COLCHESTER United head coach Danny Cowley was disappointed Chesterfield’s second-half equaliser was allowed to stand following the 1-1 draw at the SMH Group Stadium.

The U’s led through Jack Payne’s early goal but were pegged back when Will Grigg steered home Darren Oldaker’s fine strike from what appeared an offside position.

Colchester’s players and coaching staff were left livid with referee Dale Baines’ decision to allow the goal to stand, despite consulting his assistant immediately after the ball had hit the net.

Cowley said: “The linesman gave offside; the referee said Will Grigg wasn’t interfering but he scored.

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“Let’s just say it as it is – they have VAR at the top level and even with VAR, they can’t get it right so I don’t expect them to get it right in League Two with no support.

“I actually thought the referee did pretty well on the whole but if they want to be good, they’ve got to get the big moments right and that’s cost us.”

Colchester produced a much-improved display at Chesterfield following their disappointing home defeat to Cheltenham Town, at the weekend.

“The boys fought manfully and I thought our energy and intensity against the ball was excellent,” said Cowley, who made five changes to his starting line-up.

“We carried a threat on the counter attack and it was great to score the first goal.

“It was a really good way in for us and I thought we had a really positive start.

“It was a great ball by Oscar and a brilliant finish by Jack, right in the bottom corner.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“We thought first half, they had a lot of ball without really hurting us.

“What was frustrating was that up to the goal, in that second-half period they hadn’t had one shot.

“We had a really good control of the game and then obviously they scored and their crowd really got behind them and that gave them huge momentum, which meant that we had to dig in and defend for our lives in that latter part of the game.

“Credit to Chesterfield; they’re definitely the best team we’ve played this year and a top team, for sure.”

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Colchester, who were without the likes of Samson Tovide, Anthony Scully and Owura Edwards, handed first EFL starts to young duo Oscar Thorn and Jamie McDonnell and the pair both impressed.

Cowley added: “Oscar Thorn got the assist on his debut and I’m so proud of him.

“It’s so hard to be a professional footballer – so many people play football and so many would love to be a professional footballer but so few can do it.

“I’m so pleased for him and no-one can ever take that away from him.

“He’s worked incredibly hard to get that opportunity and I thought he did great.

“I thought there were some really big performances.

“Young Oscar and Jamie McDonnell on their league debuts did well.

“Jamie is going to be some player, let me tell you – his energy, his intensity, pitch coverage, the amount of tackles he won, the way he was able to come out of the chaotic moments and find a front foot pass.

“Him and Aaron Donnelly defended brilliantly, Hunty at right-back was fantastic, Hops obviously works so hard for the team, so lots of good performances.

“We didn’t have an easy weekend and had a lot go against us on the injury front.”