U's draw with Daggers
Cambridge United and Dagenham and Redbridge shared the points on a chilly Tuesday night at the R Costings Abbey Stadium.
The U's deserved their first-half lead, given to them by Cameron McGeehan when he converted Ryan
Donaldson's right wing corner. But the visitors improved after the break, and Ashley Hemmings got the faintest of touches to a delightful free kick from Andre Boucaud to level matters.
An injury to Harrison Dunk, who went off holding his ankle, really disrupted United's flow, but they go on to Luton on Saturday having extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches.
Tottenham loanee Dominic Ball was handed a U's debut as Richard Money made two changes. Ball replaced the injured Liam Hughes, while Dunk made his first start since a hernia operation, with Sullay Kaikai dropping to the bench.
United could have gone a goal up in the opening minutes in comical fashion, as Tom Elliott charged down an attempted clearance from Daggers keeper Mark Cousins, but saw the ball spin just the wrong side of the post.
It was the U's who made most of the running in the first half, and got their rewards in the 24th minute. Donaldson's corner was flicked on at the near post by Michael Nelson and McGeehan timed his run perfectly to net his third goal in three games.
Dunk was replaced by Ryan Bird shortly after the goal, with United switching to a 4-4-2 shape, and after the restart it was the visitors who took the initiative. A good challenge from Tom Champion blocked a goal-bound shot from Rhys Murphy, but the away fans were celebrating in the 61st minute, with Boucaud delivering a fantastic ball with pace and curl into the box, and Hemmings header finding the far corner.
Sullay Kaikai and Luke Chadwick added impetus after coming on, but despite having the majority of possession in the closing stages, they were unable to find a winner, Bird's effort smothered by Cousins being the closest they came.
May I Claim Man of the Match: Tom Champion
Cambridge United: Dunn, Tait, Taylor, Coulson, Nelson, Champion, Ball, Donaldson (Chadwick 53), Dunk (Bird 35), McGeehan, Elliott. Subs not used: Norris, Miller, Hunt, Simpson.
Dagenham and Redbridge: Cousins, Batt, Widdowson, Doe, Obileye, Hemmings, Howell (Ogogo 78), Bingham, Boucaud (Labadie 86), Cureton (Jakubiak 81), Murphy. Subs not used: O'Brien, Saah, Chambers, Jones.
Referee: Gary Sutton
Attendance:4,068 (away 128)