Tony Humes heaped praise on his Colchester United side after their draw at Bradford City - despite questioning whether the game should have been played.

Humes and his Bantams counterpart Phil Parkinson both had reservations about the state of the Valley Parade pitch, prior to the 1-1 draw.

Referee Kevin Johnson passed the surface fit to play on and although Humes had questions marks over the pitch, the U's boss was delighted with the way his side adapted to the conditions.

He said: “I’m pleased that we did play, because it shows that we’ve got a bit more strength about us than maybe people give us credit for.

“It was important to back up last week’s result (against Leyton Orient).

“We’ll take a point on the road having won at home previously.

“They worked their socks off and it wasn’t easy on that pitch.

“Whether the game should have been on or not I don’t know but it’s been really difficult for both teams.

“It suited Bradford more than ourselves in terms of the way we like to play but I thought we coped really well and the players gave everything.

“I can’t remember Sam Walker making many saves apart from a good one early on.

“He’s dealt with crosses and a few bits and pieces but we’ve defended manfully."

For five pages of coverage of the U's draw with Bradford, including pictures, reaction and analysis, see Monday's Daily Gazette.