COLCHESTER United goalscorer, Kevin McLeod, insisted that his second goal of the season was fully intended.The ex-Everton winger steered home Johnnie Jackson's 78th minute corner with his knee, from point-blank range, to net his first goal since the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United on the opening day of the season.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United goalscorer, Kevin McLeod, insisted that his second goal of the season was fully intended.

The ex-Everton winger steered home Johnnie Jackson's 78th minute corner with his knee, from point-blank range, to net his first goal since the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United on the opening day of the season.

“The ball did hit me, but it was fully intentional. I placed it into the roof of the net,” revealed McLeod.

“It's just a shame that we couldn't hold on for the win. We have to tough out these sort of games. It's never easy when the opposition are coming at you strong in the last 10 minutes, especially when they're pumping long balls forward for Darren Huckerby.“I also didn't think that it was a free-kick, which led to their equaliser. Me and Kem (Izzet) complained to the ref about that one, but he said that someone backed into their lad.

“It was an unfortunate own goal. Jamie Cureton never touched it, but I say good luck to him. It was just hard luck on us.

“Jamie (Guy) was unlucky not to get the second goal for us. He did everything right in getting past the keeper, but the defender (Jon Otsemobor) just got in front of him.”

U's boss, Geraint Williams, thought that his team did enough to earn all three points, until Danny Granville's 89th minute own goal poached a draw for City.

“We were 90 seconds from getting the win this time. It was a bit like the Plymouth game (also a 1-1 draw), with a sting in the tail,” rued Williams.

“I thought we looked the most likely side to get the win. We had chances to score after we went one-up, and I was disappointed that the referee didn't give us a penalty for a trip on Mark Yeates.

“In the end, it was a case of us not being able to defend one last set piece. I didn't think that it was a free-kick in the first place, but we need to be more professional and close out games in the last 10 minutes.

“There was real tension in the air all evening, because of where the teams are in the league. It certainly wasn't a classic match, but we are disappointed not to have hung onto a winning position.

“There weren't many chances for either side. In fact, I thought that this was as well as we've defended this season,” added Williams.

By contrast, Norwich manager Glenn Roeder was happy with the point. He said: “Considering the way the game panned out, with us scoring a late equaliser, I guess that this was a point gained rather than two lost.

“But I'm disappointed that we didn't play better. It's Christmas time and we gave Colchester a Christmas gift with their goal. I watched the first half of the Ipswich v Scunthorpe match (earlier kick-off), because we've got Scunthorpe coming up, and there were gifts of goals in that match as well.

“Say what you like, but this set of lads do not give in. They have grit and determination, and they try, try and try again,” added Roeder.