Money is quids in thanks to late draw
A LAST-GASP equaliser is perhaps the best outcome any team trailing and down to ten men should expect, but Cambridge boss Richard Money believes his side could have gone on to victory over Tranmere Rovers.
A manic two minutes saw substitute Cole Stockton give the hosts the lead before U’s forward Robbie Simpson was dismissed inside the last 15 minutes of a tight encounter at Prenton Park.
The visitors persevered and were rewarded in the 89th minute when the recalled Michael Nelson rose to head home Sulley Kaikai’s corner before Stockton spurned a decent chance for Tranmere in injury time.
The result extends Cambridge’s unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions and ensures Money’s side remain in the hunt for a play-off spot.
Yet despite the heavy workload on his players with three matches in six days, the U’s boss is confident his versatile side are ready to last the pace.
“I thought it was an outstanding effort from the team,” said Money.
“It was our third game in six days and another heavy pitch, but I thought we were outstanding and a point was the least we deserved.
“In a mad two minutes you’re 1-0 down and down to ten men, but it was a fantastic effort to pull it back, and not only draw but try to win.
“We’ve come here and played with three centreforwards in the first half and changed it as the game gone on to add a bit more pace and trickery.
“I think it shows the options we’ve got in the group and, as the manager, it’s a nice thing to have.”
After a scrappy opening, Tranmere were almost gifted a goal shortly before the break when Greg Taylor miscued a pass to Tom Dunn, only for the Cambridge keeper to react alertly to stop Kayode Odejayi.
Stockton then caught out United by turning Liam Ridehalgh’s cross beyond Dunn on 74 minutes, before Simpson was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Steve Jennings.
Yet Nelson’s late show denied Rovers from claiming a third consecutive league triumph and left manager Micky Adams ruing a missed opportunity.
“They’ve done us with a set piece and we have to learn from that and be better.You need strong personalities in the last two minutes when you're 1-0 up and concede a corner,” he said.
“You know they’re going to load the box but you do your job, lock on to people and attack the ball. If you don’t attack it, we didn’t, they did and it’s in the back of our net.
“What we’ve shown everybody recently is that we can compete.”