Sky Blues play-off hopes look in tatters after latest defeat against the relegation threatened side
Fair-weather fans could cite the traditional Bank Holiday downpour that spilled over into the working week as a legitimate alibi although a reassuring rainbow was arching over the Ricoh as the hard-core supporters filed in.
And in truth there is little prospect of the glory-hunters being tempted back for the rest of a campaign which looks less likely than ever to offer the prospect of a day out at Wembley in the Spring sunshine.
Another bitterly disappointing display means that they are now eight points shy of the play-offs with only seven gamed to play – and if they can’t beat the likes of Colchester at home, what chance of them winning at the likes of Wigan and Gillingham?
Jodi Jones, recruited with next season in mind, was pitched into the starting line-up after his impressive substitute stint at Peterborough on Friday, replacing Andy Rose who picked up a hamstring strain at London Road.
Jack Stephens, refreshed after his non-playing excursion with England Under-21s, returned to the back four enabling Romain Vincelot to resume his holding partnership with John Fleck.
City signalled their attacking intentions as Murphy’s first-minute shot was charged down but Colchester, matching the hosts’ 4-2-3-1 formation and buoyed by their recent upturn, knocked the ball around confidently in the early stages.
Ricketts and Lorentzson had to take desperate measures to clear dangerous centres and there was no escape in the 17th minute when Lee wriggled through on the left and just managed to keep the ball in play for a low cross that Massey – all too easily – rolled home from ten yards.
Cole led the City response, pulling one shot wide before getting maximum power behind a 20-yarder that thudded straight into Parish’s midriff.
The Sky Blues produced their best move to date on the half-hour, the referee ignoring a clear foul on Jones but the advantage dissipating as Eastman hurled himself into a last-ditch tackle to block Murphy’s shot at source.
Rather more controversially, Mr Robinson settled for a consolation corner when Murphy was sent tumbling by Edwards with no obvious involvement of the ball but there was no scope for debate in the 44th minute as Colchester struggled to clear Cole’s cross and Massey blatantly shoved Vincelot in the box.
The outcome was equally frustrating, however, as Murphy took the responsibility but produced a puny penalty that was easily saved by Parish.
It was a crushing end to a flat first half from the Sky Blues but there were welcome signs of urgency on the restart – Vincelot crowded out as he shaped to put the finishing touches to an excellent Cole-Ricketts combination.
Singers Corner were calling for Ruben Lameiras by this stage and although Mowbray’s first change was to swap Tudgay for Fortune, the Portuguese soon followed in place of Murphy.
Colchester were largely content to protect what they had – although Charles-Cook had to be alert to claim Moncur’s breakway effort – and Mowbray threw on an extra attacker by replacing Lorentzson with George Thomas.
City threatened a couple of times – Vincelot with a blocked header from an excellent Lameiras cross, Tudgay with an on-the-spin volley that flew well over – but it was the U’s who went closest as Gilbey found a counter-attack gap to force a low stop from Charles-Cook.
The home fans were heading for the exits in droves as the game ticked into overtime – but the 180-strong Colchester contingent who eschewed England v Holland on the box to watch their own Oranje in action remained to cheer a result that raises their hopes of staying in League One next season.
And it they do pull it off, it now seems inevitable that they can look forward to home and away dates with the Sky Blues who, surely must abandon their Championship ambitions for another year.
Attendance: 10,027 (180 away).
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 6:58 pm