COLCHESTER United were held to a 0-0 draw by Carlisle United

Ups and downs

THERE were positives and negatives to take out of Colchester United’s stalemate with Carlisle United.

On the plus side, the U’s showed good defensive solidity and rarely looking like conceding against the Cumbrians in the 0-0 draw at the JobServe Community Stadium, to keep a second successive home clean sheet.

That was pleasing, particularly after the nature of the four goals they conceded in defeat at Walsall, seven days earlier.

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

Colchester are proving difficult to beat under the Cowleys and it is now just one defeat in eight for them, in all competitions.

It is still early days but ten games in, the U’s are the same number of points away from the play-off positions as they are from the relegation places.

They need to turn these draws into wins if they are to challenge for a top-seven finish particularly at home against a Carlisle side struggling for form and still finding their feet under new boss, Mike Williamson.

After a pretty drab first half, the U’s looked more effective in the second half and created chances but were unable to break the deadlock, on what was a pretty frustrating afternoon for the hosts.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Getting away with one

THERE’s been a lot said already this season about refereeing performances in Colchester United games.

Thomas Parsons had a decent game but perhaps created a bit of a rod for his own back when he showed early yellow cards to Carlisle duo Jon Mellish and Cameron Harper.

Mellish’s challenge on Samson Tovide which earned him that second-minute caution was arguably less of a bookable offence than his foul on Lyle Taylor midway through the second half, which surprisingly was not deemed worthy of a yellow card by Mr Parsons.

READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after Carlisle United draw

Carlisle boss Williamson admitted he took Mellish off in the 72nd minute as a ‘precaution’ not long after and the visitors were fortunate not to have been reduced to ten men, for the final quarter of a delicately-poised contest.

Talking tactics

THERE were a few raised eyebrows in the press box when Colchester United’s starting line-up was announced, prior to their game against Carlisle United.

All was revealed at kick-off, with striker Tom Hopper lining up in a left wing-back role, Rob Hunt playing as right wing-back and Mandela Egbo, Tom Flanagan and Ellis Iandolo the U’s central defenders.

In truth, it did not prove particularly effective in the first half, resulting in boss Danny Cowley replaced Hopper and Egbo with JK Gordon and Fiacre Kelleher.

As a result, Colchester looked more fluid after the break with Gordon in particular making a telling impact on the left flank, causing the Carlisle defence problems with his direct attacking play.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

It did not produce the winner the U’s were hoping for but it was the second successive game that Gordon has made a positive impression off the bench and he is pushing hard for a return to the starting line-up.

McDonnell's impact

JAMIE McDonnell was only on the pitch for 20 minutes or so but in that time, he certainly made his mark on the game.

The on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder certainly made his presence felt, on one occasion a little too much when a challenge led to a booking.

Nevertheless, the Northern Ireland under-21 international looks a good option for the U’s and his performance was recognised afterwards by Danny Cowley.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“That kid is going to be a really, really good player, there’s no doubt about that,” enthused the U’s boss.

Harry's heroics

COLCHESTER United fans have grown accustomed to opposition goalkeepers seemingly having the game of their lives at the JobServe Community Stadium, over the years.

The latest custodian to have a blinder in North Essex was Carlisle United’s Harry Lewis, who made a number of fine stops to keep the U’s out.

His fine stop from Arthur Read late on proved crucial to his side coming away with a point and the former Bradford City shot-stopper dealt with everything that was thrown at him.

Apparently, Lewis's form had been questioned by some Carlisle fans prior to the game at Colchester but on this evidence at least, he looked pretty unbeatable.