Cambridge United came unstuck as Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon as the home side came away with a 2-1 victory…
After Longelo scored to draw level early in the second half and make it 1-1, it looked like the momentum and level of performance was in favour of United, but a clinical Lee Gregory made the difference on the day, as he scored both goals for the Stags to inflict defeat.
The U’s were looking to pick up a first win of the season at Mansfield’s One Call Stadium, a ground where United had success last time out, a 3-0 victory in February 2021.
Reyes and Lavery came in for Stevens and Njoku, whilst Cousins returned to the squad following his recent recovery from injury.
Buoyed by a strong away following, the created a couple of early sighters to help encourage the United faithful – the first coming to Stokes, who got off a deflected effort into the hands of Pym, before Lavery tested the Stags keeper before the 10-minute mark.
Another promising attack was foiled by the Mansfield defence as Stokes and Longelo linked up on the left-hand-side of the box, a covering defender able to make the block to deny Longelo’s cross across the six-yard-box.
The U’s press was proving effective in disrupting the opposition’s game and with a better final decision or finish, Monk’s men might have found themselves ahead during the early stages of the game.
Andrew went down with a knock on 21 minutes, as both sides had the chance to regroup, and he had to be replaced by O’Riordan.
Nichols had a golden opportunity to open the scoring the hosts soon after, but he skewed his first-time shot over the bar following a low cross into the box.
United’s best chance of the half came to Lavery just before the half hour mark, as Longelo found the striker lurking from six-yards out, but his header was straight at Pym and into his gloves.
Another half-chance went begging minutes later, as the U’s caught Mansfield on the counter with a two-on-one situation in the final third. A heavy pass from Lavery towards Smith slowed down the momentum, and in the end the chance had gone.
The home side were struggling to keep the ball and after giving it away in a dangerous area on 35 minutes, Lavery was hacked down on the edge of the box. With Andrew off the field, Stokes took on the set-piece duties, but his low effort was easily foiled.
Despite the game script seemingly going to plan up to that point, Mansfield struck on 39 minutes, with Gregory with a simple finish following a cut-back to the experienced striker.
Just before the half was out, Lavery would have another chance at goal – this time after receiving the ball in a central area near the penalty box, he took it a touch too far wide, making the angle more acute, and couldn’t find a way past Pym.
Feeling aggrieved with the way that the first half ended, United came out with a point to prove after the break and drew level just five minutes into the restart. A brilliant driving run up the pitch from Brophy opened things up for the U’s, and after offloading the ball to Stokes, Stokes slipped in the on-rushing Longelo to rifle home.
Nlundulu, Kaikai and Gibbons all entered the game with around 25 minutes to play, but as soon as they could even get into the flow of the contest, the Stags struck back and retook the lead. Gregory with his second of the afternoon – a stunning curling effort from the edge of the box.
United pile on the pressure in the closing stages, but couldn't find a way through. The final action of the game saw bedlam in the Stags box, ending in a Stags defender blocking Kaikai's goal-bound strike off the line.
Next up for the U’s is a home Bristol Street Motors Trophy clash against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night.
