COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal on Exeter City 2-2 draw

COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal was pleased with the character his side displayed after playing their part in a 'ding-dong contest' with Exeter City this afternoon.

The U's thought they had claimed victory in their final game of 2019 after goals from Harry Pell and Theo Robinson had cancelled out Jake Taylor's early opener for the Grecians.

But substitute Ryan Bowman claimed a share of the spoils for the visitors from the spot with 13 minutes to go after being fouled in the box by Tom Lapslie, who was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Colchester were forced to play the rest of the game with ten men but arguably looked the more likely side to win the game before the end, with Pell and Harriott both going close in the closing stages.

McGreal said: “It was a bit of a ding-dong contest.

“The pitch wasn’t conducive to be playing the ball, after what happened last week against Carlisle.

“We need to look at the pitch a little bit better to be honest and it hindered us at times, there’s no question when we’re travelling with the ball, not mixing it up and our combinations.

“But we still tried to play against a team who have been in really good form as well as ourselves.

“The onus was on us to go and win the game and they made a few changes and it was a contest that went right down to the wire.

“There were goals and sending offs in it – there was everything in it.

“It was one of those festive games that throws in something different.

“The boys are out on their feet carrying injuries and for them to keep going again with 15 minutes left (after the red card) and then have the two best chances, I’m proud as punch.

“I’m absolutely proud of the boys – every one of them.

“We’ll need new bodies on Wednesday (against Crawley Town) because we’ve got quite a checklist shall we say in there.”

Colchester are now nine games unbeaten in League Two but have slipped to sixth in the table, following today's results.

They are next in action on New Year's Day when they host Crawley Town.

"We fell behind but we responded well and I have no doubts about the character of our team," said McGreal.

"When you think about what happened at Scunthorpe (when Colchester came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2), we've done it numerous times this season when we've come from behind to get points.

"We got back into it - it was a great goal by Pelle (Harry Pell).

"I thought that after that it was a little bit of an even contest but we started the second half particularly well.

"I thought when we got the goal we might kick on a little bit but they had their spell and I thought we just had to change it.

"We went 4-4-2 and nullified it and we were in a great position and gained a bit more territory.

"But it was a freak pass that put them clear through and then they get the penalty.

"They've brought in different rules with double jeopardy and triple jeopardy so the referee seemed to think it was a penalty and a sending off.

"Is he deemed not to be going for the ball? It's one that we'll have to look at again."