U’s break a record in search for victory
COLCHESTER assistant manager David Wright insists the U’s will keep fighting for their League One survival, despite going a club record 19th league game without a win following a goalless draw at home against Shrewsbury Town.
It was a match of very few chances and it was easy to see why both teams are struggling in the relegation zone.
But Wright is optimistic his Essex outfit can make up the ten-point gap to safety.
“We have to look at the positives. It was our first clean sheet since October, and we had many young players who were outstanding,” said Wright.
“Until it’s mathematically impossible for us to stay up, we’ll not stop working our socks off.We are hoping this clean sheet and the performance will be a springboard for us.
“It’s just that final step we need.We lack that bit of confidence but, once that comes, we truly believe when we get that win we’ll go on a run.”
Chris Porter should have given Colchester the lead midway through the first half when George Moncur laid the ball on a plate for the big striker inside the box, but he failed to hit the target, sliding his effort wide of the mark.
Defences were dominant and though Colchester had the edge in terms of possession and played some neat football, they were unable to pose a serious threat to the visitors.
And Shrewsbury manager Micky Mellon believed his side were still tired from Monday’s 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.
“It was one of those games you could tell both of the teams were desperate for the points. It was a battle,” said Shrews boss Mellon.
“It was nervy at times, we looked like we had a wee bit of a hangover from Monday.
“But it’s the time of the season when you’ll take any point you can away from home.”
Shrewsbury could have nicked a result that would have taken them out of the bottom four as they went closest.
Abu Ogogo’s stunning volley from 25 yards just before the break was the highlight of the half.
It left Elliot Parish well beaten in the Colchester United goal, but it smashed against the post rather than rippling the net.
Then, in the second half, Andy Mangan’s welltimed run on to a ball over the Colchester defence was followed by a tame strike that rolled the wrong side of the post.
Mellon added:“We got a clean sheet and a point away from home against a team who are battling around us in the league.
“They are the positives we can take away and we move on to Tuesday.”