Rotherham United 2 Cambridge United 1 match report: Ryan Loft scores in U’s League One defeat
Cambridge United remain six points from safety in League One after losing at Rotherham on Tuesday night.
The U’s went ahead early in the second half but were quickly overhauled by Steve Evans’ side.
Cambridge boss Garry Monk made two changes following the win over Mansfield with Jack Stevens and Jubril Okedina replacing the injured Marko Maroši and Zeno Ibsen Rossi.
On his 50th start for the U’s, Elias Kachunga picked up a needless booking for kicking the ball away inside the first four minutes after the hosts were awarded a soft free-kick.
Chances were few and far between in a flat first half when the home side failed to break down a resolute Cambridge defence.
The best opening fell to the U’s on 14 minutes when Ryan Loft prodded wide after a brave header by Jordan Cousins following a long throw into the Rotherham penalty area by Danny Andrew.
Monk introduced James Gibbons for Okedina, who had made his 100th league appearance, at the start of the second half.
Cambridge keeper Jack Stevens was finally called into action just a minute after the restart when Mallik Wilks burst into the penalty area but failed to get enough power behind his left-foot effort.
The visitors took the lead on 49 minutes when Josh Stokes played in Loft and he bundled his way past the challenge of Sean Raggett one challenge before unleashing a powerful right-foot shot into the roof of the net to make it two goals in as many games.
The lead only lasted four minutes as Joe Powell crossed brilliantly from the left and Wilks’ header went in via the upright to make it 1-1.
Andrew shot high and wide from long range before a well-worked Cambridge free-kick nearly saw centre-back Kell Watts connect inside the penalty area.
Stevens produced an excellent save to prevent an own goal by Gibbons after he tried to block a left-wing cross in the box.
Then Louie Sibley forced another fine stop from Stevens, who tipped over his left-foot shot after an exchange with Andre Green down the left.
Dom Ballard was introduced midway through the second half for his Cambridge debut, having joined the previous day on loan from Southampton.
But no sooner had he been introduced than Rotherham were ahead for the first time. Wilks turned provider, cutting the ball back for skipper Hakeem Odoffin, whose first-time finish left Stevens with no chance.
Esapa Osong came on against the club he was previously on loan at for the final five minutes before Cambridge were granted a sixth substitution when Watts was forced off with an eye injury and youngster George Hoddle came on as a concussion replacement.
There were seven minutes of stoppage time. Ballard delivered a dangerous cross which was well claimed by the keeper but Cambridge were unable to fashion a clear-cut opportunity to equalise.
Cambridge: Stevens, Bennett (Osong 85mins), Andrew, Morrison, Watts (Hoddle 89mins), Brophy (Digby 68mins), Kachunga, Okedina (Gibbons 46mins), Loft (Barton 85mins), Stokes (Ballard 68mins), Cousins. Sub not used: Chadwick.
Attendance: 8,162 (260 away).