Fleet looked to have secured a valuable three points for the first time in Cambridge under Liam Daish but a Harrison Dunk equaliser 10 minutes from time ruined the party.

With an unchanged side, Fleet had a couple of efforts from Matt Godden and Neil Barrett early on, but the hosts went closer with a couple of chances for top scorer Tom Elliott, one of which he fired straight at Preston Edwards from close range, as they sought to take control midway through the first half.

But Fleet weren’t without their chances and towards the end of the half Godden had a fine shot hacked off the line by Rossi Jarvis and another saved by Nick Pope as both sides took advantage of plenty of space around the pitch.

Fleet continued to absorb the U’s pressure into the second half, Tom Phipp in particular steadfast at right-back, and the visitors looked good on the counterattack. Josh Coulson headed into Edwards’ arms within a minute of the restart and then Phil Walsh went close for Fleet at the other end, heading just wide from Liam Bellamy’s set piece. Kevin Roberts then drew another save from Edwards from a Cambridge free kick and Liam Hughes was inches from opening the scoring when his strike from 10 yards, after good approach play by Elliott, zipped wide of the post.

But the irrepressible Godden continued to trouble the U’s backline and just before the hour mark he saw a curling shot bounce back off the far post with the goalkeeper stranded. He only had to wait 12 more minutes, however, to go one better. Charlie Wassmer misjudged his timing on a tackle and Godden broke through the middle and lashed a shot past the advancing Pope to give the Fleet a precious lead.

The jubilation lasted only 10 minutes when debutant substitute John Gorman met Elliott’s cross and though his shot was scrambled away by Paul Lorraine in the six-yard box, Dunk slid in to convert the rebound.

Still the Fleet managed to give their travelling supporters hope to cling to as Bellamy, into time added on, carved out a chance for Godden from 10 yards but the Scunthorpe loanee somehow sent his effort wide and with it went the visitors’ hopes of three points. With their rivals managing to pick up maximum points, Saturday’s trip to Barrow – as it was some 30 years ago – could be crucial to Fleet’s relegation battle.

TEAM: Edwards, Phipp, Howe, Walsh, Lorraine, Barrett, Bellamy, Carew, Payne (Azeez 57), Elder (Enver-Marum 67), Godden. Subs not used: Menz, Blake, Williams
Att: 1,737