John Ward

COLCHESTER United boss John Ward admitted that his side were well below their best, against Sheffield United, but still hailed the 1-1 draw as the best of the U’s three draws to date.

Clinton Morrison cancelled out John Cofie’s 17th minute strike with a 73rd minute equaliser, to earn the U’s a third draw on the bounce following the stalemates against Preston and Portsmouth.

Ward said: “That’s the third draw we have had this week, and it’s the best of the three draws in terms of the result.

“We played better in the other two games, but I get to know more about people in adversity.

“Sheffield United are a very good team and they played better than us, particularly in the first half.

“We had to dig in, and we did exactly that.

“Because of that, and the way it was attained, it becomes the best of the three draws,” added Ward.

Morrison will be claiming the goal, because he insisted that he got a touch from Magnus Okuonghae’s goalbound effort, following a corner.