Harriers made a bright start, going close inside the first minute when Foster's 10-yard effort fell straight to keeper Marshall.

The visitors exploited Cambridge's off-side trap on several occasions but their delivery of crosses into the box was poor.

Harriers picked-up two booking with Flynn cautioned on 21 minutes after catching Nacca in the face with a flying boot. Sean Flynn

Eight minutes later Smith was also yellow carded for a lunging foul on midfielder Gutteridge.

Harriers, who started with a 4-4-1-1 formation with Bishop upfront and Melligan pushing up in a free roll, were grateful to right-back Smith for a good block on Kitson's shot in the 34th minute.

Earlier, the ball fell for home defender Iriekpen in the box but he poked a weak effort straight at the grateful Digby.

The match was watched by a crowd of 3,705, including 259 away fans.