Cambridge United suffer setback at Accrington Stanley in play-off hopes

Depleted U's lose on the road

Cambridge United suffered woe on the road as they were beaten 2-0 at Accrington Stanley in Sky Bet League Two last night.

After a promising 0-0 draw at home to in-form Stevenage last Saturday, the U’s headed to the North West in the hope of using their game in hand to close the gap on the play-off places.

They were already missing the injured Piero Mingoia and the ill Adam McGurk from the weekend, and things got worse for Shaun Derry’s side on the night with an injury to defender Scott Wharton in the warm-up.

Mark Roberts stepped into the starting line-up, leaving the U’s with only five players on the bench, given the problems that have beset the squad.

Accrington opened the scoring in the 19th minute as Sean McConville drilled home from just inside the box, but United created a number of opportunities before the break and were just unable to get the equaliser.

However, Accrington grabbed a second goal in the 54th minute when Shay McCartan ran on to a through ball from Billy Kee to finish past U’s keeper Will Norris.

The result leaves United five points off the play-offs, with seven matches remaining.

The U’s are on the road again this Saturday, away to Crewe Alexandra.