Stevenage 0 Colchester United 0

COLCHESTER United stretched their unbeaten run to eight games, but they will be disappointed not to have inflicted a defeat on 10-man Stevenage at Broadhall Way tonight.

Home striker Jordan Slew was sent off for violent conduct, on the stroke of half-time, after a blatant display of retaliation.

But the U’s could not cash in on their numerical advantage during the second 45 minutes, despite leading scorer Steven Gillespie peppering the target with numerous goal attempts.

The U’s really needed to win tonight’s encounter, against opposition five points ahead of them, to ignite their play-off hopes. But it never quite happened for John Ward’s men.

Even some of the home fans booed when Slew was sent off, and these boos were aimed at their own player, not referee Darren Deadman.

Wordsworth clearly chopped down Slew for a regulation yellow card, but instead of making his way into the U’s penalty area for the ensuing free-kick, the home striker inexplicably lashed out at the U’s midfielder.

Slew struck Wordsworth full in the face, giving Mr Deadman no option but to brandish his red card. He will not have an easier decision to make all season.

It was a real rush-of-blood-to-the-head from the 19-year-old, in only his fifth appearance for Stevenage following his loan switch from Blackburn.

He will just be relieved that his rash act did not cost his side all three points.

Kayode Odejayi squandered the game’s best chance, when firing wide with just keeper Chris Day to beat in the 16th minute.

Fellow striker Steven Gillespie peppered the target with countless shots in the second period, but he could not work the keeper.

Teams

STEVENAGE: Day, Henry, Ashton, Roberts, Charles, Wilson, Bostwick, Byrom, Laird, Slew, Agyemang (sub Bearsdley, 53, sub Reid, 70). Unused subs: Myrie-Williams, Freeman, Lascelles.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Williams, Wilson, Okuonghae, Eastman, White, Bond (sub Massey, 65), Izzet (sub Sears, 81), Wordsworth, Henderson, Gillespie, Odejayi. Unused subs: Rose, Heath, Duguid.

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire)

Attendance: 2,419