Burton Albion 2-2 Cambridge United
Sky Bet League One
Saturday 5th September 2026
Cambridge United were made to settle for a point late in the afternoon at the Pirelli Stadium as Burton Albion rescued a 2-2 draw…
Although Finn Delap capitalised on an encouraging start for the hosts with the opener 20 minutes in, the U’s settled and equalised just before the break through Gassan Ahadme, who looked to have sealed maximum points when he poked home for his brace midway through the second half, only for Curtis Tilt to nestle in on the eve of injury time to cruelly deny the visitors.
Eager to ramp up the momentum following a late victory at Bradford City four days earlier, Neil Harris opted with just two changes to his starting XI as Ben Knight and Isaac Heath were reintroduced, whereas deadline day signing Sam Curtis made the bench alongside goalkeeper Gabriel Breeze for the first time.
Causing the division to take note following strong starts which had seen both sides pick up a respectable seven points, it came as no surprise to see a lively introduction when – within the opening two minutes – Caylan Vickers darted down the left and picked out Raphael inside the six-yard box. The debutant went for the near corner but shanked it wide of the post – a let-off for the visitors.
Afforded the space to drive into the final third, Charlie Webster soon tested his luck with a low drive from distance on the 6th minute, but it was well wide of the mark. It had been a tidy opening spell for the Brewers, but the U’s had refused to let it faze them, remaining workmanlike and pressing frequently.
Nonetheless, Gary Bowyer’s men found the opener just shy of 20 when Raphael cut past his man and rattled the post, which fell generously to an unmarked Delap from 12 yards, who rolled into an empty net.
For the first time this season in the league, United had conceded the first goal, so needed to show a different type of response this time. On the half hour mark, a neat spell out on the right wing saw Owen Moxon progress to Knight, who jinked into the corner of the area and floated towards the mixer but a crucial clearance from Kegs Chauke prevented the chance.
Seconds later, Ahadme capitalised on a misplaced pass and looked to scamper forwards, but the run was denied by Sulyman Krubally’s professional foul. Knight stepped up from an inviting 20 yards and generated curl on the free-kick but blasted it at the stanchion.
Although frustrations were showing, Cambridge had begun to muster up more of the ball where they wanted it with promise, albeit Burton had got back in their numbers to nullify United’s attacking threat.
However, that all changed in the dying embers of the first half when Ahadme opened his account for the season when a delightful inswinging cross from Moxon was bravely latched at by the forward, who guided a stooping header past Corey Addai to level matters going into the break.
Coming out of the blocks firing, sustained pressure from United forced a corner, where Moxon found Cathal Heffernan at the back post – but the centre-back couldn’t quite get the shot away as it bounced wide.
With Ahadme scrapping for every ball, the visitors were looking to get in behind and muscle their way through, but the Head Coach was eager for more physicality at the top end of the pitch as he introduced Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Sullay Kaikai to the proceedings on the hour.
Almost making an immediate impact, Kaikai was released down the right and beat his marker for pace before going for a speculative chip which was a fraction too high as it nestled onto the roof of the net.
The U’s needed no time to rue the golden chance when they secured the turnaround moments later thanks to excellent persistence from Zak Bradshaw down the left, who nicked the ball off Kyran Lofthouse and played the ball on a plate for Ahadme who slotted in for his double to haunt his former side.
Needing to dig in defensively now, Bradshaw showcased heroics at the other end when Webster played into the danger zone and Kain Adom had a pop from close range, but the defender critically blocked on the line.
More substitutions were called upon as Cambridge continued to clear their lines effectively as the energy of Ra’ees Bangura-Williams and selflessness of Louis Appere were drafted in for the final 20 minutes.
With pressure invited, the Brewers fought themselves back into the encounter on the 89th minute when Webster’s inswinging free-kick was flicked towards Tilt who bundled into the net much to the disbelief of United’s players and staff who were convinced it had hit his hand.
In a fiery conclusion, the last touches of the match almost resulted in a last-gasp winner for United as Heffernan headed Kaikai’s corner on target, but Chauke was stood on the line to header away and ensure a point apiece.
Up next, it’s a return to home comforts next Saturday (12th September) when the U’s welcome Reading to the Cledara Abbey – be sure to back the boys.
Burton Albion: Addai, Sibbick, Delap (Lewis, 73’), Tilt, Lofthouse, Krubally (Collar, 60’), Chauke, Armer, Vickers (Scutt, 73’), Webster, Raphael (Adom, 60’)
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Sraha, O’Mahony
Goalscorers: Delap (19’), Tilt (88’)
Bookings: Krubally
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Heffernan, Watts, Perry, Bennett, Ball, Moxon (Mpanzu, 56’), Bradshaw, Knight (Bangura-Williams, 69’), Heath (Kaikai, 56’), Ahadme (Appere, 69’)
Subs Not Used: Breeze, Lavery, Curtis
Goalscorers: Ahadme (42’, 65’)
Bookings: Ball, Perry
Referee: Elliott Swallow