Sullay Kaikai's superb strike earned Cambridge United a valuable point away at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night. The 1-1 draw at Hillsborough extends the U's remarkable unbeaten run on the road to seven matches in League One. The result from Tuesday 27 October leaves the club sixth in the table, having taken 20 points from their 12 games with a record of five wins, five draws and two losses.
Neil Harris made three changes to his side, handing first starts since August to Shane McLoughlin and Isaac Heath, with Callum Perry also coming in. The hosts, under new management, started brightly. Barry Bannan hit the post with a curling effort and Jake Eastwood was called into action to smother a dangerous delivery from Reece James.
Cambridge United grew into the game as the first half wore on. Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu fired just over the bar before the break. The deadlock was broken four minutes after the restart, however, when Mason Burstow converted a quick free-kick for Sheffield Wednesday.
Harris responded with a triple substitution on the hour mark, introducing Zak Bradshaw, Shayne Lavery and Sullay Kaikai. The move paid off six minutes later. Lavery laid the ball off to Kaikai on the edge of the area, and the winger lashed a left-footed shot into the net for his third goal of the season. The equaliser arrived in the 66th minute, a key moment in the contest.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages. Ashley Maynard-Brewer made a key block to deny Liam Bennett, while at the other end, Ben Knight released Lavery only for the goalkeeper to make a good stop. The point leaves Cambridge United sixth in the standings, with 20 points from their opening 12 games. They are now five points behind leaders Huddersfield Town. This season, the team has scored 20 goals and conceded 17.
The result continues a solid run of form for Harris's team, who have lost just once in their last five outings, a sequence that includes two wins and two draws. This recent form follows a 2-3 home defeat to Plymouth on Saturday 24 October and a 2-2 draw with Wycombe on Tuesday 20 October, preceded by a 2-1 win at Barnsley on Saturday 17 October. Their next challenge is a trip to face Leyton Orient this Saturday 31 October. Orient currently sit 15th in the table, and Cambridge will be aiming to extend their impressive away record at Brisbane Road. The fixture at Brisbane Road is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off.
