Competition: Blue Square Premier
Weather at kick-off: Sunny, clear
Goals:
United: Rendell 11'
Salisbury: Brown 86'

In front of the first South Stand Initiative-boosted crowd of the season, Cambridge United took an 11th minute lead through Scott Rendell's ninth goal of the season. The striker had a superb second goal ruled out just before half-time when the ref pulled play back as the ball was in goalbound rather than play the advantage, and a disappointing second half saw Salisbury's Marvin Brown equalise with three minutes remaining.

Jimmy Quinn made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Stafford last weekend, recalling Leo Fortune-West and handing Yeovil loanee Darryl Knights a debut in place of Lee Boylan (ill) and Mark Convery (hamstring). Knights started in a slightly withdrawn forward role, playing just behind the front two of Fortune-West and Scott Rendell,

Salisbury boss Nick Holmes made five changes to the side that drew 3-3 with Altrincham last time out, calling up Andrew Sandell, Oliver Barnes, Aaron Cook, Ian Herring and Robert Matthews in place of Bass, Bond, Oliver (recalled to Stevenage), Fowler and Brown.

The match kicked off in front of a bumper home crowd boosted by the South Stand Initiative scheme, which invited 2,000 locals to attend the game free of charge, and they were treated to a lively opening.

Leo Fortune-West chased and won a second minute corner against experienced left-back Matt Robinson and debutant Knights showed some good touches and glimpses of his pace as he settled into the game, but the first real sight of goal came from Salisbury when Liam Feeney's good cross found Rob Matthews, who drew a one-handed save from Danny Potter at full-stretch.

A minute later the visitors forced a corner of their own, which was finally cleared by Mark Peters, and United took the lead in the 11th minute. Courtney Pitt's excellent cross caused havoc in the area and resulted in a corner, and although Darren Quinton's flagkick was partially cleared, the same player lifted it back in and Scott Rendell stole in and forced the ball home despite Clarke touching it onto the post.

Knights had a cross cleared three minutes later, at the other end Ollie Barnes lifted an ambitious effort over the bar from fully 35 yards, and on 19 the visitors should have done better when Gleeson's clearance from Sandell's cross ran for Matt Tubbs but the striker fired wide from 12 yards.

Having notched his ninth goal of the season, Scott Rendell almost scored again in the 21st minute when he met Pitt's cross near the penalty spot and looped a header wide, and three minutes later Pitt found Knights in a crowded area with his back to goal and the youngster turned quickly and flashed a shot just wide.

United were very much on the front foot, as manager Jimmy Quinn had demanded before the game, and with Knights getting forward to form a lively front three with Fortune-West and Rendell the visitors were occupied with trying to contain them. However they were quick to take chances when they presented themselves and on Feeney fed the ball to Clarke who lifted the ball over the bar.

Knights tried his luck again on the half hour with a left-footed strike just wide of the near post, and moments later a good United move saw Wolleaston pick out Gleeson's run but the wingback's cross was slightly overhit.

Leo Fortune-West was booked on 33 for arguing against an offside decision, and a minute later Mark Albrighton bravely blocked Sandell's shot and stayed down briefly for attention from physio Greg Reid.

Fortune-West turned and lifted a 30-yarder well off target in the 37th minute, and with the game becoming increasingly competitive Salisbury captain Aaron Cook was booked for clattering into the back of Rendell, and at the free kick Albrighton's shot was charged down by Robinson for a corner.

Danny Potter had to snatch a Herring effort from the air in the 43rd minute, but then Jimmy Quinn was forced into an early change when Darren Quinton was fouled by Tubbs outside the area and had to be stretchered off with a knee injury, Stephen Reed his replacement.

When the free kick was eventually taken it deflected off Robinson for what should have been a corner but the referee signalled a goalkick, and there was further confusion in the final seconds when Barnes fouled Knights, and although Rendell pounced to place a well-taken snap shot into the net it was ruled out because the referee had whistled for a free kick while the ball was in flight. Barnes was booked and United were left to count the cost of the disallowed goal as well as the injury to Quinton.

Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"A good start for United in an open game that has perhaps seen too many chances at both ends for the managers' liking. The U's should have gone two up but the referee was too impatient and blew his whistle for a free kick - let's hope it doesn't cost us."

Second half:
United resumed brightly but were incensed by Tubbs' acrobatics as he earned a free kick under Albrighton's challenge, and as United broke away at pace Pitt made a superb run but his cross was too far away from the three United men waiting in the area.

Herring was next to be booked for a 52nd minute foul on Pitt, Gleeson joined him two minutes later for protesting that Salisbury's players were taking a free kick from the wrong place, and as the referee struggled to keep control of the game Mark Albrighton was booked for a push into the back of Tubbs.

On the hour Fortune-West had a shot blocked and moments later he was flagged offside and received a talking-to from the referee for showing his frustration by not stopping immediately. The home fans showed their opinion of the referee with ironic cheers at the next decision in United's favour.

Matthews was booked on 64 for using his elbow on Peters, who needed brief attention from Greg Reid, and Salisbury manager Nick Holmes made a change to his midfield, bringing on Danny Clay for Ian Herring.

Gleeson had a cross cleared away, but the game was going through a dull spell and Jimmy Quinn made his second change with 20 minutes left to bring on Stephen Smith for the tiring Darryl Knights, who received generous applause as he left the pitch after an impressive debut.

Pitt had another cross caught by Clarke and there was a scare soon afterwards when Tubbs went down in the area with Michael Morrison in close attendance, but the referee ignored the penalty appeals and as play continued the ball was crossed into the area and Potter made a good claim.

Tubbs was booed by the home crowd as he left the pitch to be replaced by Marvin Brown, and United had to deal with a spell of Salisbury pressure resulting in a corner that Potter claimed safely.

Reed saw his long range shot blocked on 75 but there was little quality from either team in this second half, not helped by decisions from the officials, and three minutes later the already-booked Cook escaped with just a free kick after bringing down Rendell as he threatened to turn away from him and advance on goal.

Stephen Smith had no such luck two minutes later when he was carded for a foul on Darrell Clarke, and after a further frustrating spell the visitors punished United with a 86th minute equaliser. United had given the ball away too often and when Wolleaston lost possession Sandell broke away down the left, beat Gleeson and crossed for sub Marvin Brown to steer home from three yards.

The visitors now looked the side most likely to go on and win the game, earning a 89th minute corner that was hacked away, and the four minutes of stoppage time passed in the same disappointing manner as the rest of the second half before the final whistle brought the game to a disappointing close.

Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Mark Albrighton (c), Mark Peters, Michael Morrison; Dan Gleeson, Darren Quinton (Stephen Reed 45'), Rob Wolleaston, Darryl Knights (Stephen Smith 70'), Courtney Pitt; Scott Rendell, Leo Fortune-West.
Subs not used: Gavin Hoyte, Josh Coulson, Robbie Willmott.

Booked: Fortune-West dissent 33', Gleeson dissent 54', Albrighton foul 57', Smith foul 79'

Salisbury City:
Ryan Clarke, Scott Bartlett, Oliver Barnes, Aaron Cook (c), Matthew Robinson; Liam Feeney, Darrell Clarke, Ian Herring (Daniel Clay 65'), Andrew Sandell; Matt Tubbs (Marvin Brown 71'), Robert Matthews.
Subs not used: Luke Prince, Jonathan Beswetherick, Martin Horsell.

Booked: Cook foul 38', Barnes foul 45', Herring foul 52', Matthews foul 65'

Mark Johnson's Match Summary:
"Yet another draw for the U's, who started well but conceded a late equaliser. Scott Rendell put United ahead after 11 minutes and almost had a second on the stroke of half-time, but with the ball on its way into the net the referee pulled play back for a free kick to the U's. The decision proved to be the turning point, with United and the official becoming increasingly poor, culminating in Marvin Brown's late equaliser four minutes from time. United take a break from league action next weekend, where at least in the cup they can try again if they turn potential wins into disappointing draws."

Mark's Man of the Match:
"Rob Wolleaston - kept going the best in a fragmented midfield on a day when United failed to produce in front of a big crowd. Honourable mentions to Messrs Albrighton and Peters who were solid and dependable in defence."

Ref: Mr Simon Beck - "Obviously thought the big crowd had paid to come to see him and those who got free tickets were the only ones to get value for money from his performance, which seemed undermined by his decision to not give the goal on the stroke of half-time. 2/10"

Att: 3,868 (away 67)

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