Shaun Derry delighted with Cambridge United after Crawley Town triumph

U's take play-off chase to final game of the season

Cambridge United boss Shaun Derry has paid tribute to the leadership of Luke Berry but says it will take another impressive collective effort to clinch a shot at promotion.

United’s 2-0 home victory over Crawley Town last Saturday left them still very much in with a chance of capturing a play-off spot.

However, for that to happen they must beat rivals Wycombe away from home and hope that other results go their way.

Derry said: “We are absolutely jumping through hoops that we have taken it down to the final game. It is not over and we look forward to the week ahead.”

A second-half penalty by Berry, his 22nd of the season, helped United to finish off Crawley and Derry is delighted with the player who made the League Two PFA Team of the Year and has now been nominated for the player of the month award for April.

Derry said: “It’s testament that Luke is the one who hit the winner.

“He has had an unbelievable season and fully deserves his recognition getting into the team of the year and he has been a true leader, so I’m delighted for him, but for us today it was a collective effort.

“It was very much a team performance and we go into next week and we’re still in it which is marvellous.”

But the road to a play-off spot is paved with hurdles and results that are out of their control.

Carlisle and Blackpool are the two teams within the U’s sights but the latter are unlikely to come unstuck at home to already relegated Leyton Orient.

So, United must hope that Carlisle, whose away form has been indifferent this calendar year, suffer from travel fatigue and lose to fifth-placed Exeter.

If that happens and Stevenage lost at home to Accrington Stanley, then Cambridge could steal that final play-off position and keep them in with a remarkable chance of promotion.