COLCHESTER United boss John Ward was frustrated that his side could not break down 10-man Stevenage during last night’s 0-0 draw at Broadhall Way.

Stevenage striker Jordan Slew was dismissed for violent conduct, at the end of the first half, but the U’s could not cash in on their numerical advantage.

Ward said: “We got 75% of the game right, but we couldn’t get the important thing at the top end as clean and tidy as we would like.

“The frustration is that we didn’t worry their goalkeeper enough in the second period, when we had a lot of the ball.

“We had a right good go at it, in terms of the team (attacking substitutions), but we haven’t been able to find the winner.

“It’s quite interesting that we’re disappointed not to have beaten another top eight side, and on their home patch! We have just said to the boys to get all of their miseries out of the way tomorrow, and then we can have a go at another team (Carlisle) on Saturday.

“If we can win that one on Saturday, then this becomes a very good point. But at the moment we feel frustrated that we haven’t taken the maximum.

“We had the best chance of the game with Kayode (Odejayi). He did everything right, he set himself up and he aimed for the corner, but he’s put it just wide.

“They are never easy because he is not straight on, but he was in the right place at the right time. It’s just that extra piece we are trying to find,” added Ward.

The U’s remain just six points adrift of the play-offs, with nine games left.