The starting line up was Williams, White, Okuonghae, Batth and Tierney, Lisbie, Fox, O’Toole, Wordsworth with Platt and Odejayi up front.

Despite the rain, the pitch looked very good and did not cut up, a testament to the preparation by the ground staff. When the team emerged it was good to see Magnus make a point of applauding the supporters. He relishes the role of captain and has quickly become a firm favourite with the U’s fans. The faithful were present in good number (205), the rain was incessant but the U’s were quickly out of the blocks and imposed themselves on the game. David Fox deservedly scored after 12 minutes and in truth Colchester were good value for the lead. The support was excellent with good singing and chanting.

Some of the passing was vintage and four good chances were carved out in the first 20 minutes. Now the view at Oldham is good and although the seats lack leg room the food and particularly the pies are among the best in the league. The meat and potato was particularly good at half time.

Colchester started the second half in the same vein as the first. Attacking the end where the Colchester support was mustered they simply outplayed their hosts. It was at this point that we saw the best of Wordsworth as a he delivered a brilliant free kick for Odejayi to out jump the defence and head past the ex Southend keeper Flahavan. And that should have been that. Colchester were totally in control and despite the fact that my prediction league choice was 2-0 Colchester, I thought that we might score three or four. Such was the domination.

Of course football is such a frustrating game at times and we were all in for a shock. Tierney had been booked in the first half (his first challenge) and after Colchester conceded an innocuous free kick after 55 minutes the ball rolled to Tierney who foolishly kicked it some 30 yards into touch. The referee who up until that point had officiated fairly immediately produced the second yellow and Tierney was sent off (1 match ban).

Now this is where I believe that Aidy Boothroyd made a mistake. No sooner had Boothroyd departed than Phil Ifil was brought on and Super Kev was sacrificed. Now notwithstanding the fact that we were down to ten men, we had a two goal cushion and Oldham were deflated. Lisbie had relished the conditions and had been playing particularly well. I think Aidy acted too quickly and should have waited five minutes or so before deciding on a change.

Immediately the team lost shape and balance, Oldham were allowed too much time and space on the ball and we began to see the worst side of Wordsworth. Time and gain he played an aimless ball forward to no one in particular. The Oldham fans who had been librarian like were soon singing “we’re gonna win 3-2”.

Colchester became more and more withdrawn and Oldham who were dead and buried suddenly sensed a revival. Now I haven’t seen the penalty on TV yet but I thought Oldham were lucky to be awarded a spot kick. Suddenly it was 2-1 and the Latics were transformed. But we still gave them too much room.

Aidy made a straight swap Izzet for Fox but I didn’t think that Kem was 100% fit and I would rather have seen Stevie G make an appearance and perhaps had we not conceded the penalty he might have played. However Boothroyd compounded his Lisbie error by introducing Paul Reid for Clive Platt who had run himself into the floor.

This allowed Oldham to introduce a fourth striker. Gillespie should have come on for Platt. Fresh legs and an attacking option would have been the answer. Result a close range header and it was all square. Definitely two points dropped. I suppose after Exeter which was a point gained this was difficult to take and driving home I mused that we almost lost the game at the death. The referee managed to find four minutes which were safely negotiated however.

Lessons to be learned. Boothroyd has now worked with the players long enough to have trusted them to be more adventurous even when down to ten men. He should have resisted the temptation to change to a more defensive formation so soon after Tierney’s’ dismissal.

Yes it is easy to be wise after the event but Oldham were poor and should have been soundly beaten. Coasting at 2-0 and with the faithful singing “the U’s are going up” we had to endure a horror show for the last 35 minutes. Tierney obviously was foolish to kick the ball away, it was a senseless booking and without doubt we would have won easily if the playing staff had remained equal at 11 a side.

Positives – Ben Williams was superb, O’Toole was assured and very calm in possession, Odejayi scored a superb header and we managed to hold onto a point despite attempts to throw the game away.

I suppose home wins and away draws will ultimately lead to promotion but we must convert more away matches to three points rather than single hauls.

Another thought – could we try a 4-3-3 formation away from home Lisbie, Odejayi and Platt would scare defences and we might add to those two away wins more quickly.

The league is getting much tighter at the top and we need to ensure that no gap appears between second and third position. On Tuesday evening Stockport must be put to the sword. 5-0 would do nicely. A good vocal crowd at the Weston Homes is needed.

Up the U’s