Colchester United boss John McGreal admits his side's 1-1 draw at Yeovil Town this afternoon was a 'missed opportunity' for his side.

The U's had to be content with a point at Huish Park, after Tom Eastman's equaliser 15 minutes from time cancelled out Jake Gray's opener for the Glovers.

Colchester were forced to play for most of the second half with only ten men, after goalkeeper Dillon Barnes was sent off for violent conduct following an altercation with Tristan Abrahams, immediately after the home side went ahead.

The draw leaves the U's two points off the League Two play-off places, with two games remaining.

McGreal said: "It's a missed opportunity.

"As poor as the game was in the first half, I thought we started terrifically well in the second half.

"It wasn't to be but we've scrapped and fought and we've managed to get a point out of it.

"We were trying to get all three but a point after what happened is good for us.

"It was two edgy teams in the first half at the top and bottom ends of the table.

"We had the better opportunities in a really cagey first half but in the second half, I thought we were right on.

"We had a bit of travelling with two games in three days and you can try and make part excuses as such but I thought we started the second half really well.

"We had the hill and the wind and they sat us off and we dominated the ball.

"We had a fantastic opportunity when Courtney was fouled - it's a penalty if he goes down but he slides it to Abs (Eisa) and he should be scoring.

"We've said that in there and he scores from there every day in training.

"From that, they've gone down the other end and scored and it's a really poor goal to give away.

"We changed the shape and made a couple of subs and then we got on the front foot again.

"We got the goal and a little bit of lady luck in one or two other parts of the pitch.

"It was a bit to and fro after that and it was obviously entertaining.

"We were getting fed information on the bench on what was going on elsewhere and there were a lot of draws."

Barnes is set for a three-match suspension following his red card, meaning Ethan Ross is likely to start against MK Dons on Saturday.

Ross came on for his debut for the U's with Sam Saunders the man to make way.

McGreal said: "I can’t comment on the sending off because I haven't seen it - I've just seen the ball hit the back of the net.

"All I can comment on is that it's a mistake and we've been there before.

"Young lads are going to make mistakes but from what I've been told, I don't think you can do that.