Oldham Athletic 0 Colchester United 0

Last updated : 14 March 2004 By The Chairman

The Latics could only manage a goalless draw in front of their new manager despite having the best of the chances against a team that has now gone seven away games in the league without a goal. They could have taken the lead as early as the third minute when a free kick from David Eyres was saved by McKinney. The pressure was kept on with chances falling to Dean Holden, John Eyre and Chris Killen, but all came to nothing. In the seventh minute of the second half Calvin Zola shot and the ball came out to Eyres who’s shot was blocked by White. Ex-Latics star Wayne Andrews was replaced in the 70th. minute and ten minutes later Scott Vernon played Chris Killen in with a one-on-one with the keeper but McKinney was too quick and the danger was blocked.

A disappointed Brian Tablot said, “Colchester didn't look like scoring but I have to be honest and say we didn't we look like scoring either. We had a few chances but I can see why it has been a difficult season here and I know there is work to do. The first job is to keep us up and we still need eleven points from our last eleven games to reach my target of 50 points. I think we've got a lot of work to do. We battled hard and tried our best but there is a distinct lack of pace in the side- no one can run past anyone down the sides or over the top. We didn't get enough crosses in. It's only one game and maybe I'm unfair buit there's a lot of work to do with the boys. They're keen, they want to do well but I can see why it's been a difficult season. There were seven corners in the first half but never really much of a threat on goal. I think they were predictable and they were easy to defend.”

“They've obviously been doing these set pieces this season. I've seen it now, I'll see it again on Tuesday and hopefully I can make some impressions into the team. We have got a battle on our hands, definitely. I suppose I have been in a battle before but we've got to do better than we did today, in my opinion. I didn't think we were going to lose the game but I could't see us winning either. We haven't got enough goal threat - we don't pepper their goal. We don't keep them penned in in the last third and you've got to do that when you're going down the slope second half at home. So, we have to get better. I will be working very hard with the players and maybe I will speak to the owners here and ask about the chances of bringing one or two others in.”