Cambridge United close in on play-off places by holding on against Yeovil

U's win 2-1 after impressive first-half display.

Cambridge United claimed their first win in five games to leave them still dreaming of a play-off charge.

The home side overcame a poor Yeovil Town side that arrived at the Cambs Glass stadium with one of the worst defences in Skybet League Two.

Their fragility was there for all to see when United scored twice inside six minutes in the opening half to effectively seal all three points.

United went into the game nursing a record of three defeats and a draw in all competitions since their home victory over struggling Forest Green Rovers last month.

They were just two places above opponents Yeovil before the contest began but their superiority soon began to show.

United looked quicker and more efficient in the final third and their pressure paid off in the 20th minute when Jevani Brown’s measured through ball allowed top scorer Uche Ikpeazu to round Town goalkeeper Artur Krysiak and slide the ball into an empty net.

It was the striker’s sixth goal of the season.

Six minutes later a cross from Brad Halliday was headed home by the unmarked George Maris for his first of the season.

Yeovil’s resistance, such as it was, disintegrated until the second half when Bevis Mugabi rose high to head home a goal on the hour.

But despite the scare, Cambridge largely kept control to close the gap on the play-off pack at the top.

There were a few anxious moments, including a clearance off the line by Jabo Ibehre to protect United’s advantage.

Yeovil, with only one win on their travels all season, couldn’t quite find the second goal that would have given them an undeserved point.

Maris should have wrapped it up for the home side midway through the second half but his header shaved the post instead of finding the net.

The victory for United was just the tonic required for boss Shaun Derry, especially after their bruising goalless encounter against Lincoln at Sincil Bank on Saturday.

Now the U’s manager believes the players can keep up the home form when they face bottom club Chesterfield this weekend.

Derry said: “Our home form has been at a good standard so far this season and there is a real determination within the group to extend that.

“We have developed a strategy that we are confident will give us the opportunity to produce a winning formula.”