Sean Murray apologised to Colchester United head coach John McGreal after he was sent off on his debut at Blackpool.

Murray, who joined the U’s from Swindon Town this week, was dismissed for a foul on Tangerines’ right wing-back Jim McAlister in stoppage-time, having come on for his debut as a second-half substitute for Craig Slater in the 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Road.

McAlister was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg and the Republic of Ireland under-21 international now faces a three-match ban, following his red card.

McGreal said: “Sean came up to me and apologised but it’s football and it’s one of those things when the ball runs away from you and you’re trying to impress.

“In the 15 to 20 minutes that he was on, I thought that he was impressive.

“He was combative, got around the pitch and created opportunities and he’s going to be a huge hit for us.

“I’m sure the fans will love him; he’ll miss games now but it’s an opportunity for someone else.”

Colchester secured a point at Blackpool, after leading goalscorer Kurtis Guthrie’s 18th-minute strike cancelled out Jamille Matt’s opener for the hosts scored six minutes earlier.

“I thought we had some really good opportunities to put the game away on the counter when we were under the cosh,” said McGreal.

“But with the way it finished at the end and to finish with nine men, we’re delighted to come away with the draw and it was a great point for us.

“They had some simple movement with their front two and (Brad) Potts just pulling off into the wide area and it was causing (Tom) Lapslie and our three centre-halves a little bit of a problem.

“We organised it at half-time when you can actually sit down and go through it with them; we tried to organise it in the first half but sometimes things happen and it’s hard.

“I thought we defended very well especially young Frankie (Kent), who again stepped up to the plate.

“In the space of two minutes, we lost Sean (Murray) and Tom (Eastman) and we were hanging on but we put Ports (Chris Porter) in at centre-half and he won a few headers and tackles and it was a really pleasing point.”