthorpe United     36  8 11 17  34  57  -23  35
20  Cambridge United      36  8 10 18  48  54   -6  34
------------------------------------------------------
21  Oxford United         37  9  7 21  34  62  -28  34
22  Cardiff City          36  6 15 15  37  51  -14  33
23  Blackpool             37  7 12 18  40  63  -23  33
24  Chesterfield          35  5 11 19  23  46  -23  26

Wrexham eased their own relegation worries and heightened Cambridge's by coming out 4-3 winners in an entertaining contest at the Abbey Stadium.

Wrexham scored first in the game, Danny Williams ramming in a ninth minute rebound, but despite defending poorly Cambridge fought back well. Skipper Paul Wanless hit a 14th minute penalty strike at goalkeeper Kevin Dearden, but in the 29th minute Tom Youngs dived in to head the equaliser.

Cambridge looked well set when Youngs got his fifth goal in three games to put his team in front. The U's revival ran into trouble when they were hit by two goals in three minutes by Wrexham early in the second half.

Kevin Russell equalising in the 56th minute and Darren Ferguson floated a free-kick over the defensive wall to make it 3-2 three minutes later. Russell struck again 10 minutes from time to put Wrexham in control but there was a dramatic ending to come.

Trevor Benjamin pulled a goal back for Cambridge in the 90th minute and in injury time took a great save from Kevin Dearden, beating away an Ian Ashbee blaster to preserve Wrexham's precarious lead.

(c) Copyright Press Association Ltd 2000

Cambridge's recent revival hit the rocks as Wrexham eased their relegation worries.

Wrexham almost took the lead after just 25 seconds when Russell flashed a shot across the face of goal. But they only had to wait another eight-and-a-half minutes for the lead. Gibson's through ball set Connolly free and his eight-yard drive was brilliantly saved by Marshall, but Williams thrashed home the rebound off a defender.

The ineffective Cambridge attack were thrown an unexpected opportunity to equalise on 14 minutes. Cowan's long throw towards Benjamin saw Carey harshly adjudged to have held down the Cambridge man. The U's skipper Wanless 'sportingly' hit a tame penalty straight at the keeper.

Cambridge were finally level on 29 minutes when Wanless fell in the area, and whilst everyone was appealing for a penalty, Cowan's cross was met by a stumbling far-post header from Tom Youngs. Cambridge were let off on 32 minutes when a Gareth Owen header hit the underside of the bar from six yards but that was a rare Wrexham attack.

Cambridge picked up from where they left off after the break. They had a strong penalty appeal turned down on 50 minutes when Hansen was tripped in the area, but maybe referee was making up for his harsh first-half decision.

Cambridge hit the front on 53 minutes when a melee in the area followed a corner. Taylor's cross was headed under his own bar by Carey, and Youngs followed in strongly to bundle the ball over the line off his chest.

At that point Cambridge looked comfortable winners, but just six minutes later Wrexham were back in front. Gibson's 56 minute break ended with a good pass to Russell. His suberb turn on the penalty spot made room for a shot which went in off a post. And on 59 minutes Ferguson's beautifully flighted free-kick curled over the wall into the top corner from 25 yards.

The goal gave Wrexham the confidence to seize complete control. Had it not been for a fine performance from Marshall the visitors would have won at a canter. As it was they had to wait until the 80th minute to seal the points. Owen's deep cross was retrieved by Gibson, who set up Russell to side-foot home when unattended 6 yards out.

Trevor Benjamin set up an exciting finale when he beat the advancing Wrexham keeper to MacKenzie's through ball in the 90th minute. And Cambridge nearly snatched an unexpected equaliser when Ian Ashbee's 25-yard injury time rasping drive was brilliantly saved by Dearden.

"The big improvement lately has been in defence," said the Cambridge United manager after a couple of clean sheets helped his side escape from the relegation zone.

But the regression was alarming as Wrexham, with two strikers out injured and veteran midfielder Kevin "Rooster" Russell promoted to attack, enjoyed an open day at the Abbey.

McFarland admitted: "I never felt comfortable from the first minute when they got through and should have scored. Their front two were too mobile for us."

Tom Youngs provided some hope United might be able to paper over the gaping cracks by taking his goals tally to five in three games and giving his team an unlikely lead early in the second half. That was wiped out though by a rapid and lethal response, two goals in three minutes (56th and 59th) as the Welsh side, with Russell, Karl Connolly, and Robin Gibson too quick and clever, took control and looked winners with half an hour still to go.

But for goalkeeper Shaun Marshall, who pulled off three excellent saves before Wrexham made it 4-2 in the 80th minute, the scoreline might have fully reflected the sloppy and lazy defending. Marshall's exploits kept United close enough to set up a thrilling finale in which they almost snatched a thoroughly undeserved point.

Trevor Benjamin pulled a goal back in the 90th minute, and it took a brilliant block by Kevin Dearden to prevent Ian Ashbee equalising with an injury-time blaster. United have to hope that late burst aids their confidence in tomorrow night's clash at Luton, but dare not let it fool them into thinking they do not need a massive improvement to get back on track.

McFarland, who had his team in for training yesterday, knows he has to instil extra discipline, committment and concentration into some of them quickly on and off the field. It will have shocked many supporters that players were allegedly drunk at a Sportsmen's dinner at this stage of a knife-edge relegation battle. And if there are many more slipshod displays such as this one, which attracted a good home following of 4,300, the fans' reaction is likely to be unforgiving.

The manager could be criticised to some extent for Saturday's setback, changing a defence unbeaten in two games. Although bringing back experienced specialist left-back Tom Cowan for fill in centre-half Marc Joseph looked sound enough thinking -- until the match started. The simple ploy of lobbing a ball over the top between Cowan and the centre-halves caused chaos and confusion in the United defence, almost putting Wrexham in front after 25 seconds when Russell fired inches wide, and producing an embarrassingly easy opening goal in the ninth minute.

Cowan, sound and accomplished before missing matches through injury, only looked like his old self when going forward, and was probably lucky to be kept on the pitch for as long as 64 minutes. Unfortunately for United Joseph, who had done so well in that position against Bristol City and Scunthorpe, was day dreaming when Wrexham sliced through for the vital fourth goal.

Bad luck played no real part in a defeat which prevented United taking advantage of the misfortunes of their major rivals Oxford and Scunthorpe. But they should have had a 50th minute penalty when John Hansen was tripped by Phil Hardy.

Mind you, that saved them from the problem of finding somebody to take it. John Taylor failed from the spot against Millwall, and in the 14th minute of this match - after Brian Carey was harshly penalised for fouling Benjamin - skipper Paul Wanless hit an excuse for a spot kick straight at the keeper. Anyone who believed in omens, just knew from that point it was going to be "one of those Abbey afternoons."

Report © Cambridge Newspapers Ltd

He said, "Points are precious, as are places, at the moment. If you were neutral it was probably a great game. But it was a good win and if you score four goals away from home you expect to win."

But the Robins didn’t have it all their own way. They almost made a sensational start by scoring after only 25 seconds but Kevin Russell rifled a shot just wide. They did score after nine minutes but the ebb and flow of a crucial game then swung the other way.

Welsh under-21 international Danny Williams scored his first league goal of the season but Cambridge fought back and early in the second half they led 2-1. That was after Wrexham 'keeper Kevin Dearden, once on loan to Cambridge, had brilliantly kept out a controversial penalty by Paul Wanless. Ball-watching then cost Wrexham an equaliser by Tom Youngs but only the woodwork then denied them regaining the lead.

Gareth Owen's jinking run and cross gave Karl Connelly the chance but his header came back out off the underside of the crossbar. Dearden rescued Wrexham with another fine save from Ian Ashbee just before the break, but Youngs made it 2-1 after the restart.

The see-saw then tipped again and Wrexham stormed back with two goals in three minutes. Little Robin Gibson set up the first for Russell, who turned well to fire in a shot that went in off a post. Gibson was also involved in the move that led to Wrexham taking a 3-2 lead. He was brought down and Darren Ferguson's free-kick left 'keeper Shaun Marshall groping at thin air.

Marshall made stunning saves from Gibson and Russell before Wrexham made it 4-2. Owen and Gibson combined to set up Russell who finished it off with his second goal. But Trevor Benjamin breathed more life into the game by making it 4-3 in the last minute. And in stoppage time Dearden made a breathtaking save from Ashbee.

Report © Western Mail & Echo Ltd

Yet another "must win" game following on from our victory at Scunthorpe last week, and a few more people through the turnstile than would have been expected.

Starting line-up:
Benjamin, Taylor,
Hansen, Wanless, Ashbee, Youngs,
Cowans, Eustace, McNeil, Chenery,
Marshall.

We could have been a goal down in the first few seconds as Wrexham started brightly and had a shot from a good angle go just past the far post as 2 forwards found space on our left. A few minutes later it was repeated, Marshall saved the first shot but had no chance with the follow up which gave Wrexham the lead. One-nil to the Sheepshaggers, sang the Wrexham fans!

We finally started playing, and almost replied from a corner to the far post which was headed back for Taylor, but he headed the wrong side of the far post. On 13 minutes a long throw to Benjamin in the Wrexham penalty area resulted in a foul giving us a penalty. The referee indicated it was for holding, something that we don't often get penalties for. Wanless took the kick with reasonable power, unfortunately the 'keeper went the right way and saved fairly easily.

We managed a spell of pressure, which finally paid off on 29 minutes as Youngs nipped in to score the equaliser. Taylor then put a shot high over their bar, followed by another incisive move from Wrexham resulting in them hitting the bar from a few yards out with again an unmarked player. Youngs sidefooted a low cross wide of the near post, a good run by Benjamin set up Ashbee for a shot which was saved, then just before the half time whistle we managed more pressure which resulted in 3 shots being blocked by defenders.

We started the second half much better, a cross was headed over by Wanless within 30 seconds, then a Hansen cross was headed on by Benjamin but just out of reach of Youngs. Wrexham defenders tried to shepherd the ball back to their 'keeper, but it allowed Hansen to intercept, as he took the ball he was tripped by a defender but no penalty was given. This was as clear a penalty as you could get!

Ashbee had a shot deflected and saved, then another long shot just got a touch from a defender to put it the wrong side of the post for a corner, from which the ball eventually came into the goal area to be punched into the air by the 'keeper, and there to head the ball in from a couple of yards was Youngs to give us the lead. Soon after we had a quick break as Hansen fed Taylor, but his lob hit the bar and he was offside too.

Our lead didn't last long, a low cross from our left went to their player unmarked around the 6 yard line to turn the ball into the net to make it 2-2 after 10 minutes. 3 minutes later Wrexham took the lead, a free kick a few yards outside our penalty area was curled over the wall and into the unguarded side of the net about 3 yards from the post. Marshall seemed to get across quick enough, but flapped and missed the ball completely.

Taylor managed a weak shot which was easily saved, then at the other end Marshall saved well with his feet as again they found an extra player in space. After 18 minutes Joseph came on for Cowans, and made an impact by stopping the flow of crosses from our left. However after 34 minutes he left a long cross from the right he thought was going out, unfortunately there was a player behind who hooked the ball into the middle where again an unmarked player had an easy job to score to make the score 2-4.

Hansen was replaced by Mackenzie on 30 minutes, and Abbey on for Taylor after 35 minutes. We pulled a goal back on 45 minutes, a low cross was headed in by Benjamin who got to the ball just before the 'keeper, and despite pushing forward in the 3 minutes of stoppage time the best we managed was a shot from Ashbee that was well saved.

Other results went our way, but we cannot rely on them for the rest of the season. We had some periods of good football, but too often gave the ball away unnecessarily, especially at the back. There were times when one of our players had 3 or 4 Wrexham players around him with no-one to pass to, so the rest of the team should not escape blame for not helping their colleagues Marshall made a couple of good saves, but should have done better with the free kick. In the first half his kicking was too strong, the wind taking the ball straight through for a goal kick. Chenery did OK, but the rest of the defence were very poor, often caught out by the ball over the top, not following the runners, not marking close enough and generally being caught out of position.

Midfield were OK, Hansen put in some good crosses, and got back with some tackles when required. Youngs scored 2 goals and he too got back to help the defence. Wanless tried hard, and should have scored from the penalty spot. Ashbee had a good game, finally having a few shots which were very close to being goals. Possibly the midfield as a unit should have helped the defenders a bit more.

Benjamin was a handful as usual, but Taylor didn't really do enough. I suppose he didn't want to take the penalty after his miss against Millwall. I would have thought Youngs would be the next in line as penalty taker. Mackenzie looked quite good when he came on and put in some good crosses, Abbey barely touched the ball.

After two 3-0 wins, this was an awful display by the defence, back to the inconsistency of earlier in the season. This defeat really puts the pressure on to get at least a point if not all 3 against Luton next Tuesday, which will be hard. However surely the defence can't play as badly 2 games on the trot?

Terry Wilby
Proud supporter of Cambridge United Football Club.

There was a good turn out in the North Terrace and everybody was dissapointed to see the ball bobble into the U's net early on, but Cambridge fought back well and won a penalty. What for? I will never know, unfortunately Martin has gone to Reading and the Wrexham keeper made a good save off Paul Wanless's kick.

Cambridge didn't give up though and Tommy Youngs was there to put the ball in the back of the net (again!) The U's played well without reward for the rest of the half, frequently putting the ball out wide.

United came out of the dressing room refreshed and started the second half brightly, winning the ball well in midfield. They got their just rewards when Tommy Youngs scored yet another, with a header from a Ben Chenery cross. Sloppy defending caused the U's to let Wrexham back in the match and a free kick which Marshall really should have dealt with put the Welsh team ahead.

Things then went from bad to worse and a good strike into the back of the U's net sealed it. Trevor got the fans going late on with a diving header but it was never to be and the final whistle went after a scuffed Shaun Marshall kick. Overall I think there was a lot of positive things to take out of the match and I definitely think THE U'S ARE STAYING UP!

Man of the Match: Trevor Benjamin

John Allen