POST-MATCH REACTION: Shaun Derry
Manager Shaun Derry was delighted to see his side lift their performance levels in an entertaining 0-0 draw with Luton Town in Sky Bet League Two.
The U’s head back to Cambridge with a notable point on the board, having halted the Hatters from securing a first win under new Manager Nathan Jones at Kenilworth Road.
Derry believes the draw was reward for an excellent display by the U’s who showed all the characteristics required to enjoy a positive second half of the season.
He said: “It was a great performance and we are always pleased to come away from home and pick up any amount of points. If there was one team that deserved to win the game then it was us.
“Let’s not forget we were playing Luton who are a big club in this division, with some really good players and had a new manager in the dugout today, which made it a tough afternoon for us.
“So I’m really pleased and I thought the level of performance was excellent.
“We took the game to the opposition and the energy we showed during the final 15 minutes was fantastic. We pride ourselves on training with a high intensity and when you train like that, you can then produce performances over 95 minutes.
“After a performance like that, I know I can look around the group, trust them, believe in them and back them to enjoy a good second half to the season.”
The U’s pushed their League Two opponents all the way to the final whistle and can count themselves unlucky not to have registered a winner in a dominant final 20 minutes.
Derry was pleased to see his side carry their intensity to dying embers of the game and complimented the impact made by the substitutes as well as debutant James Dunne.
He said: “When you have a plan b like we had today and the options that we had off the bench, we can cause anybody a problem at our level.
“Harrison Dunk, Ryan Donaldson and Karlan [Ahearne-Grant] were all bright when they came on to the field and quickly stepped into the tempo of the afternoon.
“I thought James Dunne had an outstanding debut. He’s played so many games at this level and above so he will deliver so much on the pitch as well as off it.”
Next up for Cambridge United, a return to the Abbey Stadium against Hartlepool United in a week’s time, with tickets for that match available here.