Mark Bonner reflects on Cambridge United's defeat at Wycombe Wanderers in League One

Mark Bonner was left to reflect on a difficult game for Cambridge United in a 3-0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday night.

The hosts took the lead in the 11th minute when Daryl Horgan's long-range effort took a deflection off team-mate Anis Mehmeti to beat U's keeper Dimi Mitov.

It was 2-0 minutes later as Mehmeti set up Garath McCleary to score.

There was a chance for United to reduce the arrears through substitute Joe Ironside, on his return from injury, but the striker saw his chance cleared off the line by Sam Vokes.

Wycombe wrapped up their win in the 85th minute on the counter-attack, with McCleary breaking away before sliding a pass across for Mehmeti to hit the back of the net.

"It was a really tough night for us," said U's head coach Bonner.

"We played against a team that if they get in front in the game then they make it really difficult for you.

"The first goal was so unfortunate. There was probably a bit too much space for him to work his shot but after that it's just taken a deflection.

"The second goal coming so soon after, we don't defend against the dribbler in the box too well and he flashes it across the goal and McCleary comes off the back post to score from the cutback.

"It's a well-executed goal from their side, but one that we've got to do better with against those fast dodge players who caused us problems in space off the strikers and off the wide area, and we didn't deal with that very well.

"It made the game really difficult because at that point we had a lot of the ball, quite a lot of the ball in deep areas, but we didn't create enough tempo to the game or generate enough momentum when we had the chance to.

"For lots of ball, we didn't create too many chances against a team that it's hard to [against] and then they had a counter-attacking threat against us.

"Late in the game, we chased it a little bit and had a chance cleared off the line at 2-0 which might change it but then we end up all out of shape trying to chase it and don't do that very well.

"They scored the third and it makes it nothing towards the end when we might have had a bit of momentum if we'd got a goal, we might have made them nervous."

He added: "Over the course of the 90 minutes, them getting in front was a big thing. We might not have been able to play two tougher away games on the bounce at this stage of the season.

"You can see what a forceful, powerful team they are, in a difficult run of form but players in there with players that can cause you problems and at times tonight they did."

United play Wycombe at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday, April 5, while this Saturday (March 5), they are at home to Shrewsbury Town.