(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
Cambridge United manager Shaun Derry has bemoaned the lack of ruthlessness his side showed at both ends of the pitch last night after they lost at home to League Two leaders Doncaster.
Despite late goals from George Maris and Luke Berry, Doncaster held on to win 3-2 and claim their first three points in six attempts, while the U's slumped to their first defeat in four outings.
It was a disappointing result, with Berry missing an early penalty with the scores level at 0-0, and boss Derry was quick to realise where his side had gone wrong.
“Against the top teams I bang the drum about taking your chances. In one box we weren't ruthless enough, and in the other we weren't good enough,” said the 39-year-old.
“I see chances that have gone begging. And the other side of the game, the defensive side, it's three goals that we have conceded that are bargain basement.”
As well missing chances and making defensive errors, all season Cambridge have been hampered by injury issues that have made things tough for Derry.
Last night, the Uche Ikpeazu and Barry Corr were ruled out, and the U's started with Ben Williamson up front – a striker with just one goal in 38 appearances this season.
Derry said: “We've missed some big players at key moments of our season. Against Doncaster we've missed Uche and Barry Corr, and we're reliant upon a striker [Williamson] who's absolutely off form.
“I'm not going to shy away from that. I see him every day in training, his character and application is exactly the same as last season, but the goals aren't there for him at the moment.”
