COLCHESTER United extended their unbeaten run to nine matches with a hard-fought goal-less draw at high-flying Crewe Alexandra tonight.

The U's were well worth their point in front of a crowd of more than 9,000 at the Mornflake Stadium, as they played out a second successive 0-0 draw and extended the time since they have conceded a goal to more than nine and a half hours.

It was a big point for Colchester and another example of their resilience and all-round discipline under the Cowleys, which has helped them embark on their fine undefeated run.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made three changes to his starting line-up.

Fiacre Kelleher, Teddy Bishop and Lyle Taylor, who skippered the side, came in for suspended duo Tom Flanagan and Mandela Egbo while Jack Payne dropped to the bench.

Bishop made his first U’s league start since September 28 and filled in at right-back, with Egbo banned and Rob Hunt ruled out due to injury.

Both sides went into the game in good form and there was little to choose between the two sides in the first half, with both teams embroiled in a physical battle.

There was little to choose between the two sides before half-time, with clearcut chances few and far between.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

However, Crewe did go close just before the half hour mark when Shilow Tracey fired into the side netting, after Ryan Cooney had run towards the backtracking U's defence.

But Colchester were well in the game and nearly took the lead when Max Conway almost put into his own net in clearing Lyle Taylor's low cross away for a corner.

And in first-half stoppage-time, Crewe goalkeeper Filip Marschall was forced to parry away Taylor’s first-time snap shot for a corner.

From the resultant set-piece, Kelleher headed into the net at the far post but his effort was ruled out for a foul, as the U’s went in at the break goal-less.

Colchester were forced to make a change on the hour when Tovide went off injured and was replaced by Payne.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Crewe began to enjoy some dominance after the interval although the U's had some brief respite when Payne fired straight at Marschall, after Anderson and Jamie McDonnell had linked up well to set up the half chance.

Alex came close to breaking the deadlock with ten minutes when remaining when substitute Omar Bogle's effort came off the outside of a post and off for a goal-kick, after Tracey had picked him out in the area.

Crewe came close again when Ryan Conway fired just wide but the spoils were shared.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Bishop, Kelleher, Donnelly, Iandolo, Bishop (sub Thorn, 78), McDonnell, Read, Anderson (sub Gordon, 78), O Edwards (sub Goodliffe, 89), Taylor (sub Hopper, 89), Tovide (sub Payne, 61).

Substitutes (not used): F Edwards, Smith.

Crewe Alexandra: Marschall, Cooney, Williams, Demetriou, Sanders (sub Bogle, 67), Holicek (sub Long, 84), Connolly, Conway, Tabiner, Tracey, Lankester (sub Powell, 84).

Substitutes (not used): Knight-Lebel, Lunt, Finney, Breckin.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham).

Bookings: Colchester: Iandolo (foul, 87). Crewe: Williams (foul, 7).

Attendance: 9,288 (214 U's fans).