Red-hot Devitt the star as U’s denied

A SUPERB free-kick from Jamie Devitt nine minutes from time earned gutsy Carlisle a point at Brunton Park.

Midfielder Devitt curled his third goal in as many games into the top corner to stun the improving U’s.

Carlisle boss Keith Curle reckoned the late leveller was no more than his side deserved, though the U’s were denied by the woodwork even later on.

Curle said: “We’d had the better of the chances, but it just seemed we couldn't stick another one away.

“It was a difficult game. Colchester have shown that they’re a good side in recent weeks, and we knew we were going to be in for a tough afternoon.

“It wasn’t pretty at times, but we tried to play good football and in the end I guess we’ve come away with our reward.

“We probably did deserve to get the three points, but once again we’ve seen that League Two is not easy. There are a lot of strong teams out there so it is tough.”

It was slightly against the run of play when the U’s broke the deadlock just a minute before the break.

Kurtis Guthrie saw his initial shot parried by Carlisle goalkeeper Jack Bonham, but Brentford loanee Courtney Senior was perfectly placed to tap home the rebound.

Earlier the hosts had created the bulk of the opportunities.

Kelvin Etuhu fired wide, while Devitt saw a looping effort drop onto the roof of the net.

Shortly before the goal, Etuhu was denied by a superb save from Sam Walker.

Again Devitt was out of luck shortly after the restart when his pile-driver brushed the top of the crossbar before going behind, while Kris Twardek also went close as the hosts pressed. Carlisle were eventually rewarded when Devitt curled home, though the U’s almost nicked what would have been an unlikely three points when Mikael Mandron struck the post in the dying minutes.

U’s boss John McGreal remained positive despite the late equaliser as his side extended their unbeaten run to four matches.

McGreal said: “Of course it was a blow to concede late on, but then we go and almost nick a win. It was that kind of end-to-end game.

“This could turn out to be a crucial point for us, so I’ve no major complaints.

“The players gave it everything and on another day we would have gone on and got that goal at the end, but a point here is never a bad thing.”