Five things to take away from Cambridge United’s draw with Ipswich Town in Sky Bet League One

Cambridge United produced a battling performance to grab a deserved point in a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town in Sky Bet League One.

Joe Ironside headed in an 88th-minute equaliser to add to James Brophy’s first-half effort as they pegged back a two-goal deficit to earn a third 2-2 draw in four games.

There were 7,944 crammed inside in the Abbey Stadium for the U’s first sell-out league fixture in a long time, and it all helped to generate a charged atmosphere.

Head coach Mark Bonner was delighted with the way his side fought back into the game, and we take a look at some of the points that stood out from the afternoon.

1) Joe Ironside deserves more protection

You are unlikely to hear a word of complaint from the U’s No 9 as that really is not his style, but he does deserve a bit more protection from officials.

His honest endeavour and hard-working approach means that he is not one to get in the ear of the referee, instead he just focuses on the task in hand.

But Ironside is constantly buffered from pillar to post by defenders.

While he can more than hold his own, there are times when you just feel the treatment he receives goes a bit far beyond what is fair.

There have been so many old-fashioned battles between the centre forward and defenders already this season, but at times you are left wondering what has to happen to Ironside for him to be awarded a free kick.

George Edmundson, in particular, was grappling with Ironside all afternoon, tugging at his shirt and smothering him at times for headers.

And so the equaliser was all the more sweeter for U’s supporters, who felt their striker had been on the end of some rough justice all game.

2) Liam O’Neil is a big miss

It is by no means a criticism of anyone else, but United certainly felt the midfielder’s absence, particularly in the first half.

He goes widely unheralded, externally at least, but the amount of unseen work he does becomes apparent when he is not there.

O’Neil acts as such a vital protection for the back four, breaking up opposition attacks and doing a tidying up job for those around him.

He suffered a calf injury in training and how long he will be out for is not yet known, but it will give others the chance to showcase their ability in midfield.

3) Errors are punished more harshly in League One

The U’s are learning quickly that the new division is so much more punishing for even the slightest of errors.

It is not taking anything away from Ipswich, as their swarming affect in the midfield had United on the back foot for much of the first half, but the Tractor Boys’ two goals were ultimately from two errors by the hosts.

These minor slips may have escaped punishment in League Two, but the different calibre of player - Ipswich scorer Sone Aluko was in the Championship last season having once been a £7.5m signing - means they are more likely to be punished

It was also the second game in a row that United have had to recover from a two-goal deficit to earn a draw.

But it is all part of the learning curve for Bonner’s side.

4) United have belief in their style of play

You could overlap this with regards to the character and heart of the side, which is an imprint and embossed on the squad by Bonner, and a given.

But there is one thing in trying and fighting hard to the very end, and another in finding a way to actually get points from a game.

The U’s did not resort to throwing balls into the box in the hope of getting a lucky bounce or rebound, they maintained a consistent build-up approach to try to pick their way through the Ipswich defence.

It helped them earn corners, which in turn led to the equaliser.

This shows a real confidence in what they are attempting to do and how they are trying to do it, and it is reaping its rewards.

5) And finally, a point and a full house

It is stating the obvious, but the feeling of taking away a point with a comeback and an equaliser in the 88th minute is ever so sweet.

The Abbey faithful in a sell-out crowd never lost faith in their side, despite the way Ipswich were playing in the first half, and that seemed to transmit to the team.

United only had one shot in the first half, James Brophy’s equaliser, but there were no murmurings of discontent, even before the goal, and so the atmosphere became a galvanising one.

The support - after a season away - is definitely driving the team on.

It created some atmosphere when Joe Ironside made it 2-2, and definitely sent the U’s fans home in good heart.

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Joe Ironside completes Cambridge United comeback in draw with Ipswich Town in Sky Bet League One