Colchester United head coach John McGreal was glad to see his side extend their unbeaten run to nine matches after their battling 1-1 draw at Newport County.

The U's remain in the League Two play-off places after a committed display at Rodney Parade, which saw Chris Porter's penalty cancel out Josh Sheehan's opener for the Exiles.

McGreal said: "It was a hard fought point, especially after going a goal down and it was a really good point in the end.

"We'd all love to win every game but I'm a realist.

"It's a point gained rather than two points lost.

"We've got the 1-1 and we'll take it and move on."

Colchester had to battle hard on a difficult, unpredictable surface against a Newport side who had lost their last eight matches, going into the game.

McGreal said: "We knew that they'd come at us and they've brought in a lot of new personnel over the last ten days.

"We knew that they'd come at us because they're fighting for their lives - credit to them, because they've put in a hell of a shift.

"But the most pleasing aspect from our boys was coming from a goal down and that was probably the best part of the play in terms of our passing after we went that goal down.

"Their goal took a slight deflection I think that took it away from Sam (Walker) and I wasn't pleased with the defending from that throw for that goal.

"We dealt well with the first phase of it but not the second but other than that, we dealt with what they threw at us.

"It was a good ball in from Garvs (Owen Garvan) to Kurtis (Guthrie) for the penalty and we'll take the point and move on."