MATCH REPORT: BARNET 0 CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1

Luke Berry’s second half goal earned Cambridge United three points in an excellent away victory over Barnet in Sky Bet League Two at the Hive Stadium.

Greg Taylor returned to the U’s starting line-up to mark his return from injury, with Gerry McDonagh the only other change for United as the Nottingham Forest loanee made his first start.

The Bees took advantage of the difficult conditions in North London, dominating much of the first half, with the League’s top goal scorer John Akinde causing the U’s problems at the back.

The hosts looked to have headed themselves in front on ten minutes only for referee Charles Breakspeare to rule out the effort for offside.

Akinde went close again with a back post header which Will Norris watched over his cross bar on 26 minutes, and the game remained scoreless at the break. 

Shaun Derry introduced James Dunne after half time in an attempt to wrestle control of the fixture, and United did so by pinning the Bees into their own box for the opening 15 minutes of the half.

Norris however was called into action when Vilhete found himself one-on-one following an under hit back pass to the U’s keeper, who spread himself brilliantly to deny the diminutive winger. 

The U’s did make the pressure tell though, when Harrison Dunk expertly crossed to Luke Berry inside the Barnet 18 yard box who made no mistake in side footing home the only goal of the game on 65 minutes.

Kevin Nugent’s side pushed for a winner during the closing 20 minutes, but a series of saves from Norris including a sublime reaction with his feet ensured United picked up consecutive victories in League Two before facing table toppers Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night.

Barnet: Burgoyne, Johnson, Santos, Nelson,  Weston, Akinde, Bover (Campbell-Ryce, 69 mins), Akinola (Amaluzor, 80 mins), Champion, Vilhete, Clough

Cambridge United: Norris, Taylor, Legge, Roberts, Carroll, Mingoia (Maris, 90 mins), O’Neil, Lewis (Dunne, 45 mins), Berry, Dunk (Elito, 75 mins), McDonagh

Attendance: 2,396 (913 away)