Cambridge United pushed promotion-chasing Plymouth Argyle all the way at the Abbey as the two teams battled it out to a scoreless draw…
The U’s did everything but score as they created the more dangerous opportunities throughout the contest, and were therefore made to settle for a point as they failed to find the all-important breakthrough.
Mark Bonner named three changes as Ibsen Rossi, Lankester and Smith came into the team to replace Okedina, Tracey and Ironside.
The U’s got off to a fast start and made life difficult for the visitors during the early goings. On the front-foot, United came out hungry and forced the Pilgrims to defend their goal as they pushed forward and asked questions of the defence.
The first on-target effort came from Knibbs, who forced Cooper into action from a direct free-kick and soon after, Smith’s eyes lit up when the ball fell to him inside the box, but his right-footed strike was well blocked from finding the bottom corner of the goal.
The away side grew into the contest though and on 26 minutes, Cosgrove headed the ball onto the top of the crossbar which began a spell of pressure for the visitors, but United saw it out well into half-time with nothing to trouble Mannion in goal.
The best chance of the match to that point came two minutes after the break, as Knibbs ran onto a careless pass from James Wilson across the Plymouth defence, but dragged his shot wide when facing a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
On 52 minutes, it was Knibbs again with his head in his hands, as his volley inside the box was well blocked by Edwards and went spinning off-target for a corner.
It was the best that United had played in many weeks - especially at the Abbey - and it was just a goal that was missing from the performance.
Just shy of the hour mark, Smith burst into the Plymouth area but his shot was blocked again by Gillesphey to thwart the chance. Next it was the side from Devon to threaten the goal, as Cosgrove fired wide after a sharp turn to open up the space for a shot before Mayor showed great composure inside a crowded area before shooting just wide of the mark.
With 20 minutes to go, Lankester did brilliantly well with his back to goal to receive the ball, turn and play in Smith, but he was once again thwarted by Cooper who came out quickly to narrow the angle and make the stop.
Plymouth did little to test Mannion in goal during the second half, but Whittaker came close from a free-kick as his effort whistled past the post with 10 minutes remaining.
Bonner turned to Janneh and Tracey for the remaining moments as United went for one final push to take all three points, but it was to be an afternoon of frustration as a fine showing by the U's only brought home a point.