Colchester United picked up a hard-earned point on the road after playing out a 0-0 draw at Coventry City.

The U's were forced to play the final 14 minutes plus stoppage time with only ten men after skipper Tom Lapslie was sent off after picking up two cautions in the space of barely two minutes.

But Colchester held out well to secure a draw and make it four away games unbeaten, in League Two.

U’s head coach John McGreal made two changes to the side that started the 2-1 win at Newport County.

Drey Wright returned from an ankle injury at left wing-back and Tom Lapslie was recalled at the expense of injured duo Kane Vincent-Young and Doug Loft.

Winger Kyel Reid was ineligible to play against his parent club due to the terms of his loan agreement.

It was a forgettable first 45 minutes, with little in the way of quality.

Marc McNulty’s tame header was saved by Colchester keeper Sam Walker after Jodi Jones had curled the ball into the area.

But chances were at a premium for both sides in a lacklustre first half, the quality of which was influenced by a blustery wind that swirled around the Ricoh.

Colchester striker Mikael Mandron escaped the attention of the Coventry defence before curling a shot well wide just before the 20-minute mark.

But although the U’s failed to seriously test Coventry keeper Lee Burge in the first half, they kept their shape well and rarely allowed their hosts any space to play in the final third.

On the occasions they did break through, Coventry’s deliveries whizzed across the face of the six-yard box.

At the other end, Colchester’s best chance of the first half came six minutes before half-time when midfielder Sean Murray collected Ryan Jackson's pass but sliced his effort and the chance went begging.

Coventry started the second half brightly and shortly after half-time, U’s keeper Sam Walker got a vital touch on Jack Grimmer’s dangerous cross to divert it away from the lurking Duckens Nazon in the area.

But there was little for either team to get excited about after that, before with 20 minutes remaining Brandon Comley danced his way into the area before slicing wide of the far post.

Ryan Inniss made a great saving tackle to deny Marc McNulty a shooting chance before Colchester were reduced to ten men with 14 minutes remaining when less than two minutes after being booked for a foul, skipper Tom Lapslie was cautioned again for handling the ball near the corner flag.

Comley headed inches over his own goal and Inniss made another fine last-ditch tackle to prevent the hosts from scoring, as Colchester were forced on the back foot in the closing stages.

McGreal sent on Craig Slater for Hanlan as the clock ticked down and the hosts pressed, with Ryan Haynes’ half-volley spinning wide of the far post after good one-two with McNulty.

Haynes headed over unmarked from a corner in stoppage time but despite four minutes of stoppage-time, Colchester held out for a draw.