Colchester United manager Kevin Keen has praised winger Drey Wright for his performance in their 1-1 draw with Chesterfield.

Wright came off the bench and made an impact in the final half an hour of the U's 1-1 draw with the Spireites, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The 20-year-old celebrated his 50th senior appearance for Colchester by providing the assist for Macauley Bonne's goal and staked a strong claim for a starting place ahead of their trip to play Bury, this weekend.

Keen said: “Drey came on and was very sharp and bright and caused lots of problems – he was very good and I’m pleased for him.

“He’s worked very hard to come back from injury and he’s showing everyone what a good prospect he is.

“It was a great finish from Macauley Bonne and from Drey’s cross, it was two Academy graduates who made and scored the goal."

Colchester played against ten men for more than 70 minutes against Chesterfield, following Gary Liddle's sending off.

And although Bonne gave them a 69th-minute lead, the U's were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage. 

“It’s a mental thing when you’ve got 11 men and they have ten but I would rather have that, than the other way around," said Keen.

“But if the ten men nick one on the break, then it’s a massive mental hit for them.

“It’s a different challenge.

“I think we were the team on top until the sending off but after that, it made it a bit awkward.

“Up until half-time though, I thought we were still on top and created two or three chances and had a goal disallowed for offside.

“Darren (Ambrose) had a fantastic shot saved by their defender and little things like that aren’t going for us.

“In the second half, I didn’t think we were as good and mentally, we weren’t as strong.

“I thought Chesterfield were much better in the second half – they did what we did at Southend and went to three at the back with two wing-backs, with two in midfield and two up front."

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