After seeing his side take a first half lead through former U's striker Rob Duffy, Mansfield manager David Holdsworth was unhappy to leave Cambridge empty-handed.
Scott Rendell equalised for United early in the second half and Jai Reason scored a deserved first goal in stoppage time to break Mansfield hearts and seal the win, leaving Holdsworth sounding gloomy in his post-match interviews.
"I'm disappointed that we lost a game we deserved a point from, but there were things we were up against that I can't train against," he said.
"We counter-attacked really well. I wasn't going out here to go gung-ho because this is Cambridge, they are second in the league, we treat them with respect. I respect Gary Brabin and his side and they are a good side but there wasn't anything that we should be scared of and the players are bitterly disappointed with the result.
"We're left to reflect and move on," he added, before complaining about some of the officiating.
"There were decisions that went against us that only one man saw. I don't like to comment on referees but I've seen some good ones in my career and I've seen some poor ones. I'm very careful with referees and officials, and I think anyone here in the stands tonight would understand Mansfield Town came here and had the upper hand in the first half.
"I thought we rallied after we conceded the equaliser, which I want to see on the DVD because I felt there was an offside. We all make mistakes though, it's just that we tend to get punished for it."
He was also unhappy to see Duffy booked for running to the United fans after his goal and celebrating extravagantly in front of them, but ended on a positive note: "I was pleased with our goal - we worked on that ball in training, getting it to the back post.
"I look to our celebration and Rob Duffy gets booked and then I look at their celebrations - did they get booked? I'm afraid I can't battle against that; poor decisions. But I'm proud of my players today and I wish Gary Brabin and Cambridge all the very best for the rest of the season. Now I'm rolling my sleeves up and concentrating on the good things we have at Mansfield Town Football Club."
United are in action again at home to Northwich Victoria on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
[Match report] [Fixture list] [League table]
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