SOMETIMES, it just isn’t your day.

Despite all of their dominance, despite all of the possession they enjoyed and the chances they created, Colchester United somehow took nothing from their game against Harrogate Town.

“I suppose it’s why we love football,” admitted Danny Cowley ruefully, though even the U’s boss, who is one of the game’s biggest fanatics, struggled to fathom how his side had lost a match in which they had enjoyed so much control, for so long.

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In truth, it was probably a combination of factors that contributed to Colchester’s downfall.

For all of their supremacy in the game, the U’s were unable to find a way past the impressive Harrogate goalkeeper, James Belshaw.

It was a mixture of Belshaw’s excellent saves and the home side’s profligacy in front of goal which resulted in them firing a blank for the first time this season, when in their previous three games they had scored twice in each.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Then there was Harrogate’s solid defence, which showed enough resilience and organisation to repel the U’s advances, although at times, they were aided by a slice of fortune.

And it would be remiss in this context not to mention a number of key refereeing decisions that went against Colchester, on the day.

The U’s had two legitimate penalty appeals rejected in the second half, first when Samson Tovide’s shirt was blatantly grabbed by Matty Foulds in the area and then later on when Tom Hopper's effort appeared to strike substitute Liam Gibson's hand.

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In between those flashpoints, Harrogate had gone ahead in calamitous circumstances when a mix-up between Colchester defender Rob Hunt and goalkeeper Matt Macey led to Sam Folarin capitalising to score but even that moment was controversial, with Hunt appearing to be nudged in the build-up to the ball going in the net.

Referee Craig Hicks came in for considerable criticism at the final whistle, incurring the wrath of frustrated Colchester players, management and supporters alike.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

But while some of the Surrey official's decisions were eyebrow raising, the truth is, his assistant had a great view of both penalty incidents and chose not to raise his flag.

When the dust settles on this match, the U’s can look back and be very pleased with many aspects of their overall performance.

With Jack Payne and Teddy Bishop pulling the strings in midfield, they played with energy, purpose and a fast tempo, particularly in the first half and looked a good side; at times, Colchester's attacking play was as incessant as the deluge of rain that had preceded kick-off.

But they know there must always be an end product to such promise, if they are to be a consistent force at the right end of the League Two table.