COLCHESTER United boss Danny Cowley insists the reaction of Mansfield Town's supporters towards them after the 1-1 draw between the two sides served as a big compliment to his team.

Some home supporters booed Cowley and his U's players as they walked off the field towards the tunnel at the One Call Stadium, after the U's claimed a hard-fought point at the League Two leaders.

A section of Mansfield fans were unhappy at what they perceived to be time-wasting from Colchester and vented their frustrations at the end but boss Cowley says he took it as a sign of respect.

“The Mansfield Town supporters were frustrated, I understand that – whether they were frustrated with us or their own team’s performance, I’m not too sure,” said Cowley.

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“I don’t know what they expected; I don’t know if they expected us just to come here and lie down but we weren’t going to do that, over my dead body.

“I’ve been in football long enough, maybe 850 games and I tell you what the home supporters do – when they really admire and respect an away performance, then they boo and they get really frustrated and really angry.

“It’s football’s way of giving you a pat on the back and complimenting you.

“Boos are the biggest compliment, because when they’re clapping and cheering you off, it’s normally because they’re really happy.

Gazette:

“I just wanted to clap them and thank them for coming.

“This is the best football pyramid in the world and without those supporters and that passion and the amount that they care, football would be nothing.

“Are we all going to be goldfish and have no personality and sit and watch like it’s a game of snooker?

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“I loved the Mansfield Town supporters; they got behind their team, they really fought hard for victory and they didn’t quite get it but they’ll have their time, because they’re going to win the league.”