Mark Bonner delighted with Cambridge United point at Burton Albion at end of testing run
Mark Bonner was “thrilled” to get a point after weighing up all the factors as Cambridge United drew 2-2 at Burton Albion in Sky Bet League One last Saturday.
United fell behind to Gassan Ahadme’s penalty after the striker had been fouled after just 21 seconds by Jubril Okedina.
Harvey Knibbs hooked in an equaliser for the U’s after 25 minutes.
In the second half, William Kokolo put Burton back in front, but a sharp turn and finish by Sam Smith in the 72nd minute earned United a draw.
“Most of these boys have played 12 games in 41 days, most of them away on some horrible surfaces, the schedule has been brutal and it was important not to get beaten so I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve taken a point,” said United head coach Mark Bonner.
“There were probably a couple of moments there where we might think, ‘you know what, with a bit more about us we might have been able to get one [another goal]’. But they were tricky chances and tricky pitches to play on.
“Full credit to the lads for their effort and the work ethic since the turn of the year because they’ve been outstanding.”
United’s schedule has been unrelenting, but they went through January unbeaten and that was despite a lengthy absentee list.
“They are a tired group of players there, there’s no doubt,” said Bonner. “They are going on the pitch in the last couple of weeks and they need a recharge week, which we’ve got before another busy fortnight.
“It was important we took something from it. If we’d have taken three points, we would have been delighted but we learned our lesson from Tuesday [a 1-0 defeat to Gillingham through an 86th-minute goal] to make sure we came away with something in a game that we definitely should come out with something,
“To come from behind twice here, against these, their record when they've gone ahead is outstanding in the league and we've been able to pull it back twice so I'm pleased with that."
This week is the U's first without a midweek game since the turn of the year, although there is another busy period just around the corner.
Bonner added: "It will be a little bit of recharge for them, and then as the week goes on we can maybe do a little bit of work ahead of the Accrington game but we have to be mindful that the next block is another five games in a fortnight and then things start to settle."
United are at home to Accrington Stanley this Saturday (February 19) and then host Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday (February 22).