Colchester United were held to a goalless draw at Bristol Rovers which saw both sides defences cancel each other out. Meanwhile, the club have had a bid for Carlisle's Simon Hackney accepted by the Cumbrians

For the first time since December 2006 the U's picked up a point in a goalless draw away from home. On that occasion it was Cardiff City who were the hosts but today, it was Bristol Rovers turn in a game dominated by either sides defense. Jo Kuffour had the best chance for the hosts after just a few seconds of the game's start whilst Steve Phillips saved Mark Yeates' second half shot.
Paul Lambert made two changes to the starting line-up from that which played against Cheltenham Town. Marc Tierney returned at left-back in place of the injured Johnnie Jackson while Steven Gillespie came in up front replacing Scott Vernon.
Rovers almost grabbed the lead in the opening seconds of the game. Lines and Hughes combined on the left to set Jo Kuffour up but the former Torquay striker found the side-netting of Jimmy Walker's goal.
United were forced in to their first change of the game afetr just five minutes as a reccurence of Steven Gillespie's hamstring injury forced the former Bristol City man off the field. Scott Vernon replaced him and the question of whether the U's record signing actually touched the ball remains.
Rovers leading goalscorer Ricki Lambert saw a couple of headers go over the bar after corners for the home side while Walker was happy to see Chris Lines' shot go over the bar.
United substitute Anthony Wordsworth entered the referee's notebook in bizarre circumstances with seven minutes of the half remaining. Rovers went to take a corner near where the substitutes were warming up, and pretended to take the kick in an attempt to put off the taker. He was booked for ungentlemanly conduct.
Just before the break, Scott Vernon thought he'd put the U's in front after he turned Hammond's cross in to the net but the assistant referee decided he just crept in to an offsidep position and the effort was ruled out.
The second half had little in the way of goalmouth action. Lines shot over the bar while Lambert had yet another corner wide. The Pirates leading scorer almost found Hinton at the far post with a little dink but foundhis chip just too high for his team-mate.
With ten minutes remaining United had their best chance. Hammond picked out Yeates inside the box who did well to control the ball under close proximity. That did give Phillips enough time to rush from his goal and narrow the angle, with the U's Irish winger having to settle for a corner.
This may well be a useful point for Paul Lambert's side against a Bristol Rovers side which had already beaten United at Cuckoo Farm earlier in the campaign. Paul Lambert knows that he needs to strengthen his squad and it would appear that the club have had a six figure bid for Carlisle's Simon Hackney accepted by the Cumbrians.

Photo: Action Images

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