Danny Cowley admits Colchester lacked ‘little bit of quality’ against Crawley

Colchester boss Danny Cowley admits his side lacked the quality needed on the night to claim victory after being held to a 0-0 home draw by relegation-threatened Crawley.

The Us are three points off the League Two play-off places after a frustrating stalemate with Crawley, who moved two points clear of the relegation places.

Crawley keeper Jacob Chapman denied both Rob Hunt and Samson Tovide and Arthur Read also went close for Colchester but they could not make the breakthrough.

Cowley said: “It certainly wasn’t for a lack of effort or application.

“I thought the players tried really hard but we lacked quality on the night.

“We had complete dominance of the game.

“We played a team that are fighting for their lives and played in a totally different way to how they normally do. They went forward quick and fought for everything.

“They were trying to stop Jack Payne, Teddy (Bishop) and Kyreece (Lisbie) who got pretty harsh treatment but the referees don’t really protect those type of players which I think is disappointing and frustrating.

“But ultimately they came and did what they have to do and we have to be good enough to break that down.

“We had loads and loads of possession but I don’t think we created enough chances for the amount of dominance that we had. We created some good chances but we were just short of that little bit of quality.”

Crawley were worthy of their point following a hard-working display.

Dion Pereira was denied by Colchester keeper Matt Macey in the first half and Klaidi Lolos fired inches past the far post after half-time for the Reds.

Substitute Ronan Darcy then saw his effort saved late on as the visitors claimed a precious point.

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey said: “It was a dogged away performance.

“I don’t think we were particularly great but we showed real character again, which is what we’re going to need for the remaining games. That’s the pleasing thing for me.

“We spoke about continuation from the last game and we saw that tonight.

“I thought we dug really deep and we had some chances, not loads but we did have some chances and we could probably have nicked it.

“But they’re a good side and they’re probably going to be in and around the play-offs.

“They’re quite high on a lot of stats from an attacking and defensive point of view and in possession and they’re a good side with good players in their team.

“But I thought my team showed real character and fight and desire to stay in the game right until the end and we could probably have stolen it towards the end.”