Cambridge United 1-2 Bristol Rovers

Cambridge United threw away the points on Friday night as they lost out to newly promoted Bristol Rovers courtesy of a terrible error from defender Greg Taylor with just minutes remaining.

The U’s, buoyed on by a strong turnout including a number of University students encouraged by discounted tickets, will be disappointed to have lost out the way they did following what was a relatively even game.

Richard Money’s side took the lead mid-way through the first half thanks to a Barry Corr header after some superb build-up play, only to throw the points away in the second half, with Rovers responding through Ellis Harrison and then substitute Matt Taylor who seized onto his namesake’s tame back-pass to ensure the visitors would be taking all of the spoils back to the West Country.

United made three changes from the side that took three points from Huish Park last weekend, with captain Mark Roberts returning from suspension in defence, Chris Dunn replacing Sam Beasant between the sticks and notably last week’s two-goal hero Rory Gaffney was dropped to the bench in favour of Robbie Simpson, who partnered Barry Corr up front.

Questions were asked about why Gaffney was unable to start the fixture, especially considering his outstanding performance last week against Yeovil where his two goals helped the U’s to a brilliant win on the road. However Richard Money stated after the game that the Irish forward had been carrying a knock following a training game against Northampton mid-week,meaning he had no chance of getting the nod.

However striker Robbie Simpson certainly didn’t fail to do his selection justice, proving a useful link between the U’s midfield and attack, thanks in no small part to his strong hold up play, especially in the first half.

However it was leading front-man Barry Corr who saw the most notable incident of the opening exchanges when he was clumsily bundled over 12 yards from the Rovers goal after five minutes. Despite what looked to be a compelling case for a penalty and the loud protestations of the U’s faithful, referee Brendan Malone saw nothing doing - an early escape for the visitors.

Apart from that controversial penalty incident the game started rather slowly, with neither side able to take control of proceedings. Cambridge United were at times able to put together some good passing moves, taking advantage of Harrison Dunk’s forays forward from left-back, inter-changing well with the tricky Donaldson. Rovers nevertheless also looked capable of creating an opening, posing a particular threat through the pace of Ellis Harrison, who fired an early deflected shot straight down the throat of returning goalkeeper Chris Dunn.

The first real chance of the game came after 25 minutes when Ryan Donaldson went clean through on the left hand-side, only to hesitate at the vital moment and take an extra touch, allowing for Rovers to recover and clear away the danger.

But eight minutes later the U’s were ahead. A fine goal it was too, a long ball forward from Greg Taylor was chested down by Simpson into the path of Donaldson, who’s carefully weighted pass sent Dunk through on the left hand side. His cross was delightful one, putting the ball on a plate for Barry Corr who simply couldn’t miss from 6 yards out, sending a bullet header past a helpless Lee Nicholls to net his eighth goal of the season.

Despite a brief rally from Rovers after the restart, Cambridge looked comfortable at 1-0, and at half-time, the game seemed to be swinging the home side’s way.

However Bristol Rovers came out firing for the second period. Straight away the visitors were on the front foot, increasing the tempo and moving the ball quicker from back to front in the hope of drawing level quickly.

And they nearly did just three minutes into the second half when Ellis Harrison clipped the top of the crossbar after some excellent build up play down the Rovers left hand side. In almost identical circumstances to Corr’s opener, full back Lee Brown’s superb delivery found Harrison unopposed in the middle of the six yard box, only for his header to lack the accuracy of his Cambridge counterpart.

The Gas continued to cause problems down the left hand side and straight after Harrison’s near miss Jermaine Easter also went close, sending a cute back-heeled flick from a low Bodin cross goal-wards, only for it to fall safely into the arms of Dunn.

Cambridge continued to struggle to gain a foothold in the game and the turning point came when Rovers manager Darrell Clark sent on Matt Taylor for Jermaine Easter just after the hour mark.

Fleet-footed and showing signs of sharp movement, Matt Taylor posed new problems for the Cambridge defence and just moments after coming on, he helped set up Rovers’ equaliser when his shot was parried by Chris Dunn straight into the path of the onrushing Ellis Harrison, who, at full stretch, was able to smash the ball into the roof of the net. Dunn will perhaps feel he could have done better having sent the ball square, nonetheless, it was a deserved equaliser for the Gas.

Thereafter the game fell into a nothingness as neither side seemed capable of breaking the other down, and chances were at a premium. On 70 minutes Richard Money threw on the popular Gaffney, and he looked a real live wire with his quick feet and intelligent movement, however he too was unable to produce the magic that could win the game.

In the end, it wasn’t magic that was needed to secure three points, but a calamitous error. With a little under eight minutes to go, Greg Taylor, who had otherwise put in a solid performance, sent a woeful attempt at a back-pass in the direction of his goalkeeper Chris Dunn, who was left with no chance as the quick thinking Matt Taylor nipped in to coolly round the stopper and pass the ball into the empty net.

The goal sent the travelling Gas fans, who had flocked to the Abbey in superb numbers – 562 of them making the Friday night trip eastwards, into ecstasy, whilst the U’s faithful will no doubt be having nightmares about this incident for days to come – none more so than Taylor himself.

United tried to press late on for a leveller but Bristol Rovers were able to hold on to secure their fourth away win on the bounce, leaving them 9th in the table and two points behind play-off positioned Accrington.

The U’s will certainly be feeling a great sense of disappointment for effectively throwing a point away late on, a point that otherwise they did not seem in danger of losing.

Next up for them is the visit of Conference South side Basingstoke Town in the FA Cup – a welcome distraction, especially considering Basingstoke haven’t won a game all season.

Attendance: 5115

Cambridge United: Dunn, Sesay, Roberts, Taylor, Dunk, Donaldson (Newton, 82 mins), J.Hughes, Berry, L.Hughes (Gaffney, 68 mins), Simpson (Demetriou, 68 mins), Corr

Bristol Rovers: Nicholls, Brown, Lockyer, McChrystal, Mansell, Harrison, Gosling, Clarke, Easter (Taylor, 63 mins), Bodin, Sinclair