Within the first minute City had a golden opportunity to take the lead. A poor defensive header by Cambridge's player manager Tovey gave Milsom a clear opening. He got his shot on target but saw keeper Nurse deflect the effort wide of the post. Nurse then denied the City striker again four minutes later when he tipped a stunning 30 yards effort onto the bar. A goal then would have been no less than City deserved as they dominated the game. Foster almost got on the end of a move involving Milsom and Towler after 30 minutes, but just three minutes later, completely against the run of play, the Lilywhites took the lead. Fox's shot was blocked away for a corner by Thorne and, when the ball was lifted into the near post, Wilkin got in front of Hervin to head home. City responded strongly and seven minutes before the break appeared to have levelled. Wayyat got free down the right and his low cross was turned in by Milsom. However, despite the cross appearing to be played backwards the linesman adjudged that Milsom was offside and the celebrations were curtailed.

The second half began in similar fashion as City continued to hold the upper hand. Milsom's hard work saw him free Foster but his first touch was poor and he couldn't test Nurse. Cambridge's Fox almost doubled the visitors lead on 57 minutes in a rare foray into City's half when his 30 yard drive beat Hervin but not the bar. For all their neat approach play too often the final ball or shot was poor, as when Milsom squared for Foster, but he shot tamely at Nurse. With time running out Pridham introduced Allison and Bartlett into the action, although had Wilkin not completely missed his kick with the goal gaping ten minutes from time their arrival would have been incidental. However, with four minutes remaining the equaliser finally arrived. Wyatt's cross was headed back across goal by Powell and Bartlett turned it home. With everyone in the ground waiting for either the linesman or referee to notice the handball, the officials just looked at each other and the goal stood. Cambridge were clearly furious, Wilkin receiving a caution for his protests, and in stoppage time City almost made them pay for their fustration. Milsom's pass found Allison and he advanced on goal before firing in a shot that Nurse did well to turn away.