Bristol Rovers’ miserable start to the season continued as Cambridge claimed a 2-0 Carabao Cup win at the Memorial Stadium.
Rovers boss Darrell Clarke described his team’s league defeat against Fleetwood as “a rude awakening call”, but there was precious little in the way of a response from his players.
A third successive loss of the campaign had an inevitability about it once Louis Appere broke the deadlock before substitute Ryan Loft’s header 15 minutes from time sealed the deal.
Clarke and his opposite number Neil Harris both fielded teams showing five changes from the clubs’ latest League Two games, with United’s line-up featuring full debuts for Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Zak Bradshaw.
Cambridge took a deserved 29th-minute lead when Appere sprinted clear and finished impressively as his left-footed shot flew past Rovers goalkeeper Luke Southwood.
Rovers fans chanted “this is embarrassing” after Appere struck, and boos accompanied the players’ half-time exit following an opening 45 minutes that saw them fail to create one clear-cut chance.
Cambridge were pushed on to the back foot as Rovers rallied after the break, but United goalkeeper Jake Eastwood did not have a save to make until the 65th minute and a place in round two was impressively secured through Loft’s pinpoint effort.
