ACCRINGTON Stanley’s five match unbeaten run in League Two came to an end after a dramatic and unexpected finish against Cambridge United.

The Reds saw two late penalties saved by U’s goalkeeper Will Norris to ultimately lose to a home team who finished with nine men at the Abbey Stadium.

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Former Stanley star Piero Mingoia was Cambridge’s match-winner as he made one and scored one to give Shaun Derry’s side a 2-1 victory.

It had all started so serenely, with Stanley looking to control the game and extend a run of away form that had seen them lose just one league away game all season.

But they suffered an early setback when they fell behind inside 15 minutes. Omar Beckles was penalised for a pull back on Ben Williamson, Mingoia delivered the free kick from the left and United captain Leon Legge rose highest to head past Aaron Chapman and make it 1-0.

It was one of few chances for the home team, with Adam McGurk firing over with the next best.

Sean McConville saw a couple of attempts blocked by defenders before Billy Kee glanced a Zak Vyner cross wide but it took until the 44th minute for Norris to be forced into a meaningful save. A powerful shot from Jordan Clark was the culmination of a good Stanley move, the effort took a deflection and Norris had to adjust to turn the ball round the post.

The Reds had come from behind in their last two matches and looked like they’d do the same again when they equalised five minutes into the second half.

Beckles met a McConville corner with a firm header that forced a fine save from Norris but the ball sprung from the keeper straight to Kee who tapped home his fifth goal of this season from point blank range.

The equaliser brought a response from Cambridge, who promptly had their most dominant spell of the game. Janoi Donacien was forced to head over his own bar from a McGurk cross, sub James Dunne saw a low shot blocked and McGurk was caught offside as the home team looked to break with men over.

Stanley were restricted to defending but were inches away from taking the lead with their next decent attack.

McConville saw an effort cleared straight to Rommy Boco and his low strike beat Norris but clattered back off the inside of the right post.

It proved to be key, with Cambridge back in front moments later. Sub Uche Ikpeazu crossed from the left for Mingoia to dispatch a brilliant volley past Chapman and make it 2-1.

Now it was all out attack for John Coleman’s team and it seemed their endeavours would be rewarded in the 91st minute when sub Terry Gornell went down inside the box under challenge from Legge.

The Cambridge skipper was shown a second yellow and sent off and Chris Eagles stepped up to take the penalty. The substitute drilled the kick but Norris kept it out.

From the very next attack Matty Pearson’s effort was heading in when another ex-Red, Brad Halliday, handled the ball on the line to keep it out. Ref Ollie Yates sent him off and pointed to the spot again.

This time Gornell took responsibility but a change of taker brought the same outcome as Norris pulled off another save to give the nine men three points.