Cambridge Edges Shrewsbury With Late Penalty Kick

Ben Knight's game-winning goal lifts Cambridge into third place in League Two standings.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:47pm

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Ben Knight's penalty kick in the final minute of regulation time lifted Cambridge to a 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury in a League Two match. The game-winning goal came after Shrewsbury's Luca Hoole was called for a handball in the box, allowing Knight to convert the penalty and send Cambridge into an automatic promotion spot in the standings.

Why it matters

The narrow victory was crucial for Cambridge as they look to secure a spot in the League One next season. The win moves them into third place in the League Two table, putting them in position for automatic promotion with just a few months left in the season.

The details

The match was a tight, defensive battle for the majority of the 90 minutes, with neither side able to break through until the final moments. In the 90th minute, Cambridge's Ben Purrington sent a cross into the box that struck the arm of Shrewsbury's Luca Hoole, resulting in a penalty kick. Ben Knight then stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past Shrewsbury goalkeeper Matthew Cox to give Cambridge the late lead.

  • The game-winning penalty kick was taken in the final minute of regulation time.
  • The match was played on January 27, 2026.

The players

Ben Knight

The Cambridge forward converted the game-winning penalty kick in the final minute to lift his team to victory.

Luca Hoole

The Shrewsbury defender was called for a handball in the box in the final minute, leading to the decisive penalty kick.

Ben Purrington

The Cambridge midfielder sent in the cross that led to the game-winning penalty.

Matthew Cox

The Shrewsbury goalkeeper was unable to stop Ben Knight's penalty kick in the final minute.

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What they’re saying

“That was a massive three points for us today. The lads dug deep and got the job done when it mattered most.”

— Ben Knight, Cambridge Forward

What’s next

Cambridge will look to build on this crucial victory as they continue their push for automatic promotion, with their next match scheduled for February 3rd against Colchester United.

The takeaway

Cambridge's late-game heroics demonstrated their resilience and determination to secure a vital win in their promotion chase. The narrow victory highlights the fine margins that can decide a team's season in the highly competitive League Two.