Colchester United manager Tony Humes praised his side for the way they moved the ball during today’s goalless draw against Phil Parkinson’s Bradford City.

The U’s rained in shots from all angles, with Freddie Sears coming closest to scoring the winner with a second-half effort that was cleared off the goal-line by defender Stephen Darby.

But in the end, the U’s had to make do with a 0-0 draw and their sixth point from nine league games.

“It was a good solid performance from us,” explained Humes.

“I thought we were very patient, which we had to be.

“It was a very cagey first-half. It was very cat-and-mouse, with neither team wanting to give much away.

“But we moved the ball better in the second half, and we managed to stretch the game.

“Their keeper (Jason Pickford) made some really good saves, although most of our shots were straight at him.

“I couldn’t really see whether Freddie’s shot crossed the line, before their lad cleared it, No one could really see it.

“But we are building up belief in the team, and I’m sure they will soon be getting the rewards,” added Humes.

Bradford boss Parkinson, the former U’s manager, said: “I’m happy with the point, it was a good return for us.

“We defended well, but we didn’t have someone like a Freddie Sears in our team who could make those kind of movements and stretch defenders.

“We were missing three or four key players, and if you take those sort of players out of any team at this level, then they would struggle.

“But I thought Colchester played well,” added Parkinson.