CITY finally played a game in 2021 and started on a positive note with a draw at leaders Cambridge.

T&A chief sports writer SIMON PARKER provides the match stats and player marks from a chilly Abbey Stadium.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Sam Hornby had more to do to keep his second clean sheet compared with the previous one – and deserved it for two crucial saves in the first half from League Two top scorer Paul Mullin.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

How did the law of physics combine to keep out that shot from Gareth Evans?

MOAN OF THE MATCH

The game was too stop-start at times with referee Sam Russell disrupting the flow with the number of free-kicks.

TACTICS

Danny Rowe’s first start up front was one of two injury-enforced changes from City’s last game 25 days earlier. Rowe replaced Lee Novak, who has a knee problem, and Gareth Evans came in for Harry Pritchard (back). Matty Foulds was the only new signing not in the squad.

REFEREE: Sam Allison (Wiltshire)

BOOKINGS: Hannant (Cambridge), Sutton (City)

SHOTS ON TARGET: Cambridge 5 City 5

SHOTS OFF TARGET: Cambridge 8 City 8

CORNERS: Cambridge 2 City 5

FOULS: Cambridge 13 City 15

PLAYER RATINGS

CAMBRIDGE: Mitov 5 (Burton 16min, 6), Knoyle 7, Taylor 6, Cundy 6, Dunk 6 (Iredale 79min), Hannant 7 (Knibbs 79min), Digby 6, May 5, Hoolahan 7, Ironside 6, Mullin 6. Subs (not used): O’Neil, Okedina, Davies, Worman.

CITY: Hornby 8, Cousin-Dawson 7, P O’Connor 7, A O’Connor 7, Wood 6, Watt 7, Sutton 7, Clarke 6 (Stevens 71min), Cooke 6, Evans 6, Rowe 7. Subs (not used): Donaldson, Burrell, Canavan, Scales, French, Huffer.