Wycombe Wanderers 0 Colchester United 0

COLCHESTER United stretched their fine recent run to just one defeat in eight matches, following a gritty goalless draw at strugglers Wycombe Wanderers this afternoon.

Chances were at a premium, although relegation-haunted Wycombe, boosted by a good home record, pressed for a winner in the second half.

But although Wanderers looked the more likely side to break the deadlock after half-time, this was another fine defensive display from the improving U’s.

Keeper Ben Williams never put a foot wrong, while skipper Kem Izzet delivered a fine performance in the middle of the park.

The U’s can now look forward to back-to-back home games against Sheffield United and Huddersfield next week.

It was a largely uneventful first-half, with only half-chances for either side.

Williams caught everything that was hurled or delivered at him, while at the other end leading scorer Anthony Wordsworth had the best sights of goal.

Fresh from his stunning strike in Tuesday night’s 2-0 win at leaders Charlton, Wordsworth scuffed one free-kick straight into keeper Nikki Bull’s arms on 10 minutes, and then had a close-range shot blocked by a defender in the six-yard box.

The U’s one blow of the first period was an injury to Martin Rowlands. Caught late by Marvin McCoy early on, the U’s midfielder eventually limped off after 25 minutes, to be replaced by substitute Andy Bond.

Steven Gillespie, with eight goals in his previous eight appearances, charged down keeper Bull’s attempted clearance on 53 minutes. It brought back memories of his goal at Charlton just four days earlier.

Gillespie managed to keep the loose ball in play, but the angle was narrow and his final shot was blocked by a relieved Bull.

Wycombe pressed hard during the final half-hour, but they could find no way past the U’s miserly back four.

This was the U’s fourth clean-sheet in their last five games.

Squads

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Bull, McCoy, Winfield, Doherty, Foster, Lewis, Eastmond, Bloomfield, Strevens, Hayes, Beavon. Unused subs: Laing, Johnson, Ainsworth, Dunne, McNamee.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Williams, Wilson, Okuonghae, Eastman, White, Henderson, Rowlands (sub Bond, 25), Izzet, Wordsworth, Gillespie (sub Sears, 79), Odejayi. Unused subs: Rose, Heath, Duguid.

Referee: Mr S Hooper (Wiltshire)