The U's were held 1-1 at home by Hartelpool United this afternoon with Scott Vernon scoring for the U's just before the break.

Colchester United ended a three games at home week with just four points after a one-all draw with Hartlepool United yesterday. Scott Vernon had put the U's ahead late in the first half but Michael Nelson's header from a near post corner salvaged a point for The Monkey Hangers.

United made three changes from the side that had beaten Stockport County in midweek with Gobern, Wordsworth and Scott Vernon coming in to the starting line-up. Dean Hammond was out of the squad altogether (I understand an injury kept him out) while Perkins and Platt were fit enough to take a place on the bench. In my eyes, if you're fit enough to be on the bench, you're fit enough to start unless you are returning from injury a la Steven Gillespie.

Hartlepool came out wearing a bright orange shirt which caused some consternation with the stewards. Eventually, yellow bibs were handed out them which is surely the first time the stewards have had to change kit during a match?

Kem Izzet had the first shot in anger of the match as watched the ball onto his toe from a great height, but could only watch it go well wide. United had line up with two banks of four with Hackney and Gobern on the wings with Yeates playing just off Scott Vernon who led the line on his own.

United were thankful to Jimmy Walker for keeping the game goalless. Walker, possibly playing his last game for the club following his loan spell, dived smartly to his right to palm away a Sam Collins unmarked header following a free-kick on the U's right.

The two teams then traded free-kicks in dangerous area. The U's had first go with a free kick inside the semi-circle but it was too close too goal for Yeates to get up and down over the wall. From that distance, you need someone to give the ball a damn good thump and hope that it slips through a gap in the wall. At the other end, The Monkey Hangers effort was similar as their effort also hit the wall.

However, 'Pool should have scored shortly afterwards through former U's loanee Richie Jones who took one touch too many. The move came after Lewis Guy escaped from the grasp of Pat Baldwin and from the by-line pulled the ball back to Jones. The ex-Man United midfielder should have hit it first time from ten yards out but took a fatal extra touch that allowed Paul Reid to get back and block his eventual shot.

United finally forced Lee-Barrett into his first save of the afternoon through Yeates. A nice passing move - in fairness the U's did pass the ball around today to good effect at times - involving Wordsworth, and Hackney eventually saw Yeates receive the ball at the edge of the box. Lee-Barrett having to tip over his shot for a corner. The 'Pool's keeper then had to save a long range effort from Hackney at the second attempt.

Former non-league striker Michael Mackay then almost escaped after a rare mistake from Paul Reid allowed him to go one on one with Baldwin. The U's defender missed his challenge but thankfully had held up the former Durham City striker enough to allow Maybury to rescue the situation. At the other end, the former Leeds fullback combined with Wordsworth on the edge of the box but the shot was still rising as it passed Lee-Barrett's goal.

Right on halftime, the U's took the lead through Scott Vernon. It was a long ball forward headed up by Anthony Wordsworth in to the path of the former Blackpool man that created it, and despite pressure from a Hartlepool defender, Vernon poked the ball past Lee-Barrett for his 4th of the season. No doubt many in the crowd had already left to get their halftime cup of Bovril - I wonder just who missed it?

There was still enough time left in the half for the U's to create another chance. Izzet sent Yeates scampering away down the inside right channel but when he needed to fire in a first time cross to cause real problems, he decided to take on his man and in all honesty, the chance was lost. United just don't get enough first time crosses in to the box when opposition defences are dis-organised. You only have to go back to last weekend's Derby match to see how punishing they can be.

Hackney's intelligent reverse pass to Tierney, and the subsequent low cross from the fullback gave Wordsworth a late chance in the half but his shot was deflected wide for a corner before the U's could go in to the break to generous applause from the home supporters.

The second half was a much tighter affair and in fairness, it was the visiting side that had the upper hand. Walker had to punch the ball off Nelson's head from a corner while Reid produced a superb tackle inside the box when the Hartlepool striker was on the point of shooting at Walker.

United attacks were few and far between. Young midfielder Wordsworth, enjoying his first real game in the centre of midfield for the U's set Hackney away down the left. The ex-Carlisle man's pace got him away from the defender but with just the keeper to beat, scuffed his shot badly wide. I think the problem was he tried to kick the ball with his left foot, but in actually fact the ball was in front of his right making him horribly off-balance as he went to strike it.

Both managers made the first changes shortly afterward. Lewis Gobern, who had struggled to make any real impact in the game, was withdrawn in place of Steven Gillespie which allowed Yeates to switch to the right wing - where he was subsequently starved of the ball and too often than not, came inside looking for it. David Foley replaced Jones three minutes later and four minutes after that, the visitors equalised. They had won two corners in succession in front of the East stand, and from the second, Nelson got up highest to head past the stranded James Walker.

For most of the remainder of the game it was the U's who were holding on but they did have one glorious chance right at the end to take what would probably have been an undeserved three points from the game. A free kick for the U's got the very faintest flick-on by Platt in to the path of Gillespie just yards out. I think everyone thought he would be blasting it goalwards but in the end, the U's record signing, tried to flick the ball to the left of Lee-Barrett only for the 'Pool's keeper to produce a fine save as he palmed the ball wide.

In injury time, Lee-Barrett had to hold on to a Yeates free-kick but the draw was probably a fair result. The U's goal scoring problems continued - just two goals in four home games now - and until they can find a solution to that, they will not be worrying supporters who have booked holidays during May.

Shot of the Match: Yeates had a first half effort tipped over the bar.
Save of the Match: I'm tempted to give it to Reid for his stunning second half tackle when Hartlepool looked destined to score, but Jimmy Walker's first half save from Sam Collin's header was of the very top draw.
Moan of the Match: Aside from the few odd comments from those sat around us, I have little to really moan about - hell, we even got out of the car park at five past five (a new club record I believe!).
Man of the Match: I didn't hear anyone touting the name of any other U's player. PAUL REID stood out heads and shoulders above everyone else today.

Colchester: Walker, Maybury, Baldwin, Reid, Tierney, Gobern (Gillespie 64), Izzet, Wordsworth, Hackney (Perkins 90), Yeates, Vernon (Platt 73).
Subs Not Used: Cousins, Coyne.

Booked: Maybury.

Goals: Vernon 45.

Hartlepool: Lee-Barrett, Sweeney, Nelson, Collins, Humphreys, Jones (Foley 67), Clark, Liddle, Monkhouse, Mackay, Guy.
Subs Not Used: Cook, Henderson, Rowell, Tait.

Booked: Monkhouse, Jones, Clark, Nelson.

Goals: Nelson 71.

Att: 5,158.

Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).

Photo: Action Images

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