There was little to suggest that they would do anything other than build on their draw with York after Simon Heslop gave them a 15th-minute lead.

See the slide show from the game.

But they conceded a goal on the stroke of half time, a second 11 minutes after the break and then lacked the guile to break down the 10-man visitors who had centre back Mark Peters dismissed on the hour.
In short, it was another frustrating afternoon watching the Shaymen.
Cambridge were the better side in the opening stages with Lee McEvilly heading wide when well placed and Peters volleying over from a half cleared Courtney Pitt corner.
But Town started to impose themselves and pushed the high-flying visitors back.
Craig Nelthorpe's crossfield ball picked out Tom Harban who crossed for Heslop but his header from 15 yards out went wide.
But within two minutes the influential midfielder had struck with a peach of a goal.
Adam Legzdins's long clearance downfield was worked back to Tom Kearney by Nathan Joynes and when the skipper slid the pass through for Heslop he beat the advancing keeper with aplomb.
That sparked a period of sustained Town pressure when they had the chances to put the game beyond Cambridge's reach.
Jon Shaw's clever round the corner pass sent Anthony Griffith racing into the area, but keeper Danny Potter was off his line quickly to block.
Three minutes later Griffith played the ball in for Shaw to race onto, but again the keeper's speed won the day.
Town continued to cut open the Cambridge defence and when Matt Doughty fired in a pass for Heslop it opened up for him on the left corner of the area.
There was not a moment's hesitation as he pulled the trigger, but Potter dived to his right and turned the ball round the post.
Shaw had another opportunity just past the half hour mark from another Griffith pass but his shot was deflected just wide of the target.
Dan Gleeson and Wayne Hatswell both failed to take good chances at the other end, but Town's defence looked comfortable until the final minute of the first half when they came up with an error.
Harban's initial clearance was not the best but Simon Ainge and Legzdins should have dealt with the resulting danger.
Ainge's attempted clearance dropped straight at Mark Beesley's feet and, with the Town keeper out of position, he floated a 25-yard shot into the gaping net.
From nowhere, the visitors were level, but Town almost regained the advantage early in the second period, Nathan Joynes heading a Nelthorpe cross narrowly wide and Hatswell got back to deny Shaw.
Cambridge showed Town how it should be done with a well constructed move at the other end. Pitt and Scott Rendell were involved in the build up before Dan Gleeson crossed for McEvilly to tap in from close range.
Within four minutes, United were down to 10 men as Peters saw red for bringing down Nelthorpe as he raced through the centre of the United defence.
But Cambridge reorganised and Town, despite sending on forwards for defenders, were unable to really trouble Potter again.
Kearney fired a left foot shot wide and Heslop shot over the top with the minutes ticking away.
Andy Campbell and Kearney also had shots blocked by a scrambling Cambridge defence before Mark Whitehouse whipped in a cross from the left but no one in a blue shirt could capitalise.
Lewis Killeen almost made an impact from the bench when he received the ball after Whitehouse had chested down a Heslop cross, but he fired straight into the keeper's arms.
And Cambridge coasted home without further alarm despite having to face four minutes of added time.

STAR SHAYMAN:
For the second game in a row Simon Heslop drove the Shaymen forward.
And in the first half he was the outstanding players on the field as Cambridge struggled to cope with him.
He took his goal coolly and might have had a second but for a decent save by United stopper Danny Potter.
Fellow midfielder Anthony Griffith was not too far behind Heslop in his influencing of the game.
Yet again his tackling was crisp and accurate as was his passing. And like Heslop he was also a threat in front of goal as he showed with a great run from midfield that created an opening.
Skipper Tom Kearney was also impressive and his pass to send Heslop in for the Town goal was a delight.
Sadly none of the trio were quite as influential after the break.
Heslop takes the three points on offer in our season-long competition with Griffith getting two and Kearney one.

MATCH FACTS
Halifax Town: Legzdins, Harban (Killeen 65), Ainge (Campbell 69), Quinn, Doughty, Heslop, Kearney, Griffith, Nelthorpe (Whitehouse 75), Joynes, Shaw. Subs (not used): Stamp, Wright.
Booked: None
Sent-off: None
Goals: Heslop 15.

Cambridge Utd: Potter, Morrison, Peters, Hatswell, Gleeson, Wolleaston, Beesley (Albrighton 62), Pitt, McEvilly, Rendell (Coulson 78), Reed. Subs (not used): Boylan, Collins, Willmott.
Booked: None
Sent Off: Peters (60).
Goals: Beesley 45, McEvilly 56.

Attendance: 1,402
Referee: J Waugh (West Yorkshire).

PLAYER POINTS
Jon Shaw 35, Simon Heslop 25, Tom Kearney 21, Anthony Griffith 21, Lewis Killeen 14, Andy Campbell 13, Steve Torpey 12, Steve Bushell 10, Jake Wright 10, Daryl Taylor 8, Rob Scott 7, Matt Doughty 6, Adam Legzdins 6, Cortez Belle 5, Danny Forrest 5, Craig Nelthorpe 4, Craig Mawson 3, Nathan Joynes 2, Adam Quinn 1, Darryn Stamp 2, Ryan Toulson 2, Greg Young 2, Peter Atherton 1.

YOU SAY
Tactical ineptitude again from Wilder. Does he have a coaching badge? Time he went - Angry Andy

Lose next week Wilder then you have to go. If you don't then it's RELEGATION. Redfearn for next manager - The Turnbull

A rare home defeat but the Shaymen were a pleasure to watch. 15 quid for 90 minutes of pure entertainment is a bargain - The Taxman

Second best in every way, not a lack of effort but of ability. Thank god the bottom four are so poor. We'd really be in trouble if not - Clarence

Poor performance. Now you know Chris that Cambridge are the better team why not go there - Ricky P

We needed new defenders weeks ago and Harban and O'Callaghan were the answers. One is useless, one has left. Why is Wilder still here? - Ronnie Warren

You keep telling us Mr Wilder the players are not good! Who brought them to the club? Maybe its time to question your own ability. We are heading for a relegation battle again. The club badly needs a manager with new ideas. We are so predictable. Cambridge were more comfortable with 10 men on the pitch than with 11. - Anon

Click here to read: Wilder is baffled by 'brainless' Shaymen

Click here to read: Halifax Town defender departs