Jordan Cousins netted the winning goal six minutes from time as Cambridge made it three wins in a week with a 1-0 victory over fellow Sky Bet League One strugglers Burton.
Cousins, who had only just come off the bench, was on hand to smash the ball home from close range after Burton goalkeeper Max Crocombe had spilled a Danny Andrew free-kick.
Cambridge, who came into the match on the back of victories over Wigan and Stevenage, made most of the running in the first half without regularly testing Crocombe.
Their best effort came from Liam Bennett, who latched onto a pass from Korey Smith but saw his shot across the goal parried away by the Albion stopper.
Managerless Burton, who parted company with head coach Mark Robinson on Wednesday, registered a single shot on target through Alex Bannon in the 35th minute, a low effort that Vincente Reyes turned around a post.
The second half was low on quality and chances, but Cousins’ late strike sent the home fans away happy.
