U'S COMPLETE EIGHT GAME UNBEATEN RUN AT MANSFIELD
Cambridge United played out a stalemate against Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium, to complete an eight game unbeaten run at the end of the 2015/16 Sky Bet League Two season.
The U’s lined up with just one change from the side that drew 2-2 with Plymouth Argyle a week earlier, as Jimmy Spencer returned in place of Max Clark.
United certainly began the game the brighter of the two sides, with six corners and flashes at goal for both Luke Berry and Ryan Ledson in the opening 20 minutes cementing their early control of the clash.
Zeli Ismail caused the Stags problems throughout the first half on the right flank and perhaps could have forced a save from Mansfield keeper Scott Shearer when cutting in from wide and driving over the bar on 22 minutes played.
The hosts found the back of the net two minutes before the break when Matt Green acrobatically finished past Norris, but the offside flag was raised promptly against the striker following Ryan Tafazolli’s initial header.
Mansfield captain Lee Collins spurned two opportunities in quick succession from the edge of the U’s 18 yard box, with the centre back twice fluffing his lines minutes after half time.
Luke Berry was marginally beaten in a foot race with Scott Shearer after Krystian Pearce’s soft header back to his goalkeeper almost caught the Stags in an awkward position. However, as the game rolled on chances on goal continued to be few and far between.
Substitute Mark Roberts was perfectly positioned to block Chris Clements’ half volley off the line at the back post on 70 minutes, with what proved to be the best chance of the game.
Mansfield Town: Shearer, Benning, Rose, Pearce, Collins, Chapman, Clements, Green (Yussuf, 83 mins), Tafazolli (Baxendale, 45 mins), Dieseruvwe (Hakeem, 57 mins), Blair
Cambridge United: Norris, Furlong, Legge, Coulson (Roberts, 45 mins), Dunk, Ismail, Dunne, Ledson, Berry (Clark, 61 mins), Williamson (Donaldson, 85 mins), Spencer
Attendance: 3,548 (564 away)