Cambridge United stretched their unbeaten run in Sky Bet League Two to six matches as they battled their way towards a 1-1 draw with MK Dons at Stadium MK…
The U’s needed to navigate their way back into an encounter where they had the chances but couldn’t make them count in the first period as Callum Paterson capitalised with the opener five minutes from the break. They clicked into gear mid-way through the second half and equalised thanks to Sullay Kaikai’s curling strike, before showing grit and determination to ensure a point apiece.
After being forced into a point against Chesterfield four days earlier, Neil Harris named a total of four changes to his starting XI as George Hoddle, Kaikai, Ben Knight and Louis Appere all came back into the equation.
Heading into the big-game clash between two heavy hitters of the division, the hosts – fancied by many to battle for promotion during pre-season – had suffered defeat just once in their previous five and had won four on the bounce at home soil. Sitting two points behind, Cambridge had the opportunity to leapfrog and, buoyed by over 1,700 of the amber nation tucked away in the corner, were out to continue their improved form on the road and extend their nine-game unbeaten run.
On a crisp mid-December afternoon, United knew the importance of making a statement during their final away day before Christmas, showcasing some early energy to get the ball forwards on the large pitch.
Nonetheless, there was a real heart-in-mouth moment for the visitors on the 10th minute when a shanked clearance invited Alex Gilbey to advance from 25 yards and pull the trigger. Jake Eastwood managed to dive backwards and paw towards his own goal, where he was extremely quick to claim on the line.
A couple of minutes later, Paul Warne’s side came close through a set-piece when a pinpoint corner floated to an unmarked Laurence Maguire at corner of the six-yard box – the centre-back fired a header but ultimately couldn’t land it on target as lines were cleared.
Straight up the other end, it was the U’s time to make their mark on the early proceedings when an excellent through ball from Kaikai was latched at by Knight’s lightning run, but onrushing goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray had ventured out of his box and was committed to deny the shot.
The frantic start continued, with United being gifted a glorious chance to take the lead on the 15th minute when good recycling from Adam Mayor saw him supply a ball into the box. MacGillivray initially caught the cross, but it slipped out of his gloves and landed to Kell Watts from yards out, who from a tight angle couldn’t get the connection as it was hacked away.
A freak five minutes for MK scuppered some of their early momentum when key player Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was substituted with a knee injury, whereas Maguire was also soon forced off after going down off the ball.
On the half hour mark, a corner was headed away by the home defence and on a plate for a lone Knight from 12 yards out, whose fierce drilled shot was well-blocked by Jon Mellish.
Deadlock was broken on the 41st minute in frustrating circumstances for the visitors. After squandering possession, engine room Liam Kelly utilised the space to drive into the final third and cut open the defence by playing in the experienced Paterson, who fired into the bottom corner.
The U’s quest to respond almost resulted in a quick equaliser during injury time when Kaikai showed silky feet to skin his man in the box before picking out a delightful delivery into the mixer – Liam Bennett was at full lunge at the back post but couldn’t poke it home.
The first half would peter out from here in quite a flat tone, with Korey Smith down and unable to carry on as he made way for Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.
Two minutes after the break, Eastwood popped up with a really good stop to deny a second when Nemane teed up Paterson, who raced in and pulled the trigger but the glovesman was out quick to tighten the angle and get his body to it.
It was still yet to click for the U’s, with the chances more regular at the other end as Gilbey fired a long-range effort at goal on 57.
Looking to change shape, the Head Coach opted with a double swap shortly after the hour when attackers James Brophy and Elias Kachunga were drafted in. Two minutes later, it paid dividends.
Excellent desire from James Gibbons in the middle of the park saw him win a tackle which found Kaikai down the left, who on his favourite side danced into the box, leaned back and unleashed a curling effort past MacGillivray.
In the grand scheme of things the leveller was fair, with neither side quite at their level but the visitors ultimately had done enough to get themselves back in the game.
Although they were keen to finish in the ascendency, United were dealt a scare on the 77th minute when substitute Will Collar supplied Mellish with a deft flick, who ghosted into space and aimed for the corner but blasted it a matter of inches past the post.
With time ticking in Milton Keynes, it was important to at the very least preserve the point as the pressure was piled on in the latter stages as Mamadou Jobe turned behind Mellish’ ball across the face of goal and Gilbey’s cross was turned away.
During the four minutes of injury time, it was backs to the wall for the U’s, who almost suffered defeat at the death when Collins smashed into the side netting. Nonetheless, an improved second half showcasing drive and determination helped constitute to a deserved point towards their tally.
Up next, it’s the final match before Christmas on Friday evening (19th December) when Accrington Stanley make the long trek to a festive CB5 – be sure to back the boys.
MK Dons: MacGillivray, Offord, Ekpiteta, Maguire (Nemane, 27’), Jones, Gilbey, Kelly (Crowley, 64’), Thompson-Sommers (Collar, 64’), Mellish, Paterson, Mendez-Laing (Collins, 21’)
Subs Not Used: Trueman, Leko, Tripp
Goalscorers: Paterson (41’)
Bookings: Maguire, Thompson-Sommers
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett (Kachunga, 63’), Jobe, Watts, Purrington (Gibbons, 45’), Smith (Mpanzu, 45+3’), Hoddle, Kaikai (Ibsen Rossi, 80’), Knight (Brophy, 63’), Mayor, Appere
Subs Not Used: Hughes, McConnell
Goalscorers: Kaikai (65’)
Bookings: Knight
Referee: James Oldham
Attendance: 8151 (1729 away fans)
