HAYDEN Mullins was full of praise for his Colchester United players after they claimed a deserved point following a 0-0 draw at in-form Bolton Wanderers this afternoon.

The U’s were organised and resolute throughout at the University of Bolton Stadium, holding a Trotters side who have now gone 14 games unbeaten in League Two.

The draw helped Colchester go five points above the League Two relegation zone ahead of the other games in the division this afternoon and after taking charge on Wednesday, new boss Mullins was delighted with his players’ efforts in his game at the helm.

Mullins said: “We knew how tough the game would be coming here.

“We knew the run of form they were in and they’re a good side with a big budget and fantastic players.

“It was about us pulling in the same direction as a team.

“We had a game plan – we wanted to try and stop them and try and slow the game down and also hit them on the counter-attack, which I thought we had some good opportunities to do.

“All in all, I think it’s a good point.

“They’re a good side – we paid them respect but also, I think the lads took literally what I said!

“We wanted to set up in a certain way and press from our shape and I think we sat back a little bit too deep.

“We needed to get them in at half-time and have a chat with them and we wanted to get up the pitch a little bit more and win the ball a little higher and closer to their goal.

“I thought they took it on well and we had a really good spell in the second half when we were on top and a few good set play routines and it was a good performance.”

Colchester had to defend for much of the first half, with the hosts twice hitting the woodwork and goalkeeper Dean Gerken making some good saves.

But the U’s were much more of an attacking force after half-time and threatened to bag a winner, as the spoils were shared.

“I thought the lads worked really hard and deserved any luck that came their way and we earned that by the way we were brave and took the game to them,” said Mullins.

“The lads in midfield were really good, the wide players were good, the full-backs were good in terms of stopping them with the threats that they had all over the pitch.

“I thought we stopped a lot of crosses and on the back of that, I thought we played some good stuff.

“We also looked dangerous from set plays, too and we have height in the team.

“We just needed one of those to drop to us in the box as well.

“Overall, I’m happy with the way we came here, we set up and we pushed a really good team all the way.

“Gerks has had one meaningful save in the second half and I think that’s all credit to the boys.”