Two second-half strikes from substitute Sullay Kaikai, added to a first-half opener from Shane McLoughlin, lifted Cambridge into the League Two automatic promotion places with a deserved 3-0 victory at Crawley.
It was the U's seventh win in their last eight games, while Crawley were left five points clear of the drop zone.
Bright Start Punished Before the Break
Striker Danilo Orsi came close to giving Crawley the lead after only 59 seconds, but his low shot was blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Jake Eastwood. Harry McKirdy then headed an Orsi cross wide as the home side made the early running.