Cambridge United vs Luton Town FC (11th Mar 2014)

Dramatic Cullen leveller earns Hatters point Cambridge 1 Elliott 62 Town 1 Cullen 90

A 90th-minute equaliser from substitute Mark Cullen ensured the Hatters maintained their 15-point at the top of the Skrill Premier in a dramatic finale at the Abbey Stadium.

Trailing to Tom Elliott header midway through the second half the Town striker sent 2,300 away supporters into raptures to stretch the unbeaten run in the Skrill Premier in a game that looked lost against their only opposition for the title.

The Town started unchanged following Saturday’s goalless draw at Salisbury but it was the home side that began the top-of-the-table clash the better. In truth the U’s bossed the first 45 minutes and the Hatters were unlucky not to be behind.

However, it was Town top scorer Andre Gray that actually had the first shot on seven minutes, a flying effort way over the top and that was swiftly followed by a similar effort from the hosts’ Ryan Donaldson.

Cambridge were beginning to get on top and the Town needed to be alert on 16 minutes when Luke Berry ghosted into the six-yard box but Fraser Franks’ fine block thwarted the midfielder. It was a crucial block and the Hatters were then indebted to a fine stop from Mark Tyler two minutes later when Ryan Bird’s thumping left-foot drive was kept out acrobatically by the Town number one.

Cambridge continued to push forward in search of breaking the deadlock. Tom Champion’s goal-bound header was blocked behind for a corner by Ronnie Henry.

The Hatters were struggling to create any concrete chances with a wayward Alex Lawless header from a teasing Jake Howells cross on 33 minutes all the Town could muster.

An error from Steve McNulty, however, almost handed Cambridge a great chance to take the lead on 38 minutes when he decided to leave a long ball over the top. Bird was on it and almost clear on goal only for an inch-perfect sliding tackle from Scott Griffiths to snuff out the chance.

The Town started brighter after the break, winning a succession of corners, one of which came via a deflected 20-yard effort from Howells.

The U’s though were still enjoying the better of the ball and the home side deservedly took the lead on 62 minutes. Captain Kevin Roberts’ right-wing cross was nodded home by Elliott’s bullet header from six yards, despite the best efforts of Tyler to keep it out. It was the first time the Town had conceded a goal in 564 minutes.

It was also the first time the Town had been behind in a game in the Skrill Premier since the 4-3 win at Tamworth on 19th October. With that in mind, John Still made his first change on 71 minutes, replacing Howells with Matt Robinson. Robinson volleyed a shot wildly wide with his first touch.

Half chances came and went. The Town upped the ante in search of an equaliser, winning a series of corners but which failed to bear fruit. Still also introduced Mark Cullen and Andy Parry from the bench in a bid to find that leveller.

The Hatters continued to push for late equaliser. McNulty headed an effort inches over following Lawless’ right-wing corner on 86 minutes and at that point it seemed that was it.

However, in the final minute, Henry’s lofted ball in the box was headed on by Cameron McGeehan and Cullen was unmarked in the six-yard box to volley acrobatically past Norris with what was the Town’s only real shot on target of the match.

Cue pandemonium in the away end. The Town sensed a dramatic later winner as they pushed forward but in the end they had a point to celebrate come the final whistle.

Town: Tyler; Henry, Griffiths, McNulty, Franks; Ruddock (sub Parry 80), McGeehan, Lawless; Howells (sub Robinson 71), Benson, Gray (sub Cullen 78). Subs not used: Shaw, Justham.

ATTENDANCE: 6,050, including 2,286

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/cambridge-gallery-1103-1414227.aspx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qhikAV8rjg

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Cullen pinches a point for Hatters

Skrill Premier: Cambridge United 1 Luton Town 1

Substitute Mark Cullen hooked home a dramatic last-minute equaliser as Town claimed a barely deserved 1-1 draw in their top-of-the-table clash at Cambridge United tonight, writes Mark Wood.

The U’s outplayed below-par Hatters throughout and deservedly took the lead through Tom Elliott’s 62nd-minute header as Luton conceded their first goal in 564 minutes of football.

Town hardly created anything on the night, but late sub Cullen was on hand to hook home Paul Benson’s header back across goal in front of Luton’s ecstatic travelling army of supporters.

The draw extended Luton’s record unbeaten league run to 27 games and preserved their 15-point lead at the top of the table with just 11 games left, although the U’s do still have a game in hand.

Town named an unchanged team from the side that drew 0-0 at Salisbury City on Saturday.

The game simmered to get going as Andre Gray and Ryan Donaldson drove well over at each end early on.

Jake Howells was harshly booked on 14 minutes when he caught Kevin Roberts and was shown yellow.

The U’s almost took the lead seconds later when Liam Hughes threaded through Luke Berry and Fraser Franks did superbly to slide in and block out his effort.

Another brilliant Hughes pass was superbly taken on the chest by Ryan Bird on 18 minutes as his rasping drive forced a good full-stretch save from Mark Tyler.

From the resulting corner Tyler could only pat down as Tom Champion scooped well over from close in.

Another corner, this time from Donaldson, saw Champion threaten as a mixture of him and Ronnie Henry took it past the near post.

The home side had another great chance to take the lead on 34 minutes when Scott Griffiths failed to cut out Elliott’s low cross, but Hughes miskicked badly from six yards out.

Berry was then booked for a cynical trip on Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu as he looked to break clear.

Terrible miscommunication at the back for Luton, with everyone leaving the ball to each other, almost let Bird in on 38 minutes, but Griffiths got back to put in a brilliant last-ditch tackle, with U’s baying for a penalty.

After the break, the U’s deservedly took the lead on 62 minutes when Donaldson curved in an excellent cross for Elliott to head home at the far post.

Substitute Cullen had appeals for a penalty turned down when he tussled with Tom Bonner late on.

Town finished stronger though and grabbed a last-minute equaliser when Henry’s cross was headed back across goal and Cullen hooked home from close range in front of Town’s delirious supporters.

Four minutes were added as Town looked more likely to grab an unlikely late winner, but will have been ultimately satisfied with a massively important point against their nearest title rivals.

U’s: Will Norris, Kevin Roberts (C), Greg Taylor, Josh Coulson, Tom Bonner, Ryan Donaldson, Tom Champion, Tom Elliott, Liam Hughes, Luke Berry, Ryan Bird. Substitutes not used: Richard Tait, Mitchell Austin, Delano Sam Yorke, Nathan Arnold, Josh Gillies.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Fraser Franks, Steve McNulty, Alex Lawless, Jake Howells (Matt Robinson 71), Scott Griffiths, Cameron McGeehan, Ronnie Henry (C), Paul Benson, Andre Gray (Mark Cullen 78), Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Andy Parry 80). Substitutes not used: Jon Shaw, Elliot Justham.

Booked: Howells 14; Berry 37; Donaldson 70.

Referee: Kevin Johnson Assistant Referees: Paul Johnson and Rob Smith Fourth Official: Darren Stobbart.

Attendance: 6,050 (Luton 2,286).

Star Hatter: Scott Griffiths. Defended resolutely all evening when it would have been easy to fade