Harrison Dunk struck in the dying embers to give Cambridge United their first away win since September with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium.

The U’s twice came from behind via an own goal from Laurence Maguire and Uche Ikpeazu’s penalty, before Dunk was positioned perfectly late into five minutes of stoppage time to send the travelling Amber Army into wild celebrations.

United made two changes with Liam O'Neil and Ikpeazu back in the starting eleven, whilst Barry Corr was rested after playing first full 90 minutes in over two years for the U’s against Lincoln City four days earlier.

The U’s were undone within a minute of the game beginning, when a lofted cross into the United 18 yard box caused great confusion amongst the defence and was turned past David Forde by one of his own men.

Uche Ikpeazu came so close to giving the U’s an instant response, after the striker outmuscled Robbie Weir wide right before cutting in across the by-line and forcing Aaron Ramsdale to tip over the bar from a shot at the acutest of angles.

However, Joe Dunne’s men did level the game midway through the half. Jevani Brown’s mid-range shot was palmed into the path of Liam O’Neil, with the former Spireite delivering an excellent low cross through the six yard box which was Laurence Maguire turned into his own net.

David Forde denied Louis Dodds when prodding his right boot at a ball which looked destined to find the back of the U’s goal soon after, before Brad Halliday’s low shot at the other end was inches away from finding a decisive touch on the way through from Billy Waters.

O’Neil came close to registering against his former side when he stretched his neck muscles to get on the end of a superb cross from Dunk, but almost made too good a contact as the header hopped over the cross bar.

However, it was Chesterfield who would restore their lead when Spireites top goal scorer Kristian Dennis bulleted an unstoppable header past David Forde from a central position inside the United area, ten minutes after the break.

Again United responded though when Billy Waters got a toe to Jevani Brown’s pass before Robbie Weir brought the striker down in the area, and his strike partner Uche Ikpeazu showed a cool temperament to wrap the ball into the bottom left corner from 12 yards.

From there Joe Dunne’s men always looked the more likely to grab a winner, stretching the hosts with more width following the introduction of Dave Amoo 15 minutes from time. As it was, United left it until then final seconds, when a corner ball bobbled up in front of Dunk to guide into the roof of the net and claim the points for the U’s.

Chesterfield: Ramsdale, Barry, Whitmore, Maguire, Weir, Reed, Dodds (Mottley-Henry, 71 mins), O’Grady, Rowley (Kay, 71 mins), Dennis, Coke (McCourt, 83 mins)

Cambridge United: Forde, Halliday, Taft, Taylor, Dunk, Maris, Deegan, O’Neil (Amoo, 77 mins), Brown, Waters (Carroll, 90 mins), Ikpeazu

Attendance: 4276 (220)