Ten-man Cambridge United generated late euphoria to deservedly rescue a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers in a feisty Sky Bet League One matchup at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
After showing excellent application in the first half and limiting the Trotters to very little, the hosts were dealt a mammoth task moments after the break when Jubril Okedina received his marching orders. The visitors capitalised on the hour mark courtesy of Aaron Collins’ close-range finish, but the U’s persevered and claimed a share of the spoils at the death through Sullay Kaikai’s superb header to seal a third draw on the bounce.
Approaching the encounter in 22nd, the U’s gap from safety was increased to four points at the weekend. Nonetheless, they were out to build on some gritty draws by securing a first win in four. The Wanderers, on the other hand, were vastly improving – arriving off the back of seven victories from 10 that had risen them to 9th, level on 26 points with four other play-off chasers.
Following the stalemate at Northampton Town three days earlier, Garry Monk named two changes to his side as Kaikai and Ryan Loft came in for Elias Kachunga and Dan Nlundulu, with the latter ineligible to play against his parent club.
A free-flowing start to the evening saw both sides probe for an early opener, with Dion Charles’ speculative effort from over 20 yards landing over the crossbar before the U’s hit back with two well-executed attempts.
Still within the first minute of the game, Korey Smith drove into space and supplied Sullay Kaikai, who in turn played a one-two with Liam Bennett. The full-back sneakily cut back to the Sierra Leone international, whose first-time effort was stopped by Nathan Baxter, with James Brophy’s rebound straight at the Bolton defence donning a vibrant pink and blue kit.
On the 3rd minute, Bennett’s deep delivery was impressively dug out by Loft’s flick in the air at the back post - who did really well to direct it on target - but Baxter got enough on it and lines were cleared.
As the chances dried up, the physical battle continued, with the plan of keeping things tight and man-marking the focus of the opening half an hour. Ian Evatt’s men had done a sound job defensively against the U’s, who looked more industrious and inventive where it mattered.
A sprint down the left from the creative Randell Williams on 32 allowed him space and time to pick out Aaron Collins inside the box, with the striker leaping highest but unable to get a full connection on goal as it creeped over Vicente Reyes’ crossbar.
Five minutes later, United won a free-kick in a promising position from 25 yards, which was perfect Danny Andrew territory, but the defender generated too much power, hitting it high and wide.
There could be no complaints going into the break all square, with Bolton enjoying the majority of the possession but yet to break down the resilient hosts, who were yet to even concede a shot on target.
Eager to implement a different outlet to their forward line, Shayne Lavery was brought on at the break, but it was the Trotters who came out of the blocks stronger.
On 47, Dion Charles linked up with Jay Matete, who allowed the former to line up a venomous shot from outside of the area which forced Reyes to paw it out for a corner.
The complexity completely changed a couple of minutes later when, during a tussle gearing up for a corner, Okedina was shown a straight red card for an altercation in the box. This cued a defensive change as Zeno Ibsen Rossi was brought on to fill the void, with the atmosphere raised from both ends.
Just as the visitors started to pepper the final third, they gained the opener on the hour after dispossessing inside the area and teeing it up on a plate for Collins, whose drilled attempt trickled in after Reyes got a slight touch on it.
Ultimately, United continued to keep themselves in the game and poured forwards whenever possible, but the temperature raised by the minute, with the crowd agitated by persistent fouls and a stop-start period.
With the clock ticking down, Monk’s side needed to make their set pieces count. After Kaikai recycled well and won a free-kick on the 81st minute, the cross was cleared to an unmarked Brophy, whose volley was lashed at Lavery, but the striker couldn’t react to it.
Just when defeat was destined, United forced a draw on the cusp of the whistle to spark pandemonium in front of the Newmarket Road End. Thanks to superb pressing from Bennett to win a throw, Andrew picked out a peach of a cross from the right which was expertly guided towards the top corner from the head of Kaikai.
All in all, it was the least the U’s deserved for their resilience, who if anything looked likeliest to go on and win it with their momentum. Nonetheless, it was another point in the right direction as they stretched their unbeaten run at CB5 to five matches.
Attention turns to the Emirates FA Cup this weekend (30th November), with a place in the Third Round at stake for both the U’s and former winners Wigan Athletic at the Cledara Abbey – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Reyes, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Smith, Cousins (Kachunga, 80’), Brophy (Watts, 90+3’), Kaikai, Njoku (Lavery, 46’), Loft (Ibsen Rossi, 52’)
Subs Not Used: Stevens, O’Riordan, Kaunda
Goalscorers: Kaikai (89’)
Bookings: Njoku, Okedina (Red), Smith
Bolton Wanderers: Baxter, Dacres-Cogley (Osei-Tutu, 68’), Jones, Santos, Johnston, Williams, Sheehan, Thomason (Lolos, 68’), Matete, Collins (McAtee, 78’), Charles (Adeboyejo, 78’)
Subs Not Used: Southwood, Forrester, Arfield
Goalscorers: Collins (59’)
Bookings: Thomason, Sheehan, Osei-Tutu, Baxter, Jones
Referee: Paul Howard
Attendance: 5266 (549 away fans)