Controversy - Jaden Williams is sent off for a foul on Robbie Cundy (Image: Richard Blaxall)
Controversy - Jaden Williams is sent off for a foul on Robbie Cundy (Image: Richard Blaxall)
COLCHESTER United were denied victory by a late goal and had to settle for a point for the second successive week after drawing 1-1 with Cheltenham Town this afternoon.
It had looked like the U's were heading for victory after Moses Sesay had fired them ahead with his first-ever EFL goal, midway through the second half.
But Cheltenham equalised through Andreas Weimann's penalty and Colchester were forced to play the final few minutes with only 10 men, after substitute Jaden Williams was controversially sent off for a foul on Robbie Cundy.
It prompted an angry reaction from U's players and fans at the final whistle towards referee Alan Young.
Colchester boss Danny Cowley stuck with the same starting line-up for the third successive game.
The U’s started well and felt they should have had a penalty when Harry Anderson tumbled under Jake Evans' challenge just inside the area but the referee waved away the home side’s claims.
Colchester prodded and probed at the Cheltenham defence and were the better side in the first half but clearcut opportunities were at a premium, for the hosts.
Lift off - Colchester United's Kylian Kouassi in action against Cheltenham (Image: Richard Blaxall)
It was a tight affair with no shortage of endeavour or desire from both sides but often the final execution was lacking when it really mattered.
Colchester wasted a half chance in the closing minutes of the first half when Moses Sesay blasted over from the edge of the area, after Kylian Kouassi had collected Harry Anderson’s pass and picked him out.
But Cheltenham, seldom seen as an attacking force before half-time, almost went ahead just before the break when Colchester goalkeeper Timothee Lo-Tutala saved Charlie McCann’s close-range effort with his legs, after the ball had been headed across the area.
The sides went in level at the break but almost went ahead inside two minutes of the restart when Jack Payne's close-range effort was saved by the legs of goalkeeper Wyll Stanway, after Sesay had done brilliantly to weave his way past several challenges and set him up.
And minutes later, Sesay showed a fantastic piece of individual skill to glide past two Cheltenham defenders in the area but fire over the bar.
Ton up - Jack Payne in action on his 100th appearance for Colchester United (Image: Richard Blaxall)
At the other end, Jordan Shipley sent a low 25-yard strike wide of the target for the visitors and soon after, Ellis Iandolo did brilliantly to slide in and deny Jake Evans right in front of goal, as Cheltenham threatened.
But Colchester made the breakthrough in the 66th minute through Sesay, who calmly stroked a low shot into the net after breaking from midfield and exchanging passes with Iandolo for his first-ever EFL goal.
Buoyed by the goal, Colchester immediately pressed for a second and Jack Tucker's header was cleared away from near the goal-line.
But Cheltenham equalised in the 78th minute when Andreas Weimann slotted home from the spot after Sean Raggett had handled Joe Tomlinson’s free-kick in the area.
U's boss Danny Cowley was unhappy with the penalty decision, feeling that Raggett had been pushed before handling the ball.
Things went from bad to worse for Colchester in the 83rd minute when Colchester substitute Jaden Williams was sent off for a foul on Robbie Cundy, prompting a melee involving almost every player on the pitch.
Strike - Moses Sesay scores for Colchester against Cheltenham (Image: Richard Blaxall)
It seemed a very harsh decision and left U's fans and players alike aghast.
Former Colchester midfielder Ben Stevenson's deflected shot flashed just wide late on for the visitors and Lo-Tutala made a good save at his near post to deny substitute Ryan Broom, as the points were shared.
MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Lo-Tutala, Hunt, Raggett, Tucker, Iandolo, Jay Williams, Sesay, Anderson (sub Chiwome, 89), Payne, Thorn (sub Jaden Williams, 69), Kouassi.
Substitutes: Terry, Kuffour Jnr, Digby, Ihionvien, Smith.
Cheltenham Town: Stanway, Tomkinson, Sweeney, Shipley, Tomlinson, Cundy, Stevenson, McWilliams (sub Willcox, 74), McCann, Weimann (sub Otchere, 89), Evans (sub Broom, 74).
Substitutes: Wilson, Miller, Nurse, Day.
Referee: Alan Young.
Goals: Colchester: Sesay (66). Cheltenham: Weimann (78).
Bookings: Colchester: Thorn (foul, 28), Anderson (foul, 76). Cheltenham: McWilliams (foul, 10), Evans (foul, 18).
Sending off: None.
Attendance: 4,433 (131 Cheltenham fans).