Cambridge earned a valuable away point at the Newport Stadium with a 1-1 draw with Newport.

Cambridge came into the game on the back of a great win at rivals Histon and were hoping to continue their good form.

Caretaker manager Jez George selected an unchanged line up but made some changes to the bench. Shaun Jeffers returned in place of Conal Platt and Rory McAuley came in for Sam Ives.

Straight from the start Dan Walker intercepted a ball forty yards from goal before heading towards goal and unleashing a drive well over the bar from the edge of the box. Walker then had another attempt at goal but scuffed his shot wide.

On ten minutes youngster Luke Berry made a tough challenge before shooting from the edge of the box only to be denied by the post. This seemed to lift the U's. Within a minute the Ambermen took the lead when Simon Russell curled home a wonderful goal after a ball from Andrew Marriott.

The goal seemed to give the U's added confidence as they managed to take control of possession and get a number of throw in's in the Newport half which aggravated the home crowd. For most of the next phase of the game the play was pretty scrappy with both teams struggling to hold possession.

On forty minutes Utd gained a free kick thirty yards away from goal which James Jennings took but only to put it in the stand behind the goal. Just before the break Griffin missed a chance for the Exiles to draw level and Dan Walker broke clear but failed to take his opportunity. Half time arrived with Cambridge clearly on top.

At the start of the second half Newport made a change taking of Charlie Griffin and replacing him with man mountain Robbie Matthews. Newport immediately set about Cambridge earning a corner which Cambridge twice cleared. Minutes later Odubade was sent clean through on goal but keeper Simon Brown bravely saved at his feet.

A minute later Newport were given a soft penalty after keeper Simon Brown fumbled before taking down an opposition player in the box. Jamie Collins stepped up and sent Brown the wrong way to tie up the score. The veteran keeper would have been upset with himself. This now became a contest and a test for the baby Cambridge team.

Newport began to press Cambridge and looked hungry. Tackles started flying as Newport began to show the fight required to win the game. Just after the hour Jez George made a double change. Jordan Patrick on for Dan Walker and Rory McAuley for Adam Marriott.

This meant a change to a 4-5-1 formation. It was obvious George intended to shore up the midfield still providing width. During the next ten minutes Newport gained a free kick and two corners which led to nothing. With ten minutes left Cambridge had a chance to take all three points when youngster Luke Berry feinted to the left before unleashing a left foot shot which again hit the post. Clearly it was not going to be Berry's night.

Cambridge at this point seemed to be comfortable but were very aware of the dangerous Odubade. He continued to probe and make dangerous runs which kept Cambridge on their toes.

The final ten minutes passed without further incident and Cambridge took home a vital point in their rise away from danger.