Shaun Harrad had put Albion in front, slotting home Keith Gilroy's cross but Stephen Reed brought the visitors level with a spectacular 35-yard piledriver.

Burton were reduced to 10 men 20 minutes into the second half when striker Daryl Clare was shown a straight red for a foul on Mark Peters.

And United made the extra man count when Scott Rendell converted Courtney Pitt's low cross from close range.

Burton Albion: Poole, Corbett, Greaves, James, Webster, Goodfellow (Stride 81), McGrath, Simpson, Gilroy, Clare, Harrad.
Subs Not Used: Deeney, Edwards, Austin, Farrell.

Sent Off: Clare (65).

Booked: Simpson.

Goals: Harrad 17.

Cambridge Utd: Potter, Peters, Albrighton, Morrison, Gleeson, Carden, Wolleaston, Convery (Pitt 60), Reed, Rendell, Boylan (Fortune-West 60).
Subs Not Used: Hoyte, Hyem, Willmott.

Booked: Gleeson, Albrighton.

Goals: Reed 50, Rendell 68.

Att: 2,263

Ref: G Scott (Devon).