COLCHESTER United boss Danny Cowley has revealed the unusual circumstances that led him to making late team changes against Carlisle United on Saturday.

U’s defender Aaron Donnelly experienced disruption the night before the League Two clash after his mother unfortunately fell ill and was taken to hospital, after travelling from Ireland to watch the game.

She was released from hospital on Saturday but Cowley admits the events resulted in him making changes to his selection, as he looked to pick the fittest and freshest team to face Carlisle.

The U’s produced a somewhat disjointed first-half display but after half-time changes, improved significantly after half-time in the 0-0 draw at the JobServe Community Stadium.

READ MORE: Five observations from Colchester United draw with Carlisle

Cowley said: “On Friday night, Aaron Donnelly’s family came over from Ireland with Jamie’s (McDonnell) family and went out for something to eat.

“Aaron’s mum fell quite seriously ill and ended up in hospital, so he ended up having a disrupted night.

“We probably had to change the team as a consequence of that and probably didn’t quite get the selection right, as a result.

“But these are things for us to take on board and to learn and always, to try to own it.

“Credit to the players, because in the second half once we were able to change things, they came out and put in a really good performance.”

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Cowley admits they did not anticipate the absence of winger Jordan Jones from the Carlisle starting line-up and resultant formation change for the visitors.

Jones missed out due to a calf injury, leading to the Blues switching to two in attack and playing more directly against a Colchester side that started with three at the back, before switching to a four-man defence in the second half.

“We could have helped them (the U’s players) more tactically, in the first half,” added Cowley.

“We anticipated that they would play 3-4-2-1 and they would play through the pitch but they went more direct.

READ MORE: Colchester United fans have their say on Carlisle United draw

“Jordan Jones, who is probably their best player, didn’t play and when he plays, he normally plays left ten so sometimes, your best laid plans.

“We probably picked a team that was going to jump into those half spaces and defend those half spaces and we probably didn’t have enough in those defensive lines to deal with their direct stuff.

“I definitely think we can take learning from that but we did well to change it at half-time, made some subs, changed the formation and went to a back four.

“It’s the second time we went to a back four and in the second half against Port Vale and (Carlisle) we’ve looked good in that shape.”