Colchester United drew 0-0 with Exeter City in League Two

Positives from point

GOAL-LESS draws can often be frustrating affairs.

But for Colchester United, there were plenty of positive things to come out of their stalemate at second-placed Exeter City.

As a result of picking up a point at St James Park, they moved up to fifth in the League Two table and extended their unbeaten league run to 15 matches.

Indeed, they kept at bay a side who have lost only one of their home league games this season.

John McGreal had therefore good reason to depart Devon feeling pretty content, despite not claiming the win they had been looking for.

A mean defence

IT’S been no mean feat for Colchester United to prevent two of League Two’s main promotion contenders from scoring, in the past few days.

Exeter City and Bradford City have hit the net 73 times between them so far this season - but they were unable to find a way past the U’s defence.

John McGreal’s side now have the third best defensive record in the division and have kept an impressive ten clean sheets in the league so far in this campaign.

Their defensive credentials will be given a severe test again on Tuesday night when they face leaders Swindon Town, the league’s highest scorers with 52 goals.

Nevertheless, with the likes of Tom Eastman, Luke Prosser and Dean Gerken in fine form, they should have every reason to feel confident, especially having prevented the Robins from scoring on two occasions already this season.

Teenage kicks

KWAME Poku’s reputation as a talented young attacking player is growing by the game.

But the skilful teenager showed another string to his bow in the first half of Colchester United’s 0-0 draw at Exeter City.

The 18-year-old’s brilliantly-executed tackle on midfielder Archie Collins in the U’s penalty area prevented the Grecians player from shooting on sight with only Dean Gerken to beat.

Poku had to time the challenge perfectly; anything else and it would have been a certain penalty.

It was another example not only of his work-rate and desire but also his ability to read the game at key moments.

Taylor-made praise

MATT Taylor’s words of praise for Colchester United in the aftermath of the goal-less draw at St James Park said much about the admiration the Exeter City boss has for his former club.

The two sides have proved evenly matched over the last few weeks, after playing out two closely-contested draws.

Both clubs are hoping to return to League One and it’s clear former U’s loanee Taylor has a lot of time for John McGreal’s side.

“There’s a lot to admire about Colchester – they promote their youth similar to ourselves and they’ve got some athletic players and some good players on the ball,” said Taylor after seeing his side extend their own unbeaten league run to 11 matches.

Friends reunited

THEY both played their part in helping Colchester United go up to the Championship, back in 2006.

So it was good to see two of the U’s promotion winners reunited at St James Park, on Saturday night.

Dean Gerken and his former Colchester team-mate Pat Baldwin, who regularly attends matches at his old club Exeter City, were deep in conversation in the aftermath of the 0-0 draw.

How Gerken would this season love to repeat the feat he achieved along with Baldwin under Phil Parkinson’s management, nearly 14 years ago.