Added Time

Saturday 28 February 2026

Mark Johnson, Doug Shulman – Cambridge United vs Milton Keynes Dons, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (2026)

My beloved Cambridge United: second in the league. MK Dons: third, two points behind.

Win and we’ve got one finger in promotion.
Draw, acceptable.
Defeat, not disastrous… but disappointing.

Lunchtime kick-off. A nervy morning.

Still exhausted from the charity walk. Over £200 raised and counting. Genuinely grateful for the generosity. It means a lot.

Killed time wandering round the local shopping centre. Had a toastie in Costa. Wandered into the posh food bit of Marks & Spencer.

Five items for twenty-five quid.

Too tired to rant. It is, after all, our career choice. The wife paid anyway, and I know how good that sourdough is.

The match kicks off. First half: nothing in it. A turgid affair. Best chance falls to the Dons.

I had to explain the concept of MK Dons to my wife. If you don’t know, look it up. I’m not reopening that wound here.

0–0 at half-time. I’ll take that.

The Mrs complains that Mark and Doug “talk too much”.

I defend them. They’re on the radio. What exactly are they meant to do? Sit in reflective silence?

I’ll always defend them. They’re our Batman and Robin. They carry you through the good and the bad. Mostly the bad, supporting Cambridge.

She puts on headphones for the second half.
I listen in peace.

More urgency from both sides. It feels like it’s drifting towards 0–0 when Cambridge score.

Substitute Lavery.

The Abbey erupts.

I silently erupt, because overcelebration at home carries consequences. If the wife could issue yellow cards, she would.

Cambridge United go top of League Two.

Neil Harris goes defensive to protect the lead. MK Dons throw on attackers.

The clock slows to a crawl, as it always does when you’re clinging to something precious.

And clinging is the word.

MK Dons become relentless. Two point-blank saves from Jake Eastwood. Man of the Match. Yes, I said it.

Five minutes of injury time. Mark and Doug feared ten.

Five felt like fifty.

MK Dons keep coming.

Then it happens.

Raggett brings down Nemane. Whistle. Point to the spot.

Penalty.

No real complaints. It looked like a penalty. A dubious decision would’ve been harder to stomach.

Aaron Collins steps up. Coolest man in the stadium. Slots it home.

1–1.

Hard-fought draw.

Before kick-off, I’d have taken it. But being seconds away from victory and losing it always stings.

Back to second.

Twelve games to go.

Promotion is still real. Not fantasy. Not nostalgia. Not a pipe dream.

Still alive.

And that’s enough for now.

END OF LISTENING LOG