Mark Bonner hails ‘brilliant’ result for Cambridge United to end Bolton Wanderers' unbeaten record

Mark Bonner has praised Cambridge United's performance in the 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Abbey Stadium.

Shilow Tracey's first-half goal was enough for the U's as they ended an opponents' unbeaten record for the second home game in a row.

It was a gutsy display where the visitors had much more of the possession, but United were resolute in defence to limit the Trotters to few clear-cut opportunities.

“We had to hang on a little bit. Having said that, Dimi (Mitov) has made a brilliant save one on one and it is their only attempt on target," said the United head coach.

“Sometimes it feels horrible when you’re out there because you are deeper, you’re not getting the ball and they force you back.

“I thought in the first 25 minutes we were brilliant. It was textbook how we wanted the game to look and then you get on top of the game, you get ahead, and the game changes a little bit, the context of the game changes.

“We struggled to get too much control. There were some periods where we had to work really hard against what I think is a brilliant team.

“I think we have put in place a good plan, but a plan is only good if your players execute it and there work ethic is outstanding at the moment - and I think we’ve seen that over a number of weeks. It was a brilliant result."

The lasting memory of the game was the concentration and determination to graft in defence, but given that the goal was scored in the 16th minute, it was easy to forget how well the U's started the game, which was with a real crispness and buoyancy to their passing to create chances.

“I thought we were excellent, some of our counter-attacking play was very good," said Bonner.

“We took the ball quite well, and then when you get a bit deeper and they get control of the game, it can feel horrible really.

“We didn’t take the ball as much in the second half. We turned it over a little bit too readily, too easily and they are all things that we’re going to get better at and learn from."

It was Tracey's first goal of the season, and his second for the club, and was well-taken, with a calm finish into the bottom corner after a smart attack involving Wes Hoolahan and George Williams.

“It was a good move, and a good finish from him," said Bonner of the goal and scorer.

“I think we need a goal threat all over the pitch, and the challenge to those wide players and attacking midfield players is to make sure they give us that.

“They’ve got to be creators of chances, they’ve got to be assist makers, they’ve got to be goalscorers and it’s important for him to get off the mark for the season.

“Shilow scored one at Orient last year, and I thought he took his goal well actually.

“In a game like that, they are limited with the number of chances that they can create and they have. You are asking them to play a game that is probably not their favourite game, it’s not a Hoolahan love affair - it’s not the sort of game he loves too much, but I thought his work ethic was unbelievable.

“For all of us to have that and to bring a bit of sprinkling of quality with the ball is important."

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