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Granville own goal denies U's

Image: Granville: Own goal misery

Danny Granville's unfortunate last-minute own goal denied Colchester all three points after a 1-1 draw with local rivals Norwich.

Own goal misery gives Norwich a share of the spoils

Danny Granville's unfortunate last-minute own goal denied Colchester all three points after a 1-1 draw with local rivals Norwich. Kevin McLeod had given the home side the lead just 12 minutes earlier but Granville's unfortunate strike gave Norwich the point their second half performance merited. The first chance of note fell for Colchester midfielder Mark Yeates who shot over the bar from outside the area. The Canaries began to settle and Pat Baldwin fouled Jamie Cureton on the edge of the box. Mark Fotheringham took the free-kick and, although his shot was on target, it was easily gathered by Dean Gerken in the Colchester goal. It took just three minutes of the second half for the first real chance of the match to come as Cureton latched onto a long ball out of defence. He struck it well on the half volley but his shot across the face of goal went wide of the far post. Colchester came back at Norwich and produced the best piece of football of the match to bring a fantastic save out of David Marshall. Yeates played a pass in to Teddy Sheringham who took a sublime touch with the outside of his boot to guide the ball into the path of Platt and the big striker thumped a volley goalbound which Marshall did brilliantly to tip over the bar. Colchester substitute Jamie Guy, who had been brought on for Sheringham, then had a chance to score within two minutes as McLeod found him in the box but his shot was blocked away by Doherty.

Opener

And Colchester took the lead from the resulting corner as Yeates' cross deceived Mo Camara who missed the ball with a stooping header and McLeod was on hand to bundle the ball home with his knee at the near post. Moments later Norwich were denied a penalty when Baldwin appeared to manhandle Lee Crofts and they then hit the woodwork as Russell headed Darren Huckerby's cross against the post. But they did have their goal in the 89th minute as Doherty headed a free-kick back across goal which Cureton and Granville both went for but it was the defender who turned the ball over his own line for the equaliser.

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