United earned their first draw of the season with a battling performance at Stevenage tonight. The U's created chances, especially in a very open second half, but found tough opponents in Stevenage, with the draw probably the right result.
There was disruption before the game with Marvin Robinson and Luke Foster sent home after arriving 45 minutes late for the pre-match meal, although many of the United fans stuck in traffic on the M40 would probably have settled for 45 minutes late themselves.
Their absence perhaps didn't alter the team line up, where Carl Pettefer replaced Michael Standing in the only change to the team that had started against Stafford, and with results earlier in the day both teams knew that a win would put them top?
The game started at break neck speed and Turley needed to save from Ronnie Henry inside the first minute and then make an even better stop at the base of a post as Steve Morison powered in a header from six yards on three minutes.
United, all in blue had a couple of off target efforts from Odubade and Pettefer, and eased themselves into the game but found it hard to get their passing game flowing. In defence they were having to cope with a different problem to normal, with Adam Miller playing 'in the hole' behind Morison and linking play superbly and that seemed to peoccupy United's thoughts and restrict their forward movements.
United's attack needed a rejig on 29 when Gary Twigg was felled by a hefty challenge and forced off with ankle damage, allowing Rob Duffy to renew his partnership with Yemi, although at was in an unfamiliar left wing role with Yemi the lone man up front
Two magnificent challenges, one from Matt Day the other from Mickey Corcoran saw United through to the break on level terms, and the second half started much brighter until the first real alarm of the night on 53 as Morison escaped his marker and curled in a fine shot which Turley needed to fly to his left to push round the post.
United responded and saw a Trainer shot fly across the face of goal on 57, and for probably the first time in the match managed to gather a head of steam around the hour mark. They were getting closer and closer to a breakthrough and on 66 it nearly came from the head of Duffy when Odubade held the ball well, Jeannin crossed and the Welsh striker powered in a typical far post header which keeper Julian did well to push away.
It may not have been the easiest game in the world to watch but was hard fought and (excuse us) even-Stevens and showed why both teams were contesting that top spot. Morison, so deadly for Stevenage last season missed a glorious chance on 71 when he fired wide with the goal at his mercy, and it would have taken a brave man to predict where the winner was coming from.
It looked like it would be from the right boot of Yemi on 73 as he raced on to another fine flick from Duffy, but the striker just delayed for that vital split second and allowed Mark Arber to get in a desperate block and force the ball away for a corner. Stevenage had chances of their own, but the magnificent Corcoran, Quinn and Day stood firm, and in the end defences won through for both sides.
A decent point away from home because Stevenage will win plenty of games at home this season, but how different it might have been if Duffy's shot in the last minute, having been freed by Yemi, had burst the net rather than flying agonisingly wide.
See all the action in GALLERY
Hear Jim Smith's thoughts in Yellow World
Report Chris Williams and Julian Hitchman. Pictures Darrell Fisher, stats by PA
Att 3,024
