COLCHESTER United boss John Ward was ready for the press questions after this disappointing game.

He knew it was neither an impressive U’s performance, nor an exciting game for the fans.

“We’ll take a point and move on,” he said.

“Last week we were involved in an exciting 3-2 defeat at Yeovil, so got nothing. At least today we got something.

“We’ve picked Rochdale up as they are on a good run of form. I told people all week this would be a hard game and so it proved.

“We made sure we worked hard and were disciplined. League leaders Charlton found them hard to break down, so Rochdale’s performance today was no surprise to me. It was like a game of chess.

“We didn’t get the win we wanted and we didn’t get the defeat either.

“Now we move on to Tuesday night’s game at Oldham and then we are back here again next week. I hope for a bit more excitement then.”

Meanwhile, U’s skipper Kem Izzet was as frustrated as many fans after Saturday’s draw.

“It just proved to be one of those games,” he said.

“There was no lack of effort and sometimes I don’t think the fans understand.

“The way we play, we are never going to just smash the ball into the area. We’ve got Steven Gillespie, Ian Henderson and Freddie Sears up front, so we aren’t going to just whack it up to them against their big defenders.

“The fans need to bear with us, we are as disappointed as them today. But we didn’t lose and got a point.”

Rochdale boss, John Coleman, was reasonably happy with his side’s efforts, although he knows relegation is still a big possibility.

“If we win at home to Notts County on Tuesday, then this is a good result,” he said.

“But if we don’t, it isn’t that great a result.

“Of course you have to be happy with a point at any away game, but you still have to take your opportunities when they come.

“It was a game of limited chances, both teams tried to play football, but the midfield was very crowded.”