Cambridge were left frustrated by 10-man Burton as the sides played out a goalless draw.
The momentum of the game was with the home side following Steve Seddon’s 64th-minute dismissal, but the U’s could not break through.
Elias Kachunga flicked a header off target in the first half, then in the 33rd minute the ball fell to Lyle Taylor, only for his effort to be beaten away by goalkeeper Max Crocombe.
Burton’s Joe Powell dragged an effort wide in a half interrupted by persistent fouling, with Cambridge boss Neil Harris booked for his complaints.
The Brewers were reduced to 10 men as Seddon collected two yellow cards in under a minute.
Immediately after he was booked for kicking the ball away, he was shown another yellow for a heavy challenge from behind on Jack Lankester.
Lankester had a chance for Cambridge 15 minutes from time when Danny Andrew picked him out with a short free-kick, but he fired inches wide from the edge of the box.
