The reserves entertained local rivals Peterborough United in tonight's Avon Combination Cup tie at the Abbey Stadium (7pm).

The line-up included Paris Saint Germain goalkeeper Hamidou Tangara and Norwegian defender Sindre Eid of Hodd, who both made their second appearances after playing in the 0-0 draw with Colchester reserves last week. The diminutive winger John Keeling of Purfleet returned after impressing against Bournemouth reserves last month and French left winger Denis Abed (Wasquehal) made his fourth appearance.

32-year-old former Coventry and Stoke right-back Ally Pickering was a new face, as was man-mountain Berthe Mohammed, the former Bournemouth midfielder..

Peterborough included several players with first team experience including former Norwich striker Drewe Broughton and goalkeeper Bart Griemink

United got off to the worst possible start by conceding two goals in the first ten minutes. The first one was down to Ben Chenery who was having a nightmare out of position at left back but the second looked clearly off-side. Then to cap it, the injury-prone Tom Youngs came off with a hamstring problem after about 20 minutes. He was replaced by England Under 18 international Adam Tann who slotted in at right back, Pickering moved across and Larry McAvoy was pushed forward into midfield.

After the break United levelled, partly thanks to a much improved Ben Chenery who forced the error for an own goal by Haley and crossed for the second which was an own goal by Griemink who caught the ball but then fumbled it into the net. The U's had chances to go on and win the game but a penalty conceded by Pickering, who looked slightly off the pace, and a late goal ensured that Posh won the game 4-2.

However there were encouraging performances from Larry McAvoy who, despite being pushed up into midfield, looked cool and calm, sprayed the ball around, put his foot in and generally did well. Berthe Mohammed looked off the pace in the early stages but grew into the game, joined with the attack and looked good on the ball. Denis Abed showed an alarming liking for falling over and shouting a lot, and Adam Tann looked cool and not out of his depth when he replaced Youngs midway through the first half. Little winger John Keeling again caught the eye with his pace.

Youth team scholar Dale Cockrill was not on the bench but was called into action anyway, to replace one of the linesmen who picked up an injury.

Cambridge United: Tangara, Pickering, Chenery, Mohammed, McAvoy, Eid (Nacca), Keeling, Youngs (Tann), Lamey, Gibson, Abed (Chillingworth).
Subs not used: Mercer, Howe.

Peterborough United: Griemink, Haley, Jelleyman, Scott, Sadler, Kenna, French, Koogi, Green, Broughton, Martin.
Subs: Hann, Connor, Danielsson, Inman, Carr

Thanks to Will Jones and Mark Johnson for their comments.