A late strike from Andy Pugh helped Cambridge move above Barrow with a hard-fought win at the Abbey Stadium.

The visitors had nearly taken the lead when Andy Cook's shot from outside the box struck the post.

And they again came close when Paul Smith's right-footed effort was saved by Danny Naisbitt.

But it was the home side who struck late, Pugh converting inside the box from John Dawkin's cross to inflict a third consecutive defeat on Barrow.

VIEWS FROM THE TRAINING GROUND

Cambridge United boss Jez George told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:

"I've said to the players that's the most pleasing way we've won all season in many respects.

"It's big pressure for lads when they play at home and want to please everybody when they know we've lost our last three at home in the league.

"We also know performance levels weren't so good as they were earlier in the season.

"We really had to dig tonight to in but I thought we showed some maturity."

Barrow boss Dave Bayliss tells BBC Radio Cumbria:

"We've dominated the game from start to finish and had some unbelievably good chances.

"When you don't take them you leave yourself open to one scruffy type of goal.

"They've got that towards the end, the lads have given everything tonight.

"We've done everything in the game apart from score but that's what wins you games."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

Cambridge United

  • 01 Naisbitt
  • 02 Roberts
  • 03 Jennings
  • 04 Coulson
  • 12 McAuley
  • 27 Thorpe (Dawkin - 58' )
  • 06 Shaw
  • 16 Jarvis
  • 26 Eades (Hughes - 86' )
  • 14 Tyriaki (Gash - 63' )
  • 15 Pugh

Substitutes

  • 25 Hudson
  • 18 Berry
  • 09 Gash
  • 17 Hughes
  • 22 Dawkin

Barrow

  • 21 Pearson
  • 05 Bolland
  • 06 Edwards Booked (Nicholas - 90' )
  • 19 Lomax
  • 22 Hone
  • 03 Skelton
  • 07 Rutherford
  • 12 Owen
  • 15 Smith
  • 09 Cook (Mackreth - 84' )
  • 11 Boyes

Substitutes

  • 27 Dixon
  • 04 Nicholas
  • 16 Mackreth
  • 24 Harvey
  • 25 Turner
Ref: Robinson
Att: 1,651

Match Stats

Shots

10 8

On target

6 4

Corners

6 3

Fouls

10 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:21 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +1:40

The official flags Andy Nicholas offside. Indirect free kick taken by Danny Naisbitt.

90:00 +0:45

Shaun Pearson takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:45 Substitution

Substitution Andy Nicholas replaces Paul Edwards.

90:00 +0:45

James Owen fouled by Michael Gash, the ref awards a free kick.

89:50

Michael Gash fouled by Danny Hone, the ref awards a free kick. Kevin Roberts takes the free kick.

89:07

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Josh Coulson by Adam Boyes. Free kick taken by Danny Naisbitt.

87:15

Assist by Josh Dawkin.

87:15 Goal scored

Goal - Andy Pugh - Cambridge 1 - 0 Barrow Andy Pugh grabs a goal from inside the box to the top left corner of the goal. Cambridge Utd 1-0 Barrow.

85:38

Danny Naisbitt takes the free kick.

85:38 Substitution

Substitution Jack Eades goes off and Liam Hughes comes on.

85:38

The referee blows for offside against Jack Mackreth.

84:42

A cross is delivered by Paul Rutherford, Danny Naisbitt makes a save.

83:31 Substitution

Substitution (Barrow) makes a substitution, with Jack Mackreth coming on for Andy Cook.

82:58

The ball is sent over by Kelvin Lomax, Rory McAuley makes a clearance.

82:45

The ball is crossed by Kelvin Lomax, Josh Coulson makes a clearance.

81:47

Andy Pugh takes a shot. Save by Shaun Pearson.

81:05

A cross is delivered by Kelvin Lomax.

80:18

Tom Shaw crosses the ball.

76:42

Tom Shaw produces a cross, save by Shaun Pearson.

75:30

Josh Dawkin has shot on goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

73:06

Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Hone on Andy Pugh. James Jennings crosses the ball, Andy Pugh takes a shot. Save by Shaun Pearson.

70:32

Shot by Josh Dawkin from 18 yards. Paul Edwards gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Rossi Jarvis played to the near post.

67:24

Kelvin Lomax crosses the ball, Kevin Roberts makes a clearance. Corner taken right-footed by Paul Smith from the left by-line, Danny Naisbitt fouled by Paul Rutherford, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Danny Naisbitt.

63:58

The ball is crossed by Josh Dawkin, clearance made by Phil Bolland. Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Gash on James Owen. Shaun Pearson restarts play with the free kick.

62:47 Substitution

Substitution Michael Gash is brought on as a substitute for Mustafa Tiryaki.

61:47

Kelvin Lomax produces a cross, Josh Coulson manages to make a clearance.

60:40

Drilled right-footed shot by Paul Smith. Save by Danny Naisbitt. Andy Cook has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target.

59:52

The offside flag is raised against Andy Cook. Kevin Roberts restarts play with the free kick.

58:17

The ball is crossed by Paul Rutherford, clearance by Rory McAuley.

57:25 Substitution

Substitution Josh Dawkin replaces Jonathon Thorpe.

56:02

Mustafa Tiryaki is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Shaun Pearson.

53:00

Andy Pugh gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Hone. Free kick taken by Shaun Pearson.

52:35

Mustafa Tiryaki delivers the ball, Phil Bolland makes a clearance.

51:33

Foul by Danny Hone on Andy Pugh, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Jonathon Thorpe.

50:30

Adam Boyes takes a shot. Danny Naisbitt makes a save.

50:00

Corner taken by Rossi Jarvis from the right by-line played to the near post.

49:34

Corner taken by Rossi Jarvis from the right by-line, Phil Bolland makes a clearance.

49:25

A cross is delivered by Andy Pugh, Kelvin Lomax manages to make a clearance.

48:51

Paul Smith sends in a cross, Effort from deep inside the area by Paul Edwards misses to the left of the target.

47:49

Paul Rutherford fouled by Jonathon Thorpe, the ref awards a free kick. Shaun Pearson takes the free kick.

46:10

The free kick is delivered left-footed by James Jennings from own half, James Owen makes a clearance. Corner taken right-footed by Rossi Jarvis, clearance made by Adam Boyes.

46:10 Booking

Booking Paul Edwards is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

46:07

Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Edwards on Kevin Roberts.

45:42

Kelvin Lomax sends in a cross, Rory McAuley manages to make a clearance.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

45:00 +0:14 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

42:48

The ball is sent over by Jonathon Thorpe, Headed effort from inside the area by Rory McAuley misses to the left of the goal.

42:16

Corner taken by Rossi Jarvis from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by James Owen.

40:37

Kevin Roberts takes a shot from a long way out which goes wide of the right-hand post.

40:28

The ball is swung over by Jack Eades, clearance made by Danny Hone.

38:01

Jonathon Thorpe fouled by Paul Smith, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Kevin Roberts.

35:39

The official flags Andy Cook offside. Danny Naisbitt restarts play with the free kick.

34:25

Unfair challenge on Jack Eades by Kelvin Lomax results in a free kick. The ball is crossed by James Jennings, Rory McAuley takes a shot. Save by Shaun Pearson.

33:41

Adam Boyes is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Danny Naisbitt takes the indirect free kick.

30:50

James Jennings challenges Phil Bolland unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Shaun Pearson.

28:18

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Smith by Tom Shaw. Paul Smith takes the free kick.

27:04

The offside flag is raised against Jonathon Thorpe. Shaun Pearson takes the indirect free kick.

26:11

Corner taken by Paul Smith, Header from deep inside the area by Adam Boyes goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

24:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Rutherford by Jack Eades. Direct free kick taken by Shaun Pearson.

22:29

Foul by Mustafa Tiryaki on Phil Bolland, free kick awarded. Kelvin Lomax takes the free kick.

21:52

Andy Cook takes a shot from just outaide the penalty box and strikes the post.

20:55

Mustafa Tiryaki is ruled offside. Shaun Pearson takes the free kick.

19:48

Kevin Roberts sends in a cross.

19:18

Corner taken by Jonathon Thorpe, Phil Bolland makes a clearance.

16:21

The ball is delivered by Jack Eades, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Mustafa Tiryaki misses to the left of the goal.

15:30

Adam Boyes takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save by Danny Naisbitt.

14:04

Andy Cook takes a shot. Save made by Danny Naisbitt.

13:32

Andy Cook fouled by Rory McAuley, the ref awards a free kick. Kelvin Lomax takes the direct free kick.

12:47

Andy Pugh gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Hone. Shaun Pearson takes the direct free kick.

11:44

Foul by Phil Bolland on Andy Pugh, free kick awarded. Rory McAuley takes the direct free kick.

10:08

A cross is delivered by Gavin Skelton. The referee blows for offside against Andy Cook. Danny Naisbitt takes the free kick.

9:10

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andy Cook on Kevin Roberts. Danny Naisbitt restarts play with the free kick.

9:05

Paul Rutherford sends in a cross.

4:50

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Paul Rutherford from the right by-line, Josh Coulson manages to make a clearance.

4:21

Mustafa Tiryaki takes a shot. Save by Shaun Pearson.

4:05

Gavin Skelton delivers the ball.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

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