The Latics were very unlucky to lose at Colchester by 1-0. The showed grit, determination and deserved better than nothing out of an entertaining game. The old story was back to haunt them again - not being able to put the ball in the net. They twice hit the woodwork and it was a cruel twist, after a spirited display, when on-loan Danny Batth scored the only goal of the game in the 64th. minute with a diving header.
Pawel Abbott (pictured) looked certain to score but the U's keeper Ben Williams dived at his feet to block the effort and did the same again later in the game. Williams was voted Colchester's man of the match which gives an indication as to how well the visitors dominated the goal chances. Colbeck also had a good chance when he cut in from the left but he was thwarted by the U's keeper again.
Colchester's manager Aidy Boothroyd described the Latics as the best visiting team to the Weston Homes Community Stadium in the current campaign as his team looked second best on the day.
Dave Penney commented, "We should have scored two or three goals. There are a lot of positives, but we were disappointed to get no points because the performance was good. We had a shout for a penalty turned down for a foul on Chris Taylor and Colchester then went up the other end and scored from a corner. That is the way it is at the moment. When you are at the top you ride your luck, but when you are at the bottom you lose 1-0 like we did. We will have a change of fortune if we keep working hard as we have been doing and putting in performances like that. The deflections will eventually go in off someone's backside."