SAM Walker insists there were many positives to be taken from Colchester United’s late defeat to Portsmouth.

The 24-year-old keeper made two outstanding saves in quick succession in the first half to keep his team in contention, and had hoped the U’s could battle for a well-earned point.

There were many positives defensively for the away side, with the back four working well with the keeper to keep a well-supported home side at bay.

And now Walker says he is “chomping at the bit” to go again this weekend, when Colchester visit Wycombe Wanderers.

He said: “It was a very tough place to come and I thought we dealt with everything pretty well, especially in the second half and despite a blustery day.

“The defence looked after me well, we always felt like they would try to dominate possession.

“We knew if we kept our shape, were resolute and communicated well, we would keep them at bay – which we did for a long period.

“It’s just a shame that a silly foul has taken away the chance to win the game.”

Walker produced a stunning double-save in the first half, diving low to his right and getting a firm hand to Curtis Main’s goal-bound shot.

He was up in time to save Rose’s follow-up effort with his legs and Main fired the rebound well over the bar.

“I think I got away with that one a little bit, I think the lad will probably be a bit disappointed,” said Walker.

“But as I said we kept them at bay by and large relatively well – that’s the only chance they got anywhere near me , I did my bit and the lad fired it over.

“It was relatively comfortable from then on.”

The penalty in the 80th minute proved the turning point, with Walker lamenting the “silly” foul which cost his team the goal – dispatched by Gary Roberts.

“I did get a hand to it, there was a little bit of mind games with him,” added Walker.

“I looked at videos of what he has done before and kind of knew he might go that way. ”

Walker believed there was a touch of fortune about the way Rober ts grabbed his second, putting the game beyond doubt.

“It was one of those where he’s come through and it’s come off me and kind of spun in – when it came off me I thought I had actually saved it so to look up and see it go in was disappointing,” he said.

However the keeper knows Portsmouth are favourites for promotion this year and admits Colchester came out to frustrate them.

“They warrant respect I think, they are a good side and it’s a very difficult place to come,” he said.

First and foremost I am delighted to be back and every game I am thoroughly enjoying.

“I think we’ve gelled really well and nullified the majority of the opposition ’s threat.

“It’ s just a case of cutting out the little errors and I think we’ll have plenty of clean sheets this year.

“We came down to this league and we fully believe that we can get a result at any team, any club – home or away.

“We believed that again today and for a large part of the game it looked like a draw was on.

“It’ s a shame to let it slip in the last ten minutes.

“We’ve got an away game to look forward to next week, after losses you look forward to playing the next week even more to put right the wrongs and I’m really chomping at the bit to get out there next weekend and hopefully get a good result.”