Stevenage 0-0 Colchester
Last updated on .From the section Football
Play-off chasing Stevenage and Colchester played out a goalless draw as the hosts had striker Jordan Slew sent off for violent conduct.
Slew had the best chance of the first half but saw his shot saved by Ben Williams at his near post.
The forward was shown a straight red card just before half-time as he lashed out at Anthony Wordsworth after being fouled by the Colchester midfielder.
Steven Gillespie went close for the U's but put his curling shot wide.
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Stevenage manager Gary Smith told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I saw some extremely encouraging signs in the opening exchanges; the pressure to try and pin teams in, techniques and quality to switch play.
"There was a real nice feel about the group, lots of energy and I think one or two of the guys that have been brought in are really starting to warm to the group, and the group to them.
"Unfortunately, losing a player causes a huge difficulty. The incident is so avoidable and Jordan (Slew) realises that now."
Colchester United manager John Ward told BBC Essex:
"There's no argument, we didn't work their keeper enough.
"We've worked hard with our shape and our defending and it's paid off in a lot of recent games. That's why we've had one defeat in 11 because we've been very strong in terms of the whole team defending - and looking confident doing it as well.
"We've got good goalscorers that haven't fired tonight - but they will do, they'll be back firing, they'll be OK.
"We'll just crack on with it and try and improve for Saturday, see if we can create some more openings and win a game."
