Sierra Leone International Sullay Kaikai and his team, Cambridge United, earned automatic promotion from League Two. This happened despite Ben Knight missing a penalty in a goalless draw against Crewe.
Kaikai has returned to the Club for a second stint, having previously made 30 appearances for the U’s on loan during the 2014/15 season. In that time, he netted 6 goals, quickly becoming a fan favorite among the Amber Army. His contributions have been vital to their promotion campaign this season.
Cambridge received a penalty in the first half after Sullay Kaikai was fouled in the box, but Knight’s low shot was saved by the goalkeeper, Ian Lawlor.
As Salford City had a chance to take third place by beating Crawley, the away fans felt more nervous as the game went on.
Josh March nearly scored for Crewe, heading just wide from a corner after Cambridge started confidently. He had another chance when Mickey Demetriou headed the ball down in the box, but his close-range shot was blocked by keeper Jake Eastwood.
Cambridge’s coach, Neil Harris, substituted former Crewe striker Elliott Nevitt at half-time. Cambridge had more shots on target than Crewe but couldn’t get the ball past Lawlor.
In added time, Cambridge almost won, but Lawlor saved a header from Kelland Watts and then stopped Dom Ball’s follow-up shot with his legs.
A draw was enough for Cambridge to return to League One after being relegated last season. They conceded only 33 goals across 46 games, and Salford couldn’t find a winner in their match.
“We weren’t the better team, but we had better chances, especially in the 96th minute, to win,” Neil Harris told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
“Many times this season, we’ve created chances without scoring when it mattered. If we had scored more, we could have reached 100 points and gone up much earlier.
“Ultimately, what matters is that we made it. If you can’t win, the important thing is not to lose. That always works for us.”
In June last year, Kaikai, 29, who has 105 appearances for the U’s to his name agreed terms to a new contract which will take him through until 2027.
