COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal was pleased to see a change in formation secure his side a point following their 1-1 draw at Macclesfield Town this afternoon.

The U’s were largely second best in the opening period against the Silkmen at the Moss Rose and trailed at the break to a goal from Scott Wilson, scored just before half-time.

But boss McGreal sent on defender Tom Eastman for attacker Abo Eisa at the break and switched to three at the back and it resulted in an improved second-half display.

Frank Nouble levelled things up in the early stages of the second half and boss McGreal was pleased with the improvement from his team, after the interval.

The draw leaves Colchester sixth in the League Two table, five points off the automatic promotion places.

McGreal said: “In the first half, we weren’t at it and they were much better than us.

“They went with a diamond and the change had to happen; we didn’t get our full-backs or wingers involved in the game and they nullified that with their change of shape.

“But I just thought when we had the change of shape we were the team looking to go on to win.

“We adapted to it well and Tom Eastman and Diaz Wright both came on and did well.

“We were wasteful at times when we got into good areas and took a bit longer than we normally do to get the ball under control or to find that pass.

“But I was really pleased with the second-half performance.

“A few weeks or months ago, we’d be losing that game.

“There’s a different feeling of how we are at the minute, defending those corners coming in late on while still having that potent attack.

“You have to give credit to Macclesfield.

“When we took them on in December, there was definitely a change when you look at the points tally they’ve got and you can see why.

“Macclesfield will never give in and that’s the thing we’ve found from them.”

McGreal admitted the bobbly Moss Rose pitch was not conducive to his side’s passing style but admitted it was the same for both teams.

McGreal added: “I spoke to their number two Danny Whitaker and even for them, the pitch isn’t conducive to playing.

“It was really, really lively.

“It’s not for lack of trying from our boys and we did try it, I thought we caused our own problems at times trying to play on it.

“It’s one to learn from and with the way the pitches are looking a bit rutted and drying up, we’re probably going to be a bit more of this, in the coming months.”