WANDERERS (3-4-1-2).

JAMES TRAFFORD…8.

Prevented a complete and utter meltdown with a brilliant late save from Knibbs/Smith and pulled off a couple of smart stops in regulation time too. Just gets better and better.

GETHIN JONES…7.

Switched on throughout. Has had a difficult spell in the last month but this was a definite step in the right direction for the defender.

RICARDO SANTOS…7.5.

Showed some real aggression against a tough customer in Joe Ironside. The constant barrage of long throws needed to be dealt with and the skipper didn’t disappoint.

GEORGE JOHNSTON…7.

This wasn’t really a day for frills. Johnston put his head in the way and protected his penalty box, contributing to a solid defensive effort.

CONOR BRADLEY…6.5.

We would have loved to see more of him going forward – but the Northern Irishman really showed some grit and resolve in the second half.

KYLE DEMPSEY…7.

His first yellow was a just one, his second quite harsh, and the cards spoiled what had been a really decent performance from the midfielder.

AARON MORLEY…6.5.

Got on the ball and tried to get Wanderers moving quickly, which meant we didn’t get to see some of his more subtle work on the ball. Decent set pieces, though.

JACK IREDALE…6.

Came within a whisker of a goal on his return to the Abbey Stadium. Worked hard up and down the left but his passing accuracy was up and down.

ELIAS KACHUNGA…6.

Got involved, chased hard, drew challenges, even had a spectacular volley. But no matter how hard he tries for Bolton, he can’t catch a break.

AMADOU BAKAYOKO…6.

Very bright in the first half but faded as the game wore on. Without Bodvarsson on the bench he had to just keep soldiering on.

DION CHARLES…5.

Just not happening for him at the minute. Flickered into life once to create a chance for Bakayoko but struggling for form, Subs: Afolayan 72 (for Kachunga) – Never really got the chance to affect the game.

Beck 78 (for Iredale) – Red card had turned match into a defensive effort.

Thomason 78 (for Charles) – Dug in late on to protect the point.

Not used: Sheehan, Sadlier, Toal, Lee.

Cambridge (4-2-3-1): Mannion 6.5, Williams 6, Okedina 6.5, L Jones 7, Dunk 6; Simper 6.5, Digby 7; Knibbs 7, Lankester 7, Brophy 7, Ironside 7.

Subs: Tracey 80 (for Lankester), Smith 80 (for Brophy).

Not used: Taylor, Holden, Janneh, Worman, Hoddle.

Referee – Darren Drysdale 4/10: Had been given a certain amount of attention in the lead up to the game, this being the first time an officiating team had been comprised of four members of the Armed Forces. Unfortunately, he kept the spotlight through 90 minutes as well.

Dempsey’s red card can be debated either way – but to have penalised Wanderers so often with yellow cards and Cambridge so little felt odd in the extreme.