Colchester United

 An excellent defensive effort from Colchester secure a 0-0 draw to League One high-flyers Millwall, in what proved a tense and physical battle for both sides.

The first half saw a  range of chances for both side in what was an end to end game, where both goalkeepers were well protected by their back fours.   

Millwall had the better of the early opportunities but it was Colchester that came closest to opening the scoring as George Moncur had a shot deflected just past the post with Millwall keeper Jordan Archer stranded. 

Colchester then had to show their defensive qualities as Richard Brindley and then Frankie Kent did superbly when a goal looked likely.

Then came the best chance of the half and it went the way of the visitors. 

A shot from the left hand side was blocked in the Col U area, but it fell straight to the feet of Lee Gregory. Gregory was unable to keep his strike from six yards out under the bar and the U's were let off.

Minutes later it was Colchester's turn to attack and Millwall keeper Archer was forced into a very good save down to his left. 

Moncur picked the ball up in a pocket of space and advanced towards the Penalty before releasing a good through ball to Elliot Lee. Lee opened his body up but his shot towards the far post was saved.

The game to be an even contest after this spell of chances but on 41 minutes Millwall created another opening. 

The partnership between Morison and Gregory in attack for Millwall was proving very dangerous and on this occasion, Gregory got on the end of a flick by Morison but was unable to convert from a tight angle. Despite the good opportunities for both sides it remained goalless at the break.

The second half was a tense and end to end affair with just a handle for of chances for either side. This was mostly down to Colchester defence putting in a superb performance with Frankie Kent and Nicky Shorey particularly impressing.

Colchester had the first chance of the second half as George Moncur's free kick made its way to Lee but his shot was charged down by Archer in the Millwall goal.

Millwall went up the other end almost straight away from the opportunity but Chris Taylor's shot on the edge of the box was blocked by his own team mate.

Millwall then enjoyed a good spell of pressure on the Colchester goal but Frankie Kent and Nicky Shorey were solid at the back in preventing a goal.

Colchester's best chances of the half came right after each other. 

Firstly Gavin Massey had a shot tipped wide and then from the resulting corner Moncur cut inside from the left but drove the ball over.

This seemed to be a wake up call for Neil Harris' men as they pushed forward. Lee Gregory had a clear cut chance to give the away side the lead but Elliott Parish was able to save well.

Then came the best chance of the game for either side and it feel to the visitors. Taylor's shot from the edge of the box deflected off Tom Eastman and onto the base of the post. Colchester were able to clear to safety.

The closing stages were tense for the home fans but an excellent defensive line meant Millwall couldn’t find a way through and the game finished goalless. 

This meant Colchester are now unbeaten in three and face another big relegation clash next Saturday away to Blackpool.