John McGreal left frustrated again as Morecambe hold 10-man Colchester

Posted Sunday, January 12, 2020 by PA

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

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

A first-half goal from Frank Nouble gave Colchester the advantage at the break on Saturday, only for Morecambe debutant Adam Phillips to secure a 1-1 draw with a 69th-minute header.

As both sides pressed for the winner Colchester were reduced to 10 men when Ryan Jackson was sent off for a second bookable offence with seven minutes to go.

McGreal said: “I really thought we were going to win the game today. 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 because at 1-0 the game is always tight.

“Me and my assistant went hoarse telling the lads to play the conditions and get the ball forward and put their back four under pressure but we didn’t do that enough in the second half.

“When you don’t get that second goal you are always vulnerable and that’s how it turned out as they got a goal after a turnover of possession. We didn’t stop the cross and we gave their lad a free header and the tide changed after that.

“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.’’

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

Adams, whose side moved off the foot of the table with the point, said: “I think it was a game 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 but the game then became a bit frustrating as they tried to waste time and slow things down.

“We took the game to them in the second half and we put them under a lot of pressure. We really got at them and got in their 18-yard box a few times before we got a goal back with a great cross from John O’Sullivan and a fine header from Adam Phillips.

“After that I thought there was only one team that was gong to win the game and that was us. They had a man sent off late on and we went close but we are still just lacking that killer instinct where it matters to get the ball in the back of the net more often.’’