Colchester United drew with Chesterfield in League Two

WAS it offside or wasn’t it?

That was the main question on the lips of Colchester United’s players, staff and their supporters in the aftermath of their draw at Chesterfield, after Will Grigg’s second-half equaliser denied them victory.

Even U’s boss Danny Cowley admitted he wasn’t entirely sure afterwards and replays are seemingly inconclusive.

At the time, it was not even particularly clear whether or not Grigg had actually touched Darren Oldaker’s fine strike; but if he did, it was just as inconclusive whether or not he was in an offside position.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Colchester’s players felt Grigg was and understandably made their feelings known to both referee Dale Baines and his assistant.

But as Cowley remarked afterwards, Premier League officials find it hard enough with the aid of VAR to get decisions right, so it’s even tougher in these kind of situations for those in League Two.

Nevertheless, it does seem like Colchester tend to be on the wrong end of these kinds of borderline decisions all too often.

IT was a shame Colchester United did not hold on for what would have been a first away win of the season, at Chesterfield.

Nevertheless, this was a much-improved display by the U’s, in the aftermath of their drab showing against Cheltenham Town.

Colchester’s performance had all of the characteristics of a Danny Cowley team, once again, featuring intensity, discipline and organisation throughout.

The U’s kept their shape diligently against one of League Two’s strongest sides and kept the Spireites at bay, although Matt Macey did need to make several fine saves.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Substitute Harry Anderson’s brilliant headed clearance near his own goal-line in the dying seconds served to epitomize the U’s overall commitment on the night and they more than deserved their point.

Danny Cowley made some big calls on his birthday.

It was a bold move to leave his captain Tom Flanagan out of his league starting line-up for the first time this season, while resting Lyle Taylor by naming him among the substitutes was a necessary but brave decision.

READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after Chesterfield draw

Cowley put faith in his young players to do the job and they repaid him with a professional performance, backed by the likes of experienced trio Alex Woodyard, Tom Hopper and Rob Hunt.

Sometimes, big decisions have to be made and on the evidence of Colchester’s display against Chesterfield, boss Cowley got these right.

IT’S been a bit of a whirlwind few days for young Oscar Thorn.

The 20-year-old was still on loan at National League South club Chelmsford City on Friday, recalled by Colchester at the weekend and made his EFL debut for the U’s last night, in their draw at Chesterfield.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Thorn did not look out of place on the right flank and needed just five minutes to register his first EFL assist, providing the sensible pass for Jack Payne to slot home the U’s early opener.

As he wrote on social media afterwards, it is a day he will remember for the rest of his life.

The U’s youngster worked extremely hard throughout the 80 minutes he was on the pitch and will be particularly pleased with his night’s work – and hoping that there will be many more opportunities to come.

READ MORE: Danny Cowley's verdict on Colchester's draw at Chesterfield

Jamie McDonnell also made his first-ever EFL start for Colchester at Chesterfield and like Thorn, looked completely comfortable in his surroundings.

The on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder has a bit of bite to his game and in some ways, it was the perfect fixture for him to come into, with the U’s benefiting from his tenacity and positive aggression.

A mention too for McDonnell’s fellow Forest loanee Aaron Donnelly, who looked very assured at the back and justified Cowley’s decision to bring him into the starting line-up.

Is Jack Payne the League Two signing of the summer?

It’s hard to think of too many other players new to clubs in the division this season who have made a bigger impact, in a short space of time.

Of course, it’s not a huge surprise that Payne has impressed in his opening dozen league games for Colchester, given the impressive career he has had to date and his overall quality.

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But the former Swindon Town and MK Dons playmaker, who celebrates his 30th birthday on Friday, has certainly wasted no time in making his mark and his well-taken goal at Chesterfield was his third of the season.

He has arguably been the U’s best player in the opening two and a half months of the season and produced another influential all-round display for Danny Cowley’s side at the SMH Group Stadium.