Colchester United

Another week, another Saturday without a game. With a further football-less afternoon to contend with for U’s fans this week, focus turned to how our rivals for a top half finish fared around the country in League One. 

U's programme columnist Barry Landy takes a look around the division to see how other teams fared in Saturday's fixtures, with the U's not in action.

The weekend’s results leaves Joe Dunne’s men in 14th place, still on 34 points, and level for the time being with Oldham Athletic. An early goal from the Latics’ Danny Philiskirk and a quickfire equaliser from Bristol City’s Aden Flint saw the spoils shared at Boundary Park. 

Remarkably, such has been the impact of the weather on the fixture list, the U’s now have four games on hand on Lee Johnson’s side and three in hand over most of the teams directly above them.

Port Vale are among those clutch of sides in United’s sights and we travel to Staffordshire on Tuesday night hoping to pick up where we left off against Carlisle, over three weeks ago now. 

Vale warmed up for Tuesday’s clash with a 2-3 defeat to Swindon Town at Vale Park. Micky Adams’ charges took a two goal lead into half time but Swindon mounted an impressive second half comeback to breathe new life into their promotion hopes. 

Another side Joe Dunne will be hoping to gain some ground on over the coming weeks will be Bradford City, who came from two goals down to snatch a 3-3 draw against Crewe Alexandra at Valley Parade. 

Uche Ikpeazu struck early in both half to give Crewe a two goal cushion before ex-U’s boss Phil Parkinson had James Hanson and Gary Jones to thank for pulling his team level. Mathias Pogba looked to have secured a vital three points in Alex’s relegation battle before Jones netted again as the spoils in this six goal thriller were shared. 

At the top of the table, Leyton Orient failed to take advantage of their promotion rivals games being rained off as they missed out on the chance to go top, losing 2-1 to Peterborough at Brisbane Road. 

A win would have taken them top on goal difference, at least until midweek and former Colchester striker Dave Mooney looked to have settled the match with his 70th minute goal. However, two goals at the death from Britt Assombalonga and Tommy Rowe secured a vital win for Darren Ferguson’s playoff contenders. 

Preston overcame their FA Cup disappointment in the week to cement their playoff position with a 2-1 win at Tranmere. The result, courtesy of two goals from in-form midfielder Joe Garner, leaves Rovers just two points above the drop zone.

Elsewhere, Sheffield United recovered from their heavy defeat at Crewe last week to see off Shrewsbury 2-0, MK Dons dented Walsall’s promotion bid with a 3-0 win at the Bescot and Notts County moved out of the drop zone thanks to an impressive 3-0 victory over Coventry. Carlisle remain in trouble after a 2-1 reverse at home to Gillingham.