Cambridge United rescue late Sky Bet League One point at Bolton Wanderers thanks to Sam Smith header

A stoppage-time header from Sam Smith earned Cambridge United what could prove to be a precious 1-1 draw from this afternoon’s clash at Bolton Wanderers.

The U’s made the trip to north west buoyed by the fact they had put consecutive Sky Bet League One victories on the board for the first time since early September – results that had moved them to within three points of safety.

But despite creating a number of good openings at The University of Bolton Stadium it appeared United were going to pay for not making the most of those until the fifth minute of time added on when in-form frontman Smith glanced in from a Jack Lankester free kick to cancel out Declan John’s opener midway through the second half.

The lack of a goal aside, it was largely a positive first-half away performance from United.

Liam Bennett shot well over in the 10th minute after spotting Wanderers goalkeeper James Trafford off his line, while five minutes later Smith was denied by the woodwork. The forward, who had scored in back-to-back games for the first time this season going into the encounter, beat Trafford with a looping header from Steve Seddon’s right-wing corner but the ball cannoned against the post.

The ever willing Seddon also got forward well in the 30th minute and drilled in a low cross from the left for James Brophy, but he was unable to make a clean contact and Bolton were able to clear the danger.

As the minutes ticked on the home faithful grew increasingly frustrated with their side, who were being stifled well by United’s back five.

However, Wanderers should have given their supporters something to cheer about in the 34th minute. From just inside the United half, George Johnston slotted a through ball on the inside of Liam Bennett which freed John. In the meantime, George Thomason had broken clear of the visitors’ defence but instead of being presented with a tap-in, John went for glory from a narrow angle and Dimitar Mitov saved well with his feet.

Up the other end Harvey Knibbs – making his 150th appearance for Cambridge – dragged a right-footed shot well wide of the target from just inside the box after he had collected a neat lay-off from Smith before the half ended with Wanderers’ Manchester United loanee Shola Shoretire having a goal ruled out for offside.

It was United that went closest to breaking the deadlock during the early exchanges of the second half when Smith’s free kick from 25 yards out kept low and had Trafford concerned enough to scamper across his line, but the ball drifted a yard or so wide.

Before play could restart Bolton boss Ian Evatt made a triple substitution – which included the introduction of leading goalscorer Dion Charles – and it resulted in the hosts enjoying their best spell of the game.

They started to play more in United’s half and the pressure eventually told in the 67th minute. Mitov showed good reflexes to keep out Johnston’s initial attempt from 10 yards out, but John was alert to the rebound and he smashed the ball back beyond the reach of the Bulgarian.

United boss Mark Bonner reacted with three changes of his own as Lankester, Shilow Tracey and Harrison Dunk all entered the action. And it had a positive impact of sorts with the away side starting to wrestle back some of the possession, yet Trafford in the Bolton goal remained largely unworked.

In contrast, Charles went close to scoring his 20th goal of the season in the 81st minute after he nipped in behind Michael Morrison and saw his shot smash against the base of the post before Elias Kachunga was denied twice in quick succession by Lloyd Jones blocks.

Bonner went even more attacking with his changes five minutes from time as Joe Ironside and Fejiri Okenabirhie replaced Ryan Bennett and Paul Digby – moves that saw United go 4-3-3. And the two players almost combined to draw United level with their first touches as Okenabirhie picked the pocket of Aaron Morley and crossed for Ironside, but his header from six yards out drifted harmlessly wide and with it seemingly their chances of picking up a point.

However, in the very last knockings Luke Mbete hauled down Okenabirhie just outside the box and Smith applied the finishing touch to Lankester’s inswinging delivery to ensure the gap to Oxford United in 20th remains at three points ahead of next week’s home derby against Peterborough United.

Bolton Wanderers: Trafford, Jones, Johnston, Mbete, Bradley, Thomason (Nlundulu 68’), Sheehan (Morley 59’), John, Shoretire (Lee 59’), Adeboyejo (Kachunga 68’), Jerome (Charles 59’)

Cambridge United: Mitov, Jones, R Bennett (Ironside 86’), Morrison, L Bennett, Seddon (Dunk 69’), Digby (Okenabirhie 86’), McGrandles, Brophy, (Tracey 69’) Knibbs (Lankester 69’), Smith