Colchester United drew with Walsall to move out of drop zone

SHORTLY after the considerable disappointment of Noah Chilvers seeing his crucial penalty saved by Jackson Smith, there was a telling moment that will have left Danny Cowley suitably encouraged that the level of unity that he is hoping for from Colchester United and supporters in their time of need is in full effect.

The fact that U’s fans chose to support Chilvers by singing his name rather than berate him following his spot-kick disappointment against Walsall said much about the alliance that seemingly exists, just when the club needs it most.

“At the end, I was clapping the supporters because I thought ‘good on you’, as you can easily get frustrated,” said Cowley, after seeing his side claim a point to climb out of the League Two relegation zone on goal difference, following the 1-1 draw at the JobServe Community Stadium.

READ MORE: Mat Sadler: You can see Colchester are fighting for their lives

“I was so proud of the supporters, the way they stuck with Noah and rightly so, because maybe the team might not have even been in League Two if it hadn’t been for Noah in previous seasons.

“He’s going to have a huge part to play for us, between now and April 27th.”

Togetherness is spoken about regularly in football but it is a powerful force, especially when a team is battling for their lives.

Just as the U’s fans showed they were fully behind the team and management after Chilvers’ penalty disappointment, so too did the team on the pitch against Walsall.

Speaking in terms of intent and belief, Cowley described his side’s performance against the play-off chasing Saddlers as the best since he took charge.

READ MORE: Colchester United give their verdict on home draw with Walsall

Colchester showed the kind of battling qualities needed when you are scrap like the one they currently find themselves in and showed good character to recover from the disappointment of conceding in the first half to claim a point.

A draw was probably a fair result and the sides looked well matched; indeed, at times it was difficult to distinguish which was chasing promotion and which was battling to preserve their Football League status.

Colchester’s starting line-up had one or two in the press box scratching their heads before kick-off, with Jay Mingi’s role particularly uncertain.

That the former Portsmouth man was able to produce the impressive performance he did on the right side of a three-man central defence in his first league start since last November was testament to his own ability and also to the Cowleys’ identification that he could fulfil the role, in the absence of several injured defenders.

Mingi’s was not the only competent performance; Cameron McGeehan marked another influential display with a crucial goal to add to his impressive tally, while Bradley Ihionvien was a jack in the box livewire who never allowed the Walsall defence a minute’s rest.

So, Colchester had to be content with a draw but while it was not the win that everyone of a U’s persuasion had so dearly wanted, the point could be crucial come the end of the season.

READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after Walsall home draw

Next up is the toughest test for Colchester since the Cowleys took over – a trip to play league leaders Mansfield Town away next Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

How wonderful it would be if the U’s could serve up a tasty lunchtime surprise, in front of a national audience.