COLCHESTER United boss John Ward has declared his pride at his players’ performance following their 1-1 draw at MK Dons today.

The U’s completely outplayed the hosts in the opening period but somehow only had Magnus Okuonghae’s goal to show for their efforts.

MK Dons improved after the break and equalised through substitute Angelo Balanta, but even then Colchester still created more than enough chances to win the game all over again.

The optimists will point to the fact that this is now the longest unbeaten league spell – 10 games – that Colchester have had at the start of a season in their entire history.

However, the U’s have now dropped 12 points from winning positions already this season and have failed to take maximum advantage of some sumptuous football.

Ward is rightly choosing to focus on the positives though.

He said: “We had enough chances to win two or three football matches. I thought we did fantastically well.

“To come here and show so much ability and create so many opportunities against a team with aspirations of being high up this league; well I’ve got nothing but praise for my players.

“In the dressing room it feels like we’ve got beat, but that shows you what we think of ourselves at the moment.

“I’m proud to be their manager at the moment because they are working very, very hard for the cause.

“We’re a good team and somebody, somewhere is going to take a bit of a beating from us soon.”

– Full report and reaction, including and interview with new signing Tom Williams, in Monday’s EADT.