Colchester United fought out a goalless draw with Scunthorpe United on Saturday afternoon.

Colchester United may have only drawn at home to Scunthorpe United on Saturday afternoon but the manner of the performance will have left most U's fans satisfied. United were much more committed than they were against Hereford a fortnight ago and the crowd responded to that. Both sides had great chances to find the crucial goal to take all three points, but a draw was probably about the right result.

Lambert again made changes following the midweek defeat at Luton Town. Jimmy Walker started in goal behind a back four of Marc Tierney, Chris Coyne, Pat Baldwin and, making his home debut, Alan Maybury. The midfield saw Mark Yeates line up on the left hand side with Perkins and Hammond central and Kem Izzet on the right. Clive Platt partnered Scott Vernon up front with the former Blackpool man feeling the pressure of record signing Stephen Gillespie who was on the bench.

Scunthorpe had former U's loanee Ben May in their starting line-up partnered up front by former Southend striker Gary Hooper.
Under clear blue Essex sky, United started brightly. Yeates picked out Izzet who had peeled off his marker but the diminutive midfielder's volley a la Marco Van Basten was far too high to worry Joe Murphy in the Irons goal. Another early cross from the Irishman saw Perkins flick the ball over the bar as well while Gary Hooper, with 11 goals to his name so far this season, saw his first chance of the game also fly over Jimmy Walker and in to the U's fans in the North Stand.

Hooper then missed a glorious chance to put his side in to the lead. The ex-Southend man broke the U's offside trap brilliantly but bearing down on the goal, he mis-controlled the ball and allowed Walker to make an unlikely save. Play switched quickly from one end of the field to the other as Platt pulled the ball back to Scott Vernon inside the area but the former Oldham man completely missed his kick with just the keeper to beat. It might have been an important swing to the U's. From almost certainly one down, to a goal up would have felt awful for the visiting fans but it was not to be on this occasion.

Sam Togwell then let fly just before the half hour mark with a rising drive that Walker watched go over the bar while McCann had a great chance to pick out the unmarked Hooper in the box but found only the outstretched arms of the on loan West Ham goalkeeper Walker.

Yeates, who had struggled to get in to the game so far, then burst in to life forcing Murphy in to a couple of saves at his near post in quick succession. The first came from a free kick on the left which the Eire goalkeeper had to move smartly to push behind for a corner and, from the set piece, he caught the ball low down as Yeates' again tried to catch him out.

Perkins volleyed from outside the area but though it initially looked as though it might dip over Murphy the Irons keeper was always in control of the situation as the sides went in to the break.

There was some sad news at the break when the crowd were informed that record goal scorer Martyn King had been seriously ill in recent weeks. I'm sure I speak for all U's fans in wishing Hall of Famer King a speedy recovery.

Walker had to be alert at the start of the second period after a shot from a narrow angle by Woolford while Yeates then cut in from the left and fired in a shot which was always rising. From a corner, Platt headed tamely goalwards but it still required Krystian Pearce to clear off the line.

At the other end, Hammond did really well to block a shot from former U's man May, whose goal beat Premiership West Bromwich Albion back at Layer Road some years ago, when on the point of shooting while Maybury, enjoying a good home debut, tackled Hooper superbly to concede the corner.
United made two changes after 20 minutes of the half with Scott Vernon and Kem Izzet making way for Stephen Gillespie and Johnnie Jackson.

A long throw from Tierney almost created the opening goal. Platt flicked the ball on to the onrushing Perkins inside the box but the former Rochdale made poked the ball just wide of the goal from ten yards.

United's Australian International Chris Coyne then showed what he can do in an attacking position with some nice skills for a central defender - his cross eventually hacked to safety by the Irons defence. From the resulting corner, Baldwin headed back across goal but just as it looked as though Hammond would head the ball goalwards, Clive Platt got a flick to the ball which diverted it past the ex-Brighton skipper.

With ten minutes remaining David Perkins made way for Wordsworth but it was another substitute who tested Murphy next with Gillespie curling a shot in to the goalkeeper’s midriff.
As time drew closer both sides had great chances to make the game theirs. Scunthorpe's chance came from an errant pass by Chris Coyne - a rare mistake on the day for the Aussie. McCann picked out Hooper but down the inside right channel, the club's leading goals corer dragged his effort wide with just the keeper to beat.

Sadly, the same story was pretty much repeated in a mirror image to the Scunthorpe chance. This time it was Hammond's delightful ball over the top that sent Stephen Gillespie away down the inside left channel but with just the keeper to beat, dragged his shot past the wrong side of the U's post. It would have been a great way for the injury-stricken club £400,000 signing to mark his way back to full fitness.

Murphy was called upon late in the day to save from a 30 yard free kick from Yeates, which the Irishman may well have been better off curling in to the phalanx of players lining up for the cross as Johnnie Jackson tried to persuade him, but ultimately, the U's fans could not really complain about the fare served up to them in this pre-Christmas clash.

Every one played their part. The U's players showed the passion and determination which has been sadly missing on occasions this season at home, and in return, the U's fans showed that they will get behind the team as well. It was a much better performance than last time out at Hereford and, if they can just find the cutting edge (probably via Gillespie) that their play deserves it won't be long before the club continues to climb the table. The play-offs are a long way off yet, but inevitably it’s not the side playing well in December that gets promoted that way - it’s the side hitting form late in the season. Perhaps the best is to come?

Shot of the Match: Though it didn't cause Murphy too many problems, the first half volley from Perkins from just outside the box was a text book example for any young child watching on how to volley powerfully and accurately.
Save of the Match: Murphy had to be quick across his line to prevent Yeates' free kick from sneaking in at the near post.
Moan of the Match: I hate to see little blown across football pitches - perhaps the ball boys can be instructed to collect the larger pieces at a suitable break in play.
Man of the Match: Steady performances all around including home debutant Alan Maybury who also got forward to good intent on occasions - something we've been lacking from our fullbacks this season. Chris Coyne may well get some MOTM's in various papers, but my MOTM is going to DEAN HAMMOND who contributed at both ends of the field today. There were a couple of important blocks defensively while it was him who sent Gillespie away in the late stages of the game that may well have ended up winning it.

Colchester: Walker, Maybury, Coyne, Baldwin, Tierney, Yeates, Hammond, Izzet (Jackson 65), Perkins (Wordsworth 80), Platt, Vernon (Gillespie 65).
Subs Not Used: Gerken, White.

Booked: Yeates.

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Wright, Pearce, Byrne, Williams, Thompson (Morris 75), McCann, Togwell, Woolford (Hayes 88), May, Hooper.
Subs Not Used: Lillis, Iriekpen, Lea.

Booked: Wright.

Att: 4,606.

Ref: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire).

Photo: Action Images

Colchester United Polls