Wrexham travelled to Cambridge in a game where three points was a must to continue their charge towards Championship football next season.
Phil Parkinson named an unchanged team from the 2-0 win over Exeter as Jay Rodriguez looked to make it three successive games on the score sheet.
George Dobson opened the scoring inside four minutes with an exquisite strike into the bottom left corner from beyond 25 yards out.
Just before half time, there was an equaliser for Cambridge when Arthur Okonkwo could only parry a deflection from Max Cleworth on to the post for striker Liam Bennett to slam home.
Within seconds of the second half, Lewis Brunt fouled Ryan Loft in the penalty area and Josh Stokes converted the penalty to give Cambridge a 2-1 lead.
Sam Smith equalised for the Red Dragons with a superb header back past the goalkeeper after Ryan Longman picked him out with a cross from the right.
Chances fell at both ends before the end of the game but both sides had to settle for an entertaining draw and Parkinson’s side miss an opportunity in the promotion race.
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Wrexham player ratings vs Cambridge
Wrexham looked uncharacteristically nervy on the night and were perhaps fortunate to come away with a draw, here’s how the Wrexham players rated in their League One clash with Cambridge.
Arthur Okonkwo- 6
Unfortunate for Cambridge’s equaliser as he made an excellent reflex save on to the post only for the rebound to be smashed home.
Max Cleworth- 5
Deflection off Cleworth lead to the equaliser as the defender misjudged a cross into the box. Unlucky not to score with an audacious effort from distance in the second half.
Eoghan O’Connell- 7
Solid performance at the heart of the defence once again, won everything in the air and showed real authority against a lively Cambridge attack.
Lewis Brunt- 3
Gave away a soft penalty after losing his aerial duel and despite minimal contact, it was a needless challenge from the defender.
Ryan Longman- 6
Lively opening five minutes to the game with some dangerous crosses into the box however, quickly became non-existent in the match. That was before an excellent cross picked out Smith for the equaliser.
James McClean- 4
No questioning McClean’s heart and work ethic but the impact he is having on games is diminishing by the week.
Matty James- 7
Another controlled performance in the middle of the park, James has a great knack of knowing where loose balls are going to drop and is always there to tidy up for Wrexham.
George Dobson- 9
Performances recently have warranted a magical moment for him and he provided just that with an outstanding strike early in the match to give his side the perfect start. The bright spot for the Red Dragons.
Ollie Rathbone- 6
Worked extremely hard as always but Rathbone struggled to get on the ball and create as he has done in recent weeks.
Jay Rodriguez- 4
After a resurgence in the last couple of matches, it was back to a lacklustre display from the former England international as he failed to trouble a stubborn Cambridge defence.
Sam Smith- 7
Looked isolated all too often for Parkinson’s liking but showed that he cannot be kept quiet for too long with an outstanding header to get his side back on level terms. Could have struck the winner but was denied following an excellent through ball from Dobson.
Substitutes-
Steven Fletcher- 5
Replaced Rodriguez with twenty minutes remaining and saw a brave header parried away by the Cambridge keeper.
Elliot Lee- 4
Came on for Rathbone with just over ten minutes remaining and should have scored the winner in stoppage time but blazed over from the penalty spot unmarked.
Ryan Barnett- 5
Replaced McClean with just over ten minutes remaining but failed to make an impact on the game.