Simpson stuck with the same side that took a point off Hull City at the weekend. Cambridge went into the game with the worst home record in Division Three. United, with 17 points from nine games brought a small but enthusiastic following who were hoping to see only the second away success of the campaign. After a quiet start, United grabbed a sudden lead after seven minutes. Matt Fryatt charged down a clearance from the U's keeper Shaun Marshall and the ball spun to Simpson who found the net from over 30 yards out with an expert finish. Tom Cowan then blotted his copybook with a mistimed lunge and was booked. Warren Goodhind had a fair chance on 13 minutes but he volleyed high into the crowd following a cross in from Adam Tann. Murray then fired in a low free kick which appeared to take a deflection but ended up catching the outside of the post with a goal kick awarded. Carlisle continued to find themselves under pressure as Cambridge fired cross after cross into the Cumbrians' box. Luke Guttridge fired in a good effort from 35 yards in the 22nd minute but the ball flew half a yard wide of the top corner. McGill did well for the visitors with a run to the bye-line and a cross to the edge of the box where Simpson shot over the bar when he might have done better. United had a break when Goodhind's shot deflected off Andrews on 27 minutes but thankfully landed straight in Glennon's midrift. McGill fed Fryatt who beat the offside and had a chance to take the ball round the keeper but ended up being blocked and couldn't recover. However Murphy's shot was deflected on to the cross bar as he came up in support and United eventually won a corner. Preece and Fryatt did well to set up McGill but his shot was collected by Marshall at his near post. Preece headed narrowly over the bar as Carlisle began to find their feet again and see more of the ball. Fryatt did well to work in Preece whose pass found Simpson. Simpson's clever chip almost caught out Marshall who had ventured off his line. Simpson had an early chance in the second half to extend the lead when Marshall's hurried clearance found the player-manager but he fluffed his attempt and the ball fell wide. Daniel Webb's header from a Bridges cross on 51 minutes forced Glennon into a save as he pushed the ball away for a corner. The home team drew level shortly after when Glennon failed to keep out a Bridges header and it crept over the line although Lee Andrews tried to hack it off the line. Cambridge scored with their very next attack when the ball was slipped forward and Guttridge found the back of the net to make it 2-1. Cowan tried to bring Carlisle back into it but saw his header well saved by Marshall after a cross from Murphy. Simpson showed his frustration with a poor challenge on Stevland Angus that brought him a rare yellow. Craig Farrell replaced Matt Fryatt on 61 minutes. Another change saw Murphy off and Will McDonagh on. Farrell had an immediate opportunity when he tried to take advantage of a poor Marshall punch and his shot deflected off Webb to provide another corner kick. McDonagh volleyed straight at Marshall after the keeper fluffed another clearance. United stuck at it and Farrell turned well to shoot and the rebound fell to Simpson who grabbed his second when he drove under Marshall from the left hand side on 83 minutes to equalise. Carlisle poured men forward in an attempt to grab all the points. An inswinging corner from McGill skimmed Kevin Gray's head and went wide. In an end-to-end struggle, Glennon had to make a good save to keep United level. Simpson struck a volley inches over the bar. Andrews blocked a John Turner shot in injury time as both sides went for the win. Simpson struck a free kick two minutes into stoppage time that Marshall had to turn on to an upright. Al's verdict: Missed chances cost us two points. After having the better of the first half, we conceded two goals in a minute and appeared to have imploded but our renewed spirit shone through and Simmo's late strike was richly deserved although we'll rue the chances wasted in the first half when Simmo and Fryatt could and should have extended the lead and put us in the clear. Cambridge's keeper and their defence looked very rickety and it was a shame we didn't put them under a bit more pressure. Another exciting game though and good value for money for the 3,280 attendance. The one bit of good news was Darlo's defeat at home to Northampton which at least allows us to claw a point back on the men from the North East. |
