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Brian Saah

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Cambridge Utd 1-1 Oxford Utd

Blue Square Premier league leaders Oxford United were held to a 1-1 draw by Cambridge on Tuesday evening.

Brian Saah scored first for the hosts with Matthew Green grabbing an equaliser for his side at the end of the first half.

The U's were denied a winner as Cambridge defended resolutely but their task was made tougher by the sending off of Anthony Tonkin in the second half.

And with second-placed side Stevenage Borough beating Eastbourne 6-0, Oxford have now seen their lead at the top of the standings cut to just one point.

Oxford have only themselves to blame for conceding in the 18th minute when Saah cooly directed Simon Russell's free-kick into the back of the net from six yards.

Rhys Day and Damian Batt combined to give away the goal as first Day lost possession to Danny Crow on the edge of his box. Then Damian Batt was forced to give away the free-kick that Simon Russell teed up for Dave Partridge, who headed the ball into the path of Saah.

The goal, however, spurred Oxford to up their game and Simon Clist tested keeper Simon Brown with a powerful drive from 30 yards.

The visitors were starting to find their feet and played the ball around with impressive accuracy - resulting in their equaliser three minutes before the break.

Jake Wright's cross was flicked on by Chris Hargreaves to Green, who controlled the ball on his chest before turning and finding the back of the net in one swift motion.

Adam Chapman came close to putting his side in the lead with a fierce shot but Brown was equal to it as he palmed the ball away.

Cambridge then came into the tie in the second half and succeeded in keeping their visitors' attacks to a minimum.

Danny Crow thought he had scored when he let rip with a 30-yard volley but Ryan Clarke pulled off a sensational save to keep the ball out.

And as the match wore on both sides had a chance to take all three points as Wright saved from under his goalline after Josh Coulson had directed a header on target before Deering's saw his late effort saved at point-blank range by Brown.

Cambridge Utd bookings: Gleeson, Partridge, Carden

Oxford Utd Sent Off: Tonkin (76)

Att: 3002

Ref: Stephen Ross