Blues go out after Cambridge’s late burst

Dunstable Town were knocked out of the Red Insure Cup at the first round stage on Tuesday night after two late goals saw them lose 3-1 to fellow Southern Premier Division side Cambridge City.

The hosts made a raft of changes as Bart Pedrycz donned the keeper’s gloves and there were starts for Ryan Plowright, Anthony Leslie, Stephen Wake and Kai Gardner, with Curtis Shaw, Lorenzo Ferrari, Mark Reilly and Alex Dixon on the bench.

Captain for the night was Lee Roache, still in the hunt for full fitness and a return to form, while Victor Osobu was available after being cup-tied at the weekend and headed Gary Wharton’s cross wide early on.

At the other end, Josh Dawkin was off target, as was Andrew Philips, while Dunstable came close too as Wharton fired into the stands.

Pedrycz was called upon to hold Danny Kelly’s shot, while Wharton’s energetic pace was causing problems and a good move involving David Keenleyside and Osobu saw the latter blast over.

Home keeper Pedrycz made a decent save from Alex Serrano, but Dunstable were in front on 34 minutes as Keenleyside’s magnificent pass found Osobu who finished well.

City were level five minutes later through when Duran Reynolds restored parity, while Osobu and Gardner went close to putting Dunstable back in front.

In the second period, Pedrycz made a fine one-handed stop, while Blues’ Anthony Leslie shot over as Jamale McKenzie-Lowe replaced Keenleyside.

Shaw and Dixon also came on for the hosts as both sides had half-chances, Osobu wide of the mark, with penalties appearing to be needed to settle the outcome.

However, with just two minutes to go, Cambridge took the lead for the first time as Neil Midgley got in the final touch and Serrano killed the tie in stoppage time, with City’s third.

Blues travel to Merthyr Town in the league this weekend.

Dunstable: Bart Pedrycz, Zack Reynolds, Ryan Plowright, Anthony Leslie (Curtis Shaw 59), Stephen Wake, Adam Pepera, David Keenleyside (Jemale McKenzie-Lowe 46), Kai Gardner, Lee Roache, Gary Wharton (Alex Dixon 68), Victor Osobu.

Subs not used: Lorenzo Ferrari, Mark Reilly.

Cambridge City: Zac Barrett, Jon Kaye, Charlie Day, Duran Reynolds, Lee Chaffey (Neil Midgley 70), Buster Harradine, Alex Serrano, Joseph Tabiri (Fernando Garcia 27), Andrew Phillips, Danny Kelly, Josh Dawkin.

Attendance: 60.