James Trafford was happy to reward the travelling fans with a point as Wanderers showed their mean streak at the Abbey Stadium.
Trafford made an outstanding late save to make sure the Whites wouldn’t suffer a second league loss in five games following the dismissal of Kyle Dempsey.
Ian Evatt’s men were edged out of the top six on goal difference by Derby County following their 0-0 draw at Cambridge United.
But Wanderers remain in striking distance of the League One play-off zone after almost 1,400 away fans saw them dig in to make sure they wouldn’t leave Cambridge empty-handed.
“It’s a step back in the right direction,” said Trafford.
“The last thing we wanted was to get beaten and then have three lost three in a row in all competitions, so it’s a good point to get.
“The fans are brilliant and travel in their numbers.
“We’ve been to some spots this season and not been able to give them a goal to celebrate or given them any points so take home, so it was brilliant to get a point for us and especially for the fans.
“We thought we were really together. We know we don’t cave when we go down to 10 men. Since I’ve been here we went down to 10 men at Morecambe last season and didn’t cave in and got a point.
“At Port Vale we played with 10 men for much longer on a hot day and got a point. It’s nothing that we don’t know.”
Dempsey looked unlucky to pick up a second yellow card for a 75th-minute foul as Wanderers were on top in the contest.
The Whites had a couple of decent chances to go in front after Trafford had made another top-class save to keep the scores level early in the second half.
And the England Under-21 keeper was pleased to have played his part in securing a third draw on the road this season.
“I thought it was a good game,” Trafford added. “We had chances and they had chances and on another day we put them away. It’s part and parcel of the game.
“It’s not like we sat in. We tried getting forwarded and created chances and anything could have happened.
“We wish we could have scored and won the game but it is what it is.
“I made some saves but all the defenders made blocks, the midfielders are pressing, the strikers are pressing so it’s a team effort.
“Every clean sheet is important and they are more important if we don’t score.
“We know if we keep a clean sheet we’re not getting beaten, so that was important.
“It’s nice to make any save and when they don’t get you a point, but help you get a point, it’s better than making easy saves.”