Town twice come from behind to earn hard-fought U’s point

Blue Square Bet Premier: Cambridge United 2 (1) Luton Town 2 (0)

A controversial encounter saw the Hatters twice come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Cambridge United this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

After a poor first half showing from the Hatters an engrossing second period saw Jon Shaw head Luton level early on and, after the U’s had once again retaken the lead, Andre Gray won a penalty and Solomon Taiwo kept his cool to stroke home and earn the Hatters a point.

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Both teams threatened at the death but neither could force a winner as Town remain 10 points off the play-offs with seven games to play.

Town made just one change to the team that was held to a goalless home draw by Tamworth last weekend, Gray partnering Jon Shaw in attack as Alex Wall dropped to the bench. New signing Scott Griffiths was also named as a replacement for the first time as Ronnie Henry dropped out of Luton’s squad altogether.

A speculative effort by former Town midfielder Rossi Jarvis was well off target in the first minute before a cross seemed to be headed against Simon Ainge’s arm by Steve McNulty but nothing was doing.

Cambridge made by far the better start as Luton too often gave the ball away and conceded far too many free-kicks.

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The U’s continued to press as Ainge got a good block in to deny Harrison Dunk after making an error before Tom Shaw’s dipping half-volley was straight at Mark Tyler on 14 minutes.

Both teams had chances in quick succession four minutes later. Tom Shaw almost got the better of Jake Goodman but the young defender showed just enough strength to recover and put in a telling challenger.

At the other end Martin put in a teasing cross just beyond the reach of Gray and Jon Shaw as the game finally started to open up.

However, it was the hosts that took a well-deserved lead two minutes later. Town lost possession on halfway and Ainge’s header fell straight to Tom Shaw on the edge of the box whose low shot went just past three defenders and nestled in the bottom corner of the unsighted Tyler’s net.

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Luton looked to respond as Martin’s 25-yard effort was well held by Nicholas Pope, before the keeper denied him with an ever better stop on 28 minutes.

Ainge’s long throw was allowed to run to Gray in the box, who seemed to be wrestled to the floor by a defender, and, although nothing was given, the ball ran to Martin whose first-time effort was somehow brilliantly clawed away from the top corner by the keeper.

The unmarked Liam Hughes was allowed to glance a corner over the bar, while on the stroke of half time Gray caught Josh Coulson with an ever so slightly high boot and he was stretchered off and replaced by Rory McAuley.

Gray almost got free in the box early in the second half, before a forceful run by Dunk ended in Sam Smith slamming into the side netting five minutes in.

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A busier Jake Howells speared an effort wide before Town levelled on 53 minutes. Gray set Martin clear but a great challenge from substitute McAuley stopped him from pulling the trigger. However, the winger didn’t give up and floated a lovely cross in for the unmarked Jon Shaw to nip in ahead of Pope and glance home.

Now on the front foot Gray pushed forward and dragged a good chance well wide from 20 yards.

However, the U’s took the lead in controversial fashion when Hughes tumbled over a Jon Shaw challenge, despite being several feet past the striker. And the well delivered free-kick picked out substitute Nathan Blissett, who had only been on a matter of seconds, to head the U’s back into the lead a minute past the hour.

But Cambridge’s lead was short-lived as referee Charles Breakspear made another controversial call. The U’s two centre-halves collided and as Gray raced on to the loose ball the keeper blocked his run and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

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And new boy Taiwo allayed Town’s penalty hoodoo to send Pope the wrong way as he stroked confidently into the bottom right-hand corner to level the scores on 65 minutes.

Young striker Wall replaced Martin on 67 minutes and the visitors went close again on 73 minutes

when a deep cross found the onrushing Ainge and his low drive was spilled by the keeper as the U’s scrambled behind.

Cambridge had another good chance moments later when Blissett broke down the left and Dunk wastefully side-footed wide, although a corner was given as the referee incorrectly adjudged that it had taken a touch off Goodman.

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Overlapping full-back Curtis Haynes-Brown flashed a rocket wide of the post with 12 minutes to go as the prickly atmosphere intensified.

The game looked like it could still go either way as Cambridge finished the stronger and a succession of corners eventually ended in big striker Tom Elliott hooking a good chance well over with a minute to go.

Four minutes were added as Gray threatened at the death but neither side could force a winner as the game finished all-square after an engrossing second half.

U’s (4-4-2): Nicholas Pope, Kevin Roberts (C), Josh Coulson (Rory McAuley 45+4), Tom Shaw, Tom Elliott, Harrison Dunk, Rossi Jarvis, Liam Hughes, Charlie Wassmer, Sam Smith (Nathan Blissett 60), Curtis Haynes-Brown. Substitutes not used: Andy Pugh, Luke Berry, Craig Ross.

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Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Steve McNulty (C), Jon Shaw, Jake Howells, Simon Ainge, David Martin (Alex Wall 67), Jonathan Smith, Andre Gray, Jake Goodman, Solomon Taiwo. Substitutes not used: Scott Rendell, Matt Robinson, Dean Brill, Scott Griffiths.

Booked: Wassmer 62; Taiwo 66; Howells 68; Smith 74; Goodman 83.

Referee: Charles Breakspear.

Assistant Referees: Alan Dale and Neil West.

Fourth Official: Chris Pollard.

Attendance: 3,217 (737 Luton).

Star Hatter: Solomon Taiwo. Battled hard in the middle, showed some good touches and kept his cool with a fine penalty.

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