Cambridge United rose into the automatic promotion spots in Sky Bet League Two as they got the job done at the death to overcome Shrewsbury Town 1-0 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium as their unbeaten run was stretched to 13 matches…
Just as a below-par, scrappy encounter looked destined for a stalemate, Ben Knight showed composure to slot home a penalty during injury time to dramatically help claim a fifth successive match for the in-form U’s.
Three days on from the dramatic 4-2 victory against Tranmere Rovers, Neil Harris stuck to the mantra that if it’s not broken don’t fix it as he named an unchanged starting XI for the third successive match.
With momentum being ramped up by the game, the form side of the EFL had registered 16 points from a possible 18. Once more, they were out to utilise home advantage and continue their ascendency up the division ladder against a Shrews side depleted of late following five defeats from six and with just the one away win all season to their name – they were out to extend the gap from the bottom two that read at two points.
Showcasing strong early desire to remain on the front foot and take the game to their opponents, the U’s had a golden opportunity to draw first blood with five minutes on the clock when Louis Appere slipped in Sullay Kaikai with an inch-perfect through ball – the latter raced towards goal in a one-on-one position, but onrushing goalkeeper Matthew Cox did well to make himself big to block the shot.
Three minutes later, another attempt at goal was accumulated when - after a heavy spell in possession with the midfield pulling the strings - Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was picked out by James Gibbons, who tested his luck from 20 yards out but it was claimed at the near stick.
The half chances would continue for Cambridge as Mpanzu’s excellent progressive ball to Appere saw the striker show good feet before getting a shot underway on the 25th minute, with the ambitious attempt from outside the area drilled across the floor but ultimately into the arms of Cox.
Overall, it wasn’t quite sticking for the hosts just yet, who were keen to ping the ball around but Michael Appleton’s side had been stubborn in breaking down play.
During added time, the U’s probed again as a clever touch from Kaikai allowed him to progress play to Knight, whose mazy run saw him cut to the left and evade his opponents before pulling the trigger from distance which was claimed by Cox.
Ultimately, the first period had petered out in quite a flat fashion. Whilst the hosts hadn’t been troubled whatsoever defensively, they required some more urgency and authority, which they hoped they would gain after the break as Ben Purrington and Dom Ball were drafted on.
The Shrews were first to roll the dice in the second half when, on 53, a defensive mishap almost released a lurking Sam Clucas, but Mamadou Jobe was on hand to put in a crunching tackle to deny any sniff of a shot. The resulting corner fell to Josh Ruffels from 20 yards out, but the speculative effort was powered wide of the mark.
On the hour, two attack-minded changes were signalled as Shayne Lavery and Elliott Nevitt entered the fray as United reverted to a front two.
As the clock ticked down, a lethargic tempo needed a spark. With 77 minutes played, a passing move saw Lavery cut back to a looming Knight on the edge of the penalty area, who had one thing on his mind which was to execute a first-time strike – it had the power but not the accuracy as Cox dived to his left to hold.
Just as a stalemate looked increasingly likely, the U’s were handed a golden opportunity on the 89th minute when Purrington’s delivery was handled in the box by Luca Hoole. Up stepped Knight, who produced utter pandemonium in front of the Newmarket Road End as he stroked home into the bottom corner for a dramatic conclusion.
With work still to be done, Cambridge had to hold their nerves for the last kick of the game, but Tom Sang blasted his free-kick from 25 yards over the crossbar as the referee blew the whistle to signal another rendition of coconuts as the winning streak was stretched to five matches.
Up next, United make the trip to Boundary Park on Saturday (31st January) to take on Oldham Athletic – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Gibbons, Jobe, Watts, Bennett (Purrington, 46’), Hoddle (Ball, 46’), Mpanzu (McLoughlin, 73’), Brophy (Lavery, 61’), Kaikai, Knight, Appere (Nevitt, 61’)
Subs Not Used: Hoddle, Ibsen Rossi
Goalscorers: Knight (90+1’)
Bookings: Appere
Shrewsbury Town: Cox, Hoole, Anderson, Boyle, Ruffels, Sang, Perry, Ojinnaka (Marquis, 73’), Clucas, Morgan (Kabia, 72’), Ogunsuyi (Lloyd, 53’)
Subs Not Used: Brook, Scully, Freeman, Lee
Goalscorers:
Bookings:
Referee: Abigail Byrne
Attendance: 5347 (168 away fans)
