Cambridge United extended their unbeaten run to five games to stay at the perch of the Sky Bet League Two table, with a 1-1 draw against Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League Two.
Paul’s Lewis and Mullin both scored against their former sides, with the U’s responding in the second half to pick up a valuable point on the road.
Mark Bonner named one change to his side as Wes Hoolahan was rested on the bench and Luke Hannant stepped in to the starting eleven.
The U’s found themselves behind after 10 minutes, with Danny Lloyd feeding a ball into the area for former United man Paul Lewis to swipe in from ten yards with his left boot.
Bonner’s men settled themselves again well and their first opportunity to test Joe Murphy fell on 25 minutes, when possession dropped for Liam O’Neil to take a shot on the half volley in the centre of the area but the Tranmere keeper parried it wide.
The hosts remained a real handful however and the U’s had to dig deep to stay in touching distance. Liam Feeney’s superb free kick from 20 yards struck the cross bar with Callum Burton at full stretch on 27 minutes, as Rovers threatened a second.
Danny Lloyd spurned a golden opportunity eight minutes later, when bringing down a ball forward in behind the U’s back four before dragging his shot across the face of goal. United would have been pleased to go down the tunnel at the break just the one goal behind, with Liam Feeney’s dangerous cross on the end of a quick counter missing its intended target by a whisker in the final play of the first half.
Knowing improvement was required, the U’s returned with better intent and soon levelled, albeit with a large serving of controversy.
Luke Hannant tumbled to the ground under contact shortly before the mark which led to referee Chris Sarginson pointing to the penalty spot. A combination of the hosts protesting the decision and a strong wind repeatedly blowing the ball off the spot meant Paul Mullin was forced to wait a considerable time to step up. His initial spot kick was saved by Murphy but the striker followed in on the rebound to level the game at his old stomping ground with his 30th goal of the campaign.
The game therefore sat in the balance with half an hour left on the clock. Callum Burton kept his cool as the anticipation grew, calmly palming down a well struck effort from Otis Khan on 73 minutes.
Mark Bonner made his intentions clear to chase the win when Wes Hoolahan was introduced with 15 minutes left on the clock. As it turned out though the sides shared the spoils.
Tranmere Rovers: Murphy, O’Connor, Monthe, Spearing (Morris, 20 mins), Woolery (Nugent, 70 mins), Khan, MacDonald, Fenney, Lewis, Clarke, Lloyd (Blackett-Taylor, 80 mins)
Bookings: Clarke, Lewis
Cambridge United: Burton, Knoyle, Okedina, Taylor, Iredale, Hannant (Hoolahan, 75 mins), Digby, Boateng, O’Neil, Mullin (Dunk, 90 mins), Ironside
Bookings: