Cambridge United 3-1 Bristol Rovers
Sky Bet League Two, Cledara Abbey Stadium, Saturday 14 February 2026
Bristol Rovers suffered a 3-1 defeat on the road against Cambridge United in Sky Bet League Two.
In a tough test, Rovers looked to disrupt the U's excellent run of form when Fabrizio Cavegn had a shot inside the opening minute, but Jake Eastwood pushed it away. With the scores level at the half-hour mark, the deadlock was broken by Ben Knight’s strike. The Gas responded with a goal just before half-time through Joe Quigley's penalty, but they could not build momentum.
The U’s were awarded a spot-kick of their own after a challenge on Mamadou Jobe from Alfie Kilgour, with Knight stepping up to score his second with an impressive effort from 12 yards.
Neil Harris' men had collected more points at home than any other side in Sky Bet League Two this campaign and confirmed their victory late in the second half, with Kelland Watts heading in to secure all three points for the hosts.
Steve Evans made three changes from the team that lost 3-2 to Chesterfield last weekend and almost gained the advantage within the first minute. Tommy Leigh, who was making his first start in the blue-and-white quarters, slipped the ball down the right to Cavegn, who forced Eastood into a smart save down to his right.
Nevertheless, Cambridge grew into the contest and were pressuring Rovers' defence. After some clever play from the hosts, Knight stung Brad Young's gloves with a powerful strike before netting the opener.
Sullay Kaikai had the ball on the left and played a skilful pass to the winger, who fired his attempt across the goal and into the back of the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance. Kaikai then turned from provider into possible scorer, making the most of a mix-up in Rovers defence before shooting just wide of the post.
The Pirates remained in the contest and netted with what was virtually the final kick of the first half. Kofi Balmer's throw-in caused chaos in Cambridge's box, with Quigley collecting the ball inside the box before being tripped by Dominic Ball. The 29-year-old took responsibility from the spot and placed his strike down the right of the goal, with Eastwood remaining still in the middle.
It was a close call for Rovers in the opening minutes of the second half, as Knight found a ball from Kaikai, but was denied by a great block from Clinton Mola. The U’s threatened with the following corner, but Watts’ header went just off target.
Ellis Harrison, who replaced Cavegn at half-time, drilled a strike at Eastwood from the edge of the box before Cambridge were given the opportunity to level. Alfie Kilgour pulled Jobe down inside the area, and Knight blasted a fantastic penalty into the top-right corner to give the hosts the lead again.
The U's gained all of the control and added a third just moments before Promise Omochere and Kane Thompson-Sommers were going to be introduced from the Gas' bench. Sean Ragget flicked a free header across the box and towards Watts, who directed his attempt beyond the reach of Young.
Rovers could not find a way back into the contest, with Yusuf Akhamrich and Ellis Harrison knocking half-chance headers over the bar. Evans' men will now look to return to winning ways when they travel to Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Purrington, Ball © (Mpanzu 66), Watts, Brophy, Appéré (Nevitt 77), Kaikai (Lavery 84), Knight (Raggett 67), McLoughlin (Smith 77), Jobe, Gibbons
Subs not used: Hughes, Bennett
Goals: Knight (x2), Watts
Bookings: Purrington
Bristol Rovers: Young, Sparkes, Moore, Kilgour ©, Mola (Thompson-Sommers 80), Akhamrich, De Havilland (Smallwood 65), Balmer, Leigh (Senior 65), Quigley (Omochere 80), Cavegn (Harrison 46)
Subs not used: Southwood, Rijks
Goals: Quigley
Bookings: Sparkes, Harrison, Kilgour, Omochere
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Attendance: 6424 (453 away)
