Mannion saves from the spot but Martin nets late Rovers winner
CAMBRIDGE LOSE 1-0 IN BRISTOL
CAMBRIDGE United conceded late on to lose 1-0 away to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday evening.
Chris Martin made amends for a first-half penalty miss by scoring the winning goal two minutes from time at the Memorial Ground.
The result leaves United 19th in the League One table, on 46 points from 43 matches played. The U’s sit five points clear of the relegation zone with three games of the season remaining.
Garry Monk opted to make three changes from his side’s 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic. Adam May, James Brophy and Sullay Kaikai came into the starting lineup for Jordan Cousins, James Gibbons and Gassan Ahadme.
Pirates’ boss Matt Taylor made four alterations from the team that beat Cheltenham Town 3-1 at the weekend. Jed Ward, Brandon Aguilera, Connor Taylor and Luca Hoole were the players to come into the side.
The hosts had the first effort of the contest, as Anthony Evans fired just wide of the target from the edge of the box after being picked out by Luke Thomas.
United’s first opportunity came eight minutes in when Paul Digby was picked out unmarked from Kaikai’s corner, but the midfielder’s header was straight at Ward, who made the save.
The home side continued to create chances as the half progressed, as Evans had another shot blocked, before Thomas fired wide soon after.
Evans went close once more for the Pirates as the midfielder was played in down the left-hand side by Scott Sinclair, but his strike was kept out by Will Mannion.
However, the U’s had another good chance from a set play when Macauley Bonne was found by Danny Andrew from a corner, but the forward planted his header over the bar.
Rovers had an excellent opportunity to go in front in the 33rd minute after Mamadou Jobe was caught in possession and Digby went on to bring down Sinclair in the box for a penalty, but Mannion made the save down to his left from Chris Martin’s spotkick to prevent the hosts from taking the lead.
The home side went on the front foot in the latter part of the half as United had to dig in before the break.
Evans continued to remain a threat for the hosts, with the midfielder having a free-kick saved and also having a shot blocked, but the sides went in level at the interval.
The Pirates remained the team in the ascendancy in the minutes following the restart, but struggled to create a clear-cut chance. Harvey Vale had a cross clawed away by Mannion, while Thomas scuffed an effort inside the box.
However, it was the U’s who almost broke the deadlock on the hour mark, as Andrew’s free-kick found Jobe at the back post, but the centre-back’s header came back off the upright.
Both sides had long-range efforts at the midway point of the half, with
Evans curling over from distance, before Andrew had a low drive blocked at the other end.
United spurned a good opportunity to take the lead 16 minutes from time as Jobe’s long throw dropped to Kaikai, who fired over from just inside the box.
George Hoddle came on for his U’s debut in the closing stages, while former United forward Jevani Brown forced Mannion into a save five minutes from time.
The hosts scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute as Thomas was played in behind United’s backline and the winger picked out Martin unmarked inside the box, who slotted home from close range.
Liam Bennett had an effort cleared off the line in the final minute of injury-time, as United were unable to find an equaliser and fell to defeat.
Rovers: Ward, Sinclair (Vaughan 64), Aguilera (Brown 73), Thomas, Rossiter (Conteh 50), Taylor, Martin, Vale, Evans, Baggott (Connolly 64), Hoole. Unused subs: Cox, Gordon, McCormick.
U’s: Mannion, L Bennett, Andrew, Digby (C), Brophy, Kaikai (Lankester 75), Ibsen Rossi, May (Hoddle 81), Kachunga, Bonne (Ahadme 63), Jobe. Unused subs: Chadwick, R Bennett, Okenabirhie, Okedina.