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An injury-time equalizer cost Wanderers maximum points but not their place in the top six on a frustrating afternoon at Bolton University’s stadium.

An outstanding Family Day crowd of over 24,000 thought they would be celebrating another vital victory thanks to Declan John’s first goal of the season.

John dismissed Ian Evatt’s men up front after just over an hour as they looked to make it to back-to-back wins over Easter weekend to build on their Papa Johns Trophy success.

But missing a second goal and then conceding a stoppage-time free kick proved detrimental as Cambridge struck death to gain a vital point for their purposes at the other end of the table.

With work – and injuries – mounting, Evatt made four changes to his starting XI to try to freshen things up and keep the Whites’ momentum going after the Good Friday win at Exeter.

Wanderers were looking for a third win in a row, but so was Cambridge in an effort to reinvigorate their fight for survival.

With so much to play for, the U certainly wouldn’t just be hosting guests at Wanderers’ Wembley homecoming after injured captain Ricardo Almeida Santos carried out the Papa Johns Trophy before kick-off.

The visitors came close to an opening goal after 15 minutes when top scorer Sam Smith headed an effort against the post after a corner.

And with the U putting almost all of their blue jerseys behind the ball whenever possible, there was little room for Wanderers to try and find a chance.

It had been over half an hour when they unblocked the Cambridge defense for the first time thanks to a penetrating pass from George Johnston.

John’s forward run took him into the penalty box, but with the angle against him, his low shot couldn’t beat Dimitar Mitov at his near post as George Thomason offered a potential passing alternative with a blast into the box. .

With Wanderers needing to pick up the pace and their levels after the break, they almost made the perfect start.

This time, John and Thomason combined and, from John’s clipped cross, Conor Bradley saw his header at the far post blocked as he ducked gamely to try and repeat his Exeter winner.

John was proving a useful outing and in an effort to turn the screw, Evatt made a triple change with an hour to go as Dion Charles, Aaron Dempsey and Kieran Lee added to the mix.

That also encouraged the fans, who encouraged the whites to find the first goal.

And after 67 minutes it arrived.

Cambridge had been forced even deeper, but Wanderers worked the ball well to create a chance for Johnston, whose shot was superbly saved by Mitov.

Johnston was about to take advantage of the rebound, but John got the first one to launch the ball and unleash a wave of relief and euphoria on the field.

That apparently gave the Wanderers the control they wanted, although the cushion of a second goal was obviously needed and with 10 minutes to go it almost came.

Morley released Charles, and despite there not being much of the target to aim for, Charles thought he found the far corner with a low driver that hit the inside of a post and bounced clear.

Wanderers went for the kill and in a few insane seconds Kieran Lee and hardworking Dan N’Lundulu twice saw efforts blocked in front of goal.

And with Cambridge surviving that scare and still not out of contention, they put in one last push in stoppage time to find an equalizer and dash Wanderers’ hopes of victory.

Jack Lankester had the chance to fire a free-kick from the corner of the box and with Smith putting the last touch in a crowded box The Whites were left behind but not out, clinging to a play-off place and with their fate still it is very much in your own hands.

Tramps: Trafford; Jones, Johnston, Mbete; Bradley, Sheehan (Morley 59), Thomason (Kachunga 68), John; Shoretire (Lee 59); Adeboyejo (N’Lundulu 68), Jerónimo (Carlos 59). Substitutes: MJ Williams, R Williams.

Reserved: Johnston, Bradley

Cambridge United: Mitov; L Bennett, Morrison, R Bennett (Ironside 86), Jones, Seddon (Dunk 69); Brophy (Lankester 69), McGrandles, Digby (Okenabirhie 86), Knibbs (Tracey 69); Blacksmith. Substitutes: Mannion, Worman.

Reserved: Smith

Referee: David Roca

Attendance: 24,377 (472 Cambridge)