CARLISLE United boss Mike Williamson admits he had to substitute Jon Mellish as a 'precaution' after the defender narrowly escaped a red card in the 0-0 draw at Colchester United.
Mellish was cautioned in the opening minutes for a foul on Samson Tovide and was fortunate not to receive another yellow card in the second half when he pulled U's striker Lyle Taylor to the ground.
The former Gateshead player was replaced soon after by Williamson and the Carlisle boss conceded he feared the versatile defender might have been sent off by referee Thomas Parsons, had he remained on the pitch.
READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after Carlisle United draw
Williamson said: "I thought one mis-timed tackle or mishap and he is going to be off.
"They've got players who are very physical and clever.
"Off the ball, before the ball gets there, there's plenty of times where their players are fouling our players and then as the ball's travelling, we're trying to fight back for that territory and then it looks the other way.
"He's (Lyle Taylor) got his arm across Jon initially and then Jon had a little tug at him and I thought he was hard done by but we had to take that precaution."
Williamson was pleased with the 'personality and character' his Carlisle side showed in drawing at Colchester.
The visitors had to dig in after half-time to claim a point at the JobServe Community Stadium, with goalkeeper Harry Lewis making some good saves to ensure the visitors returned to Cumbria with a share of the spoils.
Carlisle had lost their previous two matches in League Two and Williamson, who took over from Paul Simpson as their new boss last month, says he was happy with his team's performance.
“It was a pleasing one, on reflection," said Williamson.
“It’s a long way to come and a difficult, difficult game.
“I thought we were outstanding in the first half and other than not taking our chances, I thought we controlled it and dominated territory, which was really pleasing.
READ MORE: Danny Cowley's verdict on Colchester's draw with Carlisle
“We then showed personality and character in the second half and put bodies on the line and H (Harry Lewis) pulled off some good saves.
“The spirit and the endeavour was there, which was pleasing.
“We feel it was a big point but on the balance of the first-half chances we created, I thought we had some real clearcut chances which on another day, we put away.
“We showed character, grit and determination and we had three or four bodies walking off the pitch walking quite gingerly, so it just shows you the type of personalities we’ve got.
“Overall, it’s two clean sheets and a lot to build on."
Colchester looked the more likely side to grab a winner in the latter stages of the contest but Carlisle stood firm to claim an away point.
Williamson added: "Yeah it was (a bit of a barrage late on from Colchester) but I don't think the referee helped us on four or five occasions, when we had to face corner after corner.
"The boys stood up to it, they dug their heels in and they dealt with it, which was really pleasing.
"We wanted to control more of that but the players deserve credit, because it's not an easy place to come and to grind that point out was fantastic."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here