City 1 Colchester 1
City failed to win for the fifth time in six home games as visitors Colchester survived a late onslaught to earn a deserved point at the Way on Saturday.
Despite the impressive victory at Millwall the previous week and a nine-point lead at the top of League One, there were still large expanses of empty seats within the stadium as the game kicked off. A large section of the City fanbase clearly remain to be convinced of the merits of Nigel Pearson's side. Sadly, this was another home display that failed to dispel the scepticism.
Pearson made two changes to the starting line-up, Barry Hayles deputising for the suspended Steve Howard and Max Gradel replacing the out-of-sorts Lloyd Dyer. Meanwhile former Foxes Alan Maybury and Mark Yeates featured in the visiting side.
Attacking the Kop in the first half, City offered only sporadic threats on the Colchester goal. The midfield was too often denied space, which meant that the defenders were reduced to mindless hoofball which didn't suit Hayles or Fryatt at all. The fans were further frustrated by a well-organised offside trap which frequently exposed the lack of pace in the home attack…..
The Colchester game plan brought them further dividends midway through the half as a dubiously-awarded free kick, thirty yards from goal, gave Yeates the opportunity to show how much more prolific he's become since his spell on loan at City two seasons ago. Although his shot was well-struck, keeper Tony Warner, making his home debut, will have been slightly disappointed not to have kept it out.
The Foxes suffered a further blow ten minutes later, when Tom Cleverley was forced off with what seemed a serious shoulder injury. His replacement, Dyer, made little impact in direct opposition to Maybury, as half-time arrived with Colchester looking comfortable for their lead.
City needed to step up a gear in the second half, and created an excellent opportunity for Matty Fryatt early on. However, on this occasion he was unable to find the target, and the visitors were able to regroup.
Indeed, they could even have added to their lead, but Karl Hawley somehow headed wide of an open goal from five yards after escaping the attentions of a strangely-lethargic defence.
That let-off proved crucial. A surprisingly-subdued Gradel was replaced by Paul Dickov after 66 minutes. And the City veteran wasted no time in making an impact on the game.
Within seconds of entering the pitch, Dickov forced a corner for the home side, and although Matt Oakley's cross looked poor, visiting keeper Mark Cousins decided to punch it away rather than catch it. He only succeeded, however, in pushing the ball to the sub's feet and the Scot gratefully accepted the gift.
The visitors, however, refused to retreat into their shell, and may easily have retaken the lead within minutes. However, Clive Platt's header was well stopped by Warner on his own line.
Further Colchester chances followed before Fryatt broke clear of the visiting defence in the closing minutes. Although his shot beat Cousins, it again sailed high and wide of the target.
City once more had the chance to snatch an undeserved win when one of the few passing moves of the afternoon saw Dyer burst through. But Cousins saved well at his feet to keep the U's on terms.
The City performance was as disappointing as on the last two occasions Colchester have visited. The lack of creativity and leadership, particularly from the senior players, will be a major concern to Pearson as he ponders the rebuilding work that will be necessary in the summer.
The point gained takes the Foxes a point nearer to the finishing line. But the League 1 promotion race is ending with more of a stagger than a sprint of triumph.
City: Warner (6), Gilbert (5), Hobbs (5), Morrison (5), Mattock (6), Cleverley (5) (Dyer 34 (5)) Oakley (4), King (5), Gradel (5) (Dickov 66 (5)), Fryatt (5), Hayles (4). Subs not used: Pentney, Kisnorbo, Berner. Booked: Hayles
Colchester: Cousins, Maybury, Trotman, Baldwin, Tierney, Perkins (Jackson 74), Hammond (c), Izzet, Yeates (Wordsworth 90), Platt, Hawley. Subs not used: Gerken, Coyne, Wasiu. Booked: Platt
Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire) Attendance: 20,218 (490 Away)
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation