Warne wants to give sold-out away end a reason to cheer at Cambridge

Dons boss Paul Warne wants his side to give the sold-out away end at Cambridge on Saturday a better performance than they saw earlier in the season in their last away-day sell-out.

More than 1,300 fans made the short trip to The Hive in November, but were served up a miserable opening half performance which saw Dons go in 2-1 down to Barnet at the break.

A much improved second-half saw Warne’s side pick up a point in north London, unlucky not to claim all three after several big chances went begging for the visitors.

This Saturday, nearly 1,000 will be in attendance behind the goal when Dons make the 50-mile journey to the Abbey Stadium to face automatic promotion rivals Cambridge United, when second plays third.

After just shy of 500 fans made it to Walsall on Monday night to cheer Dons on to a 2-0 win over the Saddlers, Warne paid tribute to the away fans this season, and said he hoped to make amends for the Barnet performance.

He said: “I remember at Barnet, I feel like we massively let them down in the first-half, when we were horrific, but the fans nearly sucked in a winner for us. Hopefully, we can perform in both halves and everyone can enjoy the day out.

“Fundamentally, sport is meant to be fun, entertaining and enjoyable. But it’s also heartbreaking, frustrating and nerve-wracking. Hopefully they can leave proud of what the lads are trying to do.

“The away fans have been ledge this season. I sincerely appreciate away support, I did as a player, and I know our lads do. It’s great when you run out and they all look up for it.

“The pitch was a bit lively on Monday night when I ran over to them, if I’d gone down that would have been a career low!”

Defender Gethin Jones added: “It will be a great atmosphere there, just as it was on Monday night at Walsall. They turned out brilliantly. You can hear them all game, they support us and hopefully we’ll give them something to cheer about on Saturday.”