Mansfield Town win to ruin homecoming of Cambridge United fans

Two thousand home fans roared on the U’s as a ban on supporters in stadiums was lifted - tier permitting.

But it was the visitors who gave the fans their first live goal since March as Nigel Clough’s Stags moved two points clear of the League Two relegation zone.

Reid grabbed the only goal of the game before Marek Stech produced a string of fine saves to cling on for all three points and spoil the hosts' party.

New boss Clough said his side would need to defend well to get anything out of the game in his pre-match press conference.

And they did just that to keep the promotion-chasing U’s at bay to secure a second successive league win of the road.

Clough made three changes to the side which produced a dramatic 120th-minute FA Cup win against Dagenham and Redbridge on Sunday.

Trio Rollin Menayese, Reid and George Maris, a former Cambridge player, replaced Farrend Rawson, Stephen McLaughlin - injured - and Andy Cook.

Northern Irishman Reid almost repaired the faith shown in him straightaway as he blasted over the bar with the first effort of the game.

Stech produced a super save to tip Robbie Cundy’s ferocious strike over the bar.

Down the other end, Jordan Bowery’s long-range effort barely troubled hosts’ goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

The Stags stormed out of the blocks with Reid squandering an early chance after Ollie Clarke’s powerful run.

Just before the hour Reid’s audacious lob landed wide of the mark.

Dangerous Reid turned provider as he slid Harry Charsley in but his effort was superbly kept out by a good reaction stop by Mitov.

But the U’s ‘keeper could do nothing as Reid got his rewards for a potent performance.

Forward Reid finished with aplomb after Charsley’s knock down inside the box.

And the Stags showed great intensity to defend their deserved lead.

Bodies were put on the line as the visitors tried desperately to hold on.

Stech played his part too with late saves to keep out prolific strikers Joe, seven goals this term, Ironside and Paul Mullin - who had an impressive 14 goals to his name.

The former Luton stopper got down low to keep Ironside out before a super stop to tip Mullin’s effort over.

Cambridge: Mitov, Knoyle, Taylor, Dunk (Knibbs, 75), Cundy, Digby, Hannant (Iredale, 75), Hoolahan, Boateng (May 28), Mullen, Ironside.

Subs not used: Burton, Iredale, Darling, El Mizouni, Davies.

Stags: Stech, Benning, Menayese, Sweeney, Gordon, Charsley (Cook, 90+4), Clarke, Maris (O'Keefe, 89), Lapslie, Bowery, Reid (Maynard, 82).

Subs not used: Stone, Rawson. O'Driscoll, Sinclair.

Referee: Robert Lewis (Shrewsbury)

Attendance: 2,000