JOHN McGreal described Colchester United’s 1-1 draw with fellow play-off hopefuls Carlisle United this afternoon as a ‘great point’.

The U’s looked like they were heading for defeat at the JobServe Community Stadium, after Hallam Hope had fired the Cumbrians in front just before the hour.

But defender Frankie Kent nodded home an equaliser with six minutes remaining to salvage a draw for Colchester and lift them up to fifth in the League Two table.

McGreal said: “It’s a great point knowing that they were beneath us.

“It was a proper football match and it was a game of chess.

“They were counter-acting what we were doing and we had to counter-act what they were trying to do.

“There were some different game plans out there but there was some terrific football.

“For division two, it was two great footballing sides at this level and some great quality of play.

“We were huffing and puffing and playing a lot of the good football but they were still dangerous on the counter attack.

“I wanted us to stick to our principals, continue to play and get our big players on the ball and that’s what happened.

“Chances were at a premium for both teams but Frank was there Johnny on the spot to knock it in for us.

“I think that’s three or four goals now that he’s scored and we’re challenged the boys from day one to get the goals.

“There’s goals throughout the team and Frank has been able to get a few.”

Kent stooped to head home from close range, after Carlisle keeper Adam Collin had palmed away substitute Brennan Dickenson’s cross.

It was Colchester’s first headed league goal of the season, something that surprises McGreal.

“It’s unbelievable when you look at the size of the team and the amount of goals we’ve scored,” said the U’s boss.

“It came at a vital time in the last ten minutes and it gave us that extra yard to go on.

"I'm sure they'll be a little bit disappointed, going into the final ten minutes ahead and thinking they can go above us.

"But we did well to claw it back after being 1-0 down - the goal could have killed us but it didn't.

“It’s a point and we move on, into another month next week.”