Rocked by Harrison’s heroics
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PERSISTENCE was key for Cambridge, according to manager Richard Money, who saw his side pepper Stevenage in injury-time before sealing a last-gasp victory.
The match looked like it was heading for a draw until Harrison Dunk popped up at the back post in the 97th minute to turn home.
The U’s were slow out of the blocks in the first half but, as the game wore on, they applied plenty of pressure on the Stevenage goal.
With time ticking down Dipo Akinyemi looked like he might win it for Money’s men but he scuffed his effort wide.
Rory Gaffney then had a similar opportunity in the 96th minute but the superb Jesse Joronen saved to his right.
But it was third time lucky for Cambridge as Gaffney crossed from the right a minute later and the ball made its way to Dunk, who was all alone at the back post and slotted home.
“It’s a prime example of persistence paying off for us,” said Money.
“I thought we deserved to finally get the goal, I think if we come off 0-0 we would have been thinking what more we needed to do to score.
“We’ve had 22 crosses, 18 attempts on target and their goalkeeper has probably been man of the match, but it’s a relief and it’s really pleasing to finish up with the 1-0.
“It’s a big three points and it starts off a big week for us in the right manner.
“It’s nice to go back in the dressing room buzzing we’ve got the win and they knew the three points were very important.”
Stevenage had an early opportunity to take the lead after a sloppy pass meant Steven Schumacher picked up the ball and picked out Charlie Lee whose header cannoned off the underside of the bar.
It was a pivotal moment for Teddy Sheringham’s side with Tom Hitchcock’s second-half header the only other notable effort.
Had either gone in the complexion of the game would have been very different but, as it was, Joronen proved to be the star for Stevenage between the sticks.
But his performance did little to lift Sheringham’s mood, who saw his side’s winless away run continue.
“We had a very good chance early on and could have taken the lead and that could have changed the scenario of the game but it’s all ifs and buts now,” the former England striker said.
“It was tough to take, but it was coming to be honest.
“I’m not stupid, I could feel that is was coming because they were getting some good crosses into our box and there were a few nearly chances.
“It’s hard to take in the last minute but it happens.”