In-form Joe Ironside strikes to earn Cambridge United a hard-fought draw at Plymouth Argyle

Joe Ironside struck a third goal in three Sky Bet League One games as Cambridge United earned a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw at Plymouth Argyle.

It was an eventful match which saw United skipper Greg Taylor stretchered off, the hosts go ahead through Luke Jephcott, Ironside have his penalty saved by Plymouth keeper Mike Cooper and then tuck away the rebound for the draw.

United made an encouraging start, in what was a lively opening spell.

There was a set to early on, which resulted in United's George Williams and Plymouth's James Wilson being booked.

Paul Digby fired a free kick over the bar for the U's and, from the first corner of the game in the 11th minute, Williams was off target.

Plymouth's first shot came from Ryan Broom, but his effort was easily saved by Dimi Mitov in the U's goal.

Minutes later, Liam O'Neil forced Plymouth shot-stopper Cooper into action with a low strike from the edge of the area.

Panutche Camara went even closer to breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute, with a head narrowly over the bar from six yards out from Broom's cross.

But there was a big blow for Cambridge United in the 27th minute, when captain Taylor went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury after falling awkwardly following a challenge.

With Jubril Okedina already out injured and Lloyd Jones being forced to miss the defeat at Accrington Stanley, it was a big loss for United, who had to reshuffle, with Jack Iredale going back into defence and Harrison Dunk coming on in midfield.

Camara threatened the United goal again in the 38th minute, firing high and wide from a corner.

Despite the enforced changes, United looked strong and resolute defensively, going in all-square at the break.

United had a left off in the 54th minute.

Plymouth thought they had broken the deadlock through Luke Jephcott, who had found space in the area to finish but a very late offside flag - after a conversation between the referee and his assistant - meant the chance was chalked off and it remained 0-0.

After that early flurry of activity at the start of the second half, the game soon settled down.

There was a scare for the U's in the 67th minute as Macaulay Gillesphey's 30-yard effort had to be pushed over the bar by Mitov.

But from the following passage of play, Plymouth did take the lead.

A cross was hit in from the left by Jordan Houghton and Jephcott made amends for the earlier disallowed effort by volleying into the back of the net.

Shilow Tracey had caused Plymouth problems in the first half, and it was the winger that provided United the opportunity to equalise in the 75th minute.

Having cut into the area, the former Spurs man was fouled by Gillesphey.

Ironside stood over the penalty, and though Cooper saved the spot-kick low to his right, the United striker tucked away the rebound to make it 1-1.

There was a double scare in stoppage time. U's defender Williams cleared a Dan Scarr shot off the line, and the Plymouth man then headed the subsequent corner onto the bar and over.

It meant that United sealed a hard-earned point, with a typically committed display.

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