Striker David Kitson grabbed a last-gasp equaliser for Cambridge to ruin a carnival atmosphere at the McAlpine Stadium.
Huddersfield Town looked like they had secured a victory for returning manager and fans favourite Peter Jackson but they were denied after an 89th minute smash and grab.
More than 10,000 fans packed into the McAlpine to welcome Jackson and his assistant Terry Yorath back to the club but the fairytale start was not to be.
Daniel Chillingworth opened the scoring early in the first half for Cambridge with a perfectly placed glancing header from captain Stuart Bimson's free kick.
After the goal, Huddersfield chased much of the first half with the flowing performances that had excited their supporters in pre-season swapped for scrappy route one football.
When the Terriers did turn on the style, Cambridge looked second best, their equaliser being a prime example.
Battling midfielder Lee Fowler played a quick ball on the ground to Jon Newby who laid off a deft touch to Jonathan Stead, who beat one man before firing low into the bottom corner.
In the second half, Town took control and began to look more dangerous in front of goal with good chances for Stead and Newby before they finally took the lead.
Midway through the half, Stead pounced on a loose ball at the edge of Cambridge's box, beat two men and hit a rasping shot for his second.
But Cambridge never gave up with battling performances from Luke Guttridge and Justin Walker winning balls for the visitors in the centre of the park.
And it was another precisely aimed long free kick that earned them a point.
After the game, Town manager Jackson said he was disappointed with the point. "We gave all the fight and battled well. It was a shame to not have won after all the effort we put in,†he said.
“We look forward to a big game against Derby in the Cup on Tuesday where we will be looking to gel even more as a team.†Cambridge boss John Taylor praised his team and said he believed they had done enough to pinch it at the death.