U’s Must Turn One Point To Three

Colchester United manager Geriant Williams reacted well to the side`s draw with Burnley, but warned at full time that his side must now concentrate on winning against Preston in a critical game on Tuesday.

He told BBC Essex that he was disappointed not to have won the game at Turf Moor, although admitted pleasure at the way his side recovered from a Chris Coyne mistake at the back. Coyne allowed Andy Cole to net a goal on his first full start for the Clarets with a risky backpacks.

Manager Williams explained: “I thought, in the first half, we deserved to be in font and unfortunately we made one individual mistake and got punished for it, as we seem to be doing these days.

“It was an individual error but I thought the way Chris reacted to it was magnificent and he`s a leader; he didn`t let it affect him. The lads were all in there afterwards saying ‘get your head up, it`s all okay The team spirit, were they are all delighted to get something out of it was fantastic.”

Johnnie Jackson helped the U`s restore parity, his deflected effort zooming past Brain Jensen in the Burnley goal.”We created three chances and didn`t take them. But we got a bit of fortune with an own goal as well, so we`re pleased with the performance,” added the Colchester boss.

When quizzed on the credentials of his team and their potential ability to stave off relegation, which would be a reality at present with the team bottom of the league, Williams said: “Time will tell; we`ve got to start turning these one-pionters into three, but you only do that by keeping up that standard of performance.

“Since Charlton away, which was January the first, our performances have been excellent. Even against Barnsley, where we got beaten 1-0, they only had one shot on target on the night.”

Looking forward to the six-pointer with Preston, the Welshman explained: “We`re looking forward to it; we know it`s going to be a big game. Hopefully it`ll be a big crowd with a great atmosphere.”