LONG-SERVING defender Tom Eastman admits his surprise last-minute recall to Colchester United’s starting line-up at Morecambe came a ‘bit out of the blue’.

But the U’s centre-back says he was glad to play his part in helping the U’s claim a point and clean sheet, following the goal-less draw at the Globe Arena.

Eastman looked set to miss only his third league game of the season for Colchester, after being dropped to the bench for the League Two clash.

But after Frankie Kent was withdrawn from the U’s side shortly before kick-off because of a knee injury, the 26-year-old was thrust back into the side and helped them claim a draw.

Eastman told the Daily Gazette: “It was a bit out of the blue when I got the call.

“But Laps (Tom Lapslie) had told me that Frankie was struggling a bit so it wasn’t too much of an adjustment.

“I was disappointed to be on the bench in the first place but I thought I played well and I was glad to help us get the clean sheet.

“We wanted the win and the boys were a bit flat in the changing room afterwards but Morecambe’s a tough place to come and they’re in good form.

“We wanted to win the game but it was good to keep the clean sheet and I thought we looked solid throughout the 90 minutes.

“It was a bit of a bobbly pitch which probably didn’t help the game in terms of it being a spectacle but I’ve seen a lot worse and it wasn’t too bad.”

Colchester are without a win in their last five matches in League Two, scoring only once in that time.

They travel to play Stevenage on Saturday in 13th position, nine points adrift of the top-seven.

“For some reason, we’re not scoring the goals that we’re capable of at the moment,” said Eastman, who is currently the longest-serving player in the Colchester squad.

“We want to show a little bit more in the final third but we’ll keep plugging away and trying to create chances.

“We have a good game to look forward to at Stevenage on Saturday and there should be a good atmosphere.

“We have eight games to go now and we’ll be looking to win every single one of them and see where it takes us.”