After the joys of the victory at Millwall last week, we were back to the Walkers Stadium for the visit of Colchester. Having never played them in our history we were in the space of three seasons in a row of games between the two sides. 4 draws and one Leicester victory was the record before today so the wise money was on adding to that run of drawn matches especially taking into account the impressive away record of Colchester.
The game would turn out to be a tale of the three officials rather than what happened between the 22 players as every decision was questionned whether it turned out to be right or wrong.
The first real chance of the match came as a result of a free kick which Andy King headed clean over the bar.
On 23 minutes, the first major controversial decision of the game as Andy King was adjudged to have fouled on the edge of the area. This gave ex Leicester player and free kick specialist, Mark Yeates, a chance to put one over on his former club.... and boy did he make the most of it. A 25 yard peach into the top corner past the despairing dive of Tony Warner in the city goal.
As City looked to get things back on level terms, King and Morrisson both missed the target with headers
In the second half, City created the first real chance when an incisive break away and some neat passing saw the ball fall to Fryatt in the box but his shot on the turn went narrowly wide of the post.
The visitors nearly made it two when Yeates again swung in a dangerous free kick that was just headed wide by Hawley.
On 66 minutes, Dickov was brought on to try and rescue the game... and 30 seconds later, he got his name on the scoresheet. A corner by Oakley was spilled by the Col U keeper and Dickov was on hand to prod the ball into the net past a mass of Yellow Shirts.
Another Yeates free kick caused danger as Colchester threatened to regain the lead. A deep free kick was headed back across goal and Platt headed for the corner only for Warner to somehow turn the ball round the post when the goal looked on.
As City pressed for a winner, they were nearly caught out at the back as a long ball over the defence, unleashed Yeates once more who burst into the area but Warner stood his ground and blocked the shot with his face - not the natural way of saving a shot but boy was it effective. From the rebound the ball was swung back in and the ball was flicked on only for Platt to head over with the goal at his mercy.
It was all Colchester at this point but Fryatt was gifted a chance late on but with only the keeper to beat he fluffed his shot over the bar. This inspired City and they were soon back on top. If the keeper had been at fault for the equaliser, he more than made up for it as Lloyd Dyer burst through only for the keeper to get down well and smother the shot.
As the final whistle blew and we contemplated a point, it was hard to not feel disappointed by what we had seen. It was another point towards promotion but couldn't help that it was two points dropped, especially as Peterborough had won once more and closed the gap to seven points. The game on saturday is now going to be crucial as it is becomming increasingly likely that the winner will take the league title. As things stand, 5 wins will guarentee us the league. Win on saturday and we will only need three, draw and we will need 4, lose.... and we're stuck on the five. With no Andy King, Cleverley or Howard it will be the hardest game of the season.... still - lets rock and roll and go with the flow. Long way to go but we will know more about how the season is panning out come 5pm.... bring it on!
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