Phil Bolland shook off a bout of tonsillitis to play in the 1-1 draw at Ebbsfleet last night and afterwards shared his thoughts on the match, the referee, Rory McAuley and his future at Cambridge United.

United's number 5, who turned 32 last week, first shared his frustration about the latest refereeing performance and stated, "The number of cautions out there was embarrassing.

"You could tell what the official's performance was going to be from the beginning of the game and I hear he averages eight bookings a game so he's done well to increase his average tonight. The early bookings laid down the rule that you couldn't touch anyone and that ruined the game."

Looking back at the match, and revealing that he was on his sickbed earlier this week, Bolland added, "We have to be happy with the draw away from home, especially with the injury situation at the moment. I've had tonsillitis this week and some of the lads have been under the weather but we did all right out there.

"The draw on Saturday was really disappointing for everyone but tonight I thought we worked so hard for the point and in the circumstances we can feel happier with tonight's result.

"Our goal it was pleasing because we work extremely hard on set pieces in training, getting the ball in to the near stick and getting the knock on. I thought we looked half decent from set pieces today and that was always going to be our best chance of getting a goal because they are very strong at the back, as you'd expect as that's where their management team played.

"They were well organised, particularly with their offside trap, and used it every time they could and they worked Lee and Mark well. We can take a leaf out of their book and make that work for us. We have sat a little deep and maybe we should push up more and lead the line higher."

The former Chester defender also expressed sympathy for 18-year-old debutant Rory McAuley who made a solid debut at right-back but was dismissed in stoppage time for a two-footed challenge.

"There were a lot of positives we can take from tonight's game and the only negative was Rory's red card," said Bolland.

"I felt sorry for him because I thought he was one of our better players out there; he was solid and held the line and won headers, his distribution was good and he showed no nerves at all. He didn't need any telling from Wayne and myself, he knew his positional sense and credit to him - that was a very impressive debut.

"The sending off was the correct decision but that's this day and age in football. I've got away with challenges like that in times gone by."

Bolland joined the club just before the start of the season on a short-term basis that suits both Merseyside-based Bolland and the club, and he confirmed that there is no urgency to change the situation: "Nothing has changed; my family are still up north, but I'm loving every moment down here.

"There's no pressure for me to make a decision from either side. I'm just enjoying my football at a great club with a good set of lads and fantastic support."

Interview by David Gray

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