TRANMERE Rovers boss Nigel Adkins described Colchester United goalkeeper Owen Goodman's performance as 'exceptional' after the sides played out a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park.
Alistair Smith's excellent eighth-minute strike cancelled out Kieron Morris's opener for the hosts in the League Two clash, with both goals coming in the space of a minute.
Goodman was in good form for Colchester, twice denying Tranmere goalscorer Morris.
Adkins told Tranmere Rovers FC's YouTube channel: "Their goalkeeper was exceptional for them.
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"It was an outstanding goalkeeping performance by the opposition goalkeeper that's kept them in the game.
"The amount of 'oohs' and 'aahs' we had with it going over the bar or just past the post with the shots we had.
"We played some really good attacking football.
"It's that stage of the season where some people might question the mentality of the players but they certainly had a right go.
"They were up for it and they have been up for it all the way through.
"The lads put a shift in because it was a tough game today, competitive.
"We started brightly, got on the front foot and scored.
"The biggest annoyance for me and the players are well aware of it is we've just scored and we've conceded straight from the kick-off.
"You're at your most vulnerable when you've just scored and yes, it's a great strike from the lad (Alistair Smith) to be fair to him but that's something that we've got to be better at.
"But we were in there and we had chances - the lads are certainly working hard for each other at this stage of the season, which is important and we played some really good football.
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"We passed it brightly and quickly - we moved from one side to the other but we were penetrating as well with purpose.
"It's just a shame that we didn't capitalise on the first goal.
"Kieron Morris alone could have scored five, he scored a good goal as it was and he was outstanding.
"They're scrapping to stay in the division; we've obviously secured our status within the division and it's just a shame we couldn't get ourselves in that play-off position.
"But from my point of view, I know that I've got a group of players that are trying and working and grafting and will keep improving."
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