Colchester United boss John McGreal was feeling “gutted” after this afternoon’s 1-1 draw at Morecambe.

U’s old boy Michael Rose denied the visitors what would have been a first away win of 2017, with a late equaliser from the penalty spot at the Globe Arena.

For a long time it looked as though Richard Brindley was going to be the unlikely match-winner for the U’s, to give the Essex club further impetus to their League Two play-off push, until Rose swept home an 87th minute spot kick.

“I’m gutted and devastated,” admitted McGreal.

“We had the game won. It was playing into our hands, and looked like it would be a scrappy 1-0 win for us.

“But we couldn’t see it out, which is really disappointing after all the effort put in by the boys.

“We knew what sort of game it would be, with the quality of the pitch, and so a lot of balls coming over the top.

“It was old-school football, not letting the ball bounce, and the boys did well throughout the game, which is why I feel so disappointed.

“Richard Brindley’s goal had lit up a dull game, but we couldn’t put the game to bed by scoring again, and we couldn’t keep a clean-sheet at the other end.

“We just needed to take responsibility and to manage the game, but we couldn’t quite do that,” added McGreal.