This was The One That Got Away. Despite the usual enforced chopping and changing in selection, Cambridge South took to the field with a solid squad well-capable of getting a result, and even the rare luxury of a sub. Early problems with access to the changing facilities were overcome (no matter how many times he tried, Captain Coops couldn't get the changing room door key to unlock the boiler room) and everyone was present and ready in plenty of time for push back.

Our optimism improved when a head count of the opposition revealed they'd arrived with only ten players. From the start, South pushed up to take advantage of the extra man and were camped solidly in the St Neots' half. Steady pressure built until South grabbed the lead from a short corner, Jack Robertson firing low past the keeper.

St Neots were lifted by the arrival of their eleventh man, once he'd stopped for a quick ciggie before jogging on. Parity of numbers and an additional striker meant that territory and possession were more balanced, although still in South's favour. The lead was consolidated when Russell, making yet another of his pacey, penetrating runs in from the right wing, placed a steered shot between the keeper and his post.

At this point, things were looking good although the warning signs were there, as two goals represented a fairly modest return for the level of South's early dominance. St Neots combative and determined play was disrupting South's game plan and the match was becoming more stop-start and open.

As the game moved towards half time, St Neots were making more forays towards South's D, and were looking dangerous from their set piece opportunities. The critical moment came when a ball wasn't cleared fast enough and, from the top of the D, the St Neots' striker hit a clean shot that took a deflection, taking it past Jason inside his right post and up into the net. A yellow card put St Neots back to ten men shortly before the break, but the score was unchanged at the interval.

Despite the goal, South remained confident, preaching calmness, control and patience in waiting for the chances. The second period followed on from the end of the first, South edging it in possession but St Neots also carving out opportunities. Jack continued to hold possession well and play classy passes from the centre of the pitch, while Dom up front and Rasmus and Bhav in midfield harried and closed down the opposition. At the back, the two Toms were solid in the centre of defence, while full backs Neil and Ali were getting up and down the pitch.

The two sides continued to cancel each other out as time ticked down. South had a few half chances but too often found themselves in a dead end down the right hand channel. At the other end, St Neots made some dangerous breaks of their own and Jason had to be alert in the South goal. Their best chances were coming from set pieces and it was from a short corner that St Neots grabbed an equaliser.

Neither side really threatened to get the late winner, South repeating the frustrating pattern of some good build up but no end product. A point from a game where they'd established an early two goal lead felt more like two dropped for South M2s.