U'S WILL NOT ROLL OVER ON MY WATCH, SAYS COWLEY

DANNY Cowley paid tribute to his relegation-haunted Colchester after they ground out a draw at table-topping Mansfield.

- William Jackson

Harry Anderson opened the scoring for the visitors, before Lewis Brunt restored parity just after the hour mark.

It was a sixth draw in eight winless games for Cowley’s men as they remain just one place above the drop zone.

“They are the best team in the division – there is a lot to respect in Mansfield,” he said.

“So to come here and put on the performance that we did, we have a lot to be proud of and, ultimately, we’re disappointed not to have won.

“I know the home fans were getting a bit frustrated, I am not sure if they were getting frustrated with us or their own team. I am not sure if people expected us to just turn up here and lie down and let them run all over us.

“But that won’t happen on my watch – over my dead body. We want to be winners. We were gritty, determined, resilient and also streetwise.

“We showed all the qualities I like in one of my team’s performances and I was proud of our efforts.

“We’re not about to give up our league status easily – we now have nine games left and we will give it absolutely everything we’ve got.”