Wolves 1 Colchester United 0KEM Izzet struck the post, with virtually the last kick of the match, as Colchester United came within a whisker of securing a point at high-flying Wolves last night.

By Carl Marston

Wolves 1 Colchester United 0

KEM Izzet struck the post, with virtually the last kick of the match, as Colchester United came within a whisker of securing a point at high-flying Wolves last night.

Few would have begrudged the U's a draw, because they were the stronger side for the first half-hour and hit the woodwork twice on the night.

And justice was almost done when substitute Teddy Sheringham nodded down Danny Granville's cross into the path of Izzet in the third minute of injury-time. The U's midfielder was crestfallen to see his shot cannon back off the post and roll to safety.

Earlier, Mark Yeates had also been denied by the woodwork when his long-range struck the post on 12 minutes. But the U's failure to convert their chances was to haunt them again.

Wolves poached the points, thanks to a close range header from Stephen Elliott in the 31st minute. Keeper Dean Gerken did well to block the initial goal-bound header from Freddy Eastwood, with an instinctive save, only for Elliott to head home the rebound for his third goal of the season.

There was a suspicion of offside about Elliott's goal, but it was to prove decisive as Wanderers rose to fourth in the Championship table.

The U's are down in 20th spot, and have failed to win in seven matches. Just three points gathered from a possible 21 is a worrying statistic for the Essex club.