SWINDON Town were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Colchester United at the County Ground this evening.

Sanchez Watt saw red for the visitors with 20 minutes left, giving Town – who dominated long periods of the game – the platform from which to secure what would have been a vital League One victory.

But no winner was forthcoming and Swindon will be left to rue their missed opportunities and what might have been.

Mark Cooper kept faith with the same XI which began the 3-2 victory over Port Vale last weekend, while the County Ground pitch was only deemed playable by referee Darren Sheldrake at 6.55pm on his third assessment.

In the first half, Ryan Dickson skewed an early free-kick over for the visitors, while Alex Pritchard drew Sam Walker into a fine save from 25 yards, but neither side could create a gilt-edged chance.

Town’s cause was hurt in stoppage time in the opening period, when Nile Ranger had to be replaced by Jacob Murphy after picking up a groin injury, but they were boosted 20 minutes from time by the red card shown to U’s midfielder Watt for an apparent headbutt on Nathan Thompson.

Despite their man advantage, however, Swindon could not find a breakthrough and the chance to pick up three crucial points went astray, with Pritchard and Byrne both firing wide in the final 10 minutes.