Neil Harris hails ‘professional and disciplined’ performance from Cambridge

Cambridge boss Neil Harris praised a “very professional, disciplined performance” from his side following their 1-0 victory at promotion rivals Chesterfield.

Shane McLoughlin’s goal just before the interval gave the visitors a win which saw them extend their unbeaten run to nine games and draw level with their opponents.

Chesterfield had several chances to score before the goal, with a Lee Bonis effort hitting the crossbar.

Harris said: “Again, the football club shows how we’re developing. I keep talking about culture. My job is partly to help Mark Bonner develop a football club as well.

“I think you see that again with the away following, however many were here, four or five hundred, that the fact that between Christmas and New Year, they actually spend their money to come to see their team play because they’re really excited.

“I think that’s how far we’ve come as a football club at the moment. It makes you proud, not just the performance, but the fans as well. Ultimately, it was another dominant display.

“Chesterfield would have had more possession of the ball, like they did at our place, and controlled the ball in the mid-third and behind the ball at times. When we did that, we knew we were going to score a goal, and that’s the biggest factor.

“Standing here, comfortably winning 1-0, albeit they had one good chance in the first half, second half they haven’t laid a glove on us.

“Today was a very professional, disciplined performance but with real quality as well.”

Chesterfield first-team coach Gary Roberts gave credit to Cambridge while admitting it was a “frustrating night”.

“Game of boxes,” he said. “We’ve conceded from one of our corners, which we were disappointed in. We should obviously have wrapped that up better.

“A little disappointed in that, but before that we had two or three real good chances. Jamie Grimes has missed an absolute massive chance, massive sitter. Lee Bonis has hit the bar from two yards.

“Lee Bonis had another chance where he could have lifted over the keeper which is a chance, a good chance for him. And against Cambridge, if you give the first goal up, you’re going to have a tough night because they’re so drilled and so well organised and they deny you space to get back into their shape and they frustrate.

“And I think the overriding thought is, credit to Cambridge, but it’s a frustrating night for us.

“They win the game in a fashion in which Cambridge win games. They manage the game in their way. They frustrate, but they win the game.

“They’ll do anything. They’ve come and they’ve done a job on us.”