Cambridge United were unable to extend their unbeaten run in Sky Bet League One as they fell short 0-1 to play-off hopefuls Charlton Athletic at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
A well-taken strike from Tyreece Campbell 15 minutes in proved to be the difference on an afternoon where the U’s plugged away but were unable to take it by the scruff of the neck and force something despite a late array.
After registering their first victory in eight last time out – which in turn stretched their unbeaten run to four matches – Neil Harris named just the solitary change to his starting XI as Scott Malone replaced the injured Paul Digby. Elsewhere, Danny Andrew and Sullay Kaikai returned to make the bench.
A sun-kissed, atmospheric afternoon started promisingly for the hosts, who were certainly the more imposing of the two as they applied pressure. However, the only notable chance they could conjure up was Josh Stokes’ ambitious half volley which flew over the bar.
The first shot on target resulted in the opener for the Addicks on the 13th minute. After picking the ball up from the left, Campbell cut inside and drilled a neat effort into the far corner.
The goalscorer was cautioned five minutes later following an off-the-ball clash to the face of James Gibbons whilst he was attempting to dribble past, but after deliberation referee James Durkin dished out a yellow.
Determined to peg the tie back, the U’s progressed play well with the ball falling invitingly to a lurking Malone at a left angle, whose speculative slice couldn’t get enough finesse as it went wide of Will Mannion’s post.
Stamping some authority, Nathan Jones’ side had two glorious chances to double their advantage on 25 when, in a carbon copy of before, Campbell showcased blistering pace to turn and force Jack Stevens into a save at full stretch, before Matty Godden almost grabbed his 15th of the campaign as he cannoned against the post from the edge of the box.
As the half progressed, the hosts were still awaiting that killer pass to unlock the Charlton defence. It was one of their own, Josh Edwards, who came closest moments before the break when James Brophy was strong to beat his man and supply a driven cross, with the full-back’s headed clearance evading his own net by a matter of whiskers.
A battling and spicy affair was played in the same manner after the 15 minutes of recuperation, with Cambridge looking to capitalise on some sloppy passes. Dom Ballard and Stokes combined to tee up a driving Malone down the left, whose speed allowed him to strike towards his near post, but it could only lash against the side netting.
Probing, Kell Watts was up next with a snapshot just shy of the hour as a lofted free-kick broke for the centre-back inside the area, but he launched it high and wide.
65 minutes in, Malone was forced off through injury, with Elias Kachunga on to try and force something from a match which was still very much in the balance.
Macauley Gillesphey was on hand to fire the first attempt at goal for some time on 70 when his vicious half-volley was safely down the throat of Stevens.
It was all about game management from here on out for the Addicks, but whilst they were eager to shut up shop, they continued to accumulate chances at the other end as Chuks Aneke planted a firm header from inside the six-yard box straight at United’s number one.
Evidently tired in the closing stages, the U’s needed to make any of their late moments count. Just after Godden hit an expert volley on target at the back post, Ballard embarked on a marauding run into the final third and unleashed a dragged shot from 20 yards which went just wide of the post.
Two minutes into injury time, pinball in the box looked destined to result in a last-gasp equaliser as several men in amber threw themselves at the ball, but Ben Stevenson lifted the shot over from yards out.
Concluding in the ascendency, but ultimately coming up short – it was enough to consign United to a first defeat in five, with their seven-point gap from safety remaining.
Up next, the U’s embark on the Easter schedule on Good Friday (18th April) by coming up against another promotion hopeful in Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Cambridge United: Stevens, Gibbons (Andrew, 72’), Morrison, Watts, Bennett, Stevenson, Brophy (Njoku, 88’), Malone (Kachunga, 64’), Stokes, Ballard, Loft (Kaikai, 73’)
Subs Not Used: Briggs, Hoddle, Longelo
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Loft
Charlton Athletic: Mannion, Ramsay, McIntyre, Gillesphey, Small (Watson, 73’), Coventry, Berry (Anderson, 57’), Docherty, Edwards, Godden (Mbick, 87’), Campbell (Aneke, 57’)
Subs Not Used: Bouzanis, Gilbert, Ahadme
Goalscorers: Campbell (13’)
Bookings: Campbell, Coventry, Berry, Small, Docherty
Referee: James Durkin
Attendance: 6707 (1034 away fans)