The loss of Kemp (missing his first game of the season) saw Colin Towler switch to a more usual centre-back role, and Adrian Foster and Mark Hervin returned to the side after missing the Moor Green defeat. With just 15 minutes pre-match preparation for City it was no surprise when the home side controlled the early stages. King beat Thorne after six minutes before firing a shot narrowly wide and just two minutes later O'Flynn forced a finger tip save out of Hervin. Wilkin heading the resultant corner over the bar before another O'Flynn shot flew straight at Hervin. After these escapes City finally found their way into the Lilywhites half and from their first attack took the lead. Williams found Gosling on the right side and his cross was turned past Nurse by his own defender, Wooding. This understandably removed the lethargy from City's play and seven minutes they doubled their lead. Another move down the right flank saw Gosling free Thomas, and his low cross was turned home from six yards by Milsom. The relief for the big striker was palpable but City did received a blow moments later when top scorer Foster was forced from the action with a recurrence of his leg injury. His replacement, Keen, headed Gosling free-kick over on the half-hour and City restricted Cambridge to just one further opening before the interval, but unfortunately, this ended in them reducing the deficit. Nacca collected the ball in space and advanced to the corner of the City box before firing a rising shot past Hervin into the top corner of the net. Five minutes later, though, City restored the two-goal cushion from the penalty spot. Gosling's deep cross looked to be heading for Milsom before the intervention of Wignall's arm, and the midfielder made no mistake from the spot.

After the four-goal excitment of the first period City predictably came out after the break with the clear intention of preserving what they already had, leaving the hosts to try to find a way through the massed ranks of their defence. As an attacking force City were almost non-existant but this mattered little as Cambridge failed to create more than a handful of half chances to get back into the game. Challinor saw one shot deflected narrowly wide and Fox's cross almost defeated Hervin, but his hurried backpeddle allowed him to tip it over the bar. The keeper then had Thorne to thank after he spilled another Fox cross, the defender clearing the ball to safety after 70 minutes. The home sides fustration became apparent in the closing minutes when King received nothing more than a caution for his dive under a challenge by Thomas and as the game reached it conclusions City vocal travelling fans could finally relax and enjoy what was a long but, in the end, first class day.