Boss Richie Barker felt Crawley were hard done by as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Colchester United last night.

Kyle McFadzean gave Reds the lead in controversial circumstances as Colchester claimed he used a hand to put Mat Sadler’s corner into the net.

A fifth win in seven league matches looked on the cards until Colchester equalised from the penalty spot with four minutes to go.

Barker said: “There was a bit of controversy about both goals but when you hit the woodwork four times then I think you deserve to come away with something.

“I can see why they appealed for handball against Kyle for our goal as his arm was in the air but whether he touched it I don’t know.

“I said to John (Ward, Colchester boss) afterwards that if he had then I apologise but on the other hand I am not sure about the penalty either.

“It looked like six players went for the ball and the referee gave it.

“It was a little bit soft and you do sometimes see a referee level things out.

“But at the end of the day we were denied a decent win by the width of the woodwork four times so we must have done something right.”