The points were shared in an entertaining matchup at the Cledara Abbey Stadium as Cambridge United battled towards a 2-2 draw against Sky Bet League One promotion-hopefuls Wrexham…
After being dealt an early sucker punch when George Dobson guided home a long-range strike, Liam Bennett responded by tapping home his first Football League goal for the U’s before Josh Stokes bagged his seventh of the season through the penalty spot moments into the second half. Sam Smith pulled one back with a header shortly after, but the hosts kept the Red Dragons at bay to secure a third draw on the spin.
In response to the draw against Northampton Town at CB5 just three days earlier, Neil Harris named two changes to his starting XI as Bennett came in for Scott Malone at full-back, whereas Ryan Loft was drafted in to provide a focal point.
A blistering start from the in-form visitors was rewarded just three minutes in when, just after Sam Smith forced a stern stop from Nathan Bishop, George Dobson touched the ball down from 25 yards and drilled a pinpoint strike into the bottom corner.
Imposing in and out of possession, Phil Parkinson’s men were now out to dictate the evening and restrict the U’s. Despite this, they orchestrated their first move on the 13th minute when a long ball found its way to James Brophy on the left, who did well to flick towards Dom Ballard with his back to goal – the loanee got his shot away on the turn but couldn’t generate the power as the imposing Arthur Okonkwo claimed.
Improving as the half wore on, United found that composure and started to accumulate the better of the attempts. After winning a corner thanks to Ballard’s persistence and Paul Digby’s delivery, a whipped cross was matched by the run of Michael Morrison towards the near post, who darted a header which evaded the six-yard box and trickled out of play.
On the 39th minute, the hosts’ endeavour was rewarded when Bennett tapped home to spark jubilation. Released by Ballard deep down the right, Stokes’ cross was initially headed at by Bennett and flapped at by Okonkwo, whose efforts to keep it out handed it on a plate for the lurking number 2 to level matters.
Just as they had finished, Harris’ men started the second half in the ascendency by winning a penalty a minute in when Lewis Brunt brought down Loft just as he was about to jink his way through the box. Up stepped Stokes who, as calm as you like, dispatched into the corner before wheeling away in front of a roaring Newmarket Road End.
Well and truly on top, an expertly-crafted move from the U’s saw the advancing Bennett pick out Brophy near the back post on 53, with Loft matching the pass and pulling the trigger from a matter of yards, but a crucial block forced a corner - they could count themselves unlucky not to be further ahead.
However, just a few minutes later the scoreline was equal once again as Ryan Longman’s exquisite cross required a big leap from former U Smith, who darted a header into the back of the net.
Refusing to let this dampen their spirits, the home side remained determined and were on hand to fend off a couple of great opportunities just shy of the 70th minute when an array of opportunities saw Bishop deny Smith, Morrison prevent an onrushing Ollie Rathbone with a no-nonsense tackle and Brunt head wide of the right post.
Five minutes from time, Bishop needed to be alert when battering ram Steven Fletcher headed at goal from close range, but the goalkeeper was fouled by a pouncing Smith to earn a free-kick.
Just when four additional minutes was presented, substitute Elliot Lee was presented with a glorious chance to nick it for the Red Dragons when he was found unmarked from 12 yards, but he skewed his half-volley wide.
It proved to be the last piece of action from a battling 90 minutes for Cambridge, who had to battle hard but were ultimately good value for their point against a strong outfit.
Up next, the U’s travel to the Croud Meadow on Saturday (5th April) to take on relegation-threatened Shrewsbury Town.
Cambridge United: Bishop, Bennett, Morrison, Watts, Gibbons, Digby, Stevenson, Brophy (Malone, 77’), Ballard (Kachunga, 71’), Stokes, Loft
Subs Not Used: Stevens, Okedina, Njoku, Barton, Hoddle
Goalscorers: Bennett (39’), Stokes (46’)
Bookings: Bennett, Loft
Wrexham: Okonkwo, Brunt, O’Connell, Cleworth, Longman, James, Dobson, Rathbone (Lee, 76’), McClean (Barnett, 76’), Smith, Rodriguez (Fletcher, 69’)
Subs Not Used: Howard, Scarr, O’Connor, Marriott
Goalscorers: Dobson (03’), Smith (56’)
Bookings: Cleworth, Smith
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Attendance: 6871 (759 away fans)