United earned a point the hard way tonight  by coming from behind and then seeing the game through despite being reduced to ten men. Matt Green's eleventh of the season (12 BC - Before Chester) gave United hope but Anthony Tonkin's second half red card meant United were made to fight all the way by a Cambridge side who will surely pull away from any danger this season.

Both sides came into the game with contrasting fortunes following the expulsion of Chester City from the Blue Square Premier last week. The decision would see the Yellows extend their lead at the top of the division to a minimum of six points providing victory was assured this evening, while Cambridge would find themselves in the relegation zone should they fail to triumph.

With so much was at stake for both sides the opening five minutes reflected this, with both sides keen to close down their opponents in order to secure an early foothold. A wonderful volleyed ball from Adam Chapman which ended with a weak effort from John Grant provided the main excitement in a largely cautious opening quarter of an hour, but on eighteen minutes the hosts took the lead out of almost nothing. Slow play from Rhys Day in the United defence led to Damian Batt conceding a free kick near the corner flag, and following Simon Russell's far post delivery which was knocked back across goal by Dave Partridge the ball was eventually stabbed home by defender Brian Saah.

The goal spurred a previously quiet home support into life, but instead of dropping their heads Oxford began to gain the upper hand almost immediately. The rest of the half saw the original U's start to dominate. Simon Clist's 25-yard drive was well held by Brown in the Cambridge goal on 24, while Anthony Tonkin's volleyed effort on 34 was valiantly blocked by the home defence ten minutes later.

United were turning on the style with some fantastic flowing passing, and on 42 they were deservedly back on level terms. A half-cleared corner ended with Jake Wright delivering the ball back into the box which skipper Chris Hargreaves flicked on from the edge of the penalty area, where Matt Green found himself with enough time to turn and fire the ball past Brown with his left foot.

It was no more than United had deserved after dominating the game since falling behind, and with Adam Chapman's free kick causing a good save from Brown on the stroke of half-time it looked as though the visitors would be the ones to go into the second half with their tails up.

The home side definitely have enough in the tank to pull away from the perilous position that they find themselves in, with Danny Crow looking lively up front and no obvious shortage of confidence in any areas. Their fans will play a key part in pushing their team on, just as United's own supporters were once again superb throughout the whole ninety minutes.

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half were as cagey as the first although there were good signs from the front pair of Green and Grant , the latter linking play well and working extremely hard on his full debut. Green's low cross on 51 deserved a finishing touch, but on 62 minutes United were in Ryan Clarke's debt once again as he produced yet another incredible save.

Crow took aim from thirty yards with a sublime dipping shot which was sinking just in time to drop under the crossbar. Clarke, backpedalling, looked beaten but somehow took off and arched back to finger tip the shot over the bar. A save of the very highest order from a keeper of the very highest calibre.

United were still in the game as a result and might have gone in front when Green's flick on 75 hit a stray leg when it might have gone in on other nights, with Chris Hargreaves slamming the loose ball over the bar from the edge of the box. But then on 76 United were down to ten men as Tonkin's return to his former club went sour. Jake Wright's gallop forward was interrupted by sub Jay Reason who had the simple task of threading the ball through for Crow to race clear. Tonkin was gaining wih every stride but the penalty area was drawing closer and closer. In the end Tonkin lent on Crow just ouside the box, conceding a free kick but sacrificing himself at the same time. He was already in the dressing room before Clarke made another fine save to keep Crow's free kick out of the net from inches under the bar.

Mark Creighton was sent on to shore up the defence in the closing stages and the backline held firm despite Cambridge's best efforts.The best moment came as Wright somehow lifted the ball to safety over his own bar from a yard after Saah had headed an 89th minute Reason free kick goalwards. The U's might even have nicked it on 93 minutes as Creighton's low cross was met by Clist but the ball struck keeper Brown in the chest and span to safety.

United now face two home games in a row against Hayes and Yeading and then Kettering. It's time to roar them round the final bend and into the finishing straight. Be there.

Report by Ryan Bird and Chris Williams.

Att: 3,002

Away: 678

See it all in Gallery, with highlights and reaction in Yellow Player