Colchester United manager John Ward was pleased to see his side fight back and rescue a point following their 1-1 draw with Crawley Town.

It looked as though the U's were heading for a fourth successive defeat, after Kyle McFadzean had controversially put the Red Devils ahead with 19 minutes left.

McFadzean appeared to handle the ball in order to convert past U's keeper Mark Cousins.

However, a late penalty from Anthony Wordsworth helped Colchester salvage a point in front of 2,484, the lowest-ever league crowd at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Ward said: "We got something out of the game, against a team fourth in our division who had just won away at Preston, which was a fantastic result for them.

"It's OK - we all want to win, me more than anyone.

"But at the same time it was important not to lose and now we can get ready and prepare for a tough game at Scunthorpe United, this Saturday.

"They will point to the fact that they hit the bar and the post, two or three times.

"But if that's a bit of luck I'm going to take it, because we've not had a great deal of it.

"I thought that the reaction to the goal going in against us was pretty good."

See Wednesday's Gazette for a full match report and pictures from the U's draw with Crawley Town.