IAN Evatt was pleased to see his defensive unit bounce back to form at Cambridge United.

Keeping the division’s in-form striker, Paul Mullin, to just one off-target effort on goal, Wanderers were well worth the point they earned at the Abbey Stadium.

Evatt’s defenders had come under fire after leaking soft goals at Barrow in midweek and though a wind-assisted error from keeper Billy Crellin did allow the U’s on the scoresheet, the head coach is encouraged by how his back line in shaping up.

“The back three have been criticised at numerous times this season but I must say I think Ryan Delaney’s come in and been exceptional,” he said. “I really rate Rico (Santos), especially in that middle position, I think he’s cementing that place as his own and I think he’s starting to show people what he can do and what he’s capable of, and Alex (Baptiste) is experienced, he defended well.

"We’ve got competition for places and at the minute, because of some issues down the left side, we’ve put young Harry (Brockbank) there because he can play everywhere and he wants to play everywhere and that means getting Alex in who is experienced and sometimes you need a bit of experience when you’re coming to difficult places.

"I’m pleased, and I’m satisfied without being happy because I do feel for them because we deserved to win.”

Brockbank was again used as a left wing-back ahead of specialists Liam Gordon and Jamie Mascoll and though Evatt admits it was an emergency measure, the academy graduate’s performance left him more than content.

“Brocky is a great young player and he can play everywhere,” he said. “I must say at times this season we have been like a leaky hose and I put my finger over one hole and another one appears and I am running out of fingers, that has happened.

“Brocky did great on Tuesday and he has done that again here. It’s what he’s about, he hasn’t let anyone down – his attitude, commitment and quality is very good. He’s got a bright future.”