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" I'm disappointed for the team but I can't really deny them their equaliser. We've ridden our luck a wee bit and I was hoping we could ride it all the way through, but we didn't. I'm sure that even the most partisan Colchester supporter, and that includes me, can't really deny Carlisle taking a point back with them, so that is how it is.
" My team have put a fantastic effort in, we have had a huge week in terms of Rochdale and Sunderland. It is no excuse but it is a huge week and we have had a fantastic effort again tonight. The pleasing thing, I have said to the boys in there, they are so disappointed, but we have come to the end of August and we are unbeaten, the same as Carlisle.
" So, I am just saying that that is how tough it is to get the top of this league, even for a few hours. So, we try to learn our lessons, pick ourselves up, go up to Walsall, and if we can win that game at Walsall then we get smiling again.
" But, I can't grumble about the whole evening, I think there has been a fantastic effort and a real top of the table game for both teams to work hard to try to get something out of it, and in the end we share it.
" We couldn't see it through and we couldn't find the second goal, and we have had that a little bit already in the first six games. We couldn't see it through to get the three points, but, we have now gone unbeaten for these games in our division. "
" In terms of a start with me at the helm and a new group of players playing a different type of football, I am relatively satisfied with that. I can't grumble that my team hasn't lost a game can I?
" We have got good moves in us, we have been able to play some good football, particularly in the first-half. In the second-half we were on the back-foot and that was down to Carlisle as much as us. We have had to do some defending and we did that very well at Rochdale last week and managed to get the winning goal late on ourselves.
" So, it is swings and roundabouts this game, and you have to accept what gets thrown at you. But, I have got a team that has got a fantastic attitude and I have got infact a full squad of people and staff that back me up. I am very happy with that, we have just got to try to make it that little bit better and that is exactly what we will try to do.
" We weren't able to get our passing going in the second-half, Carlisle closed us down and I think it was as much them as us. We all look at things through rose-tinted glasses when you are looking at your own team. But, there are two groups out there and this team (Carlisle) has come unbeaten themselves and at the top of the table, and you have seen why in the second-half.
" We have got no divine right to run games and rule games, but we have played Sheffield Wednesday here who are a top side, we have played Carlisle who are top of the league and unbeaten and we have stood right up to them. We have just got to try to be that little bit better and we will work hard to try to do that if we can. "
" Outsiders can say that their week off made a difference, but I was asked that question prior to the game and I said that I had a group of professional players who are fit and strong. They are capable of playing a game on Saturday, Tuesday and Friday, it is not an issue for me. We got pressed back by a good team and they have got an equaliser, so it is purely that as much as anything else.
" There aren't excuses but there are reasons, and I would say that the biggest reason is that Carlisle played well in the second-half. We played well in the first-half, both teams scored a goal when they played well and that is the final score, so that is it basically.
" I must have just missed Greg Abbott somewhere to shake his hand. That is not important, not important, what a great game of football, absolutely super game of football, that is all that really everyone should talk about.
" We have got one more game on a Friday evening before the end of the season so we can only experience it one more time. But, I enjoyed it, I am sure the supporters enjoyed it, but they will be a bit disappointed that they haven't seen their team win.
" Because they tried to rally us and we haven't quite made it for them. But, really pleased that they have been here and they are seeing a team that is giving their all for themselves and for the football club. They have got a lot of support still yet to come. "