McGreal frustrated as Shrimps let off hook

COLCHESTER boss John McGreal was left frustrated once again as his side could only draw for the fourth successive game.

Frank Nouble fired the visitors ahead after 35 minutes, but on-loan debutant Adam Phillips restorted parity in the 69th minute.

Colchester ended the game with 10 men after right-back Ryan Jackson was given his marching orders seven minutes from time.

The U’s are unbeaten in 12, but their inability to kill teams off is becoming increasingly frustrating for McGreal and the club’s fans.

McGreal said: “I really thought we were going to win. We started well and played the conditions well, got our goal and were looking for a second.

“We hit a post and looked comfortable, but at the minute it looks like we need that second goal.

“When you don’t get that second you are always vulnerable and that’s how it turned out as they got a goal after a turnover of possession.

“They got the momentum and we had Ryan Jackson sent off and had to change our tactics and make sure we didn’t lose the game.’’

Colchester took the lead when Ryan Clampin delivered a superb low cross that was met by Nouble, who steered the ball past Mark Halstead from close range.

The visitors went close to adding a second in first-half injury time when Harry Pell’s long-ranger took a wicked defection and curled inches wide.

Kwame Poku saw a shot turned on to a post by Halstead and the hosts took advantage of the reprieve when Phillips ran on to a superb cross from John O’Sullivan to head past Dean Gerken from 12 yards out.

Colchester then had Jackson sent off for a second bookable offence.

Morecambe boss Derek Adams was pleased with the way his side fought their way back into the game.

He said: “I think we deserved to win. We were unfortunate to go a goal down in the manner we did when they got a throw-in that was our ball.

“We took the game to them in the second half and we put them under a lot of pressure. We got a goal back and after that I thought there was only one team that was gong to win the game, and that was us.”