Colchester 0 Rotherham Utd 0: Frustrated Rotherham settle for point in stalemate

But the Millers felt they should have been awarded a first-half penalty after Kieran Agard appeared to be shoved in the penalty area by U’s defender Magnus Okuonghae.

Rotherham only threatened spasmodically in the first half, although Miles Addison did go close.

Colchester had a ‘goal’ ruled out 10 minutes before the break when former Sheffield Wednesday striker Clinton Morrison fouled Millers goalkeeper Adam Collin before Sanchez Watt tucked the ball into the net.

It proved to be one of Brendan Malone’s last meaningful acts in the middle as he departed with a rib injury minutes later and was replaced by fourth official, Essex’s Fred Graham.

Graham waved away Rotherham’s penalty appeals in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage-time when Agard went down inside the area.

Agard spectacularly volleyed over from Lee Frecklington’s cross and Haris Vuckic fired straight at U’s goalkeeper Sam Walker as the visitors warmed to the task after the interval.

Walker then made an even better save minutes later to stop Alex Revell’s low shot.

But Rotherham received a let-off when Watt’s close-range effort crashed against the crossbar, midway through the second half.

The Millers looked the more dangerous of the two sides as the clock ticked down and substitute Nicky Adams volleyed a good chance over from close range with 12 minutes to go.

But despite their late pressure, Rotherham had to be content with a point.

Colchester United: Walker, Wilson, Okuonghae, Eastman, Dickson, Wright, Bean, Massey (Vose, 77), Watt (Olufemi, 90), Sears (Bonne, 70), Morrison. Unused substitutes: Sesay, Sanderson, Eastmond, Cousins.

Rotherham United: Collin, Skarz, Tavernier, Morgan, Addison, Agard, Frecklington (Bradley, 87), Smallwood (O’Connor, 69), Pringle, Vuckic (Adams, 65), Revell. Unused substitutes: Brindley, Milsom, Hitchcock, Shearer.

Referee: B Malone (Wiltshire).

League One

P W D L F A Pts

Wolves 32 21 7 4 57 20 70

Leyton Orient 34 21 7 6 68 33 70

Brentford 32 20 7 5 54 31 67

Preston 34 17 13 4 48 34 64

Rotherham 34 17 11 6 64 43 62

Peterborough 33 16 4 13 51 44 52

Swindon 34 13 8 13 51 45 47

Walsall 33 12 11 10 38 33 47

MK Dons 34 13 7 14 48 46 46

Sheff Utd 33 12 8 13 36 38 44

Port Vale 33 13 4 16 44 52 43

Bradford 33 9 14 10 45 41 41

Crawley Town 29 9 12 8 34 37 39

Coventry 32 13 9 10 59 56 38

Oldham 34 10 8 16 39 48 38

Gillingham 34 11 5 18 43 57 38

Carlisle 33 10 7 16 37 54 37

Colchester 32 8 12 12 37 41 36

Tranmere 33 9 9 15 40 57 36

Bristol City 34 7 14 13 49 56 35

Crewe 34 9 8 17 38 63 35

Shrewsbury 33 7 11 15 31 43 32

Stevenage 33 9 5 19 33 53 32

Notts County 34 9 3 22 42 61 30