COLCHESTER United boss Hayden Mullins admits he did not see the bizarre goal that put his side ahead in their 1-1 draw at Rochdale.

The U's were gifted a 40th-minute lead at the Crown Oil Arena after Dale defender Max Taylor inexplicably slotted a back-pass past his keeper Joel Coleman and into the net.

But Colchester were forced to settle for a point, after Jimmy Keohane netted an equaliser for the hosts on the hour mark in the League Two encounter.

Mullins said: "I didn't see the (own) goal - I just saw it rolling into the back of the net.

"I can't tell you what happened there but one of the members of staff saw it.

"We had a bit of luck on the road and we'll take that.

"Last season, we were long overdue that so we'll take it and we tried to build on it but couldn't really hang on.

"We wanted to get the second goal and kill the game off but we didn't want to leave it really open.

"We knew that they'd try and push and come at us but we knew that there would be areas where we could hit them on the counter attack.

"I don't think their goal has come from us being lazy or switching off.

"They got into a good area, it was a good pull back and they got the goal they wanted."

Gazette:

Battle - Colchester United midfielder Cole Skuse in action during his side's 1-1 draw at Rochdale Picture: RICHARD BLAXALL

Colchester have now extended their unbeaten run in League Two to three matches, following the draw.

It was another positive away performance for the U's, who are yet to lose on their travels in the league this season.

They had opportunities to win the game in the second half, with Frank Nouble, Brendan Wiredu and Gene Kennedy all coming close.

"I think a draw was about right, on the balance of play," said Mullins, who confirmed that midfielder Alan Judge missed the game because of a groin injury.

"In the first half, we came out and we did what we wanted to try and do.

"We knew it would be a good atmosphere; they were celebrating an anniversary and we knew that they would try and start fast.

"Most teams in our division try and start fast at home and make their home form count and we knew that we'd have to manage all of that.

"I thought that we did that well in the first half and in the second half, I thought we had chances to kill the game off.

"Frank (Nouble) at the back post and early on in the second half, we had some decent chances.

"We want to try and be that team that's hard to beat, away from home.

"We're unbeaten at the moment away from home; I know it's early but we have five points on the road already.

"We spoke at half-time about not just sitting off but soaking up pressure and wanting to still be a team that wants to go out and attack the game.

"I thought we did that at the start of the second half and we started it brightly and it's just unfortunate with their goal."