COLCHESTER United boss John Ward was content with his side’s 1-1 home draw against lowly Scunthorpe this afternoon,

But he admitted that Iron keeper Sam Slocombe lived a charmed life, especially in the first half when the U’s peppered the target with countless shots.

On more than one occasion the ball would hit Slocombe and balloon to safety, rather than the visiting keeper getting his hands to an effort.

“I’ll accept the draw. I’m in the business of trying to win, and we did everything we could to try and win it,” explained Ward.

“I feel for my team, in terms of their efforts.

“Certainly Scunthorpe’s goalkeeper (Slocombe) kicked, punched and flapped at so many things during the afternoon, and we deserved a wee bit of a break in the first half.

“Just it’s not gone in the net a couple of times today.

“Their goal (Josh Walker on eight minutes) was deflected and we had a grumble that it was a foul on Brian Wilson down in the corner in the first place. I think their manager (Alan Kill) has said the same.

“And the shot then deflects over Ben (Williams). You wonder if it is going to be your day, even at that early stage.

“But we kept our cool and kept our nerve, got on the front foot and got back in the game,” added Ward.

Steven Gillespie’s 27th minute penalty levelled the issue, but the U’s could not find another way past unorthodox keeper Slocombe.