Cambridge United forced to settle for a point in Sky Bet League One clash against Shrewsbury Town at the Abbey Stadium
A late goal from Taylor Perry denied Cambridge United a first victory since early September as visiting Shrewsbury recorded a 1-1 draw at the Abbey Stadium during this afternoon’s Sky Bet League One encounter.
It appeared that a wonder goal from captain Michael Morrison – his first for the club in more than 16 years – was going to end Cambridge’s run of five games in all competitions without a win.
However, with time running out they were hit by a sucker-punch when Perry turned the ball in from inside a crowded penalty box.
During a first half that lacked any genuine rhythm, it was Cambridge that carved out the better of the chances.
In the seventh minute James Brophy’s effort from inside the box was blocked by a last ditch sliding challenge from Tom Flanagan, while four minutes later a well-worked corner ended with Morrison skewing a low shot wide of the target.
The U’s came agonisingly close to getting themselves in front in the 38th minute when a swift counter-attack featuring both Liam Bennett and Fejiri Okenabirhie ended with Jack Lankester seeing his shot cannon against the crossbar.
Shrewsbury, meanwhile, struggled to carve out anything of note – although they were almost gift-wrapped a goal in the 31st minute. Liam Bennett did not check before passing the ball back to goalkeeper Jack Stevens and Kieran Phillips pounced, only for Cambridge’s number one to rescue the situation.
The visitors also felt aggrieved when United midfielder Paul Digby – already on a booking – committed another foul, but referee Scott Tallis opted against brandishing a second yellow card.
Shrewsbury started the second half brightly and created three chances early on, although none of them landed on target. Jason Sraha curled a shot over the top and then looped a header on to the roof of the net before Phillips’ acrobatic volley bounced a yard wide.
Morrison’s moment came in the 69th minute with what was a goal of the season contender. Encouraged into the Shrewsbury half by Brophy – who duly passed him the ball – centre-back Morrison skipped past one challenge and then did not stop, negotiating his way beyond another four challenges with a mazy run before picking out the bottom corner with the composure of a centre-forward.
However, it was not to be a match-winning intervention because with just two minutes remaining Cambridge were unable to clear the danger and when the ball broke to Perry, he fired the ball beyond the reach of Stevens.
Cambridge United: Stevens, L Bennett, R Bennett, Morrison, Andrew, Digby (Cousins 70’), Thomas, Gordon (Janneh 62’), Brophy, Lankester (May 62’), Okenabirhie (Ahadme 70’)
Shrewsbury Town: Marosi, Flanagan, Dunkley, Sraha, Benning (Bowman 74’), Fleming, Bayliss (Bennett 81’), Perry, Winchester, Udoh, Phillips (Subowale 74’)
