Strap yourselves in Cambridge United fans – it’s going down to the final day again!
As was the case on Saturday when they lost 1-0 to Derby County, a victory tonight over Wycombe Wanderers at the Cledara Abbey Stadium would have rubber stamped United’s place in Sky Bet League One next season.
But with relegation rivals Cheltenham Town winning 2-0 against Peterborough United, this evening’s 1-1 draw means that it will still be all to play for when the curtain comes down on the 2023/24 campaign on Saturday.
The U’s remain in the driving seat. A victory or a draw at Port Vale will clinch the deal, but anything less will leave the door well ajar for both Cheltenham and Burton Albion. Fourth-from-bottom Cheltenham’s triumph over Posh has closed the gap on United to three points, while Burton are two points better off than the Robins with all three goal differences mightily close.
Cheltenham go to Stevenage on the final day and Burton will also be on the road at already-relegated Fleetwood Town – it’s all set up for a nervy afternoon!
As for the clash with Wycombe, a United side decimated by illness and injury struggled to get to grips with their opponents during the opening 45 minutes.
The visitors hit the woodwork through Nigel Lonwijk and Kieran Sadlier, while the hosts’ best chance fell the way of Gassan Ahadme, who saw his close-range volley deflected just off target.
United were also on the back foot early in the second half, but after Macauley Bonne had been denied from six yards out by Wycombe goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli, the Abbey burst into life with 71 minutes on the clock.
Liam Bennett had already swung in a number of dangerous crosses throughout the evening – and this time there was someone to apply the finishing touch as Ahadme rose highest to power a header inside the far post.
‘U’s are staying up’ came the chant from the Newmarket Road End, but those positive vibes lasted for just 11 minutes. United substitute Lyle Talyor was adjudged to have hauled down Lonwijk inside the box and Luke Leahy stepped up to send Mannion the wrong way from the resultant penalty kick.
Cambridge United: Mannion, Gibbons, Digby, Okedina, L Bennett, Brophy, Cousins, Kaikai (Lankester 76’), Kachunga, Bonne (Okenabirhie 76’), Ahadme (Taylor 76’)
Wycombe Wanderers: Ravizzoli, McCarthy, Lonwijk, Forino-Joseph, Leahy, Scowen, Potts (Taylor 77’), Butcher, Sadlier (Kodua 87’), Vokes (Kone 77’), McCleary (Wheeler 70’)
