Colchester United play out goal-less draw with Cheltenham

The U’s winless run in League Two was extended to five matches, following a hard-fought contest at the JobServe Community Stadium.

The closest Colchester came to breaking the deadlock was when Kwame Poku’s curled effort rattled a post just after the hour mark.

But the visitors also had their chances, with U’s keeper Dean Gerken making two good saves in the first half to keep them at bay.

Colchester boss Steve Ball made three changes to his side for the game against Cheltenham.

Tom Lapslie was handed his first start of the season after injury while Miles Welch-Hayes and Luke Norris were also recalled.

Tom Eastman missed out through injury, while Courtney Senior and leading scorer Jevani Brown dropped to the bench.

Callum Harriott, Harry Pell and Cohen Bramall all missed out through injury again.

Colchester started brightly and Noah Chilvers was denied by Cheltenham keeper Josh Griffiths at his near post, after latching onto Tommy Smith’s through pass and running clear of the Cheltenham defence.

Chilvers came close again for the U’s minutes later when his curled effort from the edge of the area following Kwame Poku’s short corner flew inches wide.

Cheltenham then started to enjoy a little more dominance and Alfie May lifted the ball over goalkeeper Dean Gerken and into the net in the 18th minute, only for the effort to be adjudged offside.

The visitors then appealed for a penalty when Chris Hussey tumbled under Poku’s challenge in the area and although the referee waved away Cheltenham’s claims, the visitors went close again almost immediately afterwards when George Lloyd cut in towards the U’s goal before unleashing a fierce shot that Gerken had to palm away from under his own crossbar.

Colchester suffered an injury blow just after the midway point of the first half when Michael Folivi was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury and replaced by Senior.

And the U’s almost fell behind when Gerken pulled off a fine reflex save to deny May, after William Boyle had done well to set up the chance.

But the sides went in goal-less at the break and Cheltenham continued to look the more likely side to break the deadlock, as the second half developed.

However, Colchester almost went ahead just before the midway point of the second period when Poku curled an effort dangerously towards goal which bounces off the foot of the far post, with Griffiths beaten.

And the U’s went close again seconds later through Omar Sowunmi, whose downward header bounced just wide of the far post from Poku’s deep cross.

Colchester finished the game well but were unable to find a winner, as the spoils were shared.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Gerken, Welch-Hayes, Sowunmi, Smith, Clampin, Lapslie, Chilvers (sub Cowan-Hall, 85), Folivi (sub Senior, 25), Stevenson, Poku (sub Bohui, 78), Norris.

Subs (not used): Tchamadeu, Cracknell, Brown, George.

U’s man of the match: Noah Chilvers.

Cheltenham Town: Griffiths, Raglan, Tozer, Boyle, Blair (sub Sang, 10), Clements, Azaz, Sercombe (sub Chapman, 46), Hussey, May, Lloyd (sub Williams, 82).

Subs (not used): Bowry, Reid, Freestone, Harris.

Referee: David Rock.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Colchester: Lapslie (foul, 89). Cheltenham: Clements (foul, 75).