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McEvilly: Bagged a brace

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Burton Albion 2-2 Cambridge Utd

Cambridge United fought their way back from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils with Burton Albion in the first leg of the play-off semi-final.

Cambridge boss Jimmy Quinn will certainly be the happier of the two managers as his side looked to be out of contention at one point in the game.

The U's had a glorious opportunity to claim the lead after just two minutes but Mark Beesley's 12-yard effort was saved by Burton goalkeeper Kevin Poole.

The first half ended goalless with neither of the two teams able to create an incisive finish in front of goal.

However, the game came to life in the 64th minute when Cambridge's Courtney Pitt was adjudged to have fouled Andy Corbett in the penalty area.

Daryl Clare coolly slotted home the resulting penalty and Burton supporters were out of their seats again just three minutes later when Darren Stride headed in Keith Gilroy's free kick at the right-hand side of the six-yard box.

The Brewers must have switched off after that as they allowed the visitors to claw their way back into contention.

Cambridge were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute after Paul Hurst had handled the ball in the area and Lee McEvilly made no mistake with the resulting spot kick, to make it 2-1.

The comeback was completed in the 83rd minute and it was McEvilly who got his name on the scoresheet for the second time with a superb free kick from 20 yards out.

Burton bookings: Gilroy 26, Stride 57, Clare 69, James 88.

Cambridge bookings: Pitt 65, Albrighton 69, Farrell 88

Ref: S Hooper.

Att: 5757.