Competition: Blue Square Premier
Weather at kick-off: cold, blustery
It was honours even in this edgy encounter between play-off rivals at a blustery Abbey Stadium.
Jimmy Quinn named the same side that won 1-0 at home to Histon on Boxing Day, with Gavin Hoyte coming onto the bench in place of Michael Hyem.
Burton boss Nigel Clough made two changes to the side that won 3-0 at Stafford - goalkeeper Saul Deeney replacing Kevin Poole and defender Darren Stride in for striker Jake Edwards - and also a change of formation to 4-1-4-1 with Mark Greaves in a holding midfield role and Shaun Harrad on his own up front.
Burton won the coin toss and opted to attack the South Stand end, which resulted in their goalkeeper Saul Deeney facing the setting sun as United kicked off, but Burton threatened first when Andy Corbett cut in from the right and smashed a shot against the post and away.
The teams probed cautiously in the opening minutes but United went close in the tenth minute when Dan Gleeson's cross into the area was nodded down by Lee Boylan for Scott Rendell, but he was closely-marked and lifted a left-footed volley over the bar.
Dave Farrell earned his side a corner when he advanced into space on the left and Michael Morrison had to put his dangerous cross behind, but the game continued to be edgy and chances were few and far between, while the blustery wind made conditions difficult for both teams.
Rendell flicked a good ball on for Boylan, who had time to look up but the ball squirmed away from him as he was closed down, and on 19 Stephen Reed released Rendell to chase the ball almost to the byline and earn a corner, but Reed's flagkick was too deep and swirled out of play on the wind.
Albrighton, Boylan and Gleeson all had crosses blocked, but Burton were making good use of their wide midfielders and on 24 the veteran Farrell escaped from Gleeson and drew a diving save from Potter with a shot from the edge of the area. Moments later McGrath escaped down the right and tried to curl a shot rather than pull the ball back for a team-mate and it was an easy catch for Potter at his near post.
There was a flurry of chances for United on 29 when Rob Wolleaston's cross was knocked behind and although the referee initially gave a goalkick he deferred to his assistant who indicated a corner. Reed's dangerous flagkick dropped for Wednesday's goal hero Albrighton whose shot was blocked, it rebounded to Boylan whose close-range shot on the turn was blocked away for another corner, and although this one was met by Rendell he clashed with Deeney and the ref awarded a free kick.
Courtney Pitt forced another corner on 33 when he beat his man to deliver a cross and although it was cleared by Webster Pitt chased for the ball again and delivered another cross that was cleared behind. Reed's corner ran for Albrighton in a similar position to the one he scored from on Wednesday, but this time he teed it up for Wolleaston on the right of the area and he sent a powerful shot inches over the bar.
United won another corner when Brayford fouled Rendell and the free kick was headed behind, much to Nigel Clough's animated disgust on the touchline. Deeney collected the corner kick but Clough again expressed his disapproval when Simpson was penalised for a foul on Danny Brown and Reed's free kick was cleared by Stride.
In stoppage time Dan Gleeson cut in from the right and drove a 20-yarder that was also blocked by that man Stride.
Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"A scrappy, edgy half but both sides have had chances. It's going to be close and nervous, and there's going to be more of the same after the break."
Second half:
Both sides emerged unchanged and Burton started well, Harrad driving a 25-yarder wide of the near post within the first minute and Potter catching Farrell's cross a minute later, while Rob Wolleaston took the ball round his marker but a covering defender got across to put the ball into touch.
Stephen Reed cleared a Farrell cross and Wolleaston released Boylan on the counterattack, the little striker racing away to round a defender but driving a 20-yard shot wide of the near post in the 52nd minute.
Burton enjoyed a spell of pressure on 54, Corbett's shot blocked by Reed for a corner that was blocked by Peters and eventually saved by Potter, and a minute later the towering Stride stayed down after a challenge from Pitt, who collected the first booking of the game but was soon joined by Burton's Aaron Webster for kicking the ball away.
Boylan had worked hard but got little joy against the physical Burton defence and on 62 he was withdrawn to be replaced by Leo Fortune-West, and within seconds of coming on the big striker flicked a header into the keeper's arms.
Mr Linnington had sensibly allowed a 64th minute Burton attack to continue but called it back to book Morrison for a foul early in the move, and then followed a spell when Courtney Pitt was well and truly to the fore.
On 65 he had a cross headed away but a minute later made a great run down the wing, beating his marker and delivering a deep cross that was headed wide by Fortune-West from seven yards. Moments later Reed got forward to drive a dipping volley over the bar, and within the minute his free kick was headed narrowly wide by Fortune-West.
Burton were not overambitious in attack but they were still dangerous on the counterattack and a quick ball over the top cut out Brown and Albrighton, but Gleeson nipped across with a great recovery tackle to clear the danger. Then on 68 Pitt won another corner with a dangerous cross, and again Reed's delivery caused problems in the Burton area but they were eventually able to hack it away.
Burton threatened on 75 when Albrighton and Morrison went for the same ball and Harrod nipped in, but his shot was clawed round the post by Potter and Brayford rose to head the corner kick over the bar.
Quinn sent on the fresh legs of Mark Convery for Danny Brown on 77 and two minutes later Clough made a like-for-like change to bring on winger Keith Gilroy for Farrell.
Reed had another shot saved following a Wolleaston free kick for a foul on Fortune-West, Gilroy and Webster both had crosses blocked by Gleeson, and on 83 Gilroy cut in from the left and fired a shot over the bar.
The closing minutes were hard-fought and a number of challenges were punished by further free kicks, but Fortune-West and Rendell both made important defensive headers in their own area and Reed made a vital clearance at a Burton free kick as play entered stoppage time.
It was three minutes into that added time that United created their best chance of the match, Rendell flicking the ball on for Rob Wolleaston inside the area, but his fierce shot was bravely charged down by Stride, drawing a grudging handshake from the U's midfielder seconds before the final whistle.
Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Michael Morrison, Mark Albrighton, Mark Peters; Dan Gleeson, Rob Wolleaston, Danny Brown (c) (Mark Convery 77'), Stephen Reed, Courtney Pitt; Lee Boylan (Leo Fortune-West 62'), Scott Rendell.
Subs not used: Gavin Hoyte, Josh Coulson, Robbie Willmott.
Booked: Pitt foul 55', Morrison foul 64'
Burton Albion:
Saul Deeney, John Brayford, Darren Stride (c), Tony James, Aaron Webster; Andy Corbett, Michael Simpson, Mark Greaves, John McGrath, Dave Farrell (Keith Gilroy 79'); Shaun Harrad.
Subs not used: Mark Goodfellow, Jake Edwards, Daryl Clare, Danny Holmes.
Booked: Webster dissent 59'
Referee: Mr James Linnington
Att: 3,382 (away 263)
Mark Johnson's Match Summary:
"No goals but plenty of tension as United measured their unbeaten home record against Burton's unblemished away form. Both sides are in the thick of the play-off battle and neither was prepared to give an inch in a hard-fought game played in difficult conditions. In a match with few chances, Burton hit a post inside five minutes while Rob Wolleaston almost won it for the U's with the last kick of the game, but saw his shot blocked bravely. In the end the point was about right and leaves United nicely placed to take the promotion charge into the New Year."
Mark's Man of the Match:
"Courtney Pitt - worked as hard as anyone and his scintillating wing play caused most problems for the visitors. Honourable mentions for Dan Gleeson who read the game like a veteran, aided and abetted by Messrs Peters and Albrighton, and Danny Potter who made another good save when needed."
Ref: Mr Linnington - tried to let the game flow, at least at the start, but was a bit more picky after the break. 6/10."
Now talk about the match with fellow U's on our lively and friendly message board!
AT071229
